TFML Staff Exchange

Here are our April totals:

Reference Statistics for April 2007

Adult Services Staff

Walk-Ins 536

Telephone 225

Instruction 66

Other help 345

Virtual reference 4
Instant message reference 21
Email reference 28

Total adult reference 1225

Internet use in Reference area in April: 915

I rarely get genealogy questions, but I got one today. He wondered whether we subscribe to any genealogy websites. I didn't think so, but I thought I'd ask. I searched this blog and found that we have the Internet Genealogy magazine, but do we have anything else?

Nancy,

We do not currently subscribe to any genealogy websites, but I have Ancestry and Heritage Quest on my constant wishlist. When the website comes together, I am hoping the board will see the way to fund them.

Rick

Nancy,

Until we are able to get HQ and Ancestry (think positive!!), in the meantime patrons do have a few other options. Ancestry is actually searchable without a subscription. If you put in a name the number of hits will show up, however, you can't view the page. But at least you can see if anything does come up with a search. Also, there are some free searchable databases that can be accessed, such as the 1880 census and SSDI, to name a few. Another website that can be helpful is www.familysearch.org. This is the website of the Church of Latter Day Saints or Mormons (LDS). There are searchable functions available such as the IGI, SSDI and 1880 census. Also, the LDS catalog is searchable. Some other websites are www.genealogy.com , www.rootsweb.com , www.ellisisland.org , www.castlegarden.org.

Hope this helps a little bit in the interim.

Beth W.

Thanks, Beth!

I have printed the logs for the adult SRP, but they still need to be folded. In case anyone would like to help, I will leave them atop the bookcase and will try to find a box to put them in. Thanks!

If you need Spanish help or have a Spanish speaking client, Kristal in Youth Services is proficient in the language.

The magazine desk will have a new employee starting in June and her name is Barbara. She has a diverse background and will be an asset to the Reference/Magazine Desk. We look forward to working with her. Please welcome her when you see her at the desk.

Congratulations Barbara!

A big thank you for all the time and work Carolyn has put in at the magazine desk. She was always willing to help out or switch days. She knew her job very well.Carolyn will finish up at the magazine desk next week after ten+ years at the library and she will be missed.

Good luck to you Carolyn and I hope you have fun exploring all the new opportunities awaiting you!

In putting together the Staff Favorites Cookbooks bookmark, I discovered that the circulating copy of the Help! There's a Librarian in my Soup! cookbook is missing (last check-in 12-18-2003). Does anyone know where it is?
Also, we have promised some as Adult SRP prizes. I found 4 copies in the Friends' room. Are they the only copies left? If so, we'd better snag them now!
Nancy

If anyone is looking for something mindless to do, there are some adult SRP bookmarks that need to be cut in two, on top of the Reference Desk bookshelf.

Thanks!
Nancy

It has taken me a while to get to this report, but here it is:

Western Springs Historical Society, May 16, 2007

Seventeen members of the Western Springs Historical Society met in the community room at the library. They seemed very grateful for the bigger space and the air conditioning, which is insufficient at the archives. I was impressed by the enthusiasm of the group, which has many plans.

The WSHS is hiring a professional to design a website. As I understand it, the society has decided to use some of its savings (long kept should a house be for sale) to make the group more accessible to the public. The library has helped the society along with a web presence in the form of the Remembering the Houses of Western Springs project, but we have only been able to do a few favors for them since. It is good they are going to take their own initiative now.

The Society is also interested in partnering with the library to digitize more of its collection. An initial list pertains to documents for their presentations to the elementary schools. I offered to let them use our Konica Minolta in slow times to scan items. I will train the youth volunteers they are seeking. I am working with Pete Caris on this.

On September 29, the WSHS is having an antiques appraising show as a fundraiser, which will be held at the Theatre of Western Springs.

The Society is meeting here again on Wednesday evening, June 13.

Rick