Question of the Day: Can you create a "no cell phone zone" in the Library?

Thank you to the resident who took the time to request this via our Suggestion Box (upstairs near the Welcome Desk in case you haven't seen it). This individual commented on noise in the Original Library Room and made the suggestion that we create a "no cell phone zone."

The Library Code of Conduct states: "Be aware of noise levels and do not disturb others. When using headphones, set the volume so others cannot hear it. Turn cell phone ringers off." Please let Library staff know if someone is not abiding by the Code of Conduct.

The space constraints of this Library building, the volume of use it supports and collection it houses necessitates that each space in the Library serve multiple functions. For this reason, it is not practical to enforce a cell-phone free zone at this time. The Original Library Room houses the Local History and magazine collections and acts as a small group study area. As the location of the majority of group study tables available on the upper level, it is not a quiet space.

There are two options available for those seeking quiet space in the Library: the Study Room and the bay window area on the upper level. The Study Room, across from the Welcome Desk, is available on a first-come first-served basis. You may request to use this room by stopping at the Welcome Desk. It is the only quiet study room available but is also used as a staff meeting space. The bay window area, which now contains the last remaining study carrels in the Library, tends to be one of the quieter areas of the Library, particularly during the day on weekdays. However, it is open to the main areas of the Library and quiet cannot be guaranteed.

This suggestion will be used to inform planning process for the Board of Trustees as they look to the future of our Library.

Planning for an Uncertain Future

Planning for the future has been on my mind. With the Library Board looking at modifying its expansion plans and updating our Long Range Plan for the next 5 years (particularly in regards to keeping this building functional) and with my appointment to a committee planning for the future of Illinois' regional library systems, it's to be expected that this is at the forefront of my thoughts. The only thing for certain in all of these planning processes is uncertainty. With economic uncertainty splashed throughout the media, shifting demands and needs in a community that is increasingly diverse, and a changing political landscape, creating a plan for the future is a challenge. Our plans must be flexible, scalable, efficient, responsive and responsible.

But how can library service evolve in a way that incorporates these concepts? The next evolution of our local Library and our regional library systems are set in the context of this uncertain future. It is an opportunity to shift our paradigm, to rethink the traditional model. Prioritizing needs will be crucial to finding a new model to meet the most immediate educational and informational needs in our community and our state within the means available.

Three planning processes with the uncertain future in common. That's quite a set of tasks ahead.

Rethinking Illinois' Regional Library Systems

In 1965, Illinois pioneered a model of multi-type library cooperation and resource sharing with the creation of regional library systems. The 18 regional systems created by the state statute supported library development, collections, interlibrary loans and reference services. Training and consulting were key services provided to help libraries develop and meet the needs of their individual communities.

Over the past 45 years, those regional library systems have merged and evolved. Shared catalogs that allow instant access to the holdings of multiple libraries became the primary means of resource sharing, replacing the traditional interlibrary loan with a more efficient process. Delivery of items among libraries grew into the backbone of resource sharing as the regional library systems supported it with the means to physically move items from one library to another. Other states looked to Illinois as the leader in library resource sharing and cooperation, the standard by which other states measured their success.

Today, the 10 remaining regional library systems will become three by June 30, 2011. With the State of Illinois more than eight months behind in payments to the regional library systems, each regional library system slashed services according to the Illinois State Library's top three priorities: shared catalog, delivery and the talking book centers that support the federal Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The five northern systems and four southern systems took the radical step to begin merging earlier this year. The Chicago Public Library acts as its own regional library system and is not involved in the merger process.

For librarians, the next evolution of the regional library systems brings an opportunity to continue Illinois' leadership in library resource sharing. What will the new model look like? What services are the most vital to library development and resource sharing? How can we meet the needs of residents as efficiently as possible and within the limited means of the State of Illinois? The challenge before us is daunting. But we begin from a position of strength, with a strong tradition of responsive service that meets the needs of our unique communities through cooperation and sharing.

Boilers, Compressors and Head on Maintenance Candidates

The saga of the Library building's systems issues continues. The boiler is down and awaiting repairs. The HVAC compressor on Unit 1 is down and awaiting repairs. The parts for both repairs have been ordered. The HVAC repair should occur this week, according to the estimated arrival date for the parts. The boiler parts will take 3 more weeks. In the meantime, ambient temperatures in the Library will depend on the weather. The advice we are giving staff and customers is to dress in layers for the next 3-4 weeks when you come to the Library!

On a positive note, the first interviews for Head of Maintenance are underway. We received over 160 resumes for the position, many from highly qualified candidates. From the great pool of applicants, I am confident that a Head of Maintenance will be hired within the next month and working within the next six weeks or so.

Personally, I am looking forward to having someone other than me climbing the ladder to the roof to look at the HVAC unit and crawling on the floor of the Boiler Room to peer into the boiler with the contractors.

HVAC Issues Again

The aging Library building and its systems strike again:

The HVAC problem is with the valves that control the flow of refrigerant in Unit 1, which cools the northeast quadrant of the building. This is one of four units that cool the building. The Library's HVAC contractor is working to isolate the issue and hopefully replace just the valves rather than the whole compressor unit (which would entail a crane and huge expense). Of course, this is not under warranty.

In the meantime, Unit 1 has been bypassed for cooling but the fans/blower will continue to run. That should keep the affected areas at a reasonable temperature until the full repairs can be made. With the weather forecast for tomorrow, I'm grateful for that.

The ongoing expenses of the aging building and its systems are having a negative impact the operating budget. The boiler needs repairs prior to the beginning of the heating season. Keep your fingers crossed that the elevator doesn't break down again too...

Head of Maintenance Needed

Our Head of Maintenance, Chuck Peterman, has resigned. The Board and staff appreciate his years of hard work on behalf of the Library and the community. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.

Now the search begins for our next Head of Maintenance. The job ad is posted on the Library's website and linked here.

An experienced supervisor with a variety of skills is needed, to do everything from hanging signs to maintaining the right balance of chemicals in the boiler system to mowing the lawn. Positive attitude and customer service skills are essential. With ever-increasing Library use by the community and our aging building, the job has no shortage of challenges - and a competitive package of salary and benefits.

Bursting at the seams - yet again

It's that time of year. With Summer Reading at an end and kids back in school, the books, DVDs and CDs begin to overflow the shelves. I've said it many times before: the only reason this Library can own as many items as it does is because about half of the collection is checked out at any given time. But there are cycles to this, and a few times a year, Library staff struggles to find places to put it all. Sure, there's an empty range at the front of the Fiction side in the Adult area, but that's the shifting project waiting to happen to provide more space throughout the collection for exactly times like this!

This building was designed to hold a maximum collection of 67,830 items, plus all of the required seating for library users and staff. Today, the Library owns 132,915 items.

So help us out - stop by and check out a stack of books today!