Library Director’s Blog

A lot of people love to do it themselves. Sometimes, it’s fast and easy - scan the library card, scan the barcode on the book, hit a button, grab the receipt and go. Last month, over 12,000 items went through self-check. Libraries have had self-check stations for years. A recent article in the Public Libraries journal warned against a newer trend - self-service holds. This refers to patrons picking up items they have reserved without asking at the desk. The worry is that anyone might see what others are borrowing and that would violate privacy. And, it would. We don’t have that service yet. I’m not sure where we would locate it. Some libraries cover the books, or put them in a plastic sack on an accessible open shelf to help maintain privacy. We handle between 1500 and 2000 books reserved each month. Maybe, there is a safe, easy to use  system. What do you think of this practice?

Be sure to get started early in the 2008 Adult Reading Program  - Book Time for Reading. You can win prizes. There are weekly challenges that stretch your familiarity with library resources. As always, a key is managing your time, so you have some to enjoy reading. The program starts today, Sept. 2.

For the past 3 years, we’ve had small rocks lining a narrow bed on the south side of the library. Recently, they’ve become too tempting to pick up and toss. We’re planning to replace them with a safer feature, possibly plain, old cement. But, the possibility exists to do something more interesting and we are open to ideas. One idea was to install literary quotes in the cement, quotes about reading or something related to Kansas or learning. There are various and creative ways to do this. Iowa City has a literary walk downtown that is interesting. If you have good ideas about this space, let us know.

This month both of my kids started law school. At one school, they were told to start studying for finals in October. Anything later would be cramming. The other school advised organizing an extensive weekly summary of what was read, heard and learned. It makes sense that when so much information is coming at you, you stop and sort it into useable and accessible chunks. To a degree, we can all probably use more time for reflection on what we are reading, hearing and learning. Some people do a daily journal or work log. Others incorporate review into a weekly planning session. What are your strategies for reflection and summary?

Each morning, we announce and post activities in the building for the day. August is generally a slow month for programs and meetings. Today, we have a Library Automation system rep meeting with librarians all day. At 5 PM, we have a meeting of the CLASS Advisory Board - they should love the enrollment numbers so far. Then, the Saline County Democrats host a Jim Slattery town hall meeting in the Learning Center. The Early Childhood Educators meet at 6 in the Prescott Room and the Scribblers Writing Group gathers in our small conference room at 7 PM. It should be an interesting day.

One of the new handouts around the library is the promo for the book discussion of the Barbara Kingsolver book - Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. This takes place Sept. 22 - and the Friends will provide food at a 6:30 reception. This program is a good example of working together, since we’re partnering with the Land Institute, where the author will appear on Sept. 27. Plus, it involves our Adult Programming Committee, the Friends and, our PR Coordinator, Bret wallace, who did the flyer and a poster.

The Community Learning and Skill Sharing (CLASS) catalog was released yesterday and at 9 am when the doors opened people came in and enrolled. It’s great to see that response, that interest in learning. Of course, the variety of classes make that possible, even easy. Dog grooming, home energy,dance, yoga, Indian cooking, Wii for seniors, Zumba and ballroom aerobics. And don’t forget the Martini-a-go-go. Check out the catalog at www.salinaclass.com

Our Youth Services staff never seem to get enough fun. They have been so busy this summer and have organized another great week of activities for children and families. This week they have Love Bug Craft, Book Cooks, seven Storytime programs, Flying Debris - a juggling program, Snack and a Movie and Tales from Far Away - from Rolling Hills Zoo. Next week: two days of Summer Reading Party !

This summer I am helping Youth Services by doing 2 storytime sessions each week. I love it ! There are so many great stories to read and being able to see the eyes and faces of the kids up close as they listen to the stories is amazing. I used to do this each week as the Children’s Librarian. This week we’re doing the Itsy Bitsy Spider and Eric Carle’s The Very Busy Spider. It’s nice to have variety in a job. Do you have any good stories about bugs to suggest?

With the Imagination Station open and thriving, we’re beginning to think about modifications to the main floor. It’s not a complete remodel, but a reconsideration of the space for current and future services. Any ideas? We need more space for audio visuals, a place for teens and a new Information Services desk. What else? More quiet study space? More glitz? Large screen TV? Listening/viewing stations? Let me know if you have ideas.