Emporia State University, Memorial Union, is the location of this year's
conference. .... ―be ‗loud and proud' about being a librarian‖ and ―Speak up!
Step Out ...
KLA Connects
Summer 2010
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE KANSAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
KLA- CLUS FALL CONFERENCE “ORIGINATE, CREATE, RENOVATE, AND INNOVATE: LEADING REVOLUTION IN THE ACADEMIC LIBARARY” Just like the song in the Gatorade commercial states, ―If you want a revolution, the only solution – evolve.‖ Academic librarians are poised more than ever now to lead, revolutionize and evolve for our changing clienteles! Along those lines, the KLA-CULS Fall Conference is also changing this year. We are offering an intensive one-day conference on Friday, October 15, with a range of Pecha Kucha sessions, presentations and workshops dedicated to your professional development needs. We are also presenting a preconference the afternoon of Thursday, October 14, featuring Jonathan Morris of the KU Public Management Center speaking about leadership in the academic library. Emporia State University, Memorial Union, is the location of this year's conference. Stay tuned to KANLIB-L and the KLA-CULS site at http://kslibassoc.org/SectionsRoundTables/CULS/ for registration information. Also, be sure to join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php? gid=120749327968047 Questions? contact Cynthia Akers, KLA-CULS President at
[email protected] See you in October!
JOHN SHERIDAN APPOINTED DEAN OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES AT ESU Provost Tes Mehring has recently announced that John Sheridan has been appointed the next Dean of University Libraries and Archives at Emporia State University. For the past five years Dean Sheridan was Dean of Libraries and Information Sciences at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Among his positions, Mr. Sheridan served at the University of Nebraska - Kearney and at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. His service on the BCR Board of Trustees provided him with some awareness of Kansas libraries. Internationally, Mr. Sheridan served as an ALA-Library Book Fellow in Ukraine and worked in the United Arab Emirates for three years. His MLS id from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Additionally he holds masters and baccalaureate degrees in Classical Studies from Indian University and City College of New York respectively. Photo courtesy of Cynthia Akers
WELCOME TO THE KANSAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER!
Send submissions for inclusion in the Winter 2010-2011 issue to Ericka Brunson at :
[email protected] Have fun! Ericka Brunson Editor
LIBRARIANS BREAKING OUT OF THE MOLD: A BOOK REVIEW During library school, Ruth Kneale started researching librarian images and stereotypes and even started a website about it, www.librarian-image.net . I first heard about her web site while attending library school in Emporia. It inspired me to create my own web site, ―Butt Kicking Librarians‖ www.hokkien.uuft.org/librarian.html . Kneale later ran across that web page and contacted me about being interviewed for her book You Don‘t Look Like a Librarian: Shattering Images and Creating Positive New Images in the Internet Age. I reviewed the book a few months ago in Law Library Journal and will share my thoughts from that review. While my website and I are mentioned in the book, I did not receive any compensation (except a complimentary review copy) for the interview or my reviews. One may have the impression that this book merely entertains the reader with examples of librarians throughout pop culture, but it is a lot more than that! Kneale starts by discussing how the image of the shushing librarian that only understands books hurts us in terms of pay equity and funding. She provides an example of librarians being reclassified into a lower pay rate because their library board felt they do less complex work. She also discusses how patrons assume librarians can‘t help them with sophisticated technology issues because of that old-fashioned stereotype. Chapter two is the fun chapter where the author provides many examples of librarians in pop culture. Kneale examines a lot of books, comics, movies, music, television shows, advertising, and even toys. When discussing the Rupert Giles character from the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Kneale writes that Giles is ―both guardian and mentor‖ and while he‘s impacted by the stereotype of being technologically-challenged, ―with his wit, wiles, skills, and intelligence he showed that a librarian can be, and do, anything!‖
A snapshot of “Snapshot Day” -Page 3
I found chapter three to be a real eye-opener. The interviews of several librarians, two of which are Kansas librarians, helped to illuminate what cool and innovative job projects librarians are involved with. The chapter also described groups based on librarians, with interests covering everything from bellydancing to lipstick to modifying (tattoos and piercings) to radical views. Johnson County Library‘s Joshua Neff started the Library Society of the World, which focuses on how libraries are about people and not buildings. From this section, I see a message that librarians should let the world know that we're cool, active, innovative, friendly, and have interesting hobbies. Chapter four starts off by explaining how librarian job duties have evolved. ―Our power has always been in our ability to guide others in how to find the information they seek; that power still exists and is still needed.‖ The chapter is also a call to arms for librarians to embrace change and learn new technologies. Librarians need to stay relevant, remain friendly, and keep marketing their services. Kneale even suggests librarians take classes on technology and get more involved with teaching. As I hear about more librarians wanting to teaching information literacy workshops and classes, I realize many of us are on the right track.
I-Pad's and the library: One professional's experience - Page 8
The last third of the book consists mostly of two appendices, references and other resources, and a list of relevant web sites on the book‘s subject. I found the nineteen-page list of resources and websites to be very useful. The reader is also directed to the companion web site at http:// www.librarian-image.net/book because Kneale regularly adds to her research and plans to redirect readers as web site addresses are changed or become unavailable.
Highlights this issue:
Two Kansas libraries looking to move buildings - Pages 9 & 10
www.kslibassoc.org
The book is interesting, entertaining, and informative. I recommend You Don‘t Look Like a Librarian to all types of librarians, especially those who may work with others that may not realize the value we bring to library and information services and learning. We need to ―be ‗loud and proud‘ about being a librarian‖ and ―Speak up! Step Out! Stay out there, or get out there, to educate, inform, and assist!‖ Andrew Pulau Evans, JD, MLS Head of Reference & Gov Docs Librarian Adjunct Professor of Law Washburn University Law Library From librarian-image.net
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A LIBRARIANS PERSPECTIVE: LIBRARIANS PAST Our Dean of Libraries here at Pittsburg State recently circulated a link to this presentation: ―Catching Glimpses of the Future of Libraries through Library User Studies.‖ I‘m very glad he did. This Webcast, presented by Susan Gibbons on June 21, 2010, at the Library of Congress, is fascinating to me, and not only because it opened my eyes to what I was missing on the LC Webcast site (http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/ feature_wdesc.php?rec=4937). Gibbons spoke about the external forces changing the library user (in this case, the university library user), and real vs. perceived user needs. She reminded me that our job isn‘t simply to deliver ―x‖ to user ―y‖ in a more efficient and productive manner. Our job is also to understand users and how their needs change over time, whether or not the users themselves fully understand! Gibbons also reminded me that every time I have seen or heard of a user study, there has always been a reported ―surprise.‖ Our patrons might be different in different types of institutions, but many of the questions information professionals ask are similar. What is this person like? Where do they come from? Are they ―typical‖ of our users? What motivates them to use our services? What do they think of us? Our building? Our signage? What do they need? But we must also, and perhaps more importantly ask what may they need that we haven‘t yet imagined? How might they surprise us? Because they will.
Gibbons also indicated that our past might not help us anticipate this future as much as we think. Our history, while important, may not be relevant. And it‘s sometimes difficult to let go of its illusive certainty. Maybe that‘s why users surprise us; we may be thinking about how they were not how they are or will be. I felt a twinge watching the Webcast realizing that I have been guilty of saying, at this University, ―When I went to school …‖ (more than twenty years ago …) I also have in mind the theme of the next CULS Fall Conference, Oct. 14-15, at Emporia State, ―Originate, Create, Renovate, and Innovate: Leading Revolution in the Academic Library.‖ I‘m thinking about how none of our originating, creating, renovating, or innovating will be relevant unless we keep in view our missions and goals as well as our changing patrons. We can serve a mission that we have served faithfully in the past, and let go of the ways in which we previously accomplished that mission. I‘m looking forward to the conference, and to leaving more of my past behind.
Morgan O.H. McCune, M.L.S., M.F.A. Cataloging Librarian, Assistant Professor Pittsburg State University
PLAN TO PARTICIPATE IN SNAPSHOT: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF KANSAS LIBRARIES Join libraries across the state in November for the second ―Snapshot: A Day in the Life of Kansas Libraries.‖ It‘s a day to gather information that demonstrates how important academic, public, school and special libraries are to the citizens of Kansas. Choose one day during the week of Nov. 14-20, to compile statistics, customer comments, photographs and other data chronicling a typical library day. Then submit data through an online survey and the State Library will compile the final numbers. Everything you need to participate is at www.snapshotkansas.com. There are sample press releases, sample data collection forms, and testimonials from past participants. The results will demonstrate valuable library services that Kansas citizens use every day. And, the results are meant to be used with governmental entities, boards of directors, and local communities.
The first Snapshot Day occurred in the Spring of 2010; 105 libraries of all types participated. Libraries were given a wider range of participation dates because of the short notice. For Fall, we‘ve narrowed the timeframe, and expect to gather even more impressive information on libraries and their communities. ―Snapshot: A Day in the Life of Kansas Libraries‖ is a project of the Kansas Library Association, the Kansas Association of School Libraries, and the State Library of Kansas The data collection will answer: How many times the library helped someone work on a resume? How many times the library helped someone apply for a job online? How many students the library helped with an assignment or an online database? How many story hours the library offered – to how many attendees? How many people came through the library‘s doors?
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HUTCHINSON PUBLIC ANNOUNCES THE PRAIRIE BOOK FESTIVAL The Hutchinson Public Library will host the Prairie Book Festival on Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the library grounds. The Festival is a celebration of reading, writing and literature and will feature a combination of Kansas authors, with book sales and autographing; storytelling and crafts for children; book valuations; memoir readings; musical entertainment, and other attractions.
children‘s author Carol Murray, ABC ART RIDDLES; Marilyn Hope Lake, writer of the children‘s book BUDDY AND THE GRANDCATS; Jim Potter, of the Reno County Sheriff‘s Department with his book COP IN THE CLASSROOM; and Robert Hannigan, A FORTY YEAR JOURNEY IN CORRECTIONS.
In conjunction with the Prairie Book Festival, the library is holding three creative writing contests: 100 Word Fiction, Limerick, and Longest Sentence. Contestants of all ages may submit unlimited entries in one, two, or all three contests.
Visit the Festival web site, http://prairiebookfestival.comto to Several other Kansas authors will be download one entry form for each featured in the vendors‘ tent, including submission. Entry forms may also be Kansas author talks will be presented Roberta and Ramona Lampe, a motherpicked up at the library, 901 N. Main during the morning and afternoon by daughter duo with two historical fiction Street. Electronic entries are encouraged, Steven Farney, McPherson, author of novels and three children‘s books; please send to
[email protected]. CLUB 50—50 POINT SINGLE GAME Augusta author of UNITE MY HEART Hard copy submissions may be brought to SCORERS IN KANSAS HIGH Judy Knepp; and Hazel Hart and Bonnie the library‘s Business Office on the 2nd SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL; Jim Eaton (aka B.J. Myrick) of Wichita, who floor 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Hoy, Emporia, writer of FLINT HILLS have written a short story weekdays, or to the Adult Circulation COWBOYS: TALES OF THE collection entitled DARKSIDE OF THE Desk evenings and weekends. TALLGRASS PRAIRIE; Bob Gress, RAINBOW. Winningentries will be announced and Wichita, nature photographer for THE read during the Festival, along with GUIDE TO KANSAS BIRDS AND Along with the authors in the vendors tent memoir readings by Larre Eschliman, BIRDING HOT SPOTS; and Bonnie there will be representatives from the Betty Ritterhouse, Dottie Gibson, ―BD‖ Tharp, FEISTY FAMILY Hutchinson/Reno Arts & Humanities Taliatha Holmes, and Jewel Yoder. VALUES. Several Hutchinson authors Council, the Hutchinson Art Center, will also talk Hutchinson Boys and Girls Club, Kansas The Prairie Book Festival is jointly about their work, including Steven Hind, Kids: More Than a Museum, the Reno sponsored by the Hutchinson/Reno Arts THE LOOSE CHANGE OF WONDER; County Genealogical Society, Daughters and Humanities Council, the Friends of Dr. of the American Revolution, and the the Hutchinson Public Library, and the Mark Fesen, SURVIVING THE General Federation of Womens' Club Hutchinson Public Library. For detailed CANCER SYSTEM: AN (GFWC). If you have old books that you information and a schedule of EMPOWERMENT GUIDE TO think may be valuable, bring them to the events for the Festival, visit http:// CONQUERING CANCER; local poet vendors' tent and Gene Medenwald, from \prairiebookfestival.com or call the Bill Sheldon, writer of RETRIEVING Stafford, will be doing book valuations. library at 620-663-5441. OLD BONES;
Get KLA updates on facebook. Search for ―Kansas Library Association‖
KLA CAFÉ: THE HAPPENINGS IN KANSAS LIBRARIES Creativity and skill – packaged! Guest authors serving as judges for the Teen Book Trailer Contest at the Johnson County Library (KS) announced winners in a special Book Trailer Screening Party. Local guest authors Brent Crawford (Carter Finally Gets It), Jennifer Brown (The Hate List), and Elizabeth Bunce (A Curse Dark as Gold) each talked about their books, took questions, and judged the video trailer submissions. The participating teens learned quite a bit about copyright and the Creative Commons license under which they had to operate. During the event, two of the authors – Jennifer Brown and Elizabeth Bunce – mentioned that they had their official book trailers created by teens, which did a lot to validate the work that the teens did for the contest. (View all the entries at http://www.jocoteenscene.org/.) Photo on right: Judges for the Teen Book Trailer Contest at the Johnson County Library (KS) in July were three Kansas City-area Young Adult authors (l-r): Elizabeth Bunce (A Curse Dark as Gold), Jennifer Brown (Hate List), and Brent Crawford (Carter Finally Gets It).
Photo credit: Johnson County Library
Teen Artist-in-Residence Lauren Chance edited digital photography, and Teen Writer-in-Residence Ayah Abdul Rauf worked with her journals in the Gallery area each Thursday during July at the Johnson County Library (KS). They also presented Digital Photography and Creative Writing workshops for teens at the Central Resource Library and a branch library. Sixty people attended a reception honoring both Residents.
OPEN FORUM: CALLING ALL YOUNG LIBRARY PROFESSIONALS Are you excited about sharing ideas with your peers? Do you wish you could get advice from librarians who have been where you are? Is there a problem you need help with? Can you offer advice on best practices? Do you just need to get out of the office for a few hours once a month? If any of these questions apply to you please join our young information professionals group. Organized by Cari Cusick, Hesston Public Library and Wendy Mitchell, Clay Center Carnegie Library this group will meet the first Friday of the month in various cites across the state. The first meeting will be held October 1, 2010 at the Clay Center Carnegie Library at 706 6th Street Clay Center, KS 67432. Bring $5 and enjoy pizza with us at 12:00 or show up at 12:30 for the discussion. We will plan to wrap up around 3:30. The topic for the October 1 meeting will be a terrifying, bone chilling Halloween theme: Computers in the Library. Several subtopics to be discussed include: creating a computer sign in sheet, monitoring computer usage, technology plans, child internet policies, laptop checkout policies, and any of your suggested ideas. We will also discuss our goals for this group and attempt to come up with at catchy name! Please email Wendy at
[email protected] if you would like to attend and email her your technology plans for a fun compare/contrast party. Also let her know if you need directions. If you are a MLS student, young information professional, or simply young at heart you won‘t want to miss this social learning opportunity!
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CONFESSIONS FROM THE DIRECTORS CHAIR Since 1912 the Clay Center Carnegie Library has been providing library service to the community of Clay Center, KS. On August 2nd, I became the director of that library. As I began my studies in Library Science last January I wanted to add to the experience that I started gaining in libraries since the age of 14. When I embarked on my studies I had a love for libraries, a passion for learning, and the desire to become a library professional. I had no idea that before I turned 25 I would be learning to run a 98 year old library with five staff, three floors, over 40, 000 volumes, and in the middle of an automation project. In the last few weeks since beginning my position I have heard numerous comments about how it is great that I am young and have energy and ideas. Even with youth on my side I know that I would be in over my head without my library background and my love for providing library service. As a young professional I want to learn and grow and be involved with other similar minded library folk. I am ready to get my hands dirty weeding books, organizing shelves of donations that have been piling up over the years, and finishing a long awaited automation project. Although I am getting my Master‘s Degree in Library Science and I have already learned many useful things, I have always felt that hands-on experience counts in the library world. I know my course work and experience will help me with some very exciting projects. I have always been interested in collection development and I am thrilled at my first forays into that world. When I interviewed for the position I was shown the space dedicated for a new teen area and told that the teen collection needed help. My excitement grew and I knew I was the person for that job. The new lime green paint, beanbag chairs, and zebra print rug in the teen area are a fantastic start and I hope the teens will be as excited with my book selections as I am with their decorating job (I am considering asking them to do my office next). I see great things for the future of the Clay Center Carnegie Library. I look forward to working with the staff, board, and community to make the library a vital, user friendly community resource. Like many older libraries I feel that we will face big decisions of whether to try and renovate the existing library or try and construct a new one. In the next few months I will most likely be working to develop a technology plan and a collection development plan as well as streamlining the day to day operations of the library. I am also looking forward to meeting and learning from my fellow professionals. Anytime anyone is around Clay Center feel free to stop by and visit me and my library. I cannot wait to see what wonderful changes are in store before the Clay Center Carnegie Library turns 100! Wendy Mitchell Director Clay Center Carnegie Library
FLIKS: FILM LOVERS IN KANSAS FLIKS, the Kansas Humanities Council‘s brand-new facilitated film discussion program, is available for booking. A FLIKS event features short films that share a common theme, followed by a discussion led by a KHC humanities facilitator. FLIKS events are ideal for libraries, museums, art centers, senior centers, and other community organizations. A FLIKS event does not need to be held in a theater. KHC currently offers two FLIKS series. As Big As We Think features the films Bauer, Baker, and Baldwin City: Electrifying a Small Town’s Identity, the story of a Baker University professor who brought electricity to the community in 1906; Mariachi Estrella: Ad Astra Per Aspera, the story of Topekan Teresa Cuevas and the beginning of the nation‘s first all-female mariachi band; and Clyde Cessna: From the Ground Up, the story of the Kingman County farmer who put Kansas on the map as an aviation leader.
There’s No Place Like Home features a light-hearted look at the uniqueness of the Cawker City Twine-A-Thon; All That Remains, an introspective look at the lessons we pass on to our children; and Rebuilding Greensburg, a story that reshapes our vision of home.
Book a FLIKS event for your library. Visit www.kansashumanities.org to download the catalog.
FLIKS program at the Lawrence Public Library Photo Courtesy of : The Kansas Humanities Council
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PLUGGED IN: I-PADS IN THE LIBRARY Having recently acquired an iPad, I‘ve been delightfully experimenting with its many capabilities and features. Among its virtues are hundreds of free applications and games available at my fingertips to download, along with hundreds more fee-based premium products. While not yet an iPad connoisseur, I have found that the device serves as the perfect eBook and offline content reader. Over the summer I read my first eBook, Game Change, entirely on the iPad. I liked the experience for several reasons: First, the book was less expensive than a traditional book that I might purchase in a store or online. Second, I downloaded the book in a few minutes, saving me the time and expense of purchasing it through the mail or driving to the store. Third, I was able to read the book in nearly any lighting condition – ranging from a lamp-less room to near full sunlight. (Although, all Apple mobile devices are known to shut themselves off in very warm conditions, so outside use is limited.) Fourth, the eBook included several great built-in features. I found myself using the highlighter and the dictionary quite often. I also liked the page-turning capabilities, but it does require some tactile experimentation to find the areas of the screen that make the page turning easier. Also, the haptic capabilities allowed me to enlarge or reduce the text size very easily, and ―move‖ the pages about freely. Finally, the battery life is extraordinary. I can easily use the device for an entire day without a recharge, making my netbook with its 5 hour battery seem strangely antiquated. I also experimented with my first periodical download: Wired. At nearly $5 for the one month download, I thought the price was comparable to bookstand prices – but more expensive than a yearly subscription. The eMagazine included all the same articles – but, also included all the same advertisements. It was pleasant to read the magazine using such a high-fidelity device with full, richly saturated color. I‘ve since downloaded Newsweek, Time, and other eMagazines. Most recently, I‘ve stumbled on another free application called Flipboard (http:// www.flipboard.com/) that allows me to read blogs, such as the Huffington Post, twitter streams, and Facebook feeds on the iPad without the need for a browser. What‘s interesting is that Flipboard converts the feeds into a magazine-like appearance with
live links to the referenced web-articles embedded into the feed. It also creates ―pages‖ that can be turned. The layout mimics an actual magazine. Coined a ―social magazine‖, it may portend a new genre of magazine-like All of this has led me to think about how iPads are being leveraged in libraries, aside from the obvious applications such as eBooks and ePeriodicals. I do foresee a day in the not -so-distant future where patrons will routinely arrive at a library with such devices and will summarily download subscriptionbased books, magazines, articles, and even audio-visuals – rather than procuring analog materials. One blog I stumbled across recently suggested that libraries should abandon PC and laptop stations altogether and instead use iPads as the primary data access vehicle. Lest we forget, the iPad has only been available since March/April of this year making this expeditious transition to handheld mobile media even more staggering. So, that leads me to the major indexes. While most indexes are not yet available as iPad apps, the built-in browser on the device still makes it great tool to roam the library and conduct live research on-the-go. However, several smaller, specialized indexes are aggressively developing apps. In my limited investigation I was able to easily locate some intriguing library applications developed specifically for the iPad. Many of these are freely available through the iTunes store:
More than 30,000 DRM-free titles are available courtesy of the Project Gutenberg The American Bar Association (ABA) has launched its version of the monthly journal for the iPad. This application is already being used by the University of Connecticut School of Law EBSCOHost has an updated iPad friendly full-text view designed specifically for the device Gale has announced a free iPad application that allows patrons to access any nearby public library. According to Gale ―The new iPad application will make research accessible to information seekers of all types, from students to seniors.‖
Legal publisher Fastcase recently announced a free mobile legal research application designed specifically for the iPad The University of Maryland and the International Children’s Digital Library have teamed up to develop a book search application that makes available the largest freely available collection of multi-lingual, online children's books with titles in more than 54 languages representing 64 countries MITs Music Library recently began lending iPads to faculty and staff that‘s pre-loaded with 85 music applications There are multiple health and wellness applications available for the iPad – far too many to enumerate The Library of Congress now has a virtual tour application developed for all flavors of Apple mobile devices Libraries, such as YellowHead Regional (Canada), Stanford, and Duke have developed downloadable mobile applications that provide access to searchable indexes.
These are but a few of the growing list of library applications specifically designed for this device. It‘s safe to say that we will see hundreds more in the months to come. Databases will soon be ―iPad compliant‖. There will likely be iPads available as checkout devices in every library. Laptops and desktops will likely be replaced with iPads. Libraries will move to make periodicals and select books available as downloads. Obviously, this will drastically change the complexion of the library and its services. I‘ve not seen such a singular transition to any particular technology previously. It‘s truly breathtaking to witness this evolution occurring so quickly and completely. The sooner librarians understand and embrace this technology, the better positioned they will be as this evolution unfolds.
Robert Gibson, Ed.D. Associate CIO - Academic and User Services Emporia State University
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IF THE KIDS CAN’T COME TO THE LIBRARY — BRING THE LIBRARY TO THE KIDS! This summer the Olathe Public Library converted its old courier van into a ―bookmobile‖ and visited four Title 1 schools on a regular basis throughout the summer. This project was the brainchild of Kate Capps, children‘s librarian and liaison to the school district. Many children in Olathe don‘t participate in the summer reading program because they are unable to get to the library, so she came up with a way to take books and the summer reading program to them. The library‘s older, white van was given a new look. It was covered with a colorful, kid-friendly wrap. The wrap design was based on graphics that are used on the children‘s portion of the library‘s web site. The design was created by OPL staff member, Gregg Armstrong and applied by Lettersmith Sign & Decal Co. in Parkville, MO. Each week the bookmobile headed out to two Title 1 schools. During the visit each child was allowed to ―checkout‖ two books. The books were not cataloged in any way, so when the children ―checked out‖ the books, we just tracked the child‘s name, school, grade, and the titles of the books that were borrowed. Children were encouraged to return their books during the next bookmobile visit in order to check out more books. Over 1,000 books were obtained for this project. The books were all either donated or purchased with funds that were donated. Most of the books were gently used.
In addition to providing books, the bookmobile also brought summer
of the books. The Olathe Public Library Foundation, local organizations and generous individuals within the community provided financial support for the project.
Photo courtesy of Olathe Public Library
reading program materials to the children so they could participate in the reading program. Each school was visited every other week throughout the summer. By the end of summer 200 children had checked out books, 185 children had participated in the summer reading program, and 21% of the children completed the summer reading program. This project was funded entirely by donations and was truly a cooperative effort. The Olathe School District helped to select the schools that we visited and allowed us to park on school property during our visits. Librarians, teachers and principals at several of the schools showed up to help and provide enthusiastic support for the bookmobile when it came to visit. The City of Olathe provided a gas card to fuel the bookmobile. The Friends of the Olathe Public Library provided funds and many
This endeavor would not have been possible without the support from all of these partners. And last, but not least, the library employees and volunteers need to be acknowledged. They staffed the bookmobile and did all the coordinating and organizing that made the idea a reality. In the coming months we will be evaluating this summer‘s undertaking and making plans to do it again next year, but even better!
Jennifer Adamson Children's Services Supervisor Olathe Public Library
Photo courtesy of Olathe Public Library
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FRESH PAINT: TWO KANSAS LIBRARIES LOOKING INTO NEW FACILITIES Hesston Public Library Hesston Public Library will have a new home in a couple of months, as we prepare to move into a new, expanded facility. The new building, which will be about three blocks from the current facility and put us on Main Street, will open sometime in October. We‘re moving from a 5,500square-foot building to a 10,000-square-foot building with a community room, Hesston History Room, café area, and expanded spaces for our children and young adults. From the beginning, this project hasn‘t been about adding more books to our collection but about adding more function to our facility. Currently, we have little room for programming. Our Summer Reading Program events require us to constantly move furniture around, and we have no space for events that doesn‘t interfere with other patrons using the library. Crowding also means that some areas are not wheelchair friendly. The new library, which is actually a renovated and expanded existing metal building, will have higher ceilings in the collection area, adding to the spacious feel. We‘ve kept the inside as open as possible to provide increased functionality in the future. We‘ll also be able to shorten some of our adult stacks, making them more user-friendly. We are fortunate enough to be able to purchase new shelving for our collection, moving from mismatched wood shelves to steel shelving with end panels. The city council has agreed to help us purchase the new shelving by buying it for us with a lease-purchase agreement because our fundraising has fallen short of our goal. We will then pay them back as funds allow.
Fundraising has been a challenge, particularly in this economic climate, but we‘ve been amazed at the grassroots support for the new library. We hosted a Library Benefit BBQ, a book sale, and a public Sneak Peek Open House, all of which were well attended. Our local Lion‘s Club hosted a band concert, two local restaurant have committed proceeds to the campaign, and our Youth As Resources group of young men and women raised more than $5,500 at a benefit golf tournament! Those efforts, along with generous donations, have raised more than $64,000 to help furnish the new library. More than even money, though, we‘ve seen a renewed interest in our library, and the publicity around the new library has given us a chance to showcase all the services we already offer than many people are unaware of. I‘m also seeing an increase in people wanting to volunteer at the library, which just leads to further investment and ownership. We‘re very excited about this opportunity to better serve our community. To see the architect‘s virtual tour, visit our website: www.hesstonpubliclibrary.com, or to see the project in real life, come on over to Hesston!
Cari Cusick Library Director Hesston Public Library
Below: Hesston Public Library– Library Design
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Kansas City, KS Public Library– Argentine Branch A big dream is becoming a reality at the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library. The Argentine branch is a wonderful, old Carnegie Library that has served the people in the southern part of Kansas City, Kansas since 1917. It was designed for a population of 7,000 before the days of ADA or WWW, and now we find ourselves reaching out to a community four times as large with a very different set of needs. I recently joined the crew at Argentine and, while going through some old files, came across a pair of interesting documents: ―Preliminary Information Packet on Possible Argentine Expansion Project,‖ dated October 11, 2005, and ―Space Needs Analysis for a Public Library in the Argentine Area‖—a proposal for construction of a giant facility to replace the present library—dated April 14, 1992! No wonder so many people shook their heads at the idea of building a new library this year—especially in the bad weather of this economic climate. Nevertheless, the community wanted one, and in November of 2009 the Library Campaign Committee, composed of residents, librarians, and other school district officials (the public library is part of USD 500), approached the Board of Education with a history of their efforts and a vision for a public-private partnership.
Photo Courtesy of: Argentine Public Library The Argentine Branch held a carwash on July 31st. The fundraiser brought in $461.75 and attracted attention to the library‘s cause.
Out of this gesture grew a plan to finance a new 21,000-squarefoot facility, the library putting up four million dollars if the community could raise two million. The median income in our community is under $30,000, but that didn‘t stop the people who wanted a new library from getting to work on the project—writing grants, going door-to-door, dreaming up fundraising strategies. Today, between money raised and unpaid pledges, they have almost 1.3 million dollars to show for their work. It was enough for approval of the land purchase earlier this summer, and we now have a site for the new library, a few blocks from our present location. These strides were possible only because of the passion, intelligence, and dedication of those members of the community who wanted a new library so badly. Their vision has informed every step of the process, right down to the conceptual floor plan, which was developed through a charrette, an opportunity for the community to come together and give input on the actual design of the library. There‘s a long way to go, of course. We‘re still looking for grant money and accepting donations sent to Bridgette DeSmet, Kansas City, Kansas Public Library, 625 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas 66101. But there‘s now no question that a new library is on the way. As for the old building, though cramped, hard to wire, and inaccessible to wheelchairs, many love it and take pride in its place on the National Register of Historic Places. Part of the happy ending we‘re closing in on is that the building will be repurposed and continue to distinguish this neighborhood.
Jack Granath Interim Branch Manager Argentine Branch Kansas City, Kansas Public Library
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