Yes, I am pleased to report that our Kindle eBooks are here!
Check our website, www.hbpl.org for more information.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Kindle books coming soon!
You have probably seen the latest articles in the LA Times and the New York Times -
Amazon's Kindle books are now available at some libraries. Don't worry - Huntington Beach Public Library will be getting Kindle books SOON. Our vendor, Overdrive, is working on rolling the Kindle books out to all of their customers. We expect to get our Kindle books within the next few days, if all goes well. So if you don't see them yet, just keep checking.
In the meantime, we still have ebooks for IPads, Sony Readers, Nooks, etc. Just check out our website, http://www.hbpl.org/, for more information on what is available.
Amazon's Kindle books are now available at some libraries. Don't worry - Huntington Beach Public Library will be getting Kindle books SOON. Our vendor, Overdrive, is working on rolling the Kindle books out to all of their customers. We expect to get our Kindle books within the next few days, if all goes well. So if you don't see them yet, just keep checking.
In the meantime, we still have ebooks for IPads, Sony Readers, Nooks, etc. Just check out our website, http://www.hbpl.org/, for more information on what is available.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
September is Library Card Sign Up month
Happy Fall, everyone!
It has been awhile since I posted here, and I am sorry that I haven't been around. The Library has been very busy, and we've had lots of projects getting started.
We had to look at solving a number of problems, as well as help finalize the budget for the new Fiscal Year which starts in October. We've been talking to vendors, meeting with staff and generally reviewing how we do a lot of things.
Our budget for next year is once again going down - we had to cut another $120,000 out of the budget, and though it was a challenge we were able to come up with reductions while still maintaining hours and our book budget.
We have been able to add a new collection - we now have E Books for IPads and other reading tablets (though we are still waiting for books for the Kindle - Kindle books are supposed to be available sometime this fall. Stay tuned Kindle users!).
In the works are a number of computer projects that should help sustain our computer services more effectively.
So even though things are tight, we are still trying to look ahead and figure out how to be more efficient and effective. I hope to be able to spend a bit more time here on the blog, and hope to have some interesting posts for you soon.
It has been awhile since I posted here, and I am sorry that I haven't been around. The Library has been very busy, and we've had lots of projects getting started.
We had to look at solving a number of problems, as well as help finalize the budget for the new Fiscal Year which starts in October. We've been talking to vendors, meeting with staff and generally reviewing how we do a lot of things.
Our budget for next year is once again going down - we had to cut another $120,000 out of the budget, and though it was a challenge we were able to come up with reductions while still maintaining hours and our book budget.
We have been able to add a new collection - we now have E Books for IPads and other reading tablets (though we are still waiting for books for the Kindle - Kindle books are supposed to be available sometime this fall. Stay tuned Kindle users!).
In the works are a number of computer projects that should help sustain our computer services more effectively.
So even though things are tight, we are still trying to look ahead and figure out how to be more efficient and effective. I hope to be able to spend a bit more time here on the blog, and hope to have some interesting posts for you soon.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The State of America's Libraries
The American Library Association has released a new report on the State of America's Libraries in 2011. The report has both good and bad news. Not a lot of surprises really - but some sobering and inspiring results.
The report contains the results of a poll conducted by Harris Interactive about library usage. Of the people polled, over 65% had visited their library in the past year, and 58% had a library card. More women than men used the library, especially working women and working mothers. Over two thirds of those surveyed said that the library was important and helped them in finding work or launching a new business.
Overall, statistics for use in the nation's libraries are up, even as budgets are down. The budget news is sobering - Everyday we hear about libraries reducing hours and considering closing locations. Funding for public libraries in California is at risk in the State Budget. In Northern California, the Oakland Public Libraries faced the possible closure of 14 out of 18 branches. San Jose Public Library has reduced hours in some branches to 3 days a week. Elsewhere, the Seattle Public Library is once again closing for a full week in August, with no services available to the public. These stories are the new normal - a grim and sobering reality.
There are some positive signs and reason for optimism - Oakland Public Library staged an impressive public awareness and advocacy campaign, and the public outcry over the closures was so great that the City Council decided not to make the cuts in the library budget. The Los Angeles Public Library was recently able to reopen on Mondays thanks to Measure L, which guaranteed a higher percentage of the City's property taxes for the library.
A recent study completed for the Philadelphia Free Library showed that the return on the public investment in the library was substantial - the City got over $30 million in return through economic benefits from the library. This study also showed that housing located near libraries had a significantly higher value, helping the real estate market in the city. San Francisco Public Library and a number of other libraries have done studies that show that for every public dollar invested in the public library, a community gets anywhere from $4 to $8 in return.
So though times are tough, and budgets continue to be a challenge, the Public Library is still one of the best investments a community can make. Here in Huntington Beach, we are working hard to maintain hours and ensure that you have access to the best deal in town - your Public Library.
The report contains the results of a poll conducted by Harris Interactive about library usage. Of the people polled, over 65% had visited their library in the past year, and 58% had a library card. More women than men used the library, especially working women and working mothers. Over two thirds of those surveyed said that the library was important and helped them in finding work or launching a new business.
Overall, statistics for use in the nation's libraries are up, even as budgets are down. The budget news is sobering - Everyday we hear about libraries reducing hours and considering closing locations. Funding for public libraries in California is at risk in the State Budget. In Northern California, the Oakland Public Libraries faced the possible closure of 14 out of 18 branches. San Jose Public Library has reduced hours in some branches to 3 days a week. Elsewhere, the Seattle Public Library is once again closing for a full week in August, with no services available to the public. These stories are the new normal - a grim and sobering reality.
There are some positive signs and reason for optimism - Oakland Public Library staged an impressive public awareness and advocacy campaign, and the public outcry over the closures was so great that the City Council decided not to make the cuts in the library budget. The Los Angeles Public Library was recently able to reopen on Mondays thanks to Measure L, which guaranteed a higher percentage of the City's property taxes for the library.
A recent study completed for the Philadelphia Free Library showed that the return on the public investment in the library was substantial - the City got over $30 million in return through economic benefits from the library. This study also showed that housing located near libraries had a significantly higher value, helping the real estate market in the city. San Francisco Public Library and a number of other libraries have done studies that show that for every public dollar invested in the public library, a community gets anywhere from $4 to $8 in return.
So though times are tough, and budgets continue to be a challenge, the Public Library is still one of the best investments a community can make. Here in Huntington Beach, we are working hard to maintain hours and ensure that you have access to the best deal in town - your Public Library.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Starting July 1, Huntington Beach Library has EBooks!
Thanks to a generous donation from our Friends of the Library, starting on July 1, Huntington Beach Public Library will have EBooks for checkout. So all you IPad, Nook, Sony and Tablet readers, check out our website on Friday, July 1.
Kindle Readers - we will have books for you in the Fall. Stay tuned.
Kindle Readers - we will have books for you in the Fall. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Going Solar at HBPL
This morning, as I was arriving to work, I witnessed the transformation of our 2 parking lots into construction zones. Fencing was going up over a good portion of our parking lot, in readiness for our Solar Carport Project.
The fenced area is where the first batch of Carports will be going in. The Photovoltaic Carports will provide shade and enhance the look of our parking lot, while harnessing the power of the sun to support the power needs of the Library. We are going to be able to do our part for the environment and our budget. We expect construction to be finished by next Fall.
Libraries are by their very nature GREEN - we may not have had solar power before, but our READ, RENEW and RETURN mantra is VERY green. We circulate over 1 million items a year - That's a lot of sharing going on.
With our new Carports, we'll be that much more efficient and effective, helping our community and planet. So if you come to the Library over the next few months, just remember that the parking will get better, and this minor inconvenience will in the long run make for a better library and a nicer parking lot! Thanks for your patience.
The fenced area is where the first batch of Carports will be going in. The Photovoltaic Carports will provide shade and enhance the look of our parking lot, while harnessing the power of the sun to support the power needs of the Library. We are going to be able to do our part for the environment and our budget. We expect construction to be finished by next Fall.
Libraries are by their very nature GREEN - we may not have had solar power before, but our READ, RENEW and RETURN mantra is VERY green. We circulate over 1 million items a year - That's a lot of sharing going on.
With our new Carports, we'll be that much more efficient and effective, helping our community and planet. So if you come to the Library over the next few months, just remember that the parking will get better, and this minor inconvenience will in the long run make for a better library and a nicer parking lot! Thanks for your patience.
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