St. Mary's County Library Staff Intranet & Blog

Governor Martin O’Malley Unveils 2012 Legislative Agenda

It's an easy read and everyone should be in the know.

Governor Martin O’Malley Unveils 2012 Legislative Agenda

Tree of Warmth

Hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, coats, and even snowsuits…all packed up and ready for delivery!

Generous customers donated these items from all over the county. Even groups like the 5th District Homemakers got together to knit hats, and then drove them all the way to Lexi to be placed under the “Tree of Warmth”.

The donations have been picked up by an AmeriCorps worker who is partnered with Walden. The items will be distributed to many community organizations and needy families in our county. Thanks to all the staff that helped and contributed...there will be many warm heads this winter season because of your and our community’s support!  :) 

Spring Pre-Retirement Planning Seminars

Attached is the application, with dates, of the State's Pre-Retirement Planning Seminars for Spring 2012.  You must be within 8 years of retirement for you and/or your spouse to attend one of this all day seminars.

 

Download 2012SPG

Meet Frederick Douglass! This year's Black History Month program

This year's Black History Month program will be entertaining and educational featuring Walter Jones, Jr., the professional storyteller who performed in 2010.  He will portray Frederick Douglass as a motherless slave child who taught himself to read and write and then as a daring young man risking his life and limb to escape to freedom.  His performance will include music as well.   It's not just a children's program but one for all ages.   The program will be held at Lexington Park on Sat, Feb. 18 at 1:30 PM.

The program is being co-sponsored by NAACP, UCAC, and the Minority Outreach Coalition.  They will be serving "light" refreshments... and if you attended last year's event, you know how "light" and scrumptous the refreshments were. 

Handouts have been furnished for you to pass out to customers to help you promote this inspiring program. 

"Save with Coupons" Program at Charlotte Hall Library

We had a full meeting room last night thanks to a program that will help people save money by using coupons. Kimberly Pepper-Hoctor shared her method of saving money and she said that she has been doing it for many years. She also had give-away products at the end of the program.

A British journalist, Brian Wheeler, was also in attendance. I asked him about his reason for being there and he explained that he lives in Washington, D.C. and is a reporter for BBC in London. He said that they don't do couponing there much, so they are very interested in how Americans do it. Maybe now couponing will be the rage "across the sea"!

FYI…American Library Association announces 2012 Youth Media Award winners!

Click the link to see the press release announcing the winners: 

http://ala.org/news/pr?id=9108

Kathy Roy quilt

Diann will be sending the branches some quilt blocks for you to sign with your name and branch.  She will be using the blocks for a quilt for Kathy Roy.  Kathy is currently at Walter Reed hospital recovering from surgery for a brain tumor.  She is doing well and hopefully will be released from the hospital soon.  If you would like to send Kathy well wishes, her address is:

18367 Chestnut St., Lexington Park, MD 20653

Thanks, Diann, for this wonderful idea to boost Kathy's morale and health. 

FOL donated $2,000 to each library

The Friends of the Library donated $2,000 to each branch at their brunch on Saturday.  If you see any of the FOL board members, please thank them for this generous donation.  They donate many hours and lots of hard work to raise money for us.  They are busy getting ready for their BIG March Book Sale which will be March 16 - 18 at the County Fairgrounds.  More details to come.

Ebook article in the Enterprise

Susan Craton stopped by Lexi a couple of days ago to ask Sara about ereaders and ebooks for library patrons.  Sara did a terrific job explaining how ebooks work in libraries (and she's photogenic)!  Kathleen also talked with the reporter about how technologies have changed in libraries over the years.

Read the article:

http://www.somdnews.com/article/20120120/UNKNOWN/701209784/1044/st-mary-s-county-library-adjusts-to-digital-demand&template=southernMaryland

Library Board meeting

We started the 2012 Board meetings with a fascinating and exhausting presentation:  A Day in the Life of a Circulation Manager at the St. Mary's County Libraries.  Anne, Alesha, and Rose shared some insights into the many different responsibilities they have to serve our ever-increasing number of customers.  As their Hip Hip Hooray certificate stated, they are our "Library's Air Controller" handling an extraordinary amount of incoming traffic.  And throughout the day, they must wear a variety of hats:  dispatcher; mediator, negotiator and arbitrator; debt collector; coach, counselor and therapist; and diplomat:  The Library Board expressed their appreciation for the commitment and excellence of our three Circulation Managers:

Some of the other agenda items included:

• Approved Board Officers for 2012.  They will be the same as the officers for 2011:  Alan Dillingham, President; Joan Springer, Vice-President; Carole Romary, Treasurer.  THANK YOU to Alan, Joan and Carole for agreeing to take on this added responsiblity.
• Approved 3 premium holidays for staff enrolled in the health insurance benefit.  This is because of a refund we received based on 2011 claims.  THANKS to all of us for being so healthy last year and let's hope that continues!
• Approved our FY 2013 budget request to the BOCC.  We are requesting $162,325 in additional funding for:  increased health costs (if that occurs); step for eligible employees (if the BOCC gives this to county staff); 2% COLA (if the BOCC gives this to county staff); re-open Lexington Park Library on Sundays.  I will keep you informed as the BOCC budget work sessions occur.
• Appproved closing the libraries from 9 to 1 for staff training on the following schedule:  Lexi, April 20; Leon, April 27; Hall, May 4.
• A customer (John Cusick) spoke at the meeting, urging the Library Board to reduce the cost of making copies.  The Board listened respectfully.  They informed him that they would not be reducing this cost.

Let me know if you have any questions.