Talking with Patrons About Books

When talking with patrons about books, I try my best to keep the conversation to book characteristics (this book is engaging and fast paced) rather than whether or not I liked it. This post from Book Riot covers most of the “best practice guidelines for bookish interactions” that I follow here in the library:

Why Library Staff Don’t (or Shouldn’t) Comment on Your Library Checkouts

I don’t necessarily agree with everything, word for word, but I think that it’s an interesting piece, and worth a read!

Staff Shout Outs

Are you ready for some shout-outs? If you’d like to submit a shout-out, fill out the form on the Forms page. Don’t be shy! Shout it out!

Shout-out to Louise and Valerie for exemplary customer service: Louise and Valerie patiently scanned and faxed 30 pages of a document for a slightly stressed patron. From Michelle.

Shout-out to Olivia and Lisa for going above and beyond, coming up with a new idea, leading by example, and keeping it positive: Olivia (and sidekick Lisa R.) ran a kickass staff meeting!! Such a wonderful combination of info and camaraderie. From anonymous.

Shout-out to Kath Geoffrion-Scannell for coming up with a new idea: Check this out – Kath (aka KGS) figured out how to put images in the catalog for the Library of Things stuff! They’re so pretty! From Jamie!

Shout-out to Valerie Gould Heithaus and Andrea Hogan for going above and beyond, coming up with a new idea, leading by example: Valerie and Andrea developed a model online form to illustrate a streamlined version of the Massachusetts Library Association Paralibrarian Certification application. The entirely paper-based forms and binder/portfolio creation need to be more accessible to encourage more applicants and digital to make it easier for the Review Board to track and process efficiently. By creating a model Google form, the MLA Paralibrarian section was able to visualize benefits to the process and begin to plan for improvements. From Desiree.

Shout-out to Display Committees in all Departments for going above and beyond: Super impressed with interesting and engaging displays sprinkled throughout the library. One could get lost checking out what’s new every week. Very thoughtful and patron-oriented. From An Admirer from Afar!

How can libraries support sustainability?

Environmental Justice and sustainability will only be achieved through collaboration and cooperation. On our own, the RPL can only do so much. We need to work with and learn from other libraries, municipal organizations, vendors, and individuals to make a collective and meaningful impact in the fight against climate change. NOBLE has established a Sustainability Committee to help direct and focus ideas and actions for the consortium.

This committee has scheduled a (virtual) NOBLE-wide sustainability discussion next week on Tuesday, October 19th at 10 a.m. This event will NOT be recorded, so we encourage as many interested library staff members as possible to log in and attend!

https://tools.noblenet.org/meetings/meeting.php?meeting=282

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Staff Shout Outs

Are you ready for some shout-outs? If you’d like to submit a shout-out, fill out the form on the Forms page. We are running low on our shout outs and I know that you’ve seen your co-workers be amazing. Don’t be shy! Shout it out!

Shout-out to Susan B. for Going above and beyond, Helping a co-worker: A huge shout out to Susan B.! Anytime I’m looking for something to complete a project, no matter how obscure the item, she jumps in and relentlessly joins the search. She can find any gizmo, gadget, or craft supply required! From Louise.

Shout out to Judy T. for exemplary customer service. Judy did an EXCELLENT job handling a very difficult customer. She was calm and professional. From Lauren.

Shout out to John for going above and beyond, Helping a co-worker, Solving a problem. John came to the rescue at the Fall Faire! Michelle and I would have melted in the sun had he not come to our aid and brought the tent. So grateful for him! From Lisa and Michelle. (seriously thank you!!)

Shout out to the Children’s Room Staff for a wonderfully welcome Pride Storytime. You are all amazing.

Native Garden Wild Pollinator Project

Take a look at what our Justice League Learning Community group is doing. We, Andrea H., Lauren G., Lisa R. and myself are creating an outdoor learning space on the west side of the building with the intention of beautify the grounds, teaching about wild pollinators and native plants and having a positive impact on the environment. Indeed, right now it’s just dry dirt, but we are enriching the soil by growing a winter cover crop of field peas, oilseed radishes, and oats.

Gender Pronouns: Why They Matter

Thank you to Ally for this terrific post on gender pronouns. She has packed a lot of information, context, and perspective into this piece and I encourage you all to take some time to read through and watch this post. I’ve included the first paragraph below speaks to why this is important and how we can make RPL a space for belonging, rather than a place to just fit in.

Gender Pronouns: Why They Matter

We at the Reading Public Library embrace diversity, foster an environment of inclusion, and hope to create a space where patrons feel celebrated and represented. It matters to us that we recognize one’s right to self-identify, and a small part of that is contributing to the understanding and learning of why pronouns matter.

Patron Kudos

Sandy K. called and left a very nice voicemail about how fabulous RPL staff is! “Fabulous” was used more than once. She appreciates how accommodating, helpful, and phenomenal you all are. She wanted to thank the RPL staff both now and during COVID for continuously demonstrating hard work and grace.

Staff Shout Outs!

Are you ready for some shout-outs? If you’d like to submit a shout-out, fill out the form on the Forms page. We are running low on our shout outs and I know that you’ve seen your co-workers be amazing. Don’t be shy! Shout it out!

Shout-out to Kath for Going above and beyond, Helping a co-worker: She is a mind reader and Wonder Woman! Thank you for adding the teen Pride carousels. From Renee.

Shout out Ally for writing the successful Civic Hub grant. We are going to have some amazing programs and services this Fall and Winter! From Michelle

Shout out to the Borrower Services team for coming up with a new idea and exemplary customer service. The BorSer team ushered in our new yellow card workflow for the self-pickup of holds. The whole team has done an excellent job training patrons on the new workflow in a positive manner. Thank you! From Lauren

Shout out to Jamie for Going above and beyond: Jamie searched high and low and near and far to acquire non Blu-ray versions of Nomadland for our patrons anxiously awaiting the film. She went so far as to embark on a perilous journey to Walgreens unknown to obtain this item. She is a supreme example of a true acquisitions librarian. From her devoted TS minions