What a second half to 2008!

I began my Director's blog with a bit of gusto, but the air was taken out of my sails by severe budget cuts on all fronts--city, county, and state--beginning in the summer. These cuts began prior to the economy's plummet, which addded insult to injury. I spent the last six months of the year meeting with elected officials and working with the trustees to salvage a service organization's budget made up almost completely of people. Some very difficult choices had to be made to keep the library afloat. We have had to reduce public service hours and drastically reduce staffing. Two positions became open in 2008 (one through retirement, one resignation due to relocating) and will remain vacant in 2009. In addition, at least eight part time positions' hours have been reduced and all salaries were frozen.

In the end, the budget was reduced by over $100,000, an unprecedented 7%. We now stand at 2001 funding with 2009 expenses inlcuding technology. And when the economy sours, public library usage always increases. In fact, prior to closing on Sundays, we were on a pace to be as busy as we were when Griffiss Air Force Base was still open.

Due to severe cutbacks, all new programs in 2009 will rely heavily on volunteers, including staff members who volunteer to support programs about which they are passionate.

My wish for 2009 is that we make it through the next round of budget cuts. Already at a less than skeleton crew, I am unsure of how we will make the income and expenses meet when the 2010 city, county, and state budgets are drafted.

My Latest Read (Listen)

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If I were a big business executive, I would have all employees read this book. I would also want to have recurits read it and write a one page response. Yes, I liked it that much. I love Pausch's sense of humor and sense of decency.

My daughter and I accidentally ended up listening to this one together; it was in the CD player when we took a drive together, so I thought I'd see where it went. She just loved the book! I'm so glad our pioneering spirit led us to discover something not intended for her ears!

There was so much the author could have said, but didn't. No wallowing, but celebrating and doling out quite practical advice. I plan to come up with my own version of thin mints and, and "The First Penguin" just might find its way into Jervis culture one day. We have many brave souls who jump into the water regardless of the seals.

View all my goodreads reviews..

Happy 150th Birthday Jervis House

This year is the sesquicentennial of the Jervis House. We will kick off the celebration by being a stop on the annual Tour of Homes organized by The Rome Home in July.

2.0, Here I come!

I've been the Director of Jervis Public Library since October 2005 and wish I had been blogging about my job since day one. No time like the (delayed) present.

So what inspired me so many months later? I had the pleasure of listening to Stephen Abram speak about the importance of integrating Library 2.0 into traditional services. I didn't have to be converted since I do believe in Library 2.0, whatever that is. However, a good nudge was needed.

What will I include on my blog? Interesting reference questions, public information, where I've been inthe community and where I'm going to be in the community, and what's new at Jervis. You'll probably also read about my reading list and maybe even a little about my favorite ways to relieve stress: floating in Lake Delta (summer only: no ice fishing for me), gardening, yoga, and reading to my daughter.

Thanks for reading.