• JAN AGUIRRE, Specialist & Training Coordinator 

We have recently found numerous errors in the Patron Statistical fields of the patron record. There seems to be some confusion as to what code goes where. Some libraries are duplicating the information in PSTAT2 and inserting it in PSTAT3. Some libraries are not filling in the statistical class at all and inserting that information in PSTAT3. Some libraries are duplicating the Patron Code and inserting it in PSTAT3.

This is the correct way to enter in statistical information in the patron record:
Displayed below is a typical Patron Record

The Statistical class should be filled in with the smallest municipality chosen from the drop down menu.

PSTAT2 should contain the funding or taxing district.

PSTAT3 should be used exclusively for identifying “Head of Household” using the word “HEAD”.

We are in the process of identifying errors in PSTAT3, adding these to record sets for you to correct. The only way the custom mailing label report will work is if “Head” is in the PSTAT3 field.

 

Please follow these rules for entering in statistical information to the patron record.

STATISTICAL CLASS = Smallest municipality
PSTAT2 = Funding or Taxing District
PSTAT3 = Head  

If you need some unique way to identify patrons, use the Local Use field.

 

•  MARISA IACOBUCCI, Adult Services Coordinator

Articles from Library Journal
I was reading some back issues of Library Journal and found several bibliographies that I found interesting and which I thought would be of interest to member library directors.  I have listed what I found below. 

If you are interested in any of these bibliographies, please e-mail me which you are interested in and I’ll send you a copy of them.

 Thanks!

1. Fiber Crafts – a bibliography of titles from 2005 & 2006.
2. Best Poetry of 2005
3. Best Business Books of 2005
4. Best SciTech Books of 2005
5. Best Consumer Health books of 2005
6. Basic Texts for a Spiritual Life – a short article and a bibliography of spiritual/religion books

 

•  ROBERT McLAUGHLIN, Cataloging Services

I will be out of the office from Mon., May 29 through Friday, June 2. If you need barcodes, process slips, or mylar book jackets, please email Margaret Rosen at mrosen@flls.org or call her at extension 33.

 Vendor Reimbursement: The last date to submit your request for this year’s vendor reimbursement is Nov. 1, 2006. It is not necessary to submit monthly or quarterly requests for reimbursement since payment will not be made until after the Nov. 1 deadline. Please note that only those requests for reimbursement based on invoices dated between Nov. 1, 2005 and Oct. 31, 2006 will be accepted. Any requests for reimbursement from invoices dated before Nov. 1, 2005 will not be honored; these invoices should have been included in your 2005 submission for reimbursement.

 

•  CAROL HENDRIX, Administration

Reminder:  Please contact me if your library board is interested in applying for a NYS Construction Grant FY 2006-07. chendrix@flls.org  or by phone: 607-273-4074 x21

 

• LINDA BEINS, ILL/Reference Coordinator

ILL
It’s not too late to return your completed survey measuring your satisfaction with delivery services to southern route libraries. 

Please note that I always welcome your comments and suggestions about our delivery services, north and south, and how we can improve them. 

Reference

        NOVEL Database Survey

The New York State Library is conducting an evaluation of the NOVEL databases as part of the required evaluation of New York State's Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Five-Year Plan 2002-2007. I urge all of you as well as the patrons at your library to complete the online survey at http://www.libraryconsultant.com/NOVELMenu.htm.  It takes @ five minutes to answer questions about what you used, whether it was helpful, what you like about the NOVEL databases and then offer additional comments. Your input may be valuable in helping the State Library evaluate the usefulness and impact of the NOVEL initiative.

         NewsBank

This electronic database also offers a variety of Special Reports comprised of recent news articles grouped around a specific topic. It is updated daily.  Currently Featured Reports include: Mental Health; National Service; World Health; Natural Disasters around the World; and Science and Health in the News.

         “Best Reference 2005”

Library Journal (April 15, 2006) has published their annotated list of print and electronic reference materials published last year. Each title is accompanied by the ISBN, length, price, brief description, and date of the Library Journal issue in which it was reviewed. Let me know lbeins@flls.org if you would like me to send you a copy of this article.

 An accompanying article lists fifteen favorite free web sites. Among them are:

        A-Z Lyrics Universe which “provides…access to more than 50,000 lyrics by over 1500 artists.”

        All About Birds, from the Cornell Ornithology Lab for the beginner and expert bird watcher.

        Give.org provides information, previously offered by the National Charities Information Bureau and Council of the Better Business Bureau’s Foundation, about charities.

        SeatGuru.com is the brainchild of frequent flier Matthew Daimler who has organized information about airplane seating and in-flight services.

        Yearbook of Immigration Statistics, an annual publication of the Department of Homeland Security, provides various statistics related to US immigration.

 

•  COBURN FREE LIBRARY, Owego: has a brand-new copy, which we would like to sell, of Bobbed Hair and Bathtub Gin by Marion Meade (It was for a book reading, and we overbought.)The paperback book, subtitled "Writers Running Wild in the Twenties," touches on the lives of flapper-era writers like Dorothy Parker, Zelda Fitzgerald, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and Dorothy Parker, and, as its dust-cover notes "shows why so many young Americans after the '30s wanted to grow up to be writers." Very fun and entertaining. We paid $9.10, will sell for $7. (Oh, we got it from Baker and Taylor and it has a little book pocket, cards, and a spine label.) Please email Karen Bernardo coburnlibrary@clarityconnect.com if you are interested.

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• Directors’ Advisory Council (DAC) members: 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding FLLS library service, you are welcome to contact a DAC member from the list below. 

Beverly Dann, Waverly Free Library
Janet Steiner, TCPL, Ithaca
Judy Barkee, Ulysses Philomathic Library, Trumansburg
Kay Zaharis, Cortland Free Library
Lois Maki, Newfield Public Library
Mary Frank, Peck Memorial Library, Marathon
Sally Otis, Hazard Library, Poplar Ridge
Stephen Erskine, Seymour Library, Auburn
Susan Robey, Groton Public Library