My interview with Jennie Wiley lasted approximately 2 1/2 hours. She was delightful and attentive to me, as well as to her patrons as we encountered them throughout the interview. Here is a snapshot of the room we did most of our talking. She refers to it as the "Fine Arts room." Pictured with her is her beautiful daughter, Naomi who is interning this summer and hopes to fulfill her goal of being a children's librarian some day.
Technology - the patron side...
With 5 patron networked/wired stationary computers (using cable modem), 1 OPAC computer, 11 WiFi laptops, an iPad, iPod, Samsung Galaxy tablet, 4 kids Kurio tablets, a Nook touch, an early generation Kindle, Paper White Kindle and Kindle Fire, there are plenty of options for patrons to gain internet access, access the online catalog, do homework, play games or just read an eBook.
I was not able to get photos of the mobile items, nor did I want to disturb patrons working on the laptops, but the patrons to the right gave me permission to photo them working at one of the stationary public computers.
Left - a young man in the process of printing a document.
There is an AUP and Internet Policies (all can be found on their policies page at http://www.cotuitlibrary.org/services/about/policies/), but Jennie does not include a timer as one of those policies. Wiley states that "timers cause patrons undue stress." She wants all her patrons to feel they have sufficient time to accomplish their computer/internet needs. Her trend towards laptops is evident of this.
*The kid's Kurio tablets are pre-loaded with games and educational apps and offer a range of restrictions from no internet to full internet access thereby giving parents the responsibility for determining what is in the best interests of their children.
As a compliment to the above-mentioned services, the library provides copy, fax and print services. A black and white will cost you .15 per page, but you can get color for .25. Faxes are $1 per page.
She is very proud of her new copier:
Cotuit Library is an automated library with an OPAC system through a consortium called CLAMS (Cape Library Automated Materials Sharing). Being a part of CLAMS assures patrons access to multiple resources across the cape using their patron library card. (http://info.clamsnet.org/)
Ubiquitous patron services they provide are their website (www.cotuitlibrary.org), access to Flipster, an award-winning Mobile Library App, a number of databases - including Mango, Heritage Quest online (ancestry), newspapers, Gale databases and Learning Express, which I found to be very exciting! Learning Express provides access to lots of learning and career help and instruction for children to adults. (http://www.learningexpresshub.com/productengine/LELIndex.html#/learningexpresslibrary/libraryhome.)
What can be borrowed?
Jennie feels that "almost anything can be borrowed." She is extremely community oriented and wants her patrons "to find the library to be the source of all their information needs."
Besides DVD's, Cd's and Books on tape, the library also has a projector/sound system, a record player, and TELESCOPES! Two items that do not typically leave the library are their baby grand piano and their largest telescope (pictured here):
With a lot of different types of equipment and a modest sized library (with little storage), finding places to store these items can be challenging.
So, she scatters them around where she can find space.
Left photo - shelved books on tape
Right photo - DVD rack to the left (on the right side you will see the OPAC station and a patron at one of the 5 stationary computers)
No comments:
Post a Comment