Blatant Thievery of Blog Post

Friend and fellow librarian Jennie Cisna Mills, Director of the Shorewood-Troy Public Library District, posted to her blog yesterday about Librarian Myths. She brings up some of the persistent myths about librarians, particularly the one about getting to read all of the time at work. The opposite is more likely to be true. You wind up taking books home that aren't your choice, to prep for moderating a book discussion group or to keep up with professional journals. If you see a library staffer on Blogger or Facebook at the Plainfield Library, they are likely posting to one of our six very active blogs or responding to comments on the Library's Facebook page. Libraries do run more like small businesses than most people would think, and busy ones at that!

Tell Us What You Think!

As I posted back in December, 2011 will be a planning year for the Library. The key component that all of our planning processes have in common is YOU! We need community input and participation to guide us, so that your library service continues to fulfill your needs. With your input, the Board of Trustees, staff and I can ensure that the Library's services and priorities reflect what you want and need from your library.

The first focus group session for the Strategic Planning process included 12 participants from around the community. Their opinions and thoughts will be used in the development of a plan that will guide the service and budget decisions for the Library for the next 3-5 years. You can still participate - on Thursday, February 24 at 7:00pm or Saturday, February 26 at 1:00pm, in the Large Meeting Room. You only need to attend one session. Childcare will be offered by volunteers in the Storytime Room during the Thursday evening session only.

In reviewing and revising expansion plans to go on the ballot in 2012, the Library is seeking volunteers to participate on a committee to provide feedback on the revisions early in the process. Later this year, this committee will assist by giving opinions on expansion options, from size to location to cost, to ensure that the final expansion plan package reflects today's community need and challenges.

Your willingness to help gives your Library an invaluable resource for planning: your opinions! Join us for a focus group. Volunteer for the expansion planning committee. Give us your ideas for the future of the Library in an email, phone call, text or letter. Tell us what you think!

Library Closed, Programs Cancelled through February 3

The Plainfield Public Library District is closed today, February 2 and will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, February 3. All programs are cancelled for both days, including the Strategic Plan Focus Group, which will be rescheuled.

My apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. The Library's policy is to follow the extreme weather closings of the school districts it serves. Closings are posted on the Emergency Closings Center web site, the Cancellations web site, Library web site, Library Facebook page and on the front doors of the Library building. The Library's automated phone system also includes closing information.