Homework Made Easy

Working on that summer class term-paper? In a hurry to get your research done and done well? If so, you're in luck! The Waterloo Public Library Ebscohost subscription includes "Ebscohost Web."

This amazing product allows WPL patrons--in the building or from home using a library card--to simultaneously search articles in more than 21 databases with titles ranging from Master File Premier, to Academic Elite, to Vocational and Career Collection.

Once you've found your sources you may either print them to our high speed color laser, or save them to your thumb-drive. For more information on what Ebscohost at the WPL can do for you, stop by the reference island for a consultation with one of expert librarians.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

WPL Training Center Ribbon Cutting

Waterloo Public Library Information Literacy Administrator, Kim Van Deest, cut the ribbon at this afternoon's Grand Opening of our new Training Center.

The Cedar Valley Ambassadors (the guys and gals in the blue suits) provided the ribbon, scissors, and about two dozen well-wishers.

Just prior to the ribbon cutting, Waterloo City council-person, Carolyn Cole, read a proclamation praising the new facility as well as all those involved in its conception and construction.

The Training Center, constructed with a grant from the Black Hawk County Gaming Commission and support from the City of Waterloo, seats 15 students and is equipped with a high resolution LCD projector controlled by a teacher station.

Classes are already scheduled for the new room; see the Waterloo Public Library website or call the library at 291 4480 for details.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Training Center Grand Opening

Please join us July 17, 4:15 p.m., for the Grand Opening of the Waterloo Public Library's new Training Center.

The 15 seat computer classroom boasts high-end Dell Optilex computers with 17" flatscreen monitors. The workstations are equipped with Office 2007 Pro Plus running on Vista Business and are connected to our highspeed Internet pipe.

A $51,000 grant provided from the Black Hawk County Gaming Association gave us a start; funds from the City of Waterloo and the library's budget upgraded data, power, and HVAC services to modern standards.

Library personnel, with technical assistance from the State Library of Iowa completed the task of installation and configuration. The system is fast, secure, and very easy-to-use.

All that's left is for Mayor Hurley to cut the ribbon! We're ready to roll out classes on Word, Excel, Publisher, Picasa, Google Tools, Beginning Internet, Genealogy, and much more. Keep an eye on the library's website for class schedules.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

New WiFi AP

Second floor WiFi users now have a second choice AP: "TrainingCenter." As you can see from the above screenshot of an XP Pro WiFi "network list," three different AP are revealed.

The first, "linksys," is the AP near the Reference Desk that has been PublicIP managed for several months. If you are one of the 107 registered users of linksys, you may log in normally.

However, we now have a second AP, "TrainingCenter," available. If you choose the TrainingCenter AP, you'll need to create another login or click the "skip" option.

Both APs are Linksys WAP54g devices. Neither is secure, both support 802.11b-g, and are set to allow duplex 10mbs of bandwidth. Available ports include 80 110 118 443 2304 3724 4445 4567 8009 8086 8087 8443 8900 9081 9090 9097 9100. We're not blocking filesharing applications.

The bottom AP, "dlink2," is a secure AP which you may ignore.

The additional WiFi AP will give us better coverage in the west end of the second floor. At some point, we'll be moving the linksys AP to a spot near the stairwell. This will improve coverage for the east end of the floor while relieving congestion at the Reference Desk.

Please direct comments, questions, and suggestions to this blog or to me, dargan@gmail.com.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

New Home for Foreign Language Collection

The Foreign Language Collection has moved from its old corner on the first floor to a new space on the second.

The move will place the collection in a higher traffic area--on the way to the new Training Center door--and will open up a seating area on the first floor.

For more information about the foreign language holdings of the Waterloo Public Library, contact our diversity coordinator, Claudia Ramirez, at ramirez.claudias@gmail.com.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

CFPL Friends Sponsor Arena Football Trip

• What: Iowa Barnstormers vs the Quad City Steamwheelers arena football game.
• Where: Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
• When: Meet at the CFPL parking lot (524 Main Street, Cedar Falls, IA), 1:30 p.m. to sign waiver and get wristband. Bus leaves at 2:00 p.m. Tailgate party at 4:00 p.m. Game at 7:05. Return to CFPL about midnight, Saturday, July 12, 2008.
• Cost: $20 per person, includes bus fare and ticket. Supper is on your own.
• Registration: CFPL Service Desk
• Details: Call 319 273 8643
  Sponsored by Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

WPL Dance Party

Teen Librarian Kristi Anhalt and Waterloo community leader Mike Robinson sponsored a Dance Party at the WPL Saturday night. Looks like they were having fun.

Couldn't get the DJ to play "Moon River" for me. Maybe next time.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

TinyURL

Have you ever tried to email a long link to someone and had it fail because it's so long that the email program truncated it? If so, there's a handy tool down the page a bit that can solve your problem: TinyURL.com.

Here's an example: The Amazon URL to James Welch's book Fools Crow, is an astounding 130 characters: http://www.amazon.com/Fools-Crow-Contemporary-American-Fiction/dp/0140089373/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214627506&sr=8-1

However, paste that monster into the TinyURL.com box, and it comes out as a mere 25 characters: http://tinyurl.com/3qvgqm. (I can almost remember that one.)

If you have any questions about how or why you'd want to use TinyURL.com, ask one of our librarians for assistance.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Disaster Assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Administration, FEMA, has placed Disaster Assistance fliers in the lobby of the Waterloo Public Library. Homeowners, renters, businesses, and private non-profit organizations by the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding beginning May 25, 2008 are urged to apply for assistance. Applications maybe done by phone, 1-800-621-3362 (tty 1800 462 7585) or online at www.fema.gov.

For Other Needs Assistance (ONA), including repairs, or replacement of personal property, repair or replacement of an essential vehicle, moving and storage expenses, disaster-related medical, dental, and funeral expenses, or miscellaneous expenses, call 1 866 434 4692, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CDT.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Still at it

Now that the flood waters that only last week covered Jefferson Street and adjacent areas have receded, the construction of the exposition area of the Cedar Valley River Renaissance complex is again in full swing.

If the river continues falling, I expect that we'll soon see work on the dam improvements as well as the River Walk Loop. We're looking forward to an interesting construction season.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Training Center Nears Completion

The past week or so has been dominated by news of the flood and its aftermath. Only ten days ago we had to tear down the network and evacuate it to other floors. Now, the network has been restored, we're fully operational, and work on the Training Center has resumed.

Today marked the installation of a Windows Vista Business image on all 15 workstations. After some testing, we'll be doing some test classes with staff.

If all goes well, we'll soon be offering patron classes and look forward to a Grand Opening July 17. Stay tuned for details!

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Prime Time Rides!

The Prime Time transportation dispatch center, a service of the Black Hawk Center for Independent Living, is working out of a study room located on the second floor of the Waterloo Public Library this week.

Despite having been flooded out of their usual location, 312 Jefferson Street, Waterloo, IA, 50701, Martha Paproski and Janie Hruska continue to serve their patrons from a make-shift office using cell phones.

Martha and Janie expect to be here for about a week, or until their operation finds a new location.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Aftermath of New Hartford Flood

The recent flooding in New Hartford, IA devastated the Elizabeth Rasmussen Martin Memorial Library. Several feet of silt laden waters have destroyed most of the collection and rendered the rest unusable. It looks as if the interior will have to be gutted and rebuilt before services can resume.

Cherie and I drove through New Hartford this afternoon and the level of destruction is unprecedented. The floods of 1947, 1961, 1993, and 1999, while terrible, did not do near the damage of the recent disaster. The community will be hard pressed to recover--though I heard lots pumps running and people were working hard.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Not down for much longer!

A crew of energetic librarians, geeks, and a director, spent most of the day getting the Waterloo Public Library ready for business-as-usual beginning at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, June 14. After a harrowing week of rain and floods, we're eager to get back to serving our patrons--nearly a quarter of a million a year--once more.

The basement is still uninhabitable, so we've moved the equipment necessary to support Technical Services (ordering, cataloging, processing, and withdrawing) to various other departments. A cleaning service is scheduled to tear up the carpets, prior to a general disinfection, starting tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. Once they've cleaned the server room we'll light up the city's web server. Now that the horse has left the barn, we'll probably find a safer place for this important communication tool.

We're fortunate to have a great bunch of librarians and other city employees. Sure, they get paid to take care of things, but their high morale, intelligence, and aggressiveness has turned what could have been a major disaster into a relatively minor incident. It's an honor to work with such a crew.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Downtown Waterloo and Library Flooding

Downtown Waterloo was pretty well soaked and the WPL had to deal with several inches of basement flooding. Luckily, it's rainwater--no silt.

We're pumping water from the public elevator shaft and are constantly evaluating the situation. The basement is too wet for us to restore networking. Kim V and I will probably jury rig the equipment on upper floors--maybe as soon as tomorrow.

Stay tuned for updates.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Torrent Rages under 4th Street Bridge

The last bridge linking the north and south sides of Waterloo, the 4th Steet Bridge, rumbled above the flooding Cedar River as it neared its record crest of 25.39' early Wednesday morning. That's more than three feet higher than the previous record.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Cedar River Nears Record

Tuesday evening provided a surreal spectacle for Waterloo residents as the Cedar River, only a hundred yards from the Waterloo Public Library, neared a record crest. Two blocks down a railroad bridge washed away as city workers completed flood walls on other bridges.

As of 9:15 p.m. Tuesday evening, the Waterloo Public Library basement remained dry. However, rumor has it that the obvious street flooding was caused by failed storm sewer lines. Let's hope that the lift stations can keep up!

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Historic Flood Closes WPL!

Due to forecasts of a record high Cedar River crest of 26' this evening, and widespread street flooding this morning, Waterloo Mayor Tim Hurley has requested that downtown businesses close and leave the area in an "orderly manner. Therefore, the Waterloo Public Library closed early this afternoon until further notice.

The City Engineer has advised the library to move anything of value out of the basement. So, library personnel have relocated all networking devices and items of historical value to upper floors. If we're lucky, and stay dry, the library will be able to reopen or normal business about 4-6 hours after an all-clear. However, if the basement floods, we'll have to assess the damage and do what's necessary to reopen in a safe manner.

Check back Wednesday morning for an update.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Dirty Keyboards and Clean Hands

We don't like to think about it, but public access computers are notoriously difficult to clean and keep clean. The Waterloo Public Library computers see as many as 8,000 sessions a month; that's 80,000 fingers and thumbs spreading germs and bacteria.

Tests show that even personal keyboards in office environments are typically infested with such nasty bugs as e coli and even staphylococcus aurea. Unfortunately, comprehensive cleaning of our 30 keyboards would require the removal and disinfection of some 3,030 key caps, each of which would be immediately reinfected by the next user with dirty fingers.

If you're concerned about possibility of infection, (we are unaware of any infections in the last decade of use) and wish to protect yourself, always wash your hands thoroughly after using a computer, and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose until your hands are clean.

If you wish to clean your keyboard before use, ask for a disinfectant wipe at the Reference Island. When you're done using the computer, help yourself to a squirt from our jug of hand sanitizer, also at the Reference Island. We can't promise you clean keyboards, but we can help you to keep your hands clean.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

My Waterloo Days 2008

Downtown Waterloo has a lot going for it. The Waterloo Public Library, the smell of Wonder Bread baking cinnamon rolls on a Saturday morning, and best of all, great fireworks for My Waterloo Days!

Earlier this evening I sat in the middle of the 5th Street Bridge with about 5,000 friends and was entertained by the best pyrotechnics ever! If you didn't make it this year, be sure to join us in 2009!

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Training Center Progress Report

The BHCGA funded training center is progressing nicely. The blinds were installed Friday and library staff are now in the process of unpacking and installing the computers.

The two major remaining tasks are installation of the LCD projection screen and imaging of the 15 computers. Once everything is installed, we'll do some testing and will probably do some in-service classes with staff so we can smooth out any wrinkles.

As soon as we have a date for the ribbon cutting, we'll be posting here and on the library's website.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Are you ready for DTV?

Federal law mandates the end of analog television broadcasting on February 17, 2009. The channels currently used for analog signals will be reassigned to police, fire, and emergency rescue communications. Digital signals will also allow broadcasters to offer programming with better picture and sound quality. We'll also see more channels from each broadcaster.

For subscription viewers (i.e., cable or dish antenna users), the day will pass unnoticed. However, for those of us who still get free signals via rooftop antennas, our TVs will go dark--unless we get ready ahead of time.

Free TV viewers can prepare in one of three ways:

1. Connect our analog TVs to digital-to-analog converter boxes.
2. Replace our analog TVs with digital TVs.
3. Subscribe to a paid TV service.
   

Upgrade coupons, worth $40 on the price of a digital-to-analog converter box, may be downloaded from http://www.dtv2009.gov/.

I installed a converter box on my mother's TV last weekend and it works great! The picture is superior and she now gets more channels. With a $40 coupon, the cost was negligible. There is no reason to discard your current analog TV.

If you have questions or concerns about the switch, visit the http://www.dtv2009.gov/ FAQ page, or visit with one of our librarians.

For a more in-depth discussion of the DTV tranistion, visit the library on August 27, September 10 and September 13 when engineers from KWWL will answer questions about the "big switch."

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Office 2007 Upgrade Looms!

Change is coming to the the Waterloo Public Library PACS: Office 2007 will soon replace Office XP!

For several years, all WPL PACs have been loaded with the Office XP suite provided to us by the Gates Foundation. While this product has worked well since 2003, it's now time for an upgrade. Very soon you'll find that the Training center computers (21-29) will have Office 2007. We're hoping that by the end of the month PACs 1-20 and 30 will also be upgraded.

The Office 2007 interface takes a little to get used to, but we're confident that users will soon adapt. Library staff members will also like the fact that for the first time in 5 years, staff and patrons will be using the same office applications.

If you plan on creating documents at the library, then editing them elsewhere, take care to "Save as" in the same format as the next computer that you plan to use. Otherwise, you may get a nasty surprise when you find that Office XP and Office 2003 applications can't open documents prepared in Office 2007.

To be on the safe side, download and install the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 formats. It's a free product that allows older Office Suites to edit the newer format.

If your computer has speakers or you have a pair of headphones, check out what the Locker Gnome, Chris Pirrillo, has to say about Office 2007.

Please contact a library staff member with any questions or concerns.


c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

QuickRes

For several years our Public Access Computers have used 800x600 as the default display resolution. Recently, we've seen more websites that require 1024x768 for convenient viewing. Security on the system had made the resolution control inaccessible, so we had to stick with one or the other, and some of our users much prefer the larger display of 800x600.

We have addressed this problem by installing the QuickRes application on each of the Public Access Computers. If you look at the lower right hand corner of the screen, you'll see a tiny monitor icon. Right click the icon and a menu will popup. Left click the resolution that you prefer, the screen will go blank for a few seconds, then reappear with the new resolution.

Sometimes it's possible to change to a resolution that's unusable and that you can't back out of. If this happens to you, restart the computer and the resolution will reset to the default (original) resolution setting. You'll then have 2 minutes to log in before your reservation will be lost.

You should feel free to change the resolution on your own, but never hesitate to ask a library staff member for help.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

The Waterloo Public Library celebrated its volunteers Friday evening with beverages, music, hors d'œuvres, and fellowship. Director Sheryl Groskurth poured wine, pop, and punch, while volunteer coordinator Sheri Melby managed the decorations and treats. The dynamic duo of Kim Chapman and Claudia Ramirez handled the door prizes and generally made things run smoothly.

We had a lot of fun on a dreary spring evening. Let's hope we can do it all over again next year!

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

New Computers and LCD Projector

The new computers, 15 Dell Optiplex 755s with 19" monitors, were delivered last week. And, I noticed this morning that we now have an LCD projector hanging from the ceiling. Soon, we'll have a screen for displays and shades for the windows.

The electricians are busy installing data ports and electrical outlets. Within a week or so we'll be able to start unpacking the computers. You may be shaking your head at the metal door; don't worry, it's a temporary solution. The permanent door is on back order and will probably be installed in another week or so.

We're all looking forward to seeing the Training Center completed, but it's too soon to predict the actual date.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Switch Room

The electrical and data needs of the new Training Center have required an upgrade in WPL capacity. The improvements installed this week will eventually support other upgrades to second floor patron and staff services.

The picture above is of a patch panel installation in a former study room. All of the data cables for the Training Center will be terminated at the patch panel at the top of the "rack." A 26 port 10/100/1000 managed switch will be installed below. As you can see, we have plenty of room for growth.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Periodicals Seating Area Expansion

Our crew of stack movers was at it again today: We've moved the periodical display shelving about 10' towards the north. This allows us to put three larger tables along the south wall adjacent to A/C outlets. The new location might make life a bit tougher for the vacuum cleaner crew, but much easier for our WiFi users whose batteries aren't quite what they used to be.

This move also allows us to move the tables a bit farther from the stairwell--noted for its tendency to channel noise up from the youth department--and use the periodicals shelves to further supress sound, while retaining the ability of Reference staff to see into the far corner of the building.

This is the second in a series of seating areas that we've planned. The first to be established is the Teen area, to the southwest of the Reference island. The third will be on the first floor, in the southeast corner near the courtyard windows. The fourth will be the northeast corner of the second floor currently occupied by the Reference workroom. At some point in the distant future, we'll have a fifth area in the northeast corner of the second floor near the 000s-100s.

Obviously, we're in dire need of more comfortable furniture. I've been threatening to cruise the Cedar Falls College Hill area semester end with my little brother's pickup, scavenging old couches and Barca Loungers. Stay tuned for further developments!

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Adult AV on the Second Floor

Waterloo Public Library Adult Audio Visual optical disk materials moved to the second floor last week. Library assistants Amy, Carolyn, Eugene, and Tim dismantled the display units, transported them to the area west of the PACs, reassembled, and reshelved. Believe me: that's much easier said than done!

Now that the AV materials are upstairs, the downstairs has more room for new book displays. We'll soon be shifting our "large type" collection to the area that formerly housed the AV materials. That shift will result in room for a seating area in the southwest corner of the first floor.

With the tall ceilings, large windows, and a view of the courtyard's greenery, we'll have a great place to sit and read. I'll be posting more on that project as it progresses.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Training Center gets Furniture

Workers spent today unpacking and assembling furniture for the new BHCGA funded training center. Holes have been drilled through the floor for data and electricity. Dell will be shipping 15 755 Optiplex workstations later this week. The special dimmer ceiling lights have been installed and it looks like we're several weeks ahead of schedule.

We expect to be holding training sessions later this spring or early summer. Stay tuned for details.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Windows & Lights

Work on the new BHCGA Training Center is progressing rapidly. Sheetrock is complete, the suspended ceiling frames are installed, the HVAC is has been updated. Now we're waiting for lights, furniture, data drops, and computers.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Training Center Takes Shape

The new Waterloo Public Library Training Center, constructed with the aid of a grant from the Black Hawk County Gaming Association, is rapidly taking shape. The walls are plastered and painted, the plastic barriers are down. We're now we're waiting for the ceiling, lights, wiring, and furniture.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Recessed Monitor Test

We've added another workstation to the Waterloo Public Library public access computer collection: We're testing the recessed monitor concept. Since the advent of public access computers at the WPL we've made it a point to place the monitors so that they can be seen by staff and other patrons. This approach has allowed us to see what everyone is up to and to stop inappropriate use. However, we're now wondering if it would be better to give everyone privacy by going to recessed monitors and thereby save on staff time and conflict. In other words, we're contemplating a change from the "tap on the shoulder" approach to public computer management to the "out of sight, out of mind" approach.

If you're assigned to the recessed monitor station, let us know how well you like it. Be sure to use the adjustable hood to deflect glare. I've tried it and found that it works quite well. If other like it, we may well go to all recessed monitors when we do our next upgrade.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Adult AV to Second Floor

We're now well into the process of moving Adult AV (audio visual) materials from the first floor to the area on the second floor that formerly housed print reference materials. Thus far, we've moved our VHS tapes, books on tape, and books on CD. Very soon we'll be sending up the DVD collection.

Moving Adult AV to the second floor will relieve congestion in the first floor area allowing us more room for displays of new materials. As time goes on, I expect to see a seating area in the far southwest corner. With all the windows and tall ceilings, it'll be a nice place to read a book or maybe sip some coffee!

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

LAN Party

The Hawkeye Community College Game Players Anonymous club and the Waterloo Public Library will join forces March 29 for a LAN Party! Participants will bring their own computers and/or consoles. The club and library will provide power, a switching hub, an LCD projector, and Internet access.

Participation is limited to gamers of high school age and older.

Pre-registration is required!

Visit the Waterloo Public Library Reference desk to sign up.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Training Center Progress

Work on the new Training Center is progressing rapidly. We're thinking we'll be shopping for equipment by the end of March or early April. Electricians are also proceeding with an upgrade to second floor power and data services. It's possible that we'll be able to start teaching classes by late spring.

The Training Center is funded in part by a $51,000 grant from the Black Hawk County Gaming Association.

Stay tuned for further details.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

HVAC Work on Training Center

The new WPL Training Center is quickly taking shape. Workers from Young Plumbing & Heating have removed the lights and ceiling tiles in preparation for installation of additional ventilation duct work. We'll be getting new lights and tiles, so the old one will be heading to storage.

The Training Center is drawing most of our attention at the moment, but we have other projects that we're about to implement. The empty shelves that used to house our print reference collection (now inter-filed), will soon be loaded with Adult AV materials from downstairs.

More on that later.

c 2007 Waterloo Public Library

Carpet Cut and Ceiling Tiles Removed

Failor-Hurley workers cut carpet and removed ceiling tiles in preparation for the construction of the new Training Center. The Training Center, financed with money awarded by Black Hawk County Gaming Association, will provide 15 workstations equipped with the latest software and high speed Internet access.

We don't yet have a projected opening date, but late spring would be a good guess. Once the Training Center is complete, we expect to turn the current Learning Center into a video game room. Stay tuned for details!

c 2007 Waterloo Public Library

Training Center Construction about to Commence

Workers will soon start the enclosure of the new Training Center, built with money provided by a grant from the Black Hawk County Gaming Association and the Isle of Capri Casino. Upon completion, the training center will have 15 Internet and MS/Office equipped computers, as well as a teaching station with projector.

Stay tuned for more pictures as the work proceeds.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

WiFi Upgrade puts WPL on Hotspot Map!

The Waterloo Public Library's WiFi users will notice some changes starting today: They will be invited to either create a username or click the "skip" button. This is due to the overnight installation of a commercial version of the PublicIP WiFi management service.

The old system did little more than put WiFi users on the Internet while keeping them off of the library network. We were without bandwidth or port management. The system was vulnerable to misuse by spammers or innocent people who were unwittingly monopolizing our bandwidth.

The new system addresses all of those problems while giving us an excellent way to recover usage statistics. Currently, all users get 4 hours of access each day. Transfer limits are 1.5 mbs download, 128 kbs upload, for a total of 800 MB/day. There are no restrictions on social networking or file sharing sites, nor are there any proscribed file extensions.

If you're a WiFi user and you run into trouble, contact me at dargan@wplwloo.lib.ia.us and we'll see if it's possible to find a way to accomodate your needs.

c 2008 Waterloo Public Library

Governor Proposes 18% Cut in Library Services

Governor Culver's FY 2009 budget includes an 18% cut in state funding for library services. Should this proposal stand, the following programs or agencies will see cuts: State Library, $135,000; Library Service Areas, $259,442; and Enrich Iowa $725,000.

Enrich Iowa, which directly funds Iowa's libraries, provided $16,921 to the Waterloo Public Library in FY2008. Should the governor's cuts stand, the WPL's Enrich Iowa allocation for FY2009 will be a mere $4,653: a reduction of $12,268!

Such a cut will have a significant impact on the services that the WPL will be able to provide to library patrons. If you would like to express your opinion on the validity of this proposed reduction in state aid to libraries, contact the governor via his online comments form.

Your state legislators must pass the final budget and could rescind this reduction. To express your opinion on the governor's proposed cuts, use the online at the Iowa Legislature's "Find your Legislator" site.

For details on how the cuts will affect Iowa's libraries across the board, visit Mike's Library Blog.

Thanks for your support of the Waterloo Public Library.

c 2007 Waterloo Public Library

New Windows Project Advances

We may have gotten a day off for Martin Luther King's birthday, but not our intrepid windows installers. They braved steady light snow and single-digit temperatures as the continued to install new windows. The good news is that they've made it around the corner; the bad news is that they are blocking off most of what's left of the parking lot.

We won't have to be patient much longer as the end is clearly in sight. We're already enjoying the new windows on the third floor and expect the second to also be less drafty and more energy-efficient upon completion.

c 2007 Waterloo Public Library

Opinion Survery

The Waterloo Public Library is interested in learning your feelings about our operating hours. Please take a few moments to visit our Survey Monkey to voice your opinion.

Thanks

c 2007 Waterloo Public Library

Sanborn Maps Move to State Library

The Sanborn Maps product, a collection of maps dating back to the 19th Century, will no longer be available through the Waterloo Public Library. However, library patrons may continue to browse this amazing resource via the State Library of Iowa's Sanborn Maps subscription.

A State Library card, necessary to login to Sanborn Maps, can be acquired online in minutes for no charge.

The downside of getting Sanborn Maps through the State Library is having to get another card; the upside is that patrons may now use Sanborn Maps from home; the Waterloo Public Library subscription required users to be in the WPL building.

Another advantage to using the State Library's Sanborn Maps service is that cardholders will also have access to the State Library's collection of online resources. The titles range from newspapers, to EBSCOHost and from medical to legal. Several of the resources are open to any user, but many require a login using a State Library card.

Dropping the Waterloo Public Library Sanborn Maps subscription allows us to reallocate money to other products, our patrons will have access to a great product from home, and the State Library will have the opportunity to show off its wonderful services to Iowans.

c 2007 Waterloo Public Library

Download 2007 Tax Forms!

It's that time of year again. The Iowa Department of Revenue and the Internal Revenue Service are sending out tons of our favorite forms. Usually, we'll have the paper versions you need. However, if we don't, simply follow the links from the Waterloo Public Library Reference blog directly to the appropriate agency's site.

From there, you may quickly download and inexpensively print the most current version of the form(s) you need.

Librarians won't give you tax advice, but we can help you to find the tax form that you're looking for.

c 2007 Waterloo Public Library

Second Floor Window Work

The window crew is now working on the second floor. The walls surrounding the 000-500 non-fiction, as well as the periodicals, are now behind a plastic shelter. The 000-150 area has the shelter right up against it; items on those shelves may only be retrieved by staff members on request.

The job superintendent estimates that this area will be blocked off for at least two weeks. After the windows are replaced the walls must then be resurfaced and painted. Once this is done, the work will proceed along the south wall in a clockwise motion.

While the work is in progress, let's all be careful to not enter the work area or otherwise interfere with the job. We're going to have quite a mess for the next few weeks, but I'm looking forward to having new windows and walls.

As always, if you have questions or comments, contact me at dargan@gmail.com.

c 2007 Waterloo Public Library

Cunningham Carolers visit the WPL

Carolers from the Dr. Walter Cunningham School for excellence entertained staff and patrons in the lobby of the Waterloo Public Library today. This makes two consecutive years that the students have visited the library. We hope to see them again next year!

c 2007 Waterloo Public Library

Free Downloadable Movies!

Card holding patrons of the Waterloo Public Library have access to full length downloadable movies via our subscription to MyLibraryDV. Users may choose from several collections: Movies, documentaries, food, health, how-to, kids, literature, and travel.

My guess is that the theatrical movie collections, which include classics, foreign films, Hollywood Favorites, independent films, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, will be the most popular. However, those of you who like travelogues and cooking shows will find that MyLibraryDV is the place to go for video entertainment.

Viewing the movies requires the installation of a viewer and movie management utility, each of which is easily downloaded from the MyLibraryDV site. You then use the viewer to choose your movie which you must then checkout using your Waterloo Public Library card.

Currently, the most practical way to view a MyLibraryDV title is from home using a broadband connection. However, sometime later this winter, look for the library to establish a viewing station somewhere on the second floor. Stay tuned for details.

c 2007 Waterloo Public Library

Window Project Continues

Despite single digit temperatures, our window replacement crew continues to work their way around the third floor.

It looks like they may have to briefly close the public entrance either later today or early tomorrow. If that happens, we'll post signs directing patrons to the staff entrance in the courtyard.

c 2007 Waterloo Public Library

Madeleine Albright visits WPL!

On Saturday, we had a surprise visitor at the library. Madeleine Albright, the first female Secretary of State, was here speaking in the meeting rooms to a group on behalf of Hillary Clinton's candidacy.

After commenting that we have a beautiful building, Secretary Albright took several minutes to sign autographs and have her picture taken with patrons and staff.

We have two books in our catalog by Madeleine Albright. To see if they're currently available, click here. For more information about Secretary Albright, check out the Biography Resource Center or click here.

c 2007 Waterloo Public Library

More Express Computers

The City of Waterloo MIS Department has recently allocated more computers to the library: Five new Vostro 200s and 3 Optiplex G240s. Over the next few weeks you'll see them added to our collection of workstations.

Public Access Computer #7, out-of-service for a couple of months, will soon return. We'll be adding an Express computer in the downstairs lobby area. And, we'll also be adding a flatbed-scanner equipped Express Computer in the Reference Department.

Other improvements on the horizon include upgraded Research Stations as well as enhanced computer services in the Teen Area. Providing enough equipment to sastify the computer needs of WPL patrons is one of my major goals. If you have questions or suggestions, please submit them to me at dargan@wplwloo.lib.ia.us.

Thanks.

c 2007 Waterloo Public Library

Computer Classes at the WPL

The Learning Center has recently expanded the number of seats from 6 to 9, but as you can see, we're still short on space. Kim V., Literacy Services Administrator, is shown here presenting her Mail Merge class to a packed house; just in time for the Christmas letters!

The Black Hawk County Gaming Association recently granted Kim V application for money to fund a new Training Center in the south west corner (formerly housing the 700s) of the second floor. By this time next year she'll be packing a room of 15 instead only 9!

To see what classes we're offering, visit our the Patron Classes link on our website.

c 2007 Waterloo Public Library

Newspaper Archive now Available!

The newest addition to the Waterloo Public Library's collection of online databases is Access Newspaper Archive. This product, visibile from any computer within the library's local area network, allows patrons to browse newspapers from as far back as 1759 to as current as 2006.

We'll soon be adding links to Access Newspaper Archive from our website, but until then, point your Public Access Computer's web browser at http://access.newspaperarchive.com/ and start searching!

c 2007 Waterloo Public Library

Learn About the Iowa Caucuses at WPL!

Monday night we'll be hosting UNI Professor Donna Hoffman to talk about the Iowa Caucuses. The caucuses are only a month away -- come learn about why they play such an important role in selecting our next president. In addition to giving a talk on the topic, Professor Hoffman will be available to answer your questions about the caucuses and the 2008 presidential elections. Voter registration forms will be available, so you can register to vote at the event.

Refreshments will be available. Come to the meeting rooms at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 3rd for "The Iowa Caucuses: Past, Present and Future."


c 2007 Waterloo Public Library

Window Installation Proceeds

Workers are now replacing windows on the third floor of the Waterloo Public Library. Soon, they will be removing the windows above the stairwell. Once that process begins, it will be necessary to block access to the stairs as it would not be safe to work above our heads.

The job superintendent assures me that the stairs will be closed for only a day or two and that in an emergency (e.g., fire or tornado) it will be possible to tear down the plastic and go. Certainly, we mustn't use the elevators if the fire alarms sound!

Later in December I expect to see the window crew on the second floor. We'll have to put up with some inconvenience as the work progresses, but having new windows and wall coverings will make it all worthwhile!

c 2007 Waterloo Public Library