Posts tagged with "library"
AHML Named “5-Star Library”
Posted by daccurso on 02/16/09
Arlington Heights Memorial Library is given the highest rating – 5 Stars – in a national ranking called “America’s Star Libraries” released by the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. Only 1.1% of public libraries in the nation were given this distinctive 5-star rating.
The top libraries in each category—grouped by operating expenditures—get five-, four-, and three-star ratings. The ratings were determined by four reliable statistics that libraries provide to their states to illustrate how each library is used in these service areas:
• How many times a year did the average person take out a book, audiobook, DVD or other item from the library?
• How many times did they come to the library?
• How many times did they attend a program?
• How often did they use a public-access computer?
“America’s Star Libraries index is based on the only kind of performance that matters: what services a library delivers to its users,” says Paula Moore, library director of AHML, where she has worked since 1991.
“We are very proud to be the only single-facilty library in Illinois to receive the prestigious 5-star rating,” Moore adds. “It’s a tribute to the longstanding commitment of the library board, our outstanding staff, and the residents who value and visit the library. The people of Arlington Heights love their library and have made it the community treasure it is. This rating affirms our passion for providing unparalled customer service and adding value to the lives of our residents.”
Other Illinois public libraries also named as 5-star libraries were the Schaumburg Township and Naperville District Libraries, which serve larger populations with their branch library systems. Receving a 4-star rating was Skokie Public Library, and receiving a 3-star rating were the Barrington District and Des Plaines Public Libraries. See the index of all 7,115 national libraries rated.
To visit the What's Up at the Library blog homepage, click here.
Ask Us. We Answer at Rotary
Posted by daccurso on 06/15/09
Information Services Manager Jason Kuhl spoke to the Arlington Heights Noon Rotary Group recently about the services his department offers. He highlighted questions that our librarians answer for customers at the Answer Center, like what can be done about racoons in your house or what is the most popular New Year's resolution and how often is it kept. (By the way, the most popular resolution is, as you might guess, weight loss, but about 92% of the time, it is not achieved.)
Kuhl encouraged audience members to contact the Answer Center with their questions, whether it is to settle a bet, find consumer information, get driving directions, find out about village ordinances, get answers to trivia questions and much more. Call the Answer Center at 847-506-2633, or email, text or live chat with your question.Bees Give Summer Reading Theme New Meaning
Posted by daccurso on 06/15/09
Who knew that our summer reading theme, "Read on the Wild Side" would be so popular? Even bees are swarming to the Library to participate. Apparently this is the season for honey bees to swarm and find new places to live, and one such group chose a tree in the Library's parking lot for a rest stop. An alert group of shelvers spotted the bees on their way to work on Friday evening, and contacted Security staff members John Beres and Chuck Watson who roped off the area. Exterminators were called, but since this was a group of honey bees, they instead contacted beekeeper Ken Haller.
Haller owns Viking Honey Farm and is the volunteer beekeeper at River Trails Nature Center. He came on Saturday afternoon, and with the help of maintenance worker Tom Scuderi, removed the bees. He estimated that it was a swarm of 20,000–30,000 bees. After spraying them with sugar water, he removed surrounding branches and finally the branch that held the bees and shook them into a box that he had brought.
Haller assured the group of onlookers(who were expecting to see him in protective clothing) that swarming bees rarely sting people - especially on a sunny day. The bees swarm temporarily while they search for a permanent nest site. This particular group will now have a new home at the River Trails Nature Center. And proving his assertion that the bees would not sting, Haller calmly placed them in his car and drove them to their new home - leaving the Library just a little less "wild" this summer.Beginner's Help in Genealogy
Posted by daccurso on 05/28/09
Want to learn more about your roots? Don't know where to start? Come to the Library. Our Beginner's Help in Genealogy classes are presented on the second Thursday of each month by volunteers who specialize in genealogy. Sign up at the Reception Desk on the second level, 847-392-0100, or online. The next session is on June 11 from 7:30–9:30 p.m. in the Shackley Room on the Library's second level.
Borrowing Becomes Simpler
Posted by daccurso on 12/21/11
Beginning January 1, late charges for library items will be $0.25 per item/per day. The only exception is eReaders. In addition, library users will have a three-day grace period to return or renew items. If the items are returned or renewed within the grace period, the late fee will be waived.
Why the changes? “We wanted to simplify the late charges and be more customer friendly,” states Library Operations Director Jason Kuhl. “Late charges serve the purpose of getting our materials back, not increasing revenue. Ninety-one percent of items are returned on time, and these changes will make it even easier for our customers to avoid having to pay late charges."
Check Out the New Bookmobile
Posted by daccurso on 05/14/09
The Library’s new bookmobile is making its rounds with a new look and great updates users will appreciate. The new color and graphics on the outside are just the beginning. It is three feet longer so it has more room to carry the newest books, movies, music and magazines. It also has a higher ceiling, additional skylights and better lighting. And with lower steps into the bookmobile, it is even easier to come aboard. In addition to the added space, it has a new “green” feature – a battery pack that helps save fuel by using the generator less. Check here to see when it is coming to a stop near you.
To visit the What's Up at the Library blog homepage, click here.Did You Know?
Posted by daccurso on 03/24/11
If you can't find a parking spot in the library lot, you can park for free in commuter lot S across from the library on Vail St. after 12 p.m. weekdays and all day on weekends.
Drive-Up to Open Earlier
Posted by daccurso on 03/29/10
Beginning Thursday, April 1, the drive-up window will open one hour earlier, at 8 a.m., Monday–Friday.
Music in the Stacks
Posted by daccurso on 11/17/11
Unwind between your holiday shopping trips and come to the library to hear the unique music of Abraham Levitan and his magical keyboard while you’re browsing for books and DVDs. There's no registration required.
Date and time: Saturday, December 17, 3–5 p.m.
Location: in the library
Drop in
New Shelving in Kids' World
Posted by daccurso on 05/28/09
