Display Unit

We are giving our silver display unit that used to hold wii games to Tinley Park High School. Theresa will stop by on Friday, March 2 to pick it up. The unit is still in our staff room. I put a note on it with her name. It is on wheels, so hopefully it will not be too difficult to move downstairs and to her car.

Thanks!

birthday raffle

Hi everyone: Just wanted to let you know that I have chosen the February birthday raffle winner for grades 1-5. It is in the usual place behind the youth services desk. Thanks!

Book Box

Hi all,
There is book box ready for pick up by L.V. The list of items is in the box. Please also remind her that she has two items on the hold shelf downstairs in by her last name. The other items she requested and we do not own have been requested thru ILL and will arrive in no particular order. Thank you.
Rakhshanda

Missing Ref. Tally- Feb 5732 file

Today, February 26th, the server went down and we lost the "Ref. Tally- Feb 5732" excel file. A trouble ticket was submitted. Please do not recreate the file for the last few days of February because last time recreating the file was confusing to IT. For the last few days of February, if you are sitting at desk 5732, please add your reference stats to either the 5733 or 5734 excel files. Laura said this will be fine for collecting the monthly statistics.

Thank you!

J & YA Kindle Touch

Bib records have been added to SWAN for the Kindle Touch's.

J b30357391 and YA b30357494

The items will be entered on Monday, February 27, 2012 and brought to the YS Desk at that time.

Mary Drew

Click here to read an interesting article about a recent 161 decision to close Mary Drew

Books for Crisis Center

Someone from the Crisis Center will be picking up 3 small boxes of discarded items, probably sometime next week.  They are under the reference desk counter, labeled.

Whoever ends up greeting the person while at the reference desk, please ask whoever comes to pick up the items if they would like a cart, and if so, we can take it down in the elevator for them so that they can pull up.

Chicago Wolves Ticket Winners

Today was the day for choosing winners for the Chicago Wolves hockey game. These are actually vouchers so the winner may select whatever game they want that is available. Anyway we chose and the winners have been called. The tickets are in envelopes with the winner's name and the envelopes are in the middle file cabinet drawer (with the Kindles.)

A Nice Gesture

A young patron named Gina donated a bunch of crayons to YS. The story, as I was told by LM, is she borrowed our crayons often. As way to repay us, she gathered a bunch of crayons from home and donated them to our dept. How sweet!

So where are they now? The fat "pipsqueak" crayons were put in a little basket for patrons to use and placed on the new "help yourself to supplies" desk. The rest were put on the shelf near the loose-leaf paper we give to patrons. I assume we could use them to replace our patrons' crayons. If someone else has a different use for them - go for it!

YA Graphic Novels

Hi everyone: Just wanted to let you know that the YA Graphic Novels have been moved to aisle 38 and 45. Thanks for everyone's help!

Magazines Needed

If anyone has any magazines they would like to get rid of please consider donating them to me. I'm having a program in March and the kids will need to find facial features in magazines. Thanks for your help. Laura

Food for thought, before you plan programs for summer

Several of you have asked whether food can be used in programs this summer.  The short answer is Yes, it goes with the theme. 

Keeping in mind that not everyone will be able to attend a food program, and that we will not be able to break away from the desk during the SRP to make trips to the store, here is how we'll need to proceed.  This applies to specials only, except for the part about using nonperishable items, which applies to everything:

• If you would like to do a program involving food, fill in the following categories on the sheet hanging in my office window by 2/21--your name, the program idea, the intended age group, and whether the food is for a craft project, and/or will be eaten.
• Food items needed for the program need to be nonperishable items that can be purchased near the end of May.
• I will go over the list and fit specials with and without food into the schedule so that there is a balance that will hopefully leave anyone who wants to attend a program, can.

While I was in Florida last weekend, I visited my grandmother AND her library. While at the library, I picked up a program brochure. I have added it to the front of the binder. When you have time, take a look.

YS donation shelf in Tech

Tech has designated a shelf for YS donations that need to be added to the collection. The shelf is located in Tech :) in the YS AV section and is labeld "YS donations". If there are any questions please feel to ask.

YS P drive clean-up

Please go into the YS and YA folders on the P drive, and delete any of those one-time-only, or no-longer-needed documents by 2/24.

• Those documents that you do need to keep in the P drive need to be moved to the folder called "YS Department - Temporary" by 2/24/12.


• Inside the YS Department Temporary folder, you will find sub-folders called "YS Stuff" and "YA stuff."


• On 2/27, l'll delete all the documents not "rescued" into the YS Stuff or YA Stuff subfolders in the YS Department - Temporary folder, and then return the folder structure to normal.


• If you want help with how to move a file in one step, please give me a shout, or ask around for help. Alternatively, you can always "Save As," into the temporary location.

The "Department Information" folder in the Q drive...

... and all of its contents have been moved to the "My Documents" folder.
~sld logged in as ys

Book Box

A book box about community helpers and transportation is ready for a teacher on the back counter. She will most likely be here this evening (Monday, February 13th) to pick it up.

Thanks!

Kindle request, does not apply to iPad

Hi, please keep the Kindle Fires in that "other" handy location when not in use from here on out.  We'll never remember to promote or hand them out if they're in the workroom.  If you think about the difference in the way these will be used vs. the iPad, you'll see/remember why they don't need to be in the back room.

Also, this would be a great roving reference op--take them out, walk around, and look for anyone who might want to know they can check these out.  Thanks!

OPAC/Chair

Rich has asked that we not use any of the wooden table chairs by the OPAC that is right behind the YS reference desk. The chairs are damaging the OPAC stand. Instead and at least for now, please use one of the puzzle table stools. A new chair that will fit properly is being ordered.

Non Fic Display

I cleared the first section of the shelves in aisle 53 to make room for a non-fiction book display. They are mostly either on popular subjects or books that are just fun to browse. Right now I went ahead and pulled some books from my section to display but of course everyone is welcome to pull out books from any non fiction section to fill empty spots.
There is no set theme and we are not changing the location of the item in MilCirc. Thank you.
Rakhshanda

Book Box

There is a Book Box ready for April H. from Mary Drew Elementary on the back counter. I left her a message that it is ready for pick up.

Camera & SD card reader

I put the SD card reader on the cart with the camera, because I think we're using it much more than patrons.  If that turns out not to be the case and patrons are indeed using it, feel free to put it back in the drawer and let everyone know.

The camera is recharging again.  In the current setup, the laptop needs to be on in order for the camera to charge.  A new arrangement is on the horizon.  I'll let you know when the change takes place. 

Winter Reading Club

The Winter Reading Club is now renamed 2012 Wolves Reading Club and is on the Q drive. It looks a little different because I made a new one because of some technical difficulties with the old one. Everything including the password remains the same. All the information is transferred into the new database.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Rakhshanda

Addendum to storage room/program room procedure

I've also had no issues whatsoever, even in a movement program, even when subbing in a program for any age group, just moving the easel/whiteboard, the rolling cart with big books, and the rocking chair up against the shelving unit, and standing in front of them.  They look like "we're not using them today" in that arrangement, and I've never even had anyone try.

Please keep the above in the program room except when the entire floor space is truly needed for a special event.  In that case, put them in the YS workroom rather than the storage room.  On those occasions, in addition to keeping the storage area clear, someone will notice that the items need to go back into the program room.

YS Workroom Procedure

Moving forward, please keep the book carts and the chairs somewhere other than the YS storage room when not in use.  You can leave the carts in our workroom if needed.  We  can also keep at least one book cart available behind the YS desk.  We can remove the blue chairs from the YS program room only when the whole room space is needed for special events.  They can otherwise be behind the tables, which can be pushed to the side, only when some extra space is needed. 

I am looking into getting some type of bin to store the large pillows in a corner of the program room.  Concern was expressed in the past that children will play with the pillows.  If set-up and breakdown of the programs remains the same as always--before patrons arrive and after they leave--I don't even think the kids will notice them.  If they do notice the pillows, please find your own words to ask for what you need.  Out of sight and out of mind pillows will be far easier to manage than shelves full of stuffed animals!  All are doing a great job of keeping crowd management to the best it can be, and I'm not worried about you!

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping the storage area safe and accessible.

Birth-K Birthday Raffle

The winner for the January Birth-K Birthday raffle has been notified and the prize is located under the service desk by the cleaning supplies. Please have her choose one of the three books.

Thanks!

Computers Out of Service

Wanted you all to know that this morning Ann came by and asked if it was alright to take the first bank of computers out of service. The answer was yes. As of 12:00 p.m. she is still working on them. Out of Service signs have been placed on each of the six.

Weeded items

At times, Mary T. or someone in her stead may need to check a weeding cart for a "missing". She will ask at the desk where our weeding carts may be if this occurs. Please help her locate such carts by checking all of the places one of our weeding carts may be parked--behind the reference desk, in our workroom, or in Tech., and offer to assist her in checking the carts for the item in question. Thanks, Sharon

Winter Reading Club

The Microsoft Access database for the Reading club is on the Q drive/Winter 2012 Read To Succeed

The password is the same as always.

Rakhshanda

iPad Adventure

Let's do one more task with the Wolfram Alpha app, then we'll take a short break to go over Kindle Fire & Kindle Touch for a few weeks.  Then we'll alternate between iPad and Fire explorations over time.  On the upside, they function very similarly.

• Please be sure to take the iPad out minimally from 5-9 pm each day.
• Share any newly discovered uses for the iPad that came in handy for you.

Please email to me by Feb. 3:  Find the length of the Tigris River in meters.    There is more than one way to use WF to get this answer.  List the steps you used.  Neither the answer nor extreme detail is necessary.  Just a brief list of where you went first, second, third... 

XBox

Later this week, I will be placing our first order for XBox games. They will circ just like wii and ps3. I will be making some space for them next to the other games, in the YA AV section. As far as I know, AR has no plans at this time to add either PS3 or X-Box games. I will let you know when/if that changes. I'll also let you know when the games are actually here and ready to circ.

Museum Pass Bookmarks

Bridget just dropped off new, updated museum pass bookmarks. I placed a supply in the holder next to 5733, the extras are in the rolling cart, still more extras can be gotten from Circulation, and the old ones were recycled.

park district brochure

I have put two TP park district brochures for the upcoming season under the back counter where the policy book is kept. Sometimes patrons ask for these and now we have some to share. Thanks!

New Non-Fiction Display

The new display is "Brain Teasers". I divided the shelves into different categories. The top and one other shelf is for the Ripley's type books in J301. 02. One shelf is for jokes and riddles in J793.735. Another shelf is for Magic and Illusions in J793.8. Another shelf is for books about Optical Illusions in 152. 148. Please feel free to pull from any of these sections or any other areas that fit this topic. Thanks so much for helping to keep this display full.

Packing slips

Just a reminder that Diane does need all packing slips as orders arrive, and that they sometimes hide the slips in odd places--like taped to the side of the box!

She would of course not want to pay an invoice until she knows we have received the items.

I did find the packing slips for the recent Demco and Highsmith orders on the table today, and have passed those along to Diane.

Thanks, sld.

Snowman Joins Us!

I brought a new light-up snowman for our reference desk area and I put him on the corner of the back shelf. Please plug him in and see his cool lights! He will also need to be unplugged, of course! Thanks!

Items needed for Lock-in

Hi everyone. If you can loan/give me any of the items listed below, I would appreciate it!
The Lock-in is Friday, January 20th. Thanks!

Paper bags- grocery size (30)
Gloves- larger size (4)
Skateboards (4)

New Non-Fiction Display

The new display is about The Civil Rights Movement. When I put the display up I had thought MLK's day was in two weeks, not one. So unfortunately the display will be changed soon. Surprisingly, there is still a good selection of books left in the biography and the 323's.

Hunger Games on CD

Despite owning The Hunger Games on playaway, we have had several requests for The Hunger Games on CD. I have ordered 2 copies, but they are on backorder. You can see our copies on the record, so patrons may place holds and expect them to be filled soon. Sharon B. will be letting me know as soon as it arrives, so I will give you an update when I have more info.

Book Box

A Book Box was prepared for a teacher. The items have been checked out and the patron has been notified the box is ready. It is in the usual place. Thank you. LM

Got the blues

The OPAC located next to aisle 32 in the YA area seems to be feeling a bit blue about something. (If you look over at it, you'll see what I mean.) Rebecca, Rakhshanda, Anthony, Laura, Glenn, and I all had alook at it and did some poking around, but to no avail. A trouble ticket has been turned in, but it may take a while. The OPAC is still totally usable. Just very blue.

Dec. Birthday Raffle

The winners for the December birthday raffle have been selected and called. There were only 2 entries for the Gr. 1-5 level so I selected both which makes 3 winners for the Grade 5 and under categories. Jennifer should be selecting her winner soon. Books/prizes are in the usual place behind the reference desk. This is the final month I will be handling the birthday raffle. Beginning with January, Rebecca and Amy will take care of the monthly raffle so any questions should be directed to them. Thank you all for helping with this!

Paper Towel Rolls

Thanks to all of you who have been brining me paper towel rolls. I only need about 4 more. Thanks!

J Foreign Language Shift

The J Foreign Language books were getting a little crowded so I shifted the nonfiction books to the north side of 27 (we had cleared that side for just this purpose a while back). A sign will be made for patrons and if everyone could mention it to the shelvers that would be helpful. Thanks!

Weeding / Reference update

I did some weeding in reference today, and withdrew quite a few sets and single volume items for which we had overlapping information within reference, or that were woefully out of date.  Some of what remains also falls into one of those two categories.

All remaining reference items have a sticky note inside the cover, with the headings, "date," "initials," and did u find it?" (meaning, were you able to answer the question using this source). Please fill out all three columns each time you use a reference book from here onward. 

I will use the information on the sticky notes to whittle the section down to a small, quick-reference area.  I'll weigh the information I find in the "date" and "did u find it" columns across responses amongst similar sets to decide what best to keep.  I'll use the "initials" column if I have any questions as to the nature of the questions you're getting.  I will also be able to glean info from the sticky notes as to which online sources we should prioritize for training purposes, this school year and the next.

The goal is:
1) to finish the weeding portion of the above between the last day of this school year and the first day of the 2012 SRP.
2) to cover at least three online sources for common homework topics at our morning meetings by May.

The Feb. YS meeting will have an hour devoted to Gale sources you can use to answer inventor and explorer questions, and a half for general discussion. 

Green Cart

We were looking at the green cart that has been living in the desk area for awhile and have placed all items that have been marked discard at the bottom of both sides of the cart. If you have time, please take a look at the top shelf of each side and see if any others can be moved to discard or need some other action from TECH. Sharon, I am not sure if you need to review these before we ship them off... Thanks!

Good News/Bad News

Today, the server had to be restarted again. Good news: the volunteer sign-in sheet file was NOT lost! (This happened the last two times the server had to be restarted.) Bad news: the tally sheet for 5732 WAS lost. We have created a new file to be used from here out, but the numbers prior to 12/14 at approx. 4pm were lost. We are very sorry!

Jennifer