August? It's August???

Thinking Library!

Carole Stanger

August 4, 2012

New Books Upstairs @ the library!

          Buried in the Sky  by  Peter Zuckerman

          Coming Home by Karen Kingsbury

          Beautiful Disaster  by  Jamie McGuire

Fatal Debt  by  John Gapper

Sky Dragons by Anne McCaffrey

Tuesday’s Child  by Fern Michaels

Bloodline  by James Rollins

Touching the Sky  by Tracie Peterson

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

• Check out our website http://www.atlantic.lib.ia.us

• The Library Board regular meeting Monday, August 13, 2012, 5:30 p.m. meeting room upstairs.

Did You Know… Atlantic Public Library patrons saved $1,273,867.04 by checking out library items from July 2011 through June 2012?

Behind My Desk…  This desk has been somewhat idle for the past four weeks.  I’ve been on sick leave with surgery on my foot.  I’m slowly getting back on my feet (so to speak).  The weather has been a hot one; and for that that, I am thankful I have been at home with a running air conditioner.  At least now I can drive again!

I’ve been working on annual reports for this past fiscal year that ended on June 30.  Here a few bits of information:

• Library collection is worth about $631,905.
• Without counting in-house use of materials we checked out 89110 library items.
• Over 100,100 people have come through our library doors.
• There were 85 different children’s programs with an attendance of 1750 participants.
• We received 379 items for our patrons through Inter-Library Loan and sent 131 to other library throughout the state.

New employees are usually overwhelmed with the amount of work that goes on “behind the scenes” at a library.  They gain a new respect for the work that is expected of them every day. 

To my entire library staff, I say a grateful “Thank you!”  They have managed to keep things in good shape.  It’s been an extraordinarily busy month at the library, and yet, they have continued to keep up the good work. 

Enjoy what’s left of your summer, and…Keep Thinking Libraries!

New Things to Come @ Your Library!

Thinking Library!

Carole Stanger

June 30, 2012

New Books Upstairs @ the library!

          Honor  by  Janet Dailey

          Road to Grace  by Richard Evans

          Beautiful Disaster  by  Jamie McGuire

Place in the Country  by  Elizabeth Adler

Gone Missing by Linda Castillo

Wicked Business  by Janet Evanovich

Risk Agent  by Ridley Pearson

Serena  by Ron Rash

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 Atlantic Public Library will be closed Wednesday, July 4^th.
• Check out our website http://www.atlantic.lib.ia.us

• The Library Board regular meeting Monday, July 9, 2012, 5:30 p.m. meeting room upstairs.

• Summer Reading Programs start June 1^st and runs through July 21!  Themes are: “Dream Big—READ” for PreK thru 3^rd Grade and “Own the Night” for 4^th thru 8^th Grade.
• Reading Buddies has been cancelled for lack of registrations.
• Each Friday a Prize will be drawn from those participating in the Library Reading Program.
• Tuesday, July 3: Gr. 1-3, 1-3:30 p.m.—“Night Shivers!”
• Thursday, July 5: Gr. PreK-K, 10-11 a.m.—“Rhyming Day & Night!”
• Thursdays, July 5, 12, 19, & 26: Gr. K & Up, 2-3:30 p.m.—Movie Day!
• Tuesday, July 10: Gr. K-3, 1-2:30 p.m.—LEGO Program!
• Wednesdays, July 11, 18, & 25, 2:30-4:30 p.m.—Craft Day!!
• Friday, July 13, Gr. 6-8,  7 p.m. - ? –--Creature Feature Film Festival (Must Pre-Register)
• Tuesday, July 17, Gr.6-8, 7 p.m.- ? ---America’s Next Top Monster! (Must Pre-Register)
• Thursday, July 19, Gr. 4-5, 7 p.m. - ?---“Ga Hoole Jeopardy!”  Must Pre-Register
• Monday, July 23, Reading Logs Must be turned in.
• Tuesday, July 24, All Ages!, 3-6 p.m. –Library Carnival!

Did You Know… the Atlantic Public Library has 334 summer library readers signed up?

Behind My Desk… I’m starting to feel the pressure.  As of July 1, the library starts the new fiscal year.  There are so many loose ends I want to get taken care of before the next director comes on board.  Actually, it’s never-ending, but I keep trying to make things better for the library patrons in the long run.

This fiscal year that is now ending has been a very productive one.  The Genealogy/Local History Room has had a big upgrade on technology, telephone system, and other services.  Microfilming of our local newspaper will now be with a more secure company.  We should be able to make a little more progress on our digitization project, too.

We were able to repair some damaged walls and replace three metal doors this year.  That was another one of those “round tuit” projects.  Telephone system is new, too, and we replaced our downstairs laminator. 

We are still working on security cameras.  This summer should see an addition of an all-weather camera on the outside of the library building , and I still hope to replace our door counter at the front entrance.

By the end of this summer we will be adding a new segment to our downloadable ebooks and four new subscription databases for our patrons: Chilton Library (auto repair manuals online), Legal Forms, Power Speak (foreign language study), and Price It, Antiques & Collectibles.  I think these will be a nice bonus for our library patrons.

Now, if I can get the bat problem in the attic taken care of… sigh.

Have a safe and happy 4^th of July, and…Keep Thinking Libraries!

More Dreams @ Your Library!

Thinking Library!

Carole Stanger

June 16, 2012

New Books Upstairs @ the library!

          My Cross to Bear by Gregg Allman

          Lost Is  by Ace Atkins

          Dragon  by  Clive Cussler

Incarceron  by  Catherine Fisher

Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk  by Ben Fountain

Eyes Wide Open  by Andrew Gross

Kiss the Dead  by Laurell Hamilton

Real Life Downton Abbey  by Jacky Hyams

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 Atlantic Public Library will be closed Wednesday, July 4^th.
• Check out our website http://www.atlantic.lib.ia.us

• The Library Board regular meeting Monday, July 9, 2012, 5:30 p.m. meeting room upstairs.

• Summer Reading Programs start June 1^st and runs through July 21!  Themes are: “Dream Big—READ” for PreK thru 3^rd Grade and “Own the Night” for 4^th thru 8^th Grade.
• Mon., June 18: 10-11 a.m.—Ages 8-10 “Magic Class with Rick!” Cost=$5 for supplies to keep.  Must Pre-Register.
• Tues. June 19: 1-3:30 p.m.—Grades 1-3 “Night Owls!”
• Tues. June 19: 7:30-9 p.m.—Grades 4-6 “Read-In!”  Must Pre-Register.
• Wed.  June 20: 10-11 a.m.—Public Invited “Discussion with Sen. Harkin aide.”
• Wednesdays, June 20,and 27: 2:30-4:30 Craft Day!
• Thurs. June 21: 10-11 a.m. –Grades Pre-K and K—“Going to the Moon!”
• Reading Buddies has been cancelled for lack of registrations.
• Each Friday a Prize will be drawn from those participating in the Library Reading Program.
• Tues. June 26: 1-3:30 p.m.—Grades 1-3—“Night Adventures!”
• Wed. June 27: 9:30-12 noon—Homebound Delivery
• Thurs. June 28: 10-11 a.m.—Grades PreK-K—“Nighttime Critters!”
• Fri. June 29: 7-8 p.m.—Grades 4-6—Movie Night! Must Pre-Register

Did You Know… the Atlantic Public Library has 334 summer library readers signed up?

Behind My Desk… For many years I’ve been concerned about our bicycle rack situation.  When the new addition was built, a slab of concrete was made for a bicycle rack on the northwest corner of the parking lot next to the alley.  It’s an ok place, but unfortunately, it’s not in a prominent location.  I know of several bikes that have been stolen from there.  It’s too easy to scoot down the alley and be gone in nothing flat. 

Personally, I would carry a chain and lock with me and make sure it was secure to the rack.  Well, some people don’t think that’s necessary. So, instead, they either bring the bike inside the library or plop it right outside the doors with no consideration for anyone else. 

Neither solution is acceptable with me.  So, I’m thinking of experimenting with losing a car parking place and moving the bike rack closer to the library entrance.  We’ll give it a little time and see what happens.  It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s better than leaving bikes right by the front doors.

Julie wants to let people know that there still are plenty of openings for the Magic Class with Rick on Monday.  We would love to have a good number of participants, so do register and come!

Well, another fiscal year is about to close.  In the next couple weeks I need to do the end-of-the-year statistics.  Most things are ready for me to put together.  June has been another very busy month, so the year should end on a nice note.

Happy Father’s Day to all dads, and…Keep Thinking Libraries!

Dream Big @ Your Library!

Thinking Library!

Carole Stanger

June 2, 2012

New Books Upstairs @ the library!

          Inquisitors Key by Jefferson Bass

          Force of Nature  by C. J. Box

          Letter from a Stranger  by  Barbara Taylor Bradford

Afraid to Die  by  Lisa Jackson

Guilt by Degrees  by Marcia Clark

Against Wind and Tide  by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Honky Tonk Girl  by Loretta Lynn

Both of Us by Ryan O’Neal

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 Atlantic Public Library will be closed Wednesday, July 4^th.
• Check out our website http://www.atlantic.lib.ia.us

• The Library Board regular meeting Monday, June 11, 2012, 5:30 p.m. meeting room upstairs.

• Summer Reading Programs start June 1^st and runs through July 21!  Themes are: “Dream Big—READ” for PreK thru 3^rd Grade and “Own the Night” for 4^th thru 8^th Grade.
• Tuesday, June 5: 10-11 a.m.—PreK & K grades--Pajamarama!
• Wednesday, June 6: 11 a.m.-12 noon—All ages--Grout Museum-Mad Mixture Experiments!
• Wednesdays, June 6,13,20,and 27: 2:30-4:30 Craft Day!
• Wednesday, June 6: 8:30-9:30 p.m.—Grades 4 & up!  Stargazing! Must PreRegister!
• Thurs, June 7,14,21 and28: 11 a.m.-12 noon—Grades 1 & 2--Reading Buddies! Must PreRegister!
• Thurs. June 7: 1-3 p.m.—Grades 1-3--Dreams & Wishes!
• Each Friday a Prize will be drawn from those participating in the Library Reading Program.
• Mon. June 11: 10-11 a.m.—All ages--Country Critters! Bring you cameras.
• Tues. June 12: 1-3:30p.m.—Gr.1-3—Night! Night!
• Thurs. June 14: 10-11 a.m.—PreK & K—I’m Big and Brave!

Did You Know… the Atlantic Public Library has 10 public access computers upstairs and 5 public access computers downstairs and are available (most of the time) all hours the library is open?

Behind My Desk… It’s been quite a challenge to add all the events that are going on at the library the next few days.  Just in case… stop by the library lower level checkout desk and pick up a calendar!

The Pajamarama sounds like fun for the preschoolers on June 5^th from 10 to 11 a.m.  The boys and girls are asked to wear their pjs and bring a stuffed animal they do not mind leaving at the library (very important, that part!).  Julie and company will be hosting a sleepover for the stuffed animals.  There are all sorts of activities planned for these critters, and we’ll take plenty of pictures to share with everyone the next day!

That evening is Stargazing with Haley Passehl for 4^th- 8^th graders at the Little League complex on Olive Street.  Don’t forget to preregister for this activity.  (Please, please, please, don’t let it rain!).

I just realized that the “new” part of the Atlantic Library  is now fifteen years old!  Over 1,350,000 people have walked through the library doors since it opened in 1997!  Wow!  I checked.  Every year the library does a thorough report for the State, and one of the numbers they ask for is number of visitors during the year.  I never saw the number less than 85,000 for a year. 

Back in 1997 we were just getting started with computers and ebooks were unheard of!  Now we have an online catalog, and the reference collection is mainly on the Internet, VHS was the popular way to watch movies at home.  Now we are fazing them out of our collection and using DVDs. 

Yes, things have changed and evolved.  The library is still here!  People still need us and use us.

Enjoy some summer reading and fun, and…Keep Thinking Libraries!