Gettin’ Messy With It

Hi everyone! We’re having a Messtival in June and are looking for some supplies to help us have a fun, messy time:

  • Twister (but only if you’re okay with it being covered in shaving cream)
  • Towels you don’t mind us using to dry kids off
  • Used sand toys for a kinetic sandbox

If you’d like to donate any of these items please talk to someone in Children’s or bring them to the second floor!

Thanks!

2nd Floor Patio

Our patio upstairs has been open to the public since May 1st. There are chairs, a table, a kids table, and an umbrella ready to use.

Our Children’s Room is only for adults accompanying a child or an adult browsing the collection, but the patio is for anyone of any age to use (children must be accompanied by an adult). So please encourage folks to check it out for studying, reading, etc.

The patio garden will be planted 5/22 in case anyone asks. Our Plant Lab kids, teen volunteers, and others will help us maintain the garden this summer.

A shoe-in!!?!

Our dramatic play space for next month is going to be a shoe “store” and we need YOUR creative ideas for a catchy name for our temporary brand! Reply to this post if you are inspired!!

We are also interested in unusual footwear for the store. If you are cleaning out and have some gently used cowboy boots or some special sparkly sandals (or anything else to looks fun or interesting), we will take them!

Social RX

The library has joined the organization SocialRx, formerly known as Art Pharmacy, to help medical providers connect patients with programs and events at a variety of institutions, including libraries.  We won’t know who is participating when they come into the library; this is all anonymous.  I’ve attached a reference sheet along with the information document that Amy shared with Town Department Heads.

All that staff need to know is that this organization does the following: 

WHAT IS SOCIALRX?

SocialRx (formerly Art Pharmacy) is a national social prescribing platform that connects healthcare providers with community organizations such as libraries, arts centers, and cultural institutions to support patients facing mental health challenges, social isolation, and loneliness.

The concept is called a “social prescription”: instead of (or alongside) clinical treatment, a doctor or care team refers a patient to community-based activities and programs. Research shows that participation in arts and culture programming can support mental health and reduce isolation.

Per Desiree: Non-pharmaceutical “prescriptions” are gaining attention, for example, the author of The Connection Cure was recently interviewed in the Friends Speaker Series

If patrons are interested in this service, they need to speak with their medical providers. 

Politically Expressive Activities (Reminder)

With state elections and ballot measures coming up this fall, we are seeing a significant increase in the number of people collecting signatures in our area.  Please review these guidelines:
  1. As a public building, RPL may dictate the time, place, and manner of politically expressive activities. We may not encourage or discourage this expression based on content.
  2. Collecting signatures or any politically expressive activities are permitted in the lower lobby near the entrance of the building.  This is the designated area.
  3. These activities may not interfere with patron use of the building (no blocking the elevator, book sale room, or Hush Booth).
  4. These activities may not interfere with staff performing their duties
  5. For safety reasons, people may not collect signatures (any politically expressive activities) in the parking lot.
  6. For privacy reasons (lockers and book drop), people may not collect signatures (any political activities) outside the main entrance of the building.
  7. RPL purview does NOT include the public sidewalks on School Street, Middlesex Ave, or Deering Street.
  8. Employees are not permitted to add their signature or participate in politically expressive activities while on duty. To avoid the appearance of conflicts of interest and ethical violations, please do not add signatures to petitions, etc., on any town building property, even while off duty.

Customer Service Survey

At the request of one of our Trustees, I’ve created a “how was your visit” survey that will be available at each service desk, at the self-check stations, on the catalog kiosks, and in the elevator.

If patrons would like to provide quick feedback, direct them to these surveys. If they want to provide more expansive feedback, direct them to the comment forms.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mah Jongg Info

Sorry for not sending this sooner!

We have a new Mah Jongg Meet-Up that is going to meet every Wednesday from 12-2 PM in the Community Rooms for the spring quarter. This is a drop-in program, no registration required; it is our (RPL’s) program. The groups can bring their own sets or they can check out one of the four sets we have at the Research and Reader Services Desk.

These four sets are available to check out at the Research and Reader Services Desk any time we are open to be used in the library for in-house mah jongg play.

We also have 1 set available to bring home via the Library of Things.

The next time we are offering Mah Jongg instruction will be in June.

Public Desk Talking and Politics

Hello all, there is a Town Election happening on April 7th. Here is the yearly reminder about what the public and staff can do regarding political campaigns.

Staff can answer factual questions about the candidates, but, per the Town of Reading personnel policy, should not engage in any political activity during working hours or on town property. Also, while on a service desk, keep discussions quick and quiet. Please read the full policy regarding town personnel political activity below, and the library policy on free speech and expressive conduct, specifically about candidates gathering signatures.