Category: Uncategorized

We are looking for someone from R&R or Collection Services to lead TikToks downstairs for other departments.

We want to make the library as a whole seem fun, approachable, and easygoing. This is a part of the Communications rebranding where we focus on the more human side of the library.

Will this add to your workload? Only a little! Filming, editing, and posting only takes about an hour out of my week. You would be in charge of coming up with the video idea, gathering volunteers, directing, editing, and posting. If you like the internet and laughter, it is actually a really fun part of the job.

There’s also no pressure to this. You can be as silly and goofy as you want.

I’ll set up a training with anyone who is interested.

Here’s some examples:

–This is an idea that we came up with (not a trend)

–This a trend that we did before it was overdone

–Lip sync videos are always really popular and can be related to library things

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.

Thank you to those who were able to attend the April 3 all-staff meeting. As I mentioned, the recent cuts to the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is deeply concerning and there are still a lot of unknowns.

This is a demoralizing issue. And RPL will continue to offer high quality and professional service to our community as we navigate this situation.

To that end, please read/print this memo. It’s important that we acknowledge these difficult times and also maintain a healthy work environment. The memo also includes information on how to respond to public inquiries on this issue.

As always, please feel free to speak to any member of the Leadership Team if you have more questions or concerns.

Some of you might already know about this, so apologies for being five years late to the game! If you’re annoyed with Goodreads and want to try something new and exciting, I am really enjoying StoryGraph, which came highly reviewed from other librarians. You can download your entire Goodreads library to the app so it has all your info, and then it keeps statistics for you on your genres, how fast you read, your various author preferences, etc.

They listen to feedback and are working on setting up a widget to add to email signatures and adding a social media feature to share titles that way, too.

A few helpful resources to read and share regarding wildfires, smoke, air quality, and health impacts:

Stay Current:

• AirNow.gov – U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI) – Monitor current air quality in your area
  • Fire and Smoke Map
• Town of Reading Public Health Department
• Sign up for Town of Reading Community Alerts (CodeRed App) about emergencies and other important town-wide notices.

Understanding Health Impacts:

•  How Wildfire Smoke Can Affect Your Body – CDC.gov
• Climate Fact Sheet: Wildfire Smoke Events – Mass HHS
• Measuring Air Quality Index for Children and Youth and outdoor activities – WA State Dept of Health – (check AirNow.gov first to get the AQI)

Managing and minimizing risk:

• Smoke Ready Toolbox – get risk factors, tips on protecting yourself, others, pets indoors. Includes links to several resources and helpful videos – US EPA
• Create Cleaner Air at Home to Reduce Wildfire Smoke Indoors – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Understand Wildfire Risk in Your Community and How to Reduce It and Prepare – US Dept of Agriculture and US Forest Service

Patron was very complimentary for our restrooms. She liked all the items pertaining to women, phone number to call and the posting for “don’t flush” sign on paper towel holder. She rated us above a ten – and also said she would expect nothing less from this library!!

Happening today! New plantings related to our Rooted in Reading grant (FKA “Dig In”). These include an example Sensory Garden and native plants that support pollinators and birds.

Rooted in reading focuses on nature, health, and sustainability. Part of the grantmust be used to add educational garden areas for community enjoyment. The grant will also pay for over 20 programs and provide funds to purchase related books, online resources, and items for our Library of Things collection.

Each service desk has a FAQ Sheet about this part of the grant.

One of the links in this today’s Monday Morning Update was incorrect:

Please use this link for the item below

What do you want to learn?

Albert Pless, Director of Equity and Social Justice, will lead our January 2025 training session.  Please let him know what DEIAB workshop/learning you would like best. You are also welcome to call or stop by Albert’s office to share other ideas on diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging in the workplace.

Hi everyone, I’d like you all to watch the following Communico tutorial, read over my directions, and practice booking meeting rooms in Reserve. Directions for adding library events to Attend are located here.

I’ve bookmarked the Communico Control Panel browser on the ground-floor desk and Borrower Services computers.  The login should be saved on both, but if not, it is the rdgcirc and the wonder.. password.  If you have your own login, feel free to use that too.

• • • Communico Control Panel (staff only) (Borrower Services: use the rdgcirc email to login)
    • Attend Events Calendar (public side)

ALSO