Friday, December 27, 2013

January 2014

Friends & Partnership Contact: Carol Van Baalen



BILLBOARD
Last night the Board of Trustees accepted my resignation from the King County Library System effective February 1, 2014, as I have accepted the position of CEO of the Calgary Public Library in Alberta, Canada. Simultaneously, the Board announced the appointment of Julie Brand, Community Relations and Marketing Director, as Interim Library Director while the search for a new Director is underway.
I have very mixed feelings about this transition. The Calgary Public Library is located in a vibrant and growing community and the Library is poised to be an integral part of the city’s future development. I am honored to have the opportunity to play a role in that. On the other hand, I am leaving the King County Library System after 25 years of exciting growth and will miss all the relationships that have developed over those years.
By every account, KCLS is an amazingly successful organization. Even before being recognized as Library of the Year, our patrons strongly endorsed KCLS through their unparalleled use of our libraries and financial support of our capital and operating budgets. Our community partners confirmed that success by aligning many of their programs and services with KCLS.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone at KCLS for letting me be a part of this great Library System. I’d also like to recognize our current and past Board members, KCLS Foundation Board members, Library Advisory Board members, Friends of the Library, and all the volunteers who have helped make KCLS what it is today.
I am lucky to have had a chance to be a part of this special organization and am confident that KCLS will continue to be the talk of the town in Library world. I will miss that, and all of you.
It has been the ride of a lifetime.
Cheers,
Bill
Bill Ptacek, Director
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
In early November, the City of Tukwila’s Board of Architectural Review (BAR) enthusiastically approved the design for the new Tukwila Library, in December they approved the plans for the related Tukwila Village project operated by the Senior Housing Assistance Group (SHAG). KCLS and SHAG are now negotiating the final sales price and apportionment of infrastructure costs. Construction will likely begin in summer 2014.
King County Library System was a Literacy*AmeriCorps partner site from 1994 until the program was discontinued in 2012 due to lack of funding. Earlier this month, KCLS learned that federal funding guidelines have changed and the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council (formerly the lead agency of the program) is planning to apply for a grant to renew the program. KCLS was contacted by the Director of the Council and has expressed its interest in participating as a partner site once again. The program, if refunded, would not begin until fall 2014.
OPERATIONS
The KCLS Answer Line has been transformed into “Ask KCLS.” Staff members moved from the Bellevue Library to the Service Center in Issaquah on December 10 without interruption in service. Hours of operation have been modified to reflect lower demand for telephone assistance in the evenings and increasing demand from online traffic during the day. New hours are Monday through Saturday 10am-6pm and Noon-5pm on Sundays
Renovation of Library Connection @ Crossroads is almost finished. The project is a complete refurbishment of the facility and includes showcasing the operation of the Automated Materials Handling equipment to the public. The front and back entrances have also been upgraded to conform to new Mall standards. The Library has been closed since the Bellevue Library garage opened in September and is scheduled to re-open on December 30.
Circulation remains flat compared to2012. This still positions KCLS to circulate more than 22 million items in 2013. Downloads increased 41% year-to-date and accounted for more than 1.7 million uses. The most notable upward trend was at the Bellevue Library, which had an 18% increase in circulation over last year now that the new parking garage has opened. Circulation at the Enumclaw Library more than doubled in November compared to the same month last year.
As was noted at last month’s Board meeting, Director of Finance Linda Glenicki will be leaving KCLS early next year. Linda joined KCLS twelve years ago after a very successful career at Microsoft and other private and non-profit organizations. KCLS was fortunate to have her talent and expertise during this important period in the history of the System. KCLS has hired CFO Selections to help KCLS identify qualified candidates for this key position and the recruitment process is well underway.
OTHER

On December 5, a crowd of more than 700 packed Town Hall in Seattle to hear Ree Drummond, New York Times bestselling author of The Pioneer Woman Cooks and The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier. Ree’s website —thepioneerwoman.com — receives over 30 million views each month and showcases her cooking and photography, and provides anecdotes about country life. She also hosts a cooking show on the Food Network.
This Meet the Author event was part of KCLS’ adult program series, A Place at the Table and was hosted in partnership with University Books. KCLS’ Public Programming Coordinator Deborah Schneider, who introduced the event, received enthusiastic applause when she mentioned the food donation component of A Place at the Table (APATT). Patron gifts of food  now total over 28,000 lbs. which has been shared with KCLS partner agencies Food Lifeline and Hopelink. Many who attended remained for nearly three hours to get their books signed and have a photo taken with the well-known author and Food Network celebrity. It was an exciting conclusion to a year of programs, promotions and events around APATT.
LOCAL NEWS
If you’re resolved to begin the New Year with a more active, healthy lifestyle, it’s easy to get started at your library.  Throughout 2014, find ideas, inspiration and tips on simple ways to add more movement and healthy options to your life through the new adult program series, Start to Fitness.  Here’s what’s happening locally during January and early February:
Evaluating Diets:  what science says about trendy diets like Paleo, Wheat Belly and Gluten Free, presented by Washington State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  Sunday, January 19, 1pm at the Kent Library.
Walking in Balance, presented by foot expert Erich Sach.  Thursday, January 23, 7pm at the Woodmont Library.
Healthy Knees, presented by Astrid Pujari MD, author of The Healthy Knees Book.  Wednesday, January 29, 7pm at the Woodmont Library.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Woodmont Library.
Feeding Your Immune System, presented by Nick Rose, MS Nutrition Expert for PCC Natural Markets.  Saturday, February 8, 1pm at the Des Moines Library.


For a complete list of programs in the series, pick up a brochure at your library, or check online at:  www.kcls.org/fitness 
 

Monday, December 2, 2013

December 2013



Friends, Associations, Guilds & Partnerships Contact: Carol Van Baalen

LOCAL NEWS . . .
HOLIDAY PROGRAMS
Our Friends of the Library groups are sponsoring a variety of holiday programs during the month of December at all three libraries.  Thank You, Friends, for your support!
Below are the highlights; for a complete list of programs at your library, click here: http://www.kcls.org/programs/library_programs.cfm
Sunday, December 8, 2pm at the Kent Library
Erwilian Concert
Holiday music on an array of instruments, for adult & families.  Funded by business & community donations.
Tuesday, December 17, 6:30pm at the Des Moines Library
Gingerbread House Competition
For 4th-12 graders; register beginning December 1.
Thursday, December 19, 10:30am at the Kent Library
Caspar Babypants Baby Beatles Concert
For preschoolers and their parents.
Free tickets at the Information Desk 30 minutes before the program.
Thursday, December 26, 2pm at the Kent Library
Friday, December 27, 10:30am at the Des Moines Library
Jingle Bell Rock, a puppet variety show for the holidays presented by Clay Martins Puppet Theater; for the whole family.
Monday, December 30, 11am at the Woodmont Library
Holiday Magic Show, presented by popular magician Jeff Evans
For ages 5 & up, families welcome.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Friends of the Kent Library:  Monday, December 2, 11:30am at the Kent Senior Center
Friends of the Des Moines Library:  Wednesday, December 11, 7pm
Friends of the Woodmont Library:  Thursday, December 12, 6:30pm

DIRECTOR’S REPORT


GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
The press announcement and public unveiling of the new Microsoft IT Academy  was held at the Bellevue Library on Tuesday, November 12. The Microsoft IT Academy offers 250 different online courses ranging from basic computer literacy skills to advanced network systems training and is free to anyone with a library card. Individuals who complete certain coursework can get certification to help them as they search for employment in the technology field. The Legislature approved $1.5 million to fund the state project; valued at well over an estimated $20 million.
OPERATIONS
KCLS has been working with Navigant, a forensic accounting firm to identify the cost to KCLS of purchasing downloadable eBooks at the “library price.” In researching the issue, Navigant has found that some publishers are selling eBooks to public libraries at prices that are higher than what retailers pay. KCLS will share its findings at the Urban Libraries Council Partners Conference being held November 12-14 in Seattle. Navigant provided their services pro bono and is willing to work with other public libraries in an effort to find a legal remedy.
KCLS will launch a newly designed website on December 17 in conjunction with the launch of a new catalog search powered by BiblioCommons software.  BiblioCommons will be an add-on to the Evergreen catalog database and is used for the public catalog by several major libraries, including Seattle Public Library, Chicago Public Library and New York Public Library. Staff testing has found that it returns more accurate and efficient search results. Also in December, KCLS will be moving Answer Line staff from the Bellevue Library to the KCLS Service Center in Issaquah. The group will join Virtual Library Services and will focus on providing support to patrons using KCLS technologies and digital content. The new name for the service will be called Ask KCLS.
OTHER
The 2014 public budget hearings were held November 12-14 and the workshops for Library Advisory Boards that preceded two of the four budget hearings were well attended. Groups worked on processes to assess the needs of their communities and identify projects that could be initiated to meet those needs.  KCLS will be encouraging Friends, Guild, Association and Advisory Board members to participate in next year’s Library Legislative Day on Friday, January 24 in Olympia. It is a terrific opportunity for like minded library supporters from all over the sate to converge on lawmakers to meet and discuss important library-related issues.
Star Wars Reads Day is officially October 5 but KCLS celebrated reading and a certain galaxy far, far away for several weeks this fall. Special events at 12 libraries included Lego building stations, a Star Wars storytelling parody featuring Charlie Williams, the Noiseguy, and photo opportunities with members of the Alpha Base Rebel Legion and the Garrison Titan of the 501st Legion. DK Publishing and many Friends groups provided free books for giveaways and several libraries used stand-up Star Wars character displays provided by Children’s Services. Included among the nearly 1,800 people who attended the 12 events were many dads who couldn’t resist the combination Legos/Star Wars theme.
UPCOMING DATES
Finance Committee Meeting - Wednesday, December 18, 4pm - Service Center
Board of Trustees Meeting - Wednesday, December 18, 5pm -
Service Center




Carol Van Baalen
Librarian Services Manager
Des Moines - Kent - Woodmont Libraries