TFML Staff Exchange

Everyone,

October 2005 reference statistics in Adult Services fell slightly from September but was very slightly above October 2004. Internet usage was down 12 percent from September (which had been our record month). Walkup reference was up significantly while telephone, email, virtual, and IM were all down.

Walk-Ins 527
Telephone 180
Instruction 54
Other help 321

Virtual reference 21
Instant message reference 20
Email reference 20

Total adult reference 1143

Internet use in Reference area in October: 882

I am putting a pull-out section from the Chicago Tribune about the selling of deliquent property into the property assessment file, since it is all about taxes in some way or another.

I put a Morningstar document and a photocopy of an article in the answers tray at the reference desk. Members of the investment discussion group will come get them.

There is a new web site that will allow you to search the personal care products you use and lets you know what is in them. The web site is www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep/. The site on the reference computers has been saved in favorites under consumer.

The Sun Times has put out a new School Report Card and you can find a copy of it in the reference drawer under School Report Cards. You can also check out the Sun Times and the Chicago Tribune's web sites for further information.

The Friends approved Aaron's request for $700 for a data projector and John's request for $300 for teen programs.

The October booksale raised over $2800, a little less than last year.

The Friends will fill the display cases with itmes for sale in December. There will also be more Tiger Hill photos for sale in the holidays.

We are transitioning our "readers" to a new system which will code them "Reader 1,""Reader 2,"or "Reader 3." This will denote an approximate reading level and hopefully make it easier for our patrons to shop. The call in the catalog will be changed as well. To find a book in the reader section you will need to know which level, than look by the author's name.

We will have an awkward transition period in which some are done and some are not. Pages should continue to shelve as normal unless there is a reading level sticker on the book. They would then use the new system. If you have any questions, come on down! Shannon

We have resisted this system for a long time as we feel that it is too subjective as there is no set publishing criteria for reading levels. So----please do continue to encourage patrons to browse through all reading levels....... We just decided to take a "give 'em what they want" attitude as we get many questions about finding the right reading level every day.

We are transitioning our "readers" to a new system which will code them "Reader 1,""Reader 2,"or "Reader 3." This will denote an approximate reading level and hopefully make it easier for our patrons to shop. The call in the catalog will be changed as well. To find a book in the reader section you will need to know which level, than look by the author's name.

We will have an awkward transition period in which some are done and some are not. Pages should continue to shelve as normal unless there is a reading level sticker on the book. They would then use the new system.

We have resisted this system for a long time as we feel that it is too subjective as there is no set publishing criteria for reading levels. So----please do continue to encourage patrons to browse through all reading levels....... We just decided to take a "give 'em what they want" attitude as we get many questions about finding the right reading level every day.

The Reference Desk computer is plagued by pop ups.
Kris

Aaron brought the workroom computer up to the reference desk for us to use while he tries to exorsize the demons from the reference computer.

Nancy put all the materials I brought back from the National Archives into a binder. It is shelved behind the reference desk, near the procedures manual.

AYSO soccer registration is this Sunday, November 20, and also December 4. If anyone comes in needing information on how to register, I have posted the instructions on the Reference bulletin board. They need to first register online, then go to Registration at LT South to finalize and pay.

This is the recipe for sweet potato casserole served for years at St. Luke Presbyterian Church by Mary Farris.

Casserole:
3 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup melted butter
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

Topping:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
2 1/2 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 large sweet potato will equal approximately 1 cup cooked, mashed sweet potato. Peel potatoes and cook covered in enough boiling water to cover for 25-30 minutes.

Mix casserole ingredients together, slowly adding the cream as last ingredient. Pour into casserole dish. Mix together topping ingredients and sprinkle over top of casserole. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes. (Bake double recipe for approximately one hour.)