Thank You to the Belfast Free Library Director and Staff

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Library Director, Steve Norman for his time and information during my interview. Also, I would like to thank Youth Services Librarian, Jane Thompson for her initial willingness to assist me and introducing me to Mr. Norman. In addition, the staff and volunteers at the Belfast Free Library are always helpful with a pleasant smile and willingness to assist, every time I enter.

The library today is a stark contrast to my childhood memories of the Belfast Free Library. Today's library is so much brighter than I remember and the book stacks seem a bit shorter. This makes them less daunting than in my memory.

I have always and continue to maintain, that the Belfast Free Library is an incredible resource for our entire community. I have not accessed as many of it's varied resources, in the past. A fact that I intend to remedy in the future!!

Belfast Free Library Circulation and Social Media



The garden area behind the library

The Reading Fairy,
 the garden is behind her through the window.

The Belfast Free Library has a back exit across from the main circulation desk on the first floor. This exit takes you to a beautiful fenced in garden area complete with benches and flowers. There is even a fairy house in the garden. The garden can be viewed from the spiral stairs leading you to the first floor from the mezzanine. As you ascend and/or descend these spiral stairs, you see The Reading Fairy enjoying a good book. My daughter has always called these "the fairy stairs" which she loves to use every time we visit.




Circulation:

 According to Library Director Steve Norman, 80% of the new audiobooks will only be down loadable. The library has stopped acquiring tapes. They have been receiving only CD's for the last 5-6 years. He sees in the very near future that even CD's will not be available, quite possibly materials will be down loadable only. It will be up to the publishing industry to make this actual decision.

Down loadable materials are up at the library 200-300 % annually. Books, however, have seen a slight decrease. The area community's response to audiobooks is favorable. There have been many requests for assistance using eBook readers and a few compatibility issues. The selection still remains limited, yet the statewide cooperative helps readers who are looking for a variety.

Social Media:

The Belfast Free Library has many "likes" on its' Facebook page.  It is a great place to share library events and other community information. The con to social media is the fact that it is difficult to keep the page, along with their blog, updated. It does require a great deal of staff time. They see social media as somewhat effective in keeping the community informed and they are making progress in updating their posts. The Library sees their community collaborations as the most effective way to keep the greater Belfast community informed.

Belfast Free Library- Facilities



The side of the Belfast Free Library



The After Hours Drop Boxes



    

Titania's Throne part of Please Be Seated

The exterior of the Belfast Free Library is home to the after hours drop boxes and an outside area that is home to the library placed Please Be Seated entry,     Titania's Throne  http://www.ourtownbelfast.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=42

As you enter the front vestibule, there is a plaque with the name of donors who made the renovation and expansion possible.



Belfast Free Library Directory- (sorry for the glare from the flash)

The Kramer Gallery and Mezzanine level is a beautiful display space for artwork. When I was there for this interview, the Kramer Gallery was displaying illustrations by Chris Van Dusen in advance of his visit to the library.

The computer room at the library houses 8 desktop computers on two tables. With 4 on each side, there is room for each user to feel comfortable with the amount of space provided. Further into the room, on the right hand side, there is a computer which is handicapped accessible. It's placement allows for ample walk around space. This computer room also houses books along the wall. [I would have had a picture, but the room was full each time I was there.]



            Reading Rooms

         

Library Director Steve Norman, when asked about space at the library, discussed that space is less of a concern at this point. With the weeding out of materials and the abundance of materials being accessed electronically or through the Inter-Library Loan option, re-purposing space is now a focus. This re-purposing is something that was just discussed on our text, Neal-Shuman Library Technology Companion: 3rd Edition A Basic Guide for Library Staff. 

Treasure found...

These are only a few books that my family and I recently found in an old trunk. The three red ones in front are Rudyard Kipling books, the back left hand book is Curiosities of the Bible, next to it is The World's Cyclopedia and Library of Universal Knowledge. There were others as well.

The Margaret O'Brien book has two paper dolls with a variety of dress up outfits. Pit A Pat is a die-cut children's book. A was an Archer has a publication date in the 1930's. As you can see, also included in the trunk were a few old metal toys.

It certainly was just like unearthing a treasure.

Technology at the Belfast Free Library

Millenium, a product of III Innovative Interface http://www.iii.com/ is used at the Belfast Free Library. The Minerva catalog and ME Info Net allows patrons to search for many resources.

The library network is wired internally and allows for patron access wirelessly. Technology is maintained and repaired by Belfast Computers http://www.belfastmaine.com/Computer-and-Web/507-Belfast-Computers-Internet-Service/View-details.html. While the security at the Belfast Free Library contains a Firewall and AVG anti-virus software, the biggest difference has been made by Deep Freeze software, http://www.faronics.com/enterprise/deep-freeze/ It has allowed the library to recover information that would have been completely lost before it's installation.

A variety of meeting software is available for use at the library. With recent techology updates, webinars are now possible. The library recently acquired video conferencing software, which Steve Norman affirms will make a big difference for organizations.

Kindles are new to the library. The Young Adult Book group will be using them. The Kindles were made possible from a grant the library was awarded. The decision was made to use them with the young adult group as a way to attract more young adults to the library. Concerns with using new technology center around loss or breakage. The patron needs to by prepared to be responsible and pay for equipment.

There is a time limit, of one hour, for Internet access for patrons using library computers. Computer users need to sign in at the circulation desk and their time is monitored by staff. The library tried using an automated log on/off system in the past, but it didn't work out. They will be looking into new automated software in the future.

Belfast Free Library.....getting there

The Belfast Free Library in Belfast, ME is located at 106 High Street in Belfast, ME. Just three blocks from the city's only traffic light. It is positioned prominently on the corner of High Street and Miller Street with a view of Penobscot Bay from many of the windows.

You could also visit the library by going to their website, their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Belfast-Free-Library/53637077169 , or even their blog http://belfastlibrary.blogspot.com although the Library Director admits the blog isn't as up to date as their website or Facebook page.
The website is hosted by Know Technology in Camden, ME. Updates are added by Library Staff members: Brenda Harrington- Adult Program Coordinator, Betsy Paradis- Reference/ Special Collections, and Jane Thompson- Youth Services Director.
When talking to Steve Norman, the Library Director, I asked him what he felt was is unique about the library. The library is very supportive of the local community, while serving all of Waldo County. They are involved in the downtown Belfast Arts community and with the Belfast Co-op, Our Town Belfast organization, The Camden Conference, and the Senior College.
The library also serves the local community by providing meeting space and technology to support a variety of organizations during their meetings. The unfortunate fact that many State agencies have closed offices in the area, has boosted the number of organizations using the library's meeting spaces.

The Belfast Free Library http://www.belfast.lib.me.us/ is celebrating 125 years of service to the town of Belfast and the surrounding communities. It has undergone many changes throughout its' history.
Inside the entry, around the mezzanine level, there are photos of the library during various stages of renovation and expansion. The library is also part of Belfast's Museum in the Streets.(http://www.belfastmaine.org/79/article) Therefore, in front of the library there is a panel regarding the Library's history.

Museum in the Street panel

Interview Preparation

I decided to organize my questions into five headings, with the sixth heading for posting, as other. I supplied the library with the outline of information prior to my visit.

I. General Information- which included the Name, URL, etc
II. Technology
III. Facilities
IV. Circulation
V. Social Media
VI. Other

Blogging Adventures

I have spent lots of time figuring out Blogger and how to keep both of my blogs in the same place. I first attempted to add my library information as a tab, but I couldn't update it...that wouldn't work.

Many YouTube videos and help from my tech-savvy brother later and I have one blog with two pages. Now meeting the suggestions of a classmate and my instructor.

Library Visit...Scheduled then adapted

My daughter and I have been avid visitors to our local library for quite some time now. We frequent the children's floor and participate in a variety of library activities. Therefore, I felt very comfortable talking to the Children's Librarian about the interview I needed to conduct for my class. I had already talked to her about my classes and implied that I might be asking her questions. When returning books one day, I reminded her about the classes I was taking. She replied, " Oh yes, you threatened me with questions." She was laughing at the time (good sign)

I gave her the list of questions that I had compiled, they were extensive, and we scheduled an interview for June 27th. She called me a couple of days later and discussed that due to the extensive nature of the list, she had talked to the Library Director and he would be more than willing to meet with me to discuss my questions with me. I was so appreciative!!! She said that he had conducted interviews with other library students in the past and would be glad to help.

I am looking forward to meeting with him on Thursday and will be sharing what I learned.