HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/6/2014 - Board of Library Trustees (19)
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NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY
To: Board of Library Trustees
From: Tim Hetherton, Acting Library Services Director
Re: Report of Library Activities
____________________________________________________________________________________
TIM HETHERTON, LIBRARY SERVICES DIRECTOR (ACTING)/TECHNICAL PROC. COORD.
What a year! 2013 saw the Grand opening of the Library Expansion, the Bistro and the Media
Lab and the Sound Lab. The new space in Children’s Services is well used and buzzing with
activity. The second floor areas for quiet study are always packed. I think that of all of our new
amenities, I am most proud of the new study areas. They are functional and aesthetically
pleasing. The cubicles offer a nice element of privacy, but the experience is still very
communal. It is a perfect example of design complementing utility.
Here’s what’s going on:
Mara Cota
Library Assistant Mara Cota accepted a position with the San Mateo County Library as a
Community Outreach Librarian. Mara started as a part time Library Assistant, was promoted to
full time, and earned an MLS degree. We will miss her initiative, enthusiasm, hard work and
dedication to Young Adult Services. The Library will recruit for a full time Library Assistant to fill
her position.
Millennium upgrade
On November 11th, we upgraded to the latest version of the Millennium Integrated Library
software (ILS). We chose the 11th since it was a holiday and the impact upon customers would
be minimal. There are no real exciting enhancements for this particular upgrade, but this helps
keep us current with software support and enables us to integrate the RFID self check
machines fully with the ILS.
Public scanning
The new Book Scan stations have been ordered for Central Library and Mariners. When these
are installed, IT will upgrade our current scanners and move them to the CDM and Balboa
branches. This is a nice customer service enhancement that works towards our goal of
providing the same level of service and amenities at all of our locations.
Sound Lab
The Purchase Order for the Sound Lab equipment went out in early December. City IT hopes
to have the equipment installed in January 2014.
Book drop
The Library Admin team is working with Public Works to determine the new placement of the
drive up book drop. The book drop’s former placement has been ruled out due to safety
concerns with traffic on Avocado Avenue, the OCTA bus stop in close proximity, and the costs
associated with cutting a turn out into the existing curb. Also, the Library would like to have the
book drop situated on the driver’s side for easier access.
Concierge service at OASIS
The Library is working with the OASIS Senior Center to provide concierge service at OASIS,
Customers will be able to pick up holds and return items. This new service goes live in
January.
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MELISSA KELLY, SUPPORT SERVICES COORDINATOR
Facilities
The City has hired an outside agency to inspect all City facilities and give recommendations for
repairs and maintenance plans. These inspectors were very professional and respectful. I
spoke briefly with them to discuss a few of the issues regarding our buildings. I do not know
what the result of this inspection will be, we’ll have to wait and see.
Circulation
Staff received training on the City’s new employee evaluation system. The session had hands
on training with the new format as well as lively discussion about standards and expectations.
Budget
The City has introduced new budgeting software. They conducted an initial training session on
the use of the software to enter projections of revenue for the balance of the current fiscal year
and to forecast revenues into the next year. These figures become a part of the City-Wide
budget in the coming year.
Literacy
Newport Mesa Pro Literacy has announced that their 2014 Gift of Literacy luncheon will be held
on Friday, June 6, 2014. The speaker will be Lisa See. The date was set by the author to
coincide with the release of her latest book China Dolls. The price of the luncheon ticket will
include a copy of the book.
DEBBIE WALKER, BRANCH AND YOUTH SERVICES COORDINATOR
Branches
On Sunday, December 8th CDM took part in the 34th annual Christmas Walk. Over 500 people
came through the doors to enjoy refreshments and entertainment all provided by funding from
The Friends of the Library. Kudos to staff-members Andrea Jason, Janice Nikula, Haidee
Barker and Laurie Sanders for all of their hard work to assure that a wonderful time was had by
all.
Balboa’s “How the Grinch Stole Storytime” and Mariners “Elephant and Piggie Party” (based on
the popular book series) helped to round out December programming. In staffing news, Annika
Helmuth, the new part-time Library Assistant hired for Mariners, trained at Central the last two
weeks of December and is scheduled to begin working shifts at Mariners the first week of
January.
Youth Services
First graders from Harbor Day School visited Central on Tuesday, December 3. The classes
made a lovely card that was sent to staff in appreciation of their trip (which also included a tour
of Bristol Farms). Winter Craft Club was held on December 11th and included several holiday
and winter themed crafts.
Teen Services
Staff received the news that Mara Cota, the long-time Teen Services staff person, would be
leaving the library in late December with decidedly mixed feelings. Mara has been a passionate
advocate of teen services and very dedicated to YAAC and other programming. Mona
Kobersy, full-time Children’s Librarian, was asked to take on YAAC and other teen
programming in Mara’s absence. Mona attended the December YAAC meeting on the 11th to
meet the members and help ease the transition to a new phase of staff involvement. Mona is
excited to take on this new assignment and looking forward to working with the group.
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NATALIE BASMACIYAN, ADULT SERVICES COORDINATOR
Sunday Musicale
Pianist Vijay Venkatesh, winner of the 2013-14 Beverly Hills auditions, along with his sister
violinist Priyanka Venkatesh, herself a Stanford University graduate and full scholarship student
at UCI in a Masters program, performed a medley of classics for our Sunday musicale. Each
performed as a soloist in addition to playing several pieces together to a most appreciative
audience. Over one hundred sixty-five people were in attendance, our largest turnout ever for a
Sunday musicale. This event was free and open to the public, and sponsored by the Friends of
the NBPL.
Manuscripts Book Discussion Group
Mudlbound by Hilary Jordan was the subject of the November Foundation Book group. A story
of racism and prejudice in the post World War II Mississippi delta, this debut novel won the
Bellwether prize for fiction, founded by Barbara Kingsolver and awarded biennially to an
unpublished debut novel that addresses issues of social justice. In addition it won a 2009 Alex
Award from the American Library Association. Forty- six people attending the Foundation book
group which is free and open to the public.
New Databases
Customers may now access three new databases, Consumer Reports, Oxford Art Online, and
Ask Art. Customers may now browse the electronic version of the respected and popular
Consumer Reports magazine. Oxford Art Online offers a vast collection of images, articles and
biographies, while Ask Art offers marketplace information and sources.
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Database Nov-13 Nov-12 Nov-11 YTD 13/14 YTD 12/13 YTD 11/12
Tracked by #searches
Ancestry 1477 939 4092 6168 17966 14447
Career Transitions N/A 7 58 168
BioResCtr*79 154 70 256 1646 1158
FoF Ancient Hist 34 121 59 120 619 338
GDL 5 17 28 129 264 178
GVRL 127 125 91 362 1807 2119
HeritageQuest 849 79 169 4705 4735 3222
Kids InfoBits 30 23 5 58 326 125
LitResCtr 187 174 53 348 9620 3786
Opposing Vpts*55 494 113 214 3035 725
Nat Geo 33 24 109 399 0
Nat Geo Kids 24 46 27 0
NoveList 75 143 159 862 2722 2032
NoveList K-8 28 57 216 152 544 863
ProQuest 2826 3927 3953 13676 51336 40227
Ref USA Bus.3209 2395 10630 59879 50546
Ref USA Res.*168 97 330 2587 8453
Tumblebooks 1097 976 613 5579 10584 7797
World Book Online 97 67 115 265 1156 1148
Tracked by #sessions
Cypress Resume 12 10 12 71 226 132
LiveHomework 22 98 327 162 785 2263
Testing & EdRefCtr 46 48 43 246 446 498
Universal Class 45 45 57 313 1055 640
Tracked by #page views
CultureGrams 201 122 391 525 5973 2239
Morningstar 9507 3875 1970 28159 100148 23463
NetAdvantage 211 1038 671 8552 30584 8200
RealQuest 41 1003 74 4708 13127 7368
Rocket Languages 16 20 24 274 514 755
Value Line 27920 16,432 8907 114641 224744 118996
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