The Library Board met Thursday, September 21st. I’ve highlighted some of what was discussed below.
RBdigital / Zinio
Recorded Books, the vendor that we use to offer patrons downloadable magazines, has released an app called RBdigital that replaces the Zinio for Libraries app. RBdigital has some nice features such as allowing users to browse and check out magazines from within the app (as opposed to pushing users to the browser on their device to browse and borrow magazines)This summer, we have out about 445 Adult Summer Reading logs. To participate in Adult Summer Reading, patrons could complete a number of library-related activities. Each completed activity earned patrons the chance to win a prize. The chart below shows how many activities were completed.
Library Lists
For several months, library staff have used the “My List” feature of the website to compile lists of materials on various themes—often corresponding to library displays. We have lists called “Fun on a Stick: State Fair & Fair Foods”, for example and “ Out of This World: Books & Movies about Space Travel, the Cosmos, and All Things Extraterrestrial” and “Everyone’s read it but me: Books you’ve heard about but never picked up. It’s time!”. Up to now, a list was only accessible if we linked directly to it via a Facebook post or if it was featured on the library’s homepage. For the past several weeks, Public Services staff have been cleaning up and updating the lists in preparation for them being more accessible on the website. All staff-created lists are now accessible at https://www.johnstonlibrary.com/pac/?pac_page=lists. The lists can be browsed by format and genre.
Website
A new “export” feature has been added to the website. This allows patrons to download lists of materials from their checkout history and their reading lists (called “My List”) and import them into Good Reads and sites or apps that offer similar services.
Outreach
Our homebound services, where we deliver books to patrons unable to make it to the library (mostly residents of assisted living facilities), have been moved from the Public Services Department to the Circulation Department. While both departments venture outside the library to provide services, going forward outreach efforts where the primary goal is to circulate materials will be carried out by Circulation and outreach efforts based around programming, like our McAuley Terrace book club and technology help at Cornerstone Commons, will be done by Public Services.
Youth Services staff have rolled out several new programs this week.
Toddler Obstacle Course, which will be held monthly, will be held in the Large Meeting Room and will feature a variety of physical activities for children ages 6 months to 6 years.
Press Play!, for ages 2-5, is another program featuring physical activities. It will be held weekly and will include a reading corner, an art corner, sensory bins, interactive play, and more.
Jessica, our teen librarian, just launched Teen Scene held every Wednesday (early out day) for kids in grades 6 and up. Attendees will play video games on the big screen (usually Smash Bros. or Mario Kart), participate in other fun activities and eat snacks.
Jessica is also starting a new book club called Pizza My Heart Book Club. Two sessions will be held the third Thursday of each month: one for 6th – 8th graders, one for grades 9 and up. The promo blurb reads: Do you love books? Do you love pizza? If you answered yes, then this book club is the one for you! Join us for PIZZA, fun, and friends on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. In this book club, we only read what we want to read. Bring along a favorite book, share why you love it with the group, get recommendations from other book lovers, and leave with great ideas for your next read!