Former State Librarian Jo Budler library visits.
March 23
Washington Courthouse Carnegie Library
Visit to Fayette County Libraries
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This lovely Carnegie Library has a gorgeous two story entrance addition where Jan and I stopped to take pictures when we entered the building. Other customers stopped to talk with us, clearly enjoying the welcoming feeling of their library with us. Director Susan McDaniel met us just inside the library, in the Children’s section.
We began with a PowerPoint which gave a good orientation and overview of the library followed by a walking tour. It was clear from the beginning that the library customers in Washington Court House are lucky to have enthusiastic staff with strong customer service. Here’s an example of what I mean: Anne Quinn (Head of Children's Services) is the only full-time person in that area yet she and her 5 part-time assistants presented nearly 300 programs last year to the young people in Washington Court House, including school visits, story times and special programs. That is quite impressive!
One look at the genealogy room at The Washington Court House Public Library and it is easy to see why this is a destination for so many genealogists. It is one of only two libraries that have the Civil War Grave Registry. Thanks, Poppy, for taking the time to show me this collection as well as explaining where the original building sat in relation to the additions, showing me the special YA nook, and allowing me to browse the extensive large print collection.
I would also like to thank the trustees – Carl Staffan, Ginny Bath, Marilyn Mallow and Chris Siscoe -- and Susan Mauer (Clerk Treasurer), Poppy Girton (Head of Adult Services), Anne Quinn (Head of Children's Services), Heidi Fletcher (Director of Mt. Sterling Public Library) and Susan McDaniel for sharing lunch with Jan and me. It was a wonderful luncheon – with an exceptionally delicious dessert! I was happy to hear how well the collaboration works between the public library and the schools, to the benefit of the children of this community.
Most remarkable fact: Washington Court House has a collection of 71,000 items. Last year an additional 71,000 items came into the library and circulated to this community of users through the SEO consortium. This means that through resource sharing, this library community doubled their collection without adding any material to their library’s physical shelves. What an excellent testimonial to the advantages of resource sharing.
On the way back to Columbus, Jan and I stopped at the Jeffersonville Branch. This library is 2 blocks from the school and is a destination point for this segment of the population shortly after school lets out. Jane Fox, Branch Manager, and Bonnie Rinehart, Children’s Specialist, told us that this is their busiest time!
As at the main library, they also fill a great deal of Interlibrary Loan requests at this branch. Both Jan and I noted how well they were marketing their material. Jane commented that almost without fail, the book that is turned to face outward at the end of the shelf, gets checked out – proving that marketing like this does work!
As always, I learned something new:
- Jeffersonville is offering a class to its library customers on “altered books” – a how to convert discarded books into works of art. This craft appears to be a cross between scrapbooking and card-making.
- The not-so-new game (except to this State Librarian!) popular to young men (9 and older) is Yu-Gi-Oh! Washington Court held a duel on March 3rd and has another scheduled don May 12th. (Maybe by then I will even know what a god card is!)
Thanks for a wonderful visit, Susan. The welcome sign you sent home with us is hanging proudly here at the State Library and the balloons are helping us to keep cheerful in spite of this monsoon weather!