610 Quincy St. ź Rapid City, SD  57701

605-394-4171 ź www.rapidcitylibrary.org

 

 

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:  MARCH  2005

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

Community, Governmental and Interlibrary Relations:  The Rapid City Society for Genealogical Research has signed the MOU that was drafted in 2002. The MOU defines the Society’s use of the library space for their collections, and outlines the responsibilities of both parties. The Board approved this MOU in June 2003.

 

A meeting with 25 librarians around the state was held to discuss the possibilities of newspaper digitizing through a cooperative project. Discussion focused on retrospective digitization of historical issues, as well as ongoing digitization of current papers. An acknowledgement was made that outside funding would be required, and all participants will need to commit to that effort.  There will be a follow-up meeting in Pierre on March 24.

 

G. Chapman attended the Mayor’s Undoing Racism cultural ceremony on February 22.

 

Building & Grounds: Procedures continue to be identified and written for the ongoing maintenance of equipment and seasonal grounds maintenance. Research is being done on the elevator contract which would allow significant savings. Planning is being done for phase two carpet replacement, in main book stack and Technical Services areas. Also, planning for phase two expansion of Network office.

 

 

Public Information and Programming:

 

The PIPS group has worked with local business to have information about the library’s online services included in the businesses’ newsletters.  The Black Hills Corporation newsletter is an example of the positive result of that cooperation.

 

·         Grant Projects – summary of oral histories project outline; IMLS grant writing and review continuing

·         Information Packets – distributed to 12 groups that meet in the library’s meeting rooms

·         Water Dept. – technical assistance toward the production of their May Water Week publications

·         Publications – Mar. newsletter, calendar and computer courses; Gizz Fizz flyer and poster; thank you cards for YS gadgets series; SDLA conference brochure; info. bags for Every Child Ready to Read workshops; Homework helper marketing piece

·         Signage and Displays – Genealogy info printing;  Feb. S.D. History series; Photo Preservation presentation; Classics display; Winn-Dixie poster for Carmike theater display; new fiction signs; Book Drop sign; Mar. family story time

 

Training:

Becky Caselli-Smith from Lutheran Social Services presented a program on cultural awareness to staff on February 22nd and 24th.

 

The reference staff received training on the new health information computer on Feb 10. The computer is dedicated to accessing MedlinePlus, the official consumer health website of the National Library of Medicine. Special features on the computer include a special keyboard with large type letters, zoom text and a screen reader.

 

PUBLIC SERVICES/YOUTH

 

Programs  Every Child Ready to Read series of early literacy workshops have been well received by parents and caregivers.  Attendance in the first two programs was 29.  We will continue the workshops through March. 

           

Services:  Youth Services staff presented Information Literacy information to Girls Inc.  Staff also attended the Birth to Three monthly meeting at the Career Learning Center to Promote the library’s  Every Child Ready to Read series.  

 

Collections: We have reviewed and synthesized statistics reports on our bagged collections.  This information will assist us to determine popular themes and refine assessment protocols    

 

PUBLIC SERVICES/ADULT SERVICES-REFERENCE

 

Programs: Dr. Bishop from SDSMT presented the second in our SD History series programs. It was well received by the attendees. The digitizing of photographs presentation was also popular with 26 people attending.

 

Services:  Reference staff proctored 26 tests in February, both in paper and on the web. Computer classes continue to be popular, especially those offered for basic computer.

 

 

SUPPORT SERVICES/CIRCULATION

 
  • Theresa Schafer has been hired as a Library Associate; she will split her duties between Circulation, and Technical Services.
  • While numerous Aleph issues were resolved by Ex Libris’ Melanie Armson, we are still investigating the drop in statistics since starting Aleph.
  • Hold notices are again available via email.
  • Interlibrary loan services have been migrated from PALS to Aleph, allowing the final transition of the service from Reference to Circulation.
  • OUTREACH:  The Homebound Web Page is accessible by via “Contact Us”, the Resources Index, and “How Do I…” on the homepage. We are actively recruiting Readers’ Corps volunteers to read in nursing homes. Circulation staff are being trained as homebound selectors. During Volunteer Recognition Week (April 17-23), small gifts will be distributed to the volunteers by their respective departments. Library Tour CDs and evaluation postcards are being distributed with New Neighbors Welcome packets; Western Dakota Tech students will evaluate the CD from the perspective of non-users.

 

SUPPORT SERVICES/NETWORK SERVICES

 

Services: 

  • Working on updating web templates for city and RCPL
  • Maintenance of servers
  • Research new firewall and access points
  • Prepare wiring rack for new Firewall
  • Replacement of old switches
  • Replaced projectors

 

 

SUPPORT SERVICES/TECHNICAL SERVICES

 
  • Travis Brink has been promoted from Circulation LTAI to Technical Services LA.
  • We are outsourcing the labor-intensive repackaging of books-on-tape and books-on-CD.
  • Ed has nearly completed the list of speakers/presenters for the SDLA One-Day Forum hosted by RCPL
  • We have found a way to track and reorder cancelled orders that have been requested by patrons.
  • Chris has set up a process to screen orders that may have budgeting errors. This will allow more accurate budget tracking in the Aleph accounting system.