minutes

=Minutes=

Submitted by Beth Malapanes Thanks to everyone who came to Old Pueblo for our last librarian meeting this year. Sorry if you missed it. No big news to report. Cathy Eiting will update us on the policy changes for challenged books, new SASI should be piloted next year by Pam and Beth, computer issues seem to be getting better. Mike Gardner has really been awesome in being able to help us, communicate, and keep in touch, so we appreciate that very much. Beth and Pam went to AZLA and Pam handed out a booklist and position statement for school libraries. Who wants to have the next meeting at their school Thursday March 12th? Here is a cool article by a teen Cheryl fro Oro Valley Library sent. I know some of you got it. Just a reminder about how libraries are more than books. Have a great vacation and happy 2009!!!! There is only one place left in the world that still believes in the sanctity of silence and the power of the written word. That place, of course, is the library.
 * 12/16/2008**
 * //  By Kalyn F., Winter Springs, FL    //**

Because I’m an avid reader with a quiet personality, my library was the first place on my list of community service opportunities. I figured that I would spend my time alphabetizing files, shelving books, and pointing the occasional wandering patron in the right direction. I was correct. I did all these many times, and by the end I could organize a full book cart in 10 seconds flat and practically throw novels into their places from hundreds of yards away.

Well, maybe not quite like that. The point is, I did all of the normal library tasks and endured my fair share of paper cuts and runaway-cart accidents. But the lessons I learned went far beyond the complex (and often confusing) Dewey Decimal system.

I learned about life’s struggles from the young mother who hushed her twin boys in the crowded kids’ corner. I saw the weariness painted across her face and felt her exasperation trying to find books. She also taught me the value of a mother’s love, as she curled up with her rambunctious children and softly read of dragons and pirates and the chivalrous knights they were sure to become.

I learned the importance of friendship from the teen girls who filtered in and out of the young adult section. They giggled as they spoke of the latest trends and boys at school. Most of the time, their laughter was stifled by the closest librarian who silently pointed to the “Inside Voices!” sign. Their smiles, however, never faded. They would link arms and skip out to the parking lot with new books in hand, ready to face the world together.

From the homeless man who used the library as a safe haven, I learned that everyone deserves respect. He sat by himself in a lounge chair, with his back to the rest of the library. Sometimes he would read, but other times he would simply gaze out the window to the horizon. I watched as others pointed at him and steered clear of the area he inhabited. Not once did he become a bother or cause any sort of harm, but he could not escape the label society had thrust on him or the harsh reality of the world that manifested itself in the scornful stares and averted eyes he met wherever he went. I can only hope that he will find peace and acceptance at the next stop on his journey.

The people I encountered during my hours at the library were overwhelmingly ordinary. They were you and me. They were mothers, fathers, grandparents, siblings, cousins, and friends. Some were at the beginning of their lives, and some were nearing the end. Some were stuck in the middle, not sure which way to go. The insight I gained from these strangers will stay with me for a lifetime.

I suppose the most important thing I learned is that, at the end of the story, the faces behind the books will teach lessons that the books cannot. [|//This piece has also been published in Teen Ink's monthly magazine.//]

10/7/09 at AHS Thanks Margie and Linda. Present: Margie, Linda, Beth, Ron, Pam, Susan. We discussed technology issues, which took up most of our time. We have decided Ron Nason is going to be our technology liaison (Thanks Ron.) He is basically our “point person” to figure out what the heck is going on with libraries and technology issues with district; who is in charge of what; who we call, etc. We know the technology department is swamped but we need better communication with them. AHS hasn’t had access to OPAC all year and just got the student printer fixed yesterday. We need to be proactive and we need to be organized so we all know who to talk to, where we are in the queue, etc. We are hoping this will help. I am going to set up a librarian wiki so we can post questions, meeting minutes, and issues there so everyone can see what we’ve done and we have a paper trail. We are all frustrated when we email or call Raul several times and never hear back. In addition, it’s not just one school. This is a problem with several schools and Raul may not even be the one we are supposed to be calling now, who knows since things change so quickly. One person from each site, please send Ron, that’s rnason@amphi.com, a list of things that have been issues and things that are not resolved. We need concrete example to show David Fernandez. Ron also needs to know from each school if you wipe out student accounts each year in Follett or do you MERGE files with old ones. Please do this by this Friday so Ron can get going on it. He will draft a letter (email) to David Fernandez and will CC all of us. We brainstormed the major issues that seem to be needing attention: Follett, SASI, student accounts and profiles, hardware, software, printers. All librarians should ask to have administrative rights. Please inform your principals and then let Gary Serencsa know. He has to do this. Syncroneyes (computer monitoring program) is awesome. CDO bought one license then JTED bought a site license for CDO and IRHS. Not sure about other schools. If your school is part of JTED, you should check because with the site license you can install it anywhere on campus. Other items:
 * 1)  Use a blanket PO when purchasing from companies so you don’t have to put each book title in Finance Plus.
 * 2)  Challenged Books- Cecelia followed up with Cathy Eiting on 8/25/08 about he revised policy we worked on. Cathy said the district was in the process of updating regulations and the Challenged Book one would be looked at. No time frame given.
 * 3) **  Next meeting will be December 16th. We can meet at a school or at a local establishment. Any ideas or offers please email me.  **