We had a request to add the city and state of the library being discussed in each article. I will also add links to the library’s web site as well. I hope this enhances your PLA Blog reading pleasure.
+ (Niagara Falls, NY) – Sessions set on libraries, casino revenues – (from Buffalo News) – “The City Council will tackle two thorny issues this week: the city’s libraries and the local share of casino revenue. At Monday’s meeting, City Administrator Daniel Bristol said a resolution has been drafted that would ask the state for a variance on the requirement that a city the size of Niagara Falls must keep its libraries open for at least 55 hours per week.”
+ (Bethel, CT) – Bethel residents feel at home in revamped, reopened library – (from The News Times) – “Josephine Baker felt right at home. She sank into one of the plush armchairs in the magazine and newspaper section of the newly renovated and expanded Bethel Public Library, which opened its doors this week. “It’s so inviting,” said Baker, 75. “I love it. I’ll be here all day.”
+ (Granby, MI) – Pen pal project at library – (from The Republican) – “Are you looking for something different to do with your friends? Is there a hobby, topic or issue of special interest? How about joining the Granby-Orange Libraries Pen Pal Connection Club? Pick up a post card at the Granby Public Library. Write a message to your new pen pal; be sure to includes your name, age and some of your favorite things to do. Give the post card to your librarian to send through the WMRLS Book Mobile.
+ (Watchung, NJ) – Watchung seeks support for library, reading – (from The Echoes-Sentinel) – “An amiable 8-foot dragon wearing dark sunglasses now hovers over the main room of the borough’s library as its librarians continue to aggressively promote their summer reading program and their earnest endeavors to increase local support and community awareness about the library’s increasingly deteriorating conditions. The library is finding itself in a desperate time as far as space and the physical condition of the building is concerned, Library Director Doug Poswencyk said.”
+ (Davenport, IA) – Director Says Surplus from Davenport Library Levy Protects City Taxpayers and Services – (from Rivers Cities’ Reader) – “A special levy that will fund the operational costs of two new branch libraries in Davenport is expected to produce a cumulative surplus of more than $791,000 by 2013. But library and city officials say the surplus is necessary to protect the city budget from absorbing a greater portion of construction costs, which would likely force cuts in city services. Furthermore, they say, if the surplus materializes, it will allow the library to expand services or pay for additional materials.”
+ (Glendale, AZ) – Libraries’ plan lessens wait for bestsellers – (from Northwest Valley Republic) – “The waiting list for bestsellers at Glendale libraries is expected to get significantly smaller. The city is going to a system that allows its three libraries to offer many more copies of current bestsellers by renting extras for a short period of time instead of purchasing all of them. City libraries will return the books once their popularity dies down. That will allow the libraries to rotate older bestsellers with news ones, said Rodeane Widom, library director for the city.”
+ (Lincoln City, OR) – Library service brings books, joy to many – (from The News Guard) – “Joy Drummond smiled as she held her new library book, knowing there would be another adventure in store for her. For the past five years, Drummond, of Lincoln City, along with her husband Jim, have had weekly meals at the senior program at the Lincoln City Community Center and have been able to borrow library books as well, thanks to the Outreach Service program organized by the Driftwood Public Library in Lincoln City. The program brings books to seniors at the center each week, as well as delivering books to senior centers and to the homes of shut-ins.”
+ (Edmond, OK) – Edmond Library goes Wi-Fi – (from The Edmond Sun) – “The Metropolitan Library System is introducing free, filtered wireless Internet access to the Edmond Library and 11 other locations Aug. 15. MLS Wireless Zones are designed to support Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) equipped notebooks, laptops, PDA’s and other devices. “We see this as a new service for our customers,” said Jimmy Welch, MLS deputy executive director. “And one that is easily justified given the waiting lines for computers at many of our libraries.”
+ (Buffalo, NY) – Library closures likely next year – (from Tonawanda News) – “Erie County’s 52 libraries may have survived this year’s budget crisis, but they aren’t likely to make it through next year. Buffalo and Erie County Library System Director Mike Mahaney said on Tuesday the system will likely see the closure of multiple libraries in 2006, as the county continues to grapple with the fallout from this year’s budget crisis. This year alone, the system lost 11 percent of its funding and had to lay off more than 100 full- and part-time employees.
