The-Librarian-Blog

Chambers County Library System – February, 2013

In addition to Valentine’s Day and Black History Month, February was also Library Lovers’ Month!  The staff took advantage of this special month by promoting the library’s services with unique and eye-catching displays.  Anahuac had a “Library Valentine Tree” where patrons could write a Valentine to their library.  Mont Belvieu invited patrons to go on a “Blind Date” with a book, and all 3 branches had Black History materials on display throughout the month.  Patrons enjoy seeing the different displays, and you never know what you’ll get with the creativity of the staff.  Our display racks are placed close to the checkout desk so it’s the equivalent of the candy aisle at the store – someone usually grabs something last minute. 

On the 7^th the staff gathered to hammer out the details of our upcoming Summer Reading Program.  It’s still several months away, but in order to get all those programs, sponsors, orders, and last minute details finalized, our planning process needs to start at the beginning of the year.  We’re looking forward to another great summer full of fun programs and activities for all ages.  The Friends of Chambers County Library System are our major underwriter for the Summer Reading Program along with the County.  Any additional funds needed (and there always is), gets done with grants that the County Librarian writes to several local entities involved in community giving programs. 

The Friends of the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge donated money to the library for the purchase of children’s books on ecology, estuaries, marshes and related topics.  These subject areas of the collection continue to teach the elementary and middle school students about nature and wildlife as it applies to them locally. 

The annual General Meeting of the Friends of the Chambers County Library System was held on February 23^rd this year. The Friends, as an independent group of library supporters and cardholders, is a vital link for the library system to the community at large. Over 250 individuals and business owners hold memberships, and their dues, coupled with fund raisers, make up the bulk of funds used by the library staff for programming supplies. They have also been able to provide us with additional equipment and furniture over the years that could not be purchased otherwise. The meeting was well attended, and our Executive Board promises to be enthusiastic and dedicated.  One of the topics of discussion was the new West Chambers Branch Library progress.  The Friends met with architects, JT ARC Studios from Houston to discuss the direction the Friends want to go as they pursue their portion of the funds needed towards the building project.

As the search continues for an Assistant County Librarian, we decided to do a temporary personnel change until we find our lucky candidate.  Technical Librarian Kathy Fielding will be assigned some Assistant County Librarian clerical duties to give the County Librarian some time to catch up on some projects that have been on the back burner.  To fill in the time Kathy will be taken from her Technical duties, a temporary part-time employee will pick up the slack at 20 hours per week.  We thank the court for allowing this brief change so we can continue to keep up the pace of our busy library! 

Until next month!