TFML Staff Exchange

...is a link to the TFML calendar from our homepage. look at the lower right side of the page, under the "about" section.

also added in last night was "get a library card" under the "do you want to" section on the left. it leads to

http://www.fordlibrary.org/getacard.

also added to the lower right "about" section is "lending periods." it leads to

http://www.fordlibrary.org/circulation.

hope this stuff helps!

Representative from seven of eight libraries in the Big Read attended to talk about how the Big Read is going. Attendance at the libraries has varied. It seems that the big libraries are still getting people, but the small libraries are having very low turnout. The book Seabiscuit is not circulating as well as Devil in the White City did last year.

We discussed the showing of the movie at the Tivoli and the awarding of prizes at that time.

We agree that we need to have a novel next time, something that has not yet been discussed at the libraries. One suggestion is The March by E. L. Doctorow, which has lots of interesting characters to discuss as well as lots of history. It will be available in paperback this fall. Another suggestion was Cast of Shadows by Kevin Guilfoile of La Grange.

We discussed acknowledging the donors on the Big Read website, which we have not as yet done. So, I have a small project for Aaron.

I heard another idea for library promotions within the building: posters in the elevator. I had never thought of that. We have fairly good use of the elevator every day, especially parents with small children. Maybe Shannon would want posters there.

I realized that I have not been handing out evaluation forms at the programs.

We continued our planning of the adult summer reading program, much based on new ideas Nancy brought back from a system-wide meeting. We wish to have weekly and end of the program prizes. We chose the theme Uncommon Lives: Biographies and Memoirs.

Our current plan for prizes is as follows:

Weekly prizes (6 times):

1 $10 Borders gift card
1 $10 Books-A-Million gift card

Grand Prizes:

Dinner for two at Vie
Dinner for two at McGann’s
Subscription to A&E Biography
Tickets to the Theater of Western Springs
Borders gift card
Books-A-Million gift card

The program will run June 5 to August 7, the dates the Youth Services Department is running its program.

Aaron and Beth told about the Obituary Index for Western Springs newspapers that they have started. It is live on the web, but there are no links to it yet. There are over 100 entries so far, all from 2005-2006. It is slow because MLS is having problems with its Internet servers.

We discussed new ideas for the end caps for the bookshelves and replacing the book display unit.

We decided we need new business cards. We should have a generic card for the library as well.

As a group, we went to the Konica Minolta Copier/Printer/Scanner to discuss its functions and do some show and tell.

It was a month for some round numbers. It was our second busiest February ever. March has been our biggest month the last two years and a close second in 2003, so hold onto your seats.

Walk-Ins 500

Telephone 227

Instruction 37

Other help 313

Virtual reference 38
Instant message reference 40
Email reference 45

Total adult reference 1200

Internet use in Reference area in November: 881

Kris made new notebooks for the school report cards and the District 101 reports. They are now on the low shelves below the windews, just past the newspapers. The whole area has been cleaned up and reorganized. Take a look at what's there.

By the way, the Timber Trails binders and folders are in the local documents area now, freeing up some space at the reference desk.

I've ordered a 2006 Worldbook Encyclopedia. Yeah, in print. I think we're still supposed to have these things. :)

They are in the top drawer at the reference desk.

The Konica Minolta printer/copier has been fixed, so both trays are now working normally. Yeah! It took a week to get the part.

The new World Book is processed and on the reference shelves.

The tax forms are in good shape. Everything is either out on display or on my desk if you are looking for more.

Monday's showing of the Seabiscuit documentary is our last Seabiscuit program. There are still a few other events at other libraries and the showing of the movie April 3 at the Tivoli in Downers Grove. I took the prize box away. We can draw from it to give away the last items when I get back.

I will be gone Monday, March 27 through Saturday, April 1 to see colleges with Laura. I will be in Sunday, April 2 to answer virtual reference questions. I am taking the laptop and should be able to check my email at some of our motels. Have fun without me!

The repairman from Konica Minolta left his CD case on Friday. He will be back on Monday. He left it on Aaron's desk, so I put a note on it and it is by Aaron's phone.

FYI: in case you haven't heard, the big printer in back is on the fritz again. the needed part has been ordered, and will be fixed shortly. printing is fine from the bottom drawer. carry on.

lest i forget, there were 12 people for the 'seabiscuit' video on monday. they were nice folks.