PCPL to settle into changes in 2015

Thursday, April 9, 2015

The Putnam County Public Library made a lot of changes in 2014, and this year will be focused on implementing and enhancing those changes.

Library Director Grier Carson said as a means of staying relevant in a time of change, the library will continue to look toward the future at ways to not only continue bringing the usual patrons into the library, but also bringing in new patrons.

"If we don't carve a niche out for ourselves in this day and age in this kind of community, the library just won't be necessary moving forward," Carson said.

He noted many people will argue the computer programs and technological services may not be necessary for a lot of patrons, which he recognized as a legitimate argument to a point. There are people at home that do not have access to computers, Internet services, home video programs and other technological means of communication. Carson said many people are not aware of the number of people that do not have these services easily accessible in their homes, and the importance of teaching those who have just started using these programs.

"In the library -- for free -- we will give you that kind of access and provide that kind of service," Carson said.

Carson said the library's circulation has jumped dramatically in the last year, but not due to the number of physical books going in and out of the library. Last year, the library made a switch to an e-book platform called OverDrive.

While the concept is the same -- the library purchasing titles for patrons to borrow for a designated period of time -- patrons are able to access the titles anywhere with their library membership and an Internet connection.

Carson said the drastic jump in borrowed titles with the e-book platform was due to people having issues with the old platform. In a matter of months, the online adult book check outs jumped from 81 to 576. The borrowing of audio books also jumped from 19 to 181.

The implementation of the Imagination Portal in the children's library was a big change. Carson said this helped to move away from the library being a place of complete quiet to allowing youth to interact in the library.

Not only did the library include more technological availability in the children's library but also added an area for the children to interact through programs.

A list of gaming titles were also added to the library. This allows local youth to borrow the games they enjoy without having to spend a lot of money to do so. The titles bring in area teens, which can lead to the youth taking advantage of other library programs.

Carson credited his staff for ensuring the changes are implemented well, and catered to making patrons comfortable with the way the library is moving.

Technology Integrator and Media Specialist Michael Acsbok was brought on last year, and Carson said his work with the library has been crucial to maintaining services and pushing them to the next level.

He has helped the rest of the library staff with basic understanding to help patrons, and is on hand for the more difficult problems computer users face. Carson said Acsbok and the staff can help with simple questions about using a new smart phone, utilizing Google Drive, all the way to accidentally downloading a virus.

Youth Services Manager Molly Beaumont added ideas to the Imagination Portal that library personnel had not thought about before, Carson said.

"She started the cultural program herself. When we were designing the Imagination Portal she asked, 'Did you think about putting in a kitchen? The cultural program shouldn't stop with books. Food is a big part of culture'," Carson recalled.

"One question people ask a lot, 'Is the library going to get rid of books?' It's risky to predict what the library will do, but I believe very firmly the book is a really solid piece of technology ... but, it is a piece of technology," Carson said.

He said the continued changes in the library are going to be based on the demographics each one serves. For example, Carson said Putnam County still enjoys the physical book, and he does not foresee getting rid of the print any time soon. But, that could change.

"My favorite criticism is this is not a library, it's an identity crisis. Look around you. Our entire culture is in and identity crisis," Carson said.

"The sooner people accept and embrace (the change), the quicker we'll have an identity."

Carson said looking forward, the focus in 2015 is to continue implementing the changes they saw last year, and coming up with ideas for change in the future. He said the adult section of the library and Kiwanis Room should be the priorities for change.

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  • Cultural programs are not new to the Putnam County Public Library and food as always been a feature. It might not have been cooked in a kitchen in the Children's Room--but was always integrated into the program. Many patrons--children and adults--participated in the "Passport" program. And, there has been an ongoing travelogue program.

    Also, computer classes have always been offered to the public.

    -- Posted by mrp55 on Fri, Apr 10, 2015, at 11:25 AM
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