Brief Hiatus

I will be away on vacation next week so I won't surprisingly be posting on the blog. However, rest assured that Katelyn will be hard at work on revising the functional area reports that will be provided to the potential architects as part of our "Library Building Program". Before these functional reports are finalized, we may wish to speak with you to make sure that we are capturing the needs and necessities of each area. Stay tuned....more in the near future.

Highlights of Staff Survey

Staff Survey Highlights

Customers told staff:

· Highest Ranking challenges that staff heard from library customers were related to way finding – not being able to locate particular materials because of a lack of comprehensive signage and a layout that “flows” meaning, for example, that a customer can follow the fiction from one end to the other without interruption from other collections.

· Not surprisingly, computer time and access are two of the most heard challenges from library customers.

· Noise was also a popular challenge that staff heard from library customers – both a need for quiet and a need for spaces to talk without feeling like it is distracting other customers. This is similar to the challenges that are being brought up directly by library customers when asked survey questions at random.

This demonstrates customers’ needs for:

· More computers

· Flexible computer time limits

· Areas with distinct noise functions (quiet rooms/collaborative spaces)

· Signage that is user-friendly and collection layouts that 'flow'.

What staff appreciates and finds most useful about current workspace:

· Access to computers

· Environmental conditions (windows, lighting, climate control, colour)

· Storage and equipment (such as sorting carts) are nearby

Popular changes that staff would like to see in order to create a more effective workspace:

· Necessary equipment and supplies need to be accessible to all members at the desk as well as off-desk, and needs to be updated so that it is functional and efficient. (I.e. updates on computer programs, wands at each work station)

· 68% of staff would like to have an off-desk workspace to complete tasks, especially because 72% did not believe that they could complete tasks well in a noisy or congested workspace.

· Similarly, 78% of staff would like to see more space for collaboration and informal planning.

· More storage spaces as well as space for personal belongings and work assignments were needed by more than 90% of staff who completed the survey.

· An approachable desk: one that is accessible to children, seniors, as well as people with disabilities.

Sad News

As you may or may not have heard, Dorothy Palmer, passed away last Friday. I thought you might like to read her obituary as the donation to our Library is mentioned in it.

Palmer- After a determined and spirited enjoyment of the past few months at Metcalfe Gardens in St. Thomas, Dorothy Fay Palmer, a longtime Aylmer resident, died at the St.Thomas Elgin General Hospital on Friday June 18th, 2010.
Dorothy was born on May 7th,1925 in Malahide Township, the only child of Fred and Ethel Ingram. While her parents administerd the Elgin County House of Industry near the present site of Elgin Manor, she attended and graduated from St.Thomas Collegiate and proceeded to earn her teaching certificate. She taught at several schools in Elgin County including Myrtle Street in St. Thomas. Dorothy and her late husband , John William Franklin Palmer(December 25th, 2009) lived their entire fiftyeight years of married life in Aylmer.
An accomplished pianist and member of Church and Community Choirs, Dorothy loved music, enjoyed concerts and attending theatre performances in Aylmer and beyond. She was also a passionate gardener, growing a multitude of flowers and greenery both in her beautiful garden and inside her home. Friends would tease her that she was the original recycler because Dorothy never liked to throw anything away.John and Dorothy Palmer enjoyed nothing as much as a leisurely drive around Elgin County visiting their many friends, especially those from the Shrine Club, the Conservative Party and anyone connected with the Ford Motor Company. These friends were their family.
Over the past few months, Dorothy took quiet pleasure in thanking by generous donation, the three communities which have defined her life. One might say there was one each for the body, the mind and the soul. They were the Mocha Shriners Pediatric Orthopedic Clinic at the Children’s Hospital in London, the Youth department of the St. Thomas Public Library and the historic Bandshell and Park in Aylmer.Resting at Williams Funeral Home, 45 Elgin St., St. Thomas where funeral service to celebrate Dorothy’s life will be held Friday at 1:00 p.m. Interment to follow in Aylmer Cemetery. Visitation at the funeral home on Friday from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. In memory of Dorothy, donations may be made if wished to the Aylmer Area Community Foundation.

Idea Boxes

First of all, I apologize for the link that didn't work for the "You Tube" video. Thanks to Ruth for pointing us in the right direction. The link has been fixed if you haven't had a chance to see the clip.

Secondly, I have had one report of a staff member who was unable to access the blog. Please let me know if you had the same experience.

Finally, do you find yourself awake at 3:00 a.m. dreaming of ways to improve the library and its service to our customers? I hope not but I do know that many of you have very innovative suggestions. Katelyn and I want to encourage you to write down these ideas when inspiration does strike. Grab a pen and a scrap of paper, jot down your thoughts and drop them in one of three boxes that will be situated at both Information Desks and the Circulation Desk. You don't need to leave your name unless you'd like to discuss your idea further.

"What is a Public Library" You Tube Video

If you get a moment....okay 38 seconds.....do have a look at this YouTube video on libraries!

What is a Public Library?

To Begin....

Well, the blog isn't fancy but I hope that it will be a place where you can check in frequently to find out what is happening with the Library Revitalization Project. I also hope that you'll feel free to make comments or to email me with suggestions or concerns as the project proceeds. As Project Coordinator, I am responsible for ensuring that you and our customers are as informed as possible and addressing concerns that arise during the process. I'm happy to talk to you anytime.

As you know, Katelyn Andrew, our Renovation Project Research Assistant, has been busy conducting surveys in a number of ways and observing activity within the library. To date, she has interviewed Teacher Librarians at a number of schools, conducted a Teen Advisory Board Focus Group, spent time each day observing activity within the library and conducting random surveys with customers. She has also distributed a staff survey. Don't forget that completed surveys are due today, June 18th. I hope you'll fill it out as your opinions are very important to the revitalization process. I'm sure some of you are interested in the results of these efforts. They can be found on the T:\ drive, Common File under "Library Revitalizaton". Katelyn will keep adding to this file as her work progresses.