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Board of Trustees meeting
The Galion Public Library Board of Trustees meets monthly in the Board Room.
Closed
The library will be closed for the holiday.
Changes at the Library
The state budget has been finalized. We thank all of you who have supported the library and contacted our governor and state officials, but the board of the Galion Public Library regrets to have to make some changes. The details will be on the home page and posted at the desk through the month of August.
Although the libraries will see about an 11% cut rather than the 30% initially feared, this coupled with declining tax revenues will still produce a decline of over 30% from the library's 2008 budget. Unfortunately, this may not be the end of the funding crisis, since tax revenue for the rest of the year may decline further.
With the loss of over 30% of our funding this year, and the possibility of further reductions, the following changes will go into effect on August 1st:
  • Hours of operation will stay the same for now, although this may need to be reevaluated later.
  • The budget for new materials, frozen while the budget was in limbo, will be partially reinstated, but at a reduced level. Next year the new materials budget will be cut 50%.
  • To save on our significant postage costs, we will no longer be sending overdue notices by US Mail. (However, the email overdue notice service will still work. If you would like to receive notices by email, stop by the desk and make sure we have your current email address.)
  • We apologize, but we can no longer continue to provide free copies. Regular one-sided letter-sized black and white copies will be 25¢, and double-sided 35¢
  • Book fines will be going up to 10¢ per day, and DVD fines back up to $1 per day. The maximum fines will also be increased, so please, get your items back on time! Also, in order to check out, the fines and fees on your account will need to be $1 or less.
  • A volunteer book-shelving program will be organized sometime in the next few weeks. Watch for more details soon.
  • All staff will be accepting a salary reduction of 2% across the board, in order to keep most of the staff working. We will also be instituting a hiring freeze, and retiring staff will not be replaced at this time. This includes the positions for which we just finished receiving applications: the positions will not be filled at this time.
Further changes may be needed. The library board will be meeting monthly to monitor the budget and determine what needs to be done. Our top priority is to provide you with the best service we can on the budget that is available.
Learn to Croknit
Are you interested in learning to knit or crochet? Join our crafts circle and try Croknit, an easy stitch that allows you to knit and purl using one needle only. Register at the main desk. We'll need yarn, so if you have some that we could use, bring it along. Wed, Aug 5th, 6-8pm.
End of Summer Party: Master the Art of Reading
Join us for games, refreshments, and the grand prize drawing to celebrate the end of the Adult Summer Reading program. With the current funding situation for Ohio libraries, refreshments and snack foods would be greatly appreciated. Please sign up at the main desk if you are planning to attend. Mon, Aug 3rd, 6-8pm.
End of Summer Reading Party
As the Summer winds down, teens can come to the library after hours for Karaoke, a Name that Tune contest, games, Freestyle Art and other events. We'll also draw for the Grand Prize in the Summer Reading Program: a $50 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble. Door prizes will also be given and refreshments will be served. Registration is required. Fri, Aug 14th, 7-10pm.
First Thursday Book Discussion Group
Our first-Thursday book discussion group is starting back up for the fall. Each month we all read the same book then come together to discuss it. Join us here at the library in the community room. For more information see Cyndi.
[chess] [games]
Game Nights: A GPL Summer Tradition!
Bring your friends and your favorite board game, card game or a favorite hand-held game system, such as PSP, DS or Game Boy. We'll provide chess sets and refreshments. No registration, just show up. Photos from the one in May are in the photo gallery. Thu, Aug 6th, 6:30-8:15pm.
[photographs]
Summer Program Photos
Don't forget to check out the Photo Gallery for pictures from many of our summer programs. The Teen Game Night; the Artsy Smartsy Club; the Spoon Man; Dandi Daley Mackall; the political rally; the Teen Improv Night; Around the World; and the Draw, Paint, Sing, Create magic show, the Rick Smythe magic show, and the End of Summer Reading Party are all represented. Check 'em out!
[chess]
Fall Chess Nights
The ultimate old-school wargame is coming to a library near you. Teens in grades 7-12, join us in the community room. Chess sets and refreshments will be provided. Chess nights are one of our longest-running and most popular teen programs. Come in for a lesson or to test your strategies against new opponents. Registration is not required: you can just show up.
Crocknit II
Each student should bring two skeins of 4-ply worsted yarn of different colors (not variegated; each skein should be one color). There is a $4 fee for the special needle. Registration is required. If the class is full, ask about the waiting list.
Toddler Story Time
The Toddler Story Time is held at the library on Wednesdays at 10:30 am. Stories, crafts, and fun!
Family Story Time
Parents, come in to the library with your children on Tuesdays at 6:30pm for stories, crafts, and family fun together. Family Story Time is designed for family interaction, so the craft is more difficult than what we do at the Toddler Story Time.
[anime]
Anime Club
Are you into anime and manga? Join us for films, speakers, food, and cosplay. No registration required, just come.
Used Book Sale
The Friends of the Library will be holding their fall book sale. All proceeds go to the Friends of the Library and will be used to help purchase needed items for the library.
[Teen Read Week logo]
Read Beyond Reality
October 18-24 is Teen Read Week. Celebrate with us by reading just for the fun of it! Teen Read Week is an national event presented by the Young Adult division of the American Library Association (YALSA) to let communities know how important teen services at the library are. The Galion Public Library has celebrated Teen Read Week for more than 10 years, and this year we have some great programs planned. Celebrate with us!
[vote]
Teens Top Ten
Teens across the country are voting for their favorite books of 2008 from a list of nominees, and Galion teens are invited to participate, in celebration of Teen Read Week. Come in, register to vote in the Children's Room, and receive a prize.
[haunted house]
Horror in the Haunted House: Fall Mystery Night
A fancy dress party is being held by Horrorwood Studios to celebrate the success of their latest film, 'Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun'. Owner of Horrorwood Studios, Hal O'Ween, has invited many of the actors, actresses and employees involved in the making of the film. Join them for an evening of fright, horror, and laughs! Please register in advance for this event so that you can choose which suspect you want to be. There will be costume suggestions, and during the evening you will learn all of your character's secrets. The object of the game is to listen for clues and try to find the guilty one, while keeping suspicion away from yourself! Refreshments and door prizes will be offered. Registration is a must for this event. Sat, Oct 17th, 7-10pm.
[handheld game] [games]
Game Day
Come to the library, read, play board games, have a snack, and enjoy the afternoon at the library. Or, take advantage of our wireless network and bring in your DS or PSP. No registration required. Wed, Oct 21st, 3-5pm.
Captain Underpants Party
Join us and Laff till you can't any more as we celebrate everything to do with Captain Underpants author Dav Pilkey. We'll play games, eat a snack, and giggle a lot. For grades 3-6. Registration is required. Sat, Oct 17th at 2pm.
Job Opening
We will be taking applications and resumes for the position of Fiscal Officer until October 9th.
Qualifications and Skills:
Preferred background in accounting procedures. Degree in finance/accounting desirable but not essential. Able to work 20-25 hours a week. Must be bondable. Knowledge of government bookkeeping, accounting and computer operations is desirable. Must be able to work unsupervised to meet all deadlines and responsibilities of the office. Ability to reevaluate on a regular basis, contracts and agreements entered into on behalf of the library. Ability to work with the Uniform Accounting Network (UAN) department of the Auditor of State is desirable. Communicates effectively in written and oral forms. Prepares meaningful, concise, and accurate reports. Has interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with the Board and Director.
Duties and Responsibilities:
[SSA logo]
Social Security program
A representative of the SSA will be offering an orientation regarding SSA programs and services. Registration is required. Do you know the difference between Social Security and SSI? Are you nearing retirement age? Are you or a family member disabled? Are you confused by the Social Security on-line services? Find out about these questions and more! Join us with your questions and concerns about applying for Social Security services. Register at the main desk. Wed, Nov 18th at 1pm.
Computer Upgrade Day
The main library computer system will be down most of the day for a scheduled upgrade. We will be unable to look up your account, look up books, or pay fines. Tue, Nov 3rd.
Holiday Open House
More information about this event will be coming soon. Tue, Dec 8th.
Closing @ 5pm
The library will close early on the evening before the holiday.