Remember when the library used to be quiet? Well, of course, it’s still relatively quiet, but we also have a silent study room. It has two workstations and it’s used multiple times each day. It’s not a room we reserve. It’s been first come, first serve. That seems to work and some people use it for hours and hours - to study, to write, to plan, etc. We’ll start trying to track the use and I think we’ll find it is one of our busiest spaces in the library.
Games are coming ! This is a new format for our library. And, it’s complicated by the number of different game platforms. And, then there are ratings. Most of the bestsellers seem to be ok for everyone. That’s easy. Then, there are popular games for people 10 and older and another tier for 13+. We’re working on it and hope to have a starter collection available for circulation in both Youth and Adult Services in December.
Today, we are offering a very basic computer class - Basic Mouse Pointing/Beginning the Internet. We’ve been doing computer classes for many years, but we often get requests for basic classes like this one. Wherever you are in the development of your computer skills, be sure to check our monthly schedules. If you don’t find what you are looking for, be sure to ask. This afternoon we have a Word In-Depth class that should extend the knowledge level for many experienced users.
Have you ever seen the empty basketball shoes of one of those tall players with large feet? Monday morning, I learned that Bret Wallace, our extraordinary PR Coordinator, was leaving the library to spend more time on his business pursuits. We wish him the best, but he leaves huge over-sized shoes to fill. The next person will have to still be growing and wanting to learn enough to fill the PR shoes, and be willing to do it. That’s the other thing. In addition to being highly productive, Bret also brought his open mind and positive attitude to work each day. That’s important in a workplace. It all adds up to shoes so big, they probably have to be special ordered, back ordered and gradually broken-in to be comfortable and effective. Thanks for everything, Bret.
Just because it’s sunny, 76 degrees and Friday afternoon does not mean people won’t come to the library. We think it’s always a great time to come to the library. There are several groups of students studying on laptops. There is a computer class and a program on fire safety this afternoon. There is testing being done by a cyber school. The tech center is full, as usual and kids are playing in the Imagination Station. And, once people get off work, we get a steady stream of folks looking for a book, recorded book or dvd for the weekend. Friday afternoons can be busy.
The past two days have been full with such a variety of activities, it can be hard to know what to do and not do. We’ve had Storytime for pre-schoolers, computer classes for the public, as well as a local manufacturing plant, aerobics, dance and zumba, classes for harmonica, drawing, bridge, a database class, a wii game class with seniors, tutoring, a tour group to Hutchinson and lots of meetings in our 5 meeting spaces. It’s good to see such variety of activities mixed in with everything else we do. If you were not part of the fun, check out our schedule of activities and get in to the public library soon.
Today we talked about a possible new service in which we would loan one of our well respected information librarians to community organizations, boards, committees and task forces, as needed, to serve as an on-site/in-meeting information liaison. Basically, they would attend meetings, listen for questions and information needs, respond to requests and queries, and provide answers. Sometimes, you just need that extra someone to make the progress you desire. We hope to introduce this concept this winter.
What to read next? At this time, we have 3 good book displays that our Information Services librarians have organized on the topics: Kansas Notable Books, Banned Books and Buy Local/ Eat Local food. These books are moving. Staff have to regularly re-stock the displays. Sometimes when you can’t think of what you want to read next, the easy thing to do is look around and boom - you’ll probably find something interesting right in front of you. �
On Saturday, we stepped out of our usual roles as library staff and marched with the book cart drill team in the Sesquecentennial parade. What a great time ! We saw many smiles, heard lots of applause ( we don’t get that everyday), and, best of all, the wheels stayed on the carts. We worried about that, but Santa Fe was smooth. Actually, we had many jobs represented in the parade, including Youth services, Collection Management, Interlibrary Loan, Circulation, PR, Outreach, CLASS, Technology, Kansas History, Administration - so, we had good staff representation. And, two teen volunteers carrying our banner. It seemed like we surprised a lot of people who did not expect librarians to be having so much fun marching in a parade. If you saw the parade, what did you think?
It is definitely with mixed feelings that I announce that Glenda Strahan from our Adult Circulation staff is retiring today. We’ll plan a public reception for a weekend in October. Many of you know Glenda and have enjoyed talking with her about books, KU basketball, kids, grandkids and many other things at the front desk. Glenda mastered the art of walking and reading at the same time as she always seemed to be reading going to and from the break room. Glenda has been with us for 27 years ! I can’t imagine how many books and other items, Glenda has checked out. A rough guess would be about 1.2 million. No wonder she’s retiring. We’ll miss you, Glenda. Thanks for helping make our Adult Circulation desk and the library a friendly place for so many people for so long.