Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Security Cams in the Library!

Thinking Library!

Carole Stanger

March 26, 2011

New Books Upstairs @ the library!

Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy

Keep a Little Secret by Dorothy Garlock

Dawn Country by Kathleen Gear

Night Road by Kristin Hannah

Leaving by Karen Kingsbury

Twilight’s Serenade by Traci Peterson

Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Mireya Alexander McCall Smith

Allison Hewitt is Trapped by Madeleine Roux

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

  • The Library Board Regular Meeting Monday, Apr. 11 5:30 p.m. upstairs
  • Story Time Programs for 3, 4, & 5 year olds! No registration! Free!
  • Wed./Thurs. Apr. 6/7 Preschool Story Time 10-10:45 a.m.
  • Wed./Thurs. Apr. 20/21 Preschool Story Time 10-10:45 a.m.

Did You Know… that you can add your name to our Reserve Express service through our online catalog. Simply go to our webpage and click on the “Search Library Catalog/Account Login link on the upper left hand side of the page. On the next page on the upper right hand side you need to login to your account by entering your library patron number and phone number. Then click the “My Account” box. Scroll down the page until you see “Have some favorite authors” and click on “receive new books.” You should have a list of popular authors that you would like to reserve for yourself when they are newly accessioned into the library. Give it a try!

Behind My Desk… In my last column I mentioned about the vandalism that has been taking place in the library. After a lengthy discussion with the library board at the March meeting, it was decided to order more security cameras for the library, both for the interior and the exterior of the building. You may see a little more police presence at the library, too. Because of the security cameras already in place, we have been able to catch a few culprits. We do press charges against anyone defacing or stealing public property. We have a lovely library here in Atlantic, and most people are truly proud of this, but unfortunately, there are people who do not respect this and do not care.

I, also, printed off copies of the Behavior Policy the Board has adopted. They will be posted both upstairs and down. That way, people have been warned.

On a happier note, I finished that “bearcat” federal form and sent it on its way. Yippee! I sure hope I did it right!

National Library Week is coming up from April 10-16. The Friends of the Atlantic Public Library are planning a “reception” on Wednesday, April 13 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to help celebrate Libraries! You are invited!

Then the Friends will be having their annual Spring Book Sale on April 15 and 16. Stop by the library and find a few bargains!

The library has purchased ten new DVDs about genealogy. You can check them out for a week just like other videos and DVDs. They are mainly “how to’s” with subjects: Civil War Records, Exploring an Old Graveyard, German Genealogy and Computer Genealogy. They are located upstairs in the regular DVD section. I love research…well up to a point…and I think that is what attracted me to my profession.

It’s time to start thinking gardens…and Keep Thinking Libraries!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Hospice program Mar. 21

Thinking Library!

Carole Stanger

March 12, 2011

New Books Upstairs @ the library!

Caribou Island by David Vann

Untied by Meredith Baxter

Bless the Bride by Rhys Bowen

Dancing Lessons by Cheryl Burke

Night Season by Chelsea Cain

Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress

Pink Boots and a Machete by Mireya Mayor

Known and Unknown by Donald Rumsfeld

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

  • The Library Board Regular Meeting Monday, Mar. 14 5:30 p.m. upstairs
  • Story Time Programs for 3, 4, & 5 year olds! No registration! Free!
  • Wed./Thurs. Mar.23/24 (note not 26th as in Story Time Flyer!) Preschool Story Time 10-10:45 a.m.
  • Wed./Thurs. Apr. 6/7 Preschool Story Time 10-10:45 a.m.
  • Wed./Thurs. Apr. 20/21 Preschool Story Time 10-10:45 a.m.
  • Mon. Mar. 21 “When Dinosaurs Die by Iowa Hospice” for all ages. Preschoolers must be accompanied by older sibling or adult. 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Did You Know… that this column can be found on our library webpage? Just go to the link on the left side of the page and click on “Thinking Library. “ Have a look! Become a “follower!”

Behind My Desk… This is the first year that I have waited so long to mention anything about tax forms. We just don’t have the variety of forms that we used to keep on hand. We do have “masters” to make copies for many of the federal forms. Iowa tax forms, for the most part, can be found online. We keep the forms in the entry way close to the stairs.

The library has been having more problems with vandalism and stealing. I don’t like to “promote” those actions, but I figure the ones that do that sort of mischief don’t read my column anyway. If you see someone doing inappropriate things in or around the outside of the library don’t turn a blind eye and walk away. Let a library staff member know, so we can call the authorities. I think one of the solutions may be to put locks on the public restroom doors. The library will be adding more security cameras, but it takes time, money and labor to put that together. Parents, for goodness sakes, do not assume the library is a “safe” place to leave your child unattended! Once upon a time that may have been true, but not anymore.

I’ve been working on organizing information I will need next week to submit a certain federal form to apply for a telecommunications discount for next year. This form is a little “bearcat.” I have to be precise with my information. If I do it correctly, the library receives a 70% discount on its local telephone bill. Of course we all pay for this on our personal phone bills by paying the $1 charge for Universal Service Fund. If I can save the library a little money by doing the forms and tearing my hair out, I guess it’s worth it.

Once again I made the trip to Des Moines to help lobby for library legislation (and try to keep funding cuts to a minimum!) I wish more SW librarians were able to go and participate. Some of us “veterans” are getting close to retiring, and it’s going to be interesting to see who is willing to take this on when we leave.

Don’t forget to “spring ahead” this weekend for Daylight Savings Time and…Keep Thinking Libraries!