A Shout Out for Aaron's Shout Out!

As we approach the City Council meeting (7/31!), we at the library have felt your support.  So many patrons have come in to pick up reports, get numbers, ask questions about the advocacy, and share stories with us of how much NPL has meant to them.

We appreciate the people who speak for themselves, and also the people who speak for others-- the grown up who speaks for a pre-verbal child, and the neighbor or son who speaks for a homebound adult.

We received a copy of a letter, sent by a patron to the Mayor, City Council, and us, that touched our hearts.  That patron has since posted the letter to his own blog. 

Please ask your Information Librarian if you have any questions about the upcoming public comment sessions at City Council meetings.

Thank you for showing us your love.  You know we love you; it's why we're here!

A Memo from the Director

Click the link below to read a memo from Joanna, our Library Director, to the Mayor and City Council, "in response to the city’s Levels of Services & Priorities review. It is a hefty, but substantive, 13 page document. [Joanna] will review this document with council on the 31st. Hope to see some of you there!"

Open the Document as a PDF.

Here's the jist:   
1.  The library is a core city government service.  
2.  The library offers essential and popular services, as demonstrated in the level of use and support given by the community.  
3.  Library services directly contribute to the vitality, beauty and livability of our community.  
4.  Library services directly contribute to the educational and quality of life needs of our community.  
5.  Based upon public demand and expectations of the many services provided by Neill Public Library, this service is a high priority.

Attachment A:  Neill Public Library Organizational Chart.  Click on the Image to Enlarge.

Reflections on the Forum

Last Thursday, 7/19, the library hosted an Open Public Form, inviting members of the public to share their thoughts with the library's Board and Management Team.  We would like to sincerely thank all those who attended.  Your input has been the subject of much discussion.

The Daily News featured an excellent summary of the meeting.  Ask you librarian next time you're in the library if you'd like to read the full article.

Thank you also to the more than 300 people who have shared their thoughts and priorities via our survey.  The preliminary results have been, in some ways, surprising.  If you have not yet been able to, please consider taking our survey (look for "Click Here to Take the Library Survey" on our front page) regarding which library services you use.  The survey is also available in print at library service desks, and will be available through the first week of August. 

The final hour is approaching for Neill's advocacy campaign: on July 31st, City Council will hear public comments during their regular meeting, beginning at 7:30.  Public comments will also be heard during the August 14th City Council meeting.  You are welcome at either (or both) of these meetings to show your support for city departments.  If you are not able to attend either of these meetings but wish to express yourself to Council, contact your librarian for Council's email or mailing address.

Raise Your Voice for NPL!

Two weeks ago already (!), we shared information about Neill's Advocacy Campaign: 10-19-31.

10: 10 Questions. 
We have received over 300 responses to the survey so far!  Once we've finished compiling the information, this will give us vital information about what services are valued and used by YOU (and your family or household).  If you haven't taken the survey yet, we hope you'll do so, either linking from the library's home page, or in print at the library.

19: 19 July.
The library is hosting an open forum this evening (7/19).  We hope you'll take time to visit this evening, beginning at 7pm, to speak with the Library's Board and Management Team.  The Board and Management will be making tough decisions about how to handle our upcoming budget cut, but we need to hear from you before making those decisions. 

31: 31 July.
At a regular city council meeting, there will be time for the public to make comments to the City Council team.  Listen to presentations by city departments, including the library, on needed funding.  If you feel that funding the library should be a priority for the city, please consider showing your support by helping fill the room.

Raise Your Voice for Neill Library!

Raise Your Voice for Neill Library

In light of upcoming budget cuts, we would like to hear your opinion about the level of library services.  Which library services matter most to you? Is it a priority to fund library services?

We appreciate hearing from you.

 

10 Questions, 10 Minutes – Complete Library Survey:  

Online at www.neill-lib.org or pick up your hardcopy at the library.

19 July – Attend Public Forum at Library, 7pm in Hecht Room:

Share your thoughts with Library Board & Management Team.

31 July – Attend City Council Meeting, 7:30pm at City Hall:

Share your thoughts with City Council after the library’s presentation.

An additional comment box is available for additional feedback, whether you come to the open forum or not.  Please see our display with City budget information in the library, across from the Parent Center, or ask at the Information Desk for information about any of these events.

Meet the library director candidates

The Neill Public Library Search Committee is pleased to announce that Alexa Eccles of Olympia, Washington; Rebecca Francik of Pasco, Washington; and Sarah English of Omaha, Nebraska have been selected to interview for the position of Library Services Director.

Please join us in the library’s Edith Hecht Meeting Room to meet the candidates, ask questions and share your thoughts about Neill Library and the role it and the new director should have in our community.  The public presentation and time for questions will be held from 4:15 – 5 pm on the following dates:
•    Alexa Eccles - May 23
•    Rebecca Francik - May 24
•    Sarah English - May 25

For more information contact Joanna Bailey, Temporary Library Services Manager at Neill Public Library, 338-3252.

Meet the librarian candidates

Come and meet the candidates for the Adult Services Librarian position here at Neill. Your first opportunity will be to meet Joseph Zumalt of Champaign, Illinois, on November 13 at 3:30-4:15 p.m. in the Edith Hecht Meeting Room.

Then the next week on November 20 at 3:30-4:15 p.m. again in the Edith Hecht Meeting Room, is your opportunity to meet the second candidate, Cheryl Brinkley of Charlotte, North Carolina. Hear what each of the candidates feel that they can bring to the library and the community. It's also an opportunity for you to ask them questions and share your thoughts about Neill and the role it and the new librarian should have in our community. Please join us!