Monday, June 04, 2012
Chambers County
Library System – May, 2012
The month of May tends is the
time we tie up loose ends getting last minute details ready for Summer
Reading. This year, thanks go Graphic
Arts, we printed over 10,000 sheets of paper to promote the children’s, teens,
and adult programs for June and July.
The flyers then had to be folded and distributed to the schools, and in
several cases, staff went to the schools to present previews of coming
attractions. Our local UPS driver was
working overtime delivering all the reading incentives, prizes, giveaways and
program supplies. Registration bags were
stuffed, sponsor displays created, signs telling kids how to earn coupons (by
reading books, of course) and huge wall displays went up at every library site
showing off the “Get a Clue…at the Library!” theme. And our website has been donned with the
State themed clipart with links to our events flyers. It’s always the most popular part of our
website this time of year. So next time
you’re in one of the branches, check out the walls, register for summer
reading, and enjoy the fun activities the staff have worked hard preparing for
you!
All of this activity wouldn’t be
possible without our Friends of the Library.
They’re the major underwriter for Summer Reading and their efforts with
fundraising (especially book sales) throughout the year are the reason we are
able to offer such great activities each summer. The Friends are currently working on their
summer newsletter to be available soon so you can see what they’ve been up to all
year. Other supplemental funding for
Summer Reading comes from the County and any grants we can get our hands
on. This year the library received
grants from ExxonMobil, Wal-Mart and Dollar General. Along with those 3 donors, the library system
has a total of 56 sponsors who donated time, money or coupons. Our programs tend to get more exciting each
year, which attracts more and more kids, teens and adults and that’s the goal
of the Summer Reading Program and the Library – to create readers and lifelong
library users.
The beginning of the month the
County Librarian judged the artwork at the Youth Project Show along with County
Auditor, Jerry Sparks. This month was
also the quarterly Library Advisory Board meeting. The Board meets to discuss and vote on any
changes or updates in policy. This month
they approved the Staff Cell Phone Use Policy and heard updates from the County
Librarian.
Staff member Nikki Beltram taught
her 4th Excel class for county employees in May. Each class fills up within a couple of days
and tends to be the most sought after class.
Employees who attend always give great feedback and leave wanting more.
It’s hard to decide what
else to report on this month, since so much has been happening. The most
dramatic has to be our burglary at the Anahuac library at the beginning of the
month. Who would want to break into a
library? Well, we obviously have
something worth coming for! It’s sad
that someone had to damage property to gain just a little in return. Fortunately, there are leads and the damages
have been repaired.
And to end the month another one of our big
events took place on the 26th.
Ana-Con is in its 5th year and continues to be a huge
success. This mini anime convention
attracts kids, teens and adults from the immediate and surrounding areas. This year 84 people turned out for a day full
of events. Staff member LaShebia Haskin
and the Anahuac Anime Club worked hard to make this year’s event run
smooth. Check out the teen blog for a
movie recap of the day.
Winnie staff working hard to stuff Summer Reading bags!
Volunteers at Mont Belvieu – Keela Sylvia and
Beth Sellen
