Adult Services Roundtable Meeting
January 19, 2010
Topic: Adult Programming
In attendance:
Katie Moellering Emmet O’Neal Library
Patricia Guarino Hoover
Susan Spafford Hoover
Dianne Clark Bessemer
Leslie West Vestavia Hills
April Wallace Irondale
Shanae King Hoover
Robin Cherry Hoover
Bryce Thornton Hoover
Ellen Lawrence Springville Road
Leigh Wilson North Birmingham
The meeting began with a discussion of a proposal offered from Lexis Nexis representative Dennis McPike regarding Lexis Nexis Library Express. In an email from Mr. McPike to Pat Ryan, Mr. McPike states that he believes the new Library Express database will be able to expand JCLC’s current content in the news and business areas while adding a complete online law library. Mr. McPike stated in the email that the budget situation would be taken into account when negotiating pricing. He also sent a list of bullet points illustrating the coverage of these databases (see attached). The Library Express database is in Beta form and will not be ready for use until March 2010. Katie Moellering stated that she would email Mr. McPike to request a demonstration and trial period. The Adult Services Roundtable requested that the meeting be separate from the normal meeting time since other demos have been scheduled for the March meeting on foreign language resources.
Additionally, in an email to Katie Moellering, Pat Ryan mentioned that the Library Express database has the possibility to replace current contracts for NewsBank and Reference USA. Both have a contract ending this summer (June and August of 2010). Pat has asked the Adult Services Roundtable to look at the databases and discern whether it will save us money to replace with Library Express, or if we could expand our coverage, or both. Representatives from Hoover and other libraries expressed concern that we look at the database carefully to ensure that it does indeed compare and that we would not be losing valuable resources. Bryce from Hoover expressed that their library uses Reference USA extensively for patrons needing assistance with job searches and other business information. Most roundtable members agreed that NewsBank offers what we need for The Birmingham News and that we cannot lose that resource, but a resource which offers The Birmingham News AND expanding newspaper coverage would be welcome. Most libraries agreed that without NewsBank there would be no access to The Birmingham News as most libraries have stopped purchasing access to the microform collection from The Birmingham News.
After the discussion on Lexis Nexis Library Express, Katie Moellering reminded roundtable members that the next meeting will be on March 16th at 10:00 am, this time on foreign language resources. Mike Poynter of Recorded Books will be on hand to demonstrate a new online language learning resource called BYKI.
The roundtable members moved on to a general discussion of adult programming. We discussed general programming as well as ideas for summer reading programs for adults. Hoover brought samples of some of their flyers and information regarding their regularly scheduled adult programs. The consensus was that adult summer reading at area libraries mirrors that of children’s in that the adults generally keep track of what they read, are entered into drawings for prizes, and enjoy special summer programming events.
Robin from Hoover mentioned that the summer months mean trivia time for Hoove r library staff. Patrons attempt to stump the staff by asking them trivia questions from boxes located at the Hoover desks. If patrons are able to stump the staff they are entered into a drawing for a prize. Patrons love this particular game!
Some programs that have been big hits at Hoover, Mountain Brook, Vestavia and the Birmingham Libraries include:
Miss Rosemarie from Rosemarie’s Tea Room is a popular choice for area libraries. She does charge for her speaking engagement, so please check with her first for pricing. Her programs at both Hoover and Mt Brook sold out and had wait lists. She does a talk on tea and tea traditions and makes excellent scones! She can be found online at http://www.mrsteas.com or call her at 205.980.8335. In addition, her email is rosemarie@mrsteas.com
Hoover reported that another favorite program was chefs from Jeff State and Culinard. Also, Debbie Maugans, author of Small Batch Baking was a big hit – she has a column in the Birmingham News as well as a blog. She can be found at http://www.smallbatchbaking,com
Jim Pate gave a well attended program on Scrabble – how to play, strategies, rules, etc. at Hoover which went over very well.
Bryce from Hoover discussed their extremely popular programs on business issues. He also reminded us that it looks great for the city library to offer programs on business issues b/c they are encouraging people to open their own businesses in the city.
In May, Ruth Cook and Tina Holt will conduct an afternoon-long program at Hoover to cover resume writing, interviewing skills, and fundamentals of job search. Tina Holt is a local HR specialist and owner of Birminghammom.com. She designs all kinds of programs based on her HR background. Ruth Beaumont Cook is also a local author – we have many of her books in the JCLC catalog.
Hoover has also worked with the Small Business Development Center @ UAB to provide a program on how to start a business in Hoover.
Hoover provided a copy of their publicity checklist as well as several flyers for programs. These will be available on the blog.
Katie Moellering mentioned that she will be showing Food, Inc. at Emmet O’Neal in March and offering a roundtable discussion afterwards. She has contacted various people in the local food industry about leading or facilitating this discussion. In addition, she discussed the big hit that was the “Live Local” summer reading program for Emmet O’Neal Library – audiences came out for a “Eat Local” program with guest speakers Edwin Marty (Jones Valley Urban Farm), The McEwen family (makers of stone ground grits and permanent booth holders at the Pepper Place market) and a representative from Grow Alabama. Hoover did a similar program called Eating Alabama and Leslie West from Vestavia expressed that she was interested in leading a similar program at her library.
Dolores Hydock was another presenter who we all know and love, and who ALWAYS brings a crowd! Dolores, for those not familiar with her work, is an award-winning actress and storyteller, and audiences LOVE her! She can be found at http://www.storypower.org
Hoover has a new series (almost a year old now) of concerts in their newly constructed Plaza. Shanae King from Hoover is responsible for making contacts for the storytellers, musicians, artists and artisans who participate in these programs. Both Shanae and Ellen Lawrence agreed that an upcoming act, Sam Banana and the Bunch are GREAT!
Another program the staff at Hoover have created recently is a joint project with the Birmingham International Center. A volunteer facilitator comes to the library once a month to lead a group in foreign language practice. In some cases, people who are natives in the tongue, or at least very fluent, join the group to be able to speak their language. Some past participants have been former and current military wishing to keep practicing a language learned while over-seas. Past languages have included Hindi, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, and German. Patricia Guarino noted the possibility that Hoover will provide two languages each month, rather than one because of the positive response they have received to this program. Shanae King from Hoover also noted that the Birmingham International Center has many contacts in the foreign language communities of Birmingham and they were very easy to work with. The website is www.birminghaminternationalcenter.org
Leslie West talked about her desire to look into training for CEU credits in the hopes that by providing for fee training programs for adults in professional positions, she might also be able to provide a for free program for interested patrons.
Katie Moellering brought up the fact that we all have to plan so far in advance (usually 4-6 months) that it is difficult to be spontaneous about programming.
The Big Read was discussed and area libraries shared their plans for kickoffs and programs. Leslie West reminded everyone that she put together a candy list of candies that would have been available around the time Tom Sawyer is set.
Leigh Wilson reminded everyone about “BPL @ Night” which is a new program funded by Alabama Power and the Alabama Humanities Foundation. According to Leigh the stipulation in the grant is that local arts and musical groups should be funded and supported through this programming. The biggest hit so far has been Mad Skillz Dance Company who filled the N. Birmingham auditorium to capacity!
Leslie West mentioned that there are still many survivors of the Holocaust in the Birmingham area and that she has had a survivor speak to a large and appreciative audience at Vestavia. The Birmingham area has a Holocaust Education Committee which can be found here: http://www.bhamholocausteducation.org – they provide information about their speaker’s bureau online. Also, Holocaust Remembrance Day is April 11th.
The next meeting of the Adult Services Roundtable will be on Tuesday, March 16th at 10:00 a.m. at Emmet O’Neal Library in Mountain Brook.
The topic will be foreign language materials and resources, as well as programming.
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