Bookstore opening next week and several Bright Spots

During the past few years, KPL has made efforts to eliminate a number of barriers to library service. This is not simply based on perception. When I talked with people at the Kenosha Expo, I repeatedly heard from people that they love the library but they don't use it anymore because they have fines they cannot pay or they are afraid their children will accumulate fines they just can't afford. In 2016, we eliminated fines on children's library materials and saw a spike in new library card applications. Next month we'll begin Read it Off, a program for teens to restore their library accounts to good standing by reading. As the years go by, we rely less and less on the amount we collect for overdue materials. Electronic reminders help people bring things back on time and online access to renew items makes it easy for people to "follow the rules." Libraries that have gone fine-free report much more community use and more positive relationships with their community. Most people comply with rules even if there is no penalty attached. As we approach the 2022 budget, I'll be looking for an opportunity to finally implement a fine-free Kenosha Public Library. 

From the Kenosha County Health department:
"On May 13th, the CDC released updated guidance that fully vaccinated people can resume activities they did before the pandemic, including participating in indoor and outdoor activities – large and small – without wearing a mask or physically distancing. Fully vaccinated people can also refrain from testing following a known exposure unless they are residents or employees of a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter. A person is considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 if it has been two or more weeks since they got the second dose in a two-dose series (such as Pfizer or Moderna), or one dose of a single-dose vaccine (such as Johnson & Johnson). This updated guidance solidifies DHS confidence in COVID-19 vaccines and reflects the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing the spread of disease.
With these guidance updates, there are important exceptions where everyone, including those who are fully vaccinated, should continue to wear a mask. Mask wearing should continue in health care settings, K-12 schools, correctional and detention facilities, homeless shelters, and public transportation as well as places where masks are required by local or tribal health laws, rules, and regulations, including local businesses and workplaces."

From Alejandria:

• Working with Teens training session is next week!: I'd like to give a reminder that Susannah and I are running a Working with Teens (In the Library) next Tuesday, May 25th from 8:00am-9:00am. The Zoom link is below. There is no need to register; just (virtually) show up! It will also be recorded in case you can't make it to the live session. This training is not just for YFS or those who are directly serving teens. We designed this training with all library staff in mind.
• We are beginning to accept Teen Volunteers again!: if a teen ages 14-17 would like to volunteer for the library, please give them a volunteer application and forward the completed volunteer application to me (Alejandria) at Southwest Library. I will contact them to complete the process once I receive their application. They can also apply virtually.
• Teen Librarians will be at SW & NS branches later most days: now that we are open full hours, Susannah and I have returned to our previous school-year schedule. Most days, we will be around NS & SW until 6:30 pm so that we can be here for any afterschool teens. I will probably be floating around the SW library to wherever the teens are and not at any particular desk.

News for the week:

• Kenosha.com posted a wonderful article about KPL's full reopening. Thanks to Aaron and Amy for making us proud! 
• FOL is planning to open the Afterwords bookstore at SW as soon as next week! They'll staff it with volunteers, social distance, and wear masks until the city's mask mandate is lifted. They're also contemplating a 4-day October sale at SW.
• Congratulations to Linda for graduating from the Leadership Kenosha program! 

A number of library friends are reaching out to express their disappointment that we were not selected for an IMLS medal this round. Here's a particularly beautiful message from Kurt Kiefer, the Assistant State Superintendent at DPI:"I wanted to let you know how disappointed I was to learn about the medal opportunity. If there ever were a more deserving library I could not find one. Your community engagement and advocacy was on high display in a significant way this year when it was most needed. The leadership you and your team showed was outstanding and a balm for the neighborhoods. I cannot thank you enough for that. In our minds within the division you are award winners and then some."

This week's Bright Spot nominations comes from Martha and Marcia:

"I would like to nominate Linda Noyce for a Bright Spot as we open all libraries to our normal hours. Throughout the pandemic year, Linda juggled challenges in Public Service and made decisions quickly. She provided flexible leadership and encouraged us all when the going was tough! Thank you, Linda!" (Martha)

"I would like to nominate our newest member of Outreach, Kim Parker. Kim studied hard and this week passed her DMV test for the CDL learners permit required to drive our bookmobile. She also covered two staff members out this week on short notice and is a true asset to KPL. We're lucky to have her!" (Marcia)