The Marshall Public Library will begin offering free email classes in January. These classes are for people who already have some knowledge of the computer and who would like assistance in setting up an email account.
From job applications to shopping online to using customer service, more and more online interactions require that people have email addresses to access information. But setting up an email account can be a frustrating and time-consuming process. If you would like assistance with this, please register for one of the Friday classes at the library.
The classes are free and open to the public. Seating is very limited, however, so please register beforehand. You may register by calling the library at 232-1263 ext. 21 or by stopping by the Reference Desk on the second floor. Please contact John or Amy at the library for more information.
Amy Campbell, Reference Librarian
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
LearningExpress Library
One of the most potentially valuable resources available to library patrons is the LearningExpress Library which can be accessed online through www.lili.org. The Learning Express Library consists of links to a number of learning centers targeted to different users. Here is a list of the top level links:
1. Elementary School
2. Middle School
3. High School
4. College Preparation
5. College Students
6. Computer Skills
7. GED preparation
8. Job Search and Workplace Skills
9. Jobs and Careers
10. Skill Building for Adults
11. U.S. Citizenship
12. Resources para Hispanohablantes
A user can select a tutorial from among those available under each of these categories. For example, under the Computer Skills link are tutorials for Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Access and for Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Users may access the courses over the Internet. They do not need to be at the library to make use of these services and they don't need passwords.
If you have any questions about using the LearningExpress Library, just ask one of the reference librarians.
John Bickelhaupt, Reference Librarian
1. Elementary School
2. Middle School
3. High School
4. College Preparation
5. College Students
6. Computer Skills
7. GED preparation
8. Job Search and Workplace Skills
9. Jobs and Careers
10. Skill Building for Adults
11. U.S. Citizenship
12. Resources para Hispanohablantes
A user can select a tutorial from among those available under each of these categories. For example, under the Computer Skills link are tutorials for Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Access and for Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Users may access the courses over the Internet. They do not need to be at the library to make use of these services and they don't need passwords.
If you have any questions about using the LearningExpress Library, just ask one of the reference librarians.
John Bickelhaupt, Reference Librarian
GED Roundtable Discussion at the Library
Angela Davis from the Southeast Idaho Community Action Agency (SEICAA) and Margaret Jacobs from Idaho State University Adult Basic Education will lead a GED roundtable discussion at the library on January 18 at 7pm. This discussion is for people who are interested in earning or who are currently earning their GEDs and who want to learn more about the local resources available to them.
Angela and Margaret will answer all your questions and help you start toward your GED goals. For more information on this program, please call Amy at the library at 232-1263 ext. 21.
Amy Campbell, Reference Librarian
Angela and Margaret will answer all your questions and help you start toward your GED goals. For more information on this program, please call Amy at the library at 232-1263 ext. 21.
Amy Campbell, Reference Librarian
The Heart of the Library
Most people figure that books are the heart of the library, but the staff and board know that at the Marshall Public Library, the heart of the library can be found in the quiet, humble, caring woman known as Jolene Hottel. For 28 years, Jolene has been quietly and efficiently keeping the library together, making it shine, and helping on many more levels than her job description would suggest.
Working Monday through Saturday and probably far more than 40 hours every week, Jolene has worked behind the scenes to make the library a warm, clean, and inviting place to visit. For the staff, her sensible wisdom has brought peace to difficult situations and practical help in everyday matters.
Twenty-eight years ago, Jolene would never have imagined how quickly the decades would have flown by. During her time at the library she raised her family, saw staff members come and go, always kept the library clean and running smoothly. But now Jolene has retired. Her last day of work was on the last day of 2010. Like a bird on a branch turning its head back to look behind, Jolene can only glance behind and wonder where it all went. Well, the days and months and years of hard work to make the library sparkle may be behind her, but the loving influence Jolene had on everyone she came into contact with will endure. Happy retirement, Jolene, you'll always be the heart of the library to us!
Kathryn Poulter, Children's Librarian
Working Monday through Saturday and probably far more than 40 hours every week, Jolene has worked behind the scenes to make the library a warm, clean, and inviting place to visit. For the staff, her sensible wisdom has brought peace to difficult situations and practical help in everyday matters.
Twenty-eight years ago, Jolene would never have imagined how quickly the decades would have flown by. During her time at the library she raised her family, saw staff members come and go, always kept the library clean and running smoothly. But now Jolene has retired. Her last day of work was on the last day of 2010. Like a bird on a branch turning its head back to look behind, Jolene can only glance behind and wonder where it all went. Well, the days and months and years of hard work to make the library sparkle may be behind her, but the loving influence Jolene had on everyone she came into contact with will endure. Happy retirement, Jolene, you'll always be the heart of the library to us!
Kathryn Poulter, Children's Librarian
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
December Hours
The Library's hours will change during the month of December.
In December, the library will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This will permit library staff to obtain additional training and catch up on projects. Staff training will include courses on customer service, public safety, and CPR training. Library staff will also “read” the library shelves to ensure that the books are in the correct order and easy to find.
The Library will also be closed December 24 and 25, 2010, and January 1, 2011 in recognition of the holidays.
Regular hours will resume Monday, January 3, 2011. Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
In December, the library will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This will permit library staff to obtain additional training and catch up on projects. Staff training will include courses on customer service, public safety, and CPR training. Library staff will also “read” the library shelves to ensure that the books are in the correct order and easy to find.
The Library will also be closed December 24 and 25, 2010, and January 1, 2011 in recognition of the holidays.
Regular hours will resume Monday, January 3, 2011. Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Kathy Watson to Retire
Please come help us celebrate Kathy Watson’s retirement. An open house will be held at Marshall Public Library on Friday, November 19, 2010 from 2:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon. Refreshments will be provided. All are welcome.
(See the next blog entry for information about Kathy Watson's 34+ years of library service.)
Thirty-Four Years of Service
Thirty four and a half years ago, a young woman walked into the Raymond Branch of Pocatello’s public library to begin a new job. This woman, whom we all know as Kathy Watson, or The Book Lady, found her niche in the library world and has been a fixture of the public library ever since. Now, after being the face of the library for so many people, Kathy is shelving her final book and taking her leave. No doubt that she will continue reading and laughing and learning in her next adventures, but certainly after so long a time, she deserves a rest.
Kathy calls herself an “accidental librarian.” That is, she did not intend to spend the greater part of her life shelving books, taking books to homebound patrons, and interacting with the many visitors of the public library. Kathy originally went to school to become an elementary/special ed teacher. But after some upheavals in her life, she found a spot in the library and felt that she had come home. Indeed she has made the library a kind of welcoming home for many, many people over the years. As Kathy said, “I probably know half the town if I can remember who they are!”
Some of Kathy’s responsibilities have included her first station in the long-gone Raymond Branch; Outreach librarian, Circulation Supervisor; and most recently, Associate Director. Of those different titles, each has been great in its own way, Kathy said, but the time she spent doing outreach, taking books and library materials to homebound patrons, holds a special place in her heart. “It was a chance to visit with dear friends in their living rooms and enter their lives,” Kathy said. “If you like reading and people, what better job is there?” Kathy recalled Cliff and Birdie Foster, one of many of her outreach families that became as close as her own family. “And so many other people,” she said.”My life has been greatly blessed by the people I have met.”
People, both those she worked with at the library and the members of the public that Kathy met during her long tenure, have been the source of her greatest joys. Kathy’s reach stretched far outside of Pocatello as well. After being involved for years with the Idaho Library Association, including serving as chair of the Idaho Book of the Year Award committee, Kathy mustered her courage and ran for president of the Pacific Northwest Library Association, an organization spanning the states of Idaho, Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Montana, and the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia in Canada. She was elected and served as president in 2008-2009.
Now Kathy’s thoughts are bittersweet. “When I think about retirement,” Kathy reflected, “I wonder who I will be. I’ve been The Book Lady for so long, I think it’s time to try something different. How about Kathy Watson, author?” Indeed, Kathy loves to write and is, as she reports, working on a book right now. We look forward to reading her words in years to come!
When asked if she had any parting words, Kathy, with a watery eye, said, “I want to express my appreciation and thanks to those who have made my years here the happy ones they’ve been. It’s been a great ride!” Thank you for those happy years, Kathy. We will miss you!
Kathy calls herself an “accidental librarian.” That is, she did not intend to spend the greater part of her life shelving books, taking books to homebound patrons, and interacting with the many visitors of the public library. Kathy originally went to school to become an elementary/special ed teacher. But after some upheavals in her life, she found a spot in the library and felt that she had come home. Indeed she has made the library a kind of welcoming home for many, many people over the years. As Kathy said, “I probably know half the town if I can remember who they are!”
Some of Kathy’s responsibilities have included her first station in the long-gone Raymond Branch; Outreach librarian, Circulation Supervisor; and most recently, Associate Director. Of those different titles, each has been great in its own way, Kathy said, but the time she spent doing outreach, taking books and library materials to homebound patrons, holds a special place in her heart. “It was a chance to visit with dear friends in their living rooms and enter their lives,” Kathy said. “If you like reading and people, what better job is there?” Kathy recalled Cliff and Birdie Foster, one of many of her outreach families that became as close as her own family. “And so many other people,” she said.”My life has been greatly blessed by the people I have met.”
People, both those she worked with at the library and the members of the public that Kathy met during her long tenure, have been the source of her greatest joys. Kathy’s reach stretched far outside of Pocatello as well. After being involved for years with the Idaho Library Association, including serving as chair of the Idaho Book of the Year Award committee, Kathy mustered her courage and ran for president of the Pacific Northwest Library Association, an organization spanning the states of Idaho, Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Montana, and the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia in Canada. She was elected and served as president in 2008-2009.
Now Kathy’s thoughts are bittersweet. “When I think about retirement,” Kathy reflected, “I wonder who I will be. I’ve been The Book Lady for so long, I think it’s time to try something different. How about Kathy Watson, author?” Indeed, Kathy loves to write and is, as she reports, working on a book right now. We look forward to reading her words in years to come!
When asked if she had any parting words, Kathy, with a watery eye, said, “I want to express my appreciation and thanks to those who have made my years here the happy ones they’ve been. It’s been a great ride!” Thank you for those happy years, Kathy. We will miss you!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
