DIRECTOR’S REPORT

August 2007

 

Activity Summary

 

As always, questions are welcome.

 

Ø       In late July the VALNet consortium conducted an upgrade of its Voyager library software; this is the system that manages the library catalog and circulation functions.  While the upgrade was technically completed on schedule, there continue to be significant problems with this new version.  In particular, the holds function in the online catalog has not worked smoothly since the upgrade.  The support team within the Washington-Idaho Network is working with vendor Ex Libris to resolve the issues.  Until then, circulation staff face special challenges as they try to assist and inform patrons.

Ø       Summer Reading activities wound down as we entered August.  Thanks to the many people who worked so hard to make this year’s program a success.

Ø       Seven new computers arrived and are being installed as patron Internet stations in each library courtesy of a grant from the Gates Foundation and the Idaho Commission for Libraries.  This makes nine computers total that the District purchased this year using Gates Foundation grants.

Ø       We submitted the final paperwork for the Gates grant that funded two new patron Internet computers in the Troy Library.

Ø       I attended the VALNet Directors’ meeting on July 19th in Lewiston.  The Voyager upgrade was the main focus of the meeting, but Gina Persichini from the Idaho Commission for Libraries also introduced the proposed state-wide pilot project for NetLibrary eAudiobook service.  This pilot project was approved the week after the meeting and means that all Idaho libraries will have one-year of NetLibrary access courtesy of a state subscription.  This will result in a one-time savings to VALNet of $7,000.

Ø       I attended the July 18th meeting of the Troy Friends and visited the Troy Library during its Old Timers Day celebration.  It was a pleasure to see the Friends and to visit the library during its special open hours.

Ø       The library published its informational column in both the Daily News and the Latah Eagle.

Ø       The 2007 Adopt-A-Magazine campaign officially ended in mid-August.  From now on, staff will work one-on-one with patrons that inquire about adopting magazines.

Ø       The LCLD Foundation Board is scheduled to meet next on Friday August 24th.  A tour of Moscow’s newly renovated 1912 Center is on the agenda.

Ø       On August 14th I attended an Idaho Commission for Libraries workshop regarding applying for LSTA grant funds.  The session was very worthwhile and revived interest in submitting a VALNet consortium grant to fund adding authority control to the catalog.  (Authority control is the process of arranging everything in the library catalog on a particular subject under the same subject term.)

Ø       The Moscow Friends agreed to partner with the library and the city of Moscow to build and install a new outdoor sign at the Moscow location.  The Friends will contribute $1,000 toward the total expense of $1,600, while the city contributes help with installation and design.  The sign has been ordered.

Ø       The library is working in partnership with the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute to develop a xeriscape landscaping plan for the Moscow Library grounds.

Ø       The Moscow Friends will hold their annual retreat in August.

 

Department and Branch reports

 

Outreach Services – Betsy Bybell

 

*       Summer reading craziness continues! More puppet plays at daycare centers and storytelling for older program You Never Know.  Was one of the stations with magical creatures and runes at Harry Potter parties at Moscow, Juliaetta, and Potlatch. At Potlatch it was way too hot wearing a black costume with tons of kids and adults milling in the meeting room. I felt very sorry for the volunteer playing Dumbledore who was in purple robes and a long white beard and mustache.

*       Summer Reading for outreach was incredibly successful this year. I visited nine centers with sixteen separate classes. Every book a teacher reads to an entire class counts towards their goal. Signups were approximately 253 but over 336 children received a prize book. Why the higher numbers? Many of the daycares included toddlers and babies for the first time. In addition, five daycares had a higher enrollment than originally anticipated. Early in August, Sheila ordered a rush shipment of extra board and preschool paperback books to ensure having enough supplies on hand to give out as prizes to daycares.

*       Attended the Latah County Young Leadership Institute for two days, subbing for Anne.

*       Regular business of PIH reports and ILLs continued.

 

Bovill Branch Report – Paula Winter

 

  • Wrapped up summer reading programs with a Harry Potter Party.  I am giving the kids until the end of the month to finish up their reading for their prizes.  Slowly finishers are trickling in.
  • Bovill Days went well with the Friends group making over $1000 with the raffle, the sale of the logging and Bovill CD's and the library friends t-shirts. 
  •  We had a gentleman come in and donate a wonderful framed copy of the Constitution to the town of Bovill and it will be hung here in the library.  According to the family that donated it, it is more than 100 years old and is a valuable copy.  We also were open for the public to come see the library and we stayed very busy during those 2 hours.

 

Deary Branch Report – Debbie Fischer

 

ü       Betty Leslie worked for the first time in Deary Library.  It is so nice to have both Gina and Betty as enthusiastic substitutes.

ü       The Board Meeting was held at Deary in July.  We appreciate the Board’s knowledge and support throughout the year.

ü       Summer Reading statistics for July include 3 programs with 99 children and 21 adults attending.  Deary Friends of the Library offered ice cream bars in the park and drawings for numerous books and t shirts for the last program.  The new Harry Potter book was won by Bailey Anderson.  We already have some great ideas for next year!

ü       We received many book donations this year for the Deary Friends of the Library Book Sale at Deary Days on August 3rd.  A lot of new gardening, craft and cookbooks should help make this year’s sale a success!

ü       We appreciate George doing a great job as Access Services Manager.  His creative solutions to the Voyager upgrade problems have helped everyone.

 

Genesee Branch Report – Sharon Steiger

 

  • It was another busy month at Genesee library.
  • Summer reading programs on Wednesdays and story time for the little ones on Friday mornings kept me busy.
  • Altogether 101 children were signed up for the program. At this time 58 made their reading goal and claimed a prize book.
  • Although the Wednesday activities have ended and the grand finale has come and gone kids can still work on meeting their goal until school starts. This gives the children who have been gone a chance to finish and choose a book.
  • Like last year we received a collection of paper back books from the Fred Meyer Foundation. They were a welcome addition to the program.
  • I had two girls helping me with shelving. They spent only a short amount of time here, but it was the right amount of time. I really appreciated their work. The moms that lent a hand were great too.
  • So SR is done for another year and now it’s back to regular library service.  Materials out, materials in, computer monitoring etc. etc.
  • Anne’s treat program just started. It’s called sweet rewards here and it’s fun watching the kids let their moms choose first.
  • I’m looking forward to what August will bring.

 

Juliaetta Branch Report – Jan Welles

 

v      July was dominated by summer reading in Juliaetta. We held three programs that were very well attended. At the end of the month, there were 90 children registered for summer reading.

v      The Voyager upgrade proved once again that we must not become complacent when working with circulation systems. More challenges have come with the upgrade but we like the feature that shows us where the hold is to be routed right on the screen once you discharge the item. Also the staff generated holds are easier once you have the patron's barcode entered and the pick-up library is right there without having to "choose below". I am sure that once they get the bugs out and we get used to all the changes, we will like it.

v      Probably due to the high temperatures and all the vacations people are taking, it has been quiet in the library at times but the computers are always busy with many people calling to reserve a time or just hanging around until one opens up. Several people have been bringing their laptops and notebooks in to make use of the wireless connection in the air conditioned building.

 

Potlatch Branch Report – Donna Quiring

 

  • Had a very successful Harry Potter final Summer Ready party with 26 kids and 12 adults including Dumbledore!  Thank you Betsy for helping and Cathy for your leftovers!
  • Summer Reading winding down. The kids have until school starts to finish their contracts. 192 sign-ups and 72 finishers.
  • Mystery Dinner Theatre is coming together. We received two grants. One from the Potlatch Rec District and one from the Latah County Arts and Culture Committee. Thanks to Patty Roberts for writing those! We are getting excited about this event and will let everyone know when tickets go on sale.  
  • Thanks to George and Anne the upgrade was fairly painless. It helped that it was ahead of schedule and we were able to get caught up before the Harry Potter party.  
  • It has been a very quiet summer in regards to the commuter use. It is much more hectic when school is in session. Three more weeks. sigh........

 

Troy Branch Report – Margie Fitzmorris

 

v      The computers were down off and on for a week earlier in the month. First Step had to replace the Sonic Wall and do some tweaking.

v      The Troy Friends had a meeting on the 18th.They decided to adopt the same seven magazines as last year. They also discussed the final Summer Reading Program and agreed to sponsor the treats and the new Harry Potter book for a raffle prize. Anne joined us at the meeting and had lunch with the group.

v      Angela Rich and her grandchildren made a float for the Troy Days parade. The Library was open from 9-11 on that Saturday. A display was set up in the History Room, of pictures taken last year of the warehouse fire in Troy. Ellis Anderson was kind enough to be present at the Library to answer any history questions visitors had. We had the pleasure of Anne and her husband Rick, stopping by for a quick visit.

v      The Voyager update went as planned. There are still some problems. We are hoping they will soon be fixed. George has been very helpful throughout the update.

v      The final Summer Reading Program was the 26th. We raffled off the Harry Potter book and many other prizes. No one left the library without a prize. Treats were served, Thanks to the Friends. Parents and children enjoyed the shadow puppet show and storyteller. The children can continue reading for prizes until school starts.