Friday, February 06, 2015
New year, new money!
Chambers County
Library System – January, 2015
New year, new money! January
1 brings the library’s new budget year, and with that we begin the fun task of
ordering new books, supplies, equipment, and other services for our public. Boxes are stacking up in Tech Services,
anxiously awaiting to be cataloged and processed so they can be placed on the
shelves for our public. It’s always refreshing
to have the ability to fill request from patrons, and provide services that are
in high demand. We are forever grateful
to Commissioners’ Court for their ongoing support of the library system.
In programming news, we continue to offer top notch programs
to the public. System-side we offered
over 45 programs to kids, teens, and adults during the month of January. From science programs to movie marathons, we
have something for everyone. As
librarians, we try to actively create services and programs that are community
focused. And as a result, we hope that
the public advocates on behalf of their public library. We’re
no longer just a place for books, we’re also here to provide information and
help people connect, engage, and become lifelong library users!
The Chambers County
Library in Anahuac was featured in the Texas Library Association’s Cool Stuff
Initiative page on Pinterest. An “I Spy”
table was created by employees Melani Aguilar and Shelby Fielding. Children’s Librarian Michelle Mims submitted
the photo, and it’s been a topic of conversation on the popular social
site. Kids love coming to the library to
search and find objects on the table.
The West Chambers Branch in Mont Belvieu held their 2nd
annual Yukikon event on the 27th.
New Teen Librarian Kara DeLaughter jumped right in providing fun games
and activities for the teens. Yukikon is
an even that primarily focuses on anime, manga, and Japanese culture. The Chambers County Library in Anahuac will
soon be holding their 8th annual “Ana-Con” event in May.
The federal “e-rate” program has been in operation since
1998, and with the exception of one year, Chambers County has received this
reimbursement on Internet access and phone lines to our libraries. This is done because we provide access to the
Internet for the public, and use our phone lines for assisting the public and
for faxing. The e-rate program is received
yearly, and provides a wealth of good to the general public.
All 3 libraries held a Downton Abbey movie marathon complete
with tea and cookies. The popular PBS
series has been quite the buzz lately, and several people came to see what it
was all about.
At the January 27th Commissioners’ Court, Branch
Librarians Aquilia De la Cruz (Anahuac), Cindy Alegria (Winnie), and Missy
Parham (Mont Belvieu) were recognized for their completion of the Small Library
Management program. This 2 year program
gives the ladies a better background of libraries for smaller community
libraries. The program focuses on
administration, management, policy development, collection development,
reference services, and technology.
And finally, ongoing plans and meetings continue with Chambers
County, the City of Mont Belvieu, County Librarian Valerie Jensen and Assistant
County Librarian Annie Vass for the new Sam and Carmena Goss Memorial Branch
Library in Mont Belvieu. County
Librarian Valerie Jensen spoke at request to a Bridge Group where Carmena was a
long time member to update them on the new library progress. The group wants to contribute in Carmena’s
name, and you could definitely tell she meant a lot to this nice bunch of
ladies. Plans to break ground have been
put on temporary hold, but the
public should start seeing some changes within
the next couple of months.
Until next month! Valerie
Jensen, County Librarian
Branch librarians
being recognized by Chambers County Commissioners’ Court
Kaiden King is proud
of his artwork during storytime at Anahuac
The Yukikon gang at the
West Chambers Branch in Mont Belvieu
The “I Spy” table at
the Chambers County Library in Anahuac as featured in the “Cool Stuff
Initiative” through Texas Library
Association