Library Lovers discussion
Library Events
I went to the library yesterday and it was a zoo. The place was full of little kids talking at the top of their lungs and their parents bellowing at them in that inexplicable way adults seem to feel compelled to do when there are small children present. Every child had been issued a jingle bell on a cord and everyone went JING JING JING as they walked. I got my answer about what the mayhem was about when Santa showed up, and right behind him was an elf with a reindeer, photo ready.
Fishface wrote: "I went to the library yesterday and it was a zoo. The place was full of little kids talking at the top of their lungs and their parents bellowing at them in that inexplicable way adults seem to fee..."Personally, I would avoid that if I knew about it. I rarely go to the library in the summer because its usually full of kids out of school.
Remember the good ol' days when you couldn't talk above a whisper in the library. Not too long ago I was at the library when a gentleman was talking loudly on his cell phone, even though there was a sign at the door saying no cell phone use in the library.
*sigh* I think there is an all ages Christmas movie tomorrow then probably no onsite library events for the next couple of months due to remodel. Even the annual Friends meeting is offsite. I would have liked to go to the cooking demo last night in the other part of the building, it smelled delicious, but I was too busy getting Friends books and more packed for removal. Staff areas are beginning to look empty. I think most patrons haven't noticed possibly due to lots of seasonal decorations. They see those and don't notice other things are gone. Artist did a marvelous job of glass painting. This year's doors and windows feature children playing in the snow and participating in winter sports. Very cute.From what I understand new look should be sleeker and more streamlined. Some things have remained pretty much the same since the library was built decades ago. Colors and styles that were trendy then are looking a bit tired so I am very interested to see the changes.
L J wrote: "*sigh* I think there is an all ages Christmas movie tomorrow then probably no onsite library events for the next couple of months due to remodel. Even the annual Friends meeting is offsite. I would..."Our library was remodeled 2 years ago and it is a sleeker look with self check outs. There is a tiny podium like thing where a person with a question or problem can stand and hope someone notices and comes to help. They said no staff was lost but they aren't on the front lines anymore. I'm old and set in my ways and liked it when the big desk was across the front and more times than not someone was at that big desk ready to help.
A library employee comes to our book club once in a while and when we mentioned the noise level and cell phone use we were told that the library has changed - it's for all people who need to do all sorts of things - and that talking and cell phone use is what some people need to do. So I guess the days of people being able to go to the library and quietly think about and work on a project are over.
Like I said I'm old and set in my ways and to me noise is distracting and talking out loud on cell phones in a public place is rude.
Sheri wrote: "...Our library was remodeled 2 years ago and it is a sleeker look with self check outs. There is a tiny podium like thing where a person with a question or problem can stand and hope someone notices and comes to help...."I've been in quite a few libraries over the years. Some current trends:
*held items in public area for self pick-up and check out - part of remodel
*self checkout - we've had that option for years and I use it
*automated check in - part of remodel
*circulation and information combined becoming as you say "tiny podium like thing" - part of remodel
*more space for library owned computers - already done
*more areas with electrical plug ins for mobile devices - probably part of remodel
I don't know what else is going to change in local library or libraries in general. Cell phone use is probably going to become the norm. Hopefully a staff person will be around to ask them to do something when disturbingly loud but I am not optimistic.
A few years ago we were in rather large out-of-town library for 30 minutes or so. The only staff member seen was one who appeared at the podium/service desk near the door as we were about to leave. I've seen pictures of automated self service libraries. Maybe that is what we will see in the future.
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Our library went through a re-model this year and it felt like it would never end. I work in circ and tech services. Tech services room was not remodeled but we ended up with the secretary and the director in our office which was interesting. As for circulation, the whole desk was removed and we sat at a small table in the lobby for a few months. Magazines were divided. The most popular were kept out and the rest in tech services. If someone wanted a magazine not upstairs we had to go down and get it. It was terrible-so cramped. I was so glad when the renovation was over.
Julie wrote: "Our library went through a re-model this year and it felt like it would never end. I work in circ and tech services. Tech services room was not remodeled but we ended up with the secretary and the director in our office which was interesting. As for circulation, the whole desk was removed and we sat at a small table in the lobby..."Staff as well as I don't know how much stuff will be out of building during remodel but books can be requested from other branches. Tech may finally get the move that was planned years ago. The stacks will remain in the library but moved by machine as needed. Most doors including main doors to building lobby will be closed. Planned mini-branch for returns and hold pick-ups to be in meeting room on other end of building. An emergency door to the porch/garden side of the building to be entrance/exit.
Our building wasn't enlarged, the floor plan was just reconfigured. It does appear to have more space but I think it's because the big desk that was at the front where 2 people worked and the one person desks are gone. Like LJ, we now pick up our own HOLDS whereas before they were behind the big front desk and we had to ask for them.
I'm just thankful we haven't gone to a super library like the system where my mother lives. It's horrible.
Sheri wrote: "Our building wasn't enlarged, the floor plan was just reconfigured. It does appear to have more space but I think it's because the big desk that was at the front where 2 people worked and the one p..."Our building isn't being enlarged but the office area is being re-configured to accommodate new equipment. The way the main room was broken up to add the 2 largest public computer areas means unless they are changing those it is not going to have open look. I think some sitting desks are being replaced with standing desks or are being removed and not replaced at all in both main room and office area.
There are advantages to being a branch in a big system but there are times I miss having actual local library.
LJ that's exactly what happened. They replaced the sitting desks with standing desks. What happened in my mothers area is that all the small libraries were closed and a 3 story one was built. There is no way to get in an out quickly because it is soooo spread out, sort of like a bookstore and if a person isn't in the area where you need help it can take forever to find someone just due to the size of the place. For older people, like my mother, it's very daunting and she just completely stopped going. She'd rather have a paper book but we've set her up on her iPad. Plus it's farther from where she lives.
Sheri wrote: "LJ that's exactly what happened. They replaced the sitting desks with standing desks. What happened in my mothers area is that all the small libraries were closed and a 3 story one was built....For older people, like my mother, it's very daunting and she just completely stopped going...."
I have friends who have mobility issues who don't go to library here because of difficulty getting around. While it is accessible there is a difference between being handicap accessible and handicap friendly. The problem is not the building so much as what has been added, like special seating areas and computer areas one has to skirt around to get to books.
I'm hoping some of these problems will be addressed during remodel.
I sometimes wonder what these people think a library is for. I know some of the new ideas, checking out your own books, picking up your holds, etc are good ideas but it is so nice to be able to interact with the librarians and no hunt for them like your in a store looking for help. And the people who design them I'm beginning to wonder if they every go to a library and use it.
Charlene wrote: "I sometimes wonder what these people think a library is for. I know some of the new ideas, checking out your own books, picking up your holds, etc are good ideas but it is so nice to be able to int..."We asked the librarian who sometimes visits our in library book club a similar question and were surprised by her answer. She said that she's happy that libraries are no longer quiet places because they are supposed to be for people to be able to network, socialize, find information, and just hang out. She said libraries should be for all people for all reasons. When we asked about people who needed quiet for concentration she said that the quiet study rooms could be reserved for that - we only have 3 of those rooms and for others who just want to read in a quiet spot - they should bring ear plugs. I came away from that meeting thinking that the library is going the way of the free wifi café. She's close to retirement age so maybe she's just repeating what she's been told to say.
Sheri wrote: "Charlene wrote: "...libraries are no longer quiet places because they are supposed to be for people to be able to network, socialize, find information, and just hang out. She said libraries should be for all people for all reasons...."That's pretty much what we were told decades ago when some in meeting pointed out that library decreased space for bookcases and many of those were far from full. There's even less space for books now, not just in library I use most but also others I visited. The norm seems to be: play area for children, gaming area for teens and young adults, areas for public use computers which, from what I see, are mostly used for adventure games by younger users and casino games by older, meeting rooms for public use, movie room... the list goes on and on with larger buildings using the additional space for more things other than books.
Sheri wrote: "Charlene wrote: "I sometimes wonder what these people think a library is for. I know some of the new ideas, checking out your own books, picking up your holds, etc are good ideas but it is so nice ..."So it sounds like a place to hang out and talk, play games for any ages, "network" (how I hate that word), and never a book in sight. I don't mind some noise in the Library, that is inevitable, but how many libraries have numerous quiet STUDY rooms for those who don't want to be bothered by noise so that they can STUDY. Did they forget what a Library is? I know people read books on their tablets or computers but for Children holding a book in the hand and reading is magical. (And for adults too).
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Julie wrote: "Libraries are community centers paid by taxpayers and if we only just checked out books we would probably be closed by now! If we can't get youth to use our library now they will not come when they..."Some places call theirs (name) Community Center and Library. I think that would bring in more people but suspect costs of change might be prohibitive.
Some good news on the library remodel. It looks like the library will be completely closed for less than a week then mini library be open 6 days a week with 60% of the usual weekly hours. That's more than I expected.The space to be used for mini is small. There will be a place to return books, place holds and pick up holds. There's supposed to be an area for a few public computers for short time use. Possibly there can be bookcase(s) for new releases. Unfortunately I don't think there will be room for a children's play area. Offsite weekly story time for children is only thing still on event calendar.
One of the contractors plans to assign two crews so there's a chance library will be able to re-open sooner than expected but since there are other contractors for other parts of the project it may not change things. I'm still thinking 4 to 6 week minimum for project probably hasn't changed.
Sheri wrote: "Charlene wrote: "I sometimes wonder what these people think a library is for. I know some of the new ideas, checking out your own books, picking up your holds, etc are good ideas but it is so nice ..."I never thought of the library as a place to network. Maybe in one of the meeting rooms. Not in the middle of the throughway!
L J wrote: "Some good news on the library remodel. It looks like the library will be completely closed for less than a week then mini library be open 6 days a week with 60% of the usual weekly hours. That's mo..."My library's proposed remodel won't happen until NEXT winter. But the current plan is to move out entirely and relocate to temporary quarters with reduced services (Not entirely sure what will be provided and what will be on hiatus). We'll be taking the current space down to the studs and totally reconfiguring all the space so that workflow is improved, there's a more open "airy" feeling, and both kids (little) and teens have their own spaces (right now all the children's nonfiction is mixed with the regular adult nonfiction, and the YA section has outgrown its teeny tiny space and spread out across the aisle to what used to be reference books). We'll also have a community meeting space that is separable into smaller rooms. Right now the room holds 100 people, but if you are a book club with 7 members, that's still the room you book ... and no one else can use any of that huge space. We'll have a "living room" for sitting and reading or just hanging out ... but I admit I kinda like the little nooks and crannies where a solitary chair can be found in today's library. I think those little nooks and crannies will be gone with the remodel.
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Lady ♥ Belleza wrote: "My library is going through a remodel. I don't know when it is supposed to end. Until it does the library has been moved to the main library building. The big one with the lions."The library has been put inside another library? And the other library has room for it?
Last year our library had a year long challenge. For instance, one month was to read a sci-fi book, another was to read a beach read, another was read a children's book. If you completed the challenge each month you got your name in a drawing. I won a coffee cup that said "My weekend is booked" and a pair of socks that have cats and books on them and say "so many books, so little time". I have pj's that have that same saying so that is cute. Alas, I was told only one person in each branch (I think there are 3 branches) finished the challenge and a few in the main library, so everyone that participated got a prize. I didnt hear what the main prize was. Due to the low participation they are not having an adult reading challenge this year.
Koren wrote: "Last year our library had a year long challenge. For instance, one month was to read a sci-fi book, another was to read a beach read, another was read a children's book. If you completed the challe...Due to the low participation they are not having an adult reading challenge this year"That's too bad. The current local winter reading challenge is not for adults but my second system is participating in the same nationwide challenge and including adults. I may do it there since there are significant grants for children's books awarded to libraries based on participation.
The local one I can do is only partly reading based. It's a "health" challenge but there are things that don't fit me. One is to sleep 8 hours at least once a week while I sleep 7 then wake without an alarm clock. It seems based on sayings more than science.
ETA: Just registered for the Health challenge and that automatically included me in the reading challenge. Weird. Winter reading challenge wasn't listed as program I could participate in when I signed in. I may also do the winter challenge at the other library. That library is also doing book bingo which can be fun.
Library is open. Still waiting for sorter and new furniture.Time lapse video of library remodel by local photographer. Music can be a bit loud so you may want to turn down volume.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loKl_...
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Time lapse video of library remodel by local photographer. Music can be a bit loud so you may want to turn down volume.
https://www.yout..."
Nice video-wish they did that at our library when we renovated!
That's fun to watch. Looking good. Are you one of the people at the end?
Sheri wrote: "That's fun to watch. Looking good. Are you one of the people at the end?"No. Think that's those, or some of those, who there at the time.
Posted by my local library system:Out of an abundance of caution, and in the interest of protecting our staff and customers from the spread of coronavirus, all PLS events and public room bookings will be canceled from March 15th through March 31st. Branches will still be open with regular hours but we encourage the use of our digital resources for your entertainment needs.
Fines on overdue materials will be temporarily suspended, checkout periods and hold times will be extended and materials on hold will be mailed to readers who do not wish to visit the library in person.
PLS is also instituting elevated cleaning measures in all buildings. We are providing disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer to staff and customers and adding anti-microbial keyboards to public access computers as they become available. We are operating libraries with heightened awareness of the issue and providing information on self-protection in any public environment.
System will decide later in March what to do in April.
I think it really shook people when it came out that 2 Utah Jazz players, one with symptoms, tested positive for COVID-19. They were to play OKC Thunder and the one without symptoms had visited metro area school.
I noticed "elevated cleaning measures" when at library yesterday.
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Effective immediately, all library sponsored programming and events are cancelled through April 30th. This includes all programs and story times.
Adult Services and Youth Services will reach out to as many registered patrons as possible and we will post signs throughout the library. Do not sign anyone up for programs that were occurring during this time.
DO NOT book any groups in the board or program rooms until further notice. At this time, we will allow outside groups who have existing reservations through Monday in the board and program rooms to proceed, but we will begin cancelling all outside groups next week for dates after March 16th. Study rooms remain unaffected at this time.
Also, has announced that all materials will now have a return date of May 1st, 2020. This is a preemptive step as some libraries are deciding to close. We may close as well but are waiting for word from the school districts and our other village partners.
I worked yesterday and it was slow. The people who came in weren't very concerned. We kept hand cleanser at the desks for people to use.
Posted by system where I have reciprocal card:MLS will continue to follow best hygiene practices for public spaces. We have increased the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces and equipment in our buildings throughout the day. Our janitorial service uses hospital-grade disinfectants for our regular daily cleaning. Hand sanitizer is available to staff and customers. We encourage frequent hand washing and hygiene awareness signage will be displayed in all of our libraries. In addition, we are minimizing face-to-face staff meetings and asking staff to stay home when they are ill.
We are doing everything we can to prevent the spread of illness throughout our libraries and that includes ensuring that we are following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control regarding social distancing. Those recommendations include remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible. Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our community we will be:
Cancelling all library programs and events through the end of March.
Discontinuing outreach to places throughout our community through the end of March.
Cancelling meeting room bookings through the end of March as much as is possible. If you have a meeting reservation, our staff will be in contact with you on the status of your room reservation.
Suspending volunteer opportunities at our libraries until the end of March, including Friends of the Library volunteers.
Suspending book donations to our libraries and sort site until the end of March.
We will be updating this page throughout the month. Please check back for updates.
From Special Statement from Chief Librarian Seattle:Effective at 6 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, March 13, The Seattle Public Library will close all Library locations, and these closures will remain in effect until at least April 13. We will be in continued contact with public health officials to evaluate our facilities beyond this timeline.
...this does not mean a complete shutdown of Library services. We will continue to provide the many digital services you have come to love, such as e-books and e-audiobooks ; streaming movies, TV and music services; free access to magazines and newspapers ; and more. Our Ask Us reference question platform, which can be accessed online and or by phone, may experience some downtime as we work to enable our staff to do this work from home.
For those of you who have borrowed Library materials in your possession, do not fear the due date – we are extending loan periods during this time, so you do not need to return materials until we are back in full operation. And remember, we are a fine-free library, thanks to your support...
We will continue to communicate with you as our response to this outbreak evolves....
My Library in South Plainfield, NJ is closed for a full week so far. We will be open from 10 to 12 on Mon and Thurs for the staff to take care of books returned, phones to man, Shelve books and we will also be cleaning down computer stations and desks and chairs. Hopefully this will be for just a week but we will see what is going on in the future.
Tulsa, Oklahoma...all Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) locations will close to the public beginning March 13, 2020, at 6 p.m., and remain closed for at least two weeks. The library will also temporarily discontinue all outreach services including its bookmobile and reading roadshow services during this time.
...will continue to provide the many digital services, such as e-books and e-audiobooks; streaming movies, TV and music services; free access to magazines and newspapers; and more. Our Ask Us telephone service will still be actively taking calls and providing information for our customers including enhanced support for accessing our digital services.
For those of you who have borrowed Library materials in your possession, do not fear the due date – we are extending loan periods during this time. We will also stop charging overdue fines and waive all existing overdue fines.
Fort Worth, TexasLibrary Facebook page "To help stop the potential spread of COVID-19, all Fort Worth Public Library locations will be CLOSED until MARCH 29. This includes all classes and events."
Twitter "To help stop the potential spread of COVID-19, all Fort Worth Public Library locations will be CLOSED until MARCH 29. We appreciate everyone's understanding as we work together on this."
Dallas, Texas
...starting Saturday, March 14, 2020, public access is closed to all City of Dallas libraries, neighborhood cultural centers and recreation centers through Friday, March 20, 2020. All City programs are suspended until further notice...
Dallas Public Library staff will be answering phones and responding to customer emails....
Please note that the Library is unable to comprehensively sanitize every single item that is checked out from its branches (books, movies, etc.), and as such, customers are advised to wash their hands after handling materials and avoid touching their faces....
Dallas is the first library I've seen mention the problems of sanitizing materials but some of us who deal with local donations have discussed it.
I've been checking libraries where I know people or have relatives. Many are closing with statements similar to the ones already posted but I thought the following were worth mentioning.San Francisco Public Library are closed. San Francisco Public Library and the Recreation & Park Department facilities will act as temporary Emergency Youth Care Centers facilities for children of low-income families and those with parents on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak, such as City employees deployed as Disaster Service Workers and healthcare professionals.
Pennsylvania has closed all libraries in the state.
My local library closed, the one where I was supposed to volunteer this afternoon. System posted at about opening time "...all PLS locations are closed effective immediately." Library where I have reciprocal card posted "All Metro Libraries will close effective 6 pm Sun, March 15..."
Our library is still open for the nonce, but the sign out front has been changed to say they are not accepting donated books for the time being and the public computers are out of service, no doubt to keep people from fingering the keys and breathing all over the screens. Interestingly, the parking lot was packed today anyhow.
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I just discovered that you cant ask for an inter-library loan, either, at the moment.
Was at the Library this morning to check in all the books that were dropped off a few days before. Also had a good number of books that need to go back to other Libraries and when we can get that done I don't know. I have put together 4 boxes and another 4 tubs of books to return to other libraries. That's what I did most of the time I was there (we were open for employees from 10 - 2). Also had to call back the people who left messages and most of them were easy to take care of. Don't know if we will be open next week (I don't think so) so it is vacation time, with pay, and I can get a lot of reading and crocheting done. Would have liked to have visited my sister in Arizona but her husband isn't feeling well (back problems) so I'll have to do this another time.
My library is closed, as is the county-wide system of which we are a part. Curbside pick-up of holds currently on the shelf can be arranged ... but the website keeps crashing and I've yet been able to make an appointment. All currently checked out materials now have a due date of May 1.
Book Concierge wrote: "My library is closed, as is the county-wide system of which we are a part. Curbside pick-up of holds currently on the shelf can be arranged ... but the website keeps crashing and I've yet been able to make an appointment. All currently checked out materials now have a due date of May 1."Thanks for info. I wondered how this protocol was working for libraries using it.
Our libraries closed at noon yesterday til at least the end of the month. I got out of work at 12:05 so couldn't stop to stock up, but no worries, I have plenty at home. You can still call in or order online and request what you want and the librarians will deliver to your car. Last week they took out all things that couldnt be easily cleaned like stuffed animals and cloth books and all kids toys. Does anyone besides me think that making sure I have enough books is more important than toilet paper?
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I think both are equally important!
Our library and all branch locations closed Monday. We are still getting paid, but are to stay out of the buildings beyond emptying book drop every few days unless absolutely necessary. Don't know when we will reopen. Encouraging our patrons to use Hoopla and our ebooks. Prayers go out to all.
If your library is closed check for recent changes before returning materials.The library system where I have reciprocal card added this to closed information yesterday evening:
Please do not return materials while we're closed.
Local library system also added "Do Not Return" to information. There are librarians available online but they are working from home. A friend who drives by library says she noticed there were no longer any librarians' cars in the parking lot.
Both library systems have increased hoopla borrows from 6 to 8.
Our library book drop has been locked. Website states to NOT return any materials at this time.
Mod
Our book drop is locked too. There is no staff to check in books.
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There is to be a mini-library in the Community Room but my understanding is that will primarily be for book return and hold pick up. That half price Kindle Unlimited offer is looking pretty appealing about now.