Alpine Public Library News

 Volunteers:  Arlene Griffis,  Sky Townsend, Carol Henthrone

We have started a volunteer program through the Library Leadership Development Institute, Grow our own area Librarian(goal) program at the Marathon Public Library. Arlene Griffis, Carol Henthrone and Sky Townsend quailfied for the program. They all started the program this month. Carol and Arlene will be training on the circulation desk so they may open the library when I go to classes. Sky is in the very beginning stages of learning to shelf books, cover books, using the copy machine and etc. We are all looking forward to working together and expanding our horizons at the library. Arlene is also doing some training on possible grants. She has joined the grant committee in Alpine.

Tax Forms:

We have tax forms for our patrons to pick up at the Marathon Public Library this year. Thanks Anitra for sending them to us. Also thanks to Mary Beth for delivering them. Our patrons are very greatful not to have to drive to Alpine this year to pick them up.

Look for our new comics and graphic novels on the shelf behind the circulation desk! If you are unfamiliar with some of our titles a bibliography is available which includes annotations describing each graphic novel or comic. Here is a listing of our newest additions:

The DC Comics Encyclopedia
Dragon Ball Z Vol. 1-3
Emily the Strange (Boring Issue #1 and Dark Issue #3)
Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 1-3
The Marvel Encyclopedia

The end of the year yields many statistics and other vital data that the library uses to see where it has been and where it would like to go.  However, it is appropriate to reflect on one statistic that may get overlooked at times:  volunteer hours.  This can be easy to do, because a check isn’t written to volunteers, they don’t receive social security or benefits, yet they show up regular as clockwork to the library and help keep it running.  McNaughton, our leased book collection, was maintained by a volunteer.  Countless volunteer hours were donated to supplement our children’s programs.  Maintenance of the library such as basic plumbing and changing light bulbs is many times handled by volunteers.  And who can forget Re-Reads?

            Last year, a total of 3,078 volunteer hours were donated to the Alpine Public Library.  Doing the math, this is the equivalent of having three additional part-time employees for free!  The estimated dollar value of volunteer time in 2006 was $18.77, according to independentsector.org.  Using that figure, the total estimated dollar value of the volunteer time donated last year would be a staggering $57,774.06, an amount far outside the library’s budget.  With that in mind, thank you is not enough.  Therefore, a square foot of the new library has been purchased in honor of the Volunteers of the Alpine Public Library.

            Can you lend some of your time and energy to the library by becoming a volunteer?  There is always a need for friendly people to help customers at Re-Reads used book store.  The hours are flexible and the work has been described as “rewarding.”    

            If you would like to volunteer to work at the library itself, there is also plenty of room for you.  We always need help just making sure that materials remain in order and easy to locate on the shelves.  Assistance is appreciated with regard to our ever expanding children’s programming.  Helping to cut down on the dust in the building is an easy, yet vital job.  Volunteers who enjoy working outdoors are welcome to assist with yard maintenance.

            Volunteering is fun, rewarding and vital to keep the Alpine Public Library functioning.  If you would like to volunteer, please pick up an application at the Circulation Desk.  For more information, feel free to call 837-2621 or email the director at alpinepl@sbcglobal.net.  We look forward to your assistance.

Marathon Public Library will be closed on Jan. 17, 2008, Thursday, because our heater is not working. We will reopen on Friday Jan. 18, 2008. Sorry for the inconvenience. The repair company hopefully will have it fixed by Friday.

Have a great day,

Carol

If you have donated to the Alpine Public Library or our capital campaign and need a record of  your monetary contribution for income tax purposes, please contact Jodye at the following email address: alpinepl@sbcglobal.net

We’ve just received several new Internet and computer-use guide books. Whether you are a beginner or would like to become a more efficient web-surfer, our new guides are easy to use and packed with information for everyone. These will be displayed on the bookshelf behind the front door. Here is a list of the new books:

Blogging For Dummies

Ebay For Dummies

Google-pedia

The Internet For Dummies

Macs For Dummies

MySpace For Dummies

PayPal For Dummies

 After a brief winter break, the Question of the Month is back.  Your input is once again appreciated:

Would you attend free computer classes offered at the library?

Skills learned could include:

Setting up an email account                      

Email attachments

Posting a blog entry                   

Research on the web

o                    Yes

o                    No

Please  post a reply here  or  fill  out a form  at the Alpine Public Library.

Thanks for your input.

Marathon Public Library will be open on Monday-Friday from 11am-5pm, starting January 2, 2008. We wish to thank the Board of Directors for a wonderful time off during the holidays. We are looking forward to another great year.

Happy New Year!

Carol and MPL Friends