We started the morning with 736 signatures, and our pencil tally (subject to human error--"Did I already mark this person or not?") indicates we had 93 Kingstowne Library patrons sign the petition on-site on the laptops provided by Steph and Alana. (Yes, both computers were almost constantly busy.) The total on the site says 827 this evening (so, yes, there was some human error in the pencil tally--that's my fault), but any way you look at it, that's more than a 10% increase in the signatures collected, and all thanks to a few people's efforts.
We're doing this again the next two Saturdays. If other branches do the same, we'll have an even larger increase.
If your branch's Friends isn't soliciting on-the-spot online petition signatures, please contact me for help. Do you need laptops? Do you need volunteers? Maybe we can share resources to help.
Showing posts with label FCPL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FCPL. Show all posts
Saturday, January 16, 2010
736 Signatures--Wish Us Luck!
It's three minutes before the libraries open on Saturday, January 16. A Friend of Kingstowne Library has set up a laptop and will offer library visitors the chance to sign our online petition on-the-spot. There are 736 signatures on the site as I type this. We think this might be a cost-efficient method of spreading awareness. Wish us luck!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Who Uses the Library Meeting Rooms?
It seems like there's always something happening in the meeting rooms at the Kingstowne branch of Fairfax County Public Libraries (FCPL).
I once passed two people in suits in the smaller meeting room; the note on the schedule said it was an interview for one of the federal government's agencies.
I know a movie producer who used the meeting room at Richard Byrd Library several years ago for auditions for one of his first movie attempts. Since events at the libraries are free and open to the public, he dutifully posted a "walk-ins welcome" note on the door, and he did receive one walk-in, a lady browsing the stacks with her teens. She was almost as good as the actors who had responded to the Craig's List posting about the event.
Who else uses the libraries? I was recently shown the room request link (http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/services/meetingrooms/ click on "rules" and check the box at the end of the rules to be allowed to schedule a meeting). So, let's take a look at who used the Kingstowne branch just this week--just these five days.
Monday: Newington Civic Association
Tuesday: Girl Scout Daisy Troop 2256
Tuesday: NOVA Junior Math Club
Tuesday: Pohick Village
Wednesday: Practice Your English group
Thursday: two events are listed but I can't see the group names
Friday: Japanese Story Time (I don't think this event was put on by the FCPL staff)
Saturday: La Leche League/ Moms of Twins/Multiples
That's in one week!
I see older Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, several other homeowner associations (Aldin Hill, for one), a different La Leche group, and the Red Cross are all planning on using the room later this month.
Clearly, many different groups use the library meeting rooms.
I once passed two people in suits in the smaller meeting room; the note on the schedule said it was an interview for one of the federal government's agencies.
I know a movie producer who used the meeting room at Richard Byrd Library several years ago for auditions for one of his first movie attempts. Since events at the libraries are free and open to the public, he dutifully posted a "walk-ins welcome" note on the door, and he did receive one walk-in, a lady browsing the stacks with her teens. She was almost as good as the actors who had responded to the Craig's List posting about the event.
Who else uses the libraries? I was recently shown the room request link (http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/services/meetingrooms/ click on "rules" and check the box at the end of the rules to be allowed to schedule a meeting). So, let's take a look at who used the Kingstowne branch just this week--just these five days.
Monday: Newington Civic Association
Tuesday: Girl Scout Daisy Troop 2256
Tuesday: NOVA Junior Math Club
Tuesday: Pohick Village
Wednesday: Practice Your English group
Thursday: two events are listed but I can't see the group names
Friday: Japanese Story Time (I don't think this event was put on by the FCPL staff)
Saturday: La Leche League/ Moms of Twins/Multiples
That's in one week!
I see older Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, several other homeowner associations (Aldin Hill, for one), a different La Leche group, and the Red Cross are all planning on using the room later this month.
Clearly, many different groups use the library meeting rooms.
"More than books..."
This week I stopped by a few of the events taking place at my local FCPL branch (Kingstowne)to take pictures.
Monday: Story hour for young readers
Tuesday: Story hour for even younger readers (under 24 months--but so enthusiastic!)
Wednesday: English speaking group for adults
I also attended the Peer Review Writers' Group meeting Wednesday, where they politely asked me not to take their picture. However, shortly before they met, a nurse was using the smaller meeting room, with her two laptops, cell phone, and all sorts of paperwork strewn about the table. She was more than happy for me to take her picture--she said the only way she gets Internet access is through the libraries, and she depends on the libraries on days like this one, where she is routing when to visit which patient and cross-referencing written materials with online sources. She praised the libraries through the roof.
Why pictures?
I won't post them online--especially not photos with children in them. I plan to send them to the Lee District Supervisor's office, just as a reminder that the library is "more than books." To some it's the tools they need to run their own business, for others it's a way to practice English speaking skills and build self-confidence, for preschoolers it's an introduction to storytelling at its finest, and for many parents it's a free event where I know the setting will be child-friendly, educational, and positive on every level--without enrolling the child in daycare.
I'm certain the library is many things to other people. Perhaps you'd like to click on the "comment" button and share what the library is to you?
Monday: Story hour for young readers
Tuesday: Story hour for even younger readers (under 24 months--but so enthusiastic!)
Wednesday: English speaking group for adults
I also attended the Peer Review Writers' Group meeting Wednesday, where they politely asked me not to take their picture. However, shortly before they met, a nurse was using the smaller meeting room, with her two laptops, cell phone, and all sorts of paperwork strewn about the table. She was more than happy for me to take her picture--she said the only way she gets Internet access is through the libraries, and she depends on the libraries on days like this one, where she is routing when to visit which patient and cross-referencing written materials with online sources. She praised the libraries through the roof.
Why pictures?
I won't post them online--especially not photos with children in them. I plan to send them to the Lee District Supervisor's office, just as a reminder that the library is "more than books." To some it's the tools they need to run their own business, for others it's a way to practice English speaking skills and build self-confidence, for preschoolers it's an introduction to storytelling at its finest, and for many parents it's a free event where I know the setting will be child-friendly, educational, and positive on every level--without enrolling the child in daycare.
I'm certain the library is many things to other people. Perhaps you'd like to click on the "comment" button and share what the library is to you?
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