Library programs, finances get positive review by board

Friday, August 24, 2007

Good news abounds at the Putnam County Library according to Library Director Alice Greenburg, who told board members at their monthly meeting that circulation is rising, funds from the county's property taxes and motor vehicle taxes arrived on Aug. 20, and plans for the 2007 Festival of the Book are well under way.

Circulation is up one percent over August last year. For a period of time it had been decreasing but is rising once again. Greenburg attributes the rise partially to patrons using the online catalogue and hold options.

Internet usage is also up from last years numbers. Computer use in the children's area has doubled and the local history area has also risen significantly according to Greenburg.

The 2007 Festival of the Book received an additional sponsor in the form of a $1,304 check from the Hendricks County Community Foundation in the name of Dr. James Elrod. Greenburg asked the board to approve using the gift for the Festival as Dr. Elrod was an avid supporter of the arts.

Set for Saturday, September 15 the festival will run from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The first session of the day will begin with children's author Deborah Asante reading stories she has written. This is followed by improv stories and games to encourage children to make up their own stories.

At 11 a.m. a panel of first time authors will discuss how they became writers. The group includes Jeffrey McCall who wrote Viewer Discretion Advised: Taking Control of Mass Media Influences; mystery writer Lisa Lutz author of The Spellman Files and Lane Robbins fantasy novelist who wrote Maledicte.

Mystery is the theme at noon when a panel of established writers take center stage. Kit Ehrman, author of the Triple Cross which was a winner in this year's Best Books of Indiana; Scarlett Dean, Invisible Shield, a paranormal mystery; J.A. Konrath, with his most recent book Dirty Martini and Michael Kroyta who became the youngest winner of St. Martin's Press Private Eye Writers of America in 2003 with his third book in a series, A Welcome Grave.

Jay Hosler will entertain teens at 1 p.m. with his presentation of Graphic Novelist. This is a fairly new genre. He has published two graphic novels, Clan Apis and The Sandwalk Adventures. Hosler is a 1989 graduate of DePauw and is a visiting professor of biology at DePauw this year.

At 2 p.m. everyone's favorite local author Philip Gulley will give the keynote address from his most recent book, Porch Talk: Stories of Decency, Common Sense and Other Endangered Species. According to PBS Affiliate WFYI, "Gulley is the voice of small-town American life and an observer of humanity without match."

A reception will follow Gulley's presentation from 3 - 5 p.m. Authors will be available to sign books.

In other business board members:

* heard the first reading of a revision to the purchasing policy

* Appointed Alice Greenburg to be the INCOLSA Board representative

* Approved the preventive maintenance contract from A.A. Huber for $3,298 for two inspections of the library's heating and air conditioning units.

In a public meeting prior to their regularly scheduled one board members reviewed the 2008 budget. Total projected budget is $705,670. It will be adopted at their regular meeting on September 26.

The Putnam County Library board meets at 6 p.m. in the Kiwanis room at the library on the third Wednesday of the month.

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