All Staff Day Pics

What a wonderful all-staff day! Linda did a great job capturing the day in pictures and you all looked so thoughtful and happy. I hope you enjoyed it and learned something that will be valuable to you going forward, whether for your personal or your professional life. Thanks again to all the staff who planned the event and helped throughout the day.

A couple of you have asked about the book I referred to from the sociologist whose research shows the impact of  social infrastructure like libraries on the health of a community. That book is Palaces for the People by Eric Klinenberg. I liked it so much when it came out that I gave a copy to the Mayor and a few of my favorite Alderpersons. I know you'll like it, too.

For those of you wondering how the meeting at Snap-on turned out- It went incredibly well! We were able to gain interest in the project and even gave a tour of the empty space. We're invited to submit a more formal proposal, so that's what we'll be working hard on for the next few days.

FAQ of the week: Will the old Uptown Library stay open?

Answer: Absolutely. Services will be geared toward teens and adults, but everyone is welcome.

In their weekly newsletter, the Library of Congress recognized Daniel Burnham's birthday on September 4, 1846. Dan was the architect of the Simmons Library and the reason the building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a minute to read about him.

The High Cost of Book Banning provides a quick look at how many Americans are behind the new wave of book banning in schools and libraries and the cost to the taxpayer for their activities.

Bright Spots for the week: 

Linda Noyce for her service to KPL and the Kenosha Community these past years. Linda, we wish you all the best in your new position! Stop by often!

Everyone who planned, presented, set up and cleaned up for All Staff Day! What a terrific team you all are!

Happy fall weekend, everyone!

Barb

What's in the 2024 Budget?

We met with city administration last week and presented a draft 2024 operating budget for review. It looks likely that we will be funded at the level we asked for, so I feel like I can tell you what's in store without making promises that don't get kept. Please bear in mind that city administration is the first hurdle. The next is the council's finance committee in early November, then the full council in late November Nothing is absolutely certain till that vote is completed.

What's in the 2024 Budget:

Staff Wages
The City will fund a 2.5% Cost of Living (COLA) wage increase for all staff members beginning January 1, 2024. The city will also allow us to add one more step to our wage chart, so if you're at the top of your wage range this year, you'll get a step increase next year. I know that's good news for a number of you. 

New staff for UCL
YFS staff currently stationed at UPT and SI will transfer to KPL Kids @Uptown Lofts on opening day. (Spring 2024) Additional staff will be hired to provide for 53 hours per week of service at the new location: M-F 9am to 6pm and Saturday/Sunday 12-4.

New air conditioner (chiller) at Northside
The original air conditioner installed in 1993 has had a remarkable life and we will be sad to see it go, but it barely made it through this past summer. We'll get that replaced early in 2024 so we're ready for next summer's heat.

Information from the City:

• If you're on the city's health insurance plan you will enjoy another year without having to pay a health care insurance premium. Annual deductibles for us single folks will remain at $2500. If you're on a family plan your total annual deductible will still be $5,000 as a family but each person within the plan will tap out at $3200, which is a slight increase.
• City Hall will close on Juneteenth in the coming year. 
• All city employees except KPD are migrating to Google Apps, which will make our lives so much easier when communicating with other city departments.
• Flu shots administered by the city are for FT staff on city insurance. Please note that the Mayor has asked city HR to try and expand eligibility to all city staff, so if you're a part time library employee, stay tuned- we're trying to get you on the list of those eligible for the free flu shots.
• COVID vaccinations should be available for free through the health clinic in a few months. Again, it's definitely for FT employees on the city's health insurance, but the Mayor is determined to find a way for all city employees to get the vaccination for free.
• Remember the HRAs we would do at Transit every year? They will resume for those of you on the city's health insurance this spring.

A lot of people have asked me whether the Uptown Lofts apartments are "affordable housing." I have referred to them in all my grant applications as such. The city clarified with me this morning that the apartments are for low and moderate income folks and the rent is subsidized. So if people argue with you and tell you that the apartments are market rate, the price tag reflects market rate, but the people who qualify to live there get a lower rate than the advertised rent based on their income.

This week's Bright Spot nominations:

From Kahlil:

"Ed gave a tour to about 40 people from Kenosha's Sister City in Germany on 8/18. Based on the feedback that I received, the tour went amazing and everyone enjoyed themselves. Ed is a jewel to KPL!"

Stock the Children's Library!

Blue House Books continues to support the new children's library by crowdsourcing our collection. This is a wonderful opportunity to share your favorite children's book with the kids in our community at a price everyone can afford. All you need to do is visit the BHB website, pick your favorite book from the list of titles Amy Rae has selected, and purchase. The books will go to BHB, we will pick them up, and add a name plate to the book that includes your name. Please share this opportunity with family and friends. It's a low cost/ high impact way to spread the joy of reading.

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Short Internet Outage Planned for Tuesday September 12th. 

What is happening?
AT&T will migrate KPL/KCLS to a new BadgerNet Line.
When?
On September 12 from 12:00 pm to 12:05 pm. Based on previous migrations, the outage will last from 0 to 5 minutes.
Why?
The State of Wisconsin renegotiated the BadgerNet contract, and AT&T will install newer equipment.
Who is affected?
KPL Staff & Patrons may be unable to:
Use self-checkouts
Use the AMH
Workflows may reboot
CL Staff & Patrons may briefly lose internet access during this period.

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From Jennifer: You may have noticed in the fall/winter Insider that there is a new bilingual traveling exhibit at Northside: FRANKENSTEIN: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature // Penetrando en los Secretos de la Naturaleza.
This exhibit is scheduled to be on display from September 11 - October 21st. It arrived early, so I set it up for a few extra days.
Here is some additional information about the display, if you engage with any patrons on the topic:
The National Library of Medicine produced Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature/Penetrando en los secretos de la naturaleza, guest curated by historian and educator Susan E. Lederer, PhD (University of Wisconsin-Madison).
The traveling exhibition and companion website explore the power of the novel Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus to expose hidden fears of science and technology as human efforts to penetrate the secrets of nature continue. In 1816, Mary Shelley conceived a story about a scientist who creates a creature that can think and feel but is monstrous to the eye. Spurned by all, the embittered creature turns into a savage killer. Shelley’s story served as a metaphor for apprehensions about scientific advancement that continue to resonate today.
There is also an (English-only) companion website, linked here, which may be of interest to staff (or patrons) who are unable to see it in person.

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When new staff sits through orientation, I try to explain the difference between KCLS and KPL and how we serve as the administrative team for both entities. Did you know that KCLS, our county library system, also has a website? It's one more way to access our shared databases paid for through the System and read the technology plan for all 6 library locations in Kenosha County. And it may just make the complicated relationship between KPL and KCLS a little clearer.

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This week's Bright Spot nominations:

From Marcia:
"I would like to nominate Patty Bajabir for a Bright Spot:
Yesterday afternoon I was on the phone with a lobby stop regular and she told me that she attends the Senior Reading Group at St. Catherine's which Patty took over hosting after Sue Vaal retired. This patron said the group is so welcoming and Patty does such a great job. She said this last time a new resident attended and she just loved it!"

From Jennifer:
"Daisy went above and beyond today when a patron came in with an accessibility request. The patron had gone to the transit office to request a large print bus schedule (which their website says you can request), but they were told it was unavailable. So, the patron came to Northside for help, where Daisy spent time meticulously enlarging and copying the schedule so the patron would have a copy they could read. We are so proud to have such a compassionate heart on the KPL Northside team!"

From Barb: Thanks to Katie Engle for taking on her new role as an Accounting/Payroll Specialist. In the true Katie way, she is doing a terrific job fearlessly and cheerfully learning all the aspects of her new position. It's great to have you in this position, Katie!

Happy weekend, everyone!

Barb