DIRECTOR’S REPORT: DECEMBER 2005
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
ADMINISTRATION
Published
article received about RCPL from patron concerning library services
for downloading files. You also have in your Board packet a policy
recommendation for the first new collection of downloadable files related to
the discussion in this article.
The Business Office has continued to meet with City Finance
to finalize the transition of the Board funds.
Business Office procedures have been drafted to update the necessary
steps involved for deposits, reconciliations, and change funds.
Space use consultant George Lawson met with management and
staff on December
5-6. He will make a return
visit to the library on January 24-25, and will meet with the Library Board at
that time.
Community, Governmental and Interlibrary Relations:
Building & Grounds: The
roofing project is complete with the exception of minor details. Planned
maintenance projects that were completed recently include: phase two painting project of Hoyt meeting room
and TS area; ceiling tiles and lights in the Research room, Gates computer room
and 3 offices in the Admin section; tree trimming; landscaping rock installed;
and a new closet door in the Hoyt room.
A new smaller insulated garage door will be installed the middle of
Jan.; this will allow for another staff entrance alongside the new garage door,
eliminating the hazard of alley traffic for staff entering or exiting the
building.
Public Information and Programming:
·
IMLS Laura Bush Librarians
for the 21st Century Grant – proposal completed
and submitted in advance of the December 15th deadline;
·
R.C. Benefits Fair – 50 library information bags
prepared
·
Signage and Displays – holiday closings; programming
display signs; Board vacancy; Homebound promotional sign
·
Web site – web pages for month’s programs;
updated YS bagged collection pages
·
·
Ed continued working with the Veterans Writing Workshop. The group is now planning on monthly
meetings.
Training:
·
·
·
Librarian
1’s received DreamWeaver training from Greg Russ.
·
Supervisors
and Librarian 1’s attended 2 of 3 training sessions on how to implement SFX,
which will allow patrons to expand their catalog searches to our magazine
databases.
·
Ed and Ailsa conducted a
training update to staff on mending and cataloging changes.
PUBLIC
SERVICES/YOUTH
Programs: Children’s Book Week was celebrated by
60 children creating a comic book and 48 youth who made books. Our story times continue to be popular with
an average attendance of 42.
The annual evaluation of summer reading program statistics
was completed; participation in 2005 was up 28% from the previous year.
Services: Youth
Services staff went to the
PUBLIC
SERVICES/ADULT SERVICES-REFERENCE
Programs: 39 people
attended the “Lunch and Learn” program.
32 participants read their poetry at the annual Poets Coffee House.
Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve was our Author! Author! speaker.
Services: 11 tests were
proctored in November
SUPPORT
SERVICES/CIRCULATION
- Four
Circulation staff completed AED training.
- Circulation
worked with the Business Office and City Finance to develop reporting
mechanisms for the front desk register.
- New
security gates were installed at the front doors.
OUTREACH: 4 new homebound
patrons were registered and 65 homebound patrons were served this month. The
Homebound program was featured on NewsCenter One with an interview of the
coordinator. 35 volunteers contributed 406 hours this month.
SUPPORT
SERVICES/NETWORK SERVICES
Services:
- Implementing
BLOG software on to the RCPL web server
- Working
with the Librarian I’s to bring a
more dynamic library website to our patrons
- Researching
online credit card payments
- Attended
SFX training
SUPPORT
SERVICES/TECHNICAL SERVICES
Services:
- We
have developed a slight backlog of uncataloged materials and have
implemented the procedure to quickly move the materials to the public
- We
upgraded our cataloging software
- We
discovered a process to improve cataloging productivity and further
streamline moving new materials out