There’s always something new at the Library!

You know, it’s hard to keep up with the changes in the world around us, especially when it involves technology. The Library has no choice but to try to offer what’s new and what’s good to our patrons. That’s why every few years or so, we must begin to provide new formats. Many years ago, libraries offered 35 mm films and filmstrips – even in my librarian lifetime!! Then we had the Beta and VHS video war, with VHS as the winner. Now everything is on DVD.

A similar scenario has unfolded for music. We had records, reel-to-reel recordings, then 8-tracks, then cassette tapes, and now compact discs. Our music collection is now exclusively on cds, and we all have even more choices via the Internet.

For our audiobook collection, we’ve been offering both cassette tapes and compact discs for quite a while. For our film collection, we still have videos, but most purchases of new materials are on dvd.

The time is getting closer when we must discontinue some formats, in order to maximize our space and our collection budget. When we make the hard decisions, we know that some of our patrons will be disappointed. Of course we cannot carry multiple formats forever. The world changes – people’s needs change – and so the library must change.

The computer has changed our lives and the library. But it has not diminished the need for books, especially those for recreational reading. We’ll have books around for quite a while. Many other things will evolve, and we’ll adjust and accommodate and regroup. The library survives – and thrives!

Sue Blechl, Director
blechls@emporialibrary.org

Getting the word out

It’s great that the library staff and I have been out and about, spreading our message about all that the library offers. In the last two weeks, we’ve been extra busy speaking to area groups about our services. Presentations were made to the Literary League, Parliamentary Study Club, Older Kansans Employment program, Republican Women, and a gathering of area school, public, and academic librarians.

Some cool new things are available through our state resource called the Kansas Library Card. HomeworkKansas is especially geared for grades 4 to college and provides online tutors to help with specific math, English, science, and social studies assignments.

AudioBooks and music are available electronically, and NetLibrary supplies electronic or e-books to Kansas residents. Along with informational databases of magazine articles, encyclopedias, and much much more, the Kansan who needs information can access a wealth of resources from their home or office computer, without setting foot in the library.

You can get a temporary Kansas Library Card online, but it must be validated by a visit to your local library. And it’s all FREE!!

Check it out – it’s super! http://www.kslc.org/index.jsp

Sue Blechl, Director
blechls@emporialibrary.org

Our world changed five years ago

September 6

Monday is the five-year anniversary of September 11, 2001. I can remember just where I was when the news came – Here in the library in a meeting. We wheeled a television out to the browsing area so that everyone could watch and learn what was happening on that awful day.

As we take time to contemplate how our world has changed, consider doing a little reading about the World Trade Center tragedy and the war on terrorism. There will be many magazine and newspaper articles on the topics. For books, you could use these subject headings to search the online catalog for materials:

September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001 There are 64 items with this subject.

War on terrorism, 2001 There are 39 items with this subject.

Library displays in the adult and the children’s departments will feature some of these materials. Ask our staff if you have difficulties.

Many people will fly the flag to commemorate the day. It’s another way to remember those who have died in the last five years as part of the attacks and the subsequent actions by our military in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Sue Blechl, Director
blechls@emporialibrary.org