REFLECTIONS

I have always enjoyed visiting the Round Lake Public Library. It feels like walking back into history. The Town of Round Lake is beautiful. Through my numerous visits and conversations with staff I learned how much work goes into making the library an informative and enjoyable place for patrons to go to. The staff takes the time to get to know each patron and what they come to the library for. I also learned that its important not to provide too much technology that can scare off patrons and make the library seem like work. Patrons come to the library to socialize, learn, talk, read, listen and learn. Understanding who your patrons are and their specific needs is NUMBER ONE.

I learned alot about the computers and what it takes to provide them. I learned that technology doesn't mean the same thing to each person. Some patrons embrace technology and some do not. Paper copies of newspapers, books, magazines still line the shelves and will for a very long time.

I learned that the Round Lake Library focuses on the needs of the people its serves. They care about the requests of their patrons and try very hard to meet those needs by purchasing items specific to their interests. They sometimes will have only one person using a recently purchased items but if the one person is happy that is all that matters.

I really liked the contrast between the two locations. The smaller, more victorian charm of the Round Lake location and the more modern version at the Malta location. It felt like two different worlds that fit together really well. The best of both worlds has been created.

Hope you get a chance to visit both of these libraries some day!!!!!!!!!!

Lynne

REFLECTIONS AND THANK YOU

Thank you!!!

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Carol Sheffer and her staff at the Round Lake Public Library and Malta Branch for all of their help and support with the BLOG. They are the best. They took time out of their busy days/evenings to talk with me about the libraries and what they have to offer.

THANK YOU STAFF!!!!
You are the best!!!!
Lynne

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ROUND LAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND MALTA BRANCH?

Great Question!!!

The libraries website is:

http://roundlake.sals.edu/

Round Lake Public Library Adds a Branch......

WELCOME TO THE MALTA BRANCH

OF THE ROUND LAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY

There isn't that many libraries that have a branch.

What makes the Malta Branch special is that it's the complete opposite of the main location in Round Lake. The Malta Branch is more contemporary and is part of the community center. The Round Lake location is more victorian in style and is more focuses more on the specific needs of the residence it serves. The Malta Branch serves a more diverse population.

Let's take a look inside..............

Malta branch has a large work area, and meeting area

Public Access Computer Stations

Kids enjoy using this computer work station

Let's Talk Library: A Chat with Carol Sheffer, Director of the Round Lake Library and Malta Branch

Carol Sheffer, Director

How Did the Round Lake Library Get Started?

Carol: The Round Lake Library came about by a womens' organization called: Womens' Kerosene Community. This womens' group used to have to take a kerosene lantern with them everywhere they went for security reasons. The women who were a part of this group felt the need for a library and a place for the community to read and get together. The library was founded in 1897 at its present location, the Clark House. A branch was added to the library at the Malta Community Center in Malta, NY.

How did the Malta Branch of the library come about? What was the planning and idea behind it?

Carol: The Round Lake Public Library is the only library in the Adirondack Library System that has a branch. The charter included the Town of Malta so when the Community Center decided to expand they decided to add a branch of the library to this location. Its was planned before I was hired as Director.

Since a libraries website can be the first chance the public has to learn about a library, does the Round Lake Public Library have a website and what makes it unique or special?

Carol: We have one website for both branches. Since we are part of the Southern Adirondack Library System, they provide the site and we provide the functions on it. We have several sections such as "Whats Happening" events at the library and branch and around town, "Find Section" which helps website users locate books, Dvd's etc and "Helpful Links" which is where you would find "Ask a Librarian". All of these functions make the website very useful and easy to use by everyone.

Any additions that you have planned for the website in the near future?

Carol: We would like to add a calendar feature so that we can show the dates and times of our programs and classes. We feel this would be helpful for our patrons.

Do you offer any survey or suggestion features on your website?

Carol: At this time we do not have that option but we do have "Ask the Librarian" where patrons can ask us questions and we do take questions and requests in person.

Do you offer any specialty areas on the website for children, etc.?

Carol: We do. We have a system called "ELF" where kids can sign on at home with a library card and use software just for them and limited access to internet.

Does the library offer the same features that can be found at the library or the Branch such as catalog, etc.?

Carol: We have an online catalog called Polaris (for smaller libraries) that is through the Southern Adirondack Library System which connects several local libraries together and allows patrons to reserve items, renew items, search and hold items at a specific location, etc. The only thing the catalog option doesn't do is allow patrons to pay for fees online. They still need to do this at the branch.

What type of system does the Staff use onsite for Patrons?

Carol: The staff uses the Polaris site as well.

Library Staff is always available to assist patrons

Who handles any technology questions that may arise?

Carol: Any technology questions we receive are directed to the Assistant Director first then to other Library Staff.

How does the library handle ebooks, serials?

Carol: Orders for ebooks, serials and other items are pooled together with other libraries and placed as one order for the Southern Adirondack Library System.

What types of social networking sites are available on the library's website?
Carol: We currently have links to our Facebook page and to our MySpace page.

How many computers or laptops are available at each location?

Carol: Main location has 5 computers available for patrons and 2 children computers and Malta Branch has 8 computers and 2 computers for catalog searches only. We currently do not have any laptops but would like to add them in future.

2 children's computers at Round Lake location

Does the library have a internet policy and when is it given to patrons?

Carol: Yes. A copy of the policy is given to every computer user at the time they sign up.

Internet Use Policy

Do the libraries have WIFI access?

Carol: Yes. Both libraries have WIFI access and the Malta Branch has access outside the library at two computer stations available to the public.

What type of security is placed on library computers?

Carol: Technology for the computers and the server is provided by the Southern Adirondack Library System.

What protection do you have for materials that are loaned out from being stolen?

Carol: We use a magnetized strip that is placed on items such as books.

Does the library use Z39.50?

Carol: Yes, through the Southern Adirondack Library System.

Do you have LAN (local area network) and WAN (Wide Area network)?

Carol: The libraries have a Wide Area Network for SALS.

How many employees does the library have?

Carol: The library has 6 FTEs that rotate between both locations.

What kind of things are on your wish list?

Carol: We would really like to add laptop computers that can be used in the library. These computers would allow us to offer computer classes and one on one instruction with patrons.

What kind of collections does the library offer?

Carol: At the Round Lake location we have a VICTORIAN COLLECTION that is materials used by local residence for home improvement, gardens of the victorian era. We also offer the standard collections for children, teens, adults, etc.

What are a couple items that you are really proud of that the libraries offer to their patrons?

Carol: The first item is located in our teen area of the Round Lake location. A local Eagle Scout wanted to do a project that would benefit the library. He chose to build a bar area with stools and storage for teens to work on homework, etc. This area has become very popular with teens and is used alot.

A great addition to the teen area!!!!

The other item is a drop box for books, DVD's and audio books located at the Malta Branch. This drop box allows patrons to return items when the library is not open. The Round Lake location also has a drop box.

What is some of the positive aspects of having two locations?
Carol: One of the things that is positive about two locations is the ability of having a "FLOATING COLLECTION" this allows us to one have one copy of an item that can be returned to either location and is left on the shelf until someone takes it out. This way more patrons are exposed to the item and we only have to provide one copy. Transit time is less and exposure is more.



Malta Branch of the Round Lake Public Library.

STAY TUNED FOR OUR NEXT SEGMENT.....MALTA BRANCH





                

                

                                       

ONCE UPON A TIME...................... Take a Step Back in Time

There was a beautiful lake surrounded by forests and farms...
Can you picture it?

Round Lake, New York originated as a Methodist Camp with its first meeting held outdoors in 1868. The serman drew 8,000 people. A make shift village formed. Tents were set up and the town of Round Lake was created. The first cottages were built in 1869. According to the book called Round Lake Little Village in the Grove by Mary Hesson, David J. Rogowski, and Marianne Comfort "By the late 1800's, Round Lake had developed into an educational and cultural center as well as a devout religious community"

Round Lake is a unique, picturesque town with a victorian charm. Its charming buildings and homes line the streets and it feels like you have stepped back in time..................

The Round Lake Auditorium is home to a 1,900 pipe organ, the oldest unchanged organ in the U.S.

A former hotel and now a boarding/apartment house in Round Lake, New York

    A view from Town

A Round Lake home with victorian charm

Meet the Director

Friday Evening, April 1, Carol Sheffer, Library Director of the Round Lake Public Library will sit down with me to talk about the library, its new branch along with the technology, resources and its special features that make this library special and unique. Here is a sampling of some the topics, areas and issues we will discuss:

Please give me a little history of Round Lake, NY and the Round Lake Public Library.

How did the Malta NY Branch of the library come about?

What makes up the libraries website?

What is available to patrons on the website?

Who decides what goes on the website? Who created the website? Who updates the website and how frequently?

What helpful links are available on the website?

What other features does it have?

What are the future plans for the website? Any additions coming?

Is there feeds on the website, how often are they updated?

Any patron surveys or suggestions areas available on the website?

Any special areas for teens, senior citizens, children?

Is there an online catalog?

If yes, can a patron put items on hold, renew a book, pay fines, request interlibrary materials?

Is there a help area on the website or ask the librarian?

What kinds of questions are usually asked by patrons?

What areas does a patron need to sign into with an id/card number and/or password?

Is there any online journals, research areas, catalogs, databases etc. available and what are they?

Are all the journals, catalogs, databases, etc. available from home?

Circulation system is it automated? If yes, what is the system that is used? Why?

Are barcodes used? Scanners?

Is there a reference librarian in the branch? Online? What system is used for research for helping patrons?

What technological services are used in cataloging of materials?

Does the library staff like technology? What are they most comfortable with? Training they receive?

Does the library have anyone who can answer technology questions that arise?

How does the library handle e-books, serials?

At each location, how many computers and or laptops are available?

Is the use of the computers scheduled, if yes for how long at a time?

What type of guards are available for adult users and child users on the computers when using the internet?

Does the library make available their policy for computer and internet use? If yes, where would a patron find it and do they need to acknowledge it before using a computer?

Any privacy items in place per computer?

What type of security is placed on the computers?

What other items are on the computers other than access to the internet?

Is there virus protection, firewall, filters, etc? on the computers

What are the restrictions for downloading items on the computer?

Is there WIFI available? At both branches?

What is the security items put in place for the WIFI?

Can patrons use library laptops? If yes, at which branch?

If laptops not available now, will they be available in the future?

Can patrons print items? In color?

Does the library charge for printing? At both branches? Page limits?

What features does the library use to protect its materials?

Does the library use RFID tags or other security measures?

Does the library have self-check out? If not now is it in the future plans?

How are materials backed up and stored? How is patron information protected?

Does the system support Z39.50?

Does the library offer any classes onsite or on the website, internet for patrons?

How often does the library update its technology?

What is the timeframe for buying new items?

What are some the items that the library has on a wish list?

What are some of items that will be added to the collection soon?

What are the collections that the library offers?

Does the library have digital archives? If not yet, is it in the future?