|
Chinook Arch Regional Library System eNews June 2014
|
|
We welcome Summer! How wonderful to see blue skies, blooming flowers, growing fields and gardens. Maybe one of these days it will also stop raining!?
I know many of you are preparing for summer reading programs. Perhaps some of you are going on vacation! Have fun and be safe.
Thank you to everyone who submitted items for the June 2014 issue of the Chinook Arch Library System eNews. Read on to find out some of what is going on this summer in libraries across the Chinook Arch Regional Library System.
Future eNews If you have something to add to future issues of the Chinook Arch Regional Library System eNews, please send your news to: Hannah (hloewen@chinookarch.ca).
|
A NEW Look and a New Summer Program at Coaldale Library
|
|
|
During the months of March and April we had the opportunity to work with a group of students from the Communication Arts Program at Lethbridge College who helped develop a new visual identity for the library. A key component is our new logo. We’ve stuck with the concept of an owl which is both popular and recognizable in large part due to the Birds of Prey Centre located in our community, but we’ve made it much more modern and friendly. The new logo also includes wifi bars and ear buds to symbolize our connection to the digital world. Response to our new logo has been very positive. We’ve even had patrons ask if we’ll be selling t-shirts with the new logo. That gave us a great idea to tie the new logo into our new Adult Summer Reading Program.
|
|
|
The Coaldale Library Friends Society has given us the financial support to purchase a Kobo eReader and some t-shirts featuring our new logo. For each book read between early June and August 2014, our adult patrons have been invited to submit a ballot telling us what they liked/disliked about the book. Every completed ballot will be entered into a weekly draw for a Library t-shirt. All ballots will be entered to win the grand prize of a Kobo Glo eReader. To help increase the recognition of the logo all staff and members of the Friends of the Library will be given a t-shirt and towards the end of the summer we also plan to hold a contest to name our owl.
|
|
Lethbridge Public Library
|
|
The new Bookmobile will be on the road this September and will have some great new features, including: - a low floor and wheel chair ramp, making it 100% accessible.
- the ability to self-level itself once parked. No more slanted floors!
- two pop outs, one at the side and one at the back.
- tablet computers for public internet access.
- 2 TVs which will display entertainment and information for upcoming events.
|
- an exterior book drop which will allow patrons to drop off materials when the
Bookmobile is closed.
In addition, the Bookmobile will begin offering new services, including programming, a videogame collection and pre-school stops. Meanwhile, look for the current Bookmobile at some new stops and community events this summer, including farmer's markets!
|
Welcome to our New Staff!
|
|
Barbara Longair Beth Wortman, Lisa Weekes and Sarah Head
|
|
Manager: Information Services - Lisa Weekes. Lisa worked in a business librarian capacity for the Government of Alberta in the Innovation and Advanced Education Entrepreneurship and Regional Development Branch, South Region, in Medicine Hat, and also as a part time staff member at the Medicine Hat Public Library for a number of years.
Manager: Children’s Services - Barbara Longair. Barb comes to us from the Saskatoon Public Library, where she has most recently been working as a branch manager. She also has a number of years of experience with Calgary Public Library as a children’s librarian, as well as academic library and public school experience from the United States.
Librarian: Resource Specialist - Sarah Head. Sarah worked at Chinook Arch headquarters, where some of you may have worked with her in the past with interlibrary loans, or as the Chinook Arch rep on our Marketing Committee in her most recent role as a Public Services Librarian.
Librarian: Online Services - Beth Wortman. Beth’s most recent experience is with Edmonton Public Library as a librarian working on a series of research projects, though she has also worked as an Information Desk Assistant at Strathcona County in Sherwood Park.
|
|
No lazy days of summer around here! We’re running the “Ready, Set, Read!” program at both branch locations and The TD Summer Reading Club will be in full swing as well. We’re also offering early literacy programs such as our “small ‘n Tall” program for newborns – 3 years at the Main Branch. The Crossings is offering Storytime Adventures for preschoolers and their caregivers. Less formal programs such as our Horse Radish Puppet Show, and several movies including the three Diary of a Wimpy Kid flicks will be offered. Teens will have a cool program at the Crossings on Fridays, called “Fan Fridays.” Every week features a different theme such as Anime, Lego, Hunger Games, Marvel vs. DC. More details at http://www.lethlib.ca/
|
|
Milo Lions Archivist Fellowship 2014
Milo Library Archives would like to thank the Milo Lions Club for sponsoring the Milo Lions Archivist Fellowship again this year. Cali Fetkenher will begin working as an assistant to our Archivist Roberta Kerr for July and August. We are very fortunate to have this on-going partnership with the Milo Lions Club.
|
|
|
We are happy to announce the continuation of the Milo Lions Archivist Fellowship for 2014 and we would like to welcome Cali Fetkenher as our student. With having Roberta Kerr (our Archivist) working here for the last month, it became very apparent that in order to be able to fully use her expertise, she needed an assistant. Christopher Northcott presented a power point to the Lions, Roberta talked about the progress that has been made since she started and Barb Godkin spoke on behalf of the Library. The Lions voted to sponsor the Fellowship Program right then. We look forward to seeing what our Archives will look like at the end of August. If you have anything at home of historical interest you would like to donate or loan, it would be appreciated.
|
|
Summer Reading ProgramThanks to sponsorship by the Milo & District Ag Society, Celia Lahd will be running the program Tuesday afternoons from 1:30-3:00pm starting July 8th and running until August 26th. We look forward to seeing kids in the Library throughout the summer. The Library will also have extended hours for the months of June, July and August because of this additional funding. We will be open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10:00-5:00, Tuesday evening 6:00-8:00pm and Saturday 10:00-2:00pm.
|
Library Has Sony e-Readers to Loan to PatronsChinook Arch decided to distribute e-Readers they were no longer using to Libraries who wanted them. Milo was lucky enough to win 2 of them. We now have a Sony e-Reader Wifi and a Sony PRS-600 that can be loaned to patrons for a 3 week period. Instructions to download books are on our website. It is a good way to familiarize yourself with this technology.
|
La Médiathèque de Lethbridge (BFL Library)
|
|
Dear Fellow Library Managers and Library Staff: As you may have heard recently in the news, La Médiathèque de Lethbridge may not reopen (with regular hours) to the public next September due to lack of funding. I would like to express my gratitude to all of you for welcoming me so heartedly in the Librarian network of professionals. It has been a pleasure for me to interact with you over the last two years. This summer, La Médiathèque de Lethbridge will open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1pm - 6pm. Assistant librarian Sandra Dinelle will operate La Médiathèque during that period of time. My last working day will be Friday June 27th, 2014. I am sincerely hoping the wheels will turn around in the fall as far as finding a more sustainable future for La Médiathèque de Lethbridge, the only French Library Resources Center in Southern Alberta. I will be looking for work starting in September. If you hear of any job openings, please feel free to pass them along to me. This isn't a goodbye! Our paths will definitely cross again soon. Enjoy the summer! Sincerely, Sophie Morley Bibliothécaire / Librarian
|
|
Teen Summer Reading Challenge
|
|
TD Summer Reading Program
|
|
Monday, September 8, 2014 9:30 - 3:30- Librarians' Committee Meeting
- Lunch provided at Chinook Arch
- 2 Training Sessions in the afternoon
|
We are planning a Fall Training Day, a one day training event in October. It will be held here at Chinook Arch. You will have a choice of sessions to attend and lunch will be provided. Details to follow.
|
Good-bye and Best Wishes, Ashley!
|
|
|
Ashley joined the Public Services Team at Chinook Arch last year to cover Amy's maternity leave. June 30 marks the end of her term. We wish Ashley much success in her future endeavors.
Message from Ashley: I would like to thank all of the staff at Chinook Arch HQ, as well as all of the library managers and staff in our member libraries across the region for an enjoyable and interesting year working for the Chinook Arch Regional Library System. I learned a lot and met a lot of lovely people. It was a pleasure working with you all! Best wishes, Ashley
|
|
Province-wide Advocacy Initiative Aims for Increased Public Library Funding Public libraries in Alberta have enjoyed stable funding over the past several years. However, many areas of the province are experiencing population booms that have placed a great deal of pressure on libraries trying to make do with funding levels that haven’t kept pace. Alberta’s regional library systems are spearheading an initiative to build support for additional funding for public libraries. We are asking that the Provincial operating grants be paid at current population: at the moment, the grants are based on 2010 population figures. Municipalities have been asked to pass motions endorsing this initiative. Anyone wishing to see increased provincial funding for libraries can contact their local MLA or contact The Hon. Greg Weadick, Minister of Municipal Affairs by email at lethbridge.west@assembly.ab.ca or by phone at 780-427-9550. For more information, please contact Maggie Macdonald ( mmacdonald@chinookarch.ca) or Robin Hepher ( ad@chinookarch.ca).
|
|
“If you’re trying to eat healthy, check out Kitchen Bug, a community of food lovers who share and recommend healthy recipes. Collecting recipes is made easy with their bookmarking tool that allows you to save recipes from anywhere on the web. The best feature is that the site generates the nutritional value of the meal! It does all the calculations for you, so you know what you’re about to eat.”
|
|
Life-Saver https://life-saver.org.uk/“Life-Saver Saver throws you into the middle of an emergency situation. Would you know what to do? Would you stand aside, or jump into the situation? This site gives you the chance to test your knowledge, and see yourself in these life-or-death circumstances. Go through the motions, learn how to save a life.” The Serengeti Lion http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/serengeti-lion/index.html#.U7F7vrEvD34“The Serengeti Lion is a project by National Geographic designed to get you up close and personal with some of the most majestic and mysterious creatures in the world. The photographers used a specially designed robot that allowed them to get close, unobtrusive shots of the beasts. You will be amazed by the range of personality and character the photographers capture.” Thanks to Ashley for submitting the above links.
|
|
|
Chinook Arch Regional Library System
2902-7th Avenue North
Lethbridge, Alberta T1H 5C6
403-380-1500
http://www.chinookarch.ca/
|
|
|
|