Job Openings

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:50:16 -0500

Library Monthly Report

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 10:00:00 -0500

LIBRARY MONTHLY REPORT – APRIL 2008

Library Quote of the Month
“The world is full of magical places, and the library has always been one of them for me.
…American libraries are a vital community resource, filling an educational role that is unique in the world, delivering everything from homework help to literacy tutoring.”
Julie Andrews, Honorary Chair,
National Library Week, April 13-19, 2008

Library usage statistics for April:

Welcome to the Marion Public Library

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 23:00:00 -0500

Looking for the library catalog?

Use the catalog to:
-Look for a book
-Renew materials (new users call the library at 377-3412 for a PIN number)

Out Loud! The Metro Library Network Author Series Presents John Sandford

John Sandford will read from his latest novel, Phantom Prey, at Theatre Cedar Rapids on June 19 at 7 p.m.

Library Board of Trustees - Latest Agenda

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 10:00:00 -0500

MARION PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
Monday, May 12, 2008
Library Conference Room at 5:00 p.m.

AGENDA

1. Roll Call

2. Introduction of Guests

3. Adoption of Agenda (emailed 5/5/08)

4. Approval of minutes of last meeting (emailed 5/5/08)

5. Correspondence

6. Reports from committees

Library Board of Trustees - Latest Minutes

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 10:00:00 -0500

Marion Public Library Board Meeting
Monday, April 14, 2008
Library Meeting Room at 5:00 p.m.

President Jack Zumwalt called the regular meeting of the Marion Library Board of Trustees to order.

Guests: None

Present: Jack Zumwalt, Molly Andersen, Susan Kling, Voanne Hansen, Sally Reck, Kevin Gertsen, Eileen Robinson, Irene Kincheloe, Sue Verhille, Jo Pearson, and Bob Buckley

Absent: Nancy Miller

Molly Andersen made a motion to accept the agenda with the addition of Item B. under New Business – Board member terms expiring. Bob Buckley seconded. Carried. Molly Andersen made a motion to accept the minutes as emailed on 4/7/08. Kevin Gertsen seconded. Carried.

Correspondence: The library received a request from Opal Williams to re-evaluate the young adult book Empress of the World by Sara Ryan. Chris Grannis and Mrs. Kling reviewed the book. Ms. Williams has been notified that the decision was made to keep the book in the young adult collection.

Committee Reports:
-Budget Committee: None
-Personnel Committee: Susan Kling met with the full and part-time library assistants and the board received a summary of these visits. Jo Pearson was hired as out new Library Assistant Director. Her first day was March 19th. She had previously worked at CFM&Z and the Cedar Rapids Public Library.
-Friends Liaison: Sue Verhille informed the board that the book sale will be held May 16, 17, and 18. She also told the board that the Friends had four vacancies on the board that need to be filled. The author dinner will be held on April 17th.
-The Building and Grounds Committee: The committee will meet later this month with Jean Hampson.
-The Web Page: None. The library is still waiting for the city’s decision for someone to maintain the web site.
Librarian’s Report:
-Susan informed the board that April 14-18 is National Library Week. The staff will be handing out library card sleeves/covers with library information printed on them. The volunteer lunch will be held on April 18th.
-Mrs. Kling reported that the library server failed and the email system was down for a week. Discussion followed.
-Meetings: Jean Hampson and Susan Kling attended the PLA Conference in Minneapolis. John Wood was the keynote speaker and talked about his charity “Room to Read”. The staff meeting was held March 19th.
-Food For Thought: The book The War Against Miss Winter was discussed. Katherine Miller Haines, the author, will be the presenter at the author dinner.
-Circulation: The total items circulated for March was 63,507. This total included 2,559 items more that 2007 at this time. 245 new borrowers were added.
-Budget Report: The budget is 70.20% spent at this time. The overall expenditures are right where they should be his time of year. Some line items may need to be adjusted to compensate for the cost of computer repairs.
-Policy Update: Jo Pearson presented the committee’s recommendations for the updated Financial Policy and Procedures and the Operating Policy. Discussion followed. Sally Reck made a motion to accept the recommendations for the Financial Policy and Procedures. Molly Andersen seconded. The Operating Policy was discussed and tabled for now.
-The Foundation: None
-Online Catalog/Library Network Update: The email/internet troubles with the system may cause budget issues. The Erb’s response time and technicians’ ability to get these issues resolved is a concern.
-Giacoletto Foundation: The author presentations will include: Bruce Hale, on April 29th, Elizabeth McCracken and Edward Carey on May 15th, and John Sandford on June 19th. All events will be held at Theatre Cedar Rapids at 7 p.m.

Spring 2008 Preschool Storytime Schedule

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:46:40 -0500

Wednesday story times are from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday storytimes are from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.

April 1-2-3
April 8-9-10
April 15-16-17
April 22-23-24
April 29-30-1

May 6-7-8
May 13-14-15

It's Raining! It's Pouring!
Color Wheel
Celebrate National Library Week
Down on the Farm (1 hour)
Spring is Sprouting

MPL's Internet Policy

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 20:59:19 -0400

Accessing the Internet

The Marion Public Library does not limit patron access to specific content on the Internet. Parents or guardians are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. The library affirms the right and responsibility of a parent or guardian to determine and monitor their child’s—and only their child’s—access to Internet resources accessible through the library. Parents/guardians are advised to supervise their children’s Internet sessions. The library asks that children under the age of nine (9) be accompanied by a parent or guardian when using the Internet.

Using the Internet

Friends Annual Author Dinner

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 11:25:11 -0500

Annual Author Dinner

featuring

Susan Wittig Albert

The Friends of the Marion Public Library will sponsor an Annual Author Dinner, featuring author Susan Wittig Albert, Tuesday, April 11, at the Indian Creek Country Club. Social time begins at 6 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased, until April 5, at the Friends’ bookstore or at the Information desk in the library.

Ms. Albert is the author of the China Bayles herbalist mystery series of 13 books. Her heroine, China Bayles, lives in Pecan Spring, Texas, and owns an herb shop and tea room. Along with her husband, Bill, Ms. Albert has also written, under the name of Robin Paige, Victorian mystery series often books.

Tax Form Information

Tue, 14 Feb 2006 10:34:16 -0500

The library attempts to provide the main tax forms for both the State of Iowa and the Federal (Internal Revenue Service). We order from both the state and feds each year. These forms are located in our LOBBY. Please take only what you need for personal use. Tax Preparers should order their own supply.

Federal Tax Materials

At the Marion Public Library, Federal tax forms may picked up in our lobby, copied from the reproducible book located at the Information Desk or printed from the IRS web site.

Printing and copying both cost 10 cents per page at the library.

Federal income tax forms may also be requested by phone (to be mailed to you by calling 1-800-829-3676.)

Iowa State Tax Materials

NOTE: the State no longer provides a master book of forms to libraries for copying.

The Marion Public Library has the State long form booklet, with forms included, available in our LOBBY. There are a few Iowa miscellaneous forms located on the spinning rack near the table in the lobby.

NOTE: The Iowa Short Form (IA 1040A) and instructions are no longer being printed by the state.

For your convenience, the Marion Public Library has printed copies of the short form for purchase at 10 cents a page. They are available at the Information Desk. You will need to refer to the tax table for the short form. If you need to make a copy you may. You may also get the form by printing it form the State of Iowa tax site, or you may complete it online.

You may request State tax forms be mailed to you (except the 1040A short form) by calling 1-800-532-1531.

Library Foundation

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 13:01:10 -0400

The Friends of the Marion Public Library Foundation has been organized to raise money for the library to:

perpetuate excellence in library service
allow for increased levels of financial support for materials and programs, and
protect the library and its programs and services from the uncertainties of public funding.

Proceeds from the endowment interest income will be used to provide:

additional library materials
upgrades in technology resources
sponsorship of special lectures and programs
staff development and training opportunities
special collections enhancements, and
other special projects and needs identified by the library board of trustees.

For further information about the Foundation call the library at 377-3412.

Library Services

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 11:47:47 -0400

Services offered by the Marion Public Library include:

Free library cards

Open Access Iowa

Metro Library Network

Circulation Policy

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 11:42:16 -0400

Download & Print a Library Card Application Form

I. THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR A LIBRARY CARD:
    A.   Marion residents.
   B.   Residents of Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha, other Linn County communities with public
           libraries and other Iowa communities with public libraries that participate in the state
           Open Access program.
   C.   Individuals whose city or county has contracted for service with our library, currently
           Robins and Linn County.
   D.   Individuals who pay the annual non-resident fee.
   E.   Individuals who own property in the City of Marion but reside outside the city limits.
   F.   Business owners who rent property in the City of Marion.

    Library cards are issued to individuals and are not transferable.

Children are eligible for their own library cards when they reach the age of five years.

    Cardholders and parents/guardians of minors are responsible for all items checked out on
    their cards. Patrons are encouraged to present their cards at the circulation desk for the
    most efficient service. Library staff may ask to see some identification before checkout of
    materials to a person who has forgotten his/her library card.

Patrons are responsible for notifying the library of any change of home address, email
address, or phone number.

II. HOW LIBRARY CARDS ARE ISSUED:
    A. All individuals applying for a card must complete a registration form and show
         identification with current name and address. Individuals must pay any fines or fees
         incurred previously at the Metro Library Network (Marion, Cedar Rapids or Hiawatha
         public libraries). Residents of other Iowa towns with public libraries that participate in
         Open Access must show proof of name and current address. Library card applications
         for children ages five through 15 must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. Both
         child and guardian must be present. Parents must show proper ID or valid Marion
         library card before a child’s card will be issued.

    B. All cards will be issued at the time the patron applies, assuming all of the above
         requirements are met. Individuals without complete identification, who are applying
         for a library card for the first time, will be limited to checking out no more than six
         items on their first visit. The library card will be good for 22 days, after which time
         they must present proper ID in order to check out additional materials.

III.LOAN PERIOD:
     A. 21 days: most books, audio books, nonfiction videos, and music compact discs (CDs).
     B. 10 days: Quick Picks, periodicals, and entertainment videos.
     C. 7 days: DVDs.
     D. 5 weeks for Book Club Kits.

     With the exception of Quick Picks, items may be renewed twice as long as no reserves
     have been placed on them.

IV. OVERDUE MATERIALS/FINES:
     A. Fines:
          1. Adult materials: on the first library day after the due date, a charge of $.15 per
               item per day will begin to accumulate.
          2. Children’s materials: on the first library day after the due date, a charge of $.10
               per item per day will begin to accumulate; however, video/DVD fines are $.15 per
               day.
          3. Interlibrary loans (ILL) will accrue fines of $1.00 per day up to a maximum of
              $15.00.
      B. Other libraries within the Metro Library Network may charge different fine amounts;
           fines are based on the owning library’s policy. The information in this policy
           document pertains to the Marion Public Library only.
      C. General: a “library day” is a day that the library is open.
      D. Fine limits: see policy on "Fine thresholds and replacement costs of lost or damaged
           materials" for current limits.

           A courtesy phone call, written reminder, or email notice about overdue materials will
           be made after materials are five and 10 days past the due date, but the
           responsibility to return materials rests with the borrower. The amount of fine
           assessed is determined by the type of material checked out, not by the type of card
           an individual holds (a child checking out adult materials would be charged $.15 per
           day and an adult checking out children’s materials would be charged $.10 per day).

           Borrowing privileges will be temporarily suspended when the fines owed the Marion,
           Cedar Rapids or Hiawatha public libraries reach $3.00, or when notice of non-return
           of materials from any of these libraries is registered in the borrower’s account.
           Borrowing may resume when materials are returned and fines are paid or reduced
           below the $3.00 maximum.

V. NON-RETURNED LIBRARY MATERIALS AND PAYMENT OF FINES:
     A. Borrowers who have non-returned materials whose value totals $25 or more may
          receive up to two phone call reminders and a written notice. If there is no response
          to the library’s requests for return of materials, borrowers will be subject to action by
          Unique National Collections.
     B. It is possible that fines totaling $25 or more could be a combination of non-returned
          materials and fines. Similar procedures will be used.
     C. Borrowers who are reported to Unique National Collections will be assessed a $10.00
          collection fee in addition to any replacement costs and/or fines. Unique’s program will
          include up to three written notices and two phone calls before borrowers are reported
          to credit agencies.
     D. The Code of Iowa Section 714.5 deals with “library materials and equipment - deposits
          - unpurchased materials - evidence of intention. . . The fact that a person fails to
          return library materials for two months or more after the date the person agreed to
          return the library materials, or fails to return library equipment for one month or more
          after the date the person agreed to return the library equipment, is evidence of intent
          to deprive the owner. . .” The library shall comply with the provisions and procedures
          outlined in the Iowa Code and its supplements in assuring that materials borrowed
          from the Marion Public Library are returned to it.

Friends of the Marion Public Library

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 11:11:41 -0400

Upcoming Events

Friends of the Library Semi-Annual Book Sale

The Friends of the Marion Library will hold their spring book sale May 16 – 18.

Friday, May 16 from 4 - 6 p.m. for Friends Members only. Memberships are available for $10 at the door.

Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunday, May 18 from 2 - 3:30 p.m. Buck a bag sale.

The Friends accept donations of clean, undamaged books. Newer books and best sellers are especially welcome. Please, no old or musty books, magazines older than three months, or encyclopedia sets more than 10 years old. All proceeds of the book sale will be used for the benefit of the library.

Library Board & Staff

Tue, 27 Sep 2005 22:10:38 -0400

The Marion Public Library has a staff of 24 full and part-time employees who strive to provide the best possible library service. Library Director Susan Kling was hired by the Library Board of Trustees in May 1987. She can be reached directly by sending an email: klings@library.ci.marion.ia.us.

The Board of Trustees is made up of nine members appointed to a six-year term and one ex-officio member. They meet on the second Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. All meetings of the board are open to the public. The latest agenda and minutes are available.

The City of Marion, Iowa - Public Library