Articles, Courses, Discussions, Groups Jean Gnade 2008-09-04T20:08:09Z 2008-09-04T20:08:09Z

I had an opportunity to tour/walk thru Spencer's public library. I met a very friendly staff member who "whispered" to me the entire time...(something we don't do here in our library - to that extent anyway) She graciously gave me a tour. They have a very nice ICN room - and cool "round" meeting room in which was displayed various art work. The children's section features a floor to ceiling - 20 foot wide glass wall - overlooking bushes and vines and flowers - very nice. The size of their building quadrupled that of ours and then some, I think. It seemed a loooong walk from one end to the other. :) I saw a couple men there who looked like they maybe "hung out" in the library during the day...maybe not, but it seemed like it to me. This is something we don't have in our smaller town/library. They are also open on Sundays, another thing we don't do here. Ever since I started working at the library (2001) I find it interesting to "walk thru" other libraries whenever I have a chance - very interesting - very informative - I find many things the same - many things different.

Jean Gnade 2008-09-04T20:08:09Z Linda eldred 2008-09-04T17:30:28Z 2008-09-04T17:30:28Z

leldred Springville We try to keep accurate stats. In the last 2 years the board has handed theis job over to us an it has been a learning experience. We keep circ, computer, patrons, new library cards, storytime count, activity count, deletes, fines & copies,we log behavior, community room usage. In working at libraries for so many years I would not feel comfortable not keeping track of these things, but transkating them to a report is a different thing

Linda eldred 2008-09-04T17:30:28Z Laurie Boies 2008-09-09T01:29:56Z 2008-09-09T01:29:56Z

Regarding the first question, about customers using the library computers: We have a wide range of computer users, as I'm sure most libraries do, from elementary kids to retirees. Most of our users are kids ages 12-18, and they are checking their emails and myspace accounts. We have some regulars who just like to surf the net, those are people from 20-40. The teenagers in the library do not seem to be doing a lot of homework on our computers. I think that free internet access is a wonderful benefit to our community. It provides people with a way to look for employment, or research any topic. The preschoolers use them to play games also, so they are utilized by a lot of different age groups for many different things. Today I helped a computer illerate woman find a website and look for craft patterns. I think that our patrons are very appreciative of the service our library provides with the public access computers. I have assisted with geneological research, resume writing, numerous internet searches and homework help when requested. Question 2: The internet's impact on library business: I have already found that, sadly, reference books are nearly a thing of the past. Last year we purchased 2 very nice sets from World Book. One was a set for elementary aged kids about the different systems in the human body, and the other set was for kids maybe a little younger than that about various subjects: animals, space, plants, etc. These books, while informative and colorful, have hardly gotten looked at. The kids are not using them as reference books at all; it is so much quicker to look up information on the computer and let the PC sort out the wheat from the chaff. I think it's sad that the kids don't seem inclined or comfortable with using books to look up their information. I try to steer them to books when possible, but they are so much more at ease with the computers. I know that this will change the look of the library eventually; no large sets of encyclopedias or the huge dictionaries and a thesaurus on the shelf, but I think that the reference books won't really be phased out for a while. We do not intend to purchase any more World Book sets and probably no more encyclopedias either as the purchase cannot be justified; they just don't get used. I suppose the next step is to go to the CD Rom versions of reference books which will take up much less space on the library shelves. I guess that leaves more room for the bound collection. I don't know how it willl change the operational aspect of the library except that library staff will have to be prepared to help use those CD Rom reources and websites. It might also make them "feel" colder to older patrons, as I think that books warm any room up.

Laurie Boies 2008-09-09T01:29:56Z Carole Adams 2008-09-10T19:41:21Z 2008-09-10T19:41:21Z

What alternate sources of funding have you used? We have had success with grants from Prairie Meadows, thank goodness. Carole Adams

Carole Adams 2008-09-10T19:41:21Z