Easy Dad Program

It’s great when you find an easy program aimed at dads and their kids. Brooks Memorial Library is having success with the Dads Day Derby. They collect the cardboard tubes and duct tape ahead of time and purchase small plastic cars. This program really does run itself– though the staff build a prototype ahead.

When families turn up, each gets a supply of tubes and tape. All activity is self-directed, making the racetrack and then shooting the toy car down. Two hours– and plenty of fun. Note: Brooks Memorial serves Brattleboro, which is big enough so pre-registering families works for them. A smaller library could probably skip this step.

Library Card Sign-Up Month

September is coming fast, and the Martha Canfield Library in Arlington has planned many programs to tie in with the national library card signup month. The month begins with a reception for area select boards and moves on through a host of Vermont authors and book panels. Area residents can hear Sue Halpern, Bill McKibben, Frankie Bailey, Linda Furiya, Reeve Lindbergh and poet laureate Sydney Lea. Four programs feature the Internet– social networks, LibraryThing, Facebook, and Linked In. Three more highlight area history: Arlington & the Revolutionary War, Collecting Sandgate Memories, and stories from the Memoir Group.

Two years ago Brooks Memorial Library joined forces with area bookstores in their “Smartest Card” promotion. Card holders could get a 15% discount by showing their library card during September. The campaign also featured local card holders:

“The library is your ticket for liberating the mind” (Marie, Brattleboro)

“Here’s my library card, the most important card in my wallet next to my license,” (overheard at the main desk.)

“You can’t imagine what a gift this library card is!” (Jenny in Whitingham).

ALA has plenty of information to tie local events to the national campaign. Check out audio public service announcements, a Flickr slide show, letter to the editor and more at the ALA Library Card link. This year’s spokesperson is Super Bowl champion Troy Polamalu.

Encourage Job Seekers

Some Best Practice suggestions for job seekers seen at Brooks Memorial Library recently:

Post a link or software app for building resumes (Resume Builder, seen in the screenshot above)

Offer Skype sessions and training for face to face videoconferencing for interviews.

Tell people they can apply for longer computer sessions in order to fill out job applications, take online tests

Offer one to one tutorials to teach two basic job application skills: how to get a free email account and how to fill out an online job application

Need new trustees? ADVERTISE!

Brooks Memorial Library advertises for new trustees in their weekly e-newsletter. Specifics include the term length (3 years), qualifications (residency, “interest in maintaining a strong and visionary library,” and expectations: monthly meetings and service on one or more ad hoc committees.

“Applicants should sent a letter, or email, describing their interest in serving on the Library Board no later than Monday, January 3. Interviews will be arranged later that week.”

Library Page for eAudio and eBooks

Seen in a recent library newsletter: the link to a page with information for library users on eAudiobooks and eBooks. Check out Brooks Memorial Library’s link for inspiration.