We're in the midst of National Volunteer Week and in our typical tradition the Palatine Public Library District recognized volunteers yesterday at the annual luncheon. We enjoyed meeting both long-term and new volunteers and were pleased to see how much our group of volunteers has grown since last year.
Volunteers serve in a number of capacities from stamping and sorting date due cards to straightening items on shelves to pulling items with a hold request and even assisting with preparation for library programs.
Our volunteers have a variety of backgrounds and all express a love of libraries and a desire to be of service to the community.
We are very fortunate and thankful to have the support of these enthusiastic volunteers.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Spring Weather Provides Great Opportunities For Biking To The Library
With warmer Spring weather upon us, this would be a great time to bring bicycles out of storage and ride them to the Library. The Park District and Community Information sites provide very good maps showing off-road and on-road trails within the community of Palatine and Hoffman Estates. For a map of trails in Palatine click here. For a link to the Hoffman Estates trails map click here.
The Main Library, Freeman Road Branch and Rand Road Branch each has bike racks available on site for storage of a bicycle while patrons in the building.
The Main Library, Freeman Road Branch and Rand Road Branch each has bike racks available on site for storage of a bicycle while patrons in the building.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Library Collections Are Continuously Maintained
One of the primary duties of librarians is to choose materials for the Library's various collections and to remove any titles that are no longer current, are in bad shape or have been replaced by more useful information or format. There is an entire course required of students pursuing the Master's Degree in Library Science on collection management. Collection management is typically described as both an art and a science. One must know a lot about the existing collection and about what is available to purchase. Community needs and interests count heavily as well.
The Board of the Palatine Public Library District has been committed to providing the very best collections within budget and so typically about 16-17% of the budget has been allocated for materials. This is higher than the average which is usually somewhere around 12-13% of the total.
Recently we learned that the annual per capita grant issued by the state would be cut and that we would receive about $15,000 less this year than we did last year. Since the library budget allocates 100% of the money from the per capita grant to materials, this cut posed some concern. In response the Library Board adjusted the working budget to reflect this reduction. In keeping a balanced budget, $15,000 was deleted as income from the per capita grant and expenditures for materials was decreased that same amount. Trustees maintain a continual awareness of income and expenditures via reports presented each month.
Because we have staff who are well-versed in collection management; selection of materials will continue with the same care invested at all times. The goal of the staff and Board remains that of providing the very best collections within budget and that commitment remains unchanged in spite of changes to funding.
The Board of the Palatine Public Library District has been committed to providing the very best collections within budget and so typically about 16-17% of the budget has been allocated for materials. This is higher than the average which is usually somewhere around 12-13% of the total.
Recently we learned that the annual per capita grant issued by the state would be cut and that we would receive about $15,000 less this year than we did last year. Since the library budget allocates 100% of the money from the per capita grant to materials, this cut posed some concern. In response the Library Board adjusted the working budget to reflect this reduction. In keeping a balanced budget, $15,000 was deleted as income from the per capita grant and expenditures for materials was decreased that same amount. Trustees maintain a continual awareness of income and expenditures via reports presented each month.
Because we have staff who are well-versed in collection management; selection of materials will continue with the same care invested at all times. The goal of the staff and Board remains that of providing the very best collections within budget and that commitment remains unchanged in spite of changes to funding.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Library Programs Are Diverse and Interesting
Have you noticed the great variety of programs being offered at the Library during March and April? Look here to find out all about what has been scheduled. As usual staff has planned programs for all ages. The popular Laughter Club is really catching on with seniors and family members. Come by to enjoy a good chuckle!
With our new computer classroom well established, Microsoft Software Instructional Classes are back in full swing. This is a great opportunity for cardholders to gain new skills or to refresh what you already know.
Check out the various activities planned for Teen Tech Week (March 7th through 13th) and you can mark your calendar now to join in the festivities celebrating National Library Week (April 11th through 17th).
Just as our collection embraces a wide variety of interests and needs, so too does staff seek to schedule and plan the greatest variety among programs throughout the year. We hope you'll find many programs to experience. You can read about the offerings in the newsletter that was delivered to your home back in mid February or click on the link at the beginning of this article. Enjoy!
With our new computer classroom well established, Microsoft Software Instructional Classes are back in full swing. This is a great opportunity for cardholders to gain new skills or to refresh what you already know.
Check out the various activities planned for Teen Tech Week (March 7th through 13th) and you can mark your calendar now to join in the festivities celebrating National Library Week (April 11th through 17th).
Just as our collection embraces a wide variety of interests and needs, so too does staff seek to schedule and plan the greatest variety among programs throughout the year. We hope you'll find many programs to experience. You can read about the offerings in the newsletter that was delivered to your home back in mid February or click on the link at the beginning of this article. Enjoy!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Library Snapshot Day and Legislative Breakfast Meeting
Two really interesting events took place within the last week. On Wednesday February 10th libraries all around Illinois celebrated Snapshot Day by taking pictures and video of people and events that would show a typical day in the life of a public library. Here is the Palatine Public Library District's photo and slide show. Click on the YouTube or Flickr icon to view.
Staff enjoyed the many comments that patrons shared telling how much the library means to them. Imagine this type of response multiplied by the hundreds of libraries all around the state! We had over 1,200 visitors that day in spite of the snow event that took place just the day and evening before. Many were looking for a place to hang out for a while and others came in for some good reading materials to enjoy during the rest of the day at home. Others used study room space or searched on library computers.
We were reminded of the many ways and reasons people visit a public library and were refreshed by the enthusiasm expressed by so many. Thanks to all who visited here on the 10th and who so graciously took the time to speak with staff and be photographed as well.
Then, just this past Monday, staff and Boards from North Suburban Library System member libraries met over breakfast with state senators and congressional representatives. The mood was pretty serious as legislators spoke of tough decisions that will need to be made regarding the budget in Illinois. Funding for library systems and for annual per capita grants to individual libraries has been cut with systems only having received about 1/3 of their allocations from the state with well over 1/2 of the year behind us. Layoffs and other cost curtailments have occurred.
There has never been a better time for residents to contact elected officials to comment about the state of finances in Illinois. As I mentioned, there was much discussion of tough decisions and residents can be aware of pending bills and budget discussions by going to the Official Website For the State of Illinois.
After listening to patrons on Snapshot Day, staff is more aware than ever about the potential impact on libraries and library service that could occur if funding for Illinois libraries declines or even worse would be eliminated. I encourage you to contact legislators to comment about all concerns regarding the finances of IL since this is one of the benefits of living in the democracy that we are so fortunate to have in place.
Staff enjoyed the many comments that patrons shared telling how much the library means to them. Imagine this type of response multiplied by the hundreds of libraries all around the state! We had over 1,200 visitors that day in spite of the snow event that took place just the day and evening before. Many were looking for a place to hang out for a while and others came in for some good reading materials to enjoy during the rest of the day at home. Others used study room space or searched on library computers.
We were reminded of the many ways and reasons people visit a public library and were refreshed by the enthusiasm expressed by so many. Thanks to all who visited here on the 10th and who so graciously took the time to speak with staff and be photographed as well.
Then, just this past Monday, staff and Boards from North Suburban Library System member libraries met over breakfast with state senators and congressional representatives. The mood was pretty serious as legislators spoke of tough decisions that will need to be made regarding the budget in Illinois. Funding for library systems and for annual per capita grants to individual libraries has been cut with systems only having received about 1/3 of their allocations from the state with well over 1/2 of the year behind us. Layoffs and other cost curtailments have occurred.
There has never been a better time for residents to contact elected officials to comment about the state of finances in Illinois. As I mentioned, there was much discussion of tough decisions and residents can be aware of pending bills and budget discussions by going to the Official Website For the State of Illinois.
After listening to patrons on Snapshot Day, staff is more aware than ever about the potential impact on libraries and library service that could occur if funding for Illinois libraries declines or even worse would be eliminated. I encourage you to contact legislators to comment about all concerns regarding the finances of IL since this is one of the benefits of living in the democracy that we are so fortunate to have in place.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
New Drive-Up Materials Drops Are Now Open
Back in 2008 the Library held several focus group meetings and provided online and paper surveys for the purpose of getting feedback from patrons about the use of various library spaces. One of the services that patrons most frequently identified as missing was a drive-up drop off for materials.
During our space needs assessment, the Library tried to find a way to add a 24/7 drive up drop to the facility. After quite a bit of study, we were not able to locate any spot where someone could drive up to the building on the outside or from the inside of the garage in order to drop off materials to an inside location. The library really is surrounded by parking, street access and a pond.
Staff felt determined to figure out a way to offer this service and along the way our Facilities Manager, Rick, suggested placing a drop at the foot of the entry ramp of the underground parking garage. Several measurements and planning meetings later, we agreed this might be a possible solution.
I'm so pleased to let everyone know that last weekend we opened 2 drops of different heights on the upper level of the parking garage. The drops are on the left just at the foot of the entry ramp. Even without any publicity, several patrons discovered them on the first day open and they've been in use each day since then.
I'd invite you to use the drive up material drops which will be available all hours the Main library is open. As always the walk up drop at the front of the library is open 24/7.
During our space needs assessment, the Library tried to find a way to add a 24/7 drive up drop to the facility. After quite a bit of study, we were not able to locate any spot where someone could drive up to the building on the outside or from the inside of the garage in order to drop off materials to an inside location. The library really is surrounded by parking, street access and a pond.
Staff felt determined to figure out a way to offer this service and along the way our Facilities Manager, Rick, suggested placing a drop at the foot of the entry ramp of the underground parking garage. Several measurements and planning meetings later, we agreed this might be a possible solution.
I'm so pleased to let everyone know that last weekend we opened 2 drops of different heights on the upper level of the parking garage. The drops are on the left just at the foot of the entry ramp. Even without any publicity, several patrons discovered them on the first day open and they've been in use each day since then.
I'd invite you to use the drive up material drops which will be available all hours the Main library is open. As always the walk up drop at the front of the library is open 24/7.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Patron Comments Are Welcome and Appreciated
Each week I receive emails or comment slips from patrons and often included are expressions of thanks for service provided by staff. Our intent is that each visit to the library will be enjoyable for and meaningful to patrons. So, I am really pleased to hear these supportive, positive comments. I always share the comments with the staff member involved when I can identify him or her and I pass the praise along to the person's supervisor as well. It means a lot to all of us when someone takes the time to compose a message of thanks.
Of course I also receive suggestions for titles that might be added to the library's collections and those are passed along to the various librarians who select books and recorded items. When we get such requests we consider all seriously and more often than not we are able to make the purchase and place the requester on hold for that item. Many people will benefit by being able to check out and read or listen to the title at a later date.
I also receive questions about services and programs or sometimes just about collection changes or display changes. At other times someone may ask about something pertaining to the physical building or library space. I welcome these questions, too, because I am provided an opportunity to share information, address a concern or improve something within library services.
It is most helpful to me when someone signs a comment slip or email and provides contact information so that I am able to return thanks or information. When I receive a comment with no contact information and know that I could provide an explanation or information back to that person IF only there was contact information well, that's a challenge. Still, I understand that sometimes a person just wants to bring something to my attention but does not necessarily wish to be contacted.
So, please keep the comments, suggestions and thanks coming. I very much value the opportunities for two-way communication between myself and those who visit our 3 library locations.
Please come by soon; winter is a perfect time to catch up on reading, listening or viewing!
Of course I also receive suggestions for titles that might be added to the library's collections and those are passed along to the various librarians who select books and recorded items. When we get such requests we consider all seriously and more often than not we are able to make the purchase and place the requester on hold for that item. Many people will benefit by being able to check out and read or listen to the title at a later date.
I also receive questions about services and programs or sometimes just about collection changes or display changes. At other times someone may ask about something pertaining to the physical building or library space. I welcome these questions, too, because I am provided an opportunity to share information, address a concern or improve something within library services.
It is most helpful to me when someone signs a comment slip or email and provides contact information so that I am able to return thanks or information. When I receive a comment with no contact information and know that I could provide an explanation or information back to that person IF only there was contact information well, that's a challenge. Still, I understand that sometimes a person just wants to bring something to my attention but does not necessarily wish to be contacted.
So, please keep the comments, suggestions and thanks coming. I very much value the opportunities for two-way communication between myself and those who visit our 3 library locations.
Please come by soon; winter is a perfect time to catch up on reading, listening or viewing!
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