State Librarian Visits
Views of Febuary
Click on thumbnail to view the full-sized image
Febuary 21
Pataskala Public Library
Although it was certainly a cold and dreary day outside, the welcome that Bill Morris and I received at the Pataskala Public Library was anything but! We were met at the front door by director Matt Nojonen who took us on a tour of the facility.
It is clearly a well-used facility and, as is the case with many of Ohio’s libraries, more space would be welcome. The library owns land next door (approximately 1-2 acres) and there have been discussions about how best to use that land, i.e. could a new library building be placed on the land? We look forward to hearing how these discussions progress to the “plan on paper” stage.
Meanwhile, the residents of Pataskala use this library heavily. Circulation has doubled in the past 13 years. And Matt pointed out that if all the DVDs in circulation were returned to the library at the same time, there would be no place for them. There are 5 DVDs in circulation for every one that is on the shelf.
While we were visiting, there were two story times. The first was the toddler group (3+ years) who clapped and sang before settling in to listen intently to the story of the day. The second story time was the lap-sit program for the 6 month to 24 month children in attendance with their parent or primary care-giver. It was hard to tell who enjoyed the time more: the children or the parents. Isn’t that the way it should be?
An important fact you may not have known: Pataskala is the 2nd largest library in the county and participates in a consortium with Newark Public Library.
Alexandria Public Library
Our second stop for the day was Alexandria Public Library. Again what a wonderful welcome we received from director Denise Shedloski and two members of her Board of Trustees: Nancy Baker, Vice President and Pricilla Horn, Clerk/Treasurer.
One of the first things that one sees when one enters the library is a display case. Here staff and community members are able to share special collections with the library’s visitors. This month the display held a special collection of dogs. Knowing my special affection for these critters, Bill captured me admiring it.
I am always taken by the collection of material in our libraries and Alexandria was no exception. Here we found Discovery Bags. Bags might include books, multimedia, toys, all on a specific subject of interest to young people. I was caught peeking into the ballerina Discovery Bag which included a tutu for dressing up! The subjects of other Discovery Bags include farm animals, bullies, feelings, the human body, manner, insects, geology, fractions, and more. Children’s Services Coordinator, Pam Hankinson, locates material for the bags and puts it all together. These are done in memory of a young library user, Mary K. Butt, (October 24, 1994 May 3, 2003).
It was great fun to talk with Pam Hankinson about her multifaceted partnership with the school. The library participates in the Accelerated Reading program which is supported by the Parent Teacher Organization. Children in grades 1-5 are required to accumulate a certain number of points by reading books in the Accelerated Reading program. The children can take their comprehension tests online at the library’s website.
A new program at the library also encourages reading by allowing children to sign up to read with a therapy dog. Miss Alice, a corgi, comes to the library on a regular schedule. All parties who participate in this program seem to mutually enjoy themselves!
The kindergarteners come from the school (just across the street) for story time at Alexandria Public Library and we witnessed the magical transformation that came over them when Pam started to read. Whoever doubts the magic of books should have been there; they would doubt no more.
We were sorry to miss the popcorn (machine provided by the PTO: another partnership between the school and the library) and the after school movie but nonetheless, we enjoyed our visit immensely.
Alexandria Public Library is a member of Central Library Consortium http://www.clcohio.org/
Homer Public Library
Our last stop of the day was Homer Public Library where we were greeted by director Chet Geiger and were able to meet former director, Jeanie Megaw. Chet showed us the layout of the building. This is an inviting collection and, as always, it was impossible not to stop and take a few books off the shelves for “just a quick look.”
There is no need to remember one’s library card in Homer. The staff knows the community members and will look up the card on file when folks are ready to check out material.
There is a considerable local history collection in the library. Staff has been doing some digitization of some of this material. LaserFiche is the name of the software program utilized by Chet and his staff to organize and give access to digitized material. The library traces the history of the community back to 1895.
We just missed the school classes which come regularly to the library. Each week, between 60-70 children come to the library from the school -- during their school day -- to check out books and to enjoy story times. The children’s area is warm and friendly as you can see from the mural on the wall and the bright colors of the rug (whose color theme and pattern are carried over onto another wall of the area).
Chet told us that the library is planning to offer “Teen Gaming” starting March 6. This will be a new program offering to the community. I am anxious to learn how this program is embraced by the teens of Homer. I have a feeling that its success will make it a program that is offered for a good long time.
Febuary 21
Columbus Dispatch Library
On Feb. 27, Connie Ostrove and I visited the Columbus Dispatch Library. The Dispatch Library is the first special library which I have visited.
Special libraries are characterized by a very specific user group and a collection suited to their special needs. Special libraries are found in hospitals, law offices, museums, corporations (Ashland Chemical, Battelle), etc. Their librarians often have degrees in related areas of study. The Dispatch librarians often call upon the State Library for research assistance.
Library manager Amy Disch led the tour, assisted by News Librarian Linda Deitch. Technology has played an important role in moving news librarianship into the future. The emphasis now is on making research tools available on the desks of the reporters and editors. Dispatch librarian Victor Black has created a suite of products (available through Dispatch Intranet) which includes biographical, statistical, and licensure information available to reporters for story backgrounds.
The Dispatch Library is exploring the possibility of making Dispatch archives available in fully searchable form as far back as 1871.
However, the library has had to deal with downsizing while at the same time demonstrating increased efficiencies. Several staff members have advanced to other positions within the organization. The library is adding a student library intern to the staff for the summer. This experience will provide a student with a taste of special librarianship while giving them valuable job-related experience.
Amy and Linda are strong advocates for special librarianship. They point out that many students are not aware of the opportunities in special libraries, and the salaries, which are often above average.
