Articles, Courses, Discussions, Groups Cynthia Kay 2008-09-10T19:37:48Z 2008-09-10T19:37:48Z

I got it figured out.<br /><br />CBK <br />NHPL

Cynthia Kay 2008-09-10T19:37:48Z Marie Van Beek 2008-09-09T00:05:57Z 2008-09-09T00:05:57Z

Our library board works well together with our director. Our town is also small, 1000 people, so all of us know each other well and work with each other on other committees in the community. We are able to discuss things without being afraid to speak our minds and also feed off of each others ideas. Our board is very helpful with special projects we do to promote the library. Our library board has a good idea of what they want the library to be and are good at working toward our goals.<br /><br />Our board looks to the director to determine what many of the topics discussed at our meetings are. They are good to offer suggestions to problems that have come up and are good at looking at all angles of a situation. So far all has gone well.<br /><br />Our board has little direct contact with our part time staff. All of the boards contact is with the director. The staff has sent correspondence to the board meetings and has never responded negatively to the reply they receive from the board. All in all, we get along quite well and keep the goals of the library first.

Marie Van Beek 2008-09-09T00:05:57Z Toni Roberts 2008-09-08T06:35:51Z 2008-09-08T06:35:51Z

I think this must be the place to answer the Session 1 Question. Since I am the one and only staff and Director my answer covers both parts of the question. Since becoming the &#034;one and only&#034; three years ago with only sketchy training &#040;the last director left on a sour note&#041; I have been training myself with some help from my board. One board member was the former librarian here but only in the most minimal way. Also in the last three years there have been four replacements on our board due to moving, resignation and death of board members. <br /><br />I feel the board and myself have a very good relationship&#045;&#045;I know all of them personally and two members are good friends. The board has always advocated for anything that I feel is needed in the library and all members have taken the time to volunteer for activities. help with decorating, story time for youngsters and many other jobs. Being open only 15 hours a week, their volunteer efforts are a real blessing to me. <br /><br />The only disadvantage that I can see is that being so small &#040;city population of 319&#041; we all have to wear so &#034;many hats&#034; and sometimes fall into the habit of keeping the status quo and not trying to &#034;think outside the box&#034;. I&#039;m hoping that by taking this course and bringing some what I&#039;ve learned back to our library that it will encourage my board members to want try some Trustee courses themselves. Hopefully this will be good for both of us and for the Library in the future! Toni Roberts

Toni Roberts 2008-09-08T06:35:51Z Toni Roberts 2008-09-08T06:05:32Z 2008-09-08T06:05:32Z

Is this where I answer the Web Board question for Session 1? Here goes!<br />As the only staff member and as Library Director I feel that I relate very well with my Board of trustees. I know all of them personally &#040;in a town of 319 everyone knows everyone&#041;! Since I started 3 years agon the there has been a big turnover in the Trustees Board with resignations and death of members. Even though I&#039;m personal friends with several of the board and know everyone very well, I still feel I can keep my relationship with board members on a professional level. The board works well with each other but could use some continuing ed on many areas of board responsibilities&#045;&#045;they are all to a member advocates for the library and are always good to volunteer in whatever area I need help. They are my only staff and support me as librarian by word and deed. The only disadvantage I can see is that we &#040;the board and myself&#041; wear so many &#034;hats&#034; in this small community that we often just go along the same way as always and don&#039;t try to &#034;think outside the box&#034;.

Toni Roberts 2008-09-08T06:05:32Z Cynthia Kay 2008-09-08T01:47:20Z 2008-09-08T01:47:20Z

This is for anyone who might have a similar dilemma. <br /><br />After rooting around we found a 1989 version of this manual. However, when reading the Trustees Handbook, they mention a 3rd Edition in 1997. When I look this up on the internet, they have the Second Edition and a 4th Edition from 2004. Deb said a &#039;blue&#039; manual will work&#059; my 1989 version is &#039;blue&#039;. I went into the 2004 Edition on the internet and it is fairly different in writing and style. I can root around some more at the Library, however, I wonder if it wouldn&#039;t be just better to print the 2004 version and/or find a way to get one. My Director was on vacation when I was accepted in to the class, so I wasn&#039;t able to collect everything until just before or now, after.<br /><br />Thanks for everyone&#039;s help. Oh and, is this the best place to ask such questions? I did not want to interfere with the course questions location that Michele just set up.<br /><br />Cynthia <br />New Hampton Public Library

Cynthia Kay 2008-09-08T01:47:20Z Cynthia Kay 2008-09-07T18:58:14Z 2008-09-07T18:58:14Z

I like Beth&#039;s questions. When I first began my position at the New Hampton Public Library back in December, other than the Library Policy and Procedures Manual to read&#059; I was handed the responsibility of putting together and managing the Daily Policies and Procedures manual. Although it works perfectly in conjunction with our required Term Project&#059; currently it consists of up to 6 pages of &#039;area&#039;s of topic&#039; that need a &#039;daily policy and procedure&#039; written. Anywhere from cell phone use to managing the front desk. The list is not in any particular order &#045; perhaps more like a brain&#045;storming list with the opportunity to fill&#045;in&#045;the&#045;blank. <br /><br />At this point, it is more of an &#039;All inclusive&#039; &#045; staff and patrons, versus separate entities. At times for me it seems a bit overwhelming/daunting of an achievement considering the goal is to get the policies and procedures written as they happen. Perhaps this term project will provide me an opportunity to separate the topics into specific categories so I can focus on one section at a time. Perhaps since our library is relatively small, at first, the idea of an all&#045;inclusive manual seemed more appropriate&#059; however, the more I contemplate the scope of the project, breaking it down into &#039;areas&#039; might work best.<br /><br />Too, as is Beth&#039;s question, a lot of what has already been written, are procedures. There are some issues, such as WiFi, which we just put in place not two months ago, that we don&#039;t have a &#039;written&#039; policy for. We have &#039;verbal&#039; procedures of what is expected of the patron in order to use WiFi&#059; however, nothing in writing due to continued monitoring of how often it is requested and whether it is actually working based on our server relationship with the patrons own server. We also don&#039;t have a system in place to log that usage other than the headcount that we keep on an hourly basis. The WiFi use is not monitored the way we monitor our other computer use. <br /><br />Any guidance or feedback would be greatly appreciated. We serve a town of 2,400 to 2,500. <br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />Cynthia<br />NHPL

Cynthia Kay 2008-09-07T18:58:14Z Diane Coberly 2008-09-07T17:34:32Z 2008-09-07T17:34:32Z

Michelle, <br />Are we supposed to be posting our answers to the web board question from session 1 now or was a link going to be sent and then we were to answer. My brain is on information overload, and I don&#039;t want to miss something I am supposed to be doing. Thanks for walking us through this all, it is new to me.

Diane Coberly 2008-09-07T17:34:32Z Ryan Webster 2008-09-07T03:48:57Z 2008-09-07T03:48:57Z

What is your assessment of how well your library director and your Board of Trustees relate to each other?<br /> From my perspective, they get along very well. I have only ever heard positive things from the board regarding our director &#040;and our library in general, for that matter&#041;. Our director is the kind to get to know even our Pages &#040;our workers, usually high schoolers, who organize and put away books&#041; and so seems pretty close to the board. I believe this helps create a team atmosphere&#059; it&#039;s easier to feel connected when you feel that you are known.<br /> Not only that, but the board themselves treat each other like friends. I&#039;ve seen them work on various projects around the library&#045;&#045;gardening outside, keeping up the plants inside, checking out library programs&#045;&#045;and they do just seem like old friends.<br /><br />How do you feel the library staff and your board relate to each other?<br /> The board treats us phenomenally. They always have a kind word that is specific to something that staff member is involved in. This makes me think that they are very well informed about staff. I remember when I first started, I was known by them long before I knew who they were. I remember being surprised to be called by name even given how infrequent our interactions were. They do nice things for us from time to time&#045;&#045;like bring us food, which makes them A&#045;OK in my book!<br /><br />In other words: I feel extremely blessed for the board and director that we have!

Ryan Webster 2008-09-07T03:48:57Z Erna Lunn 2008-09-06T16:40:27Z 2008-09-06T16:40:27Z

hi , this is erna,I am trying to find the place to post on the web board discussion.

Erna Lunn 2008-09-06T16:40:27Z Carol Lynn Walthart 2008-09-06T16:23:47Z 2008-09-06T16:23:47Z

I am not sure I am doing this correctly. I can&#039;t find the questions on this page. I replied to one and was really answering that question. The rest of the question is here. <br />The impact the computers have is how it has brought so many more people into the library. We provide a service with the computers that people need and want. I have many who check their email with free accounts that they have set up. <br />Services that we can provide is more 101 computer classes to navigate the internet and also that people can set up free email accounts at their public libraries. <br /><br />2. The way libraries will look in the future. <br />I think many of them will be based around computer tables and rows of printers. Like our library we have build computer tables and have moved things around to accommodate the computers. We don&#039;t buy a lot of resource books anymore and have removed the encyclopedias from the shelves because people just look those things up on the computer. We are also wireless now so that brings another area to our library for people who bring laptops in to use our service. We also are working on setting up an adult laptop area where they can sit and work in quite and more relaxed atmosphere.

Carol Lynn Walthart 2008-09-06T16:23:47Z Beth Paulsen 2008-09-06T16:14:33Z 2008-09-06T16:14:33Z

I would like to create an reference manual for the Information/Reference Desk &#040;training manual&#041;. Is it okay if the portions I use for the project are mostly <b>procedures</b>? I would include <b>policies </b>in the manual, but would start with <b>procedures</b> that would be used for this project. Frankly, they would be easier. <img alt='emoticon' src='@theme_images_path@/emoticons/smile.gif' /> As well as something we really <b>need</b> right now. Since the assignment is not to complete the manual, but to start one, I may not get to the <b>policies</b> portion before the end of our sessions &#040; but I <b>do</b> intend to actually make the <i>entire book </i>over time&#041;. Is this making sense? <br /><br />Beth Paulsen<br />Waverly Public Library

Beth Paulsen 2008-09-06T16:14:33Z Carol Lynn Walthart 2008-09-06T15:59:23Z 2008-09-06T15:59:23Z

Just this morning I have had all adults, one printing material, one was buying something off the internet, one was checking their tax forms. I had one lady in looking for material on a disease she was recently told she had. After school, I have a younger crowd who does a lot with MSN, and Facebook. They also do research and lots of game playing.

Carol Lynn Walthart 2008-09-06T15:59:23Z Beth Paulsen 2008-09-06T15:36:58Z 2008-09-06T15:36:58Z

1. What is your assessment of how well your library director and your Board of Trustees relate to each other? <br />They work together very, very well. I feel we are very fortunate in that we currently have great board members AND a great director. Sure, there are board members with their “quirks”, but overall, we just can’t complain, as they are very involved and supportive. <br /><br />2. How do you feel the library staff and your board relate to each other? <br />That relationship takes time, as there is not a lot of time together. Most of our board members are also regular patrons, so, in time, a relationship is built. Our director submits bios of each new staff person to the board soon after they join the staff. <br /><br /><br />Beth Paulsen <br />Waverly Public Library

Beth Paulsen 2008-09-06T15:36:58Z Erna Lunn 2008-09-06T14:09:22Z 2008-09-06T14:09:22Z

Hi Susan, I click all over and never remember how I got here. I hope this is where we post, here goes!<br />1. Who are the customers using the computers in your library?<br />My customers are all ages, middle, children, and young adults. Young adults check their e&#045;mail if their computers are down. Others do homework here from classes they are taking. Children mostly play games. A few teens come in and look up info, some look up items of interest to them and copy pages. <br />2 What impact does providing free public access computers have on your community@ The impact on our computers is good, there are 2 ladies doing homework from classes they are taking. I need to buy some disks for them , I bought what she needed but it didn&#039;t work for her, so what do I do?<br />3 What services could your library provide using your public access computers? Many homes do not have computers, and one lady was hopint her teenager would be able to do homework here.<br />2. 1. The Internet has had a profound impact on the way libraries do business. As the Internet continues to change and grow, as well as our patron&#039;s expectation on accessing information, how do you think this will change the way libraries look, feel and operate?<br />I think we need to embrace this computer growth, the young ones are going to need it in their jobs, and I&#039;m thinking there will probably not be a job that won&#039;t have a computer.<br />We will try to add more computers to our inventory.I have a lot to learn but I really do not think a lot of the really older generation is to thrilled to learn the computer. One day there will be more computers in libraries and some one will need to help the ones that are older to learn. If the library needs someone w/ a technology background they will have to pay more to hire that librairian, and offer benfits, I&#039;m thinking.

Erna Lunn 2008-09-06T14:09:22Z Cynthia Kay 2008-09-05T18:55:56Z 2008-09-05T18:55:56Z

<span style='font-family: Times New Roman';></span> <br /><br />My personal assessment of how well my library director and the board gets along is based on minimal observation. I have not attended a board meeting, however, I can see as a library assistant it would be beneficial. I&#039;ve been introduced to our board members as they come into the library. I get embarrassed when I&#039;ve only met them once or twice and still have not remembered their name &#040;our website does not have photo&#039;s, so that won&#039;t help&#041;. They are all very friendly, supportive and appreciative of my interest in the library. In addition, they all have a great amount of respect for the director. She has been director for 23 years I do believe. The respect the director has for the board is evident as well. I know that one of the trustee&#039;s is the son of a family that has supported the library financially over the years&#059; sometimes it seems like he gets treated a bit extra special &#045; I suppose with good reason. There is clearly no micro&#045;managing happening and the level of trust is immense. <br /><br />Regarding library staff relating with the board&#059; again, this is minimal observation. One gal has been there 21 years and another 10&#059; they both seem to get along well with the individual members. I haven&#039;t experienced a situation that might reflect their opinion of the board as a whole &#045; say in a policy decision the board has made that effected the staff directly. Perhaps I have seen it and haven&#039;t been aware of it&#059; now with these types of things clearly in my minds eye, maybe I&#039;ll be more conscientious of them. <br /><br />Cynthia Kay<br />New Hampton Public Library

Cynthia Kay 2008-09-05T18:55:56Z Toni Roberts 2008-09-03T19:21:09Z 2008-09-03T19:21:09Z

Looking forward to getting on the webboard by myself

Toni Roberts 2008-09-03T19:21:09Z Marie Van Beek 2008-09-03T17:49:42Z 2008-09-03T17:49:42Z

I am excited to be here to learn with other librarians how to become network literate!

Marie Van Beek 2008-09-03T17:49:42Z Carolyn Hartmann 2008-09-03T02:14:14Z 2008-09-03T02:14:14Z

<img alt='emoticon' src='@theme_images_path@/emoticons/girl.gif' />Yeh!! I made it in. This is an accomplishment finally. I learned so much from PLM 1. In each session I have brought something back to the Library, I&#039;m sure I will learn just as much in PLM 2. I look forward to learning about new ideas that other Librarians have tried that worked for their Library. Web boards will be valuable resource for information once we all catch on to them!!!

Carolyn Hartmann 2008-09-03T02:14:14Z Diane Coberly 2008-09-02T14:34:40Z 2008-09-02T14:34:40Z

I am looking forward to being better informed about how libraries are run. I am an infant when it comes to library management, other that what I have learned on the job. I am looking forward to meeting the rest of you and learning from everyone.<br /><br />Diane Coberly

Diane Coberly 2008-09-02T14:34:40Z Karen Collins 2008-09-01T01:58:13Z 2008-09-01T01:58:13Z

I will be happy to see some of the friends from PLM 1. I just hope I can manage this web junction thread. I am sure this will be an interesting class with lots of good ideas to help me to make our library run smoother.

Karen Collins 2008-09-01T01:58:13Z