Ready to Read Activities Expanded

Youth and Family Services has moved some Ready to Read Room activities out into the general area to accommodate families who arrive to use the space during scheduled events in that room. Brilliant!
Here's a full explanation from Heather:

We are giving something a try here in the Southwest Children's Room: making the Ready to Read Room activities available outside of the Ready to Read Room during all hours that we're open! 

The situation is this: When the room is closed because we are set up for storytimes or other programs, young patrons and their caregivers inevitably come to use the activities in the room and cannot. This leads to a lot of disappointment--trembling lower lips, tears, tantrums, we've seen it all. So, why not move the activities outside of the room?

This move lets patrons enjoy the activities during all hours that we're open, regardless of storytimes and programs. It allows our storytime staff more time to prepare for storytime instead of setting up and tearing down the room several times per week. Additionally, the current location is adjacent to our "KPL2" space for school-aged children, allowing caregivers to keep an eye on their children who span both younger and older age ranges. 

Below is a picture of our current iteration of the space. We are hoping to keep this space as-is for the duration of the summer, with the potential for a more permanent upgrade in the future if it is well-liked by patrons and staff. We will continue to gather patron feedback on this--so if you hear anything, positive or negative, please let us know. Similarly, if you have feedback, please let me know.

Another Award Winner!

Congratulations to Jennifer who was just awarded the Wisconsin Community Media award of merit for the PSA she did with Kenosha Community Media last winter for the holiday film festival. Another star among us!

Oh, and this just in... Karen Rozzoni was just selected for DPI's Youth Leadership Institute! Congratulations, Karen!

News for the Week

Staff training day this Wednesday, May 22 at SW. Please arrive by 8:30 am for important morning announcements and socializing. This promises to be a terrific day of learning, planning, and creative expression. Come in comfortable attire with a relaxed mind and open heart.

Fun article: Reading books is important for the brain. Here's why.

As KPL staff  housed at the Civic Center continue to consider options for our temporary home, we are looking at space within our library branches. If you see us gazing thoughtfully at open space here and there, that's what's on our brain. While we're looking for staff space, we'll also be looking for a better enclosed space for teens at SW with the help of an architect.

We have selected an Inclusive Intern for our summer program sponsored by the Public Library Association. Miles Foster, a Bradford High School student, loves film and is an outstanding writer. Miles will travel to Chicago and Washington, D.C. with mentor Elkid where he will immerse with other Inclusive Interns from around the country and create a service project for KPL.

Also joining Youth and Family Services this summer are two high school students who impressed us during the Inclusive Intern interviews and will immerse with us for 8 weeks this summer as our first annual Summer Scholars. Details to come...

Megan Heinrich will return for the summer to help with the intense summer parks program outreach activities. New Teen Librarian Alejandria Galarza begins Monday!

This week's Bright Spot Award goes to Stephanie, who competently and compassionately responded to a serious life-threatening incident at SW. Here's the nomination I received from Heather, seconded by Jennifer:
I want to recognize what an outstanding job Stephanie did at handling the drunk teen emergency today. When I got to the teen space after being notified that this was happening, Stephanie was already there, calmly dealing with the teen. She'd given him a plastic bag and was standing ready with paper towels--but more importantly, she was asking him questions and trying to elicit responses in an effort to keep him conscious. When he fell to the floor, he tried to roll onto his back and she made sure he stayed on his side until the EMTs arrived so that he didn't aspirate if he vomited. She recognized the severity of the situation immediately and took command calmly and professionally, but with real kindness and compassion. It was very impressive to watch.

News for the Week

Hello, KPLers
Let's start with a fun article about future library trends.

This Robot Librarian Locates Haphazardly Placed Books

Three bookmark winners for National Library Week:




Thanks to Elkid's brilliant proposal writing skills, PLA has offered to fund a KPL summer intern for their Inclusive Internship program. We are interviewing 3 high school students next week, one of whom will be developing projects in support of library service this summer.


Join us for Sheri's Retirement Party on May 15th from 11am-1pm at CCB as we jealously send her off into the world of lazy days at the cabin, fishing under the summer sun, and long trips around the world. Sheri has been a pillar of support for the library for many years. Come say thank you and bon voyage!

Next board meeting Tuesday May 14th at SW. Heather will present the Summer Reading Program and Brandi will reveal the new KPL logo. All are welcome to attend!

This week's Bright Spot Award goes to Katie Engle, who got word to bookmobile staff headed for Horizon Park to turn around and avoid the chaos unfolding in her neighborhood as police responded to a shooting near the bookmobile's regular stop. I cringe to think how badly things might have turned out without that warning. You're a heroine, Katie!