Tag: public libraries

Multnomah County Library Central Branch Eco-Roof/Behind the Scenes Tour Rescheduled

If you’re still interested in getting a behind the scenes look at Multnomah County Library’s Central branch and a tour of the eco-roof, please join SCALA this Sunday, November 7. The tour is schedule for 10:30 am, please meet 5-10 minutes before hand in order to make the tour. We’ll be meeting at the staff entrance located on SW 11th Avenue.

RSVP to amanda.margaret3@gmail.com as soon as possible if you’d like to attend.

Don’t forget that Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 am on November 7. We don’t want you hanging out alone at 9:30!

Multnomah County Library Central Branch Eco-Roof/Behind the Scenes Tour

Stephanie Miller of Multnomah County Library has generously donated her time to us so we can tour the eco-roof and see behind the scenes of the central branch. It should be a lot of fun and very informative. We’ll be there Sunday, October 17 at 10:30. The tour should wrap up around noon.

Want to check it out with us? RSVP to Amanda Meeks by October 13 by emailing her (amanda.margaret3@gmail.com). If you plan on coming, please include any questions you might have about the central branch or areas you are interested in learning more about.

The central branch is located at 801 S.W. 10th Avenue in downtown Portland. It’s near the blue and red MAX lines as well as the streetcar. We’ll be meeting out front.

Trip to Seattle Public Library

Here’s an after-report from Pinn Crawford (SLIM-OR Public Relations Officer Extraordinaire)

Also Check out the Flickr feed in the sidebar for some pictures.

Last weekend a handful of SCALA members, brave enough to face the pouring rain and I-5 traffic, met up at Seattle’s new iconic Central Library. Designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaus, the library is an unconventional, high-tech twist of glass and recycled wood and plastic with great open spaces and bells and whistles to spare.Of special note were the beautiful Children’s Center, the busy (but quiet) computer area and the Living Room, an area with coffee shop, recycled rubber easy chairs and low, spacious shelving.

The level of environmental efficiency was much greater than most buildings and was both inspirational and very impressive to look at. The Library’s LEED certification is well warranted.

After a one hour tour of the ten floors of the vast space with the regular tour, the group was treated to a behind the scenes chat and tour with Librarian, Craig Kyte. As well as providing a forum to ask more library-specific questions, Kyte took us to look at the automated book return system. The friendly attendant showed how the material drops from several slots around the building and then feeds it via futuristic conveyor belts to the central sorting room where a computer sorts the material into hefty bins divided by subject.

“Originally they sorted all the material and put it on the carts, but that didn’t work so well,” admitted the attendant. “It’s a lot faster the way we do it now.”

Though not nearly as impressive as the sweeping cathedral dwarfing vaulted glass ceilings, the guide, Alan Mendelsson explained that the ten floors of shelves have some space on their own, intentionally include for future expansion. “Libraries are always torn down because there isn’t enough room for more material,” said the guide. “Here we are thinking of the future.” The current structure is the third on site library. Thanks to all who organized this fun outing!

MCL Volunteer Opportunity

Student Chapter of the

American Library Association

Where: Multnomah County Library

What: Help update their website!

When: To be completed by mid-December.

Who: An alumni from Emporia. She is a technical dynamo!

Details:

On Multnomah’s website, each subscription database has an associated

description file, a kind of more information/help page.

These files were originally written circa 1999, have not been

maintained, and didn’t age well because they weren’t designed to age

without maintenance.

MCL would like to have these files all updated and redesigned so that they will age

better, since MCL doesn’t have the resources to do frequent updating.

They need someone to help create a template and fill

it in for each subscription database. They are looking for 2-3 people

to work on this. No website skills necessary (BONUS: she is even willing to

add some web instruction in as the project unfolds, if you are interested.)

Must be comfortable with learning!!!

As a volunteer at MCL some paperwork is invovled. realtively painless.

They like to keep track of who is volunteering and how many hours.

Tanasbourne Library Project

Who: Tanasbourne Library

What: Count bookends to prepare for their upcoming move to better digs.

When: Saturday October 14th 8am until noonish(?).

Where: Tanasbourne Library, NW 185th Ave. near Evergreen.

Details:

Donuts provided as well as a class on library planning with handouts!

A seemingly easy task with good perks!