Library News – Seneca Free Library

Changes to hoopla

Attention Hoopla users! A change is coming effective March 1.

Hoopla users will be limited to two borrows per calendar month from now on. This service has become more popular throughout the shared catalog region and is becoming more expensive. We have looked at statistics and on average users are borrowing two items per month. We know this may not please everyone and we apologize. We are going to exam the statistics each month and if budget allows the number of borrows could increase. This situation is across the shared catalog and not unique to the library in Seneca. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the library.

Seneca Free Library is 2013 Friend of Education!!

We are excited to report that Seneca Free Library received one of two U.S.D. # 115 Friend of Education awards for the 2012-2013 school year. The plaque was presented to staff member Dee Lizzol and board members Barb Vitt and Andy Strathman by Superintendent Darrel Kohlman at their annual Staff Recognition Luncheon May 23. The Friend of Education Award recognizes individuals or businesses that make a significant contribution to the school district.

“We feel very honored to be selected as a Friend of Education. All of us believe reading is fundamental to lifelong learning and we want to promote reading at every opportunity. We have enjoyed working with U.S.D. #115 and hope to continue partnering with them in the future.” responded Director Kate Haynie when asked about the Library receiving the award this year.

The Library was nominated by elementary teacher Carol Sack, here is what she had to say:

“I recognized the library because they do so many things that complement our school reading programs. To prepare children for literacy they have “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” and summer story hour. For school aged kids, they sponsored a “Pete the Cat” writing contest this year, and they host the traditional summer reading program to keep kids reading during the summer. Also included in summertime events for kids at the library are the speakers and programs over a variety of topics that increase students background knowledge and provide great entertainment.

In addition they consistently update materials. Students also use our library for a place to study and do research.”

Thank you, Mrs. Sack for nominating us and to the District for this recognition!

ERIC CARLE QUILT RAFFLE

Who wouldn’t want a beautiful Eric Carle print quilt to snuggle up in while reading Eric Carle books to children or grand children? Here is your chance to win just such a quilt and 4 board books.

The quilt is 50 x 60 inches, features loveable characters from his books and is machine quilted. The four books are The Very Lonely Firefly, The Very Busy Spider, The Very Quiet Cricket and the Very Hungry Caterpillar, which also includes a plush toy caterpillar.

Stop by the library to see for yourself this beautiful quilt

Proceeds from the raffle will go towards hiring performers and bringing programs to the library for Summer Reading.

Chances are $1.00 each or 6 chances for $5.00.

Chances can be purchased at the Library, Cornerstone Coffee Haus or at Seneca Variety.

The drawing will be held Wednesday December 21.

Just in time for gift giving…if the winner can part with it!

“Beneath the Waves”Art Contest Entries Due

“Beneath the Waves” art contest is for students who have just completed grades 4 through 6th grades. Use any medium you like as long as it depicts life beneath the waves. Entries are due by Friday June 11. All entries will be displayed in the library. Call to sign up today!

Official rules listed below.

Entries not picked up by July 31 will become property of the library.

OFFICIAL RULES: 1. You can use any medium you choose~water colors, markers, colored pencils, clay, etc. No supplies will be provided by the library. 2. Paper size must not exceed 11×17″. If making a free form piece, it can be no larger than a standard shoe box. 3. Must have entrant’s name, age/grade, parent’s name, and phone number on the artwork or the piece will not qualify. 4. Art must be picked up by July 31 or it will become the property of Seneca Free Library. 5. Your artwork will be on display in the library. 6. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.

“Under the Sea” Writers workshop entries due

Are you a poet, song writer, or a budding novelist? Choose any format and create your masterpiece.

This workshop is designed for students who have finished the 4th – 6th grades. The pieces will not be judged but we will display all entries for library patrons to enjoy.

Write about anything “under the sea”.

Entries are due by 8:00 PM July 1.
Ask a librarian for official rules.
All pieces not picked up by July 31 will become property of the library.

Library Receives Recognition

Seneca Free Library has received recognition again as a library with overall exceptional library performance. The Library Journal, a well-known and well respected magazine in the Library World, came out with an index rating that shows libraries across the country that are headed in the right direction for high quality service. Based on a 3, 4 and 5 star rating much like the Michelin star rating for restaurants, libraries are rated on real usage and outcomes like circulation, visits, programming and internet usage. A total of 16 Kansas libraries were rated, allowing Kansas to claim the third highest spot in the country. Only New York and Ohio received more stars.

Seneca Free Library and Johnson County Library in Overland Park were the only two libraries in Northeast Kansas to receive 4 stars. No other library in Northeast Kansas was rated in any 3, 4, 5 category. Seneca can be proud of this honor and it shows the care and concern its residents give to the local library.

The libraries were ranked using data collected by the State Library of Kansas for the National Center for Education Statistics and processed through a new assessment tool for public libraries called the “LJ Index”. The four categories used for analysis included: number of times an average individual visited the library, the average number of items checked out by an individual, the program attendance per person, and the number of times an average individual used a library computer terminal.

Kansas has 327 public libraries, about one library for every 8,500 people. Kansans use their libraries significantly and this rating shows that Kansas is headed in the right direction. The primary mission in each library in Kansas is to serve its residents through direct services with help from the State Libary of Kansas.

2009 Book Club List

The Seneca Free Library Book Club meets the third Tuesday of each month. This is the list of books the members will read in 2009:

January Virgin of Small Plains by N. Pickard KS Reads Selection

February I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by M. Angelou Black History

March The White Castle by G. Krist Classic

April To be Determined

May Thousand Splendid Suns by K. Hosseini Fiction

June Born on a Blue Day by D. Tamnet Non-fiction

July Family Tree by B. Delinsky Fiction

August Air Ball: My Life in Brief Young Adult

September For One More Day by M. Albom Fiction

October Change of Heart by J. Piccoult Fiction

The book club does not meet in November and December.

Seneca Free Library Wins Award!

For the fifth time in the last 10 years, the Seneca Free Library has received national recognition for excellence.

The recent release of the American Public Library Rating Index by Thomas Hennen ranks Seneca 5th out of all public libraries in the U.S. with populations between 1,000 and 2,400. In the past Seneca has placed 3rd in 2005, 2nd in 2004, 5th in 2001 and 8th in 2000. Thomas Hennen started this index in 1997 to attempt to rate all of America’s public libraries using an index that would highlight the best public libraries in the country. His index looks at 15 weighted factors that range from circulation to staffing levels, to materials, funding, programming, as well as visits in the lbrary.

Only four libraries in Kansas received a rating this year: Johnson County Library, Overland Park, in the 250,000 population, Hays Public Library in the 10,000 population and Hardtner, in the 1,000 and under population.

The data came from 9,076 libraries, collected by 50 state library agencies, and compiled at the national level by the Federal-State Cooperative System and then published by the National Center for Education Statistics.

The Seneca community and surrounding area have always been great supporters of the library. The Seneca Library board and staff appreciate that support and it shows in many ways, including this national recognition. The library is always trying to improve and add to the services it provides. The board encourages everyone in the community to come in and see what aÂ great resource the community has and also, to let them know what improvements can be made or what service could be added.

Board members are: Stan Murphy, Nancy Imholte, Eldon Fleury, Loyola Engelken, Louis Sedlacek, Glenda Wilhelm, and Dee Lizzol. Staff members are: Edna Love, Arlene Gudenkauf,Â Karen Todd, Joyce Kohake and Karen Holthaus, director.

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â By Karen Holthaus