New Faces at the Information Desk

As you’re making your way around the library this summer, you’ll see two new faces at the Information Desk.

Liz (left) joined the reference staff in June after working in both the SPPL circulation and technical services departments. She has a J.D. as well as an MLS and, according to her, “will be paying off student loans for the rest of [her] life.”

Laura (right) is starting the second year of her Master’s Degree in Library Science at UW Madison and working as a summer library intern. She hopes to eventually climb the ladder and become the director of a public library.

Both librarians are avid readers and excited to assist with research, questions, and book recommendations.

Catch the Reading Bug!

Many of us are staying closer to home this summer, what with gas prices and unpredictable weather! Good thing the library offers a WORLD of adventure, romance, mystery, armchair travel and more. Whether kid or adult, you can participate in the Summer Library Program.


Adults, participate in Read Around The World and qualify for our prize drawing. Simply: 1) read or listen to a book by an international author or about a foreign country; 2) fill out an entry slip; 3) drop the slip in the box at the Information Desk -- that's it! All entries must be submitted by 5pm on August 9, 2008.



Kids, sign up for Summer Library Program and win prizes for reading. Stop at the Children's Desk to get your reading booklet and a calendar of events.


Teens! There is a Reading Raffle for you! To enter, read one book, fill out a raffle ticket, drop it in the box by the Puff Chairs -- it's that easy. Also, take a look at our Teen Events happening all summer long.


Have a great read!
Tracy Herold, Library Director

Survey results & quiet areas

Greetings on a beautiful, (dare I say it?) DRY Monday morning. Many of you, no doubt, had to travel this weekend -- I hope you were not too delayed getting to your destination.

Our online survey is still available through the rest of June at http://www.sunprairiepubliclibrary.org/. Last week, with the help of our Friends, we offered print copies of the survey in our lobby. The response was overwhelming -- thank you to everyone who took the time to give us your input! While we have two weeks to go before tabulating the results, there is one issue that has come up regularly that I thought I could address immediately. Several respondents felt the library was too noisy or that it was hard to find a quiet place. While the library in general is a bustling place, we have several areas that we try very hard to keep "silent." They are as follows:

Martha Renk Reading Room -- A silent room that houses the magazine and newspaper collections, this room offers lovely views of Sheehan Park and a fireplace.

Discussion Rooms -- We have two discussion rooms that can be checked out at the Registration Desk for up to two hours. Both offer wireless access and closed doors.

Computer Lab -- Our 12-station lab is a silent lab. Access a workstation with your library card and PIN. This room is one person per computer.

Children's & Adult Wing Towers -- These towers, while at the farthest point from the entrance, offer quiet workspaces that look out onto Sheehan Park.

If at any time you find these quiet areas are noisy, please alert library staff and we will help to maintain the quiet.

Thanks,
Tracy Herold, Director

Showers anyone?

I hope you made it safely through this weekend's storms. Given our recent weather, I thought this would be a great time to review the Library's tornado warning procedure.

The library is a place of shelter during a tornado warning. When staff is alerted of a tornado warning, they will make an announcement informing all patrons to leave library materials behind and take their personal belongings to the Community Room. Visitors may either leave the library or come to the Community Room -- no one may remain in the library. During the tornado warning the television is tuned to weather-related news channel and the weather radio is on. As soon as staff have received an all-clear, the library will resume business and visitors may once again enter the library.

Thanks for helping us keep you safe!

Tracy Herold

Tell us about us!

This month we are asking YOU to tell us about us. We have posted an online survey that asks a variety of questions to help us better serve your needs. Visit www.sunprairiepubliclibrary.org and click on the survey link. It won't take long and at the end you will receive a coupon to the Read Before Book Store. The survey will also be available in print during the week of June 9 - 13. We appreciate your input!