A blog about living in Aberdeen, New Jersey.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

MAPL Director Gives and Gets First Assessment

Kimberly Paone, the new head of the Matawan Aberdeen Public Library, presented her first report to the Trustees on Wednesday evening. Board members and visitors were so impressed with her report that she received a round of applause.

Two newly hired computer technicians will primarily help customers with computer issues. They will also help with the circulation desk and various clerical duties. One of the new techs will also maintain the MAPL website and offer one-on-one computer training 4 pm to 9pm beginning 18 October. MAPL also has a new youth services intern.

New furniture, part of the SWAT grant, will arrive on 14 October.  Online computers will not be available during the furniture installation. The computers we use to check the library catalog are soon to be placed on end caps.

The library continues to have issues with its elevator. A problem with the doors should be resolved shortly and be under warranty. Issues with the emergency phone  are being addressed.

The color of the library's new logo will be maroon and steel. New signage based on the logo is being postponed as other options are considered.

Innovative Document Imaging (IDI) of East Brunswick has completed the digitization of our local newspapers from 1973 to 1991. MAPL is contributing $12,000 towards the project and Middletown has agreed to pay $8,000. Once Monmouth County is on the hook for $12,000, the balance of the scanning project through February 2000 will be completed.

The director's requests included seven new computers for the library's staff. They could  soon be replaced with Dell computers available at a discount through Monmouth County. The board is also considering bolstering the hired help to keep the youth services desk staffed during library hours and to help address a gap in coverage of tweens and teens. A new Smart Access Manager (SAM) could also be in the future to make paying for printing at MAPL much easier.

New mail boxes and email accounts should help the new library director to communicate more efficiently and privately with her staff. New name tags for senior staff and job title tags for part time staff should make it easier for patrons to recognize staff.

Patrons are invited to meet the new director at the library on 22 October. Check fliers posted at the library for details.

Note that board meetings will start a half hour earlier (7:00 pm) beginning with the November meeting.

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