The Circu-Letter 2003 Issue 1
The Circu-Letter
2003 Issue 1
Making Connections @ the Heart of Our Community
Computer Services Upgraded at the Library
For our patrons who have patiently endured grinding noises, hard rive crashes, and slower-than-slow Internet access, a belated Christmas gift arrived in early January in the form of four new Compaq computers.In consultation with our information technology consultant, the library purchased computers that the consultant calls "The latest Internet access workstations," new 17" monitors that replaced the 15" monitors making viewing the computer screen more comfortable for patrons. (All four are Compaq Evo D500 series machines, with Pentium 4 processors, 2 GHz, and 256 mg of RAM. The operating system is Windows XP Professional.)
The new machines replace two state-funded computers that had provided Internet access and two other computers that had word processing software on them. (The old Internet machines will be returned to the State of Ohio.) All four of these machines were too old to make surfing the Internet or preparing a document an up-to-date experience.
All four computers provide Internet access (doubling our previous capacity), and all of them offer Microsoft Office. The Microsoft Office package has the word processor program Word and the spreadsheet program Excel.
These updated machines can now also take better advantage of our fast T-1 telecommunications line, which is funded by the State of Ohio. The time to connect to websites is dramatically improved, actually almost instantaneous!
The library's Internet service provider is the state-funded Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN). OPLIN has plans to replace some of our telecommunications equipment as it continues to help us upgrade service to our patrons.
To use the library's computers, each patron must have on file a form agreeing to abide by the Internet Use Policy passed by the Board of Trustees. A patron must also have a library card. Children must have parental permission to use the library's Internet service.
So, please, all you Internet surfers and word processing patrons: come in and check out the improvements made to our technology services. Out service is now fast, up-to-date, reliable, and visually pleasing. Try it out!
Read Across America
Volunteers are needed to read to Louisville students on Friday, February 28, 2003, in celebration of Read Across America Day. If you would like to donate 30 minutes of your time to help illustrate to children how important reading is, please see Mrs. Lang at the Library or call her at 330-875-1696. Mrs. Lang or another staff member will be glad to assist you in selecting books to read if you wish.
Story Time Winter Session
Now Through April 3rd! Mondays - 6:30 pm (through kindergarten age) Wednesdays 1:30-2:00 pm (for 4 & 5 year olds) Thursdays 20:00-10:30 am (for 3 year olds) Openings available in all sessions. Contact Mrs. Brown with questions or to register at 330-875-1696
A Message from the Director
Betsy Ketchum, Director
There are some important changes to note regarding the Louisville Public Library Board of Trustees. The regular meetings of the Board will now be held at 4:00 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. This is a change from the past few years when the Board met at 7:00 pm.At the reorganization meeting on January 14, 2003, two new Board members were sworn in. Marie Hull-Green is filling an unexpired 2-year term to end on December 31, 2005. Ms. Hull-Green is an Assistant Vice President & Personel Trust Officer at First Merit Bank. Ms. Hull-Green and her husband and daughter are frequent library users.
Fillin a full, 7-year term on the Board is Laurie Mickley, whose office is on Main Street in the downtown area. Ms. Mickely is a former teacher and a native of Louisville.
Filling an unexpired 1-year term is previous Board member Joe Zwick.
Welcome to these new Board members.
The Board is looking forward to a very exciting year. The closing on the Knights of Columbus property is expected to take place in the very near future, and plans for financing and construction of our new library are being formed.
The Friends of the Library Invite You!
The yearly membership meeting of the Friends of the Library will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2003, at 7:00 pm. The slate of officers for the upcoming year will be presented at this meeting. (See the list of candidates below.) Plans for upcoming fundraising events and service projects will be discussed.Please become involved with the Friends as they support the library. As plans are developed for the new library, the Friends hope to be a very active participant in realizing this great new community asset. Everyone is welcome to attend the yearly meeting.
All levels of participation throughout the year are appreciated. Make new friends even as you support the library! Mail in the membership application insert and join the Friends!
Below is a list of fundraisers and library projects sponsored by the Friends during 2002:
Fundraisers
- Annual used book sale (raised over $1200).
- Trunk sale
Funded Projects
- Program for Children's Summer Reading Club:
"Amazing Animals" presented by the Wilderness Center
- Donated "Friends" T-shirts and pencils to Children's Summer Reading Program
- "Johnny Appleseed" program, by Ken Hammontree
Service
- Helped prepare library newsletters for mailing (8 issues)
- Refreshments served for newsletter volunteers
- Volunteers luncheon
- Served refreshments at Johnny Appleseed program
Did You Know?
- ...the library serves all Stark County residents but the legal service area of the library, as determined by state law, is encompassed by the Louisville City School District boundaries?
- ...that there is no relationship, however, between the Louisville school's days for closing and the library's days for closing? The Library Board and the School Board each determines hours of operation and holiday closings. Also, weather-related school closings do not affect hours of operation for the library. If the library should close due to weather-related conditions or an emergency, this information will be available on the WHBC radio station.
- ...that the Board of Trustees has set the following legal holidays to be observed by the
library: New Year's Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving
Day, and Christmas Day? In addition, the library is also closed Good Friday, Christmas Eve, and
New Year's Eve.
- ...that the library is open on Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, and Martin Luther King Day?
- ...that the library closes on Saturdays during the months of June, July, and August?
- ...that the library again this year is providing income tax forms (federal & state)? You can also get federal forms on the IRS website (http:/www.irs.gov).
Home Improvement Series at the Library
Winter is a great time to plan all those home improvement projects. This year, in addition to providing you with great books and videos filled with ideas, the Louisville Public Library is sponsoring a series of home improvement programs with the help of area businesses.The first program on Thursday February 27, at 7:00 pm, will be "Painting 101" with Scott Gibson of Metzger's Ace Hardware. Scott is the Paint Department Manager and a Certified Paint Expert. He will explain the basics of interior painting and introduce you to some of the new trends.
The second program on Thursday March 27, at 7:00 pm will be "Decorating: Floors, Wall Coverings and Window Treatments" with Stephanie France of France Floor Coverings and Interiors. Stephanie and her team of factory representatives will discuss the basics and also some of the innovations in interior decorating in order to help you revitalize your home.
This winter, let our local experts and the library's large selection of home improvement materials help you make your home more comfortable and attractive. Join us at the Louisville Public Library where great ideas are only a book away.
"Pet First Aid" Class - April 1st
Would you know how to help your four-legged best friend in an emergency? Sign up now for the Pet First Aid class being offered Tuesday, April 1, 2003 at 6:30 pm. Libby Smith-Hayden of the Stark/Summit Ohio State Extension Service will instruct the class in Emergency Protocols, including how to approach a sick or injured dog or cat, administer medication and recognize an emergency. The course will include first aid for insect bites, sprains and strains, fractures, poisoning, pad wounds and tick removal. You will also construct your own Pet First Aid Kit with the materials provided.There is a $10.00 fee to cover the cost of materials. You must register and pay the fee for this class in advance. The registration deadline is March 14, 2003. The class is limited to 10 participants - ages Grade 6 through Adult. Registration forms are available at the Circulation Desk. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Lang or call at 330-875-1696.
On Display
During February and the early part of March, there will be displays in the Library by Louisville Neighborhood Girl Scouts. February 22 is designed Thinking Day for girls to consider joining the Scouts. The first Girl Scout troup was formed on March 12, 1912, bu Juliette Low in Savannah, GA.
In February, the book display area will feature book on black history in honor of Black History
Month.
