DIRECTOR’S REPORT:  NOVEMBER  2006

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

Community, Governmental and Interlibrary Relations:  RCPL is one of four libraries in the state approved for $40,000 in funding for the 2007 Big Read program.  This program is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest, and builds on community-wide discussions, programs, and forums around a single book.  The book selected for this event is Willa Cather’s My Antonia.  By joining with the other libraries (Siouxland, Dakota Wesleyan University, and Alexander Mitchell in Aberdeen), RCPL will be able to utilize nationally-produced marketing materials and SD Center for the Book resources,  The SD Center for the Book is working with area community foundations to provide supplemental funding. A sample press release from the NEA is attached.

 

Building & Grounds: Facilities recently completed a full unit inspection of HVAC equipment; almost all equipment that relates to HVAC has been upgraded, changed or replaced, and is saving on energy use. One original chiller pump is scheduled to be replaced. The City has approved funding to fix the library “high curb” areas through the Miscellaneous Improvement Projects (MIP) program. If there is enough funding this year, the project will be funded from this year's budget.  However, the actual work will likely not occur until next year.  If there is not enough funding for this year, the City will include it in next year's program.  In either case, the project will be done in 2007; the library will contribute $8,000 to this expense.

 

 

Marketing and Publicity: 

·        Due to the time-sensitive nature of notifying Pennington County residents of the County Contract situation, the Publicity dept. printed notification letters and compiled the list of recipients to deliver to Western Mailers, who were then given the task of stuffing the envelopes and mailing them.  This situation wound up being very effective and significantly enhanced the efficiency of this project.

·        There were two press conferences in September; one to publicly announce the voter information area, the other to make the announcement regarding the County negotiation contract situation.  These were well covered by local media outlets.

·        The voter information area has been popular with the public, as evidenced by the over 2,000 sample ballots that have been taken by interested parties.  The Pennington County Auditor’s office has supplied about 1100 of those ballots, and has had some difficulty in keeping up with the demand for more sample ballots to deliver to the library. 

·        The position for the part time LTA publisher assistant was advertised, with the final date for applications on Oct. 31.  The temporary assistant Fabian has been diligent in helping to meet publication deadlines during this vacancy.

 

Training: Dave Castelli has been hired as a Reference/Training Librarian I.  He has previously worked with the library automation firm Sirsi/Dynix as a trainer.  Dave will coordinate the public and staff training that takes place in the library.

 

PUBLIC SERVICES/YOUTH

 

Programs: The library continued the Discovery Days program series in October with two back-to-back programs on no school days.  The two events, “Boarder’s Bliss” and “Kung Fu U” were designed to appeal to middle school aged boys, a target audience that typically doesn’t attend library programs. A total of 47 patrons attended both programs.  At the Boarder’s Bliss program, guests demonstrated tips and tricks for building skateboards and choosing equipment.  At the Kung Fu U program, guests demonstrated martial arts techniques.

           

Services: We have partnered with ‘HOP” a Hands-On Partnership for Science, Literature, and the Arts in South Dakota.  During the month of October we showcased Light and Color, a group of six stand-alone displays that contain entertaining and educational light, color and modern technology hands-on activities.  The traveling exhibit is supported by Institute of Museum & Library Services grant funding through the state of South Dakota. 

 

PUBLIC SERVICES/ADULT SERVICES-REFERENCE

 

Programs: The library hosted a successful Lunch and Learn program that dealt with South Dakota ballot issues.  Special guests Dr. Usera from the Chiesman Foundation for Democracy, and Pennington County Auditor Julie Pearson educated patrons on the upcoming ballot issues.  The lunch was supported by the Friends of the Library.

 

Services:  In partnership with the Penning County Auditor’s office we have created a “voter information access” area in the Library for our citizens to get sample ballots, absentee ballots (that the Library will notarize), voter information/ registration forms and ballot questions samples.  We have also included maps for citizens to locate their precincts. 

 

 

SUPPORT SERVICES/NETWORK SERVICES

 

Services: 

  • Researched different anti-virus and content filtering options.
  • Researched firewall options, and determined that remaining with Goldenwest for support was the most feasible option.
  • Working on Social Networking Training Series for RCPL, City and County employees, and BH librarians.
  • Re-organized the network services office to create a more efficient use of space.

 

SUPPORT CIRCULATION/TECHNICAL SERVICES

 

Services: 

  • Marjorie Brekke finished loading software on all Circulation computers; this will allow cataloging tasks to be done in the Circulation work area.
  • We moved carts of recently checked-in materials to the public floor on the east side of the new materials. This move is based on the space use plan, and the concept that people are interested in the same materials that others had checked out.  Initial reports indicate that patrons are perusing these materials and checking them back out.
  • Grace Hammond designed a simplified materials request page. The new page should be loaded and operating shortly.
  • Marjorie Brekke began performing scheduling duties for the whole department. Eventually, all 3 Librarian 1s will rotate the responsibilities for departmental scheduling.
  • We moved the second self-check machine to the top of the Circulation desk. This will allow for better staff interaction with patrons when they have questions about using the self-check machines.

 

OUTREACH:  Outreach tasks are in the process of being redistributed throughout the library. Review of the Outreach program identified that many of the outreach and homebound delivery tasks are already being done by departmental staff members and volunteers.  Ongoing coordination of the library’s volunteers will now be centralized with the Business Office and the Librarian Is.

 

 

    EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER