Your community place!

We continue to evaluate our collections and space needs to best serve residents in the communities of Homer Township and Homer Glen.

What would you like to see @ your library? I value your input and welcome all suggestions and comments. Email me at sheree@homerlibrary.org, message me on AIM at GrantExprt, or call me at (708) 301-7908 and let me know what's on your mind.

Honoring Barry

On Sunday, October 17th we honor Barry Levine by dedicating a wonderful piece of art at the Homer Township Public Library.

I would like to talk about my friend Barry, a most unique individual and a Homer Township Library trustee whom I grew to love. Barry passed away last year (April 29, 2009) of unknown causes. He was listening to a recorded book at the time and I think it quite proper that he left us doing something he so enjoyed. But he left us much too soon.

Barry had three passions in life. The first was his family, wife Phyllis DiMonte-Levine, and their three children: Randy, Rachael and Sarah. They were the light and joy of his life and he spoke of them often. His other two passions involved improving service for the blind and physically disabled and advocating for libraries and their services. He often combined both, successfully contributing to advancing library services for the blind and physically challenged. Barry was a popular and respected individual in local, state, and system library and accessibility arenas and he made a true difference in many lives.

I was so pleased to have him become ILA's 8th Illinois Library Luminary. Posthumously he received the Robert S. Bray award for his national service as well as the Mary McCann Award from the American Council of the Blind.

Barry was recognized in 2001 by the Illinois Library Association and received the Trustee of the Year Award for his advocacy and efforts in the library world. In 2004 Barry received the Alexander J. Skrzypek Award for his outstanding contributions to library service for the blind and physically challenged. He was a mover and a shaker who prided himself on rarely missing one board meeting at either the local or system level in a combined total of 18 years. Barry was a true visionary, contributing to effectively moving libraries into the future and embracing service for all.

I think that I will end by telling you that Barry Levine was a dedicated, positive, proactive, and thoughtful man. He was also eloquent and very funny. I enjoyed both his intelligence and his wit; he loved a good story and shared many with us.

His motto was: "Become involved and stay involved in your community, where you can make a difference." He loved his life, he lived his motto. He made a difference. He left us too soon. And he is greatly missed.

I wish I had one last opportunity to tell him that he made a huge impact in my life and I am a better person for having known him. But then I think he already knows.

Quote of the Day

"All that mankind has done, thought, gained or been: it is lying as in magic preservation in the pages of books." Thomas Carlyle 1795-1881

Your library is green

Homer Public Library strives to be ecologically responsible and has made a commitment to conserve, reuse, and recycle. For several years we have embraced initiatives and made changes that reduce our impact on the earth by using fewer natural resources, reducing consumption and increasing recycling. As a library-wide effort, our green initiatives are staff-driven with strong administrative support. Staff have recycled paper, cardboard, and old books, and overseen the recycling of materials such as ink cartridges, and more.

We have drafted a formal "green document" to showcase our efforts, which include:
* Providing cloth reusable book bags for customer use
* Separating cans and papers for collection/disposal
* Energy efficient computers, turned off nightly to conserve electricity
* Cleaning with eco-friendly products and supplies
* HVAC upgrade that increased energy efficiency
* Recycling paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, plastic bottles and CD cases
* Creation of the electronic newsletter and e-news distribution lists
* Email notices (overdues and reserves)
* Adaption of the library’s lighting and AC settings to reduce energy usage
* Using electronic resources in an effort to cut down on paper memos
* Recycling bins placed out in the public and staff spaces
* Green theme programming
* Print using recycled paper
* Establishment of "shoutbomb" email notification (paperless initiative)
* Eventkeeper online registration to reduce paper use
* Use of energy star products (flat screens, etc.) & LED lights
* Green Scene book displays
* Collecting eyeglasses, cell phones, keys, etc. in partnership with the Goodings Grove Lions Club
* Providing dishes, silverware and cups to cut down on staff use of disposable products.
* Identifying opportunities to network with other libraries, schools, teachers, local daycares, and senior centers to place materials removed from our collection. We have also established a partnership with Better World Books and Reading Tree to provide withdrawn materials to other libraries and agencies.

Future plans include providing "kill-a-watt" kits so patrons can measure electricity use with a monitor device and read resources about saving energy in the home environment; additional programming and materials; a building energy audit; website tips and suggestions; adding recycling bins in public areas, and more.

Together the administration and staff will continue to take an active role in implementing green methods and remain cognizant of the impact we create on the environment.

Leadership from Mary Dempsey

What a travesty from Fox News. In their report on Libraries Today they got it wrong. Again. As they usually do. But this time it was simply... w.r.o.n.g. I mean had the reporters never used a library effectively at any point in their life?

But as usual Mary Dempsey showed her class and leadership with a honest and effective response letter. It never fails to make me sad that we are forced to explain and defend the library institution that positively impacts and supports every citizen at each and every stage in their life.

Thank you Mary, for saying what we all wish we could express so eloquently.

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/library-taxes-closed-commissioner-reaction-letter-mary-dempsey-20100702