This is one of my favorite library programs during the year. From Monday, November 23 through Saturday, November 28, Fine Free Week will be occurring at the Wabash Carnegie Public Library. Bring in your overdue library materials with canned good(s) for FISH (Friends in Service Here) With the overdue items and canned goods, the Library will waive any overdue fines currently on your account for donations of a canned goods. Fines will only be waived for overdue fines, not replacement or damage charges. In order for the fines to be waived, the materials returned must be undamaged.
This is a wonderful program for a number of reasons. First, it helps people in our community who are facing financial hardships and struggling. With this week being Thanksgiving Day, it is especially appropriate. The current unemployment figures testify to the hardships many in our community are facing. Second, it hopefully encourages patrons who have not used our services recently to come back and start checking materials out again.
I want to thank Theresa Singleton for organizing Fine Free Week and for everyone who participates.
See you at the Library,
Ware
Friday, November 20, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Challenge to new Circulation total
Although customer service and welcoming environment are the most crucial factors in my mind in regards to how well a library is doing for the community, statistics play an important aspect of determining our library's performance. Statistics provide insight in regards to such things as how much are the Library's resources being used and is the library providing reading materials that our patrons want.
Last year, a total of 145,783 Circulation transactions occurred (or total number of checked-outs of items in a year) in 2008. This is the highest total since 2004. As of October 2009, a total of 121, 141 circulation transactions have occurred (total number of check-outs). So there are two months left. If 12,072 check-outs of items occur in both November and December of this year, the library will have a new record of 145,784 (if higher that is even better). So I am putting a little challenge out there to our patrons. Lets beat last year's total and see if we can surpass 145,783 items!
As aways, thank you for your support and utilizing the library facility and resources.
Last year, a total of 145,783 Circulation transactions occurred (or total number of checked-outs of items in a year) in 2008. This is the highest total since 2004. As of October 2009, a total of 121, 141 circulation transactions have occurred (total number of check-outs). So there are two months left. If 12,072 check-outs of items occur in both November and December of this year, the library will have a new record of 145,784 (if higher that is even better). So I am putting a little challenge out there to our patrons. Lets beat last year's total and see if we can surpass 145,783 items!
As aways, thank you for your support and utilizing the library facility and resources.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Celebrating our Veterans' Service and Sacrifice for our Country!
Dear Patron,
Below is a except about a program starting at the Wabash Carnegie Public Library on Veteran's Day (Nov. 11th) until Christmas. We hope you participate and I want to thank Polly Howell for spearheading this program. Thank you, Polly.
Purdue University partners with local library to recognize veterans
The Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University (MFRI) is partnering with Wabash Carnegie Public Library to present Our Heroes’ Tree℠. Through this program, MFRI and Wabash Carnegie Public Library are working to honor past and present service members and create an awareness of military families currently affected by deployment.
For Indiana citizens, the public library is a community gathering place where information is found and shared. It is a place where new information and ideas increase the knowledge and awareness of community members. Partnering with libraries for Our Heroes’ Tree creates an opportunity for libraries to increase awareness within their own communities about the service and sacrifice fellow citizens have made in defense of their state and country,” said Kathy Broniarczyk, director of outreach for MFRI. “By increasing community awareness about the uniqueness of military life and service, libraries show their support and understanding of this special population.”
Our Heroes’ Tree℠ is a national program founded to recognize and honor the sacrifices of current service members, Veterans, and deceased service members. Participating libraries will display a tree featuring handmade ornaments created by community members to honor a service member. Libraries will also offer resources to help these communities provide support and generate a greater understanding of the experiences of servicemen and women and their families.
To participate in Our Heroes’ Tree℠, Wabash Carnegie Public library encourages all members of the community to simply create a handmade ornament honoring a service member from past and present wars, conflicts or peacetime operations. Bring the ornament to the library where it will be placed on the tree with other commemorative ornaments. Stories about individual service members can also be submitted and displayed in a binder near the tree. The tree will be set up on Veterans day and will be displayed throughout the holiday season.
Purdue University and libraries statewide are excited to continue this initiative in an effort to promote patriotism throughout communities. To learn more, please contact Wabash Carnegie Public Library at 563-2972.
Below is a except about a program starting at the Wabash Carnegie Public Library on Veteran's Day (Nov. 11th) until Christmas. We hope you participate and I want to thank Polly Howell for spearheading this program. Thank you, Polly.
Purdue University partners with local library to recognize veterans
The Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University (MFRI) is partnering with Wabash Carnegie Public Library to present Our Heroes’ Tree℠. Through this program, MFRI and Wabash Carnegie Public Library are working to honor past and present service members and create an awareness of military families currently affected by deployment.
For Indiana citizens, the public library is a community gathering place where information is found and shared. It is a place where new information and ideas increase the knowledge and awareness of community members. Partnering with libraries for Our Heroes’ Tree creates an opportunity for libraries to increase awareness within their own communities about the service and sacrifice fellow citizens have made in defense of their state and country,” said Kathy Broniarczyk, director of outreach for MFRI. “By increasing community awareness about the uniqueness of military life and service, libraries show their support and understanding of this special population.”
Our Heroes’ Tree℠ is a national program founded to recognize and honor the sacrifices of current service members, Veterans, and deceased service members. Participating libraries will display a tree featuring handmade ornaments created by community members to honor a service member. Libraries will also offer resources to help these communities provide support and generate a greater understanding of the experiences of servicemen and women and their families.
To participate in Our Heroes’ Tree℠, Wabash Carnegie Public library encourages all members of the community to simply create a handmade ornament honoring a service member from past and present wars, conflicts or peacetime operations. Bring the ornament to the library where it will be placed on the tree with other commemorative ornaments. Stories about individual service members can also be submitted and displayed in a binder near the tree. The tree will be set up on Veterans day and will be displayed throughout the holiday season.
Purdue University and libraries statewide are excited to continue this initiative in an effort to promote patriotism throughout communities. To learn more, please contact Wabash Carnegie Public Library at 563-2972.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Fall Programming and Future Programs
Fall brings mixed feelings for me. On one hand, I love the changing color of the leaves, watching the corn being harvested, and Thanksgiving. On the other side of the coin, it means winter is not far behind. It also might mean that one's activities are more of an indoor nature. So if you are looking to do or activities for your children, the Library might be the place to be. Our Fall Youth Services programs have begun and we are excited about the fun programs to held for youth of all ages. If you are interested, please check our the Library's website (http://www.wabash.lib.in.us/) and click on the links for Children's Fall Programming and Teen Fall Programming. I hope your family joins us for these outstanding programs. If you are not familiar with our book or audiovisual collection, I encourage you to check these collections out.
There are two events the library is working on to have as programs later this Fall and beginning of next year (2010). For Veteran's Day, the Library is working on a project involving a Hero's Tree to honor our veterans. We are also working on a project involving young children reading to therapy dogs. Many libraries have to type of program and is often referred to as Paws to Read. Its purpose to encourage young children to read and hopefully foster a love of reading in the child. More information about these two new programs should be coming later this Fall.
As always, please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Best regards,
Ware W. Wimberly III, Director
There are two events the library is working on to have as programs later this Fall and beginning of next year (2010). For Veteran's Day, the Library is working on a project involving a Hero's Tree to honor our veterans. We are also working on a project involving young children reading to therapy dogs. Many libraries have to type of program and is often referred to as Paws to Read. Its purpose to encourage young children to read and hopefully foster a love of reading in the child. More information about these two new programs should be coming later this Fall.
As always, please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Best regards,
Ware W. Wimberly III, Director
Thursday, September 10, 2009
We Want You! Do you have a library card?
As you might have read in the Plain Dealer, September is library card sign-up month. The American Library Association and public libraries around the county are promoting the importance of having a library card particularly for children. Libraries play an important role in the education and development of children. According to the American Library Association, studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning. Thus, my question to you is this. Do you have library card regardless of where you live? If you have a child or children, does he or she have a library card? If not, why not? If you like books, love to read, listen to music, or watch movies, there is not a better deal than with a public library card. If you live in or own property in the city of Wabash, there is no charge or fee to get a library card and you are opening up yourself to utilizing a great collection of books, DVDs, magazines, CDs, audio books, etc.
A library card opens up one to so many worlds of literature and life. One never knows what will come from having and using a library card. The testimonies of famous people about the importance of libraries and having a library card have been documented. The following are a couple of quotes from the American Library Association’s ilovelibraries.org website (http://www.ilovelibraries.org/libarycard). Playwright and filmmaker Luis Valdez said “The library (in the migrant community) I grew up in was the only link to the outside world”. Actor John Goodman said “When I was young, we couldn't afford much. But, my library card was the key to my world”. If you are interested in more quotes from well-known or famous people, one can find them at the ilovelibraries.org website by the American Library Association. As Honorary Chair of Library Sign-up month Candace Parker states, “The Library card is the smartest card in my wallet”
If you do not live in the city of Wabash or have property, there is a non-resident fee charged for a library card. Still, the access to the materials whether books, DVDs, etc makes it a great deal. If you do not have a library card, stop by the Wabash Carnegie Public Library or any public library and get a library card for you and your family. It is a worthwhile investment that can have lasting impacts.
A library card opens up one to so many worlds of literature and life. One never knows what will come from having and using a library card. The testimonies of famous people about the importance of libraries and having a library card have been documented. The following are a couple of quotes from the American Library Association’s ilovelibraries.org website (http://www.ilovelibraries.org/libarycard). Playwright and filmmaker Luis Valdez said “The library (in the migrant community) I grew up in was the only link to the outside world”. Actor John Goodman said “When I was young, we couldn't afford much. But, my library card was the key to my world”. If you are interested in more quotes from well-known or famous people, one can find them at the ilovelibraries.org website by the American Library Association. As Honorary Chair of Library Sign-up month Candace Parker states, “The Library card is the smartest card in my wallet”
If you do not live in the city of Wabash or have property, there is a non-resident fee charged for a library card. Still, the access to the materials whether books, DVDs, etc makes it a great deal. If you do not have a library card, stop by the Wabash Carnegie Public Library or any public library and get a library card for you and your family. It is a worthwhile investment that can have lasting impacts.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Time flies
As the older I get, the quicker time seems to go. On July 1st, 2009, I had finished my second year as Director. After two years, I continue to love my job and the challenges ahead. I feel very fortunate to be able to say that about one's occupation and employment. A lot of the job satisfaction has to do with the Board of Trustees and staff that I work with. The Trustees and staff are outstanding. Another aspect of the Director's position I find very rewarding is the community connections and people I meet on a regular basis. Knowing that I am contributing to our community of Wabash as Director is a very rewarding experience. So, I want to thank the Board, staff, patrons, and larger community for your support.
There is a great story I want to share that just happened recently. Some friends of my parents recently visited. The husband and wife live near Washington D.C. and the wife's father grew up in Wabash. She and her husband have three young children (elementary school age & younger). Besides seeing the parents for the first time in almost ten years and kids for the first time, the most satisfying aspect of their visit was the kids' enthusiasm and rapid excitement of public libraries and that they knew someone you worked in the library here in Wabash. When they found out I was the Director, these kids could not wait to visit our library. They were able to visit our library and I was able to check out books for them (on my library card) to read during their two day visit to Wabash. I am now known as "library man" to these kids. The awesome part was just witnessing these kids total excitement about libraries and what libraries mean to these kids. It is very gratifying to know I work in a place that provides such positive environment for people of all ages today.
As I mentioned in my last post, please make sure you check out the Fall Book Discussion and join us on September 17th, October 15th, and November 19th at 7:00 p.m. at the Library. The Book Discussion is being led by Phyllis Downey and we can not thank her enough. If you have not been to one of our book discussions, I greatly encourage you to attend. On September 17th, the book called How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas Foster will be discussed. On October 15th, it will be Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. On November 19th, the book discussed will be Crow Lake by Mary Lawson. The Library currently has copies of How to Read Literature Like a Professor on sale for $10.00 at the Library's Circulation Desk. Even if you have not read parts or any part of the novel, please join us. It is a good time of learning from each other.
There is a great story I want to share that just happened recently. Some friends of my parents recently visited. The husband and wife live near Washington D.C. and the wife's father grew up in Wabash. She and her husband have three young children (elementary school age & younger). Besides seeing the parents for the first time in almost ten years and kids for the first time, the most satisfying aspect of their visit was the kids' enthusiasm and rapid excitement of public libraries and that they knew someone you worked in the library here in Wabash. When they found out I was the Director, these kids could not wait to visit our library. They were able to visit our library and I was able to check out books for them (on my library card) to read during their two day visit to Wabash. I am now known as "library man" to these kids. The awesome part was just witnessing these kids total excitement about libraries and what libraries mean to these kids. It is very gratifying to know I work in a place that provides such positive environment for people of all ages today.
As I mentioned in my last post, please make sure you check out the Fall Book Discussion and join us on September 17th, October 15th, and November 19th at 7:00 p.m. at the Library. The Book Discussion is being led by Phyllis Downey and we can not thank her enough. If you have not been to one of our book discussions, I greatly encourage you to attend. On September 17th, the book called How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas Foster will be discussed. On October 15th, it will be Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. On November 19th, the book discussed will be Crow Lake by Mary Lawson. The Library currently has copies of How to Read Literature Like a Professor on sale for $10.00 at the Library's Circulation Desk. Even if you have not read parts or any part of the novel, please join us. It is a good time of learning from each other.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Summer Reading Program and Fall Book Discussion
It has been a busy time at the Wabash Carnegie Public Library. Over 500 children and young adults have participated in our summer reading programs. It is great to see and hear the excitement of these youth as they participate in the all the great programming done by our Youth Services staff. The summer reading program is still going with just few major events left. Hopefully, you have had a chance to participate in or observe some of the programs that have already occurred. On July 30th, Geoff Akins will be doing a program called Bubble Wonder. This exciting program will be at the Honeywell Center at 6:30 p.m. To celebrate another successful summer reading program, there will be a Summer’s End Party on July 30th at the Library. We thank all who have participated in these programs.
The Library is excited to have Phyllis Downey leading our Fall Book Discussion again. The dates have been set for September 17th, October 15th, and November 19th. The discussion will be at the Library starting at 7:00 p.m. on those dates which are all Thursdays. How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster, Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, Crow Lake by Mary Lawson. We hope you mark your calendars and join us on those dates. The Library thanks Phyllis Downey again for leading our Fall Book Discussion. More information on Fall Book Discussion will be forthcoming in the coming months.
The Library is excited to have Phyllis Downey leading our Fall Book Discussion again. The dates have been set for September 17th, October 15th, and November 19th. The discussion will be at the Library starting at 7:00 p.m. on those dates which are all Thursdays. How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster, Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, Crow Lake by Mary Lawson. We hope you mark your calendars and join us on those dates. The Library thanks Phyllis Downey again for leading our Fall Book Discussion. More information on Fall Book Discussion will be forthcoming in the coming months.
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