A day in the life of staff at the Reedsburg Public Library
Reedsburg Public Library workers Jo Clark and Kathy Kosak load bins onto a cart for South Central Library System delivery. The bins contain items requested by other libraries in the system as well as returns of materials from patrons. (Submitted photo)
For most people, “a day in the life at the library” conjures visions of the occasional book checkout and sneaking in a little reading of the latest bestseller.
Ironically, for staff, there is no time for reading at the Reedsburg Public Library! A staff of 14, under the direction of Library Director Sue Ann Kucher, begins a typical day with a full agenda.
At 8 a.m., Library Director Sue Ann’s daily agenda includes preparing for a library board meeting, reviewing the library’s strategic plan, troubleshooting a malfunctioning computer, readying bills for payment and submitting an order of new books for purchase.
At the same time, Assistant Director Kris prepares for her News and Views library radio spot with WRDB’s Tom Demin, looks over staff proposals for upcoming programs, and edits the Friends of the Library newsletter.
Circulation Supervisor Jo is logged in to a meeting with other South Central Library System librarians to receive updates on system wide procedures.
Youth Services’ Jess and Maxine prepare for their Zoom Storytime at 10. Jess will present and Maxine will monitor the technical aspects. Later in the day they will both be planning for the next week’s events, preparing activity bags for pickup and editing Facebook programs for public viewing.
Today, Circulation Clerk Kathy readies the library for opening. She will print a pick list of 80 to 100 items requested through LINKCat from other South Central Library System (SCLS) library customers. The computer scan of each item’s barcode will indicate which library needs the item. After scanning, materials are packed in 22” x 13” x 12” bins to be picked up by the easily recognizable red SCLS delivery van. Typically, eight bins of materials will be picked up, each containing 30 to 60 items, and six will be dropped off. These six returned containers consist of library materials on hold for Reedsburg customers, as well as items formerly on the pick list but now being returned to Reedsburg.
Throughout the day, the bins are processed by two library staff working on the desk, in between helping patrons locate library materials, fielding technology questions, and assisting with faxing and copying. Library staff not currently on desk perform other tasks. On this particular day, Technical Services Librarian Wendy is cataloging and processing new magazines. Alyssa is selecting large print books for home service customers and Janet is answering a genealogy inquiry sent to the library via email from California.
The day proceeds into the evening, with staff reporting later on to take over above mentioned duties at the public service desk, print the pick list again, retrieve material, shelve books and work on other projects too numerous to mention! There is always something to do at the library including the writing of this article!
The library is busy … but just wait until summer! Check this column again for a full run down on summer programming for all ages!
For questions, call the library at 768-READ (7323) or email info@reedsburglibrary.org.
