The Circu-Letter 2005 Issue 1
2005 Issue 1
Making Connections @ the Heart of Our Community
In This Issue:
- Change for Change is a Success!
- Jessica Begue Donates Her Report Card Money to the Library
- Library Rolls Out New Website
- From the Director
- Matters of Policy
- That's What Friends - and Their New Friends - are For...
- Computer Classes to be Offered
- Teen Advisory Board
- Highlights of the 2004 Annual Report
- Welcome John Schumacher
- Friends of the Library News
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"Change for Change" is a Success!
According to library Clerk-Treasurer Kelley Poyser, patrons and the Friends of the library together have donated $1,086 so far toward the purchase of an outside Audio-Visual Returns box. This has been a tremendous response to the library's "Change for Change" program. Once the goal of $1200 in donations is reached, the A-V box will be purchased and installed. The library will fund the remainder of the price.The "Change for Change" program was begun at the library in the fall of 2004. With library funding frozen and possibly facing further cuts, the Board of Trustees decided to ask for help in funding projects that are beyond the current means of the budget.
A returns box for audio-visual items is something that many patrons will appreciate having at the library. (Currently no A-V items can be put in the book drop for after hours returns.)
So keep dropping your coins and bills into the donation jar at the circulation desk. We are just about to our goal!
Jessica Begue Donates her Report Card Money to the Library
Jessica Begue, wanting to help out with the library's fundraiser to help pay for an outside Audio-Visual Return Box, donated the money she received for excellence on her report card. The almost nine-year-old Jessica really loves the library. Thanks so much to Jessica and to everyone who has contributed to this project.
Library Rolls Out New Website - http://www.louisvillelibrary.org/
Louisville Public Library has a whole new look - online. The latest version of the library's website was released in late February and offers many new features. As before, patrons may search the library's online catalog, reserve and renew materials, and review their personal records, but now they can do much more.Of particular interest may be several new services offered by the State Library of Ohio. "Know it Now" lets library patrons ask reference questions of librarians any time of the day or night. Children and their parents can also use "Homework Now," which offers homework help from professional tutors from 2:00-10:oo p.m. daily. Avid readers will want to take a look at "Read This Now," which is designed to help them find their next "good read."
New and improved features of the library's website include:
- Full site searching
- Upcoming events
- A graphical calendar
- Library policies
- Links to recommended reading lists
- Patron customiztion
- How to donate to the library
- Easier site navigation
The new and improved library website was created using Drupal, a free, open source web development tool which makes maintenance of the website much easier. The library now has its own registered domain: louisvillelibrary.org
Make sure to update your bookmarks and favorites lists to reflect the library's "change of address." Happy surfing!
From the Director...
Betsy Ketchum
On December 23 of last year, the staff of Louisville Public Library had an unpleasant surprise. The ice and snow buildup on the roof, along with heavy rain, had caused massive leaks in the roof. This was not due to a lack of maintenance, but a coming together of circumstances. Most severly affected were the adult book collection, the offices, and the technical processes department. In addition, a power outtage caused the failure of one of the compressors that run the furnace.The cost of these events will exceed $40,000. Thankfully, much of the damage is covered by insurance. However, the cost in time has been enormous. The fact that the library has such limited space has made the problem much worse.
We commend our patrons and thank them for being so patient while we deal with the problems. However, this series of events points out that the library is desperately in need of a new building with adequate space and up-to-date equipment.
Even before that fateful day in December, the problems experienced by the library were reaching a critical point. Below is a listing of some of the problems being endured by the patrons as well as the staff:
- A good portion of the audiovisual collection has been put in storage upstairs. This means that patrons cannot browse this collection, and that staff members must retrieve wanted items.
- Parts of the adult collection, especially the car repair manuals and large print books are also in storage upstairs with the same results as mentioned above.
- The Friends of the Library have no place to store and sort donated and discarded items for their annual book sale.
- The work areas of the library are so crowded that it becomes difficult to access sinks and items in cabinets.
- The Story Hour Room is often crowded with all types of things that must be moved to have Story Hour.
- There are a shrinking number of seats available in the library, especially for quiet places to study and read.
- Our 4 internet and word processing stations are constantly in demand. There is no room for more stations.
- Tutors who use our facility must do so at tables in congested areas.
- Computer classes that are so much in demand can be offered only when the State of Ohio Computer Lab can come.
- Programming is extremely difficult since there is no area or room in the library to accomodate it.
Louisville needs a library that fits the needs of a vital and growing community. The land has been purchased. A way must be found to make it happen!
Matters of Policy
Have you been among the patrons who have wondered why the library follows certain procedures and policies? The Library Board of Trustees is the policy-making body for the library and the only group with the authority to change policies. Some changes are brought about by Ohio legislation. Others are the result of input from the staff, the public, and the board members themselves. Here are some recent policy changes:- All records of library patrons are protected by a Patron Confidentiality Law passed by the Ohio Legislature in 2000. Becuase of this law, the library needs the permission of the patron to have another person (even a spouse) access the patron's record or check out materials for that person. Borrowing records are also only available to any agency of the state, federal, or local government after due process.
- The Louisville Public Library does not permit weapons of any kind, either concealed or in plain view, on its property or in its building, unless the owner of the weapon is a law enforcement officer. When Ohio enacted the Concealed Carry law in 2004, it specifically excluded public libraries as permissible locations for concealed weapons.
- Recreational riding of wheeled vehicles (including but not limited to bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, roller skates) is not permitted on library grounds or in the library building. All wheeled vehicles must be left outside the building. This is for the safety of riders and other patrons.
- Patrons are requested to restrict cell phone usage to the foyer or outside the building. This is a matter of courtesy to other patrons and privacy for the phone user.
The Patron Service Policy and the Patron Confidentiality Policy are available online.
That's What Friends - and Their New Friends - Are For...
Originally organized by the Friends of the Library, and now joined by many patrons who responded to a general request for book washers, we now have quite a group of volunteers who are regularly coming in to help clean up the adult collection damaged by the roof leak in December 2004.Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays "regulars" work from 9:30 a.m. to noon. They check each book for water damage and then clean those that will stay in the collection. The leak caused water splashes and debris from overhead tiles to affect large parts of the collection. The entire collection is being carefully assessed.
There is much work left to do, so if you would still like to volunteer and to meet some new friends in the process, drop in during "book washing" time. It's a great way to make a contribution to your library!
Computer Classes to be Offered!
The State Library of Ohio Mobile Computer Lab returns to the Louisville Public Library March 28-31, 2005. This is a great opportunity to take a computer class in a modern mobile classroom.Monday March 28
- 2:00 p.m. Word for Beginners - Learn how to format a Word document and enter information.
- 6:30 p.m. Google - Learn how to get the most out of your Google searches.
Tuesday March 29
- 10:00 a.m. Surfing the Web! - A beginners guide to using a web browser to surf the internet. Attendees must be able to use a mouse.
- 2:00 p.m. Windows for Absolute Beginners - We start with the mouse and go from there.
- 6:30 p.m. Surfing Stark County - Learn how to find events and activities around Stark County on the internet.
Wednesday March 30
- 10:00 a.m. Windows for Absolute Beginners - We stars with the mouse and go from there.
Thursday March 31
- 2:00 p.m. Romance Readers on the Web - Websites to help you stay informed about great Romance authors and forthcoming books.
- 6:30 p.m. Helping Your Children with Their Homework Using the Internet - Websites and databases every parents should know.
Special one-on-one tutoring available by appointment only.
Call the library now! 330-875-1696 (Ask for Reference.)
Teen Advisory Board
On February 10, 2005, the Teen Advisory Board of Louisville Public Library presented a special Valentine's Day program to the residents of Constitution Hall. TAB members read poetry, performed reader's theater, served refreshments and played bingo with the residents.The Teen Advisory Board is a committee of young people that meets at the library to plan programs, recommend books for purchase, and volunteers to assist at library activities. New members are always welcome. TAB meets on the second Thursday of every month. For more information, contact Mrs. Lang at the library.
Highlights of the 2004 Annual Report
- Total Circulation of Print Materials: 167,237
- Total Circulation of Audiovisual Materials: 118,319 (4.5% increase over 2003)
- Total Visits to the Website: 67,195
- Interlibrary Loan Activity: Over 30,000
- Reference Questions Answered: Over 7,600
- Internet Sessions by Patrons: Over 7,000
- Books Sent Out in Collections to Schools & Homebound Patrons: Over 10,000
- Programming
- Adult Programs: 365 Participants in 23 Programs
- Children's Programs: 1559 Participants
- Young ADult Programs: 379 Participants
Welcome to John Schmacher
Mr. John Schumacher was appointed to the Library Board of Trustees for the term beginning January 2005. He is retired from H-P Products of Louisville.
Friends of the Library News
Welcome to all new members of the Friends of the Library! New members are always welcome. Membership forms are available at the library.The officers voted to donated $500 towards the Change for Change fundraiser for the purchase of an outside Audio-Visual Return Box. This project is one of the many ways that our group is able to assist the library, especially during these days of uncertain funding from the State of Ohio.
July 11-15, 2005 has been chosen as the date for the Friends' Annual Used Book Sale. Many volunteers will be needed to help run the sale. Call Nancy at 330-875-8208 if you would like to help out.
At the annual meeting of the Friends, the following officers agreed to serve this year:
- Norma Paquelet, President
- Kurt Nestel, Vice President
- Erika Berg, Secretary
- Nancy Myers, Treasurer
Please call the library at 330-875-1696 if you wish to assist the officers in their various projects throughout the year.
