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Library staff report catalog rollout, youth-program changes and new services
Summary
Library staff told the board that Monarch’s new Discover catalog launched with some technical problems, Youth Services is recruiting a new STEAM volunteer and Beanstack was renewed for three years, and the library will replace public-printing software and add an interactive online calendar for room reservations.
Library Director Vanessa Taylir and Youth Services Librarian Greta Swigert briefed the Jack Russell Memorial Library board on operations and patron services at the Sept. 11 meeting.
Taylir said the Monarch Library System’s new catalog, Discover, went live but that libraries are ‘‘working through a few kinks,’’ notably how support tickets are triaged because too many are being marked as high priority. Monarch also circulated a guidance document about artificial-intelligence–published books marketed on Amazon as self-published. Taylir said Jack Russell Memorial Library will host the Monarch Director’s Council on Sept. 12.
Swigert told the board the volunteer who ran STEAM programming has left for college and the library is seeking a replacement. She said Subscription Bags have returned, the library will retain Beanstack for three years after receiving a discount, youth media has been refiled to integrate with juvenile materials, and staff are working to procure a new puppet theater.
Taylir said the library will change its public-printing software to a system Monarch can support, a move expected to eliminate a server expense. She also described new in‑library displays, the addition of an interactive calendar on the library website to allow online reservation of the Community Room, and participation in the Heart and Homestead program (a volunteer-based assistance program to help residents with down-payment costs).
The board was also notified that Cheryl Meister has worked at the library since June as a library aide, and that Jennifer Novotny joined the board in August replacing Emilee Mooney.
The board received correspondence noting a $3,889.29 donation from Daniel Pagliaro, a donated Telesensory Magnifier from Cheryl Smith, and thank-you cards from a homeschool group.
