Have you noticed?

I hope you are aware of the great displays that are all over the library! We have display cases, window exhibits, bulletin boards, book displays and more. Library staff work hard to present new and interesting topics for our visitors. Most displays get changed once a month.

The most prominent display is probably the case in the main floor browsing area. Library assistant Sarah Burke works with community groups and individuals to feature such things as personal collections, ceramic or quilted art, items that tell the story of an organization, and holiday novelties. Currently we showcase the popular hobby scrapbooking.

Our window exhibits may draw attention to a community group such as the Red Cross or the Salvation Army. Other displays focus on library events and services. The Children’s Room and Adult Services have a number of bulletin boards to maintain. Thanks to the artistic talents of our pages, especially Holly Hutchinson and Emeline Holland, we are able to highlight cool authors and books and library themes.

Book displays allow us to pull together volumes from various parts of the collection. A display on Mexico may include cookbooks, travel, religion, language, culture, novels, and music. Some libraries create an eye-catching display by selecting books that are all one color. Yellow works well to get attention! A grouping of books recommended by staff is always popular, as people are curious about what we read. Topics in the news is another great display for those who want to learn more than what is shown on the nightly news.

The next time you’re in the library, be sure to look around. Besides the many wonderful items in our collection, you’ll find announcements, recommendations, promotions, exhibits, and beauty throughout the building.

Sue Blechl
Library Director
blechls@emporialibrary.org

A Great Meeting Place!

It’s been another very busy week at the library. We are thrilled to have about 1,100 children participating in our summer reading program and another 100+ teens also reading. There’s still time to sign up! It’s fun and there are prizes too!

Our Brown Bag concerts have been phenomenal! The performers were super and the audiences huge. Everyone has a great time. Even though more than 700 people are attending, it’s not too crowded or chaotic. We are pleased to work with the Friends of the Library and our other sponsors to bring you this quality, free entertainment.

Our meeting rooms are used every day by groups large and small. The library is a good place to gather. If your group needs a meeting space during the hours the library is open, consider contacting us. There is no charge. Meetings must be open to the public and cannot be of a commercial nature. We can even include a library tour or short talk on services if you like.

Our large meeting room works well for meeting of 12-60. We can set up a big square of tables, for a meeting format, or a theater style set up for a presentation type of program. Our small meeting room is great for a group of 4 to 8, and even up to 12. Committees and planning meetings are great in this room.

While our library programs are priorities, we encourage you to consider meeting at the library for some of your events. A kitchenette is available, so you can bring food and beverages. We have Wireless Internet, an overhead projector, sound system, flip chart and more to make your meetings more productive.

For a photo of the large room and more information, click on
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/library/emporia/services/specialserv/mtgroom.htm

The library is a community resource that’s more than books!

Sue Blechl
Library Director
blechls@emporialibrary.org

Libraries & Library Boards: Working for Basic Services for All

Did you know that there are more than 300 public libraries in Kansas, serving towns and cities of all sizes? In Lyon County, we have four public libraries. They are in Emporia, Americus, Hartford, and Allen. Have you visited any or all of them?

Check out their hours and more at
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/library/emporia/area_libraries/arealibs.htm

Did you know that public libraries are often called “the people’s universities” or “the great equalizers?” There are those who can afford and who choose to purchase their books, media, magazines, e-mail, Internet access and more. These are others who don’t have the means. Such basic tools of living, learning, and communicating are available at the library, with no special charges. Your taxes pay for basic library services. Libraries strive to ensure that all citizens have the essential tools for success.

Community libraries are governed locally. Each has a library board made up of volunteers appointed by the municipality. Library board members, also called trustees, work with the library staff on finance & budget issues, policies, and more. Decisions on such topics as library hours, staffing, collection development policies, and technology are made by the library board. Among the most difficult decisions library trustees make relate to how to provide needed and wanted services with small budgets.

The seven members of the Emporia Public Library Board meet monthly. Some of their board business includes: to review revenues and expenses, approve payment of the bills, hear about the Friends of the Library, the state library and regional systems, suggest possible new services, review policies and share comments from the public about the Library.

Library trustees have important roles: they must help govern the library, see that it is properly funded and managed, and advocate for its use. To see the list of EPL board members, click on: http://skyways.lib.ks.us/library/emporia/board/board.htm

If you meet one of these volunteers when you’re out and about, consider expressing your thanks for their efforts to achieve the best library possible.

Sue Blechl
Library Director

A Corner of Culture and Fun!

Sixth & Mechanic is a downtown corner that brings together the Library, the Emporia Arts Council and the Lyon County Historical Museum in one location. This makes it an important destination for families and others who are interested in our heritage, the arts, computers, books, and fun. Two wonderful features of these three attractions are that they are FREE and FAMILY-FRIENDLY.

Brown Bag Concerts, held on Wednesdays at noon during June and July in the library courtyard, are just some of the special events that take place in the area. Attendance so far this year has been 770 for Mr. Stinky Feet and 350 for The Usual Suspects band. Check out the schedule at
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/library/emporia/services/specialserv/brownbag.htm

The Arts Council always has great artwork displayed in their gallery. Art classes take place year-round, and a variety of performances are held in their small theater. Check out their offerings at their website: http://www.emporia.com/eac/. Melissa Windsor is the new Executive Director.

Our Museum is a treasure trove of cool things documenting Emporia’s past. A fantastic model railroad display is currently a favorite there. There’s a gift shop too. Nearby is the Archives, with more historical items. It’s an awesome resource for researchers and local history fans. Learn more about the Museum & Archives at http://www.lyoncountymuseum.org/.
Greg Jordan is the Museum Director.

The great thing about the Culture Corner is that you can park your car once and check out all these Emporia landmarks without ever crossing a street. Nearby is the Civic Auditorium and Emporia’s lovely downtown. It all makes for a lively location with something for everyone.

Be sure to check out the Library, the Museum and the Arts Council at least once this summer. The best hours to come are between 1 and 5 pm Tuesday to Saturday, when all three attractions are open. Remember, there’s always something to do in Emporia!

Sue Blechl, Library Director

The Library is a Wi-Fi Zone!

Do you know that the Emporia Public Library offers wireless Internet access? You can bring your laptop to the library and sit in a quiet corner or even in the courtyard and do your work!

Specific requirements can be found at
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/library/emporia/services/adultserv/wireless.htm

We are also pleased to provide 7 computers with Internet access for public use in the adult area plus an additional computer just for word processing. In the children’s departments you’ll find 4 computers for users 6th grade and under. Since our computers are in great demand, we must limit each user to 30 minutes. If a user has special needs, the time may be extended by the library staff.

Many people use the library’s computers for e-mail, a great way to keep in touch with family and friends, as well as business needs. Others work on job searches and resumes. Still others are researching health issues and many other personal topics. Because the library computers include Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher, Front Page, PhotoDraw and Access, you can do word processing, spreadsheets, presentation programs, web page creation, database work and more. There are other useful computer programs including Streets & Trips, encyclopedias, and tutorials. A Spanish language interface and special keyboard are available for Hispanic users. All computers have a floppy disk drive, and some have a zip drive.

Computers can be found around the library with the online catalog called WebCat, so you can search for books, movies, music, and more. The EPL staff are pleased to assist you in finding just the item you need.

Technology has changed libraries for the better! We can provide more services for our community and save time and energy. Watch for more changes in the future!

Sue Blechl, Library Director

2007 is a special year for Emporia!

In 1857 the city of Emporia was founded. In 2007 we will celebrate 150 years – our sesquicentennial. Plans are underway to showcase our community heritage and pride. There will be an emphasis on our history, notable people, and achievements, along with plenty of fun and special events.

Our Local & Family History department will be especially busy as we prepare for 2007. Many families are working on their genealogy and we hope many more families will begin the search for their roots. Kelli Proehl works 20 hours per week on local history and genealogy. She can help you get started with your research. Obituary, birth, and marriage indexes are most valuable for documenting family information. We are grateful for the volunteer indexing work of Bob and Lois Hodge.

The library collection and the Internet offer many wonderful resources to document the important facets in family history research. Let us help you use these tools for your projects.

http://skyways.lib.ks.us/library/emporia/services/genealogy/genealogy.htm

Other resources to check out as you think about Emporia history and your family’s roots are:

Flint Hills Genealogical Society
http://lyoncountyks.org/

Lyon County Historical Museum & Archives
http://www.lyoncountymuseum.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=3&MMN_position=2:2

Emporia State University Library Archives
http://www.emporia.edu/libsv/archives/

We hope will consider discovering your roots and Emporia’s heritage. I assure you that you will be rewarded with fun, challenge, and satisfaction.

Sue Blechl, Library Director

Numbers tell a story!

The library, like many institutions, uses numbers to document its work. We have many ways to share what goes on in the Emporia Public Library. Here are a few noteworthy statistics:

On Monday, June 5 alone, the library hosted 989 visitors who checked out 961 items. Our library computers were used for 152 sessions by adults and 57 sessions by children. 38 children and 26 adults attended storytimes. In addition our staff assisted numerous patrons with reference questions, with computer use, and with readers advisory.

849 children are registered for the Summer Reading Club as of June 6. Last year by the end of summer 1,042 children participated.

I share this because many people do not realize what a well-used service the library is. The next time you stop by, don’t be surprised by a parking lot filled to capacity, a waiting list to use our computers, the storytime room filled to overflowing, and a line at the check out desk. Our 9 full-time and 19 part-time staff are busy meeting the needs of Emporia area citizens. We hope we can serve your needs soon!

Sue Blechl, Library Director

Gift Ideas from the Library!

With graduations, weddings, anniversaries, and Father’s Day all happening now, plus birthdays all year long, many of us struggle to find just the right gift. Here are a few ways the library can help!

A monetary gift to the library for materials in honor of your friend or loved one. We place a gift plate in each item acknowledging the honoree and the donor. This makes a wonderful lasting gift that benefits the community too! You can choose the topic that best reflects the honoree’s interests.

A Friends of the Library book bag - $8. Every well-dressed reader needs one! Get yours at the 1st floor main desk.

A Friends of the Library membership - $10 to $150. An annual membership or a life membership would be appreciated by many in Emporia.

An autographed catalog card. A number of cards are available signed by such authors as James Patterson, Jonathan Kellerman, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Ann Rule, and John Saul. For $10, you can have a wonderful literary keepsake for yourself or someone special. Plaques for displaying the cards are just $10 each. You can view the actual cards at the library’s 1st floor desk. For the complete list of cards available, click on
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/library/emporia//events/keepsake.htm

For more information on our Gift & Memorial program, click on:
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/library/emporia/gifts/gifts.htm

For more information on the Friends of the Library, click on:
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/library/emporia/friends/friends.htm

All of the options above benefit the library and its programs, so your gift also becomes a gift to the library and therefore the community. Your support is most appreciated!

Sue Blechl, Library Director