Greetings to you all, and happy New Year. Several interesting things have occurred at your library recently. A News-Record reporter came in and talked to us about technology changes in the last 10 years, which led to other changes in the last 10 years, and even to current changes with the relationship with the County Commissioners and Library Board. Only ten years and so many changes.
Then I opened my e-mail to find rather caustic comment from a library customer (?)-- I hope it is from a newcomer in the community. But there is no name nor email address attached for me to make a private reply. And I do have replies.
"Your list of services should not be two clicks deep into your website. The linking you have to outside resources is great, but (in) this day (and) age, everybody knows how to use Google. Your list of services/products/catalogs/ should be specific."
Hmmmmm. The Library has a committee which is making constant changes in the website, so it does change fairly often depending on what is being featured and what library products we are promoting. We depend on one library computer trouble-shooter and bright young staff members to help us -- above and beyond their regular jobs. The card catalog itself IS NOT Google, but it is a professional library service used by the entire state of Wyoming. Frankly, we are rather proud of our progress in this area.
"Why are all your events centered around kids & teens? Why make your library a destination for teenagers that just need a place to hangout in the vague hope that eventually they will become regular patrons?"
One third of the county's population is under the age of 18. The average age of county residents is 33.5 years, so the average citizen is probably a parent of one of those annoying kids or teens. We provide lots of activities and events for them because it is better to keep them busy than just roaming around the building. We love our children users, and traditionally libraries have been considered a safe place for kids. That does not make us a full time babysitter, and we do retain the right to expel a child for misbehavior, and we do. For you, it is probably wiser to stay away from the building during morning story times (another one of those pesky library traditions that encourages literacy) and during the after school rush when older kids come in to wait for parents, do homework and socialize. And yes, I hope they all grow up to love their library, just like you do.
"Why don't you have a book club for groups of people (teachers, seniors, etc?)"
We have a small group who attend a fall book discussion with me or without me. There are three other book clubs who use the library for their organizations or friends. Would you like to start a club for your interest group? We can help you.
"Why not add a podcast to your website? Employees or those who frequent your library can get together and record a discussion of the new releases or the new events going on at the library."
Again this comes down to manpower and the internet committee --who have discussed the possibility of pod casts. Frankly, we are just too busy helping library users to be creating podcasts.
"There is a growing minority population in Gillette. How are you catering to their needs?"
There is a Spanish collection in both the children's area and in the adult area. In addition library staff members are active participants in groups like ESL (English as a Second Language), Even Start, and we have actively helped and supported other literacy organizations and efforts in our community. Staff members have taken a Spanish for libraries class, and several members work to maintain those skills.
"Why not an event about rare book collecting? Make brochures from your events so those that can't attend are able to download the information shared at the event."
We have cut back on adult program because of poor turn out. However, if you would like to sponsor or teach a rare book class, we could help with a meeting room space, information, and even some expertise. The Library does make many brochures and book marks in house about events, collections, programs. I hope you are seeing some of them.
"How about an annual horror story contest for Halloween that will be read on the local radio network the night of Halloween?"
Have you attended our Halloween events yet? I think you would be pleased with the activities around the scariest night of the year.
"Do you have someone who knows about all the databases and goes to the local high school & college academic clubs and classes to explain why using the library's resources will make their lives easier?"
WE DO. Reference department librarians are booked at schools and the college. Wright Branch librarians go to the Wright schools. We have distributed brochures to home-schooled families and developed informational sheets for junior high notebooks. This we do extremely well. I'm sorry you did not know.
"Runescape? Really? How about an event for parents on what is a MMORPG and what game ratings symbols mean?"
First you should know that Runescape was carefully researched and on the approved lists for students. We have sponsored a parent and child workshop on computers -- no one came.
"What about an event for those just entering the workforce on how to keep your private life private, while using Myspace/Facebook?"
Just this fall the library used a Walmart grant to sponsor a series of classes for entering the workforce with the WY Workforce Center. It was well attended. I don't believe that MySpace/Facebook privacy issues were addressed. Another good idea. Thank you.
"Or just stick to being an overstaffed miniature convention center, either way."
Now this was a low blow. We have three meeting rooms with no services to speak of, and I'm sure Cam-plex does not consider us competition. Overstaffed? I think not. We have only 35 FTE, full-time equivalents, 3 shifts a day with part-time people. We are saving your tax dollars and providing bright, efficient, effective workers who believe in public service right down to the tips of their toes.
Well, I feel better. Now that I've answered the questions, I have to wonder about the writer. Did someone deliberately jerk my chain? It worked. Currently the library is seeing a consistent 25% increase in usage, checkout, questions asked and answered. We like the idea that we are heavily used by a growing community that is seeking ways to get answers, read books and newspapers, watch movies and listen to music without cost. We like being a tax supported entity that does not charge its users. We like helping library patrons, newcomers and old-timers.
Stop by and visit sometime. I'd like to put a face and name to the questions.
