Thursday, July 23, 2009

End of Summer Activities

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
July 25, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Rain Gods by James Lee Burke
Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner
Fire and Ice by J. A. Jance
Storm Cycle by Iris Johansen
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
Summer Library Programs!!!!
---Reading Program Starts June 1 and runs through August 8.
K-3rd Readers Party is August 13.
4th-8th Readers Party is August 12.
Friday, August 7 at 1 p.m., Free Concert by The United States Air Force Heartland of America Band’s WINDS OF FREEDOM woodwind quintet at the library!


Did You Know… you can download audiobooks on to your ipod or mp3 player for free through the library website? The Atlantic Public Library joined a consortium with other libraries in the state entitled WILBOR. Stop by the upstairs library checkout desk for details. Several of our patrons love this new service! It makes walking a lot more fun!

Behind My Desk… Lately, I’ve been working on the library annual report for the state. This year the report form was changed and quite a few questions were discarded (oh, that broke my heart). There were still enough that I was certainly glad I had worked earlier this year putting together statistics. I was a bit surprised by the numbers, but in another way, I wasn’t. It’s been a tough year for many people. Our overall checkout number was down, but our attendance through the door was up. I am really glad we have more computers plus wifi available for our patrons. This seems to be a real benefit for visitors to Atlantic, as well as, our residents.

Library summer programs are just about finished. We had a great turnout and I think everyone had a good time. To really honest, I wasn’t sure about the theme for this year (Be Creative @ Your Library!), the possibilities were endless and that gives every library a chance to do something special. It was a fun summer.

Be sure to join us at the library at 1 p.m. Friday, August 7 for the Winds of Freedom concert!

Enjoy the Cass County Fair … and Keep Thinking Libraries!

Monday, July 6, 2009

Summer Programs Continue!

Thinking Library!
Carole Stanger
July 11, 2009

New Books Upstairs @ the library!
Finger Licking Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
Borderline by Nevada Barr
Swimsuit by James Patterson
Summer House by Nancy Thayer
Scoop by Fern Michaels
Take Two by Karen Kingsbury

Coming Events @ the Library!
Library Hours!
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sundays—closed.
Summer Library Programs!!!!
---Reading Program Starts June 1 and runs through August 8.
K-3rd Readers Party is August 13.
4th-8th Readers Party is August 12.
---Tuesday, July 14: Theme of the Week! K & 1st Grades, 10-11:30 a.m.
---Wednesday, July 15: Theme of the Week!, 2nd-3rd Grades, 10-11:30 a.m.
---Thursday, July 16: ICN class for K-3rd Grades, 10-11 a.m.
---Thursday July 16: Reading Buddies 1st-5th Grades, 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
---Friday, July 17: Movie Day! K-3rd Grades, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Be sure to pick up a schedule of all the events at the downstairs checkout desk.
---Monday, July13: Tie Dye Program for signed up 4-5th Graders, 1-3 p.m.
---Tuesday, July 14: Begin signing up for “Espresso Self Program” 4-8th Graders. Limit 15!
---Monday, July 20: Postponed Tie Dye Program for signed up 6-8th Graders, 1-3 p.m.
---Wednesday, July 22: Espresso Self Program for signed up 4-8th Graders, 10-11:30 a.m.

Did You Know… the Atlantic Public Library has approximately 43,000 different items that can be checked out?

Behind My Desk… Here I go again! I’m just a little miffed about the pervading thought that it doesn’t take much thought or effort to work in a library…after all we do is sit around and read, and once in a while someone needs to check out a book. Sigh.

Recently we’ve had a couple instances when we have let people down in their expectations of the library. I’m always sorry about that. Most people are very tolerant and understanding, but when someone needs something right away and we don’t deliver, it’s frustrating for everyone. The very hot weather (or very cold weather, for that matter) doesn’t help, either!

Summers are busy times at most libraries. It’s not that we aren’t busy the rest of the year, but the “energy” is higher in the summer. Children’s programs are an extra highlight. An influx of over 200 children at one time tends to make things busier.

All during those special times, library staff still keep ordering new materials---not just books, but magazines, books on CDs and tapes, DVDs, and processing them (getting them cataloged and ready to be checked out). Others are constantly working on orders for inter-library loans. Others are shelving and re-shelving library items. And, still others are working on computers and trying to keep the technology running smoothly for everyone. Let’s not forget about assisting at the checkout desk, answering phone messages, sending faxes, laminating items, working on overdue materials, and notifying patrons about reserved materials and assisting with computer questions.

Now, you throw in vacations, family illnesses, staff illnesses, deaths of friends or family, workshops, meetings, family events and you have to have a team effort to make it all work.

Have a great July … and Keep Thinking Libraries!