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September 29, 2006
A Week of Good Ideas
slide from Chris Anderson's talk and discussion during Library Camp
I attended two thought-provoking events this week and I'm still trying to sort out what they mean for the Darien Library. On Monday, we hosted Library Camp East, a technology unconference where librarians from Connecticut and the east coast gathered to discuss topics like how to make our online catalogs more like Google and Amazon, and our online services more useful to our customers. And last night, I heard Chris Anderson, author of The Long Tail, lecture at the New York Public Library. I also heard Chris speak at the American Library Association meeting in June, and I am certain that the long tail has implications for library services. I am just not sure what they are yet. Certainly we are going to be thinking more about niches in our collections and services. Are we buying what you want to read, listen to, and view? Although we are delighted when you tell us what you like about the Darien Library, we are even more interested in knowing where we need to improve. As we plan for the new library building, we are thinking a lot about library services of the future, and would love to hear your thoughts. What would make this library even more amazing?
Posted by louise at 04:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 22, 2006
Coming soon in your mailbox
We know it's confusing and we apologize. Yes, we are raising money to build a new library, and many of you have generously contributed, or will contribute to the Capital Campaign. BUT we still need $450,000 each and every year in the Annual Campaign to buy new books, computers, DVDs, CDs, books on tape..... well, you get it, everything you use in the library, or check out to use at home. AND no, your tax dollars do not buy these things. We are grateful to the Town fathers and mothers for paying our salaries and the oil bill, but they do not buy any books for you to read! So please help us out. We need to build the new library, but we also want you to have the new books, movies, programs that you expect from us this year. The annual appeal is in the mail, or you can donate online by clicking here. Any questions, feel free to call me or Jay Wood, our annual fundraising chairman.
Posted by louise at 04:52 PM | Comments (0)
September 19, 2006
Accountability and Transparency
Most of us think of Enron as an issue for the corporate world. And yet, legislation passed by Congress (Sarbanes-Oxley Act or SOX) in the wake of that scandal has implications for not for profits as well. Brian Peoples, the chairman of the Library's audit committee, and I attended a seminar last week that addressed these issues. In the last year, the Library has implemented a number of the "best practices" recommended by SOX, including forming an audit committee, approving a conflict of interest policy, and moving from a cash based audit to a full GAAP audit of our financial statements. We plan to draft a whistleblower policy and a document destruction policy in the coming year, and we will post our financial statements on our web site once our audit is complete. The Library will also be acquiring books and other materials on governance for not for profits to help our fellow organizations as we all work to improve our accountability and transparency to our community.
Posted by louise at 06:13 PM | Comments (0)
September 13, 2006
Great Meeting:Great Collaboration
At the Human Services Planning Council meeting this morning, there was so much energy and so many thoughtful ideas about addressing the social service needs in Darien in a collaborative way, that I left the meeting with a long "to do" list for the Library. Emergency Preparedness Week, which begins on Saturday, is one of the HSPC projects. And I was very interested in the new services provided by the Darien police department through their Domestic Violence Liaison Unit, in collaboration with the Domestic Violence Task Force. Great brainstorming session, led by co-chairs Martha Rhein and Kiki Karpen, on current issues facing Darien. We'll be tackling a lot in the coming year. Watch for some substantive outcomes from this group!
Posted by louise at 03:46 PM | Comments (1)
September 08, 2006
Required Reading
Darien Revitalization Inc. (DRI) President Tom Geary and Executive Director Debbie Parnon
The future of the downtown affects the quality of life for all of us in Darien. That's why everyone should read the action plan for Downtown Darien just published by the Connecticut Main Street Center. The Board of DRI has begun to study the recommendations and we want to hear from you!
We, at the Library, are excited about the initiatives outlined in the action plan, and plan to partner with DRI on a number of them. We would love to co-sponsor the Community Conversations, a series of forums to discuss the ideas outlined in the report. This is a natural progression for us, from our Darien Community Matters blog. On a personal level, I found the section on branding very interesting and useful, since this is a concept that we have been discussing at the Library.
Posted by louise at 07:24 PM | Comments (3)
September 06, 2006
Who says that everyone goes away for Labor Day?
Over 1800 people checked out 3358 items on Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend.
Posted by louise at 11:33 AM | Comments (1)
P & Z discusses new library
Last night, the Planning and Zoning Commission discussed the Library's application for a new building and instructed Town Planner Jeremy Ginsberg to prepare a resolution approving the application. The final vote is expected to take place next Tuesday, September 12.
Posted by louise at 10:57 AM | Comments (0)