In looking over the signage at the library today, I found one taped to the entrance to the Library that I have overlooked. And I know most other people have, as well!
The sign said:
Attention Parents (Safety concerns)
and then in about 14 point font:
We are not responsible for unattended children!
You must watch your children at all times while they are in the children's area..
Children under 12 years of age without a parent to watch them will be sent home.
Followed by a picture of a doll and the logo of the library.
(at least it didn't say we would call the police or DCF!)
Now, as everyone knows, what is the single most oft heard complaint at the library?
Besides fines.
Right, running children.
So, I 'dusted' off the sign, pulled it off the window, and re-did it in about 26-point font, and changed some of the words:
Parents must STAY WITH their children while they are in the LIBRARY.
And posted about three more copies throughout the library.
Will it work? Who knows. But at least now I can say "It's clearly posted at the entrance and in the children's area and in the Computer Lab!".
"The Director"
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Time Out! ?
The question of the week:
How much time out of the Library is TOO MUCH for a Library Director?
This week has been a serious test of that question, as "the Director" has been scheduled this week for:
a seminar on "Managing Emotions under Pressure" (one of the best I've ever attended, by the way) on Monday,
a luncheon with the Kiwanis Club on Wednesday (not all day, just probably 2 hours at MOST),
A Library conference (or rather, UNconference) on Friday,
and
A consortium board meeting NEXT Monday afternoon in a neighboring county.
I came across a letter from a former director in "the files" defending (to the County Commission) her absences for conferences and workshops, and that has me a bit nervous. However, the situation is now a bit different as we have a County Coordinator standing between all Department Heads and the CC, and he has given the green light, so I think I'm ok. Key word: THINK
Any thoughts?
"The Director"
How much time out of the Library is TOO MUCH for a Library Director?
This week has been a serious test of that question, as "the Director" has been scheduled this week for:
a seminar on "Managing Emotions under Pressure" (one of the best I've ever attended, by the way) on Monday,
a luncheon with the Kiwanis Club on Wednesday (not all day, just probably 2 hours at MOST),
A Library conference (or rather, UNconference) on Friday,
and
A consortium board meeting NEXT Monday afternoon in a neighboring county.
I came across a letter from a former director in "the files" defending (to the County Commission) her absences for conferences and workshops, and that has me a bit nervous. However, the situation is now a bit different as we have a County Coordinator standing between all Department Heads and the CC, and he has given the green light, so I think I'm ok. Key word: THINK
Any thoughts?
"The Director"
Friday, July 25, 2008
Last Weekend in July
Cheer up, companions! It's almost the weekend!
And a new (to the US, anyway) episode of "Doctor Who" is on tonight on Sci-Fi!
"The Director"
And a new (to the US, anyway) episode of "Doctor Who" is on tonight on Sci-Fi!
"The Director"
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Weed 'em and reap!
Good bumper sticker for a library shelving cart, eh?
Anyway we have undertaken an ambitious undertaking -- weeding and shifting the collection! What fun! What excitement! (or should that be a "?" instead of a "!"?)
An excellent site for the interested weeder:
Sunlink Weed of the Month Archive
It's geared for School Media Specialists, but I find it quite helpful for Public Librarians as well.
Anyway, I've taken on the REFERENCE collection, and am pulling such treasures as 'used book prices index 1994', World Almanac 2000, Water Use survey 1992, etc. Our encyclopedia sets: 1997 and 2003 (or at least that's the date of the last "yearbook" for Britianica).
I'm finding college guides for the 1990's; Social Security handbooks from the same decade (never mind that the rules all changed two years ago). So far, I've pulled a full cart from three shelf units (five shelves to each unit).
This is not good. We don't have the money to replace these things right now, but I'd rather have an empty shelf rather than faulty information (or at least that's what they taught us to think in "Library School", right?).
Anyway, more on this later! Back to the fun!
"The Director" Sunlink Weed of the Month
Anyway we have undertaken an ambitious undertaking -- weeding and shifting the collection! What fun! What excitement! (or should that be a "?" instead of a "!"?)
An excellent site for the interested weeder:
Sunlink Weed of the Month Archive
It's geared for School Media Specialists, but I find it quite helpful for Public Librarians as well.
Anyway, I've taken on the REFERENCE collection, and am pulling such treasures as 'used book prices index 1994', World Almanac 2000, Water Use survey 1992, etc. Our encyclopedia sets: 1997 and 2003 (or at least that's the date of the last "yearbook" for Britianica).
I'm finding college guides for the 1990's; Social Security handbooks from the same decade (never mind that the rules all changed two years ago). So far, I've pulled a full cart from three shelf units (five shelves to each unit).
This is not good. We don't have the money to replace these things right now, but I'd rather have an empty shelf rather than faulty information (or at least that's what they taught us to think in "Library School", right?).
Anyway, more on this later! Back to the fun!
"The Director" Sunlink Weed of the Month
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
New Week
Tuesday is our Monday!
Of course it is acting like a Monday. The main circ station is acting like the TARDIS, that is, acting up, so we are having to write down every patron and all the barcodes they check out. sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Unfortunately I have to restrain myself from taking a hammer to it! (These computers are not as sturdy as the TARDIS console.)
Of course that means we had TONS of people coming in -- all to check out. Plus we had the children's storytime (with parents who want to check out easy books by the ton) and the computer class (which closes the lab to the public, which means everyone who wants to use a computer has to wait in line for the FIVE Public Access computers in the main library).
The one good thing -- we got a new cleaning service to take over from a less-than-professional service before. The bad news: they won't start until August 1. So we get to continue cleaning the bathrooms until then.
And that's all before lunch.
Can't wait to see what the rest of the day brings!
"The Director"
Of course it is acting like a Monday. The main circ station is acting like the TARDIS, that is, acting up, so we are having to write down every patron and all the barcodes they check out. sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Unfortunately I have to restrain myself from taking a hammer to it! (These computers are not as sturdy as the TARDIS console.)
Of course that means we had TONS of people coming in -- all to check out. Plus we had the children's storytime (with parents who want to check out easy books by the ton) and the computer class (which closes the lab to the public, which means everyone who wants to use a computer has to wait in line for the FIVE Public Access computers in the main library).
The one good thing -- we got a new cleaning service to take over from a less-than-professional service before. The bad news: they won't start until August 1. So we get to continue cleaning the bathrooms until then.
And that's all before lunch.
Can't wait to see what the rest of the day brings!
"The Director"
Friday, July 18, 2008
Some days you want to run screaming
Friday's are usually sedate, serene, quiet days, as people get ready for the weekend.
So when two of my regular Friday staff asked for the day off today, I said, "sure, why not?" That leaves three of us here.
Why not? Because today half of the county decided to slam the library right at lunch time. And of course, most of them brought their and every neighbor's children as well!
As I was in a meeting, my two staff had to handle it until I got in, then there will only be two of us until around 2:30.
Some days you want to close the place and have a good scream until they all go away!
"The Director"
So when two of my regular Friday staff asked for the day off today, I said, "sure, why not?" That leaves three of us here.
Why not? Because today half of the county decided to slam the library right at lunch time. And of course, most of them brought their and every neighbor's children as well!
As I was in a meeting, my two staff had to handle it until I got in, then there will only be two of us until around 2:30.
Some days you want to close the place and have a good scream until they all go away!
"The Director"
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Library Decorating
I don't suppose the Powers That Be would agree to my re-decorating the Library in a classic Tardis motif, would they? Nice clean lines, high-tech but low key computer tables, etc.
Just a thought.
I mean, a few computers built into the console would make a nice six-sided e-mail checking station or computer catalog center,
the Tardis Doors would be my office entrance, a mini-tardis or Dalek as a drop box, etc.
"The Director"
Just a thought.
I mean, a few computers built into the console would make a nice six-sided e-mail checking station or computer catalog center,
the Tardis Doors would be my office entrance, a mini-tardis or Dalek as a drop box, etc.
"The Director"
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