The Soapbox

My husband likes to read mysteries, but he’s not so good at remembering which books by a particular author he has already read. He’ll ask me to bring him more of a particular author, and I wind up checking out books and bringing them home only to find that he’s read them already. No more! A quick and easy solution is at hand, and we can all use it.

It’s called “My Reading History,” and it’s an optional part of each Library account. You can turn it on for your account and use the power of computers to keep track of what you have checked out: title, author, and date you checked it out. It starts working with everything you check out after you turn it on, and even though it’s called “My Reading History,” it will track your movies and CDs, too.  Here are more details. Enjoy!

As we approach the new September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, it seems appropriate to reflect on a few of the ways Skokie Public Library’s volunteers help the Library serve you better.

Our Adopt-a-Shelf program touches the lives of countless people by providing volunteer opportunities for the disabled. Local schools and community programs work with the Library to provide a simulated work environment while providing marketable, transferable skills that provide the volunteers a sense of pride and feeling of accomplishment. The volunteers have diverse backgrounds and are working toward many different goals, including developing social skills, giving back to the community, working through a transition in life, keeping out of trouble, and learning to become independent, self-sufficient, functioning members of the community. These volunteers help the staff get materials back on the shelves more quickly so everyone can find them and check them out again.

In the summer, Booking with a Buddy provides volunteers ranging in age from junior high students to retirees who devote an hour each week during the summer reading with a child in first through third grade to promote the childrens’ reading skills during the summer. This summer, 59 children were served by 57 “big buddy” volunteers. Sign up happens in May each year.

People with experience in career counseling or technical skills in creating resumes volunteer to help those who have lost their job or are seeking to make a career change. This is an ongoing service that the Library can offer only because volunteers with those skills are willing to give of their time and expertise. Arrangements are very flexible.

Aquabrowser, the Library’s new system for finding books and other library materials has been up and running for a few months now. We’ve received a lot of feedback regarding the system. The response has been largely positive, but we’re never content to rest on our laurels for too long. Aquabrowser has a host of useful features that will make it much easier to find exactly what you’re looking for, and discover things you didn’t even realize you wanted.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll use this blog to demonstrate some of these useful features. In the meantime, you can refer to this handy guide that will introduce you to many of the Aquabrowser basics. It’s a .PDF document, so make sure you have Adobe Reader.

We’re confident that you’ll get a lot of use out of the new Aquabrowser system. If you still prefer the previous system, you can access it at any time by selecting “Classic Catalog” at the top of the screen.

Our library has always been incredibly fortunate to have such a wide body of support, both from our patrons and from members of the Village. Having such strong support enables our organization to weather events such as this current economic recession.

But not every library is so lucky. Institutions in Ohio are facing 30% cuts across the board. Pennsylvania libraries are facing a budget crisis of their own. Illinois is hardly immune, either. Reductions in federal and state funds have put many libraries at risk.

The most prominent example is the William Leonard Public Library in south suburban Robbins. Threatened with imminent closure, a small grassroots movement has developed to help keep the library from closing. (You may remember eight-year-old Shawna Lewis, who sent a plea to President Obama to help keep the library open.)

Last week, our Board of Trustees voted to send the proceeds of our used book sales to help this library, and Board members are making individual contributions. If you would like to help the William Leonard Public Library, please purchase a book from our Book Sale room, or make a contribution at any of the Checkout desks.

Please make checks payable to Friends of the William Leonard Public Library Board.

Patron Comment: Could you please designate an area in the library where people could talk without disturbing other patrons.

Response: Patrons can reserve a study room where they can talk or study with others and not disturb other patons. Ask at the service desks about how to reserve a study room.

[Lukie wrote in with an update on the findings of the Library's Green committee. Click the links to find ways you can do some of the same things.]

You may have wondered what Skokie Public Library is doing to be eco-friendly.  We’re happy to report that there are many policies in place having to do with recycling and energy efficiency.

• Approximately 70% of waste, including old computers and fluorescent light bulbs, is recycled.

• Recycled copier paper, double-sided printing, electronic communications, and bathroom hand dryers reduce paper waste.

• CFLs, light timers, skylights, a green roof, and energy efficient computer hardware reduce electricity usage.

• Sink faucets and toilet flushes are automatic, saving water.

• Nontoxic cleaning products such as vinegar and baking soda are used throughout the library. Mixing our own cleaning solutions cuts down on plastic bottles purchased.

How can we improve?

• Think about taking the stairs instead of the elevator, if you are able.

• Bring in your obsolete cell phones and empty print cartridges to the Adult Services Computer Lab for recycling.

• Bring a mug from home for coffee. As long as your drinking receptacle fits in the dispenser, the coffee machine on the first floor will be happy to brew you a fresh cup.

• No VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paint for the next wall touch-up.

• Think before you print!

What other suggestions do you have for the Library to go green? Please let us know in the comments.

Patron Comment:  Thanks for removing the $1.00 fee on movies.  Please put a limit on the DVDs to 5 or 6 so there is a selection left.

Response:  We are happy to hear that you appreciate the removal of the $1.00 fee for checking out movies.  While it is true that a lot more DVDs have been checked out since the fee has been removed, we still have a large collection to choose from. If you are a Skokie cardholder, you can also reserve any particular title you want.

We appreciate your suggestion.  We do modify our policies from time to time as the need arises.  Currently 10 DVDs can be checked out on a library card.  We will monitor the impact this policy has on the availability of DVDs.

Patron Comment:  Documentaries were allowed to be checked out for a longer term (3 weeks).  It will be really nice if you bring the old policy back.

Response:  For a brief period, a year or so ago, TV series and documentaries could be checked out for three weeks. Many people then complained that they had to wait too long for the series they wanted, so we returned to the one-week loan period. If you need to extend your viewing time, you may renew TV series and documentaries, and any nonfiction DVD, for one week.  (Note that feature films cannot be renewed.)

The Library has always been a great place to find information and entertainment for cheap. We’re happy to announce that things just got even cheaper.

We are now eliminating the $1.00 fee to check out feature films on DVD. This means you can now enjoy the entirety of our AV resources – not to mention our entire collection – free of charge.

(Provided you return your items on time, of course. Fines for exceeding the loan period remain unchanged.)

Along with this news are some changes to our reciprocal borrowing policy:

Non-Skokie Public Library cardholders with reciprocal borrowing privileges may now borrow up to 10 DVDs at once. This gives reciprocal borrowers the ability to check out the same number of DVDs as Skokie cardholders.

We hope these changes make things more convenient (and less costly) to all of our users. Enjoy the collection!

It’s long been a tradition for libraries to offer passes to the Ravinia Festival every summer. This year is no exception, as you get up to 4 lawn passes to various performances held at Ravinia throughout the summer. (Tickets may also provide $10 off on Reserved Seats, provided seats are available.)

Here’s what you need to do to request your passes:

1. Pick out four or more CDs from our collection. Try one of our lists if you’d like some recommendations.
2. Use a self-check machine to check the items out.
3. Pick up a form at the Audio-Visual Desk.
4. Turn in the completed form along with your self-check receipt at the Audio-Visual Desk.

There is a limit of 4 passes per person or household. Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis to Skokie Public Library Cardholders.

Hit the jump below for a list of available dates and performances.

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