Library Administrator's Digest

Possible Cuts in State Funding

Details on how possible cuts in state funding demonstrate the impact that any additional cuts in the library's main source of funding, the Library and Local Government Support Fund, could have on the Mahoning County library system are discussed. Director Carlton A. Sears discussed these financial issues with the Board of Trustees at their December session.

Keep 'Em Rolling Along

Thousands of HP laser-jet printers are in service, many of them discontinued, unsupported models. Naturally, some parts wear out, but finding replacements can be challenging. Tips on how to solve a common problem that applies to older Laser Jets, and many other printers as well are detailed.

Property Taxes

According to a new analysis by the Wall Street Journal, property taxes have risen rapidly since 2001 as a share of state and local tax revenue, while income taxes fell, and sales taxes rose only slightly. Property taxes represented a 28.2% share of state and local revenue in the first quarter of 2004, up from 25.5% in the first quarter of 2001. During the same time, income taxes fell to 19.4% of state and local revenue collections from 22.4%, while sales taxes as a proportion rose to 32.2% fr...

Community Resource Database

Bpl's Adult Literacy Initiative

Now in its 28th year, Brooklyn Public Library's (BPL) Adult Literacy Program offers literacy classes with trained volunteer tutors at five BPL Learning Centers, as well as in neighborhood libraries throughout the borough. About 100 Adult Literacy Tutors serve some 700 adults. Susan O'Connor, director of the literacy initiative, says that their program is unique because they employ technology as soon as people walk through the door.

One Book 4 Towns

Wethersfield Library is joining with public libraries of Newington, Rocky Hill and Berlin to present a communitywide reading event, One Book 4 Towns. This four town one-book program will begin in February and continue into May. The goal of One Book 4 Towns is to promote literacy and unify their communities through the common experience of reading and talking together about the same book.

Paid Vacation

Robinson discusses why almost two-thirds of full-time employees preferred paid vacation days more than employers-funded pension plans, disability insurance, life insurance and long-term care insurance. He thinks that people really want and appreciate employer-paid health insurance and sick leave because health insurance is enormously expensive and almost everyone uses some sick leave now and then, even excluding mental health days.

Budgets and Service

Robinson discusses public libraries' budgets and services. Among other things, in Ohio, the change in how state money is allocated has many libraries pretty worried. Most libraries would be overjoyed to get the per capita support enjoyed by the libraries which exists on state money alone, without an additional levy of property taxes.

Update On Digitization

Planning and Development Coordinator Carol Grimes says that the Frisco digitization project--a fascinating and valuable trove of railroad photographs, records and memorabilia lent to the library by owner Louis Griesemer--is only the latest in a series of local historical materials that have been digitized by staff and uploaded on the library's Web site since 1997. Others include the O'Reilly Hospital and Bert Buhrman Sheet Music collections, Historic Postcards, Ozarks Watch and other regional...

Our Shared Histories

Christie's Gives It Up for Tpl

The largest publicly accessible collection in the world devoted to Arthur Conan Doyle (ACD) was recently made larger with the successful acquisition of new material sold at a spring auction at Christie's. Toronto Public Library's (TPL) successful bid on lot 57 "Canada and the Empire" at the highly publicized auction of ACD material at the famous auction house in London, adds a group of letters, manuscripts and printed documents to TPL's already extensive collection of ACD material at Toronto ...

Time's Up Too Soon

The Bucks County Free Library has come up with a good solution to the problem of computer hogs: those patrons who tie up the library's online services for long periods of time without thinking about others who might want to use the system. Time limits at the library's computer stations--usually 30 minutes or an hour--used to be enforced by the librarians, who would monitor computer usage and ask those who had exceeded their time to move on.

Library 'Amnesty' Begins Today

The Bucks County Free Library is waiving its late fees for two weeks starting today, in advance of a doubling of most fines early next year. Martina Kominiarek, executive director of the county library, said the movie is good news for people who have been dreading having to return book or other materials, no matter how overdue they are.

Renewed Libraries Speak Volumes

Amalgamation has not had many happy endings yet, but there is one: the Toronto Public Library (TPL). Not only is the TPL the second largest library system in the world, it is growing and getting better all the time. Despite the inevitable budget cuts imposed by a city that thinks it is poor, the TPL goes from strength to strength.

Post-Occupancy Evaluation

Robinson discusses on post-occupancy evaluation in an article by Jeffery A. Lackney and Paul Zaifen in the Winter 2005 issue of Library Administration and Management. The three case studies demonstrate the application of POE to increasing scales of projects, each with its own contexts and constraints. Despite these clear differences in scope and scale, several, identifiable themes have emerged regarding the programming and design process, environmental conditions, service functionality, and t...

From The Editor's Desk

In the Mail

Robinson talks about an antiques database, which he had run across at the ALA Midwinter Conference in Boston in January. He stresses that prices4antiques.com's new twist is coming along as more people use the database regularly, and that is the growing number of questions about reference or background information for a particular antique as well as valuation information.

Geothermal Energy

Robinson discusses how the new Columbus library in Georgia is making use of geothermal energy. The system can provide heating and cooling simultaneously. It costs more originally to install, but would pay itself in less than four years. The long term savings in operating costs for the building were the deciding factor, but it also make one feel good to know that there is a little less damage to the environment.