Library travels

I know many of you are like me, in that you visit other libraries while traveling. Maybe it's for professional reasons, maybe it's to check your email and to use a restroom, nonetheless, it's always interesting to see how others live and work.

Christmas-time found me in Florida, in the small west coast fishing village of Cedar Key. I've been there many times, but it had been a couple of years and the library had moved to a new location. I wondered why there was an old fire engine right outside the window off the Children's area. Much to my surprise, I was told that the Fire Department retrofitted the engine and donated it to the Library. They let the children climb all over it and (!) hold story hour programs on the top. As a kid, I would have been thrilled. As a more nervous librarian type I couldn't help but wonder about liability. It's a unique spot and I found it refreshing and worth a few photos.

So, what interesting library stories do you have?

Ray and Rose get recognized

Tuesday night I was fortunate enough to be at the Library Board of Trustees meeting where two of CCPL staff members were recognized.

Ray Turner, Otranto. Hopefully you saw the article in The Post and Courier, or saw the link on our homepage or saw the Showcase item on the Intranet that says Ray Turner, Outstanding Librarian. (He's even on YouTube!) The Board wanted a moment to formally recognize Ray and his award from the South Carolina Library Association. As the Intranet piece says, Ray "

has been active raising money to fund scholarships for minorities seeking an education in Library and Information Science. He continues his efforts to promote diversity, recruit, retain and mentor African-American students through his service the past three years on the African American Leadership Group for the University of South Carolina’s School of Library and Information Science and on the school’s National Advisory Council."

And that's not all! I could go on, but also want to mention the other staff member who was recognized.

Rose Brown has been the point person for CCPL's participation in a MUSC project Go Local--South Carolina, a service of Hands On Health--South Carolina. This is a partnership " that will provide information about health services and resources all over South Carolina. Medical and public librarians are identifying and describing health services in their communities and across the state." Rose, Main Reference, has been most active selector in the State and Janice May, the program coordinator, said that Rose was her favorite. Rose was given a plaque to note her hard work and good professional skills in adding just the right content to the site.

It's always a pleasure to see staff recognized!

Your success stories

I'm seeking your help, here. I'm reporting to the Friends of the Library Board and the Board of Trustees each month on our public programming and services. I'll be telling them what you have been doing, how well it went, and how creative you are, of course!

The reports are slightly different in focus. The Friends one is designed to let them know what magic we accomplish with their funding. I can gather dates and program names, but you can give me the back story. How many people came, what they said, the funny thing that the toddler did--you know, those libraries stories that are so inspiring and touching.

The Library Board wants to hear that too, but what if you didn't
have a breakthrough program this month, but you did have a patron who told you that your help made all the difference in their day, their project, their report, etc? I want to know. We all impact the lives of our communities everyday and those stories are ones that we should share.

So, take a minute and drop me an email, or call me, or send me a note--or comment here. I need your help to be able to tell our "tales from the front."

Kudos to you all

We don't have valentine boxes here at CCPL, like we used to when I was in elementary school, but all of you deserve a valentine. Why? First and foremostly, just for being you. Secondly, cause it never hurts to spread some cheer. Thirdly, for being the incredible team that makes up our library.

I just looked at the statistics for January 2008 and they are impressive. Our numbers are up for so far this fiscal year for circulation, in-house use, reference, user visits and programming! Your're the ones who make all of that happen. Thank you, thank you for working so hard and for obviously providing what our community wants.

XXOO

Music surrounds us

We're into the third day of CCPL Blues Bash offerings. Today's event features the Daddy mack Blues Band. Can't make that one? There's more the rest of this week, during the lunch hour. Handy if you're here at Main, but hard for others. While these are all free, of course, they aren't the only free programs in the Blues Bash, so grab a program and get ready to sing the blues.

Not a blues fan? This Saturday is the fourth direct simulcast from the Metroplitan Opera. Manon Lescaut, by Puccini, 1:00 p.m., Feb. 16, 2008. The simulcasts are truly incredible and great for opera novices as well as aficionados. I mean, its free, world class opera, right here in our library. Not sure you like opera? What better, risk-free way to find out? The programs have been packed, so plan to get here about an hour ahead to make sure you have a seat. We owe Sara Breibart and the Friends of the Library a huge round of applause. Sara for perserving and getting the Met to allow us to do this, (We're the only public library in the country offering this) and the Friends, along with some contributions, for funding it.

The sporadic blogger

Guess I should change the name of this to The Sporadic Blogger. No apologies, just embarassment.