Thank you for what you do!

Last night I presented the 2022 budget request for the Kenosha County Library System. (Don't forget we run both the city's library and the county system that provides technology support and delivery to all libraries in the county.) So for this budget I appeared before the County Supervisors Finance Committee. I was really nervous all afternoon, wondering how our request for more money in 2022 based on a year when we had such a significant decrease in business (2020) would fly with the group. Turns out I didn't need to worry at all.

From the moment I walked into the county administration building I was met with warm smiles and greetings. While I took my seat in the audience, one Supervisor came over to shake the "library lady's" hand, another told me how wonderful Nora's story times are at the Uptown Library and how much his family adores Shawn Wolf. When it came my time to sit at the table and talk money, I had their rapt attention, and their strong support. I could feel so much respect and admiration for the work of the library in that room! 

For the past year I have heard weekly stories from system directors about how towns and villages are trying to close their libraries, how they are slashing their budgets, and how the staff is afraid to come back and open the doors not only for fear of the virus but because they will face anger from the public for simply wearing a mask.

And so I want to thank you for all that you do every day to make this community so very proud of KPL! They love our buildings, they love our collections, they love our programs, but most of all, they love YOU! 

I'll be taking a few days off, but will be back on Monday. Please check in with Linda or Rob for matters that can't wait in my absence. I'll be around, too, so I'm just a phone call away.

Barb

Lots of News This Week

WINTER HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

The winter holidays are falling on weekends this year and so we've created a different schedule for days closed and days officially counted as holidays.
In brief for 2021:

Christmas Eve - Closed on Thursday, December 23, paid Christmas Eve holiday pay on this day.
Christmas Day - Closed on Friday, December 24, paid Christmas Day holiday pay on this day.
Saturday, December 25 - Closed, no holiday pay credited. You may supplement with other paid time off to meet your PCF.
NewYear's Day 2022 - Closed on Friday, December 31, paid 2022 New Year's Day holiday pay.
Saturday, January 1, 2022 - Closed, no holiday pay credited. You may supplement with other paid time off to meet your PCF.


In 2022, the Board approved additional paid time off (16 hours for full-time employees, 8 hours for part-time employees) in lieu of closing four days in a row at Christmas.


Closures will look like this:
Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, 2022 - closed, no holiday pay credited
Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, 2022 - closed, no holiday pay credited.


All buildings and services will be open Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26, 2022.

INTERESTING READING

 How Reading Across Genres Might Build Kids' Brain Skills from National Geographic.

EMPLOYEE PERKS- DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that city employees have a number of perks and discounts to choose from as part of their benefit plan? You don't have to be full time to take advantage of a number of discounts. These include reduced membership fees at the RecPlex , Kenosha and Racine YMCA's, even cell phone plan discounts. To see what's available, log on to NeoGov Onboarding and look for the employee perks section. Need help getting signed in? Your supervisor can help.

CIVILITY AGREEMENT GETS AN UPDATE

Our KPL Civility Agreement has been a very useful tool to set the standards of behavior for new hires and remind us all of our staff values as we are challenged by interpersonal relationships both on staff and in our interactions with the public. When mistakes are made, we point to the document as group expectations and more than one Performance Improvement Plan has been based on a staff member not meeting civility expectations. This year we're deepening our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by updating our staff Civility Agreement to include a statement that commits everyone on staff to treat everyone fairly and personally work to improve their understanding and acceptance of others. All of us will be recommitting to these staff values by re-signing the agreement. Here's the exact phrase added to the Civility Agreement:


I pledge to uphold the vision of diversity, equity, and inclusion by being an ally for all and by continually reflecting on and working to overcome my own biases. (This means everyone will have a safe, respectful, and inclusive space in which to visit and work. All staff will participate in regular training related to this pledge. Discrimination, retaliation, and/or harassment due to gender, gender identity, race, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, national origin, tribal citizenship, familial obligations, veteran status, socioeconomic status, geography, cultural heritage and other differences will not be tolerated.)

Michelle will be visiting the branches in the coming weeks to present each of you with the updated Civility Agreement for signature, talk with you about your goals listed in Choose Your Own Adventure, and listen to any feedback you'd like to provide about how things are going and how we can support you in your work.

THANKS TO OUR BRIGHT SPOTS

This week's Bright Spot nominations come from Brandi: 

"I've got quite a list, but each team member that helped with the sale this past weekend is ever so deserving of a Bright Spot  Jeremy, Tara, Alex L., Melissa, Kelly, Shannon, Linda, Barb, Martha, Dan, Jason, Frankie, and Jeff - we literally would not have been able to pull off this sale without you stepping up and pitching in. The FOL board remarked all weekend at how fantastic our team is and how grateful they were for the smiling faces and strong hands. "

News for the week

 

Simmons dome gets new light bulbs, thanks to our very brave maintenance staff. How lucky we are to have such a beautiful building so well cared for! 

Thanks to all of you who participated in Outreach efforts for National Library Card Signup Month! We issued 115 new cards! People are telling me they see the library everywhere and they really love it! Nice work, everyone!

DPI has announced the library grant opportunities through ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act). Here's what we have planned so far.

Library Space and Safety Improvement (KCLS application)

• Zoom rooms at KPL and Community Library. This includes equipping each study room with the technology to support telehealth, job interviews, and online education. It includes equipping activities rooms with the technology that would support a virtual classroom. 
• Public drinking fountains converted to bottle water fountains at all locations.
• Public Address systems at NS and SW to announce emergencies like tornado warnings.
• Technology to support mobile classrooms in our activities rooms.
• Display units to implement the suggestions from our space audit.

Library as Center for Community Resilience (Joint application with City Library Collective)

• Staff training plan/ modules to equip us all with the skills to effectively manage behavior challenges. This will result in a full training program for all libraries in Wisconsin. It will also include support for a social work student intern and a clinical psychology intern at SI/UPT in spring 2022.

Hybrid Library Services

• A series of book return units placed at various schools around town to make it easier to return library materials and avoid overdue fees. 
• The increased cost of delivery service connected to emptying the book returns.

We have signed a contract with BiblioCommons to redesign our website, drive up collection use and inspire people to return to the library. Here's a fun video from Edmonton CA and a page about a Book Squad  in libraries using BiblioCommons. I can't wait to get started with some of the great ideas already in practice in libraries across the world.

This week's Bright Spot goes to our new RTG Joel Lee.

(From Martha) "I nominate Joel for a bright spot this week for offering his arm of support to an elderly woman walking from reference to the circulation desk to check out her books.  It was a handsome moment and the patron truly appreciated his kindness."

And congratulations to Carlice on her 30th anniversary with KPL!