Wednesday, March 17, 2010

It's All Synergy (the Illinois Library Leadership Initiative) at the Plainfield Library!

With the addition of Head of Youth Services Veronica De Fazio and Trustee Terry Cottrell, the Plainfield Library now has what has to be a record number of Synergists!

Started in 2002, Synergy: the Illinois Library Leadership Initiative trains and supports librarians to become leaders in the profession and in their own organizations. Each year, up and coming leaders from all types of libraries throughout the state are selected to participate. The Plainfield Library now has eight Synergists between its Board and staff:

Julie Milavec (yours truly), Library Director (2003)
Lisa Pappas, Assistant Library Director (2007)
Michelle Roubal, Head of Reference and Resders Services (2002)
Veronica Schwartz De Fazio, Head of Youth Services (2002)
Louise Svehla, Reference and Readers Services Librarian (2009)
Lauren Offerman-Vice, Reference and Readers Services Librarian (2009)
Sue Parsons, Youth Services Librarian (2010)
Terry Cottrell, Trustee (2006)

Terry Cottrell Appointed to the Library Board

I am pleased to announce that at the March 17 regular Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees appointed Terry Cottrell to serve until April 2011. Terry was sworn in at the same meeting. As the Director of the University of St. Francis Library and active member of the library profession, Terry brings a unique perspective as both a librarian and a resident.

Over the past week, the Board Development Committee interviewed four candidates for the vacant Trustee position, left by resignation of Rick Martin. In appointing a Trustees, those already on the Board have an opportunity to determine the character of the Board for a set amount of time that they do not have during a regular election. Choosing among the four excellent candidates, the Committee deliberated over the best fit for the Board today. They unanimously agreed to recommend Terry Cottrell to the full Board for the appointment.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

From the Suggestion Box: More Music CDs

We received this suggestion:

More CDs (music). More diverse music, not only "Michael Bolton" and other not-so-great "classics." Over near the CDs, leave a donation/suggestion box for new CDs.

Music CDs are some of the most-frequently checked out items in the library, along with DVDs. With the high volume of check outs, the item you are looking for may very well be checked out by someone else. Just the other day, a patron checked out 180 CDs at once!

If you don't see what you are looking for while browsing, be sure to look in the catalog for the item. If we don't own it, another library in our catalog consortium might. You can place a hold from the catalog that will bring the CD here for you. It may take a little more time, but it makes maximum use of the resources the library already has.

Suggestions of particular books, CDs, DVDs and other items are always welcome. They can be placed in the suggestion box on the counter near the Check In Desk. At the moment, there is not a good location for a second suggestion box near the CDs, but I will bear it in mind as we shift furniture around upstairs. There may be an opportunity to create a space for it in the future. Donations are also welcome and can be dropped off at the Check In Desk. Please, no copied CDs or DVDS! The library cannot put them into the collection.