Library Notes: Library upgrading to computers

Time seems to be passing quickly with so much to do before our move.

Two of the library board members and I have made two trips to Seligman, Mo., to see the computerized system in operation and we asked lots of questions. We thank Brian and Kim for being gracious and very helpful. Our hope is to have the new system in place by the time we open in our new building. It will take some getting used to, but will be better for the patrons and for the library once it is up and running.

Each patron will need to fill out a new information sheet and will be issued new cards. It will be a few weeks yet before we start that process, but at that time library patrons will be asked to bring their driver’s license and proof of address - i.e. a piece of mail such as a utility bill that has been sent to their current address.

Probably the biggestchange to be noticed in the new location is that all fiction books will be shelved all together alphabetically, by author. They will no longer be separated by romance, mystery, Christian fiction, etc. The exception to this will be paperback romance and Westerns which will remain as they are currently. This change will be made as we are scanning the books into the new system. This will be a time-consuming job, but something patrons have been asking for.

There will be no change to the way the non-fiction books are shelved.

With more public-use computers available, the library will be revising the policy on using the computers. We are working onthis and the new policy will be posted in the computer area when we open.

The carpet has been installed and finish work was being done this past weekend. A big thanks to Adam Pratt and Tony Townsend for giving up a Saturday to work in the new library building. Awesome job.

It is time now to find displays to hold the children’s books, an area rug or two for the children’s area, and a drop box for outside the library. Had hoped we could purchase a used postal service drop box, but have learned they are no longer selling those. Now to Plan B.

There are many items to procure - table and chairs for the quiet room, chairs for the computer area, wastebaskets for all the areas, mats for the entryway, hand-held scanners and a label printer for the new system, and the list grows daily. The library received a large monetary donation this past week which will be a huge help toward funding these items.

Moving the library is making my move here from St. Louis look like a walk in the park. The Library Board members are working on a plan - all we need are boxes, man-power and the weather to cooperate.

We don’t have a move-in date yet. We will give you plenty of notice so you can check out extra books as it may be necessary to be closed for at least two weeks.

See you at the library!

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Editor’s note: Peggy Maddox is the librarian of the Pea Ridge Community Library. She can be reached at the library at 451-8442 or by mail at P.O. Box 9, Pea Ridge, AR 72751. Library hours are 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m.

Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday. The library web site is www.pearigecommunitylibrary.org.

Opinion, Pages 4 on 02/06/2013