Sunday, December 27, 2009

Under 4,000 to go

Time is running out. There are 3 more days to go for a new Circulation record to be reached. Just about 4,000 Circulation Transactions need to occur by Wednesday evening. So, plan a stop at the Library in the next 3 days. A gift certificate from Modocs is on the line.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

5,272 To Go

As of 12/22/09, 5, 272 circulation transactions are needed to reach a new yearly high. There are only 6 days remaining that the Library will be open for this to occur. If 145,784 is reached, there will be a prize (gift certificate from Modacs) to that person who takes out the 145,784th item.

Remainder: the Library will be closed on Christmas Day (24th) and Christmas Eve (25th). Happy Holidays and best wishes this season.

Ware

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Challenge Update 12/17/09

Dear Patrons,

As mention in previous posts, I as Director am running a Circulation Challenge through the Director's Blog. As of 12/17/09, the Circulation Transaction count is 138,997 for 2009. Not counting today, there are 9 MORE DAYS remaining in 2009 that the Library will be open (the Library is closed on December 23 and 24 and December 31) for the Circulation Transaction total for 2008 (145,783) to be passed. If you are looking for some library materials to check during your busy Christmas, take a few minutes and stop by. Only 6,787 circulation transactions to go to surpass 2008. I have a reward in mind but will not announce anything until early next week on the Director's Blog. So keep a watch.

Happy Holidays,

Ware W. Wimberly III, Director

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

CD Shelving

In order to make the Cd music shelving more user friendly and easier to browse, new shelving within the next couple of days will be put in. I want to thank Ruth Lord for leading this project. So, stop by and let us know what you think about the new CD shelving.

Thank you again for your support!

Happy Holidays,

Ware W. Wimberly III

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Challenge Update

Last month, I put a challenge on the Director's Blog in terms of surpassing last year's circulation transaction total. We are close but need a strong December total to surpass 145,783 circulation transaction total in 2008. As of the morning of December 1st, the total is 133,230. Thus there are 12,554 circulation transactions that need to happen before January 1, 2010. In order to make the challenge a little more interesting, I am hoping to work on some type of reward for the person who checks out the 145,784 circulation transaction. If I am able to work something out, I will post it on the Director's blog in the near future.

Regardless whether the 145, 784 is met, I want to thank you for your support and patronage!

Happy Holidays,

Ware W. Wimberly III, Director

Friday, November 20, 2009

FINE FREE WEEK

This is one of my favorite library programs during the year. From Monday, November 23 through Saturday, November 28, Fine Free Week will be occurring at the Wabash Carnegie Public Library. Bring in your overdue library materials with canned good(s) for FISH (Friends in Service Here) With the overdue items and canned goods, the Library will waive any overdue fines currently on your account for donations of a canned goods. Fines will only be waived for overdue fines, not replacement or damage charges. In order for the fines to be waived, the materials returned must be undamaged.

This is a wonderful program for a number of reasons. First, it helps people in our community who are facing financial hardships and struggling. With this week being Thanksgiving Day, it is especially appropriate. The current unemployment figures testify to the hardships many in our community are facing. Second, it hopefully encourages patrons who have not used our services recently to come back and start checking materials out again.

I want to thank Theresa Singleton for organizing Fine Free Week and for everyone who participates.

See you at the Library,

Ware

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Challenge to new Circulation total

Although customer service and welcoming environment are the most crucial factors in my mind in regards to how well a library is doing for the community, statistics play an important aspect of determining our library's performance. Statistics provide insight in regards to such things as how much are the Library's resources being used and is the library providing reading materials that our patrons want.

Last year, a total of 145,783 Circulation transactions occurred (or total number of checked-outs of items in a year) in 2008. This is the highest total since 2004. As of October 2009, a total of 121, 141 circulation transactions have occurred (total number of check-outs). So there are two months left. If 12,072 check-outs of items occur in both November and December of this year, the library will have a new record of 145,784 (if higher that is even better). So I am putting a little challenge out there to our patrons. Lets beat last year's total and see if we can surpass 145,783 items!

As aways, thank you for your support and utilizing the library facility and resources.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Celebrating our Veterans' Service and Sacrifice for our Country!

Dear Patron,

Below is a except about a program starting at the Wabash Carnegie Public Library on Veteran's Day (Nov. 11th) until Christmas. We hope you participate and I want to thank Polly Howell for spearheading this program. Thank you, Polly.


Purdue University partners with local library to recognize veterans

The Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University (MFRI) is partnering with Wabash Carnegie Public Library to present Our Heroes’ Tree℠. Through this program, MFRI and Wabash Carnegie Public Library are working to honor past and present service members and create an awareness of military families currently affected by deployment.

For Indiana citizens, the public library is a community gathering place where information is found and shared. It is a place where new information and ideas increase the knowledge and awareness of community members. Partnering with libraries for Our Heroes’ Tree creates an opportunity for libraries to increase awareness within their own communities about the service and sacrifice fellow citizens have made in defense of their state and country,” said Kathy Broniarczyk, director of outreach for MFRI. “By increasing community awareness about the uniqueness of military life and service, libraries show their support and understanding of this special population.”

Our Heroes’ Tree℠ is a national program founded to recognize and honor the sacrifices of current service members, Veterans, and deceased service members. Participating libraries will display a tree featuring handmade ornaments created by community members to honor a service member. Libraries will also offer resources to help these communities provide support and generate a greater understanding of the experiences of servicemen and women and their families.

To participate in Our Heroes’ Tree℠, Wabash Carnegie Public library encourages all members of the community to simply create a handmade ornament honoring a service member from past and present wars, conflicts or peacetime operations. Bring the ornament to the library where it will be placed on the tree with other commemorative ornaments. Stories about individual service members can also be submitted and displayed in a binder near the tree. The tree will be set up on Veterans day and will be displayed throughout the holiday season.

Purdue University and libraries statewide are excited to continue this initiative in an effort to promote patriotism throughout communities. To learn more, please contact Wabash Carnegie Public Library at 563-2972.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Fall Programming and Future Programs

Fall brings mixed feelings for me. On one hand, I love the changing color of the leaves, watching the corn being harvested, and Thanksgiving. On the other side of the coin, it means winter is not far behind. It also might mean that one's activities are more of an indoor nature. So if you are looking to do or activities for your children, the Library might be the place to be. Our Fall Youth Services programs have begun and we are excited about the fun programs to held for youth of all ages. If you are interested, please check our the Library's website (http://www.wabash.lib.in.us/) and click on the links for Children's Fall Programming and Teen Fall Programming. I hope your family joins us for these outstanding programs. If you are not familiar with our book or audiovisual collection, I encourage you to check these collections out.

There are two events the library is working on to have as programs later this Fall and beginning of next year (2010). For Veteran's Day, the Library is working on a project involving a Hero's Tree to honor our veterans. We are also working on a project involving young children reading to therapy dogs. Many libraries have to type of program and is often referred to as Paws to Read. Its purpose to encourage young children to read and hopefully foster a love of reading in the child. More information about these two new programs should be coming later this Fall.

As always, please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Best regards,

Ware W. Wimberly III, Director

Thursday, September 10, 2009

We Want You! Do you have a library card?

As you might have read in the Plain Dealer, September is library card sign-up month. The American Library Association and public libraries around the county are promoting the importance of having a library card particularly for children. Libraries play an important role in the education and development of children. According to the American Library Association, studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning. Thus, my question to you is this. Do you have library card regardless of where you live? If you have a child or children, does he or she have a library card? If not, why not? If you like books, love to read, listen to music, or watch movies, there is not a better deal than with a public library card. If you live in or own property in the city of Wabash, there is no charge or fee to get a library card and you are opening up yourself to utilizing a great collection of books, DVDs, magazines, CDs, audio books, etc.

A library card opens up one to so many worlds of literature and life. One never knows what will come from having and using a library card. The testimonies of famous people about the importance of libraries and having a library card have been documented. The following are a couple of quotes from the American Library Association’s ilovelibraries.org website (http://www.ilovelibraries.org/libarycard). Playwright and filmmaker Luis Valdez said “The library (in the migrant community) I grew up in was the only link to the outside world”. Actor John Goodman said “When I was young, we couldn't afford much. But, my library card was the key to my world”. If you are interested in more quotes from well-known or famous people, one can find them at the ilovelibraries.org website by the American Library Association. As Honorary Chair of Library Sign-up month Candace Parker states, “The Library card is the smartest card in my wallet”

If you do not live in the city of Wabash or have property, there is a non-resident fee charged for a library card. Still, the access to the materials whether books, DVDs, etc makes it a great deal. If you do not have a library card, stop by the Wabash Carnegie Public Library or any public library and get a library card for you and your family. It is a worthwhile investment that can have lasting impacts.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Time flies

As the older I get, the quicker time seems to go. On July 1st, 2009, I had finished my second year as Director. After two years, I continue to love my job and the challenges ahead. I feel very fortunate to be able to say that about one's occupation and employment. A lot of the job satisfaction has to do with the Board of Trustees and staff that I work with. The Trustees and staff are outstanding. Another aspect of the Director's position I find very rewarding is the community connections and people I meet on a regular basis. Knowing that I am contributing to our community of Wabash as Director is a very rewarding experience. So, I want to thank the Board, staff, patrons, and larger community for your support.

There is a great story I want to share that just happened recently. Some friends of my parents recently visited. The husband and wife live near Washington D.C. and the wife's father grew up in Wabash. She and her husband have three young children (elementary school age & younger). Besides seeing the parents for the first time in almost ten years and kids for the first time, the most satisfying aspect of their visit was the kids' enthusiasm and rapid excitement of public libraries and that they knew someone you worked in the library here in Wabash. When they found out I was the Director, these kids could not wait to visit our library. They were able to visit our library and I was able to check out books for them (on my library card) to read during their two day visit to Wabash. I am now known as "library man" to these kids. The awesome part was just witnessing these kids total excitement about libraries and what libraries mean to these kids. It is very gratifying to know I work in a place that provides such positive environment for people of all ages today.

As I mentioned in my last post, please make sure you check out the Fall Book Discussion and join us on September 17th, October 15th, and November 19th at 7:00 p.m. at the Library. The Book Discussion is being led by Phyllis Downey and we can not thank her enough. If you have not been to one of our book discussions, I greatly encourage you to attend. On September 17th, the book called How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas Foster will be discussed. On October 15th, it will be Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. On November 19th, the book discussed will be Crow Lake by Mary Lawson. The Library currently has copies of How to Read Literature Like a Professor on sale for $10.00 at the Library's Circulation Desk. Even if you have not read parts or any part of the novel, please join us. It is a good time of learning from each other.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Summer Reading Program and Fall Book Discussion

It has been a busy time at the Wabash Carnegie Public Library. Over 500 children and young adults have participated in our summer reading programs. It is great to see and hear the excitement of these youth as they participate in the all the great programming done by our Youth Services staff. The summer reading program is still going with just few major events left. Hopefully, you have had a chance to participate in or observe some of the programs that have already occurred. On July 30th, Geoff Akins will be doing a program called Bubble Wonder. This exciting program will be at the Honeywell Center at 6:30 p.m. To celebrate another successful summer reading program, there will be a Summer’s End Party on July 30th at the Library. We thank all who have participated in these programs.

The Library is excited to have Phyllis Downey leading our Fall Book Discussion again. The dates have been set for September 17th, October 15th, and November 19th. The discussion will be at the Library starting at 7:00 p.m. on those dates which are all Thursdays. How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster, Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, Crow Lake by Mary Lawson. We hope you mark your calendars and join us on those dates. The Library thanks Phyllis Downey again for leading our Fall Book Discussion. More information on Fall Book Discussion will be forthcoming in the coming months.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Changes in non-resident fees for library cards

On Tuesday, June 9th, the Wabash Carnegie Public Library Board of Trustees approved changes to the non-resident fees for library cards. The fees have been reduced to the following:

Non-resident library card:

Individual - $60.00 (annual), $45.00 (6 months), $30.00 (3 months)
Student - $56.00 (annual)
Senior Citizen - $56.00 (annual), $42.00 (6 months), $28.00 (3 months)
Family - $60.00 (annual), $45.00 (6 months), $30.00 (3 months)

The changes will be effective beginning July 1st, 2009. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at (260) 563-2972.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

MANY THANK YOUS

On May 1st, the Wabash Carnegie Public Library hosted a Library Conference. We hosted about 100 people from other counties in Indiana. It was a great success and the participants were quite impressed with the Library and the our community of Wabash. Many of the participants also enjoyed visiting the Dr. James Ford Historical Home and the Wabash County Historical Museum. There are countless people and organizations I want to thank.

First, I want to thank the Library staff and the Library's Board of Trustees for their help and assistance leading up to and at the conference. I also want to thank the Committee that helped me and provided invaluable advice in the planning of the Conference.

I want to thank some special people who gave up a Friday to help the Library out. They are Ginny Gaston, Chris Lehman, Rebecca Barker, Darlene Hunt, and Gladys Harvey. Without these special people, the conference would not of gone so well.

There are number of businesses and organizations I want to thank. These organizations and business provided need services and door prizes for our conference and to the participants. Modocs provided refreshments (particularly coffee) throughout the day. All Occasions (Market Street Grill) provided a wonderful lunch and Honeywell Center Catering provided breakfast items. The Wabash County Chamber of Commerce, Wabash County Tourist and Convention Center, and Charley Creek Foundation provided countless information packets about what all Wabash County has to offer. Ron Moore (The Woodshed), Wabash County Chamber of Commerce, and Beauchamp & McSpadden Insurance provided giveaways to each conference attendee and door prize. As the Director, it was wonderful and rewarding to see all of this come together and I can not thank these organizations and businesses enough.

Finally, I want to thank our patrons and the community of Wabash. We would not be able to host a conference such as the one on Friday and showcase our town without your help and support!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Post Clock in honor of Elizabeth Pearson

If you have driven by the Library since Tuesday, April 28th, you might have noticed something new at the Library. A Post Clock in honor of Elizabeth Pearson has been added to the building. The funds for the Post Clock and from the Elizabeth Pearson Gift Fund are NON-TAX money.

Elizabeth Pearson was a native of Wabash and graduated from Wabash High School. After High School, she moved to New York and established a a career there that involved travel to many places, including Africa. Later in her live, she returned to live in Wabash. She was a frequent user of the Wabash Carnegie Public Library. The Library's services was something she treasured. After living in Wabash for many decades, she retired to Kansas City before passing away in 1991.

A Elizabeth Pearson Gift Fund was established for the Library by The Elizabeth Pearson Trust through her Estate in the 1990s. With interest from this fund the Library has been able to do special projects and programs such as celebrating its 100th anniversary, bringing an author to Wabash for the 2008 Community Read, and beautification projects for the Library property.

We thank Ms. Pearson for her gift and lasting assistance in providing services to the community of Wabash!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Fine Free Week and a Thank You

Do you have overdue fines on your library card that are preventing you from checking out materials? For $1.00, one has the opportunity to have all overdue fines waived and start anew in borrowing library material. From April 13th to April 18th, the Library is celebrating National Library Week by waiving overdue fines for $1.00 and having a drawing for a free book. The Library hopes regardless of owning fines to see you this week in the Library and that you enter your name in our drawing.

I want to take a moment and thank the Wabash Plain Dealer for their support and words in the Monday, April 13th, issue under the "Viewpoint" section. The Plain Dealer in "Our Take" highlighted National Library Week and was complementary of the Library Districts in Wabash County. The Plain Dealer has included articles by the Directors of various Libraries and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to communicate what is going on at the Wabash Carnegie Public Library. So, thank you Wabash Plain Dealer!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Legislative update/Spring Book Discussion/May 1st

As discussed in the previous blog entry, the Indiana Senate recently passed a bill that could possibly change the structure and organization of public libraries in the State of Indiana including Wabash County. As of April 5th, the bill referred to as Senate Bill 348 was not heard in the Indiana House of Representatives. It appears (although things can change quickly in the legislative sessions) that the bill will not be passed by the House and thus is considered politically "dead". Public Libraries as part of the overall discussion of streamlining local government will most likely continue to discussed in future Indiana legislative sessions past 2009.

Lottie Waggoner is currently leading the Spring Book Discussion. The theme for the Book Discussion is "War on the Home Front". The three books in the series are Life Class by Pat Parker (March 19th), Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky (April 16th), and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (May 14th). All book discussions are on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. here at the Library. We had a great first book discussion and encourage you to attend the one in April and May. We thank Lottie again for her leadership and expertise!

We are looking forward to showcasing the Library for over 100 librarians and support staff from various communities in Indiana on May 1st. In order to use the Library for this event, we will be closed to the general public on that day which is a Friday. Due to the limited space in the library, the staff can not hold a conference and provide library services simultaneously. Due to this unique opportunity to showcase Wabash and bring tourist dollars to Wabash, we are thanking the public in advance for its understanding. If you have any questions, you may call me at 563-2972.

Finally, I just want to thank the community and patrons. It is a honor to serve this community.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Possible state legislation would affect current public library districts

The Indiana Senate just recently passed legislation that if it becomes law could change the organization of public libraries in Indiana. The legislation currently called Senate Bill 348 outlines a process where a local government body called a Library Planning Committee will look at the current districts in its county and make recommendations on whether to change the current districts including possibly merging the present Library Districts. If this legislation becomes law, the Library Planning Committee final recommendation would have to involved all of the county being covered by library districts (whether in the form of one or more districts). In the current language of the bill, there is an option for areas to opt out of becoming part of a library district through referendum.

Wabash County currently has three public library districts. Two of the library districts are city library districts (Wabash and North Manchester) and thus do not go beyond the town/city limits. The third district is Roann Paw-Paw Township Public Library and covers all of Paw-Paw township. The rest of the county is not covered by a public library district. Thus the possible implementation of Senate Bill 348 could have a dramatic impact on our county's current organization of public libraries.

The link to Senate Bill 348 is:

http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2009&session=1&request=getBill&docno=348


If you have questions, please feel welcome to contact me by phone (260) 563-2972 or e-mail (warew@wabash.lib.in.us) and I will share what I can about this legislation.

Thank you for your continued support,

Ware W. Wimberly III, Director

Friday, February 6, 2009

Your Library and the Community

On February 18, 2009 at 6:30 pm, I will be giving a presentation at the Dr. James Ford Historic Home on the Library and serving the community here in Wabash. In an open forum, I want to discuss with you what we as a Library are doing well and what can the Library do better. My hope is that is this an opportunity to me to learn from the community what it wants from its Library in term of services.

I want to thank the Dr. James Ford Historic Home for this opportunity and the rich programming it provides to our community! I also want to thank Richard Ford and the Charley Creek Foundation for the Treasure called the Dr. James Ford Historic Home! One of the benefits of working at the Wabash Carnegie Public Library is that one gets to look at the Home on a daily basis.

If one in interested in attending this presentation, one can all (260) 563-8686 (seating is limited; reservations are requited). Hope to see you on the 18th.

Monday, January 19, 2009

New Year; New opportunities

2009 is upon us and we are planning an exciting year at the Wabash Carnegie Public Library. Before discussing 2009, I want to take a moment to thank the Wabash Carnegie Public Library staff and Board of Trustees for their support and work in 2008. Their dedication and hard work were reflected in increase in both items circulated and computer use from 2007. Hopefully, the Library will reach new heights in 2009.

There are a couple of items I want to highlight in this blog entry. Lottie Waggoner is leading the Spring Book Discussion starting in March. The theme for the Book Discussion is "War on the Home Front". The three books in the series are Life Class by Pat Parker (March 19th), Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky (April 16th), and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (May 14th). All book discussions are on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. here at the Library. We are in the process of ordering copies to sell. We thank Lottie again for her leadership and expertise!

We are looking forward to showcasing the Library for close to 130 librarians and support staff from various communities in Indiana on May 1st. In order to use the Library for this event, we will be closed to the general public on that day which is a Friday. Due to the limited space in the library, the staff can not hold a conference and provide library services simultaneously. Due to this unique opportunity to showcase Wabash and bring tourist dollars to Wabash, we are thanking the public in advance for its understanding. If you have any questions, you may call me at 563-2972.

As in 2008, we hope you are a frequent visitor to the Library. 2009 brings new challenges and the Library looks forward to meeting those challenges and provide you excellent library service.

Thank you for letting us serve you,

Ware W Wimberly III, Director