Marshall summer reading program attendance up, library gets NEH grant

Library Director Amy Crump and Children's Services Coordinator Bobbie Mackey got the board up to speed on the summer reading program.

"We have eight incredible weeks planned," Mackey said.

Crump said that 81 children were registered, and credited the large number to Mackey's idea of rewarding children for attendance. Children who regularly attend the program will be eligible for prize drawing.

In past years, children were rewarded for the amount of reading they reported during the program.

Summer reading is intended for children in grades five and below, but library officials have been somewhat lenient with this policy.

"We have slacked a little bit on that, we don't want to cut off older siblings," said Mackey.

"Bobbie has spent hours and hours planning and getting ready for the upcoming summer reading," said Priscilla McReynolds. "Her enthusiasm and willingness to go the extra mile ensure that the 'Catch the Reading Bug' programs are sure to make this year the best one yet."

In her staff report, McReynolds continued to praise Mackey.

"She (Mackey) has been granted another National Endowment of the Humanities grant, Picturing America; the library will receive 40 laminated art reproductions depicting American history," said McReynolds.

McReynolds also took a moment to discuss the library's newest display.

"The display is of library materials returned to us in a somewhat 'distressed and less than perfect' condition," she said. "Accidents are bound to happen occasionally, but sometimes carelessness comes into play."

McReynolds hopes this display will encourage patrons to be more responsible with checked-out items.

"If the material is too damaged to put back on the shelf, the patron is sent a damage letter, requesting replacement cost," she said. "Sad to say, we often never hear from them again."

The library board also held a special meeting Wednesday, May 28, to discuss the new ILS software being purchased.

Crump reported that integration of the Evergreen ILS system would be completed by July 28, which is just before the library's current software contract with SirsiDynix expires.

The library will be terminating relations with SirsiDynix as a result of their switch to Evergreen. Money saved from the termination with SirsiDynix ($7,821.26) will free up funds to be put toward the installation of the new software program.

Installation and training for the new software will be provided by Equinox, a support company in association with Evergreen.

"The Marshall Public Library is switching its ILS because Evergreen was developed by librarians and is more reasonably priced than our existing system," Crump said.

Total costs for the new software contract will be around $16,000.

The Marshall Public Library will hold its next board meeting Wednesday, July 9, at 7 p.m.

Contact Travis Watts at marshallreporter@socket.net