Library Lib Guide

   Our library system, ( we have 3 branches)  has a great tool for  staff education  and communication which is our LibGuide. It is a password protected site that staff can use  and was developed for us by our Library Director.

  The lib Guide is our source for our staff to at so we all keep up to date on what is going on in all  our branches, and also helps us keep up with policies, procedures,  for both our internal and external needs.

  We can check on the community calendar to see what programs are being offered at each our branches. We can read policies and procedures  the moment they are updated. We can print out forms that are needed, ( community room use, volunteer applications) and we can print out monthly calendars, and flyers for programs.

  Also on our lib guide is equipment and computer use policies and procedures, The Tab under  Forms has many forms that  are used on a monthly basis. This is a convenient place to have them, because they can be easily  brought up and printed out if needed.

  One of the best tabs is our system and regional tabs,  Under our own system we have our staff calendar, ( this includes staff vacation days, & where our Director will be on a monthly basis ( meetings, branch visits, ect) , There are also staff meeting notes, manager meeting notes,  job descriptions,  payroll information , and an organization chart  that shows where everyone is at each branch and days they are at work.

  All in All, this libguide is very very helpful  tool in all our branches!

Inventory Time

Well it time again to think about inventory! An exhausting time but a necessary task! Start out getting all books ( or as many as you can) back into the library , checked in , and on the shelves.
I try to spend a little time reading shelves putting books in the right order. However, during the year , as I am putting books away , I take some time to check the shelves that I am replacing books on. I figure that if books were taken, there is a likely-hood that some items might be misplaced. In our library( elementary level) we only go beyond one decimal point. This helps me while shelving and also helps the student learn about the DD system without too much aggravation.
Anyway so as I am shelving, I am correcting misfiled books- so it is one time time deal . This seems to work in the library I am presently in. Past libraries, I have begun at the beginning and read the entire collection.
Does anyone have any comments on inventory? tips on reading and shelving and getting books Back? I send out over-dues to students. My staff can keep books that they are using and hopefully bring back what they do not need at the time.

Book review- Firecomb Manor

     Firecomb Manor ( Riordain, Harper Collins, 2015) pairs two characters : Alice ( 1933) and Elizabeth ( 1898) as they await the birth of Alice's first and Elizabeth second child.  Alice becomes pregnant by a married man  - her parents send her away  in shame,  Elizabeth struggles with her demanding , always angry husband  with his need to have a male heir. Elizabeth has been unable to hold on to many pregnancy's

    The novel begins with Alice in London , just 22 and finding her self pregnant. Her mother send her to Firecomb manor to an old  friend  who is the maid /caretaker of the place.  This is where she begins to read the diary of Elizabeth as it outlines her daily life.

    The chapters go between Elizabeth and Alice, as we learn about each of them. Alice learns about Elizabeth and feel a definite kinship with her  The ending appears to be  natural conclusion although endearing and  exciting, Alice decided what she will do with her life   providing us with a nicely wrapped package ending,

Planning your day

 Planning - how much do you do?  Do you plan what you will do each day or do you just go into work and then wing it?    For many years ( more than I like to admit)  I just  did lesson planning ( when I was at School) and the rest of the time I just sort of "winged" it.   That worked out fine for a long time because I had great support library assistants and when a big job came around we got it done.
     When I  lost my full time assistant was when I really took the time to plan out what I needed to do and how in the world was I going to get it all done.  To add fuel to that idea was the fact that I did have people coming into to help but  they would be with me for  a period or at most maybe two periods .
   Its similar in the public library, especially when staff are different each day or vacation time rolls around like now when everyone is getting their time in .
     So I really took stock to determine what I would have them do when they arrive at the door.  Now, some of those  aides really jumped in and did what ever they thought  was the best for the library. But some of the aides had never been in the library before so I had to  train them  in various jobs. Which was not always easy because most of the time I had many many classes, or programs  and projects going on.
      Anyway my point is that whether you have help or not. Or whether you have a full time or part time person, you will accomplish more and feel better if you at least plan out part of your day.  If you know you have a certain task to complete , and it is a big one , break it down into segments and begin to work on it when you have a block of time during your day.
     Look at your schedule - with classes and special programs and decide  what you will do to further you jobs completed.
    Check out   my ebook- The Organized Librarian. This details how my days went from  'winging it'  to more organized and efficient.

Master list - to help you stay organized

I find that Master lists ( of to do's ) and Daily lists help me greatly in getting  task and activities done on a daily and weekly basis.    I try to keep my lists in sight as I go about my daily routines , whether I am at work or at home.

      The reason I do this is because it really helps me stay organized and focused on what I need to do.  I also use my lists  and prioritize   the tasks on them.   I use a simple  way to tag the activities I must do.

      When  I put lists on paper ( or on the computer- but I feel paper is better for me , because then I can SEE the list) I will delegate a letter- A most important,  B  and C. That's where I stop( as far as letters go)

     Another idea that I like to do with my Master list is to make two columns : one for most important things I NEED to do, and a second column of things I WANT to do.   I also place due dates on items that have a complete by date so I know when I must be done.

    Also on my Master lists I will put do by dates if I have them. This way I can focus on what is most important.
 
     Check out my book The Organized Librarian- click on the link above for ordering instructions.

Ideas on Professional reading! -

  Do you keep track of your reading - both professional and for fun? When I read for fun ( I love historical fiction and biographies ) I don't. I just read for pure enjoyment.

  However when I do professional reading ( books, journals) I have my notebook with me.I like to jot down ideas that I gleam that I can use , ideas for lessons, quotes that inspire me, ideas for advocacy, or ideas to share with library colleagues or teachers. I can look back in this notebook and make sure I have the quote or idea correct.
  Also I can look back  and reread . It sometimes sparks an idea for displays, organizing, or staff development.  This is also a record of what I have read- Yes I do note titles and authors, So if some one asks for a recommendation , I can give it to them . This is especially true of really good professional books,

Bulletin Boards for May

It  is  getting toward the end of April , so I am thinking of what to do about those bulletin boards.
 here are some ideas of what I have sued in the past.

Sneaking around with a good book- copies of sneakers , students will put on their favorite spring books  and them on the board.

-"When we read we Grow.'May flowers-  Blue Back ground
  Battle of the Books - groups. scores , announcement.

"We're wild about Books!"- Jungle theme ( animals , trees) around slogan, maybe even titles on tree leaves, or book jackets if you have more room.

"Read, Return, Repeat"  Make slogan like the Recycle, Reduce, Reuse green arrows- put book jackets around that.

"Don't be angry -Read a Good Book"   Angry birds and book jackets or titles