KCLS Insights January Edition

Community Liaison Contact: Carol Van Baalen

LOCAL NEWS

New Year’s Resolution:  Take Time to Read in 2011! s part of the Take Time to Read initiative sponsored by the KCLS Foundation, KCLS is inviting adults in King county to participate in a Winter Reading program.  Participants will be entered to win a $5 coffee card from Starbucks and other great prizes.  For more details about the program, click on this link:  http://www.kcls.org/taketimetoread/ or check it out at Take Time to Read on Facebook.  Or visit your library to pick up forms beginning January 1^st.

If you’d like to discuss what you read with other readers, why not join a local book group at one of our libraries?  Here is the January schedule for book groups at Woodmont, Des Moines, and Kent libraries:

January 6, 6-8pm, Woodmont Library:  Thursday Night Knit Lit Group.  Author of the month is James Michener.  If a Michener book sounds too daunting for one week’s reading, you can start on the February selection, Eve Green by Susan Fletcher.

January 12, 1pm, Kent Library:  After Lunch Book Bunch.  Book to be discussed:  Collector of Worlds by Ilija Troyanow.

January 20, 7pm, Woodmont Library:  Woodmont Book Group.  Book to be discussed:  Bright Sided:  how the relentless promotion of positive thinking has undermined America by Barbara Ehrenreich.

January 26, 7pm, Des Moines Library:  Des Moines Book Group.  Book to be discussed:  Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.

Copies of the book selections are always available at each library’s front desk.

For a complete list of programs at your library, click here:  https://intranet.kcls.org/calendars/DESM-Jan11.pdf  https://intranet.kcls.org/calendars/KENT-Jan11.pdf  https://intranet.kcls.org/calendars/WDMT-Jan11.pdf

Upcoming Meetings:

Des Moines – Woodmont Library Advisory Board:  Wednesday, January 12, 7pm at the Des Moines Library.

SYSTEM HIGHLIGHTS FROM December

  

The InfoToGo topic for January is Free Computer Classes, a web page that has been updated for ease of use and improved information about how to access these classes at most KCLS libraries. For more information on the current month’s InfoToGo card, click here.

 FROM THE DIRECTOR’S REPORT (To view the complete December report, please look here.)

One of the highly anticipated KCLS traditions is the publication of the annual Best Books list compiled by Collections Management Services (CMS).  The list is based on account reviews, awards, popularity and the professional judgment of CMS’ selectors. By some accounts, this was not a great year for Adult Fiction and Non-fiction. As one staff member said, it seemed like many great writers were treading water and not breaking new ground.           

A few months ago, KCLS’ Outreach department advised the Board that delivery service to homebound seniors would only be available to patrons with documented medical certification of immobility. The transition has gone smoothly and the use of volunteers to deliver items to homebound seniors has freed up eight staff members to provide additional services to nursing homes, retirement communities, low income senior apartments and rehabilitation facilities, and the numbers continue to grow. Outreach plans to expand services in a manner similar to Library2Go by working with library staff to identify additional senior facilities in need of library services. Anyone interested in helping Outreach as a volunteer can find out more by visiting the KCLS Outreach Volunteers webpage.

           

Over the last year, Adult Services has developed a number of community partnerships to deliver new programs and services at KCLS libraries, including partnerships with community colleges to deliver citizenship, employment and English as Second Language programs at KCLS libraries. The King County Law Library, which offers programs on Family Law at its facilities, is excited to be able to provide training to the general public at five KCLS libraries. Staff from the Law Library will also provide training for KCLS librarians on legal reference service and later in the year will deliver programs on other topics, such as employment law and landlord/tenant legalities. More information for Adult Learners is available here.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

KCLS will begin the process of negotiating an inter-local agreement with the City of Enumclaw in the event that voters approve annexation to KCLS. The Renton inter-local agreement is being used as the template to outline roles and responsibilities. KCLS will meet with Enumclaw City Administrator Mike Thomas this month and the agreement should be ready for both the Enumclaw City Council and KCLS Board of Trustees to review and approve early next year. The annexation vote is likely to occur in April 2011.

KCLS STAFF NEWS

The annual KCLS Service Awards Reception was held on December 8. Fifty four staff members were honored for 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service, representing a combined 1,265 years of experience. Julia Gibson, Librarian in the Shoreline/Richmond Beach/Lake Forest Park cluster, received this year’s Bradley Award for her “Write Idea” suggestion to provide acrylic holders for posting library closure signs. 

KCLS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN PROJECTS

View all at http://www.kcls.org/bond/ or sign up here to receive automatic updates on the KCLS Capital Improvement Projects!

 Almost two months after the Newcastle Library groundbreaking, it looks like construction is about to begin. Mayor John Dulcich has been a persistent advocate to expedite the project. KCLS’ contractor is also prepared to get the project underway.

 Upcoming Dates

The next Planning Committee Meeting takes place on Thursday, January 13, 12 noon at Burien Library.

The next Finance Committee Meeting takes place on, January 25, 4pm at Service Center.

The next KCLS Board of Trustees Meeting takes place on Tuesday, January 25, 5pm at Service Center.

Insights December 2010

Community Liaison Contact:  

Carol Van Baalen

LOCAL NEWS

Friends News

The Des Moines Friends and the Woodmont Friends met together for a holiday party at the Des Moines Library on December 1^st.  Members brought goodies to share, and also shared ideas about what they are doing in their Friends’ groups.

The Kent Friends met for their holiday potluck last week also.  They are now selling canvas book bags for $8.00 each at the Kent Library front desk.

Holiday gift idea:  Give Friends book bags!  All 3 of our cluster libraries are now selling bags.  Support programs at your library while helping the environment!

Library News

 The Woodmont parking lot expansion is underway!  Construction began November 15, and is estimated to last 3 months.  24 parking spots will be added to the existing lot.  Comments from our patrons have been very positive, despite the difficulties of parking during the construction.  Staff members are parking in the shopping center lot at the corner of Pacific Highway and 272^nd during the construction project to help alleviate the temporary shortage of parking.

Take Time to Read Quick Reads Shelves (see below) are in your neighborhood!  Check out the Kent Midas on 104^th Avenue and the Les Schwab on Pacific Highway for some good reads if you are having your car serviced at either location.

Coming in January:  Citizenship Classes at the Des Moines Library (1-2:30pm on Tuesdays beginning January 11) and at the Kent Library (7-8:30pm on Tuesdays).  ESL classes and Talk Times will also resume after the holiday break.  Click on these links for a complete list of programs at your library.  https://intranet.kcls.org/calendars/DESM-Dec10.pdf https://intranet.kcls.org/calendars/KENT-Dec10.pdf https://intranet.kcls.org/calendars/WOOD-Dec10.pdf

SYSTEM HIGHLIGHTS FROM November

Take Time to Read Quick Reads Shelves and Readers in Residence Chairs have been set up in community sites around the County. Promotional signs appear on transit buses and print and radio advertisements have launched. Take Time to Read cards and stickers have been delivered to libraries for distribution to patrons and staff.  Learn more at

http://www.kcls.org/taketimetoread.

 KCLS was present at the grand opening of the Microsoft Store in Bellevue Square. The KCLS Foundation received a $500,000 technology grant resulting from a Facebook campaign promoting the store’s opening. The funds will be used to support ITS operations and provide software for Game On programs in community libraries. Microsoft president Steve Ballmer was on hand and the opening was attended by thousands of people. Chad Mack, Microsoft Store manager, is interested in partnering with KCLS to develop technology programs or to train Microsoft employees as volunteer Study Zone tutors.

KCLS celebrated the 10^th anniversary of the Nonprofit and Philanthropy Resource Center at Redmond Library  with a reception on November 9, hosted by the Redmond Friends of the Library. Nearly 100 guests were on hand to hear local fundraising expert Susan Howlett speak about the importance of the Center. Redmond librarian Jeanette Privat, former KCLS Foundation Executive Director, has been the force behind the Center.

The InfoToGo topic for November is Resume Builder, which offers resume building software, sample cover letters and resumes, job seeking tips and advice. Free registration is required. For more information on the current month’s InfoToGo card, click here.

 FROM THE DIRECTOR’S REPORT (To view the complete November report, please look here.)

The Evergreen implementation is still causing problems for patrons. This is especially true of the online catalog and holds function. Many steps have been taken to improve performance; however there are still instances of black screens and slow response times. The good news is that there are small improvements every day. Information Technology Services (ITS) is conducting a formal review of the software with an independent consultant. This “postgress” review should reveal any inefficiency in programming and hopefully lead to improved performance in all aspects of the software. Internally, the response time for Automated Materials Handling check-ins and shipping center distribution has been greatly improved. All libraries with AMH systems are caught up with tote check-in.

At the September Board meeting, it was noted that circulation was down 5% for the month of September. In the transition to the new catalog, some of the checkout history was lost. Despite that decline, circulation still increased over 7% for the year. The newly expanded Kirkland and Federal Way Libraries continue to lead the way with the largest percentage increases in the System. In October, all circulation data was captured and showed a 2% monthly increase compared to 2009. 

There were approximately 40 Library Advisory Board members in attendance at three Library Advisory Board Forums held this month. Participants heard about KCLS’ Future Services Strategy (FSS) and engaged in lively discussions about how the library can offer increased services in their communities and online. The Maple Valley City Manager was an active participant in the Renton meeting along with most of the members of the newly appointed Renton Library Advisory Board. In appreciation for their work, all Library Advisory Board members were presented with lapel pins featuring a customized KCLS logo.

The second hour of each meeting was opened to the general public for discussion of the 2011 Preliminary Budget. More than 100 people attended and their input will be presented to the KCLS Board of Trustees for consideration during final budget deliberations.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

The Renton Service Area Analysis (SAA) was reviewed with the City of Renton and the City presented their analysis of various sites in the Downtown and Highlands areas. As reported last month, KCLS prefers a site southeasterly of the current Highlands Library while the City is interested in locating the Library in the Sunset Terrace area. Likewise, the City Council also indicated a strong preference for Sunset Terrace. KCLS has reached consensus with the City on the sites and the City Council has authorized City staff to move ahead on site acquisition. KCLS will develop an agreement with the City on budget oversight by the City and KCLS’ responsibility to manage design and construction. It is likely that facilities design for both Libraries will be completed in 2011 with construction beginning in 2012.

         

The City of Bellevue is in the process of approving the building permit for the Bellevue Library garage expansion. They have determined that patrons will use NE 10^th and NE 12^th Streets to temporarily access and exit the parking garage under the Library. This solution seems to have satisfied the concerns of most of the neighbors but parking will be severely limited during construction.

The City of Enumclaw passed an “interest in annexation to KCLS” resolution. KCLS has given City officials a copy of the Renton inter-local agreement as an example of the City’s and KCLS’ potential roles and responsibilities in the event of a positive vote for annexation.

KCLS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN PROJECTS

View all at http://www.kcls.org/bond/ or sign up here to receive automatic updates on the KCLS Capital Improvement Projects!

 Even though a groundbreaking was held at the Newcastle Library, construction has not yet started. The contractor is ready and has even set up fencing and staging areas but the City has not yet issued a building permit. KCLS hopes to start construction soon.

The architect firm for the Tukwila Library project is under contract. The interview panel, which included City officials, Board Member Jessica Bonebright and KCLS staff, selected Perkins+Will Architects. Their extensive background in mixed-use projects and their work on the Sammamish Library were significant factors in their selection.

Upcoming Dates

The next Finance Committee Meeting takes place on Tuesday, December 14, 4pm at Service Center.

The next KCLS Board of Trustees Meeting takes place on Tuesday, December 14, 5pm at Service Center.