Summer's end

The Library's summer reading programs are officially over. The programs are done. The Library Store is being packed up with "leftovers" saved for next year. And we have one for the record books.

How successful was our summer? Consider these statistics:

Registered to read
Children preschool through 5th grade - 1127
Young adults 6th grade and up - 294
Total registrations for 2008 - 1421
Total Registrations for 2007 - 1051 -- an increase of 370 young people!

This year is the first year we've had a reading program for teens and were very pleased by that 294 registrant response and by the number who attended programs.

Since we reached our goal of 1200 registrants and as promised to the kids, Katherine and Ali will be dyeing their hair orange with red tips and blue with green tips within the next week or so and visiting the schools for lunch. We'll be sure to post some pictures to our website.

Summer's done; we had fun! Can't wait to see what we do next year.

Elvita

It's done!

The upgrade to the Library's operational software was completed mid-day Thursday and most services are available. You can now check your record, place holds, and search our catalog and databases from your home/office computers.

We're still working out a few problems that usually arise when using an offline product as we were for 10 days. (i.e. barcode didn't read right, a card was expired, etc.) If you have questions about your account, please bring them to our attention.

The one service that is still inactive is Interlibrary Loan. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and will monitor SDLN's progress on this.

Not having the online catalog available the past 10 days was inconvenient; however, it gave the staff the opportunity to use the ole gray matter to find items. We all enjoy a challenge and, when suddenly faced with 100,000 items and no call number, that's a challenge. Hopefully we were able to meet your informational needs.

Thanks for your patience!

Elvita

Software Upgrade Still in Progress

The software upgrade to the South Dakota Library Network's software is still in progress. We had hoped, probably foolishly, that it might be completed early. Of course, it is a software upgrade and they take the time that they need. Hopefully by Monday, all the services you've come to know, use and enjoy will be available. There will be some glitches to track down, like barcodes that didn't read correctly or expired library cards, but those shouldn't affect normal services.

Until then, enjoy this haiku written by a library staff member in Illinois during a recent computer upgrade:

Workers united
Stare forlornly at blank screens
Wish pain on Bill Gates


Enjoy your weekend.

Elvita

Software Upgrade

The South Dakota Library Network is upgrading its software this week. That means some functions we all take for granted will not be available. You will be able to check items out and return them. The Internet will be available. Staff will be available to help you find items in the collection and place holds manually.

What won't work: the online catalog, placing holds and interlibrary loans electronically, checking your library card record from home, paying fines

Why is it taking a week to do? There are 6 major parts of the software: online catalog, circulation, cataloging, serials, acquisitions, and administration. SDLN has 70 member libraries. That's a lot of data to convert.

While this week may be an inconvenience, software upgrades are necessary to keep the information flowing and improve efficiency. Thanks for your patience.

World Book online

We are happy to announce that World Book Web is now online and available from our website. (www.brookingslibrary.org) Almost everyone has used World Book Encyclopedia at some point in their lives. Now you can look at articles on your computer without leaving your home or work. The articles are there plus many more features including current events, events in history, and special subjects of interest. There are maps, a dictionary, an atlas, and special teaching tools for educators and parents.

The site is fun to browse. You can find it on our website (www.brookingslibrary.org). Scroll down a bit, click on word Databases, then select the World Book icon in the second line of icons.

There are other great databases available through our website. The best thing about these information sites is that they provide quality information that you can count on being correct, rather than relying on whatever is found during a standard Internet search. Only accept the best information possible and get it from your library.

Elvita

Library alive!

Last week I was in Houston for a few days, visiting my daughter. While she attended a meeting, I spent some time in the closest library which was at Rice University. It was a nice library with plenty of comfortable seating, computer access, Wifi, and cool book sculptures that I'll post some pictures of soon. But as I sat there in my comfortable chair, something was missing. Something that is in abundance at our library.

I missed the hustle and bustle of people using the library. I realize it's summer and not a lot of students were around and the ones there were diligently studying or surfing, but it still seemed too quiet.

I realize that sometimes when babies cry or young people fuss, our library seems noisier than what is comfortable, but most of the time it's filled with activity. Whether it's people looking for a good book, using computers, reading newspapers, or attending programs, the library feels alive with users. And that's something I really like. So bring on the people! We'll have a good time helping you enjoy the library.

Elvita