TFML Staff Exchange

We are trying to call everyone. In case we haven't reached you, the library is not opening this morning, Friday, December 1 because of the snowsorm and hazardous travel. Anne will tell us later whether we are opening at 1:00 p.m.

A sign-up sheet for Friday's in-service day excursion is up on the door to the workroom.

Meet at the library at 9:00. Cars will depart at 9:15. Destination: Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College. Lunch at La Sorella di Francesca in Naperville at 11:30.

Reminder: Adult Services staff meeting Wednesday Dec. 13 at 8:30.

The first broad topic of today’s discussion was marketing libraries and their services. Anne Weaver brought up the idea that a shared web page could highlight programs at numerous libraries in an area, so citizens could see more program opportunities and libraries might increase program attendance. Most of the librarians at the meeting thought that this is a good idea, though several said that their programs are limited only to village residents – they would not, of course, join. A big question is who would host the web page in a way that librarians from participating libraries could edit the site. Gretchen from MLS is looking to see if MLS could host the site or whether there would be a better solution.

We next discussed advertising in high school newspapers. Hinsdale just tried an ad at Hinsdale Central, but has no idea yet whether it had any results. Several librarians mentioned sending press releases to the high school newspapers for select programs. Kathryn from Elmhurst told of making a short video to be shown on a high school in-building announcement network.

We discussed the development of marketing slogans. “Place to go when you need to know” is Downers Grove’s slogan, but Bonnie thinks it has gotten old (seven years). Most of the samples were from large libraries that had marketing budgets, but it seems like it would not be that hard to create one. Then the library would have to use it continuously.

Several libraries talked about the fun and good PR they got from making READ posters in conjunction with National Library Week. They asked local government officials and dignitaries to help and were pleased by the response. (Maybe we should take photos for this purpose at our summit).

Another library talked about all the marketing they do with not only issuing new cards also but when they renew cards.

We next talked about doing patron surveys. Several librarians spoke of good results with Survey Monkey, which can be used for free. The premium service is worth the small annual fee.

Patti from Hinsdale reminded everyone that her library will start restricted hours on January 2, 2007. Monday through Friday will be 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. The library will be open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends. (We might get more Hinsdale traffic in the near future.)

The next meeting is at the Westmont Public Library, March 14, 2006 at 10:00

Happy birthdays!

Jamie and Christine are both celebrating birthdays today!

Here is a recipe I promised to Eva. They look elegant but are easy to make.

Chocolate-Pecan-Tipped Butter Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
½ cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 pkg. (6-oz.) semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 tablespoon shortening
½ cup finely chopped pecans

■ Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
■ Cream butter and gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy; stir in vanilla. Gradually add flour and mix well.
■ Shape dough into 2 ½ - by ½ -inch sticks. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten 3/4 of each cookie lengthwise with tines of a fork to 1/4-inch thickness. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.
■ Combine chocolate morsels and shortening in top of a double boiler and bring water to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook until chocolate melts, stirring occasionally. Remove double boiler from heat, leaving chocolate mixture over hot water.
■ Dip unflattened tips of cookies in warm chocolate, coating sides; roll tips in chopped pecans. Place cookies on wire racks until chocolate is firm.
■Arrange cookies between layers of wax paper in an airtight container; store in a cool place.

Makes 3 ½ to 4 dozen cookies.

We now have Health Source - Consumer Edition on out EBSCO database page. It includes full text of over 190 journals and indexing with abstracts for 200 more. I found several articles for a client with osteoarthritis Tuesday. Try it out.

We got a letter from the agency today with the news it has a new name.

This is a website where you can put your address in and find out who your representatives are and what districts you are in. Unfortunately it only works for Cook County citizens at this time. It is bookmarked on the magazine computer in the goverment folder under Illinois.

Anne passed out two summaries of the SOAR long range planning meeting that we had back in November. We discussed our follow-up assignments. There will be a workshop for interview training on Saturday, March 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for which we hope to have 30 to 50 people; some of these will be students from Benedictine University. The summit will be held on April 21 at an offsite location.

Rick told about work on the library website, the staff intranet (wiki), and the Big Read website.

Sandy reported that we can get OCLC statistics easily by going to www.stats.oclc.org.

Beth brought up the idea to make the mission statement short and sweet, a statement that can be used as a marketing slogan. This met with approval.

Julie said that the Magazine Staff would begin weeding on January 3. She asked for paper bags.

Kristin is working on the FAQ for the updated library website and is taking recommendations from the staff.

Jamie joined us for the first time. She is weeding the teen collection and ordering new materials. She will soon be booktalking at a parents meeting at Lyons Township High School South. She is planning to gather the teen advisory board.

Thomas Ford has added 23 new titles, some of which are noted on the main page of the website.

I have added the new titles onto both the list on the website and the list on the staff wiki. I have requested from Beth that they be added to SWAN, but it has not happened yet.

So, to check them out, use the new check out sheet in the iPod notebook by the computer in the workroom.

There is also a new page for Western Springs patrons to reserve an iPod. Write in the info, and when one becomes available, we will call.

Here is a webpage with links to requesting credit reports. There is a toll free telephone number and a link to printing the request form also.

Everyone,

I put out federal tax forms on Saturday, so they would be available Wednesday
morning. All the major federal forms are out, except the 1040-ES and the
1040-X, which I have not seen yet.

No state forms have come.

You can get any forms online. I started a tax form page on the wiki.
http://www.fordlibrary.org/staffpages/index.php/Tax_forms

Rick