Ark Valley News - From the library

From the library
By Janice Sharp, director
Last Updated: February 19, 2015

Search for new materials at library

The architectural firm of Spangenberg Phillips Tice will meet with the Combined Facility Committee at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at City Hall to present results of the public meetings that have been held over the course of the last week. The results will also include the surveys that have been completed online or by paper. The public input will be an important segment for the planning of the combined facility.

When you're searching our shelves, be sure to look at our "New" materials. We've had a large number of donations so far this year that we have processed in addition to the standing-order materials we receive. We have also ordered several hundred books for our youth that are not yet received and processed.

This spring we will continue to weed our collection of materials that have not been read in the last several years. The weeded materials will be held for our book sale, which we'll have prior to our summer activities.

We hear many comments from individuals that we must surely have time to sit and read while we're at work. What a false statement!

With the constant flow of materials in and out daily, someone needs to shelve the materials so patrons and/or staff can locate them. When patrons order materials through inter-library loan, staff has to choose the exact title requested. Once received through the courier system, we temporarily enter the material into our system and call the patron to let them know the requested material is ready for pick-up. When inter-library loan materials are returned, we reverse the process — checking in the material, deleting the title from our system and preparing the material for return to the lending library through the courier service.

New books that are received go through a longer process. First, we make sure the titles are not already owned and in our system, then begin processing. The processing includes entering the titles into our database, adding barcodes and the appropriate labels. Next we tape corners and spines, covering the labels. If the book has a paper cover, that cover is placed in a book jacket and taped to the book. We take extra care when processing to ensure that materials will be protected for years of use. Each material is stamped with our property stamp and dated prior to being placed on our "New" shelf. Every material in the library has a barcode, is property stamped and dated.

From beginning to end, each material will require 30 to 60 minutes, which includes selection, ordering, processing and shelving. So we really don't have time to read while on the job!

The library is promoting an adult reading challenge that encompasses all of 2015. The challenge is for adults to read a minimum of 26 books in different categories. There are 50 categories to choose from allowing patrons to select from many possibilities. Once patrons have completed the required reading and returned their form, they will have their name entered for a drawing to be held Dec. 28.

This will be a fun endeavor encouraging us to read materials we may not normally choose. There are forms and selections of titles on our display at the circulation desk. Materials may be chosen from any source, not only our library.

The library has started a weekly gaming program from 4 to 5:30 p.m. each Friday for those in fifth through 12th grades. We were awarded funding for an Xbox 360 and some games through a grant several months ago. The library will reserve the right to pull kids from the games if their behavior is inappropriate. Parental permission forms are available.

Thanks to our patrons for heeding our request to not come in while they had been ill. Please remain at home if you or your children are not feeling well. Library staff has been able to stave off those colds and flu. Our staff is small and we always have at least two staff members in the building.

Some years back, the library board determined that for the sake of staff safety, we should always have two staff in the building. If one of us gets sick, it's difficult to switch schedules to cover the library. We appreciate your understanding in not visiting the library when you have a temperature and may be contagious with a cold or flu virus. Call us and we'll gather materials you would like to check out and meet you at the curb.

Upcoming Events

February — Library lovers' month

Feb. 19 — 7 p.m., architects present findings to Combined Facility Committee

Feb. 20 — Gaming time

Feb. 23 — Rotating books switch for new selections

Feb. 26 — Teen discussion group

Feb. 27 — Gaming time