Libraries Lead! (National Library Week, April 8-14, 2018)

Do you know where you're going?  The library can lead you there.  The journey begins April 8th.

This year's theme is "Libraries Lead!"  Share your story with us and become eligible to win prizes!  (We're working on lining-up prizes as my minions type this.)  Complete the form (available at the library) and return it to our circulation desk during National Library Week (April 8-14, 2018).

Casey at the Bat and Scowl-Face would like to make some videos of patrons and staff reading their "libraries lead" stories for the camera.  Your big chance for fortune and fame!  Well, you get to sit in a comfy chair while they're filming you.  If you're interested in participating in our videos, just add a postscript to your form with your phone number or email address, and we'll be in touch.  We're planning to record the videos during National Library Week, so keep your calendar free!  (Actually, we'll work around your schedule.)  It'll be totally fun!

Questions?  Just ask our library staff.  That's what they're there for.

I'm hoping that my library can lead moi to a full supper dish.  Minions, take the lead.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

Welcome, CatPro!

UPDATE (February 28, 2018):  Anthony Woodside wrote a very nice article about CatPro in today's edition of the Mooresville-Decatur Times.

Recently, my library's director of technical services, Lady RaDA, moved into a new job at another library.  So we've hired a new technical services librarian, whom I call CatPro, because she's a cataloging professional.  Plus, having cat in your name is way-cool.  (I believe her official title is technical services coordinator.)  Welcome!  I'd show you her photo, but Scowl-Face has been slacking on the job again and hasn't taken any of her yet.  But she's in this group picture from last Monday's staff in-service training.

MPL staff following CPR training

Library in-service (February 19, 2018)

(CatPro is in the second row, second from the right)

CatPro honed her cataloging chops at Lebanon Public Library, where she worked with Evergreen Indiana open-source ILS (integrated library system), just like my library uses.  She's scheduled to become a Master of the Know (i.e., a librarian holding an M.L.S.--Master of Library Science--degree) by the end of 2018.  That's an impressive accomplishment, let moi tell you.  Not everybody has the brains and talent to earn that degree--just ask Scowl-Face (eye-roll)--so you should already be impressed with CatPro's drive and initiative.

CatPro has settled in nicely at my library.  She has already developed her work strategies and is rifling through all our new items, getting them processed and cataloged quickly and efficiently.  I haven't had a chance to meow with her yet, but from what I'm told, she has made a seamless transition and is running on all cylinders.  That's outstanding in and of itself, because my library, given its relatively small staff size, piles an enormous amount of stuff to do onto every employee's plate.  Well done, CatPro!

Speaking of plates, mine is empty, so CatPro can do something truly useful.  Make with the canned tuna-in-oil already!  My din-dins don't serve themselves.

We're really glad to have you on board, CatPro.  Now get to work.

Your (Retired) Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

Brownsburg Lures Another From Our Nest

Programma Mama is leaving MPL to work at Brownsburg (Indiana) Public Library (BPL).

Click Logo to Visit the BPL Website

For years, MPL and BPL have been raiding each others' staff rosters. They've lured several of our staff away, and then we've lured some of them back.  I've blogged about it before. With Programma Mama, BPL is now ahead on number of our staff scooped up.  We'll just have to make an appealing offer to one of theirs now.  Say, any of you BPL librarians want to work with Scowl-Face?  Wait, I said an appealing offer.

Okay, let's start again.  Hey, BPL staffers!  Join the MPL crew and work with moi.  It doesn't get any better than this.  They should be stampeding our way any time.

Seriously, we extend our congratulations to Programma Mama on her new position at BPL. It's a wonderful library, and she will surely enjoy working with her new colleagues and patrons.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  In this episode of MEG-A-RAE (#29, March 13, 2013), Programma Mama bid a tearful farewell to Savvy.  Now it's Programma Mama's turn. Maybe Savvy will send us a video clip wishing her good fortune.  Fair's fair, after all.