tattoo you.

So the Kearns Library is just around the corner from a tattoo shop, which means we do our fair share of image searching. The questions are always fun and often really challenging. Side views of angels and Chinese alphabet characters can be tricky. The most wanted image of late? You guessed it, Spidey. And "they" say reference is dead. Pffft.

decisions, decisions.

Our library just had new media shelving installed and yesterday I was lucky enough to work on the cd's. It was tough, I'll admit it. The questions just kept coming. I started off with Classical and moved onto Jazz, but then what? New Age and Folk I decided. Around the globe with World Music, Humor (you would not believe how many cds Weird Al has!), and Sound Effects. Couldn't bring myself to separate Humor and Sound Effects. Just didn't seem right. By the way, Martha Stewart has contributed to this collection. On to Popular Instrumental, Popular Vocal, Country (made sure the Dixie Chicks and Toby Keith weren't even in the same bin), Rock, and then I brought things home with Rap. All seven cd's.

irresponsible.

I know, I know, it's been ten days since I've blogged. I've been a slacker, no doubt about it. I take full responsibility for the error of my ways, and I assure you, I have loads of excuses but I won't bore you with them here. Anyway. I'm back.

homework....

I am particularly interested in one of the eight new goals our Library System has adopted: Children and Teens in Salt Lake County will have access to resources that assist them with their homework assignments and help them to succeed in school. I'm toying with the idea of creating a pull out "Homework Help" collection in the kid's area. I know, I know, you're probably thinking something like: "the entire non-fiction collection is homework help, but I'm thinking a bit more narrowly, with a focus on elementary school students. It might include science fair project info, kid reference materials, writing and language stuff and math instruction. Hmmm. Tell me what you think.

bitten.

I've spent the last few days under the weather: sadly I was bitten by a particularly nasty flu bug. There's nothing like a touch of poor health to advance humility. The good news? My beloved gummi bears didn't let me down.

Butterfield Canyon

We hiked in Butterfield Canyon today... the first time I've been in that neck of the woods for a few years. Jim Schulte, a member of the Community Planning Committee, is Vice President of Long Range Planning at Kennecott Land. I asked about the reclamation project, which includes the canyon, and he suggested I take a look. It's impressive. And dog friendly.

Goals!

With input from staff, the Community Planning Committee, the Library Board, and administration, our library system will now begin to work on the following eight goals:

• Preschool children in Salt Lake County will develop a lifelong love of books, reading, and learning and will enter school ready to succeed.
• Children in Salt Lake County will have library materials, programs, and services that stimulate their imaginations, satisfy their curiosity, and provide a wide variety of activities and experiences.
• Teens in Salt Lake County will have library materials, programs and services that focus on their current interests and provide satisfying activities and experiences.
• Adults in Salt Lake County will have the high-demand, high-interest materials, in the formats and languages they want, where and when they want them.
• Salt Lake County residents will have attractive, safe, and welcoming places to meet and interact with others.
• Adults in Salt Lake County will have library materials and services that support their lifelong learning interests.
• Salt Lake County residents will effectively use technology to connect to the world of electronic information and communicate with others.
• Children and Teens in Salt Lake County will have access to resources that assist them with their homework assignments and help them to succeed in school.

does anyone really know what time it is...

Day two: crash course on Managing for Results. Okay, so listen to this. While Sandra was explaining the various processes for gathering data on the amount of time needed by staff to do specific activities, she shared this statistic: most tasks take two and a half times as long as we think they do. Pretty scary don't you think? Of course I'm not getting to all the things I think I should.... I need a twenty-hour work day to get through my to do list.

relevancy

Today I attended the first of a two day crash course on "Managing for Results" led by Sandra Nelson and June Garcia. You're probably thinking "that's weird, she's not a manager", which is absolutely true. I attended as the staff representative to the Community Planning Committee. But also because I've become Sandra and June's biggest fan. It's easy to see why their Planning for Results process has become the benchmark in library land: they are savvy, knowledgeable, entertaining, and thought provoking. This morning I was particularly intrigued by Sandra's comments about "irrelevant excellence". You know what she means right? The effort we expend on tasks that have tremendous meaning to us, but are not important to our customers. An example that comes immediately to my mind? The storytime handouts I make and then find littering the floor of the library. Clearly, parents and careproviders don't find them to be relevant. And I'm pretty sure the kids don't care. But just so you know, the handouts are excellent. I promise.

summertime

It's the hap-happiest season of all... that's right, it's time for Summer Reading Club at the library. I signed up dozens of summer readers today, including an impressive number of grown ups. Haven't signed up yet? It's okay, you have until July 15th. So come on, join the fun and let the reading ruckus begin!

library phone.

At Kearns Library, the courtesy phone is located on a post right in front of the information desk. Which means I hear some conversations that I'd really rather not. Including the end of romantic entanglements, tons of after-school plans, and even more please, please, please come pick me ups because it's too cold/hot/rainy/windy to walk. So listen up. I'm here to tell you that cell phones are not necessarily a bad thing. After all, you can always gently guide folks to the foyer right?

chapter two.

As we head into the the dog days of summer, I'll be implementing the next step in my teen strategy at Kearns. I'm thinking of it as a campaign of divide and conquer. Now that the hordes are gone, I'm hoping to create relationships on a teen to teen basis. The draw? Yep, you guessed it.... the computers. Wish me luck.

last meeting

The final meeting of the Community Planning Committee is next week, on Thursday, June 8 at the Columbus Center. We'll be hearing the results of our efforts over breakfast. I'm sad, because the group is amazing, but excited to get started on the next phase: implementation!

Mad Hot Ballroom

Okay, be sure to see the documentary Mad Hot Ballroom. Fifth graders from three New York City Public Schools spend ten weeks learning to merengue, foxtrot, swing, rumba, and tango with the help of experts from the American Ballroom Theatre. Along the way they learn to negotiate boy-girl relationships, develop creatively, and see their hard work pay off . You'll be inspired, and hey, you may just break out your dancing shoes.

schools out...

Yesterday was the last day at Kearns Jr. High. A few water fights, some shaving cream, and loads of happy teens. No more pencils, no more books... School's out for summer!