Under the Cupola

Thursday Thumbnails

Here are some photo highlights from the past two weeks in Camas Library Land.

Q & A about the Camas Library closure

Frequently Asked Questions about the Camas Public Library Winter 2011 Closure

1.     My books and DVDs are due!  Will they be overdue?

Only if you don’t return them!  During the closure a library page will be coming in to empty the EVERETT STREET BOOKDROP every day.  These items will be removed from borrowers’ records.

 As a reminder, police are ticketing ($125!) drivers who cross over the street and approach the bookdrop from the driver’s side.  Follow the arrow.

 You may also return items to any Fort Vancouver branch library and they will find their way home.

2.     I have a book on hold.  What if it comes in while the library is closed?

Two answers here.  The days the library is closed will not take away from your 10 days that you have to pick up items on hold.  If the item comes in, you will receive a notice that it is on hold for you.

If you think the item will be coming in and you need it before January 3, you can go into your library account online and change the pickup location to one of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District branches (see the list of locations below). 

3.     How do I get to my library account?

Go to the library online catalog and in the upper right corner, click on My Account.  You will be asked for your library card number (14 digits starting with 23277 or 23264—no spaces!) and your PIN.  Then click Login.

Once logged in you can see what you have checked out and when they are due.  You can also manage your holds – postpone them if you’re going on vacation or stop one if you haven’t finished the next one in the series, change the pickup location or even cancel the hold.

4.    I need to get to the Internet!

Your Camas Library card will allow you to log on to the Internet at any public computer at any of the Fort Vancouver libraries. 

The same rules apply.  You will still only have one hour per day, and you must log on with your library card number (14 digits starting with 23277 or 23264) and your PIN.

The Camas Public Library’s WiFi will be on during the closure.  So if you have a laptop or get one for a gift, you might be able to pick up the signal from the Fourth Avenue side of the building during the library’s normal wi-fi hours (9 to 9).

5.    I have items that are overdue!  What do I do?

You can return the items in the library bookdrop and they will be removed from your record within a day or so. 

You will not be charged fines because the library doesn’t have fines!

However, if the items were “lost” and you were billed, your borrowing record will need to be clean before you can check out items or use the computers at Fort Vancouver branches (see the list below). 

6.     Why is the library closed?

As part of the 2011 budget reduction, the Camas Public Library staff was asked to take four days of furlough – time off without pay – so the library could shut down during a time when it is lightly used, the last week of the year.

The lights will be off and heat turned down for additional savings. 

The savings from this closure, $9,000, are 16 percent of the $60,000 trimmed from the 2011annual budget.

The number of people that come into the library during the holiday period is always much lower than average  according to David Zavortink, Library Director.

With Christmas and New Year’s falling on Sundays this year, Monday is a holiday for many workers.  Three-day weekends always translate into reduced traffic at the library.  This makes this week the best week to close.

7.     Will this happen next year?

At this time, no closures are anticipated for the 2012 year. 

8.     I have a bill to pay.  I can’t use the Internet until it’s taken care of.  How do I do that?

Your borrowers record will need to be free of charges before you can use the Internet at a Fort Vancouver branch.

If the items you are being billed for are Fort Vancouver items (starting with 33264) you may pay for them at any Fort Vancouver branch.  See the list below.

If the items are Camas items (starting with 33277), you will not be able to pay for them at Fort Vancouver.  You will have to wait until January 3 to clear your record.

9.     Where are the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Branches?

The closest to Camas are below.  Note their holiday hours.  The links are live.

Holiday Closures |

Cascade Park Community Library (360) 256-7782 600 NE 136th Avenue Vancouver WA 98684 Open M Tu W Th 9-8; F Sat 9-6 Mapquest map Ridgefield Community Library (360) 887-8281 210 N Main Avenue Ridgefield WA 98642 Open Tu W 10-8; Th F Sat 10-5 Map & Directions Stevenson Community Library (509) 427-5471 120 NW Vancouver Avenue Stevenson WA 98648 Open M 9-5; Tu W 9-8; Th F Sat 9-5 Map & Directions

Vancouver Community Library (main) (360) 906-5106 901 C Street Vancouver WA 98660 Open M Tu W Th 9-8; F Sat Sun 10-6 Mapquest map Vancouver Mall Community Library (360) 892-8256 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Drive, Suite 285 Located inside Westfield Shoppingtown Vancouver WA 98662 Open M Tu W Th F Sat 10-9; Sun 11-6 Map & Directions Washougal Community Library (360) 835-5393 1661 C Street Washougal WA 98671 Open Tu 10-8; W Th F Sat 10-6 Map & Directions

For a complete list, click here.

 

10. Why did library staff have to reduce their hours?

In 2010 there was a serious drop in the assessed value of properties in Camas and Clark County.  This affected the amount of tax revenue coming to the city, which meant fewer dollars to spend on city services.

The annual budget is set by the City Council.  All city departments made reductions in their services.  For instance, the city pool was open fewer hours, open positions in city departments were not filled, and purchasing was cut back everywhere.

In the library, after several years of a static or reduced budget, the library trustees and administration were faced with a difficult situation and few choices. 

The library’s book budget in 2011 was slashed by $50,000 to a level that is dismal for a library like ours.  The bare-bones operating funds were trimmed (janitorial service was reduced and repairs curtailed), fewer computers were upgraded, windows were not cleaned (again), Saturday service in the summer was cut to save utilities, and more.

With all those cuts, there was still a need for more.  Which meant cutting personnel.

The library eliminated the “summer reading aide” positions which hired folks to help with the summer reading program.  The number of substitute hours (substitutes are folks that fill in when we have a shortage of staff due to illness, etc.) and still more was needed to balance the budget. 

Rather than lay off staff, everyone, including administration, was asked to take four days off without pay. 

This leave without pay saved the city over $9,000.  This, along with a retirement, meant the library did not have to cut additional personnel, which is good for the long term.

11.  Are all public libraries doing this?

No.  Camas Public is the only public library in the area to be doing this.

However, other libraries in the U.S. are closing the same days Camas is closing.  Several examples are North Las Vegas in Nevada, Oakland City, Anaheim and San Joaquin County are just some of many in California, Carnegie Public in East Liverpool, Ohio, and Dearborn Heights in Michigan.  Times are difficult everywhere for libraries.

12.I’ve got a reference question.  What do I do?

You have a number of options if you have a question.

First, you can use some of the many online databases that are available 24 hours a day through the library.  Databases include: Automotive Repair and Consumer Reports, biographical sites, periodical indexes that also include over 1,500 titles in full text, and A to Z maps.  Library staff uses these tools every day to help answer questions.

From the Camas Library’s website (or www.camaslibrary.org) you can click on the green Washington Ask WA button and chat online with a librarian.  This service will likely be available every day, all day, during this period.

The Fort Vancouver Library District offers telephone information and will be available to help answer questions.  You can call them at 360-695-1566 Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 8 pm and on Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm.  They too will be closed on the 25^th and 26^th and the 1^st and 2^nd.

13. What am I going to do?!?!  The Library isn’t open!

You can get into the library by 6 p.m on Friday, the 23^rd and stock up on reading material and DVDs.  Library has regular hours through Friday.

If you don’t make it, your Camas Library card works at any Fort Vancouver branch.  Or, with ID, you can go to Multnomah County libraries and get a free card there.  Beware, Multnomah County has hefty fines for overdue materials.

You can explore some of the electronic resources we have available at the website.  A couple you may want to try are Powerspeak Languages if you’d like to learn a new language or brush up on one and Global Warrior, a travel site that has much, much more than just travel info.

You will need your library card number 23277… and pin to log on from home.

Try your hand at downloading an audiobook or ebook from the services that the library offers.  From the list of resources click on OneClickDigital or on the link to Overdrive to connect to the new world of e-content for you PC or electronic book reader.

The library also has a handout on where you can find other free e-content.  You will find it  here.

You can also bake some cookies, go for a walk on a dry (!) December day, take in a holiday movie at the Liberty, or play a rousing game of Hearts. 

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

Police (in an unmarked car) will be ticketing ($125) anyone who approaches the library's book drop from the wrong direction.

This action is due to a complaint from a neighbor.

Avoid a ticket -- do not approach the book drop from the north!

Local author to speak at the library

Join us for an evening with Camas resident Karl Friedrich, author of Wings, a novel of World War II Flygirls. 

Friedrich will talk about his book, women in the culture of World War II, and about how to write a novel and get it published.  Publishers’ Weekly says of the book, “Friedrich merges an often-neglected part of U.S. aviation history with a page-turning plot in his commendable debut.”  Rich historical detail adds zest, technical details of airplanes and aviation entice aviators and yet the story remains an entertaining and spirited saga.

The program starts at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9, in Meeting Room A at the library.

 

IMPACT

 

How does free access to computers and the Internet at the Camas Public Library impact you?

Tell us how you use the library’s computers and Internet connection by taking a short 10-15 minutes online survey today.

Click the button to take the survey now, or stop by the library and take the survey there. 

It’s all anonymous – no personally identifiable information is collected.

This IMPACT Survey is coordinated by the University of Washington with generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

For more information about the IMPACT Survey, inquire at the library information desk or visit http://impactsurvey.org 

Thanks for helping us out!

Millions Read

Children in the 65th Annual Summer Reading Program have logged a whopping 1,107,518 minutes with a few days to go before the activities end on August 12.

Teen Readers in the reading incentive event have read a total of 391,307 minutes so far.

And adults in the reading program have read 409 books and written reviews for a good number of them.

There's still time to read to help get closer to the 2 million minute mark total.  You can even sign up before it's too late!

BTW, since the remodeled and enlarged library opened in 2003, through July 2011,  the library has circulated 2,494,975 items.  Sometime in August the library will hit the two-and-a-half million items served mark.  That's a lot of reading.

Library wins job seekers grant

 

The Camas library is one of seventeen public libraries in Washington to receive a “Renew Washington Project” grant from the Washington State Library funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The purpose of these grants is to assist public libraries in meeting needs in their local communities to help residents learn basic computer skills; find and use job and career resources; file online job applications; locate job and educational opportunities; retool for new careers; file for unemployment benefits; improve interviewing skills, resumes and cover letters; and start or grow small businesses.

 

Call the library at 360.834.4692 to sign up for a basic computer skills class or MS Word class.  The classes are offered on Thursday mornings.

 

On Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. job seekers can enter the Gates Computer Lab for an extended hour of computer time to work on job seeking projects like lengthy applications, resumes or coursework to improve employment marketability.

 

New materials are arriving at the library daily.  Check the Renew Washington blog for updates on classes and lists of materials purchased to help job seekers and people wanting to start a new business.

Stop Watching, Start Writing

This year the Camas Public Library is participating in Script Frenzy, a maverick approach to scriptwriting held during April.

The challenge -- attempted by thousands worldwide -- is to write 100 pages of original material in 30 days.  The deadline prevents writers from getting bogged down with formalities of formatting.

"Scripts" can be screenplays, stage plays, TV shows, short films, feature films or graphic novels.

The library's Script Frenzy Kick Off is Tuesday, March 30, at 7 p.m. in Library Meeting Room A. 

This evening will be devoted to finding out participants' interests, going over the 
"rules," scheduling Write-Ins at the library, and highlighting other upcoming events.  It's a good time to get revved up about the challenge and meet fellow writers.

It is free of charges to participate in Script Frenzy.  However, participants need to sign up at Scriptfrenzy.org  in order to earn a certificate and eternal bragging rights.  The site also has helpful resources.

Writers will chart their progress online and have opportunities to join others at the events.

If you have always wanted to find out how to write a television script, graphic novel, or play, or if you have a great idea and and encouragement to "get 'er done," Script Frenzy is right for you.

For more information, contact the library, 834-4692.

WARNING!

On November 30 the Camas Police will begin TICKETING of drivers who approach the exterior BOOKDROP from the wrong direction, on the wrong side of the street.

This picture illustrates the right way!

Avoid a $125 TICKET.  Follow the arrow and approach from the south. 

Who wrote the best of the National Book Awards Fiction?

 
Who wrote The Best of the National Book Awards Fiction?

You decide! Six Finalists for The Best of the National Book Awards Fiction were selected by 140 writers from across the country.  Click here for information on submitting your vote.

If you choose to participate, your  email address will then be entered for a drawing to win two tickets to the 60th National Book Awards on November 18, 2009 and two nights in the Marriott Hotel Downtown, compliments of Marriott!