December News

• Congratulations to Lisa Langsdorf who has been selected to work on a community team to take a Growing Wisconsin Readers Early Literacy Development Course and develop an early literacy project with Cesar Chavez Head Start and Almost Home Academy. Lisa's team is one of 20 selected from over 60 applications.
• The New Books Wall at SW is working! Statistics for November show an 18% increase in circulation of new books after the new book wall completion. Well done, everyone! 
• We're going to Chicago! The American Library Association Midwinter conference will be held at McCormick Place January 30-February 2. We would like as many staff to attend the exhibits as possible to view the latest library products. We're scheduling visits with vendors who specialize in self check and automated return equipment both days. Participants will have the opportunity to evaluate the different product options, witness demonstrations of the products in action, ask questions of the experts, and send me their recommendations. We're looking at two visits- one on Saturday and one on Monday. Buses and lunch will be provided.  Michelle will be sharing more information soon about how you can sign up for this fun and informative day. This is a wonderful way for all staff to get involved in a very big decision. Hope to see you there!
• We're getting ready to launch a product called Gale Analytics that will analyze where our patrons live and how they use the library. We will be able to determine if our patrons use the branch library closest to them, if the women check out DVDs more than the men, and if the children on the north side are traveling to SW for their books. One of the most important things we will learn is how many users live in the western part of our district, what type of library use we can expect from them, and how far they are traveling to the library. As the city annexes more land westward, we should keep an eye on the service needs to the west. 
• We are working with a designer at Demco to re-imagine the children's space at the Northside library. Our User Experience Team got together recently with our Youth Services staff to map out activities in three select areas. Demco will respond with furnishing and equipment ideas to support those activities.
• The Simmons Library is due for some structural work. Carlson Racine Roofing won the bid. They will begin work sometime in April.
• The KPL Foundation Public Relations Committee is spearheading a 115th Anniversary Celebration for the Simmons Library on July 18, 2015 in Library Park. More details pending.
• The City of Kenosha has a beautiful logo that we will be adopting as a city department. Common Council must approve before the logo is released. I will share it with you at that time.
• Shimon is designing KPL Kids Kards (library cards for kids) that will incorporate Where the Wild Things Are. We should have those before the end of the year.
• We are purchasing 2 mobile Sharp 70" Aquos Boards- they act as both electronic whiteboards and as projectors. We will use them to show films, conduct digital literacy training, project presentations, conduct gaming events like Wii, or use as a whiteboard for group meetings. One of these units will be at NS and the other at SW. We will be able to move them anywhere in the building. 
• Some of you have been asking for opportunities to learn how to use our catalog statistics module. We are anticipating a new release of the software shortly, then will coordinate training with Infor staff.
• Brent and Max will be relocating the large LCD screen at the circ desk at SW to the lobby in place of the programs board. The LCD will serve as an electronic version of the posters we hang there, saving paper and time. A similar project is planned for NS.
• The Senior Management Team has identified a list of "core competencies" for all staff. This list includes all the things everyone on staff should know. The next step is to develop a training program so we can all catch up on our skills and meet the requirements. Michelle will be sending more information out as that project progresses.

Thanks to all of you for making 2014 so successful! We will be scheduling staff sessions in early 2015 to present the goals for the coming year. In the meantime, I hope your holidays are merry and bright!

Barb