Between the Stacks

Last call for the Friends of the Library meeting on Thursday, April 6th at 5:00. Everyone is invited and we have much to discuss about the coming months! If you would like more information about the Friends please call the Library at 287-3763 or drop by the circulation desk.

I came home from the annual Montana Library Association (MLA) meeting with lots of new ideas and free things for the Library. When Hastings closed in Missoula they donated their extra DVDs and CD books on tape to the Missoula Public Library. Their staff generously shared these with all of the libraries represented at the convention. Our library will be adding all sorts of BBC series, mystery books on CD, new movies and more to our collection.

I was also able to share a public librarian’s view of information literacy at the Montana Information Literacy Alliance interest group meeting on Thursday at MLA. This is a group of academic, public, school, and specialty librarians who are concerned about information literacy educations both in the academic world and the public. I presented lesson plans I had used with the Cardwell School and discovered there are other public librarians who are also helping out in schools with no school librarians or school libraries. It will be a great resource for everyone. The website will include a blog for ideas, lesson plans, and more; watch for more information here.

Another session I attended was based on a training which took place in Helena earlier this fall. I have been working on a disaster plan for the Library and using the Library to help others in the community. This is not a leaking faucet plan, but one which would go into effect in case of a real disaster which would interrupt services for an extended amount of time for the whole area. Examples of this would be a large earthquake, extreme forest fire, no electricity for several weeks, etc. How would the Library continue services for the community and how could we put our resources to use? It is going to be a long project and will involve others at all levels but better to be prepared than caught without a plan.

Donna Weldon will be presenting a special musical story time on spring! Children are invited to sing along with Donna celebrating animals, sunshine, and more. Crafts will also be included for the children to make here and take home. Please join her at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12.