The State of Illinois has authorized the final FY2010 payments to the regional library systems! FY2010 ended on June 30, but the State of Illinois is more than six months behind on payment vouchers to service providers like the regional library systems.
Thank you to everyone who responded to our call for action on the Library web site, in the last Library newsletter, on Facebook and in the print media. It is the contacts from constituents to our Governor and Comptroller that bring about action.
We are awaiting reports from the regional library systems on how long services can be maintained without FY2011 funds being released. Regional library systems support libraries of all types with services like email hosting, shared catalog systems and delivery of materials among libraries. Delivery service is the backbone of interlibrary loan, moving books and other materials efficiently from one library to another and back again. Without delivery service, local libraries like Plainfield will have to make the hard choice to pay for delivery out of local funds (and cutting some other service or program to pay for it) or lose access to quick and effective resource sharing for our community. With already slashed budgets getting tighter locally, you can help us avoid that fiscal conundrum by continuing your efforts in support of funding for the regional library systems.
Contact the Governor and Comptroller today and ask them to release the FY2011 funds for regional library systems!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
10 Years at the Plainfield Public Library!
This month marks my ten year anniversary as the Library Director at the Plainfield Public Library. That ten years have held some of my biggest professional challenges and opportunities. When I interviewed for the job in late summer of 2000, the official population of the library district was tallied at 18,882. Today, it's 66,139! During my tenure, the Library has grown to one of the busiest in our area with over 3/4 of a million items circulated last year. Though the expansion referendum failed, the need continues to grow.
While this Library may be a challenge in terms of funding and space, I am honored to work with all of the individuals who care about this Library and community. The fantastic staff meet the needs of the community to the best of their ability every day. The Board of Trustees set the policies, budgets and goals while being mindful to act as good stewards of the taxpayers' dollars. The Friends of the Library and Library Foundation volunteer their time and energy in support of the good work the Library does. There are too many others who dedicate themselves to serving our community to list here, but I am grateful for each of them.
Thank you, Plainfield, for ten amazing years! I can't wait to see what the next ten will bring.
While this Library may be a challenge in terms of funding and space, I am honored to work with all of the individuals who care about this Library and community. The fantastic staff meet the needs of the community to the best of their ability every day. The Board of Trustees set the policies, budgets and goals while being mindful to act as good stewards of the taxpayers' dollars. The Friends of the Library and Library Foundation volunteer their time and energy in support of the good work the Library does. There are too many others who dedicate themselves to serving our community to list here, but I am grateful for each of them.
Thank you, Plainfield, for ten amazing years! I can't wait to see what the next ten will bring.
Monday, November 1, 2010
What's with Facebook?
The link on the Library's web site that goes to Facebook is not working. Facebook made a change to the Library's account that has not been for the better. It has made posting to the Facebook account more difficult for the administrators, broken that link and the Wall is now showing old posts on the first page. Very strange!
Please be patient as we figure out what was done and how to fix it.
Please be patient as we figure out what was done and how to fix it.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The Rain Has Ended
Thankfully, the HVAC technician was able to get to the Library quickly. He determined that gasket on pipe in the boiler system was leaking and would have to be replaced. The pipe was isolated and heat restored, pending replacement of the gasket tomorrow since that's apparently a two-man job.
The elevator is working fine after its earlier bid for attention.
Early next week, I hope to announce our new Head of Maintenance. He can't start soon enough, in my opinion.
The elevator is working fine after its earlier bid for attention.
Early next week, I hope to announce our new Head of Maintenance. He can't start soon enough, in my opinion.
It's Raining in the Library!
A pipe is leaking in the lower level lobby. We know its boiler system water because it smells like anti-freeze.
I shut off the pumps and water to the system at the boiler per the instructions of our HVAC maintenance company. An HVAC technician is on his way.
Plus, just to pile on the problems this morning, the elevator was acting up again. Thankfully, it continues to "park" itself at the lower level so anyone aboard may exit.
Acting as Head of Maintenance while we are searching for one, I can tell you that I understand more fully than ever the extent of the issues with this building. We cannot get a new Head of Maintenance started soon enough!
I shut off the pumps and water to the system at the boiler per the instructions of our HVAC maintenance company. An HVAC technician is on his way.
Plus, just to pile on the problems this morning, the elevator was acting up again. Thankfully, it continues to "park" itself at the lower level so anyone aboard may exit.
Acting as Head of Maintenance while we are searching for one, I can tell you that I understand more fully than ever the extent of the issues with this building. We cannot get a new Head of Maintenance started soon enough!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
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.
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.
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