Kids Library Updated Schedule

First off, best of luck to the KPL Book Jockeys tonight at the Battle of the Bookworms! I know you will make us proud and Nancy, Atifa and I will be there to cheer you on!

Second, I talked with a staff member at Carthage who simply gushed over our libraries. He kept talking and talking with an animated expression about the layout changes, the obvious way we are attracting people you didn't see in our libraries 5 years ago, the staff picks displays that have him reading the most delightful graphic novels he would never have considered, but most of all he talked about YOU. Our libraries are warm, he says, because you make him feel so welcome. How lucky I am to work with all of you!

The Kids Library is really coming along, and by the end of next week it's going to be much closer to ready for furniture and shelving.  Here's what happens next week:

• carpeting in the staff offices
• anti-static floor treatments in the electrical and data rooms
• rubber flooring in the public areas
• cabinetry installed
• countertops installed
• backsplashes installed
• temporary lighting (selected fixtures will take a few more weeks to arrive
• data cabling installed
• washer and dryer installed

With the flooring installed, we'll be ready for the staff furniture to arrive first. Then comes shelving and furniture for the rest of the spaces. Rob will be able to set up and test our tech equipment. Then the AMH and security gates can be installed.

Construction is officially over  and inspected by June 1, which means we get a certificate of occupancy, allowing staff to work inside the space. Hiring for additional staff is going well.  There will be 6 total new faces. They will in just a few weeks to be sure they receive all the training they need to do a great job on opening day. OPENING DAY REMAINS JULY 13th noon-4pm.

Fundraising is going well. We're close to $1.8 million with a $32,000 gain this week. On May 16th we will hold a special event in the new space to hopefully entice a few more donations.

This announcement through WLA: Great Lakes, Great Read - Big Announcement Coming Soon!

Books Announcement & Website Launch Earth Day – April 22, 2024   The Great Lakes, Great Read program will officially launch with the announcement of our selected titles on Earth Day, April 22, 2024.    Two books, one for adults and one for children, with themes related to the Great Lakes watershed will be announced. All Wisconsinites are encouraged to read these titles, and we also encourage our library colleagues around the state to engage your residents through book discussions and related activities.   Watch your email inbox and the WLA website for a special Earth Day announcement - or sign up for our email list to be the first to hear the good news! This week's Bright Spots: The entire YFS team for all the work they are doing to plan for the new Uptown Children's Library! Megan for her efforts to expand the Great Stories Club for teens to our middle schools. Outreach for always finding a way to squeeze one more community event into their schedule. Northside for their team effort making things work with two staff members on maternity leave. Justin for confidently leading the Simmons staff through multiple encounters with challenging patrons. Rob for leading us through the complicated tech decisions in the new kids library construction. Phillip for splitting his time between admin and Outreach. The KPL Book Jockeys for their immense courage Michelle for finding us new talent for YFS and constructing an excellent training plan. Jeremy for getting those banners hung! To the maintenance team for hauling the new appliances to the construction site. Katie S. for learning something new every day and quickly mastering it. Brandi for inspiring community members to give $30,000 gifts. For the appetizer cooks- thanks for treating us! Keep those nominations coming! I know there are dozens of superstars every day. Please tell us about them! Have a great weekend, everyone! Barb