The-Librarian-Blog

Chambers County Library System – September, 2014

The annual Texas Gatorfest always brings thousands of people to beautiful Chambers County.  It’s a time when the local folks can proudly promote their community, and the library loves to join in and be a part of this yearly festival.  Anahuac staff members Aquilia De la Cruz, LaShebia Haskin, and Michelle Mims had a booth in the Alligator Educational tent Saturday and Sunday.  These ladies worked hard preparing flyers and handouts to promote the library and its services to not only the locals, but also letting the “out-of-towners” see what great library service is all about.  Each year we receive such great comments about the library, and people who live hundreds of miles away always mention that they love their local library.  It’s great to hear how much libraries mean to people from all over the area. 

September 21-27 was Banned Books Week for libraries across the nation.  Banned Books Week was celebrated, so to speak, at all three libraries, with very interesting, and different, displays at each site. The displays tended to generate discussion by the patrons with the staff, some of it not quite what we might have expected!  But that, of course, is part of the whole effort behind Banned Books Week – to get people talking about censorship, the books that have been challenged, and to get them thinking about their own opinions of the same.

County Librarian Valerie Jensen and Assistant County Librarian Annie Vass were busy this month attending webinars for a state funded grant the library received for iPads to assist with the after-school tutoring sessions at Anahuac.  We’re required to report to the state library each quarter with performance and financial updates.  We’re excited to see the tutorials get started back up. 

Annie and I, along with Branch Librarian Missy Parham attended a couple of meetings for the Sam and Carmena Goss Memorial Branch Library.  We’re already picking out furniture, carpet, and fabric.  The design process is going very well, and we can’t wait until we break ground later this year (or early next). 

On September 15^th, we received our annual Accreditation letter.  Libraries in the state of Texas must adhere to certain personnel, finance, technology, and service standards in order to be an accredited library.  By receiving this recognition, it shows that the library has proven its value and importance to the community.  Chambers County Library System prides itself on exemplary standards, according to the Texas State Library, proving we go above and beyond to stay current in library trends.

Staff member, Shelby Fielding organized a Fall Gardening program on the 24^th.  A packed house attended to hear from local master gardeners.  Presenters brought butterflies in various stages, talked about local plants to attract butterflies, and were on hand to answer gardening questions from the group. 

Our wonderful Friends of the library group decided they wanted to award the branches with a free lunch to say “thank you” for all the hard work during Summer Reading.  Members of the Executive Board delivered sandwiches, chips, drinks, and dessert for the entire staff to enjoy.  The Friends make Summer Reading possible, and without their support we wouldn’t be able to provide such great programs for our public.  

Until next month!