Read On! Weeding

One of the most difficult things for many librarians to do is weed the Library’s collection. “Weeding” in a library is just like weeding in a garden: you take stock of what you have, get rid of things you don’t need or want, thin out anything that is too crowded, and watch the garden (or library collection) flourish. 

Healthy library collections, just like healthy gardens, are tended to, weeded, and cared for on a continuing basis. Because we have a finite amount of space in the library building, we have to make sure we have room for the new materials we purchase by weeding the material we no longer need in the collection. 

We don’t take this part of our job lightly and we make every effort to ensure the books we weed from the collection find a new home. That’s why you’ll see a good rotation of books in our book sale ($0.25 for hardbacks, $0.10 for paperbacks), and some books or other items on our free cart. 

Generally speaking, when a book is taken out of our collection it is either not being used by the community (usually we look at the last 2-5 years), is no longer accurate (like books with Pluto listed as a planet), or interest in the book has gone down and we no longer need multiple copies. We also look at the condition of our other books to make sure they’re not falling apart or torn up. If they are, and it’s a book we want to keep in the collection, we’ll buy a newer copy of the book if it’s still in print. 

An interesting result of regular weeding and collection maintenance like this is that our physical checkouts increase. It may seem backwards, but when we look at the statistics of this year (after we completed a major weeding project) versus last year, our checkouts are up by 600-1000 items every month. For a collection of just over 30,000 items, that’s significant! 

Read On! Gifts

We are entering the serious days of holiday gift buying, but there’s still some time left to figure out what you’re going to do. Here are a few ways your library can help you tackle your holiday gift-giving:

If you’re looking for bookish gifts for kids under 5 years old who live in Mayes County, sign them up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Paid for by our Friends of the Library group, the child you sign up will receive a free, age-appropriate book through the mail each month until they turn 5. We’ve got applications here at the library. (If you’d like to donate to the Friends and help with this program, they pay $25 per year per child. It’s an amazing deal.)

If you like making gifts but need some instructions or a little inspiration, we’ve got lots of craft books in the building. We also have an easy-to-use DIY resource through our website called “Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center.” Between our physical books and the online resource, you’ll find instructions and inspiration for everything from appliqué to wreath making.

If you like to give food as gifts or if you’re preparing a recipe box for a loved one, we’ve got many cookbooks that can help.

Lastly, feel free to strike up a conversation with one of our staff. We can’t tell you what someone checks out from our collection, but with a little information about them we might be able to suggest a few titles they would be interested in. We’ll just need to know some of the books, movies, or video games they like and/or some of their hobbies or interests. If all else fails, we’ll help you brainstorm.

Of course, all of the shops and stores in town will have even more ideas and suggestions!

Remember, the Pryor Library will be closed the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of Thanksgiving. We hope you enjoy your holiday!

Library closed for Thanksgiving

Our physical building will be closed on November 28, 29, & 30, but we’re open 24/7 online! Check your account, place holds, download ebooks and audiobooks, learn a language, research your family history – all from where ever you are, day or night.

Read On! Staff training

Your Library staff just completed our second annual Staff Training Day. Each year, we take a day when we would normally be closed to the public to gather as a staff to learn, bond, and eat. 

Last year, learned about our online resources, played a modified version of “The Floor Is Lava,” and spent time sharpening our skills in our own areas. It was a really great start to this tradition and I’m glad we get to continue. 

This year, Kenny Cooper from the Fire Department came over to train the staff on CPR, how to use our new AED machine, and some basic first aid that we might need while working with the public. Then, Officers Dustin Van Horn and Matt Gilbert from Police Department joined us to talk about some safety issues we might encounter and shared information about some local resources that are available to anyone in need. 

We are so thankful for the opportunity to learn from these men. They were gracious, answered all our myriad questions, and are excellent teachers!

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Library staff gathering without some shenanigans. This year, we teamed up for a scavenger hunt and made some difficult choices in a “friendly debate” game. The first thing we did, though, was determine our true Librarian names. I’ll share the formula with you (we’d love to hear what your names are!). 

Use the real first name of your favorite superhero or villain (so if you love Superman, your first name is Clark).

Your last name is a combination of an adjective that describes how you read and your favorite beverage. 

My true Librarian name is Barbara Slowlytea. (For Batgirl, Barbara Gordon, who by day is a librarian.) 

I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to work with such an amazing staff and such great support from the other City departments. It makes coming to work every day feel like a gift.