Library News, Booksales and a New State Librarian (coming soon)
February 15, 2010
The search is underway for a new Ohio State Librarian following the reisgnation of Jo Budler who is accepting the State Librarian’s position in Kansas. The five members of the State Library Board have the responsibility of choosing the State Librarian and the application window has already closed. No word, at least not to me, on how many applicants there were but I have heard that the interview process is about to begin and that a new State Librarian will soon be announced. Whoever is selected is coming in at a tough time. In the last few years the State Library’s budget has been reduced to the extent that its staff has been cut by more than 50%. Programs like professional development have been discontinued and the State Library has reduced the space it occupies to further save money. The State Library’s budget includes funding for many services like OPLIN, Regional Library Systems, and the Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped plus the State Library administers the Library Services and Technology Act grants, a federally funded program, for Ohio’s libraries. I’m looking forward to learning who has been selected for this challenging position and wish Jo much success in her new position.
This Friday and Saturday the Friends of the Public Library had the first of their 2010 branch sales at the Sharonville Branch Library. I stopped in around 5:30 Friday afternoon to see how the sale was going. It was busy. As I was walking into the sale a woman walked past me with an armload of books purchased at the sale. She smiled and said “You’ll have a wonderful time”. This was such a neat experience. She not only bought a few books but enjoyed the whole experience. So did I. I had a chance to talk with a few volunteers and browse the sale. No word yet on sale proceeds. For a complete list of upcoming Friends booksales click here: http://friends.cincinnatilibrary.org/
Speaking of the Friends, the Friends Board held its quarterly meeting in late January. At that meeting the Friends Board approved its budget for the 2011 fiscal year. The Friends fiscal year runs April 1 to March 31. Included in this budget is $225,000 in Library support – the highest level ever. Thank you, Friends.
The Friends are also trying to save money by switching to email notices to members. If you haven’t taken the time to provide your email to the Friends, please do so now. Not only do the Friends save money but using email lets the Friends communicate with members more often. So you can learn about special offers like priority seating at author talks and get reminders of upcoming booksales. All Friends members were sent a letter with details on how to add your email.
The Library Foundation is also busy. The Foundation Board is undertaking a Development Initative with a goal of increasing the Foundation’s assets to $2 million by 2011. Several Foundation Directors have stepped forward to lend their expertise in a variety of ways including design work and heading different fundraising initiatives. The Directors of the Foundation are working hard to achieve this goal. One of the first initiatives is a fundraiser in conjunction with Rick Steve’s visit to the Library on March 27. Details on how to attend the Passport Event with Rick Steves are in February’s eLinks:
http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/pubs/eLinks/201002/
Also announced in this month’s eLinks are this year’s On the Same Page program and Fifty Five + a new website for Library customers 55 and older. On the Same Page 2010 features one title Hunger Games for both teens and adults. Here’s the link for all the details: http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/samepage/2010/aboutBook.aspx After you read the Hunger Games read the second book in the trilogy Catching Fire and be watching for the release of the final book later this year. On the Same Page will conclude with Hunger Games Day at the Main Library March 20 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Fifty Five + is a great new resource for adults 55 and older. Here’s the link: http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/fiftyfiveplus/ Fifty Five + includes all kinds of resources specifically selected to meet the needs and interests of adults 55 and older including retirement information, health and wellness, volunteering, grandparents, genealogy research and more. Take a look at the site and let us know if you have any suggestions for new content.
