We Love Bookmobiles!

It has been a while since I have added to my blog, but it is not because of a lack of subject matter. Things are absolutely wild around the library. Use is up and we are busier than ever. It seems like we are always welcoming new users to the Paulding County Carnegie Library system.

One of the biggest pieces of news this fall and for 2011 is our acquisition of a used bookmobile. If I told you the bargain we received, you would think I was crazy. Let's just say it was over $2,999 and under $3,001! This bookmobile, once stocked, cleaned, etc. will bring library materials all over Paulding County. More details will follow, but we are all certainly excited about this new direction.

Have a wonderful fall and blessed Thanksgiving! I'll close for now and wish you "Happy Reading!"

I've got a book published!

It was a dark and stormy night. A shot rang out. A woman screamed... So begins the beginning of Peanuts' beloved beagle, Snoopy's, book; and, usually the sign that the following tome will be a bad one, at best.

I remember all we use to deal with were "vanity presses", you know, the Who's Who of everything? You remember the letters, the ones that stated, "you have been selected, you are among an elite few, etc. etc. etc." All you have to do is submit your information, and by the way, if you want a copy of the title just send $39.95, or better yet, get an engraved collector's edition for $69.95. People would submit their information to these publishers, get their book and see themselves in print. "I'm in 'Who's Who'! they might proudly proclaim. But, the bottom line was that it did not make a hill of beans difference to a future employer. I must admit that I had been tempted on more than one occasion by the flattering offers.

Now our egos can be stroked on a different level. We can all have our books published. Just type in the search "publish my book" on Google or other search engines and see what you will find. Amazon.com even offers a self-publishing option. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm all for encouraging budding authors. And, we have heard of how a typed out short story distributed among friends has let to best sellers, the one that comes to mind is The Christmas Box self-published in 1993 by Richard Paul Evans for his children and later to become a bestseller plus a movie.

Besides encouraging people to "write", self-publishing does preserve their writings in a more permanent form. For public libraries there is a new challenge. What do we do with all the gift books donated by local authors that were self-published? Librarians have criteria for selecting library materials including fiction and non-fiction works. Some of the books donated by local authors are complete with grammatical errors, run-on sentences, sketchy or obscure plots, flights of fancy, etc. But do we refuse them? In a simple word, no

We try to place all donations by local authors in our collection. In the library cataloging record known as the MARC record (machine readable cataloging) there is a line where we can insert information that this book is by a local author. Some libraries put all their "local author" titles in the same location -- shelved together. We interfile our authors' works in with the popular fiction and non-fiction.

I would never discourage anyone from writing. Self-publishing (an option where the author has to pay up front in most cases) allows for instant gratification and few if any critiques. Being picked up from a major publishing house is the ultimate goal and dream of most authors. The 2010 Novel & Short Story Writers Market and the 2010 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market provide information on where and how to sell your fiction, your children's stories and illustrations. Both are available in the 808 section of the non-fiction. The 2006 Guide to Literary Agents is found in the Reference Section under call number 070 GUI.

Visit your public library often. Read often. Write often. Be inspired. If you need help in getting pointed in the right direction, just ask. Until then, see you at the library!

On Hiring the Best for Your Team

I have recently reviewed application after application that have been submitted for two open positions at the library. Having a ranking system helps. Ours is one we developed on our own and has served us well over the past decade or so. When we initially review applications, they are ranked into one of three categories:

3's. These applications are either not complete, not signed, or were submitted without all supporting and required documents. Part of our ranking system is based on how well the applicant has followed instructions. If the job ad states that a library application and resume must be submitted to be considered, then an application alone would be incomplete. I have seen what could have been interesting candidates disqualified because they did not read and follow basic instructions. By signing the application, the candidate is acknowledging that they have read that they will be "at-will" employees, that the information they have submitted is truthful, etc. Applications unsigned are not considered.

2's. These applications are complete and included all supporting materials. The application is signed. There may be unexplained gaps in work history or job hopping. The presentation of information may not be grammatically correct, or sloppy. There may, however, be some special skills, talents and/or experience that could be transferable to the open experience. "Twos" will be considered for interview only if the "Ones" do not work out.

1's. "Ones" are applications that are completed, neat and include all supporting materials. These candidates may have past experience that dovetails into the skills needed for library service. They have strong customer service experience, are creative, organized and inventive. They also show confidence, computer knowledge and an enthusiasm to learn new skills. These candidates are called for an interview.

By ranking the applications, the human resource team (or the library director for a small library) is able to identify the best candidates to consider for the library team. The procedure is sensible and logical. Interviews are conducted by the supervisor of the department and the director. In special circumstances, the assistant director and head of adult services may also be a part of the interview process.

Pre-determined interview questions serve as a guideline for the interview and are used to identify strengths, weaknesses and the special skills and talents of the candidates. Taking notes ensures that during the final review, the interviewers will be able to remember each interviewee.

Having a plan provides for a professional approach to the selection of interviewed candidates and the entire interview process. It is exciting and energizing to meeting quality persons who want to be a part of the library team. We just wish we could hire them all!

Happy Reading!

Go Green at the Library!

Everything seems to be green. Green this and green that. I remember that first "Earth Day" thirty years ago. I remember it well, because I lost my father on that same day.

As a twelve-year-old, the concept of taking care of Mother Earth was one that I was vaguely aware of in the back of my mind. I do remember seeing commercials on televisions with an old Indian chief looking around at garbage with a tear in his eye. I remember Hooty Owl -- "Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute". I remember an anti-littering campaign, "Don't be a Litter Bug". At that young age, I remember being a bit ticked if I saw someone throw a bag of trash out the window of their car. I remember carrying litter bags in our car, the kind that hung from the radio knob.

Now, as a librarian, I must confess that I am not totally convinced that the globe is "warming". I believe that temperature change on the planet is cyclical. But you make up your own mind. The library is a great place to research this topic and others.

Anyway, back to "going green". I may not believe in the concept of global warming, but I do believe in keeping our rivers, oceans and air clean. I believe in recycling and conservation.

I must digress and share one quick story. I use to live in California. The State issued a water conservation order. One way to conserve, was to put a brick in the toilet. I was so confused and had a major "blonde moment". Ewwwww... wouldn't the brick get poop and stuff all over it??? Never realizing, until my "aha" moment, that the brick went in the tank to displace water, not the bowl.

Okay, back to "going green". The public library is the ultimate recycler. Our books are borrowed over and over again. A title by popular author Nora Roberts has circulated over 100 times. Many popular titles "circ" more then that in their lifetime. If each of these readers had purchased the books, I wonder how many trees would have been used for the publication.

Over 150,000 books were borrowed from the Paulding County Carnegie Library system in 2009. Over 38,000 movies were borrowed and almost 5,000 CDs were loaned. A total of over 205,000 items of all types were borrowed. Now, I don't know about you, but that sounds like a lot of recycling to me.

So, be part of "going green" and "go green" at the library! Happy Reading!

Springtime at the Library & Wagon Wheels

It is April and the sounds of spring are in the air. My friendly robin has greeted me with song in the morning... noon... afternoon... etc. Must have a lot to sing about. Currently, I hear the humming of lawn mowers working on the library yard. It is the first cutting of the year and I'm looking forward to stepping out to catch a whiff of freshly cut grass.

As the weather warms, the library receives more visitors. Today we greeted a 95 year-old woman who was born and raised in Paulding County. She shared stories of growing up, including visiting the library. Her recollection was priceless. Turns out that an aunt of her gave her a "Brownie" camera when she was younger. She and a friend took countless photos of everyone and everything. The photos have survived in excellent condition. Her daughter and I discussed the possibility of an online exhibit of Paulding County Memories Through the Lens of a "Brownie".

Another story was of her grandfather, last name Reighter, who lived in Briceton and was a wheelwright by trade. He was located next to the blacksmith. He would form the hub, spokes and wheel and then roll the wheel to the blacksmith, who would heat the steel ring that went around the wheel, to a red-hot state. After fitting it around the wheel, he would then quickly plunge it into cold water. The steel would cool and shrink, fitting tightly and seamlessly on the wheel.

This brief springtime visit was enough to paint a picture of bygone days in our county. It is raining now, one of those gentle April showers that will surely intensify the colors of the season. The library continues to be a place to visit, reflect, relax and remember. We hope you will visit your local public library this spring and explore the treasures you'll find within her walls.

Happy Reading!

Tough Decisions about Weather Closings

I think one of the toughest decisions I have to make is whether or not to close the library in bad or threatening weather. There are so many things to consider... safety of patrons, safety of staff, road conditions, drive home conditions, etc.

There are secondary issues that many patrons may not realize. If we open the library and schools close, parents many times send their children to the library as a form of day care. As long as the child is old enough to be left unaccompanied by an adult and as long as they adhere to library rules of behavior, that's fine. But what happens if the library has to close early? There may be times when a storm worsens during the day and a decision to close at noon or 3:00 p.m. might be made. What happens to our young patrons?

Is there a parent who can take off of work to pick them up? We certainly do not want to send anyone out in bad weather to "walk" home.

Another issue is the nature of the beast of Paulding County -- so to speak. This beast is the series of rural back roads -- many bordered by deep ditches. If there is any icing whatsoever, a driver may find themselves in deep trouble -- literally. Also, as one of my staff members shared, if the wind starts blowing, we're doomed.

Paulding County is different from other areas. We have strong winds sweeping over flat plains. In the country, or rural areas, this results in tremendous drifts and white-out conditions. In the villages, where there is some natural wind breaks in the trees and buildings, the snow simply piles up.

It is just not worth taking the risk. The safety of our patrons and the staff is of utmost importance. In a week or two no one will remember that the library was closed for two days due to the storm. But, if a staff member or patron is injured due to hazardous weather/driving conditions, that memory will stay with us a long time.

If we have to close early, or decide not to open at all, there are no overdue fines charged. Patrons do not have to worry about getting their materials back by dropping them in our bookdrops. We do not want anyone to take risks.

So, while some decisions are easier than others -- the decision to close the library due to hazardous weather/driving conditions is one that impacts lives. And, as long as I am the Director, I will err on the side of caution.

Happy Reading!