Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Redondo Beach library staff outlines catalog, digital resources and new services
Summary
Technical services librarian Tim Parker presented the library's behind-the-scenes work—cataloging, acquisitions, local-history scanning—and reviewed digital offerings such as Mango Languages, Canopy, Libby/OverDrive and Hoopla. The commission received and filed the presentation.
Tim Parker, the library's technical services librarian, told the Public Amenities Commission on March 11 that his small department manages the library catalog, acquisitions, cataloging and processing that make materials available to the public.
"I'm Tim Parker. I'm the technical services librarian," Parker said, describing a workflow that moves items from order to shelf and noting the role of his acquisitions technician in tracking budgets and receiving new materials. He said selectors use professional reviews and circulation statistics to make purchasing decisions.
Parker walked commissioners through the library's digital offerings and local-history work. He highlighted Mango Languages ("Mango has over 70 languages and over 20 ESL courses"), Canopy (a film streaming platform), NoveList (curated book recommendations), PressReader and ProQuest (periodicals), Libby by OverDrive (e-books and magazines) and Hoopla (streaming media with limited monthly borrows).
Parker cautioned that e-book licensing is costly and constrained: some audiobook licenses can cost "$80 to $100" and license terms or checkout limits mean the library does not permanently own all digital items. He described Libby's partner-library function, which can increase patrons' access to other collections once they sign into partner catalogs.
On local-history digitization, Parker said the library has uploaded more than 900 items including yearbooks and postcards and recently acquired a new scanner that should improve image quality. He said the library uses vendor storefronts such as Ingram for bulk acquisitions.
Commissioners asked how patrons suggest purchases and how streaming access works on smart TVs; Parker said patrons may submit a request form online or on paper and explained that some streaming services require account registration tied to a library card.
Library Director Dana Vinkie introduced Parker and earlier highlighted staff work on a library "open access" program, a partnership to provide office space for a homeless-housing navigator, and a countywide 1-Book-1-Coast program.
The commission voted to receive and file the presentation.
