TFML Staff Exchange

Reference Statistics for December 2007

Adult Services Staff

Walk-Ins 405

Telephone 170

Instruction 29

Other help 303

Email reference 18

Total adult reference 925

Internet use in Reference area in December 2007: 792

As a reminder, I am re-posting Rick's October post re: FAFSA.

We just got email from Federal Student Aid that it will no longer send FAFSA forms, or the worksheets to prepare for filing on line, to public libraries. Students are mostly filing on line and everything they need is on the web site. The URL is http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

Students may themselves request paper copies of the form or the worksheet from the web site. Federal Student Aid will then send out up to 3 copies.

Since we will not have the forms, I am not ordering any of the brochures, which we had in abundance the past few years. We won't have so much to recycle.

Hi Staff,

I absolutely do not want to sound snarky as I write this, but do need to post a quick note. We are actually quite short staffed down here, and at times we may not be able to get to the phone as we are reading a story out loud, helping a patron, etc. When we are running with one on staff it can be a bit challenging.

If you find that we haven't answered the phone after 4-5 rings I'd really appreciate it if you either sent it to voicemail or just tried us back again. We will help the patron as soon as possible, or should return to the desk in a few minutes. Thanks! Shannon

We had a patron in asking where she could get the coupon for a converter box for her TV. A converter box will be necessary for all analog TVs that are not hooked up to cable, satellite or other pay services starting in February 2009. The application for the coupons are available at the government's website at https://www.dtv2009.gov/. Households can apply for up to two $40 coupons.You can apply online there or download a application. You can also find out who will be selling the converter boxes. I have made a copy of the application and instructions for the reference desk.

Hi. I went to a Big Read meeting today with librarians from all of the libraries, except La Grange Park. We discussed final details of this year’s programs. The libraries also got their brochures (I had gotten our early) and our posters.

We discussed the Big Read website, which I am managing for the group. I will be adding a chart of mileage between libraries, a map showing library locations, and more website links. On the weekend, I will add the event schedule and book discussion schedule. Carol from Downers Grove will be sending me weekly announcements to post.

Elizabeth Berg is speaking for free, so we will only owe $67.50 for our share of renting Ashton Place for the event. We will also get bills for our share of the brochures and posters and a few other incidentals. The $750 from the Western Springs Library Friends will probably cover these costs, as well as our books.

The Elizabeth Berg presentation will be May 8. We will distribute tickets the same way as before.