How Satisfied are You with Your Library?

Russell County Public Library aims to provide helpful and relevant resources and services. We are always looking for ways to improve our materials and services. How do we know what you want? We analyze data, like what books circulate, but the best way is to ask you, our patrons! RCPL wants to know if you are satisfied with our services. During September, RCPL will survey our regular patrons via email. The survey is online and has just six questions; we estimate it will take about 4 minutes to complete. We will ask patrons without an email address to complete the survey in the library online or in print.

Here's a chance to tell us what you want and need. Do you want more large print books? More science fiction? Should we offer more programs for adults? Do we need more or different library hours?

Each person who takes the survey will be entered in a drawing for a sweet treat and a free book from the Friends of the Library book sale.

In 2024, we'll ask you a few more questions. You can opt out of any survey in 2024 just by letting us know when you receive this satisfaction survey. Library patrons can watch their inboxes for a message from us.

There's More to the Story

 

 

April means spring, glorious spring! It's also when we celebrate National Poetry Month AND National Library Week.

National Library Week is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities. This year's theme is "There's More to the Story."

Libraries are full of stories in various formats, from picture books to large print, audiobooks to ebooks, and more. But there's so much more to the story. Libraries of Things lend items like nature backpacks. Library programming brings communities together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, storytimes, crafting classes, and lectures. Library infrastructure advances communities, providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for businesses, job seekers, and entrepreneurs.

Why a National Library Week?

In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the ALA and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee's goals were ambitious. They ranged from "encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time" to "improving incomes and health" and "developing strong and happy family life."

In 1957, the committee developed a plan for National Library Week based on the idea that once people were motivated to read, they would support and use libraries. With the cooperation of ALA and with help from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme "Wake Up and Read!" The 2023 celebration marks the 65th anniversary of the first event.

And yes, people are still worrying about how little Americans read. We'll let you in on a secret. Reading books and magazines on your phone is still reading. And you can still come to the library to grab a physical book, DVD, or magazine if you prefer.

Visit your library this month, and, to quote Paul Harvey, learn the "rest of the story." And be sure you participate in our Spinal Free Verse program, celebrating library and poetry month. You create a poem or short narrative out of book titles, April 25 & 26. No registration, just drop in!

 

Posted by Kelly McBride Delph

 

Where's the Book I Want?

Where is all the new material?!

Is the bestseller rack half full or half empty?

It's a common question, and the reasons are many. You've noticed the store shelves and heard about the supply chain issues. That affects ALL industries, including the book publishing industry and its associated vendors and suppliers.

Russell County Public Library (RCPL) has taken steps to alleviate some of the issues. Our book vendor now sends us most bestsellers automatically. We tell them what authors we want and how many copies and they appear like magic a few days before the release date.

We routinely have patrons come and request books or movies that haven't come out yet. If you see a book on Good Morning America or another widely syndicated morning show, we can probably get it. But if the movie is still in the theater, you may have to wait months!

We always try to get what patrons request. But we can't always do that. Sometimes folks ask for titles from a series published in the last century. Yep, those paperbacks from the 1970s or 1980s are not readily available and are often too expensive; if it's a cult classic, collectors may have driven the price sky-high.

RCPL has noticed another trend with films. They often go straight from the theater to streaming and are not automatically for sale as a DVD or Blu-ray. Many shows and movies are now only available on streaming services. If there is a physical release, instead of the usual $20, it may be $60-$100 each. That's just too expensive for us to do frequently.

One step we've taken to ease delays is subscribing to hoopla. Hoopla is always available--if they have the ebook, audiobook, movie, TV series, or comic book, it is always available. No waiting. If you don't have reliable Internet service, you can download your material at the library and stream it from your device at home later.

We have more options available for reading and viewing than ever before. Give a new one a try; stop in, and we'll show you how!

Contributed by Kelly McBride Delph

RCPL's Most Checked Out Books of 2021

With 2021 now in the rearview mirror, we look back at the books our patrons checked out the most over the past year. How many have you read?

 

10. Cajun Justice - James Patterson & Tucker Axum

This new standalone thriller from the world's #1 bestselling author follows ex-Secret Service agent, Cain Lemaire, as he uncovers the dark secrets hidden beneath the Tokyo streets.

 

 

 9. The River Murders - James Patterson & James O. Born 

Sometimes figuring out the truth means going to the point of no return. For Mitchum, returning is not important. Read 3 exciting thrillers from the world's #1 bestselling writer!

 

 

8. A Time for Mercy - John Grisham

Court-appointed lawyer Jake Brigance puts his career and the safety of his family on the line to defend a 16-year-old murder suspect who is facing the death penalty.

7. The Burning Girls - C. J. Tudor

Reverend Jack Brooks, a single parent with a fourteen-year-old daughter and a heavy conscience, arrives in the village hoping to make a fresh start and find some peace. Instead, Jack finds a town mired in secrecy and a strange welcome package: an old exorcism kit and a note quoting scripture. The more Jack and daughter Flo get acquainted with the town and its strange denizens, the deeper they are drawn into their rifts, mysteries, and suspicions. And when Flo is troubled by strange sightings in the old chapel, it becomes apparent that there are ghosts here that refuse to be laid to rest.

 

 

6. The Survivors - Jane Harper
Haunted by guilt for a reckless and consequential mistake in his youth, Kieran returns to his coastal hometown and his struggling fishing-industry parents, before the discovery of a body on the beach reveals long-held secrets.

 

 

5. The Four Winds - Kristin Hannah
A Depression-era woman confronts a wrenching choice between fighting for the Dust Bowl-ravaged land she loves in Texas or pursuing an uncertain future in California.

 

 

4. Walk the Wire - David Baldacci
The best-selling author of The Fix presents a highly charged thriller in which fan-favorite character Amos Decker embarks on an action-packed investigation that is complicated by Baldacci's signature twists and turns.

 

 

3. Fair Warning - Michael Connelly
When a woman with whom he shared a one-night stand is found brutally murdered, veteran reporter Jack McEvoy tracks a serial killer who has been operating under the radar.

 

 

2. Three Women Disappear - James Patterson & Shan Serafin
When three female suspects in the murder of an accountant, who was a master manipulator, go missing, Detective Sean Walsh, who has a personal connection to the case, discovers why the women have to stay hidden from both the law and each other.

 

 

1. The Stone Wall - Beverly Lewis
A Lancaster County tour guide researches her Alzheimer’s patient grandmother’s Plain heritage and the story behind a mysterious stone wall while confronting a difficult choice about her growing feelings for a handsome Mennonite and a young Amish widower.

 

 

 

All book covers and descriptions from NoveList Plus - a great way to find your next read!

 

Being Thankful

It's that season when we are reminded to be thankful. Here at the Russell County Public County we are thankful for so many things--most of all, for you, our library patrons. We seek to serve our community and you allow us to do that. Books, computers, magazines, movies...we can't do it all, but we try to cultivate a community of lifelong learners through reading, digital connectivity, access to information resources, and programming. (That's our mission statement!)

We are thankful for the RCPL Board of Trustees. These folks serve without any compensation and always seek to have the library be a better place and meet the needs of our community. They make sure the library is a good steward of the resources we are given. We are also thankful for our local governments who entrust us with resources to provide services for our community.

We can't neglect our volunteers. We are especially thankful for the folks that volunteer for the library. Some of them are Friends of the Library--library volunteers, who help us staff tables at community events, decorate the libraries, and raise money. Some of them are volunteers from other community organizations, like the Master Gardeners. They all fill in the gaps where our resources are stretched too thin.

And as library director, I'm most thankful for the library staff. Our staff come in every day. Some days they help someone find the book, movie, or relative (think family history and genealogy!) they were seeking. Some days...well, let's just say, everyone remembers the bad days, like when the heavy downpour flooded the meeting room and everyone took a shift with the shop vacuum! Some days they keep a little frown, thinking about the patron they couldn't help, wondering what they can do better next time. That's why I'm so thankful for the staff. They come in every day ready to do good and serve the community.

Posted by Kelly McBride Delph

Making Life Easier - No Overdue Fines

Russell County Public Library wants to make using library resources easier for you, whether you like to read a good, old-fashioned printed book or magazine or you want to download and read anywhere. Here are some ways you can improve your library experience, plus an exciting announcement!

Let us set a PIN on your account so you can log into your account. See what you have checked out and when it's due. You can update your address, phone, and email. You can also change how we notify you. Want email notices? Or do you prefer a text message?

What if you want your arrived holds to come via text message but want all your other notifications, like overdue or account expiration notices, to go to your email account? Yes, you can do that! You can set how you want to receive each type of notice.

Your final overdue notice will always be mailed via the United States Postal Service. And that final notice will be a surprise for you. Since we are not charging overdue fines anymore, that final notice contains the charge for replacing the material you have not returned. Ouch! But as long as you return the material, even after we've sent the notice, we only charge you the service fee of $5. Just bring it back for the next patron, okay?

Are you still waiting for us to be clear about that 'no overdue fines?' We will no longer be charging overdue fines. In the digital age, so many materials circulate virtually, and there are no fines on ebooks or digital magazines. After the due date and all your renewals are used up, the material is just no longer available to you. Mailing overdue notices cost the library staff time and materials. It was no longer a good source of revenue. And it always felt a little weird having income that counted on you not returning your stuff on time.

You can read more about our fine-free policy on our website.

 

 

Posted by Kelly McBride Delph

 

 

 

 

Introducing Automatic Renewal

Wait, was that due today?

Life happens.

Family members get sick. Cars break down. And sometimes, you just plain forget to renew or return your library materials.

We get it, which is why we're introducing automatic renewal.

Starting June 14, 2021, library materials will automatically renew up to two times as long as there isn't a hold on them. We don't want anxiety over late materials to prevent you from accessing the invaluable free technology, literacy, and lifelong learning resources we offer.

You can also opt for text messages to inform you when material is available for you at the library and when it's due. The text message option is just right for our 24/7 world, just like our 24/7 pickup lockers at both locations. Just call or stop by the library and make sure your mobile phone number and carrier are correctly listed on your account.

So how does it work?

When material is automatically renewed, patrons receive notification of items renewed and new due date via email or text message. If material cannot be renewed (it has a hold, renewal limit met, etc.), patrons are notified, and an overdue notice is generated.

Every item checked out will still have a due date. Please remember that someone else may be waiting for an item, so try to bring it back on time. You will be receiving more frequent reminders about overdue materials. If someone else has placed a hold on an item, it will not be automatically renewed. 

Once your card reaches a total of 10 overdue items, or if any item has been out for more than six weeks, your library account will be blocked. When that happens, you will be unable to check out more items or access certain digital content until you return the overdue items. You will be billed for items after 90 days.

We want to remove barriers to library access. That includes the stress of overdue books and materials. So relax. You have enough to worry about.

Posted by Katie Gilmer

Digital and Distanced

As the summer ends, Russell County Public Library is moving more programs to digital platforms like Facebook and Zoom. Storytime returned today, September 9, on Facebook. In the weeks after, watch for book groups and crochet groups to start ‘meeting’ online.

Newspaper clipping in the Lebanon PTA minutes

We have beefed up our collection of juvenile ebooks since the children will have limited access to their school libraries under the current hybrid schedule. We are also issuing each K-12 student a generic digital-access-only library card. The school librarians will distribute them in late September.

As the coronavirus continues through the population, everyone continues to adjust and become accustomed to the new normal. We will provide programs and suggest books and movies, allowing you to keep that safe distance of 6 feet.

We have loads of old, archival material coming available online this fall. School pictures from Castlewood (1940s-1970s), the Parent Teacher Association Minutes for Lebanon Elementary (1928-1950), business records for J.H. Lockhart, Dentist, of Honaker, and more will be linked from our Local History Page by October 1.

Family History Month will be celebrated in October. To introduce you to genealogy and recording your family history--while on a little screen--our plans include an ‘instructional’ video, a video chat/check-in, a webpage with links and downloadable pages, and a packet with forms and hints to help you each week of the month.

Posted by Kelly McBride Delph

Reopening the Libraries

Resuming Regular Operations...sweet words to the library staff.
    
We have a phased reopening plan, subject to approval and change. Our primary concern is the health and safety of our patrons and staff. And we will change our plan anytime we deem it safe and prudent. Phase 1 and 2 are getting staff back in the building to prepare for reopening under state and local emergency guidelines.

When we reopen, we will expect you to respect the 6' social distancing rule while you are on the library property. You will see public (and staff) areas have been rearranged to better accommodate social distancing. We will have an entrance and exit door, to facilitate social distancing. We have a sneeze guard at our Circulation Desk and staff will be wearing masks and/or gloves. We hope you will wear a mask while in the building, too. (We have some to loan--washed after every use--because we are a library!) We take your safety and ours very seriously.

"WHEN?!" you ask. After Memorial Day, during Phase 3, we will resume curbside pickup and computer use by appointment. Computer use will be limited--to economic development and business needs, such as un/employment applications, faxing, and printing. Then we transition to library visits by appointment, followed by 'regular' operations--open doors but social distancing as long as recommended by health agencies. Lebanon Library reopens first, followed by Honaker Community Library--after we work the kinks out of our plan! Once Lebanon reopens, patrons in an at-risk population may come in between 9 am and 10 am.

We miss seeing our regulars. We know that members of our community depend on the library for work, pleasure, and education. You use computers (for employment, business, fun, communication, and more); check out books, DVDs, and magazines; send copies or faxes, and use the wifi. The only thing you CAN still do is use our wifi and download. You can download books and magazines and music.

Staff have been working during the closure. Learning via online webinars, and in staggered shifts, in the buildings. You'll see changes to make it easier to find what you want in the library.  We will even try to help you find things you didn't know you wanted!

We look forward to reopening. But we understand if you want to stick with using curbside service for a while. Check here soon for an update on the Summer Reading Program for children, teens, and adults. And remember, you are...
#saferathome

posted by Kelly McBride Delph

'Tis Better to Give than to Receive

Jewel Blackwell, Brooke Atchley, Jamie Rexrode

Library staff recently stopped by the Elk Garden School Community Ministry to make a donation to the food pantry. Staff selected Elk Garden because it serves Honaker and Lebanon communities; the libraries in those communities had donated the food during October.

October marks the establishment of the Russell County Public Library. The Honaker Community Library was also opened in October. This year we decided to mark our October founding and branch openings by celebrating Customer Appreciation Month. During the month customers, or patrons as we usually call them, could pay any fines with food. We wanted to encourage patrons to return to the library and not let fines get in their way! This way we could all give back to the community.

Pictured is Jewel Blackwell (RCPL Public Services Supervisor and Lebanon Branch Manager), Brooke Atchley (director of the Elk Garden School Ministry for the United Methodist Church), and Jamie Rexrode (RCPL Children's Services Programmer and Honaker Branch Manager.)

In the holiday season, remember that the greatest gifts we can give can't be wrapped and the warmth in our heart is greatest when we give.