Boulder Public Library begins checking out NOOKs™ on Jan. 11

Boulder Public Library begins checking out NOOK e-readers on Wednesday, Jan. 11. There are 12 NOOKs at the Main Library, and six each at the Meadows and George Reynolds branch libraries. The NOOKs are loaded with 31 bestseller titles, in fiction, non-fiction and biography categories.

Some of the bestseller titles include: Stephen King’s “11/22/63,” Garth Stein’s “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy, George R.R. Martin’s “A Game of Thrones,” Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs, and Laura Hillenbrand’s “Unbroken.”

Patrons must be at least 18 years old and a Boulder city resident to check out a NOOK with their library card. NOOKs are available to be placed on hold now in the library’s catalog; visit boulderlibrary.org to place a hold by searching for “NOOK” or call 303-441-3100 for assistance.

“The library has been supporting reading and readers in Boulder for over 100 years,” said Reference and Collections Manager Melinda Mattingly. “New formats have come along in the past, but nothing like the e-book. It’s no surprise that Boulder library users of all ages are excited about e-books and e-readers at their library, and the library is very excited to offer them.”
The NOOKs check out for three weeks, and no renewals are possible. Overdue fees are $5 per day, and users are responsible for any loss or damage costs.

Boulder Public Library website: www.boulderlibrary.org
–CITY—

Updates on Main Library Café — Nov. 29, 2011 Update:

Nov. 29, 2011 Update:

Boulder Public Library has recently purchased a Seattle’s Best coffee drink vending machine, which will be installed on the Main Library Bridge in mid-December 2011. The Seattle’s Best vending machine offers several coffee drinks, as well as hot chocolate. We look forward to providing this refreshment option for Main Library patrons and staff.
Sincerely,
Library Administration

Boulder Business Support Overview offered at Main Library

The Boulder business community is invited to a free overview of City of Boulder and local services designed to help a business grow. The Business Support Overview will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28, at the Main Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave., in the Boulder Creek Room. No registration is necessary.

Participants include Liz Hanson of the City of Boulder Economic Vitality Program, Sharon King of the Boulder Small Business Development Center, Mishawn Cook, City of Boulder tax and license manager; Jennifer Johnston of the Boulder Independent Business Alliance (BIBA) and Eladia Rivera, business reference librarian at Boulder Public Library.

For more information, please call the library’s Reference Department, 303-441-3194.

– CITY –

City of Boulder Thanksgiving holiday schedule – Thursday, Nov. 24 and Friday, Nov. 25

Closed on Thursday, Nov. 24:
• All city administrative offices
• All library branches
• All senior centers
• Municipal Court
• All city recreation centers
• Boulder Reservoir
• Flatirons Golf Course (closed after 2 p.m.)
• Pottery Lab
• Animal Control, Code Enforcement, Police Records and Information Services and Property and Evidence
Closed on Friday, Nov. 25:
• Boulder Reservoir
• Park Central Building, including Planning & Development Center
• Parks and Recreation administrative offices
Open on Friday, Nov. 25, but with changes in hours:
All city recreation centers will be open on Friday, Nov. 25, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Parking:
All city lots, meters and garages are free on Thursday, Nov. 24. Fees and meters will apply on Friday, Nov. 25.

– CITY –

Boulder Public Library celebrates 25th anniversary of BoulderReads! program

Boulder Public Library will commemorate 25 years of the BoulderReads! literacy program on Friday, Oct. 14, with a community celebration, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Canyon Gallery at the Main Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave. (north wing).

Twenty-five years ago, Boulder Public Library created a new program to help adults improve their reading and writing. At that time, ABC and PBS were running a two-year campaign to raise awareness about how many adults in America were unable to read and write at the level needed to be fully functional as parents, employees and community members.

“One of the best benefits of that campaign was that adults who struggled with reading realized that they were not the only people with that difficulty,” said BoulderReads! Director Diana Sherry. “Another benefit was that they learned that community programs existed or were being created to serve them.”

Libraries were one of the front runners in this effort, and BoulderReads! was one of those new programs. Since 1986, BoulderReads! has grown to serve around 300 adults and children every year. Its core services include free, one-on-one tutoring at four public libraries and the Boulder County Jail, GED classes and testing, a Reading Buddies program for children, and numerous support activities for these learners, as well as the general public.

This 25-year milestone will be celebrated by the BoulderReads! students, volunteers and funders, as well as other interested community members. To attend, please RSVP to Laurie Watkins at 303-441-3151 or via email to: watkinsl@boulderlibrary.org.

–CITY–

Boulder Public Library announces that eBooks are now available for Kindle

Boulder Public Library (BPL) is pleased to announce that its downloadable eBook collection is now compatible with the top-selling eBook reader, the Amazon® Kindle. Patrons can now download popular and classic eBooks to a Kindle device or any mobile device running the free Kindle app, such as iPhone®, iPad®, Android™, and more, all with their free library card.

To get started, visit www.boulderlibrary.org and click on the “Audiobooks, eBooks & more” link on the top right of the page. BPL also offers eBooks and audiobooks for use on a PC or Mac computer and popular mobile devices such as a Smartphone or MP3 player, and eBook readers like the Barnes & Noble® Nook™ and Sony® Reader.

Kindle users can browse Boulder Public Library’s collection of bestselling and classic eBooks from a PC or Mac computer, check out titles using their Boulder Public Library card, and select “Get for Kindle” to deliver eBooks to their Kindle or any device running the free Kindle app. Users who enjoy eBooks on Kindle will benefit from Amazon’s Whispersync technology that synchronizes notes, highlights and last page read between their Kindle and free Kindle apps.

Boulder Public Library currently has 1,150 eBooks available in its collection, and that collection will continue to grow. Visit the BPL website to download eBooks for free for your Kindle: www.boulderlibrary.org and click on the “Audiobooks, eBooks & more” link on the top right of the page, or call BPL’s Reference librarians at 303-441-3194 for assistance.

A high demand exists for the library’s eBooks collection, so patrons are encouraged to place holds if the book they are interested is not immediately available. The library will continue to build its eBook collection, so keep checking back for more titles.

Boulder Public Library partners with OverDrive, Inc. (www.overdrive.com) to offer this service.

–CITY–

Carnegie Branch Library construction limits access through September

Construction work at the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History, 1125 Pine St., is underway, and the handicap ramp along the east side of the building will not be available to patrons until late September while the ramp is widened to meet ADA requirements.
Patrons requiring handicap access to the building for research purposes may call the library staff at 303-441-3110 for assistance.
The rehabilitation project at the Carnegie Branch Library will cost about $262,997, with $171,000 of the funding coming from a grant from the Colorado Historical Society. The City of Boulder pays the remaining 35 percent of the total cost. The rehabilitation project includes repairing the front steps of the building, as well as exterior repairs and upgrading the fire alarm system.
For more information, please contact the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History, 303-441-3110.

Boulder Public Library phasing out cassette tapes; sale on June 17 and 18

Boulder Public Library (BPL) will phase audio cassette tapes out of its collection for adults by mid-July. The audio tapes are being eliminated due to declining circulation. Eliminating the adult cassette tape collection will free up more space on the shelves for the higher-circulating CDs, DVDs and other media.

Children’s books on cassette tapes will remain available, as that collection continues to circulate well.

BPL currently has 950 audio tapes, all books, in its collection, with only 175 checked out as of June 8. In comparison, BPL has 3,869 books on CD in the collection, and 1,740 were checked out as of June 8. Music cassette tapes were phased out about 10 years ago.

“Circulation for cassette tapes has continued to decline for years, with more and more of the tapes sitting on the shelves gathering dust,” said Reference Manager Laura Hankins.

Library patrons at the Main Library and the Meadows Library Branch will be able to purchase the cassette tapes directly off the shelves, as-is, for $1 each on Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18. All sales are final. Proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase new audio materials for the collection, audio books on CD and downloadable books. Any items not sold will be donated to local charities.

Library information: www.boulderlibrary.org or call 303-441-3100.

–CITY–

Boulder Public Library welcomes new Library and Arts Director Valerie Maginnis

Boulder Public Library welcomes new Library and Arts Director Valerie Maginnis!  Get to know her a bit by reading on for an introductory Q & A with Valerie. And please join us for a Meet & Greet event for Valerie to meet Boulder community members on Sunday, July 10, at 4 p.m. in the Canyon Gallery, in the north wing of Main Library.

Q:  Valerie, you came to Boulder Public Library after serving as director of library and cultural services in Mission Viejo, CA. Why were you interested in this position with BPL and in moving to Boulder?

A:  I have always wanted to work for the Boulder Public Library.  The Boulder Public Library is renowned for its progressive, inclusive, relevant, exciting, and community-focused programs, facilities, and services.  Throughout my career, I have worked to acquire the skills and experience that would, hopefully, position me to be invited to Boulder.  And, now, I am excited and honored to be a part of this exceptional library.  I hope to further the library’s existing commitment to providing innovative and excellent service, while at the same time, honoring community-valued traditions.  I am also excited about all the cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities in Boulder.  It is a beautiful place to live and I am very lucky to be here.

Q:  Has anything surprised you about Boulder or the Boulder Public Library?

A:  I am happy to report that I am not at all surprised by the friendliness of Boulder residents and how warm and welcoming the City of Boulder and the Boulder Public Library employees are.   I am also not surprised to see so many people using our library, especially young people. This tells me that there is a lot that is right with the library and that our residents support and enjoy the library.  If anything, Boulder and the Boulder Public Library exceed my expectations.

Q:  What are your priorities for your first six months as director?

A:  As the “new kid in town” I have a lot to learn.  I want to get to know, inside and out, the library and arts department, and, how it fits into the City of Boulder organization.  I want to learn about our department’s commissions, and, I want to get acquainted with the commissioners.  I’m looking forward to meeting our volunteers and stakeholders.   I plan to observe and ask many questions.   I will be filling several key vacant positions. As you can see, I will be busy and I am eager to get started!

Q:  What do you enjoy reading for pleasure?  What are some of your interests or hobbies?

A:  I love books and I love to read, especially non-fiction.  I also enjoy a good mystery and my favorite mystery writers are P.D. James and Tana French.  I also like to browse in the children’s department.  I began my library career as a youth services librarian and like to find new children’s authors to share with my three nieces, age 8, 7, and 4.  My favorite children’s book is, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.”  I have my own author-autographed copy!

These days, my hobby is my new Shiba Inu puppy, Sam.  We plan to go on lots of walks.  I know that he will love living in Boulder because there will be so many new people to meet and trails and smells to discover.

In addition to working on “do-it-yourself” projects, my husband, John, and I love movies and music and we are looking forward to attending concerts and the many cultural events taking place in the community.

Q:  Anything else you’d like to add for the community to get to know you?

A:  I love libraries and I love people.  My greatest satisfaction comes from putting people and libraries together and watching the amazing things that happen.  Over the years, I’ve met some amazing people and made life-long friends at the library.  I know that this will happen here at the Boulder Public Library.

Maginnis Named Boulder Public Library Director

The City of Boulder today announced Valerie Maginnis will be the new Boulder Public Library director effective June 13, 2011. Maginnis was selected from 78 applicants in a national search. The decision came after public presentations by the finalists and interviews with city staff and members of the Library and the Arts commissions.

“I am honored and excited to have been selected for the position,” said Maginnis. “I am very much looking forward to working with staff, volunteers, and the community to explore ways that the Boulder Public Library can be even more important and relevant to the lives of its current and future patrons.”

Maginnis is currently the director of Library and Cultural Services for the City of Mission Viejo, Calif. She has more than 20 years of experience in city and county libraries. Maginnis holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University and a master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Arizona.

“The Boulder Public Library is a centerpiece of the community,” said City Manager Jane Brautigam. “This is a complex organization to lead and requires a dynamic director who can manage the business operations as well as connect with a diverse and passionate community. I believe Boulder has found such a director in Valerie Maginnis.”

Brautigam added that evaluating a national pool of highly qualified candidates was a difficult task, and community input was a significant component of the process.

“Any time an organization conducts an executive search, it is a time-consuming and challenging process,” said Brautigam. “In the case of our library director, the individual must be able to lead a traditional library system as well as manage a performing arts center. I appreciate that so many residents and staff attended the public presentations to provide feedback on the finalists, and I want to thank members of the Library and Arts commissions for participating in the interviews. It was an excellent opportunity for finalists to meet the community and for citizens to provide input.”

Maginnis fills the position vacated on July 9, 2010, by Tony Tallent. She will earn a salary of $128,000 and assumes her role as Boulder Public library director on June 13, 2011.
–CITY—