Author: Catalog Kath

Aspen vs. Evergreen

You’ve probably heard about our new public catalog interface, Aspen, which is in “soft launch” right now, and will go live in September.  In a nutshell, it is a software layer that sits on top of our Evergreen database.  Staff searching and other functions in Evergreen are not affected, it’s strictly on the public-facing (OPAC) side.

The benefits to the patrons are:

  1. better and more flexible searching
  2. the ability to search and checkout Libby and Hoopla items without leaving the catalog
  3. it’s much prettier!

Put it through its paces and let me know what you find–feel free to try and break it so we can report back to NOBLE! The list-making function is not enabled yet, but otherwise it should be fully operational.

RPL Catalog

What to do with your great program photos

If you take photos at your programs that can be used in future social media, newsletter, or for other promotion – you can upload them to a dedicated folder on our shared staff drive! The trail is: Reading Public Library Staff>Photos & Graphics for PR…

Folders are set up by year and month. When you upload your photos please label them with the program name. You can create a folder within the month to drop them in as well – that helps keep things organized. For example, in June’s folder Lucy set up a folder for Summer Sizzler photos (thank you!). It doesn’t matter if it’s a big program like Sizzlers, feel free to use this spot for just a few photos as well.

You’ll also see a folder called Staff & Museum Photos – if you’re out and about enjoying a museum pass and you’d like to share the experience – add the photos there (please label them). These can be used that’s for Librarians in the Wild posts or in the newsletter.

Any questions, suggestions? Let me know.

 

Communication Working Group: RPL Style Guide

A new RPL Style Guide is now available – linked under the Instructions tab>Communications. If you create print materials to promote our events, services, and operations please take some time to become familiar with it.

The Guide is a tool to help make our external (and internal) communication clear, concise, and accessible. You’ll find tips on

  • logo use: RPL and external organizations
  • accessbility: font, reading level, color contrast
  • tone
  • current social media post sizes/formats

Plus a handy A to Z list of recommended RPL-specific terms.

Thanks very much to staff on the Communications Working Group who worked on this: Keri, Kath, Meghan M., Rebecca, and Michelle. We’ll review the guide twice a year to keep it up-to-date and welcome suggestions for additions and questions.

Happy Communicating!

Tracking Outreach Events

Please complete the attached form for any outreach events that you have organized or participated in. These events can be big or small. It will be available on the staff intranet under forms.

For instance, Friends and Family Day, taking the Book Bike to Memorial Park, Arts Fest, the Reading Garden Club Sale, or even smaller events, such as visiting schools or the lemonade stands at Peter Sanborn, etc.

IT issues and new IT ticketing system

Town IT has a new ticketing system, please use this email: ITSupport@readingma.gov and CC Michelle on it.

Please make sure to inform Michelle about any of the following tech issues. If I don’t know about them, I won’t be able to address them.

TBS/Printing/Copying issues:
(weekday)-inform Michelle. (weekend/evenings) Call: 630-537-1370 or email: Helpdesk@tbsit360.com  cc Michelle
App Issues: Send issues to: support@communico.co cc Michelle
Meeting Room AV issues: Inform Michelle/IT

Buildling Alarm Information

Opening or Closing the building? Here are instruction on how to use the four-digit code assigned to you by Facilities

OPENING

  • Enter through the main entrance of the library and go straight ahead to the white alarm panel
  • Enter your four digit code followed by “1” (e.g. 00001)
  • The panel should say “Disarmed”

CLOSING

  • Make sure all emergency doors, staff room doors (includng Administration) are shut. You cannot set the alarm if any of these are open.
  • Go to the whit alarm box in the entryway vestibule
  • Enter your four digit code folled by “2” (e.g. 00002)
  • The panel should say “Away” or “System Armed”

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SET OFF THE ALARM

What happens if you accidentally set off the building alarm when you arrive in the morning?? First, don’t panic. The alarm automatically calls the police department and a custodian. Employees should just wait and explain the error to those who respond. 

If you have/know your building code, try entering your code followed by “1” at either the the main security alarm keypad is in the entryway vestibule or at the secondary key pad is located at the Borrower Services Desk.

All alarms should be resolved by the police department and custodians. Even mistakes. They keep logs, stats, etc.

If you don’t know your building code, please reach out to your Department or Division Head.

Library App Updates

Please continue to send me any app issues and I will submit a ticket with Communico. Here are some updates on known issues:

The checkout history does not show up in the app, Communico is aware and is working on a solution.

Holds cannot be suspended through the app, Communico is aware and working on a solution.

Items that should not renew, appear to renew in Communico-but they aren’t renewed (items with a hold/items that have reached the renewal limit). Communico is working on this.

Last day of school and 25-26 School Calendar

Last Day of School & 2025–2026 School Year Calendar: The Reading School Committee officially voted to set the last day of school as Monday, June 16, 2025 as this will be the 180th day of school, as required by DESE. Looking ahead? In case you missed it, the 2025–2026 school calendar is now available on the district website—be sure to check it out here.