Thursday, August 4, 2011

August Insights


 

 

Community Liaison Contact: Carol Van Baalen


 costume?  Thank you, Friends!
LOCAL NEWS
Teen Summer Program Highlights
In addition to funding programs for children, our Friends groups have provided enormous support for a variety of teen programs in our libraries this summer.  Here is a sampling of those programs:
Henna Body Art – at Des Moines, Kent, and Woodmont:  Enthusiastic girls, and even a few boys, learned about this ancient art and got temporary henna body art.
Making Manga – at Kent and Woodmont:  Teens learned how to create their own manga and tell a story in comic form.
Photography Contest – at Des Moines.  The best photos will win prizes funded by the Friends.
Video Game Tournaments – at Des Moines and Woodmont.  Always a smashing success.
End-of-School Parties, Movie Programs, and End-of-Summer Parties – at Des Moines, Kent, and Woodmont.  The Friends provide the snacks for these events.
On behalf of the teen librarians, a big thank you to the Friends for their support of teen programs!
A complete list of August programs at Des Moines, Kent and Woodmont Libraries is attached.
Children’s Summer Reading Update
 Clifford the Big Red Dog has been seen around the town on several occasions for story times and also in the Kent Cornucopia Days Parade.  This is a recent sighting at the Woodmont Library during story time.  Wherever Clifford goes, the children come to see him.  Did you know that the Friends funded the purchase of the Clifford
Number of SRP Sign-ups: 
Des Moines 635; Kent 1348; Woodmont 637


Upcoming Meetings:
Des Moines Friends – meeting date changed from August 3 to August 17.  7pm at the Des Moines Library
Kent Friends – Thursday, August 11, 12 noon at the Kent Library
Woodmont Friends – Thursday, August 11, 6pm at the Woodmont Library

SYSTEM HIGHLIGHTS FROM JUNE




The InfoToGo topic for August is the Mobile Catalog, the text-only version of the KCLS Catalog. The Mobile Catalog is a fast and simple way to access accounts and search for items from any mobile device without Java.


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


OPERATIONS


Construction has finally started on the Lake Forest Park Library expansion. The Library is anticipated to open during the holidays.


 As reported last month, the Pomegranate Center in Issaquah awarded KCLS one of four Gathering Places grants to create a literacy garden on the grounds of the Mercer Island Library. Initial clearing is complete, hard landscape elements will be installed in August and final landscaping will happen in September. The garden will provide spaces for story times and feature elements for children to learn about the environment. The grants are funded by Tully’s Coffee.

More than 50 people attended the final public meeting for the Federal Way 320th Library. The audience responded favorably to the announcement that in lieu of opening a temporary facility during construction, the Federal Way Library will have extended open hours instead. Given that the Federal Way Library was recently expanded, has ample parking and is within proximity to the Federal Way 320th Library, it makes sense to utilize the existing facility.

Circulation was down 7% for the month of June and 5% for the year compared to 2010 but there are a few notable exceptions. Library2Go circulation is up 15% and circulation of downloadable eBooks continues to be more than double over last year. While catalog use is down 58% from last year, visits to kcls.org are up 9%.

More than 40,000 kids have signed up for the Summer Reading Program compared to 42,500 at this same time last year. Last year’s program had a record number of participants, ending with more than 47,000 total sign-ups.   
 Ever since the Snoqualmie Library opened in 2007, the building has not had physical access to I-Net, a fiber optic network which connects almost all KCLS libraries along with approximately 300 public facilities in King County. Consequently, the internet connection at the library has been far less robust than other KCLS branches, resulting in slower response times, more downtime and limited wireless access. With the development of Snoqualmie Ridge, the City of Snoqualmie invested in an infrastructure around the new area, including the Library, to provide access to the City’s fiber optic network. Thanks to efforts by the Snoqualmie Library Advisory Board, an agreement principle was reached in which KCLS will pay a one-time fee for proportional compensation for installation of the network infrastructure.

OTHER

KCLS was the talk of the town at the American Library Association Annual Conference in New Orleans. Staff in attendance received numerous congratulations for KCLS being named 2011 Libraryof the Year. In addition, Cluster Manager Angelina Benedetti received the prestigious Allie Beth Martin award, the Sammamish Library was named a Landmark Library and materials produced by the Community Relations and Graphics Departments took top prizes at the Best of Show Awards for five print/promotional pieces: Hello packets in seven languages, 2010 Year in Review, Take Time to Read Booklists, Inside KCLS newsletter and InfoToGo cards.


The Foundation is pleased to announce that four scholarships havebeen awarded to KCLS staff members who are expanding theirknowledge, skills, and horizons as they pursue their Masters ofLibrary and Information Science degrees. “The KCLS Foundation Board of Directors is honored to provide support to these talentedand committed staff members in their pursuit of their degrees,” saidKathy Brown, Board President and retired Boeing attorney whochaired the Scholarship Committee this year. Other committee
members included fellow Board members Merrill Chertok, Microsoft Library Site Manager and Ann Polk Ewel, Director of Library Services at the Overlake School; KCLS Human Resources Manager Kathy Tarli, Public Services Specialist Amber Slaven and Jeanne Thorsen, KCLS Foundation Executive Director. Since 2002, the KCLS Foundation has provided 52 scholarships totaling $75,000.

The lack of parking during construction of the Bellevue Library parking garage prompted the KCLS Foundation Board of Directors to look for an alternate site for the March 2012 Literary Lions Gala. After reviewing valet parking and shuttle bus options for 400 guests, staff recommended moving the event to a hotel. While the Board’s preference is to host the event at the Bellevue Library, board members supported the move. Information on the location, keynote speaker and program details will be available later this fall.


GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

The Bellevue City Council approved an agreement that allows KCLS to use Ashwood Park during the Bellevue Library garage expansion. At the same meeting, Library Advisory Board Chairperson Loretta Lopez gave an annual report on the Bellevue Libraries. She focused on the need for communication to patrons as there will only be fifty parking spots available during
construction. KCLS has provided information on public parking lots in the area as well as public transportation options. Arrangements have been made for staff to park off-site and patrons are being encouraged to choose alternate library branches for holds pick-up.

The City of Renton is moving forward on both the downtown Renton and Renton Highlands Libraries. TheRenton Highlands Library will be part of a mixed-use development planned by the RentonHousing Authority that will include housing and a park. KCLS is also talking with Renton officialsabout the location and development of a new Skyway Library. While Skyway is not part of theCity of Renton, it could eventually annex.

The City of Tukwila selected Senior Housing Assistance Group (SHAG) to develop Tukwila Village. SHAG is amenable to the idea of a standalone library and has agreed that it can be located on the corner of South 144th Street and International Boulevard.

 City of Kenmore officials were beaming as more than 2,000 people streamed through the doorsof the new Kenmore Library on Saturday, July 9. The street in front of the building was closedand the event was so successful that some officials began contemplating other communityevents to host at the Library.
 

The long-awaited groundbreaking for the new Duvall Library took place on Thursday, July 14. More than 200 people braved overcast skies and light rain to turn out for the event. Mayor Will Ibershof and King County
Councilmember Kathy Lambert were among the dignitaries on hand to
mark the occasion. Excavation is well under way and the Library is anticipated to open next summer.

   

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!
   
Upcoming Dates
The next Planning Committee Meeting takes place on Thursday, August 18, 12 noon at the Burien Library.

The next Finance Committee Meeting takes place on Tuesday, August 30, 4pm at theService Center.

The next KCLS Board of Trustees Meeting takes place on Tuesday, August 30, 5pm at theService Center.