Onward and Upward

I have always said, "Computers are great when they work."  That was our experience this week at Dubuque County Library.  Last Thursday, August 11th, we worked with our circulation vendor to upgrade our system.  We worked out bumps on Friday at Asbury to get us up and running, but unfortunately we had more serious errors at our other locations.  With much perseverance and assistance from great staff both here and from our vendor, we had everybody up and running by Tuesday noon.  I apologize for the inconvenience.  If that weren't enough, a hub went out at Epworth yesterday so that there was no Internet service at all.  Fortunately our intrepid IT guy, Alan Grant, knew what was wrong, found us the part, and Terrie was able to install the new hub and get Internet service back before the end of the day. 

It's amazing how dependent we have become on this new technology.  We are "dead in the water" when our systems won't let us connect to the outside world.  But this is all part of the process we are undergoing here at Dubuque County Library.  We are upgrading equipment all over our system so that we will be more reliable for our customers.  We want you to know that we will be there for you when you want to look up a book, print a photo, or send an email.  So please excuse our "mess" while we get these upgrades in place.  By mid-September we should have this work done and be opening our community library at NICC Peosta.

Wasn't that exciting that the President was at NICC?  Amy Esterhuizen, Provost for NICC/Peosta, said that the President's cabinet used the new library space for their meetings.  What an auspicious beginning.  We should all be very proud that Washington chose Dubuque County for gathering information and listening to the people.

This is really the last weekend of summer for a lot of us.  Local schools will begin next Monday.  It's an end to sleeping late, lazy afternoons, pool splashes, car trips, and catching fireflies.  I remember I was always torn between wanting to get back to school and see school chums and wanting summer to never end.  As a parent, I loved the beginning of school.  We shopped for new markers and notebooks plus just the right outfit for the first day back.  That was fun!  Now I'm excited because my grandson can't wait for his first day of preschool in a few days.  Life is good when you can watch the passage of time with fond memories and new hopes.

Enjoy what's left of summer.  Let us know what comments or questions you have about Dubuque County Library.   Dawn