Adult Services Minutes for March 2004

Date: March 10, 2004

Location: Belle Isle Library

Time:  1:00-4:00pm

Call to order and welcome:
Anita Roesler, Senior Services Coordinator, welcomed all present to the meeting at 1pm.

A warm welcome to Rondia Banks, she has transferred to WA as an Adult Programmer Librarian.

Attendance: Shellie Zeigler-Hill-DC, Sharon Nolan-BE, Linda Gens-VI, Sharon May-RE,  Rondia Banks-WA, Kelley Riha-OUT, Kelly Dalrymple-WA, Dana  Morrow-OUT, Ann Meeks-BI, Ronna Davis-ED, Kalyani Chekuri-CH, Janet Brooks-MSL, Tracey Stone-DN, Nancy Lytle-MAC, Susie Beasley-MC, Heidi Port- DVS

Dana Morrow: Words of Wisdom & Encouragement:

• Dana reiterated that we all need to double check the programs as we enter then into the calendar and Room Scheduler. It is very easy to make small mistakes.
• DN Library is coming along in it’s progress.
• Kapoot Clown Theatre is coming up. It’s a family fun program, but is recommended for ages 7 and up. Younger children may get frightened.

Janet Brooks: Public Performance Rights:

• Janet passed out a handout of the 7 guidelines we need to follow if we are going to offer films in our programs.
• We are able to use films, but we need to be sure to closely adhere to all the guidelines or the system could be fines for copyright violation. Janet is not sure what the fine is though.
• There are currently 2445 videos in the system with public performance rights that have been purchased for the system. You can access these by doing a “public performance rights” search.
• You can find more information about copyright law at the ALA website (www.ala.org).
• MC and DC have been using films in some of their programming already.

Anita Roesler-Various Comments:

• Anita handed out a list of all programmers in the system at each branch.
• Anita passed around the schedule of upcoming meeting and locations.
• A couple of articles on Senior Services were distributed as well.
• Author Discussion: Anita identified several area authors that have approached her about doing a presentation and highlighting their books. The decision was made to have a few of them present at the next programmer’s meeting in May. It was noted by Janet that the books by these authors really should be catalogued in the MLS before a program occurs. But they will have to meet the same selection criteria as any other item.

Lifetime Readers’ Society: Winter Readfest:
Anita passed out the current statistics on the program. As of today, we have 540 customers signed up in the program. Anita asked for comments
and suggestions on the program and its future. Here are some of the highlights:

• Great program, but may want to start it at a higher age.
• I use “reverse psychology” to invite them to join. (I.e. you probably aren’t old enough, but……)
• The younger of the range likes it, but not the higher age range.
• A personal invite always works well
• Some of turned the gifts away, but they don’t need extra stuff. The sign-up card is too long and many don’t want to be on a mailing list.
• Putting the flyers at the circulation desk helps get the word out.
• Perhaps next year we could get the flyers out earlier.
• Maybe some radio announcements like with the teens and children’s summer at the library programs.
• Be sure to put brochures out where people can see them.
• The photo on brochure is of people that are too old.
• The 2-part sign up makes it a bit difficult. Perhaps next year they could just sign up on the cards they turn in for the drawings.
• Mugs are too heavy and have a bad shape.
• Mugs are too dark.
• The bookmarks need to be larger.
• Maybe a canvas bag as a prize next year.
• Maybe next time forgo age limits and let the photo speak for itself.

Anita will be buying the gift certificates next week and they will arrive at your library in the green locked bags with your name on them. They should be arriving by the 25th or 26th of this month.

Retreat Evaluation:
Anita went over the evaluations that were sent in regarding the Adult Programmer’s Retreat. Only ten people sent their evals. in. Further information is listed on the handout.

Discussion occurred about the grant writing. Some programmers were not comfortable or familiar with this process. Dana said that she would be glad to help anyone, as would Susie Beasley (MC). Anita wants to have this as a topic at next year’s retreat. The programmers could also email the planning dept. and request a training course in grant writing.

National Read Week (April 18-24):
Anita handed out posters and bookmarks for this weeklong event. A big thanks goes to Heidi Port for bundling these items for us.

SHARING:

• Linda (VI)- Tai Chi continues to be popular. In May, they are going to start offering it in their “green room” (outside). They also continue to have Spanish language classes. The recent “therapy dog” class went very well too. They had one class for children and one for seniors.
• Sharon (BE)- In Feb, they had “Silver Strings,” a group of students from Putnam City School. They recently hosted “Eleanor Roosevelt” as well. They had a response from seniors and home school students. In May, Astronaut, Shannon Lucid, will be at BE.
• Shellie (DC)- DC received donation from Albertsons and TCBY for Winter Readfest donations. Shellie recently spoke at the monthly Del City AARP group breakfast. Continues to do Timberwood Living Center Booktalks.
• Ronna (ED)- Tai Chi is going to be offered twice a week in May and the first 2 weeks of June. The bookclub continues on. GED and ESL continue on with success. They will also be having an adult Improv class, as well as a teen publishing class.
• Susie (MC)- Programs that MC is hosting:
• Clear as dance: Dance Troupe. *In May, having National Pet month activities.
• Roots: Web Genealogy Class *National Nutrition Month table talk.
• Let’s talk about music
• Canterbury Children’s Choir *55 alive defensive driving class
• Ann (BI)- Clear as Dance in Feb. Toast Masters speaker on President’s Day. M.K. Preston mystery writer visit as well. Program called “mystery and Mayhem in Oklahoma.”
• Darrie (SO)- Via Anita: AARP Tax Assistance very popular. Offered Intro. to Calligraphy, Dan Donbar (Saints and Sinners). The book discussion group also continues on. Anita attended their last meeting.
• Kelley (Out)- Kelley is participating in a four person Shakespeare touring group called: Oklahoma Shakespeare in the park: Shakespeare off the Shelf. They offer approx. 55 min. programs. You can find them on the Arts Council Website.
• -Sharon (RE)- Sharon hosted a pre-Kwanzaa program. It was well received. Had a fabulous African Dance Class from OU (African Studies Dept.) as well. Open Poetry nights coming up again. Very popular. Also had the Douglas HS Choir come sing recently. Author, Yvette Stewart will be at RE on Sat. for a book signing. Sharon mentioned that there is a great drummer, Jim Arnold, who now has a website (www.medicinedrummer.com). He is both free and good. Sharon says that he is entertaining and therapeutic.
• Kalyani (CH)-The Spanish classes are continuing. The Philharmonic will also be hosted there.

PERFORMERS:

Karole Stout:
Karole is an artist and an historian. She makes her own life size displays and brings history alive. She has done displays at the ED library in the past. The WWII theme is very popular with seniors. She has the following topics: Lewis and Clark, Ceaser Chavez, Diego Rivera, Working on Jackie Robinson. Her Fee is $100/hr. She passed around some hand outs.

Mickey Sherman: Tai Chi & WWII:
Mickey teaches tai chi to anyone 12 and up. Enjoys teaching to seniors. Tai Chi is a type of Chinese Martial Arts. He charges $50/session. He is currently teaching classes at VI and ED. He is also the president of a WWII group and can do a program on this topic as well. Mickey just also happens to be the 1940 Jitterbug Champion.

Oklahoma Marriage Initiative:
This workshop teaches marriage skills. It is free to the public. So far they have trained 1400 Oklahomans how to communicate better. This is not a counseling session. It is a course on how to get along and become better friends, as well as how to argue effectively. This class will be presented at the ED library in the near future. Handouts were dispersed.