Best of Friends Friends of the Durham Library Newsletter
Spring 2013
A New Mission Statement for the Library The library is beginning work on a new strategic plan, and as a first step has created a new, dynamic mission statement. The new statement: Encourage Discovery, Connect the Community and Lead in Literacy, highlights the library’s mission and reinforces the brand of Durham County Library by using the initials DCL to communicate the message.
Library Launches New Catalog
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ibrary patrons spend a significant amount of time browsing for books and managing their accounts in the online catalog. Now that experience is easier and more user-friendly, thanks to an update launched in March. The new catalog is a vast improvement over the old, antiquated system and has many updated features including: • Search filtering directly from the catalog home screen. The new catalog allows patrons to narrow their searches using drop-down categories like Adult Fiction and Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Teen Books, DVDs, Audiobooks, Graphic Books and Music. This is in addition to the search fields that were previously found in the catalog, like Title, Keyword, ISBN and more. • Auto-complete searching. Much like Google remembers popular searches, the new catalog will now offer suggestions in a drop-down menu as the search term is typed in. Typing the letter “h” brings up Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Henrietta Lack, Hitchcock and other popular and recent searches. The list adjusts as more of the search term is entered. • Accurate results even with misspellings. Searching for The Brothers Karamazov by Dostayevsky, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hoseini or Fifty Shades of Gray? The catalog can now find authors and titles even if the spelling is not quite right. (That’s Dostoyevsky, Hosseini and Grey.) Continued on page 3
Discovery refers to the learning, exploring and creating that happen in the library every day. Community references the central role the library plays in providing a place to meet and build relationships with others, and Literacy encompasses competence and understanding in many areas – reading, technology, citizenship, etc. Next steps for the strategic plan include forming a working committee and creating a vision statement. Stay tuned!
Friends Make a Difference: Sensory Storytime Aids Special Needs Adults
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ith funding from the Friends, the library has begun offering a Sensory Storytime Program to help special needs adults. The program is the brainchild of Stanford L. Warren children’s librarian Sarah Ringer, and combines hands on, sensory stimulating (and sometimes messy) activities with interactive, bright colored books and stories.
creating all sorts of fun designs. Then they squished the second mitten onto the face of the first, to make matching mittens. These mittens hung as the featured bulletin board in the library for the winter months, until the adults took them home to share with a loved one or display proudly.
All too often, upon the completion of high school, individuals with special needs are left to their own devices or placed in homes and day care programs. Initially, Sensory Storytime was created to provide some activity for an hour a day outside of the facility at which the participants spend their time. With experience and a better understanding of the needs of this population, Sensory Storytime has developed far beyond a simple time of entertainment. Participants work on social skills, practice making choices that lead to a visible outcome, experience new activities that often push them outside of their comfort zones and laugh with each other. Sensory Storytime originally served 7-9 participants with special needs, but since November, those numbers have increased to 12-14 participants per week, with the likelihood of creating a second storytime to accommodate the growing numbers and heightened interest from the community. The adults enjoy and learn from all of the sessions, but some of the sessions are more popular than others. At the end of November, the group participated in one of the most popular programs. With the funds provided by the Friends, Ringer purchased thick fabric paints in neon, florescent and glow-inthe-dark colors. After reading the book The Mitten by Jan Brett, the adults created their own brightly colored mittens. They cut out two mitten shapes and used fabric paints on one of them, 2 Best of Friends Spring 2013
In Ringer’s research on dealing with special needs adults, she has found that experts discourage using books with figurative and literal communication because these skills are often lacking in individuals with special needs. But another favorite program proved this is not always the case. In honor of Amelia Bedelia’s 50th Anniversary, Ringer and the participants read about one of their favorite characters, the very literal Amelia, feeding baby carrots and baby pies to a toddler instead of the typical “baby food.” Surprisingly, the laughter in the room was infectious as the adults picked up on why Amelia Bedelia was confused.
“When I asked them why they were laughing, many of my adults were able to explain to me (those without verbal communication skills pointed to the pictures on the page) exactly how and why Amelia was going to react with her literal interpretation of the world, as well as what the actual intent was,” said Ringer. At the end of this program, with very little help from Ringer, the group worked together to slice Granny Smith Apples (the Granny that Amelia was still waiting for when she made her apple pie) and make their own cream cheese snickers dip to share, just like Amelia. The group was successful using the apple cutter and the electric mixer, and worked on properly serving their aids, giving them a portion of the delicious treat and the required napkins for cleanup before serving themselves. The laughter continued as they shared their dessert.
As Ringer has developed the trust of the participants, it has really blossomed. Funding from the Friends has made a difference in the lives of this special population. Said Ringer, “We have come such a long way since the first programs – where there were many quiet, reserved attendees, hesitant to try new activities. Now, through the relationship that has developed, I have watched as these adults thrive and practice those skills they need to function in the community.”
The Sensory Storytime continues to make strides in helping special needs adults through reading, crafts and activities.
New Catalog
(continued from cover)
• Links to ebooks and e-audiobooks when available. Ebooks and e-audiobook titles are now part of the search results along with print, DVDs and audiobooks. No more having to search two sites. • Improved user lists with no item limits and no expiration dates. Patrons who used the ‘list’ function on the previous catalog were often frustrated by the fact that their list items expired after 25 days. The new catalog has no expiration date. One caveat: lists must be created from scratch in the new catalog. Patrons can access their old lists at http://durham.ipac.sirsidynix.net/. • Enhanced details. The new catalog gives more information on titles, including summaries, Goodreads information, reviews and excerpts from Google Books when available.
Ebook Catalog from OverDrive also Upgraded The ebook catalog has also received a much-needed upgrade. The checkout process for ebooks was always a bit confusing. Borrowing and reading titles is now much easier with the new system (http://durhamcounty.lib.overdrive.com). It takes only a few seconds to find a title and start reading, and patrons can access any borrowed title from their Bookshelf with only a few clicks or taps. Also new with the upgrade is OverDrive Read, an in-browser ebook reader. It works just like any ebook reading app, except that it doesn’t require additional software. All patrons need is a computer, tablet or mobile device with a modern web browser. Both the catalog upgrade and ebook updates are meant to make finding and checking out books much easier. We hope patrons enjoy using these new tools.
The Library Family Board of Trustees Allan Lang, Chair Henry Felder, Vice Chair Beck Tench, Secretary Crystal Dreisbach Joe Hewitt Derrick Jordan Paolo Mangiafico Shawn Miller Joyce Sykes MJ Digby, Friends Liaison
Upcoming Board of Trustees Meetings May 16, 2013, North Regional July 18, 2013, Stanford L. Warren September 19, 2013, Southwest Regional
Friends of the Durham Library Elsa Woods, President Martha Scotford, Vice President Betty Danielson, Treasurer Jaime Danehey, Secretary Mary Jane (MJ) Digby Kimberly Gilbert Shayne Goodrum Elizabeth Hayes Janet W. Hessling Eve Marion Rob Rabb Ann Rebeck Leah Rutchick Alan B. Teasley André Vann Ann Wilder Angela Zoltners
Durham Library Foundation Ann Craver, President Elizabeth Townsend, Vice President Bonnie Cox, Treasurer Bessie Carrington, Secretary De (Diane Elizabeth) Cutshaw Dannette Daniels Frances Dyer Pierce Freelon Phil Hutchings Tom Keller Anne Lloyd Bob Otterbourg Steve Pike Bob Timmins Elisabeth Wiener Placide Barada Emeritus Board Member Joyce Sykes, Board of Trustees Representative Ann Rebeck, Friends Representative Tammy Baggett, Library Director Best of Friends is published in support of Durham County Library, with primary expenses for printing and distribution paid by the Friends of the Durham Library. The newsletter is produced by the library’s Marketing & Development Division.
Friends of the Durham Library Newsletter 3
On Friday, April 5, Durham Library Foundation (DLF) publicly announced the Campaign For the Library. The goal is to raise $1.5 million to benefit Durham County Library. Currently, the Campaign has raised over $760,000.
Foundation donations have already made a difference in some areas of the library, and fresh paint, new carpeting and minor updates will help make our downtown destination a more inviting place for everyone.
The Campaign Kick-off was held at Southwest Regional Library. As Durham Library Foundation Board members, along with Durham County Library Trustees, Friends of the Durham Library Board members, corporate and individual campaign donors watched, a new Automated Delivery System (ADS) was unveiled. Ann Craver, DLF board president “inaugurated” the ADS by placing a book into the book drop. The ADS quickly read the book barcode, instantly checking it into the system. Campaign funds were used to purchase this new technology as well as to provide a “mini-makeover” for the Main Library. The Campaign hopes to purchase additional ADS for Durham County Library. Please read more about how this Campaign will benefit Durham County Library, the community and you. Please help by “earning your stripes!
HUMANITIES Our humanities programming brings nationally recognized authors and world-class scholars to thousands of library patrons, and is a model for other library systems around the state.
BOOKMOBILE & OUTREACH Durham provided North Carolina’s first library bookmobile beginning in 1923. Since then, our Outreach division has grown to include OASIS (Older Adults and Shut-In Service) and Hispanic/Latino services. But bookmobile and other vehicle maintenance costs continue to escalate. The Campaign for the Library will enable us to maintain and improve critical library services to children, adults and seniors throughout the county who are unable to reach a library facility. MAIN MAKEOVER The Main Library is the hub of an exceptional Durham County Library system. A planned renovation will happen in a few years. But with your support, a much-needed facelift can make Main Library a more welcoming place for our patrons. 4 Best of Friends Spring 2013
Participation in the library’s innovative programs continues to double and redouble. These award-winning events are funded almost entirely by donations to the Foundation. Your support will sustain this successful program, and will help the library bring new and engaging events to the community. NC COLLECTION The North Carolina Collection is the resource for historical records of the city and county of Durham. It is crucial that the library continue to provide these relevant materials to the public in a timely manner, but storage and cataloging needs present ongoing fiscal challenges. Funding from this Campaign will allow the North Carolina Collection to grow. It will make the difference between having an adequate collection and a superior collection.
THE COLLECTION Recent cuts have forced painful reductions in the collection budget. To maintain a thriving community, it is vital that Durham County Library provide patrons with access to relevant materials and resources. Durham Library Foundation is one of the only resources available to mitigate deep budget shortfalls. Supporting the Campaign for the Library will allow us to maintain and build on an exceptional collection. AUTOMATED DELIVERY SYSTEM This state-of-the-art system allows patrons to have immediate access to recently returned items by speeding up the check-in process. With the ADS in place, patrons will notice significantly decreased wait times for popular DVDs and books. This technology is standard in most world-class library systems, and it goes a long way toward meeting our patrons’ expectations of excellent customer service.
Corporate/Organization Contributors BP Family Fare C.M. Herndon Foundation Friends of the Durham Library Inc. GlaxoSmithKline SunTrust Foundation Up to Date Club Wells Fargo Thank you to the corporations and organizations that have helped us pass the halfway mark in the Campaign for the Library.
NAMING RIGHTS OPPORTUNITIES As part of the Campaign for the Library, Durham Library Foundation is offering naming rights to select rooms in our regional library locations, Stanford L. Warren and the Main Library. We encourage you to consider this opportunity for yourself or to honor a loved one by making a contribution in his or her name.
Saturday, April 20
Southwest Regional Library SCOTT HAMPTON JAN BERGER RAINA TELGEMEIER BEN TOWLE URSULA VERNON ...and more!
Guests, activities and prizes for all ages!
Debuting at Comics Fest 2013: Durham Comics Project is a year-long, community-wide series of events and workshops that seeks to capture the essence of life right now – small moments, big moments, moments that represent who we are as a community. The Project will do this by teaching members of the Durham community how to tell their stories through pictures. Comics artist and librarian, Amy Godfrey, will lead the Project. For more information, visit DurhamComicsProject.org.
Visit durhamcountylibrary.org/comicsfest or call 919-560-8590 for more information!
Thank you for supporting “Love My DCL”!! In February, the following businesses donated a portion of their day’s profits to Durham Library Foundation: Bull Street Gourmet & Market Friends of the Durham Library Geer Street Gardens King’s Red & White Northgate Mall Nosh Parker and Otis Pie Pushers Food Truck Pop’s Backdoor Pizza Stone Bros. & Byrd The Original “Q” Shack Vaguely Reminiscent Thank you for shopping, eating and raising $3,500 for Durham Library Foundation and Durham County Library!!
Comics Fest sponsored by Durham Library Foundation Friends of the Durham Library Newsletter 5
Adult & Humanities
Programs
Apr. - Jun. 2013 E x p a n d Yo u r K n o w l e d g e . . . E n g a g e i n C o n v e r s a t i o n . . . E x p e r i e n ce S o m e t h i n g N e w. . .
Humanities Programs at Durham County Library Brought to you with support from Durham Library Foundation. All programs are free and open to the public. Bullish on Durham: Spotlight on Downtown Saturday, May 4, 3 p.m. Main Library
Celebrate Downtown Durham Inc.’s 20th year, and learn about Downtown Durham’s transformation with Bill Kalkhof, DDI’s first and recently retired Bullish president; Andrew on Durham “Andy” Widmark, early downtown developer; and Michael Goodmon, Vice President of American Tobacco Campus. Refreshments will be served at this program.
The Civil War in North Carolina
Monday, May 6, 7 p.m. Main Library Join Dr. Freddie Parker, former chair of the History Department at North Carolina Central University and scholar of North Carolina history, for an introductory lecture on the Civil War photography exhibit: Freedom, Sacrifice, and Memory. The exhibit provides images of historic figures, artifacts and documents that brought the reality of the war from the frontlines to the home front. Refreshments will be served at this program.
Bullish on Durham: Spotlight on Durham Central Park
Saturday, Jun. 8, 3 p.m. Main Library Bullish on Learn the history of Durham Central Park and how a Durham barren downtown lot became the heart of the city, home of the Durham Farmers’ Market and a beloved green space for community events. Landscape architect, Dan Jewell, will moderate a panel which includes Allen Wilcox and Curtis Eshelman, co-founders of DCP, and Lee Ann Tilley, DCP board member and coordinator of Meals for the Market. Refreshments will be served at this program.
Meet the Author: Georgann Eubanks
Thursday, Jun. 13, 7 p.m. Southwest Regional Library Georgann Eubanks will read from Literary Trails of Eastern North Carolina: A Guide Book. Featured authors include A. R. Ammons, Gerald Barrax, Charles Chesnutt, Clyde Edgerton, Philip Gerard, Kaye Gibbons, Harriet Jacobs, Jill McCorkle, Michael Parker and Bland Simpson. A book signing will follow the reading.
Jews and Durham in Transition & Jewish Life “Pop-Up Museum”
Sunday, Jun. 16, 3 p.m. Main Library Join us for a panel discussion on the history of Jews in Durham with historians Leonard Rogoff, Karin Shapiro, Lynne Grossman and Robert Rosenstein. Shapiro’s exhibit, Beth El Synagogue – The First 125 Years will be on display at the library from Jun. 14 to Jul. 15. Bring an old photo or family treasure for the Jewish Life “Pop-Up Museum” happening alongside the program. Co-sponsored by the Museum of Durham History.
Civil Rights Stories, 1963 & Durham Civil Rights “Pop-Up Museum”
Sunday, Jun. 23, 3 p.m. Main Library 1963 was a pivotal civil rights year. As we look back in Durham’s history during 1963, many critically important events changed the local civil rights landscape a half century ago. Retired teacher Eddie Davis will moderate a multi-racial panel of citizens who played vital roles in the quest for the integration of some of Durham’s most cherished educational institutions, restaurants and theaters. Join the conversation by bringing an old photo or family treasure for the Durham Civil Rights “Pop-Up Museum” happening alongside the program. Cosponsored by the Museum of Durham History. Photograph by Harold Moore, courtesy of the Herald-Sun
For more information, call 560-0268 or visit durhamcountylibrary.org 6 Best of Friends Spring 2013
Books for Sale
Friends of the Durham Librar y
Spring Book ing okSale
Find great bargains on gently used books and support Durham County Library with your purchases.
e
Flutter by for savings on over 50,000 items! Gently Used Books avings DVDs items!Audio Books Books Children’s Books Gift Books oks Collectible Books
ooks
April 12 13 14 FRIDAY MEMBERS ONLY SALE 4 - 7pm Join at the Door! SATURDAY 10am - 4pm
Friday, Apr. 12, 4 - 7 p.m. Friends members only – join at the door! Saturday, Apr. 13, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Everyone welcome. Sunday, Apr. 14, 2 - 5 p.m. $7 Bag Sale.
April 12 13 14
Visit friendsofthedurhamlibrary.org to print a coupon for $1 off a purchase of $12 or more.
FRIDAY MEMBERS ONLY SALE 4 - 7pm N. Roxboro Join at the Door!St., Durham,
Main Library
300 tel: 919-560-0100
SUNDAY 2 - 5pm $7 Bag Sale Debit & Credit Cards Welcome
27701
SATURDAY 10am - 4pm
Debit and credit cards accepted. SUNDAY 2 - 5pm $7 Bag Sale
Debit & Credit Cards Welcome Main Library 300 N. Roxboro St. HOW TO DONATE BOOKS: The Friends of the Durham Library welcomes donations of books, audiobooks, CDs and DVDs, 27701magazines, cassettes Main Library except for:Durham encyclopedias, and condensed books. You may take your donation to any Durham County Library 919.560.0100 location during regular hours. Please bring large donations (more than one bag) to the Main Library garage on Tuesday 300 N. Roxboro St. morning between 9 and noon, when the Friends of the Durham Library are present and can help unload. For more info, visit: http://durhamcountylibrary.org/friends.php. Durham 27701
919.560.0100
Friends of the Durham Library Newsletter 7
Nonprofit org. U.S. Postage PAID Durham, NC Permit No. 312
P.O. Box 3809 Durham, NC 27702
durhamcountylibrary.org
Friends of the Durham Library Membership:
Become a member of the Friends of the Durham Library or renew your membership:
Name Phone Address
E-Mail City
q Family $25 q Adult $15
Please make your check payable and mail to Friends of the Durham Library, PO Box 3809, Durham, NC 27702. Questions: Dionne Greenlee (919-560-0190 or dgreenlee@dconc.gov).
Zip
Type of Membership: Memberships expire in one year (except Life memberships) q Senior (over 65) $10 q Sustaining $50 q Life $300 q Youth (18 and younger) $5 q Patron $100 q Additional gift of
Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1-888-830-4989. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
Donations of $25 or more to the Foundation include membership in the Friends of the Durham Library.
To Make a Donation to the Durham Library Foundation:
Yes, a stronger library makes a stronger Durham. Here’s my contribution! q $30 q $50 q $75 q $150 q $250 q Other
Name
Phone Address
Please make your check payable and mail to Durham Library Foundation, PO Box 3809, Durham, NC 27702. Questions, bequests & other planned giving needs: Alice Sharpe (919-560-0193 or asharpe@dconc.gov).
Donate online any time at durhamlibraryfoundation.org
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