Celebrating "Miss Kitty" and 25 Years of Excellence

I enjoy the people I work with. Their enthusiasm keeps me energized and intrigued by the many wonderful ideas they bring forward from listening at meetings, visiting other libraries, networking with colleagues, and brainstorming with fellow staff. These evolve into new programs and collections that continually benefit the Homer community. We have an exceptional staff that simply, "gets it!" Known far and wide for our personalized and courteous service, Homer Library is a wonderful place to work and visit.

Recognizing a Special Staff Member
We have staff who have served our community for many, many years. This year we honor Ms. Kathryn Mitchell, or Miss Kitty (pictured left with the library director), as she is known to our customers and their children. Kitty is our Youth Services Director and has been with the Homer Library for 25 years. Her skill and reputation is amazing. Children who participated in programs are now grown and bring in their children to enjoy the library and specifically to see "Miss Kitty." Her expertise is well-known and she serves on several state and local committees. She has created and implemented programs that promote a love of literature and instill positive feelings about libraries. Quite simply, Kitty has made an outstanding contribution in library services to young people.

And the stories she can tell! This growing library, which sees 600+ visitors each day and is open seven days a week, started in a school classroom with very limited hours. Two staff members ran the whole show and Miss Kitty was one of them. She wore many hats, did it all, and was an integral part of the many changes over the years. Kitty "grew" our Youth Services Department into the extraordinary, active, fun, educational, and interactive center that is so popular today! It's exciting to realize that a one-room starter library with a mere 200 books has evolved into the vibrant community center with a collection of 137,000 items and programs of all kinds.

Youth Services Rocks!
Kitty's department initiated an active collaboration and partnerships with local schools and organizations to support reading clubs, homework assistance, and expanded programs to youth and teens. Under Kitty's excellent direction the library's youth staff are committed to promoting a lifelong love of reading and books. In 2007 they conducted 224 preschool story hours, hosted 37 kindergarten and first grade field trips for 925 children and book talked to more than 900 children. I am in awe of her upbeat and energetic "can do" attitude. It is an honor to work with her and I hope to do so for many years to come!

Thank you, Miss Kitty!
Your special personality and dedication to our library and Homer children shows in everything you touch and bring forward. We honor you, celebrate your many achievements, and simply appreciate you more than we can say. I urge everyone to visit the library today to congratulate Miss Kitty on her 25th year of service at the Homer Township Public Library!

p.s. Please don't even think about retiring!

Happy New Year,
Sheree Kozel-La Ha

Imagine More @ Your Library

Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence in Services to a growing community

Public libraries have evolved dramatically over the years. As we celebrate our 25th year of service we encourage you to ASK @ Your Library for what you need to enhance our value to you. Homer Library continues to strive to be user-centered and stay essential and meaningful to you. This means encouraging your participation and dialogue, reaching out to new users in new ways, and creating community. Your communication will ensure that we are on track with our goal to be a vital and convenient community center. As our management team and trustees undertakes long range planning we continue to ask: What do you want to see here? How can we make the library a destination point for you? How can we assist you better in the area of remote access? What programs, collections, services, etc. would you and your family benefit from? Help keep the user at the heart of library services - community conversation is essential for this to happen.

ASK @ Your Library
More than ever the library continues to be a gathering place and a safe haven where information can be accessed by every person in our community. Our commitment continues to provide the opportunities that enrich the quality of your life with educational programs, inspirational materials, entertainment, information and essential services. We urge you in 2008 to take advantage of everything we have to offer @ the Homer Township Public Library!

We'll see you at the Library!

What Do You Do For a Living? The Librarian's Challenge

I often attend business networking events, community meetings, evenings with friends, and what we used to refer to as "cocktail parties" but today are more relaxed social get-togethers. All are excellent opportunities to meet new people, network, and have an interesting discussion on topics of the day.

Invariably, one of the first questions faced upon meeting someone is, "What do you do for a living?" In the past I would simply answer that I am a librarian. And what was the typical response to that? It was often like seeing a shutter drop over someone's face. Can you say "stereotype?"

It became my personal challenge - to NOT be labeled in a split second or reduced or dismissed in any fashion because of the word "librarian." I am a librarian; passionate about libraries and community service. It is a shame that some people (even today) have no clue about what we do as librarians. It is a challenge librarians face.

A Librarian's Pride
Recently, I gave a presentation at the Homer Township Chamber of Commerce Business Luncheon. I told them the story of how people reacted when told my profession. I used the opportunity and asked the business members to consider this:

What if I had responded that I am the Executive Director of a $1.6 million dollar business, open seven days a week with 30 employees, serving 600 customers daily? Impressive, yes? Well that is what I answer today. I am proud to be a librarian, information specialist, and library director.

By stating my occupation with more description I believe some stereotypes are erased and people are more open to understand exactly what I do. I have been approached more by businesses since that presentation, and my library has coordinated new opportunities and partnerships where previously none existed. Homer Library is my business!

Stereotypes
Challenge or erase someone's stereotype of what a librarian is today. Have your library become a member of the local Chamber of Commerce. Encourage your staff to become involved. Attend community networking events. Be a presence, become a member of a committee, run for trustee, and bring your library to the table. Every librarian needs to be more proactive in our communities and advocate our roles. You won't be sorry you did.

p.s.
To the people who do understand our profession and are advocates for libraries today: THANK YOU!

Grant Awards Stretch a Tax-capped Budget

We are excited. And happy. And proud to announce that the Homer Township Public Library has just received three LSTA grant awards, totaling $108,900.

241 Illinois libraries were awarded FY08 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants totaling $3.9 million. Our library submitted three grant projects that received funding. We extend our appreciation to Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White and to our state officials who continue to recognize the value and importance of LSTA funding for Illinois Libraries. Read Secretary of State Jesse White's press release here. Library pictures are posted here.

Pictured: Sara McCambridge (Assistant Director), Sheree Kozel-La Ha (Library Director), and Alex Tyle-Annen (Adult Services Director) holding three grant checks at an Illinois State Library reception.

Tax caps equal 'less' for Homer residents
Grants supplement our tax-capped budget. Homer Library has lost more than one million dollars in revenue due to tax caps over the past ten years. That's correct, over one million dollars! Think of how that money could have benefited citizens, both young and old, who use the library (600 daily) for their educational and recreational use. It's quite a significant loss. Homer Library has never had a tax rate increase in our 25-year history. In fact, tax caps continue to erode our current rate.

Grant Funding - why it helps...
Grant funding allows us to go that extra mile for our customers, to try new and innovative programs, and to provide more in collections and specialty programming. Through grant support we have initiated programs to fund family art projects, supported children's literacy with reading to therapy dogs, developed a new collection of Polish and Spanish materials, purchased a bookmobile, and much more. Great community services that we envision can come to life. Library staff pro-actively seeks outside funding. The truth is- we write successful grants to provide the best in services, programs, and collections for you.

YOU are the heart of library services
We seek your input and are listening to you - our customer. The Library continues to evolve and change. Our goal is to keep the library essential and meaningful to you. This means encouraging your participation and dialogue, reaching out to new users in new ways, and creating community. We need your communication to ensure the library remains vital and convenient.

We continue to ask: What do you want to see here? How can we make the library a destination point for you? How can we assist you better in the area of remote access? What programs, collections, services, etc. would you and your family benefit from? Help me keep the user at the heart of library services - community conversation is essential for this to happen.

Celebrating Life's Changes

I watch my children change and grow daily. Time goes by so fast, in both our personal and professional lives. I have been a librarian for many years and observed many innovations. The phrase, "you aren't in Kansas, anymore" comes readily to mind when I think of what libraries used to be and where they are headed. My Homer community, once quite rural, and my local library have seen intense change, including staggering growth. Homer Library celebrates 25 years of excellence in service this year.

Roles Add Meaning to Our Lives
The past shapes us. Roles that I enjoy (some past, many current) include: library director, writer, art teacher, consultant, neverending student, public librarian, grant teacher, mentor, synergist, Chamber of Commerce president, Nature Foundation board member, ILEBP trustee, blogger, mother, wife, partner, and friend.

All of these responsibilities, opportunities, and achievements have molded and placed me at this exact moment in my life. I feel great contentment and delight in each day. As the director of a pro-active public library we remain cutting edge even with a flat budget. Creative and dedicated staff makes the difference along with strong partnerships and outreach; all support our goal to provide the best in services. Just like my children constantly amaze and make me proud, so too, does my library staff and my positive work as director and community advocate.

Find Your Passion!
I am happy and satisfied on so many levels, both personal and professional. Each day comes to me as an opportunity to help others. I enjoy my children, family and lovely friends, and work hard at a job I simply love. Life is about choice and finding your passion. Surround yourself with work you enjoy, people who matter to you, who care about you in return, and take good care of them and of your extended community. This is a gift I give to myself daily and a responsibility I take seriously.

Be Happy & Put Yourself Out There
I hope you have your own moments of reflection. I am a better person for my community service efforts and for the time that I give to others, to simply share my own personal bounty and joy. As a parent, librarian, colleague and friend, I am proud that I can make a difference, and that I do. Isn't that what life is all about?