Adult Services Minutes for April 2006

Date:  April 12, 2006

Location: Bethany Library

Time: 1:00-4:00pm

Anita Roesler, Senior Services Coordinator, welcomed all present to the meeting.

A hearty thank you to Sharon Nolan and the Bethany Library for the delicious berry and sauce-drizzled dessert snack and their otherwise stellar hospitality!

Attendance: Dana Morrow, OUT,  Anita Roesler, OUT, Darlene Browers, DN, Phyllis Davidson, DN, Marcia Feindeiss, CT, Sharon May, RE,  Marilyn Backus, MSL, Darrie Breathwit, SO, Kelley Dalrymple, WA, Sharon Nolan, BE,  Ronna Davis, ED, Jacquie Taylor, ED,  Ann Meeks, BI, Rich Antonisse, MC, Julianna Link, VI, Sam Weehunt, DC, Kelley Riha, OUT, Emily Williams, OUT, Darlene Browers, DN

Darlene was asked to share her experiences at the Public Libraries Association (PLA) meeting in Boston. Key items Darlene shared were:

1. Darlene encouraged MLS librarians to participate in conferences because of practical and positive benefits
2. Attendance at conferences enriches understanding of other places, libraries, and library issues
3. Darlene lauded the preconference training on cultural programming
4. Libraries can be thought of as “cultural centers” of communities
5. MLS employees should try to think “beyond numbers” to measure success in marketing. Free publicity, positive impressions of MLS may count for more than numbers.
6. Libraries have a role to bring users in contact with “the human record” and represent a leisure resource for many people, especially seniors.
7. Darlene mentioned that ALA is seeking a fee increase, largely to improve its advocacy efforts. Advocacy is deemed increasingly necessary due to various challenges besetting libraries (funding cuts, challenges from different groups, etc.).
8. PLA has an advocacy newsletter
9. Darlene mentioned that a speaker from CO provided tips for talking to influential persons about library issues, these include
• Have factual information
• Put information in the form of a “personal story” or “library story” so the impact of libraries on lives can be communicated
• Referring to the library as a “cultural center” or “public commons” may help communicate the vital role of libraries in communities.
10. Darlene mentioned that two “model programs” were previewed. Darlene shared a handout about “Women in the Muslim World.”
11. Darlene also discussed characterizations of the “Millenial” generation and handed out a copy of a slide that shows the difference in home media access between 1975 and 2006.
12. Catalogers are grappling with the cataloging of graphic novels.
13. In discussing issues of censorship, Darlene noted that one is dealing with a person who has “a conviction” and it is best to address the topic from that perspective.

Anita Roesler, Outreach
Anita congratulated the group on the success of Winter ReadFest and handed out a page showing branch statistics.

1. Bethany won an original print of the ReadFest graphic for the greatest increase in registrations.
2. Southern Oaks won a special “honorable mention” certificate depicting a line drawing of SO library for its engagement of its customers during ReadFest. The certificate will be presented at the Commission meeting. Certificates of Appreciation will be presented to all libraries at the Managers Meeting.
3. Anita encouraged Adult Programmers to distribute extra ReadFest purple bags to staff members.
4. Anita thanked Adult Programmers for sharing bags when they were running short at some locations.
5. During Anita’s discussion, Sharon from Bethany made a suggestion that you draw for prizes before your ReadFest party and then invite the winners and participants to the celebration.
6. Anita also previewed a potential prize for next year which was a collapsible book bag. The nylon bag zips/folds up to the size of a wallet. Anita received positive feedback on the selection of prizes, especially the $25 gift cards and the MLS-logo booklights.

Dana Morrow, Outreach

1. Dana informed the attendees that three potential presenters would “audition” for the Adult Programmers and that we were encouraged to ask any necessary questions of them.
2. Dana discussed the “Oklahoma Voices” initiative as part of Centennial celebrations. The concept is per that of “StoryCorps.” The Oklahoma Voices initiative will provide equipment and staff to allow customers to schedule time to audiotape reminiscences of “things Oklahoman.” Customers will need to bring a relative or friend in to interview them. MLS will have a staff member serve as a scheduler and the equipment will come on a rotational basis for a 3 day period to branch libraries.
3. Dana mentioned that Oklahoma Voices will travel to nursing homes/assisted care facilities to interview centenarians.
4. The group discussed potential strategies and possible fines to address “no shows.”
5. Dana mentioned that MLS will keep a copy of the audio recording in the Oklahoma Room and that one copy will be provided to the audio recording.
6. After a question by Kelley Riha, Dana mentioned that there is no plan to transcribe any of the audio recordings as part of this project.
7. Dana closed with expressing excitement about the Oklahoma Voices project.

Anita then asked programmers to briefly share their recent and upcoming events.

Programmer Discussion/Sharing:

Marcia Findeiss, CT
Marcia briefly described upcoming programming at Choctaw. Marcia also mentioned that Choctaw Library is able to put its calendar and other program advertising in the local water bill as a way to reach customers.

Professional singles were discussed by someone but my notes are bad, can’t attribute to anyone. Help! Can anyone help with this? I don’t remember either. Thanks Anita

At about this point, Dana Morrow said, “If you really want it, you better ask for it!” Dana meant, of course, that she would brook no obstacle in finding a way to support Adult Programmers with resources. We promised we would quote her and here it is.

Sharon May, RE
Sharon described recent successes at RE regarding African-American authors’ events. Sharon also describe RE’s plans for Juneteenth events, including authors. Sharon briefly described recent programming at RE.

Phyllis Davidson, DN
Phyllis briefly highlighted Amy Stevens’ new book about the Oklahoma City Zoo and interesting aspects of the project, including a search for a copy of “I Want a Hippotamus for Christmas” and the fact that the Zoo was really established two years before its commonly accepted founding date. Phyllis also briefly discussed future scheduled programming at the Downtown Library, including “How to Write Your Family History.”

Marilyn Backus, Materials Selection.
Marilyn mentioned that all libraries should have the “ABC” guide to state agencies which is a valuable resource for helping customers obtain information from state government. Marilyn also described selection rules for DVDs.

Darrie Breathwit, SO
Darrie briefly described programming at SO and praised the tax volunteers for unstinting support to customers’ tax needs. Darrie also mentioned that the Dream Workshop was very popular.

Kelley Dalrymple, WA
Kelley mentioned recent Women’s History programming, including state and local agencies coming to provide women’s service information. Kelley also described a program with an Eleanor Roosevelt storyteller. Kelley also mentioned recent programming, including gardening, resume writing, identity theft, and “What to Do When You Hit the Brickwall Geneaology.”

Sharon Nolan, BE
Sharon shared details of recent knitting classes and the upcoming Japanese-themed “Cherry Blossom Festival.” Sharon put out a request for anyone with good ideas for Japanese desserts to share their thoughts. Sharon also mentioned that a Cinco de Mayo celebration would be forthcoming.

Ronna Davis and Jacquie Taylor, ED
Ronna mentioned that NAIC (didn’t get acronym), a non-profit investment information providing group will be coming to ED soon. A dream interpretation workshop will be forthcoming. ED will also support “Free Comic Book” day in April. ED will also host a town hall meeting on preventing and identifying fraud. Jacquie mentioned that the “Sew and So” group is continuing its multi-media work, including collage art.

Ann Meeks, BI
Ann briefly discussed BI programs, recent and future and remarked favorably about author, Renee Gutteridge’s recent talk, also the successful Metro Knitting Guild meetings.

Rich Antonisse, MC
Rich mentioned recent and planned future programming at MC. Rich described creation and presentation of a “CyberMARS 101” class for seniors. Rich will forward the class materials to the group and encouraged the group’s input and comment on them.

Julianna Link, VI
Julianna briefly described recent VI programming and a book group/reading program of classics themed to select one book from each decade.
At this point, during a brief discussion about programming beyond the end of the MLS fiscal year, Dana said, “You will have enough, keep programming, don’t worry about it!” We told her we would quote her, and here it is again. Thanks, Dana!

Sam Weehunt, DC
Sam briefly discussed recent programs at DC, including a Part D Medicare sign-up program that was very successful.

Presentors

First presenter was Ms. Marcy Gardenhire from the Central Oklahoma Regional Alzheimer's Association. Ms Gardenhire expressed her interest in doing community education via the MLS branches. Ms. Gardenhire explained the threefold mission of the AA as: 1) to find a cure for Alzheimer's; 2) to support families in dealing with this disease; and 3) educate people about the disease. Ms. Gardenhire said that all she would need to provide a program is space and utilities. She provided a business card, an information sheet, and passed around a printed version of a PowerPoint presentation that she typically presents.

The next presenter was Mr. Michael Fresonke. Michael is a guitar professor at OCU and a musical performer. Michael played several songs for the group to display his abilities. Michael provided an information packet that contained a business card, a CV, and sample promotional flyers. The flyers contain fee information.

The final presenter was Mr. Joe Adamson. Joe described his expertise with eBay and previewed his ability to teach classes about the "Basics of Buying" and the "Basics of Selling" on eBay. Joe said he would not charge for his time in presenting the classes because he viewed it as important community information. Joe also displayed two spiral-bound books (large and small) that contain eBay instructional material related to his two classes. Joe said he did charge varying rates for the spiral-bound books.

After thanking the performers, Dana said she would provide information to the group and propose possible core times for the programmers to accept or not.

After asking if there were any additional comments from the group, Anita announced that the next meeting would be on October 11, 2006 at the new Oklahoma Historical Center, near the State Capital.