Grafton Public Library Publishes Weekly Report For August 9-13

Press release from Grafton Public Library:

August 16, 2021

The Library relocation continued: WB Meyer delivered the final load of items to 35 Grafton Common on Tuesday; only the book drop and outdoor plants remain to be moved. CTA Construction’s last day on site is Friday. Construction fencing was removed Monday and the DPW promptly scheduling mowing—thanks Paul! Now that construction vehicles and fencing are out of the way, the final phasing of landscaping in the front can be completed, to be finished this fall and next spring, depending on requirements of the various plants.

We are still waiting on phone installation, a final keying meeting, A/V training, security gate installation at the Common entrance, final HVAC training for thermostat adjustments, and the rest of the shelving and furniture to arrive and get installed. It is unclear as of Friday August 13 if we are still on target to open to the public in ten days.

Beth worked on the Wage and Classification study, had many, many impromptu problem-solving meetings with assuage staff concerns, met with Neil Trahan to set up iMacs in the Teen Maker Space, began unpacking her office, and worked with Andy on final procurement of office supplies and miscellaneous FF&E.

On Thursday, staff were trained on the new Automated Materials Handling (AMH) equipment by Bibliotheca rep, Joe Souza.

Heidi held down the fort at St. Andrews, letting the movers in, answering phones and continuing to pack up the reference and circulation areas. She attended the “Not Just For Young Adults” Book Group and facilitated the discussion of Elatsoe, by Darcie Little Badger, answered reference questions, curbside pickup questions, questions about library accounts, where they can return materials and how to place holds since they can’t be picked up in Grafton, as well as bibliographic instruction with regard to digital books.

764 items were added in the 2 weeks before we packed. Donna set up the Tech Services office, and unpacked lots of new materials.

As the Circulation office is starting to take shape, staff are waiting for the office shelving to be installed so that the office supplies will have a home. Multiple discussions on special displays and workflow took place. Susan and Sandhya processed the holds that were generated, bagged the holds and contacted those patrons for curbside pickup between 8/6-8/11, with staggered curbside shifts by the team. Susan helped with the Wage and Classification Questionnaire to Jane, Ranjita and Allison P as well as prepped the Audiobooks and DVD orders before leaving for vacation.

Susan, Sandhya and Allison P worked on the Franklin T9 Mobile HotSpot setup. Sandhya initiated communication with a T-Mobile rep regarding setup issues. Hotspots should be available for checkout next month.

Sandhya continued to work on Museum Passes (some registrations went through, despite our passes being blocked) as well as answered questions from Facebook patrons. Allison P updated the newsletter pictures with alt texts for screen readers, set up Adult Circ laptops’ printing capability and also priced and placed an order for the Mind, Body & Spirit display. Everyone took part in moving the plants from 53 North Main Street to 35 Grafton Common.

Jane, Ranjita, Sandhya and Allison P finalized their individual Wage and Classification Questionnaires as well as watched the accompanying video. Jane watched a webinar on “Privacy, Confidentiality, and Intellectual Freedom in the Library.” Ranjita watched two webinars, “Crash Course on Romance” and “Crash Course on Historical Fiction.”

Allison has been setting up the Teen Services office at 35 Grafton Common and unpacking, advising on collections placement and continuing to work on the Winter Reading Program (scheduling teen programs), and assumed responsibility for getting this week’s kits out for pickup at 53 North Main Street on Wed/Thu evenings and Sat. Several LEGO kits labeled for specific, pre-registered patrons were taken from the porch, which prohibits the people who signed up for a Zoom LEGO build from having the materials to participate in the build along program. We ask again: Summer Reading Program kits are very clearly labeled with signage to distinguish between free for anyone and on hold for an individual. Please do not take designated kits or materials unless it has your name on it.

Sarah refurbished old library carts with fresh paint and organized the new Children’s Room. Staff adjusted CR furniture placement and set up new workstations and computers. Jen, Cyndi, Mare, and Sarah continued to unpack and organize at 35 Grafton Common and packed some final items at 53 North Main Street.

Jen, Cyndi, and Sarah began brainstorming fall programming. Kristin worked on LEGO build prompts and began to brainstorm school partnership opportunities. Sarah and Allison presented the last LEGO mini build of the summer. Summer kits continued to be available for pick up at 53 North Main Street on Wed/Thu and Sat.

Sarah communicated with Apple Tree Arts and YFCP about fall programming.

Sarah communicated with patrons via program reminders and answered questions regarding programming and registration.

Jen, Cyndi, and Mare worked on Wage and Classification Questionnaire with Sarah’s help.

This press release was produced by Grafton Public Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.