Summertime at the Library

This time of year means two things for me -

Summer Reading and ALA.

I just got back from the American Library Association Conference in New Orleans -

Conferences are always something of a whirlwind for me. First, there is navigating your way around the conference itself. I've been to New Orleans, but things change and things have definitely changed in the Big Easy. Getting familiar with the layout of a conference takes a little while, even if you are pretty good at navigating your way around. And then there is the weather. In New Orleans, that translates into sauna outside, refrigerator on the inside. Light layers is the only way to go.

This year there was lots of conference buzz about eBooks and readers - some new players in the eBook market and maybe some good library solutions just around the corner. Lots of cool and interesting new technology, especially with mobile apps, was on display and I got the chance to talk to a variety of people about mobile services, and how we can help our smart phone patrons do things just like they use their smart phones for everything else! There were texting services, new ILS vendors, new laptop vending machines, new self service library kiosks and the list goes on... I came away exhausted, but yet somewhat excited about possibilities. We may be able to scrounge some money together to help connect people to the books and info they want through some of these new tools.

And I came back to a booming Summer Reading program - we launched our Reading program this week, and we already have 1,300 children signed up. From what I hear, it has been controlled chaos here this week so far.

Summer Reading has been shown over and over again to help kids in school, by keeping reading skills sharp. And it looks like HB's kids are off to a good start for their summer.

We are managing our huge volume with a lot less staff this year. I am constantly amazed at how much our staff get done, even when times are tough and budgets keep getting slashed. They are all truly amazing and dedicated professionals who are creative, innovative and flexible.

So here's to a great 4th of July and lots of fun with summer reading.