Winter has been tough on us the last few weeks. We had to cancel our December board meeting because of the whopper snowstorm. The Board squeaked in a meeting on January 7th to pay December bills and this week we had to cancel the board meeting again because of the snow and high winds. The snow gods must be angry with us. Again we are sneaking in a board meeting this evening to pay the bills. The agenda is posted at all of our branches and on the website. The Public Hearing which was also scheduled for Wednesday evening will have to be rescheduled. It will be held later this month. That's okay because the Board of Supervisors is still deliberating on the budget.
The budget news so far is grim. The Supervisors are cutting every department down to the bare basics. I am concerned for our book and DVD budgets as well as our programming funding. If you have read our annual report (which is available on our website) you can tell that our usage is up. Circulation is growing and so is program attendance. I know that you and I both want that to continue. Please make it known to the Supervisors that you value library service and want it adequately funded.
Speaking of library service, the Library Board of Trustees has approved our library's participation in a county-wide library services committee. The first organizational meeting of this new committee is next Monday. At that meeting we will determine the type and number of volunteers we would like to serve on the committee. If you are interested in the future of library service, send me an email and let me know you would like to serve on the committee. My email is dawnh@dubcolib.lib.ia.us. My phone number is 563-582-0008.
The Library has a brand new resource available to our customers: Learning Express. Learning Express is a library of tests and study skills to help students of all ages. If you want to brush up on your algebra, resume writing, spelling, etc. there is a study session and tests for you to improve your skills. There are sections for all ages. It can help your child increase reading comprehensive and learn those essential multiplication tables. Plus there is study information and practice tests for the SAT, ACT, GED, and the U.S. Citizenship exam. Imagine being able to help your student study at home for these very important tests. Learning Express is a very easy to use site and all of it is free if you have a library card. Go to the library's website: www.dubcolib.lib.ia.us and click on the Learning Express icon on the left-side of the page.
Learning Express is being provided to the library free of charge for one year by the State Library of Iowa. If you find it useful, let us know.
Remember the first of the Friends of Dubuque County Library Open Houses is tomorrow at our NICC/Peosta branch. Stop by between 10:00 and noon for a tour and enjoy some lemonade and cookies. You can enter to win a brand new ereader courtesty of the Friends. Explore our lovely library, meet some of our Friends members, and learn about all the wonderful things Friends do for us.
I know it's cold, but we are tough Iowans, so get out there and enjoy the weekend. Dawn
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