If you're like me, your curiosity is non-stop. That's probably why you work in a library! There's no better place for a curious person to work. One of the best things about the Internet is the endless array of continuing education at our fingertips, often free. In any given week I may tune into educational webinars in Idaho, Montana, Florida, and California from my desk in Kenosha. WebJunction is a terrific source for learning opportunities for library staff in snippets or full course length. Take a look and see what's there.
Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress (the first woman and the first African American to hold the post) is determined to digitize the collections of the Library of Congress. Read about her plan here.
This has great promise for library service everywhere, as we can offer our community access to historical documents and collections like never before!
It's hard to believe it's been 6 months since Public Theater's Mobile Unit brought the play Sweat to the Kenosha Community. Recently the theater staff got in touch to say they hope to return for performances and workshops. In the meantime, here's a video that captures the impact of Sweat on the cities they visited. Have your Kleenex ready- it's very moving.
Progress on Simmons Historic Structure Report
High definition laser scanning is being conducted by a company called Ghafari the week of April 29th in order to prepare accurate architectural drawings of the Simmons Library. Original drawings have been lost or destroyed over the years. Complete and accurate drawings are necessary for us to properly conserve this historic building.Laser scanning is line-of-sight technology: it cannot see through walls, slabs, or ceilings. It will quickly and accurately provide a 3D model of both the interior and exterior of the Simmons Library, not only the dimensions, but every feature in relation to the other.This laser scan is part of a much larger project. The library has contracted with Harboe Architects to provide an Historic Structure Report for the Simmons Library. This report will provide an analysis of the building's condition, a list of concerns, the work needed to preserve the building, and the projected cost of the work. This study will help the library to prioritize maintenance and conservation work and to seek funding to restore and preserve our architectural gem.
The laser scan will be conducted over a full 2 day period. The Historic Structure Report will be conducted over a 6 month period.
Ghafari engineers assure us that the lasers pose no risk to people (100% eye safe) but they do take images of people in the room, which some people may not like. So Aaron and Brandi have prepared signs to alert visitors to Simmons and we'll also post a message in our newsletter and on Facebook.
Please let me know if you have any other questions. If the public asks something you cannot answer, feel free to refer them to me.
High definition laser scanning is being conducted by a company called Ghafari the week of April 29th in order to prepare accurate architectural drawings of the Simmons Library. Original drawings have been lost or destroyed over the years. Complete and accurate drawings are necessary for us to properly conserve this historic building.Laser scanning is line-of-sight technology: it cannot see through walls, slabs, or ceilings. It will quickly and accurately provide a 3D model of both the interior and exterior of the Simmons Library, not only the dimensions, but every feature in relation to the other.This laser scan is part of a much larger project. The library has contracted with Harboe Architects to provide an Historic Structure Report for the Simmons Library. This report will provide an analysis of the building's condition, a list of concerns, the work needed to preserve the building, and the projected cost of the work. This study will help the library to prioritize maintenance and conservation work and to seek funding to restore and preserve our architectural gem.
The laser scan will be conducted over a full 2 day period. The Historic Structure Report will be conducted over a 6 month period.
Ghafari engineers assure us that the lasers pose no risk to people (100% eye safe) but they do take images of people in the room, which some people may not like. So Aaron and Brandi have prepared signs to alert visitors to Simmons and we'll also post a message in our newsletter and on Facebook.
Please let me know if you have any other questions. If the public asks something you cannot answer, feel free to refer them to me.
Thanks to all of you who welcomed Linda Noyce as our Public Services candidate yesterday. She felt your warmth, as I did the day I met you as a candidate. I was so proud to introduce you all and talk about the wonderful work you do for your community!
We have one more candidate for the position, who will visit on Monday. She will not have time to tour all branches, but she will be at Northside around 11:30 if you can stop by and say hello.
This week's Bright Spot Award goes to Michelle Eisenhauer, who has tirelessly recruited, screened, interviewed, checked references, conducted background checks, and oriented a LOT of candidates and new hires lately. Thanks for your hard work getting us awesome new staff members, Michelle!
This week's Bright Spot Award goes to Michelle Eisenhauer, who has tirelessly recruited, screened, interviewed, checked references, conducted background checks, and oriented a LOT of candidates and new hires lately. Thanks for your hard work getting us awesome new staff members, Michelle!
For those of you who celebrate Easter, I wish you a very blessed holiday. To everyone, I wish you a happy spring!
Barb
Thank you so much for the information about Carla Hayden and the link to the story about her digitization project. I want to share the fact that the transcription of hand-written material is being crowd-sourced. If you go to https://crowd.loc.gov/ , you will find images of material that you can help transcribe. Directions are very clear and complete.
ReplyDeleteLynn Allen