Branch and Department visits, more booksales, legislative day
March 18, 2010
The last couple of weeks have been extra busy. I visited Hyde Park, Greenhills, Delhi, Green Township and Blue Ash branch libraries, spent all day in Columbus for the Ohio Library Council’s legislative day, attended our Staff Recognition Breakfast and our Board meeting, plus my usual daily work.
At the end of February two long time staff members retired from the Library. Lisa, Branch Manager at Greenhills and Susan, Branch Manager at Delhi both decided to enjoy their retirement years after being with the Library for 30 years. We have new managers for both branch libraries but it’s still hard to see staff members so devoted to the Library leaving. At tiny Greenhills Branch there was barely room to get inside with so many poeple from the community there to wish Lisa well. Her staff had planned a lovely party with a fun display showing the many positiins Lisa’s held over the years. Susan’s party at the much larger Delhi Branch was just as well-attended. We’ll miss them both and wish Mary Beth and Tom much success as the new managers at these branch libraries.
The Friends held a booksale at Green Township this month. It was a huge success with gross sales of nearly $7,000. I was there late on Friday afternoon and the sale was still crowded. In addition to picking up a couple of books at the sale, I had time to talk with several of the staff there and look around the branch. The staff at Green Township had done a great job of promoting the sale and getting neighborhood volunteers to help out. In addition, a digital photo fram at the desk showed images of the On the Same Page title Hunger Games in a very eye-catching way. What a great idea!
I visited both Hyde Park and Blue Ash as the first two visits this year to all the branches and departments. Hyde Park is thinking ahead to their 100th anniversary coming in 2012. The staff there had several questions about the Strategic Plan process and other initiatives underway but all seemed to be going well at the branch.
At Blue Ash I was abloe to present the Manager Bob with his 40 year service pin. He wasn’t able to attend the Staff Recognition breakfast and I was glad I could give him his pin in person instead of sending it to him with a letter. 40 years is a long time to be with one employer! Even more interesting is knowing that even with 40 years Bob isn’t the most senior member of our staff. Our Human Resources Department tells me there are 6 people ahead of him in seniority. Sorry, I didn’t ask who they were. There we talked about the many grants for which the Library is applying including a grant with the State Library of Ohio and Connect Ohio to purchase new computer equipment for the branch libraries that were not eligible for new equipment under the Gates Grant. The Board approved applying for this grant on March 9. If we’re successful our Library will receive nearly $400,000 in grant funds. We also applied for a grant through IBM for KidSmart computers. These computers come with educational software and in furniture so they can withstand the heavy use kids give computers. We hope to receive both which would significantly upgrade our computer equipment across the Library. By the time the grant funds are received the equipment being replaced will be between 5 and 9 years old. Our Computer Services staff is already very busy installing self-check equipment and computers purchased with the first year of Gates grant funding. With this additional equipment they’ll be working at top speed to get everything installed within the grant timeframes. As with Hyde Park, things seem to be working well at Blue Ash. Congrats to Bob on 40 years with the Library. I look forward to visiting both branches again soon.
A couple of weeks ago Jason and I spent part of our afternoon working in the TechCenter at Main Library. What a fun experience! Donn, Kateri and Nate were at the desk and showed us how the department handles the incredible volume of work efficiently and with excellent customer service. Department Manager Christian stopped by to say hello. While we were there the pace was steady with customers regularly requesting guest passes and assistance with making a reservation. We had time to talk with the staff about the many training classes they offer. The number was doubled late last year to meet the demand for basic computer classes. When we were there publicity about the classes had just gone out and the next several classes were already full. Providing these kinds of services when they’re needed most really helps the community see why libraries are still needed today. Thanks to eveyrone in the TechCenter for showing us the ropes. I really enjoyed my visit.
Earlier this week the Ohio Library Council held its anual legislative day. As we have in the past we set appointments with each of our 3 Senators and 8 Representatives. We took with us small gifts of candy and our new cloth Library bags as well as information about the Library and its many services. We took copies of our 2009 Report to the Community but we also took information sheets about each district and information about services including early childhood, school age and small business services and programs. To get appointments with 11 legislators is difficult but we did manage to meet with a staff member in each office even if we couldn’t meet with the legislators in person. We are prepared for next year to be challenging for the General Assembly since the new budget will have to be passed by next July. With State revenues continuing to drop and so much of the current budget made up of one-time funds, we expect next year’s budget to be even tighter. We want our legislators to know how much the community needs and values our services.
In a recent interview I was asked about the need for libraries with so much information on the Internet. This is a frequent question and one to which I’ve given quite a bit of thought. In answering the question this time I focused on the value staff adds to the information seeking process. Specifically, I talked about the skills librarians have and how these skills are useful today. First, I mentioned the need to construct a good search. As anyone who’s used Google knows, a search can easily bring back millions of results. By constructing a good search you can greatly reduce the time you spend looking through the results for the information you need. Librarians know how to do this. Librarians also know that an Internet search may not be the best choice. Sometimes a print resource will provide the best information. Sometimes it’s an online resource but one that’s not free. Libraries purchase full-text online resources that are reputable and reliable sources. A Librarian knows about these resources and is skilled at using them. Librarians can also help you review your search results when you do an online free search. Many sites online are based on opinion not fact. Librarians know how to distinguish between opinion and fact and can help searchers do the same thing. Unlike an online source you can talk to a Librarian. You can call or go into a Library location and talk with a Librarian in person to get the information you need. You can also submit your questions by text or email if you prefer. We even still answer letters! Librarians also offer Reader’s Advisory assistance. This service is great for avid readers looking for a good book. Ask a Librarian and they can recommend authors who write mysteries, science fiction, romance, and westerns. They con recommend books from different time periods and different settings. Whatever you like to read, our Librarians can recommend books you’ll enjoy. These services are also offered for children and teens. No online search tool can replace the experience of a toddler attending a storytime at one of our libraries. Not only is it fun but the children at the program are learning pre-literacy skills needed for academic success. It’s easy for me to see how librarians are needed today more tha ever.
