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.

Database Info and Important Changes (long, but please read)

Our patrons access three types of database resources through our website and via library computers.

  1. Reading Public Library subscriptions: RPL pays for these separately using our municipal operating budget (Reading taxpayer dollars). These are intended for use by the Reading community. Most of these resources require you to log in with your Reading library card or create an account using your Reading library card. They check your eligibility by the zip code or library card prefix (21995). Some allow anyone to use the library computers to access the resources (in-library use only).
  2. NOBLE content: NOBLE gets “bulk” pricing for consortium members. A portion of our annual NOBLE membership fee pays for these, and cardholders from any NOBLE library have access to them.
  3. State-wide databases: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts receives federal funds (over $2M) to provide resources to all residents. Federal library funding goes to all states via the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which has been shut down and may be entirely defunded. Please read more about how these funding cuts impact statewide datbases.

RPL Changes

Each year, we review the use and cost of database services that RPL pays for. This year, we are discontinuing Financial Fit and Home Improvement Sources, which will not be available after July 1, 2025.  As a reminder, we add new resources as well!  This year, we are excited to subscribe to Craft & Hobby.  If you love this new resource – or any of our existing subscriptions – be sure to talk it up! Low usage is the primary reason we cancel subscriptions.

State Database Changes (MBLC/IMLS)

Starting July 1, MBLC is eliminating a number of statewide databases due to federal funding cuts. The team at MBLC carefully reviewed usage and cost to determine which resources to cut. They also ensured that the remaining database served all ages and was as inclusive as possible. This is a very tight and delicate balancing act. RPL is reviewing this list to see what we can add to our subscriptions to compensate for the loss of these databases.

Here is a list of CANCELED resources.

  • Boston Globe Article Archive
  • Britannica Moderna
  • Gale Academic OneFile Select
  • Gale General OneFile
  • Gale Health and Wellness
  • Gale in Context: Biography
  • Gale in Context: Elementary
  • Gale in Context: Environmental Studies
  • Gale in Context: Global Issues
  • Gale in Context: Middle School Gale in Context: Science
  • Gale in Context: US History
  • Gale in Context: World History
  • Gale Interactive Science Gale LegalForms
  • Gale Literature Resource Center
  • HeritageQuest Online
  • Peterson’s Career Prep
  • Peterson’s Test Prep Science Database (ProQuest)
  • Transparent Language Online

Internet issues continue

We continue to have issues with our NOBLE/Comcast internet connection. This affects the service desks, public computers, and Wifi. The cause is being investigated (NOBLE, Comcast, Town IT) – it’s a complicated one.

Saturday/Sunday/Monday/Tuesday: If it goes down. Use a cell phone or laptop w/ a hotspot to send an email to

  1. support@noblenet.org
  2. itsupport@readingma.gov
  3. Michelle
  4. Amy (only through the end of MLA)

Subject: Library internet down  / Content: Date, time, your name, and extension. They will need to contact someone in the building to check on the status.

Again, there is an issue, but we don’t know the cause yet. Smart people are working to solve the problem, but it is complicated.

We greatly appreciate everyone’s patience during this inconvenience.

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

Busy Bees Volunteers Info

We have a few helpers who will be helping us maintain the exterior native and sensory garden areas – weeding and watering as they can. Please see Amy if yo you have questions or if you they need assistance.

Our Busy Bees Volunteers will be stopping by the Borrower Services desk to sign in and pick up the watering cans (2 blue ones), their gardening apron which signals they are a volunteer, and tools (if they don’t bring their own). Everything (except the watering cans) is in the green Busy Bees Bucket located near the blue watering cans.

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.