Library Log 7/2/09

Kieran’s Notes from the back room :

“I am leaving on a jet plane…” Yup, by the time you read this I will be in Chicago at the American Library Association convention. I am bringing a few books with me to read on my flight (and my insanely long lay over!), “American Shaolin” by Matthew Polly and “The Mystery of Grace” by Charles De Lint. They are both new in our collection and I am excited to read them. I am also hoping to pick up a few books at the convention; the publishers like to give away freebies and I will be stuffing them in my bag and, perhaps, even mailing some here to the library. And boy o boy do we need them! According to the circulation statistics, we have gone from about 3000 books checked out in a month to about 5000 books in the month of June. That is about 1 book for every 3 in our collection that is being read, or another way to look at it, is about 1 book for every person who lives in our service area. So if you don’t see what you want on the shelf, check the computer catalog, we might have it, but it might be checked out to your neighbor. You can put yourself on hold for any book we have, or the folks at the desk can help you get it. Apparently we are doing something right and we need to do more of it. (Yes, we will be glad to order the next book in that series you are reading!) The programs we are doing are also attracting more folks too. On July 21^st at 7 pm a fellow from Hospice will be presenting “Philosophy and concept of care” come early and get a good seat. I return to the back room on July 22^nd so come on by to see if I survived Chicago and 22,000 librarians, and take a look at the award we won from EBSCO for Excellence in Small and Rural Libraries (I’m picking it up at the awards dinner at the convention). [I am speaking at the convention on Saturday July 11th around 11 am so cross your fingers for me!]