It’s Spring! This means more daylight hours, warmer temperatures, plants in bloom, young people finishing the school year, and summer on its way. It’s also a time for your library team to reflect on the effectiveness of our efforts over the last year and measure our success.
How we focus our efforts and measure our success
Each July, the Library Board approves a set of goals as a focus for the year. As we approach the end of our fiscal year, I tend to look back and think about what we’ve accomplished since last summer. Our efforts are guided by a set of results that the board wants us to focus on during the year. This set of desired outcomes is how we, the library team, determine our priorities. Take a few minutes to look back with me as I share some of our successes.
1. Provide relevant resources and an enriching and supportive environment for reading, research, and personal growth, with access to the latest technology and resources to help everyone succeed.
Over the last five years, we’ve worked hard to create a welcoming environment in our library. We provide access to traditional and electronic books, magazines, databases, and curriculum crates that address various topics. Our DVDs and books on CD are both popular collections. You checked out 25,000 ebooks or audiobooks so far this year. And hotspots! They are so popular that as soon as one is checked in, it’s checked out again – and the reason we are adding ten more hotspots over the summer. You’ll always find someone friendly and helpful at the front desk to answer your technical questions and help you find a book, and we are ready to help you switch eBook/Audiobook collections in Libby. We’ve helped troubleshoot cell phone problems, research family history, and even find a resource to fix a hot tub.
2. Include literacy activities in programming.
We’ve been collaborating with the area schools and delivering a curriculum-based program that promotes literacy and moves to prepare students to be investigative learners by embracing inquiry-based learning. “Springboard into Inquiry” has been very successful, and we are expanding the pilot program into more schools next year.
Over the last few years, we’ve helped the 509-J district librarian with the annual Oregon Battle of the Books competition, a voluntary reading motivation program for students in 3rd through 12th grades. Participating schools have increased from 5 to 9 in the last year.
The State Library of Oregon funds a noncompetitive Ready to Read grant each year. We use the money we receive to advance early literacy by funding a program that takes our librarians all over the district to bring storytime to preschool and daycare programs. For a moment, I considered using the Ready to Read funds for a different literacy project. However, the traveling storyteller is so popular that I’m pretty sure I’ll never consider that again.
The STEM Afterschool program at the library, Bridges High School, and the Warm Springs K-8 Academy have seen record numbers this year. On average, we see 13 and a high of 18 students participating in the weekly program. This is a significant increase from last year, when the average attendance was eight students.
3. Enhance teen programming.
Our efforts with our teens focus more on outreach activities – taking programs to the schools. So, monthly, we bring lunch crafts to Madras High School, Jefferson County Middle School, and the Warm Springs K-8 Academy. Star Todd brought not only projects to the students but also resources, such as driver’s manuals, library card applications, and information about our Discovery Pass.
4. Maintain the visibility of the library
C’mon now. You see us everywhere – in the schools, at the preschools, being part of the summer festivities (4th of July in the Park, the Latino Fest, Crawdad Festival, and more). We are at downtown events, community meetings, civic meetings, Chamber of Commerce events, and even a board meeting or two. I knew we were on the right track when a community member said, “When I see the color orange, I think of the library.”
5. The library is committed to removing barriers and renovating the building to serve the needs of District residents better.
Every project begins with the first step. We continue to make steady progress toward our building expansion. The board hired an architectural firm in the fall of 2023, and they assisted us with our community feedback sessions this last winter. Geological and topographical surveys were completed in December, and we hope to have a final conceptual design this month. Thank you to the Library District Board and the Library Association Board for helping us in too many ways to count as we make steady progress. I can’t wait to have small, medium, and large spaces for the community (including a lovely outdoor courtyard.)
As our fiscal year winds down, I extend my appreciation to everyone at the library. We’ve had a busy and productive year. Our success is because of our staff’s dedication and commitment to each other and the communities we serve. We also appreciate your support of our programs and services.
Dream | Discover | Drive |The 2024 Summer Reading Program Begins June 1
Since the school year is winding down, the library is winding up and preparing for the Summer Reading Program. We are launching our 2024 Summer Reading Program on June 1. We thank the Jefferson County Library Association for sponsoring our program again this year. The Association has donated $6,500 towards events, incentives, and books for the district’s youth. The funds help cover costs previously paid for through various grants. Because of their support, our annual Summer Reading Program reaches farther across the county.
This year’s Summer Reading Program’s theme is Dream — Discover — Drive. Its focus is on promoting literacy through the love of all things vehicle. Events will showcase the county’s fire departments, sanitary services, train history, drag cars, and more. Youth from 0-18 (graduating seniors) are welcome to participate by signing up through the registration program Readerzone. You can access it by downloading it from your app store or online at www.readerzone.com. There are many challenges for the kids to conquer by participating in the Summer Reading Program. For more information about events and Readerzone, please visit us at www.jcld.org. Wheels up for a great summer!
“The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr. Seuss
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