Director’s Blog

Can’t find the time to come to the library? Don’t want to get out of your pjs? Check out our list of the top 10 things you can do without racking up fines. (Some services only accessible with a valid library card number.)

10. Read along to Diary of a Fly or Pirates Don’t Change Diapers with your kids using Tumblebooks.

9. If you’re a student or educator, have your books delivered to you via Library Link. (You can return them through Library Link, too.)

8. Don’t have time to pick up your tax forms. Why not print them directly from the IRS website? The Ohio Department of Taxation and the City of Westerville websites offer the same service.

7. Just want to know what we’re reading? Check out our staff picks or visit our GoodReads profile.

6. Need to ask a question? Email a librarian using our online form.

5. Join one of our Online Book Clubs. You can get chapters of books automatically emailed to you on a daily basis and discuss your thoughts on their online forum. Titles we’re reading this week include Ignited, Dangerous Doses, and The Scary States of America.

4. Has it been so long that you’ve forgotten what the library looks like? Check out our Flickr account.

3. Need to repair your car? Check out our Auto Repair Reference Center to access repair manuals, recalls, and wiring diagrams for hundreds of makes and models.

2. Don’t subscribe to the Columbus Dispatch? Browse through the latest issues using our online access.

1. Read an eBook, listen to an eAudiobook, listen to some eMusic, or watch an eVideo by checking out titles from the Ohio eBook Project.

Check Out Ohio E-Books Today!

What is it? The Campaign 2008 Bus is a 45-foot mobile production studio traveling the nation to promote and enhance C-SPAN’s extensive coverage of the 2008 presidential race. Its mission is to inform voters, empower teachers, and enrich civics education. Visit the C-SPAN bus site for more information.

When is it coming? Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 5, 2:30-4:30 p.m

Where is it going to park? Though parking is always tight at the library, the bus will be parked at the back of the Library parking lot.

How does it work? The bus will be open to the public and can accommodate about 12 adults at a time. TV staff will give brief presentations (10-15 minutes depending on whether people are waiting to board the bus).

And don’t forget about the primaries! Polls open March 4th at 6:30 am and close at 7:30 PM. Franklin County voters can find their polling locations by entering their address online. Delaware County voters who know their precinct number can find their polling location here.

Join us for this important event!

Don

Dear library customers, Encore is Here! On our front page you will notice the New Generation library catalog that we are presenting for your use and your comments. While there are many new advancements that will be added gradually to the new catalog, we decided to have a soft rollout of the product in order to get your comments and suggestions.

The New Catalog provides many new enhancements to reduce the librarian in all of us and allow our customers to locate materials in much the same way as you search the Internet using Google. It has all the functionality of our traditional catalog along with the usability of the internet search engines. You no longer need to worry about author, title or subject searches; The catalog understands what you want. There’s no need to worry about spelling, the catalog will prompt you with the correct spelling. Not sure how to refine your search? not a problem, the catalog has a relationship database that will refine the search for you automatically.

There are over 50 refinements to our traditional catalog and many more to come! So take a test drive and let us know what you think!

Thanks

Don W. Barlow

Executive Director

Security Cameras have been installed throughout the library for the safety of our customers and library materials. Numerous cameras, some visible, some not so visible, were installed on September 19th. The new security cameras will enhance the library’s safe environment and protect the library’s collection from damage and theft.

The new system will provide continuous 24/7 coverage for the library facility, maintaining a 3 week record for each camera location. In addition, to enhancing library security, the cameras will also be used to identify the theft of library materials and assist in the prosecution of those stealing public property, according to Don W. Barlow, Executive Director.

Those taking library materials illegally, either as a prank or for profit, should consider the consequences. Taking materials, valued over $250 is a felony and punishable by heavy fines and possible imprisonment. In a recent case with the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, a lady was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to pay full restitution to the library. A heavy penalty for stealing items that could simply be borrowed for free.

Thank you, Westerville! It’s a Landslide!

Everyone associated with the library is humbled by yesterday’s election results. Everyday we strive to provide the very best services we can to an outstanding community. Today’s results re-affirm the community’s appreciation for what we do and the trust you have in us.

Your trust is something we take very seriously and is why we remain one of the most cost efficient libraries, not only in Ohio, but nationwide. We live in a great community and the Westerville Public Library is just one of our great community assets. Along with our city government and our great schools, Westerville is indeed one of the great communities in which to live and work.

Make no mistake about it, that is because of you, the average citizen that understands the importance of community and the importance of investing in our future. We deeply appreciate your continuing support and fully understand our responsibility to you, the taxpayer.

For the past 75 years, we have pledged to provide the very best services possible in the most cost effective manner possible. Your vote today, re-affirms our commitment to continue that great tradition. All of us are humbled by your support and pledge our continuing commitment to you.

Thank you so very very much!!!!

Don W. Barlow

Executive Director

Why gaming in public libraries? Isn’t that just entertainment? No, gaming has tremendous potential for libraries to reach out to new users, offer new services, and help complement efforts in community building, information literacy, and other areas. Public libraries today are much more than just a warehouse for books providing study areas.

Our public library also serves as a community center, a gathering place for citizens and as an information hub for the community. Libraries have long served the role of providing a safe and clean environment for people of all ages and particularly for our youth after school.

Gaming in libraries provide an activity that draws youth to the library. What better place for your teen to spend time. Did you know that the fastest growing customer base for our library is teens? Did you know, after introducing gaming at the library, circulation has increased by over 22%? Yes, it is true, once teens come to library because of gaming, they also find time to study, to check out books. Most importantly, they also find time to learn. They learn about infomation technology, they develop research skills that will serve their life-long learning neads.

And yes, they learn how important public libraries are in their daily lives. Gaming in libraries? You Bet! with an investment of about $900, (less than 1 tenth of 1% of budget) we have over 3,000 new young adult library users.

That’s a great return on investment!