DVD Theft

We have some patrons that are stealing locked DVDs from the library and then bringing them to the locker room and breaking the cases open. Broken cases have been found by YMCA staff.

Hopefully we will soon have the shelves rearranged so that there will be more visibility back there, but for now we have to pay attention to kids sneaking back there and pocketing DVDs.

Summer Reading Program Crafts

More Fun Summer Reading Programs Stuff:

The theme for this year's summer reading program is 'One World, Many Stories.' Each branch is responsible for representing a different continent. North Albany is Asia (I think everybody wanted Asia so we got lucky). The bulk of our programs and decorations will have an Asian theme. When kids sign up for the summer reading program they will be issued a 'passport' and will be encouraged to travel to as many branches / continents as possible. At each branch they will be given a stamp of that continent in their passport.

I am in the process of brainstorming some Asian-themed programs for this summer. My idea is to represent as many different Asian countries as possible. Mostly it will be arts and crafts stuff. When we have a good bunch of programs to select from we can begin planning / scheduling things.

Each branch will take their best 1 or 2 crafts and share them with the other branches. We'll have a pool of 'international' programs that we can choose to host at our branch and offer another way for kids to collect stamps from other continents, even if they can't visit other branches.

So far I've come up with some program ideas that I'll list at the bottom. I'm trying to get more ideas so please post any that you might have either in the comments or in a new post. Also, I have a google doc that I'm working off of and I've invited Kevin to join because he has a google account. I want to ask Nina and Diane but you'd have to have a google account to be able to log in. Let me know if you have a google address so I can invite you to the google doc.

Anyway, here are some ideas so far:

Program Ideas (Asia)

Japan Candy Sushi - http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Dessert-Sushi.html

China Lantern Craft - http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/chinesenewyear/lantern/

Japan Children’s Day (May 5th) - Cart Kite http://www.freekidscrafts.com/japanese_carp_kite-e336.html

Japan Origami Craft - http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/origami_for_kids.htm

Japan Fan - http://alljapanesecrafts.com/japanese-crafts-for-children/

Vietnam Dragon Puppet - http://www.adoptvietnam.org/vietnamese/tet-puppet.htm

India Fighter Kite - http://www.ehow.com/how_7562649_make-afghan-fighting-kite.html

Middle Eastern Crafts - Book coming from APLM (Middle Eastern Crafts Kids Can Do)

Korea - Yut-Nori Board Game (4 players) - http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/indoor-crafts6.htm

Lost and Found

The new lost and found policy: Any item that we place in the lost and found drawer should have a date attached to it. After 30 days we'll discard the item. I'm not sure if we want to put the clothing articles in a box free for people to take or whether we should just toss them. Thoughts?

2 Policy Reminders

Here are two policy reminders that we need to keep in mind:

1. We cannot accept book donations at this branch. We are in the process of weeding materials from the shelves and either selling them through our book sale or sending them down to CMS to be withdrawn / sold at the book cellar. We do not have the capacity to take in any additional materials. We can advise people to bring their donations to the main library for the book sale.

2. The bulletin board, table, flyer/brochure case is intended only for non-profit organizations that are not selling products or services. We cannot provide advertising space for businesses.

Keziah Love Banned From APLY OK To Return

Keziah was banned from the library on Friday, 1/14/2011 at 3:30pm. She is not invited back to the library until she brings a parent with her to speak with Kevin or Matt. If you see Keziah, inform her that she is not allowed in the library.

UPDATE: Keziah is now allowed in the library. She is on a probationary period for the next few weeks.

February Programs

Programs for February:

Friday, February 11: Art on a Cart: Valentine’s Day Card

Wednesday, February 16: Introduction to Blogging: "Learn how to create and manage your own blog. Must have introductory level computer skills." 10:00am - Limit 6 students.

Friday, February 18: Moonjar Program. "Helps educate children about financial planning, saving, etc. 2pm.

UHLS Workshops

We've received some flyers for UHLS workshops that are available free to UHLS member library staff. I have posted them on the bulletin board in the back but I want to make sure that everyone sees/is aware them.

Two of them that have recently come through are particularly relevant to this branch. One workshop is about establishing parternships with local schools, etc. and the one that we received today is a workshop on understanding digital downloads.