Greetings to One and All!
Okay, so now it's been just over two weeks since Sam has gone (literally and figuratively) to greener pastures, but we still miss him tons, though wish him well.
And so goes the wheel of life...spinning 'round to the next exciting adventure and that, oh patrons, means the Summer Reading program is soon upon us!
Now, the theme this year is "Catch the Reading Bug!" and we plan to have two major events although there will be a continuing reading program which will include prizes and such, however this will all be announced at the school assembly (date tbd soon) so I am not of the mind to give anything away just yet!
Tune in soon for more blogging...!
Erin :)
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Out With The Old, In With The New (Library Director, That Is)
It’s with mixed emotions that I have to announce that I’ll be leaving both Amargosa Valley and the library here in the middle of April. I’ll be moving to Maryland, and taking a job with the Carroll County Public Library. It’s an exciting professional opportunity for me, but I will greatly miss this library, and the people here whom I’ve come to know and love during my time here.
I want to thank the library board for being so supportive, Erin, Osvaldo, Nina, and all of the other library volunteers and helpers for making my job much easier, and Jean Adams and the Friends of the Library for their dedication and service. And I especially want to thank the residents of the Valley and patrons of the Library. You’ve made me feel welcome and appreciated from the first day I arrived in Amargosa Valley, and for that I will always be grateful.
Erin Booth, who has been working at the library since last summer, will be taking over as the Interim Director after my departure. I hope that you all will show her the same kindness and generosity that you’ve shown to me. I believe the library will be in good hands, and that you will all enjoy getting to know Erin better.
Thanks again!
~Sam Eddington
I want to thank the library board for being so supportive, Erin, Osvaldo, Nina, and all of the other library volunteers and helpers for making my job much easier, and Jean Adams and the Friends of the Library for their dedication and service. And I especially want to thank the residents of the Valley and patrons of the Library. You’ve made me feel welcome and appreciated from the first day I arrived in Amargosa Valley, and for that I will always be grateful.
Erin Booth, who has been working at the library since last summer, will be taking over as the Interim Director after my departure. I hope that you all will show her the same kindness and generosity that you’ve shown to me. I believe the library will be in good hands, and that you will all enjoy getting to know Erin better.
Thanks again!
~Sam Eddington
Monday, March 24, 2008
5th Grade Donates Sweepstakes Books!
We're happy to report that Mrs. Dunsterville's 5th grade class at the Amargosa School were the winners of several boxes of books, courtesy of Scholastic's Whoopi! We're Reading! Sweepstakes. We're even happier to report that they kindly donated 200 of these books to our library! The books are currently being processed, and will soon be on the shelves for everyone in the community to enjoy.
Here are the boxes before we opened them.
And here we are opening the boxes!Monday, March 17, 2008
Gardening in Amargosa
This past Wednesday, March 12, we were privileged to have Jan Cameron, chair of the Library Board and avid gardener, present a free public program on "Gardening in Amargosa." 21 people attended and learned tips and tricks for growing vegetables here in our desert climate. I've heard nothing but positive things about the program, and I really appreciate Jan's willingness to come and share this information.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Advocacy Training in Salt Lake City
As a part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant that we've been awarded, I'll be traveling to Salt Lake City on March 12-15 for training. The focus will be on advocacy -- showing the library's worth to the community and encouraging people to support it.
I really feel that our community's support for the library is outstanding. But I'm still looking forward to getting new ideas from this training.
I'm also excited for the rest of the grant! We're going to be able to replace at least some of the public computers, which are aging. I think this will be a great benefit.
I really feel that our community's support for the library is outstanding. But I'm still looking forward to getting new ideas from this training.
I'm also excited for the rest of the grant! We're going to be able to replace at least some of the public computers, which are aging. I think this will be a great benefit.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Press Release - AVL Receives Conservation Bookshelf
Treasured objects and artifacts held by the Amargosa Valley Library will be preserved for future generations with help from the IMLS Connecting to Collections Bookshelf, a core set of conservation books, DVDs, and online resources donated by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of federal funding of the nation’s museums and libraries. IMLS and its cooperator, the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), will award a total of 2,000 free sets of the IMLS Bookshelf by the end of 2008.
Items held in the Amargosa Valley Library's special collections include archival newspapers and newsletters, photographs of the Valley, VHS tapes of community events, and transcripts of interviews with community members. Many of these materials are several decades old, and are in need of special care in order to ensure their preservation.
“We are pleased to announce the first group of IMLS Bookshelf recipients. These small libraries and museums are taking up the charge to care for America’s heritage,” said Radice. “A recent national study tells a sobering story about the state of America’s library and museum collections. Without immediate action we stand to lose important collections that are at the heart of the American story.”
The Amargosa Valley Library is among the first to receive this essential set of resources based on an application describing the needs and plans for care of its collections. The IMLS Bookshelf focuses on collections typically found in art or history museums and in libraries' special collections, with an added selection of texts for zoos, aquaria, public gardens, and nature centers. It addresses such topics as the philosophy and ethics of collecting, collections management and planning, emergency preparedness, and culturally specific conservation issues.
The IMLS Bookshelf is a crucial component of Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action, a conservation initiative that the Institute launched in 2006. IMLS began the initiative in response to a 2005 study by Heritage Preservation documenting the dire state of the nation’s collections. The multi-faceted, multi-year initiative shines a nationwide spotlight on the needs of America’s collections, especially those held by smaller institutions, which often lack the human and financial resources necessary to adequately care for their collections. Click here for more information on the conservation initiative.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.
Items held in the Amargosa Valley Library's special collections include archival newspapers and newsletters, photographs of the Valley, VHS tapes of community events, and transcripts of interviews with community members. Many of these materials are several decades old, and are in need of special care in order to ensure their preservation.
“We are pleased to announce the first group of IMLS Bookshelf recipients. These small libraries and museums are taking up the charge to care for America’s heritage,” said Radice. “A recent national study tells a sobering story about the state of America’s library and museum collections. Without immediate action we stand to lose important collections that are at the heart of the American story.”
The Amargosa Valley Library is among the first to receive this essential set of resources based on an application describing the needs and plans for care of its collections. The IMLS Bookshelf focuses on collections typically found in art or history museums and in libraries' special collections, with an added selection of texts for zoos, aquaria, public gardens, and nature centers. It addresses such topics as the philosophy and ethics of collecting, collections management and planning, emergency preparedness, and culturally specific conservation issues.
The IMLS Bookshelf is a crucial component of Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action, a conservation initiative that the Institute launched in 2006. IMLS began the initiative in response to a 2005 study by Heritage Preservation documenting the dire state of the nation’s collections. The multi-faceted, multi-year initiative shines a nationwide spotlight on the needs of America’s collections, especially those held by smaller institutions, which often lack the human and financial resources necessary to adequately care for their collections. Click here for more information on the conservation initiative.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
2008-2009 Federal Student Aid Guides in
We've received shipment of a new booklet from the Federal Student Aid Information Center. The title is Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid, and it's newly updated for the 2008-2009 school year. It's full of information about different types of Federal aid available for education, how to apply for a grant or a loan, and even how to plan payments for after graduation.
Copies of the booklet are available on the metal brochure rack by the round table in the magazine area, or you can ask one of us at the circulation desk to help you get one.
Copies of the booklet are available on the metal brochure rack by the round table in the magazine area, or you can ask one of us at the circulation desk to help you get one.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
A New Record!
Once again, I'd like to express my appreciation for the community, who show so much love and support for our library!
In the month of January, 2008, community members checked out 2,417 items. That's the most check-outs during a month ever in the library's history, going all the way back to 1976. (The previous record was 2,284, which was set in November of 2007.) It continues to amaze me how much use the library gets, and I'm grateful to each and every person who has made use of and valued the library's services.
In the month of January, 2008, community members checked out 2,417 items. That's the most check-outs during a month ever in the library's history, going all the way back to 1976. (The previous record was 2,284, which was set in November of 2007.) It continues to amaze me how much use the library gets, and I'm grateful to each and every person who has made use of and valued the library's services.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Tax forms available
It's that time of the year again, and the library has tax forms available for you to take. They're located in folders on top of the reference bookshelves; if you have trouble finding them, we'll be happy to show you where they are.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Donated books
We've received a very nice donation of several books about Buddhism, as well as a few on other topics such as how to write and preparing for pregnancy. These books are all available on the New Books shelf by the circulation desk. Come by and check one out!
Monday, February 4, 2008
New Materials!
We've received a whole shipment of new library materials, which are already on the shelf next to the circulation desk ready to be checked out. Some of the titles are Beverly Hills Dead, by Stuart Woods; Death of a Gentle Lady, by M. C. Beaton; Gambit: For Love of a Queen, by Kat Jaske; and Precision Pool, 2nd edition, by Gerry Kanov and Shari Stauch. These and many other books and DVDs are here at the library waiting for you now!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Library Catalog Now Available Online!
After some more tweaking, we now have the library catalog once again available on our website! Now you can browse our books, DVDs and other materials right from the comfort of your computer.
We've also added a few pictures to our pictures page, and have started to put up pictures of the staff as well. Slowly but surely, the site redesign is starting to take shape. It's the first website I've ever written in FrontPage, and while it will still be edited some more, it's exciting to be able to take an idea and then get it to show up on the screen. :)
We've also added a few pictures to our pictures page, and have started to put up pictures of the staff as well. Slowly but surely, the site redesign is starting to take shape. It's the first website I've ever written in FrontPage, and while it will still be edited some more, it's exciting to be able to take an idea and then get it to show up on the screen. :)
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Southern District Meeting
Yesterday, I went to a meeting in Las Vegas for the Southern District of the Nevada Library Association. (I went not only because I've agreed to be the Secretary/Treasurer for the District, but also because the meeting was held at Marie Callender's! I brought a whole cheesecake back for the staff...who I assume will share ;)
They have some great staff training programs coming up. I'm especially excited for the "Best of the Best - Young Adult Services" program that's coming up in February. I'd like to do more for the teenagers who use the library, and I think this program will give me some great suggestions as to things we can do. (Although, if you think of an idea before then, you're always welcome to stop by my office and tell it to me.)
They have some great staff training programs coming up. I'm especially excited for the "Best of the Best - Young Adult Services" program that's coming up in February. I'd like to do more for the teenagers who use the library, and I think this program will give me some great suggestions as to things we can do. (Although, if you think of an idea before then, you're always welcome to stop by my office and tell it to me.)
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Welcome!
Welcome to the Amargosa Valley Library blog! We plan to use this space to make announcements regarding library events, talk about new materials, and generally help people keep up with what's going on at the library.
We've just redesigned our website, and although I'm not finished tinkering with it, I think it's coming along well. I'm learning a lot about html, that's for sure! I hope to have the catalog available online soon, as well as pictures of the staff, but for now, this is a good start.
We've just redesigned our website, and although I'm not finished tinkering with it, I think it's coming along well. I'm learning a lot about html, that's for sure! I hope to have the catalog available online soon, as well as pictures of the staff, but for now, this is a good start.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
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