April Email News

Read our April News Email by clicking http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=03478e9c5a94d3f15bf39b03f&id=fb459e7df4 .

One on One Computer Classes

Individual Computer Classes Promoting Information Literacy
at Your local library Branch

Finding it hard to search the internet?
Create a document?
Format a sign for your community function?
Turn on your e-reader?

Do you have someone to talk to?

Franklin County Library System is providing free one on one sessions with a reference librarian who will help you with your individual technology needs. Half an hour sessions with someone who will take the time to answer your questions, and follow up if needed.


Sessions will be held at your branch library on:

March 15, 2012 10 to 7 Fulton County Library McConnellsburg, PA

March 21, 2012 3 to 8 Blue Ridge Summit Library Blue Ridge Summit, PA

March 26, 2012 10-7 Grove Family Library Chambersburg, PA

March 27, 2012 10-7 Besore Memorial Library Greencastle, PA

March 28, 2012 10-7 Coyle Free Library Chambersburg, PA

PLEASE SIGN UP AT YOUR LOCAL BRANCH LIBRARY

For information please contact your local library or contact:
Jill Yaich
717-263-1054 ext. 205
jyaich@fclspa.org

Penn State Professional Development Classes at Grove Family Library

Take the lead...
Sharpen your Professional Skills
Penn State offers this proven series of half-day courses designed for the high-potential employee seeking that extra edge. We have two tracks—one for the individual who wants to develop his/her effectiveness in the workplace, and one for the emerging leader.
Take one class, one track, or mix and match to achieve your unique goals.
Workshops will be facilitated at the Grove Family Library,
101 Ragged Edge Road South, Chambersburg.
$169 per person/ per workshop. Lunch is included with your registration - see form attached.
Phone: (717) 749-4116
www.ma.psu.edu/ce
E-mail: ceclassinfo@ma.psu.edu
Other business and professional workshops offered by Penn State Continuing Education in spring 2012:
Project Management
A comprehensive series will be facilitated at Mont Alto Campus:
Level I
March 21 and 22, 2012
Level II
April 3 an 4, 2012
Level III
April 17 and 18, 2012
Supply Chain Workshop Series
Five half-day workshops will be facilitated at FCADC offices, Chambersburg:
Inventory Management - April 12
Physical Inventory - April 19
Material Planning - April 26
Distribution Management - May 3
Cycle Counting - May 10
Please contact us for more information:
(717) 749-4116 Business and Professional Skills Series
Communication Effectiveness - March 13, 2012 (8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)
Sales Effectiveness - March 13, 2012 (12:30-4:30 p.m.)
Time Management Effectiveness - March 20, 2012 (8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)
Customer Service Excellence - March 20, 2012 (12:30-4:30 p.m.)
Dealing with Conflict - March 27, 2012 (8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.0)
Emotional Intelligence - March 27, 2012 (12:30-4:30) p.m.
Leadership Series
Change Management - April 10, 2012 (8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)
Teambuilding - April 10, 2012 (12:30-4:30 p.m.)
Leadership - April 17, 2012 (8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)
Coaching - April 17, 2012 (12:30-4:30 p.m.)

Part Time Bookmobile Driver Needed

Part Time Position Available Immediately:

Bookmobile Driver/Library Assistant

Excellent driving record and people skills required.
Able to work flex hours as required. 14-18 hours per week.
Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs. Pay range: $7.75-9.00/ hour.
Send resume to:
Human Resources, Franklin County Library System,
101 Ragged Edge Road South, Chambersburg, PA 17202

PA Forward

FOR RELEASE: February 13, 2012

Libraries Launch PA Forward Campaign

On February 13, at the Capitol in Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania Library Association launched a statewide library literacy initiative. PA Forward was launched to expand the role of libraries in the lives of the residents of Pennsylvanians and demonstrate the importance of libraries to their future. Libraries across Pennsylvania, including Franklin County Library System, are joining forces to implement this new initiative in 2012 and forever change the way people use and see their library.

The keynote speaker was award –winning and bestselling author, Ms. Lisa Scottoline. She is the PA Forward Advisory Board Honorary Chair and she spoke about how she personally values libraries and how they do so much more than provide reading materials. Scottoline talked about how libraries and book discussions connect people and inspire the imagination. Imagination and innovation are the keys to moving PA Forward.

PA Forward embraces the premise that 21st Century libraries are ideally positioned to be community centers of information, technology, and learning that will fuel educational and economic opportunities for all of our citizens. At the heart of PA Forward are five essential Literacies – Basic, Information, Civic and Social, Health, and Financial. Pennsylvania’s libraries are uniquely placed to help people of all ages garner the knowledge essential to function successfully in the 21st Century as citizens, parents, students, employers, employees, and consumers.

Locally, Franklin County Library System has planned at least one event for each Literacy over the coming weeks. The 5 Literacies with coordinating events are as follows:

Basic Literacy – Libraries can push Pennsylvania to achieve one of the highest literacy rates in the country, a better trained and more skilled workforce, and a growing tax base, economy, and population.

Events: PA One Book Every Young Child author Zachary OHora visits Grove Family Library at 10:00 a.m. and Besore Memorial Library at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 26, to talk to children about his book Stop Snoring, Bernard! Sponsored in part by a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services administered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries

Information Literacy – Libraries can help all Pennsylvanians learn how to use online resources and current technology to improve their education, to enhance their job skills, and to participate fully in a digital society.
Events: E-book Device Orientations at Coyle Free Library, on Tuesday, April 10 – 10:00 a.m. Kindle, 11:00 a.m. IPAD & IPHONE, 12:00 Noon NOOK; on Thursday, April 12 – 4:00 p.m. Kindle, 5:00 p.m. IPAD & IPHONE, 6:00 p.m. NOOK

Civic and Social Literacy – Libraries can give citizens of all ages the knowledge and skills they need to improve their lives, to contribute effectively in their communities, and to participate in civil discourse.

Events: Voter Registration at Coyle Free Library during all open hours from March 19 – 23
Civil War Author Bob O’Connor speaks at Fort Loudon Community Library, Thursday,
April 12, at 6:00 p.m.

Health Literacy – Libraries can play an important role in helping citizens actively manage their own and their family’s well-being, making them effective partners with their health care providers and reducing costs.

Events: Soul Surfer movie showing and discussion, Grove Family Library, Thursday, February 16, from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Popcorn and beverage for first 50 youth to arrive. Door prizes at 8:30
Sponsored in part by Healthy Communities Partnership

Family Place Care & Share Time series of workshops for children birth to age 3 and their parents/caregivers at St. Thomas Library, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 at 10:30 a.m.

Financial Literacy – Libraries can help citizens become informed consumers and guide individuals, small businesses, and other organizations to contribute to the economic vitality of their communities.

Event: “ Right on the Money” program for ages 4 – 8 and their parents, Besore Memorial Library, Thursdays, April 12, 19, 26, & May 3 at 6:00 p.m.
Sponsored in part by Greencastle-Antrim Kiwanis and Penn State Extension

Many of the above programs require registration in advance. Please contact the host library to register:

Coyle Free 717-263-1054
Grove Family 717-264-9663
Besore Memorial 717-597-7920
St. Thomas 717-369-4716
Fort Loudon Community 717-369-4704

It is critical that all Pennsylvanians attain these literacies to be successful in the 21st century. Knowledge is power and your local libraries have the power to move Franklin County and Pennsylvania forward.

Civil War Presentation

Lilian S. Besore Memorial Library
305 East Baltimore Street
Greencastle, PA 17225
Phone: 717.597.7920

FREE Civil War Presentation
The Lilian S. Besore Memorial Library is having a civil war presentation and book signing on February 9, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.

Author Bob O’Connor will be presenting his most recent historical novel, A House Divided Against Itself. This book tells of a rare exception and follows two brothers, one in the 2nd Virginia, Stonewall Brigade, CSA and the other from the 87th Pennsylvania, USA as they fought against each other in two battles in the Shenandoah Valley during 1861-1863. The story is based on over 90 letters from the participants and other members of their regiments, the regimental records, and official records of the conflict.

Mr. O’Connor will be on hand to sell and sign his book, A House Divided Against Itself, for $16.00 plus tax after his presentation.

ESL Classes at Besore Memorial Library in Greencastle

2012 Computer Classes

The Franklin County Library System will be offering a variety of free one on one and group computer classes at 6 branches in 2012. New this year are 45 minute individualized sessions with a reference librarian. Potential topics for training are help with e-readers, social networking, online job application assistance, basic computer skills, uploading picture and more. Participants may bring their own portable devices such as laptops and e-reader devices.

Classes will be held for 45 minute sessions from 10:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations:

January 31, 2012 - Grove Family Library, Chambersburg

February 7, 2012 - Besore Memorial Library, Greencastle

February 16, 2012 - Fulton County Library, McConnellsburg

To sign up for a session contact either Grove Family Library at 264-9663, Besore Memorial Library at 597-7920 or Fulton County Library at 485-5646.

Give Gifts that Give Back

Franklin County Library System is offering a number of ways to make gift giving easy this season. There are several ways to make purchases for under $20 through the library that also give back to the library. Purchases can be made in person or online for that special someone or even the one for whom it is hard to buy. From Liberry jam, to ornaments, cookbooks and even on Amazon, make a purchase this season that benefits your local library.

Liberry jam was created in 2011 as a play on words of sorts on the word “library”. As a community outreach program, Mark Miller, owner of local business, Gypsie, found a jam wholesaler who would offer private labeling, and then also had a local designer create the labels. Liberry Jam is an excellent mix of strawberry and seedless black raspberry for a unique and delicious combination. The 16 oz. jars sell for $8 and 25% of the proceeds is donated to the Franklin County Library System to benefit their children's programs. The jam is available to purchase at Gypsie in downtown Chambersburg, at Grove Family Library and Coyle Free Library in Chambersburg, and also at St. Thomas and Ft. Loudon libraries this holiday season.

Another good gift giving item, or one just for personal inspiration for holiday recipes is the Grove Family Library cookbook. Over 200 tasty recipes from staff, patrons, and Chambersburg’s own, Roger Tappen, make up this one of a kind item. The hard back cookbook has 8 different recipe categories and sells individually for $10 or three for $25.

Anyone looking for Coyle specific items can get a Cat’s Meow wooden replica of Coyle Free Library for $18 or a stained glass Coyle ornament for $13, available only at Coyle Free Library on Main Street in Chambersburg.

Several local libraries also carry tote bags that can be purchased empty or filled with used books. Stop by Coyle or Grove library in Chambersburg or Besore library in Greencastle to shop for the book lovers on the list.

One final and really easy way to give gifts and give back without even leaving the comforts of home is to make purchases on Amazon through the Franklin County Library System website. Simply go to www.fclspa.org and click on any Amazon button. Then search on Amazon as normal. Any purchases made by going through the library’s home page earns up to 15% back for the libraries.

Franklin County Library System thanks local residents for considering to give gifts that give back to local libraries this year and wishes a safe and happy holiday season to all.

Patrons Love Their Libraries

Franklin County Library System conducted a patron and employee survey in September to determine long range library system strategies for the next 3-5 years. The results are in and show that a large majority of patrons see community libraries as extremely important. Local libraries are very valuable to community members and are perceived as having a strong and positive impact on the community at large.

848 respondents representing all the Franklin County Library System branches filled out online surveys to answer questions about their household demographics as well as numerous questions about the materials, staff and services that the libraries provide. The important information in the results has enabled the library system to more clearly identify who their patrons are and what they want in the years to come.

Almost half of the survey participants were between the ages of 31 and 55, a large majority of responders were female, and 64% have at least a two-year college degree. Nearly 80% are married or live with a partner and 58% live in a household with an income of $50,000 or higher.

More than half of the patrons use some kind of library resources at least once every two weeks and two thirds utilize online library services of some kind. 86 % of patrons who responded said it is extremely important to have a community library, 65% believe the libraries have a very strong impact on the well-being of a community and 75% acknowledged that the library is extremely important to them personally.

When asked if they were given $100 to spend on increased or improved services and how they would spend the money, the top five items were more adult fiction books, more children’s books, more adult non-fiction books, more best sellers, and e-books. Library patrons were overwhelmingly pleased with the staff members and services the staff provides. Respondents were highly satisfied in the areas of helpfulness, level of customer service, accessibility and expertise.

Patrons also were aware of the different ways that libraries are funded, including local funds, state funds, private donations and fees. However, they would like more information on fundraisers and other ways to support the libraries. And, while they are very happy with library staff, there are opportunities for improvement in the areas of online resources, technology, facilities and library hours.

Bernice Crouse, Executive Director, says “the survey results reaffirm our mission to improve the lives of residents of the region through access to materials, information, and services, imparting knowledge, experience and wisdom of others. Franklin County Library System will continue to plan to be a leader and initiator of programs and services that enrich people’s lives and increase their knowledge through collections, outreach programs, technology and leadership abilities for years to come.” The library system will utilize the survey results to develop strategies and action items for the next 3-5 years.

Franklin County Library System strives to continue to play an important role in the lives of its residents and needs the ongoing support of its patrons, local and state governments to do so. For opportunities on how to help, please contact Bernice Crouse, Executive Director at 709-0282 x 212.