Movin' On Up

We have switched blogging platforms. Out with Blogger, in with Drupal! We'll no longer be posting here...so start checking Drupal instead. And be sure to update your bookmarks, etc.

Should you care? Maybe....if you're a total computer geek. As for the rest of you, you'll still be able to access all of our captivating blog entries and you'll still be able to comment. There shouldn't be too much of a difference. However, comments on Drupal can only be made anonymously for now. No, anonymous commenting doesn't give you license to spam us or disrespect each other. We ask that you continue to be nice and that you continue commenting. :) We're working on setting up the ability for users like you to create usernames, etc. Stay tuned for that enhancement!

The biggest bummer: all of the comments on previous posts weren't carried forward. However, they still live on Blogger. This is all the more reason for you to get comment happy!

The awesomest thing: This blog is the library's very first Drupal blog! ...Proof that we can always leave it to teens to be able to handle shifts in technology. Go you! Now, we'll wait for everyone else to catch up with us!

A Concert Ticket Raffle? At the Library???

It didn't happen at a radio station. It happened at THE LIBRARY!!!

Late last week, the clouds parted and concert tickets fell into the hands of some lucky library teens. Or, more likely, we received an anonymous donation of tickets to the American Idol and Jonas Brothers concerts. Talk about generous! The tickets were raffled off to one lucky teen from each library location, but, because there wasn't time to send the tickets (the concerts are this week!), each teen came to Main library to claim their prize (that's why all of the photos have the same background). Check out the photos of some of the teens with their tickets:



We puffy heart the anonymous donor. THANK YOU for this wonderful surprise and your contribution to Columbus area teens.

If you saw the Jonas Brothers or American Idols this week (ESPECIALLY if you were one of the lucky library winners), comment on this post and give us a review of the concert. How was it?

Grand Prize Winners of Teen Summer Reading Club

Remember how we told you that completing milestone 2 of the Summer Reading Club would enter you in a drawing to win a mini-laptop?

Well.....
On August 8 we randomly drew names (using a fancy pants computer program) and had the pleasure of calling up the two lucky (and thrilled!) winners. Calling grand prize Summer Reading Club winners is definitely one of the most fun parts of working at the library.

We even snapped some photos of the winners:

Alison
Home Location: Dublin Branch



Christopher
Home Location: Southeast Branch

Congrats Alison & Christopher! We hope your are enjoying your shiny new mini-laptops. I wonder who the big winners will be next summer???

Library Announces Budget Cuts

Due to the $8.5 million decline in state funding for Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML), our Board of Trustees has authorized a number of cuts that will be felt throughout the entire system. Effective September 6, 2009:

• All 20 branches of CML will be closed on Sundays (except Main Library)
• Hours cut at all locations. All branches and Main will be open:
  

  Monday through Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

  Friday and Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

  Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. MAIN LIBRARY ONLY

• Materials budget has been cut back to 1988 levels
• Hours/pay cut for staff

After exhaustive consideration, we believe we have charted a course that will allow CML to provide the best customer service possible under these difficult circumstances.

We know that in these challenging times our customers need our library more than ever – as we help our community through Job Help Centers, Homework Help Centers and all the resources we make available. We are committed to doing our part to return Franklin County to health and prosperity.

So, we're still here, but in a more limited capacity. Times are tough but I know our city and all of you are even tougher. We'll get through this together. In the long run, we can win this. Don't you think?

Summer Reading Club is Winding Down...

But it's not too late to finish the club and earn prizes. And don't forget that there will soon be some raffle drawings for some awesome grand prizes! You could win a mini-laptop, an iPod shuffle or a Private Gaming Party for you and 10 of your friends at your local library.

Need I say more?

Well, I guess I can say more...
Not only is this your last week to finish up your milestones in the Summer Reading Club, but it's also your last week to attend some great SRC teen programs at the library.
I looked through our Events page and found these gems (imho opinion, of course!):

• Paper Crafting at the South High Branch
• Live Clue at the Hilliard Branch
• Book Haters at the Hilltop Branch

In Case You Missed the Premiere...

You can catch them all on YouTube! Thanks again to Vital Film Works for partnering with the library on this awesome project.

I think the bloopers are some of my favorite parts. I also like the soundtracks. How about you?

Library Budget News

You've probably heard by now that the two year budget for state government was signed on Tuesday. Thanks to your letters and phone calls to state representatives, library funding was not cut as severely as we feared. Even though we're not facing the worst-case scenario, we're still facing funding cuts that are going to force the library to make some very tough choices.

Libraries have already made cuts to accommodate a 20% reduction in state revenue this year. The state budget that was passed on July 13 cut another 11% out of the Public Library Fund. We estimate the continued downward trend of state income to cost libraries at least another 4% this year bringing the total loss to 35%. As a result, the library will have to make significant changes and cuts to our operations while still offering the best service to our customers. Thank you for your support in this difficult time and we will continue to provide updates on this matter.

In the meantime, how can you make a difference?
There are many ways you can help the library in these difficult times. Our materials and collection are deeply affected by the budget cuts. So why not talk to your parents and Adopt-a-Book? This is a great way to show support while helping add a new book to our collection. See how you can Adopt-a-Book and learn about other giving options.

What's most important to you at the library? What services should we be sure not to cut?