PCPL Imagination Portal, website nearly complete

Sunday, November 23, 2014

The Putnam County Public Library Board met for its monthly meeting Wednesday evening to discuss several ongoing projects that are nearing completion.

Library Director Grier Carson came before the board to discuss the Imagination Portal, which officially opened on Friday, Oct. 31.

"Hundreds of Putnam County patrons flocked to the new space for the big Halloween event and to see what all the buzz has been about for the past 10 months," Carson said. "Between staff reports on patron response and my own conversations with members of the community, the new youth services space has clearly exceeded the publics expectations. Most importantly, the number of parents who've shared their children's enthusiasm over the new space is both gratifying and encouraging."

Carson noted that a few details remain to be finished before the project is fully completed, including the installation of extra long HDMI cables, which will allow for a seamless arrangement of electronic components, ADA-compliant rubber strips to replace the obstructive strips used at the threshold of the carpet and tile areas, permanent locks on the breakaway doors, hot water line repair, final stenciling of the letters for the facade as well as various areas in need of touch-up paint as well as the replacement of a few carpet tiles.

It was also noted that with the Imagination Portal nearly complete, new programming for the space has already begun with the addition of culinary events such as nacho night and pasta night.

"Within the first week of opening, (program) attendance essentially doubled," Carson added. "This is what we expected to see. We know this is the honeymoon phase. Simply because we have the nice new bright, shiny space does not mean it will be like this forever. The programming built around this new space is what's going to bring people it, not just the space itself."

Youth Services Manager Mollie Beaumont will be working closely with Technology Integrator Mike Acsbok to develop additional programming to utilize monitors, desktop computers, the projector and various components in accordance with the library's vision for digital literacy and interactive experiences.

"It's going to be a gradual process," Carson explained. "I think the community would benefit from more of a gradual introduction to the use of this new type of space rather than a quick band-aid yank, where all the sudden I don't recognize my library anymore."

Along with Imagination Portal nearing completion, the library's brand new website, www.pcpl21.org, officially launched on Monday, Nov. 3. The new site is still undergoing some minor adjustments, but for the most part is complete.

"I've heard tons of positive things, but I've also heard some criticism," Carson explained. "That's actually good, because it allows us to modify the site in real time."

The new site, which essentially contains all the same information as the previous site, is a more streamlined page that staff is hoping patrons will find much easier to use.

"WynWay services the site, but we have the ability to edit content," Carson added. "What we can't do is redesign portions of the page or change the functionality of any of the links."

The new website, which is a WordPress site, will not only include the library's catalogue and monthly newsletter, but will also include frequent updates about upcoming events, separate pages for such things as Friends of the Library, Adult Services and the Youth Services area.

In other business:

* Bike circulation has stopped for the winter and is likely to resume in April or May. Carson noted that he was happy the program began before the end of this summer. The board is hoping to create a larger campaign for the bike rental next year.

* The library is currently working on the video game policy for the Imagination Portal. There are three monitors with two of them having dedicated video gaming consoles. However, Carson noted that patrons will not essentially have the ability to play whatever type of game they wish to play. The gaming on the consoles during the day will be completely controlled by the youth services staff and will be 'E' rated games. Parental controls will also be enabled on all systems.

* It was noted that there is significant moisture damage in Acsbok's office. The library is currently obtaining quotes and is hoping to move forward with fixing the issue during the December meeting.

* The Friends of the Library will be funding some permanent signage in the circulation library. Carson along with the FOL are currently working on some preliminary sign designs, which will point patrons in the direction of the right departments.

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