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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 Library gets computers for staff The Oak Brook Public Library is entering The purchases will enable staff to access the computer age now that the Village computers throughout the library. Board has approved spending $14,350 to Currently an automated circulation sys- purchase over 20 items requested by the tem and on-line public access catalog con- new librarian,Ruth Martin. nect the library with the DuPage Library Including two Compaq ProLinea MTs, System. Their application is limited to that two Hewlett-Packard Laserjets and various purpose. software programs, the new equipment will Long-term goals, according to Martin, be useful in the short term for sharing titles include furnishing indexes and multimedia with hundreds of Illinois libraries, generat- programs and providing dial-in access to ing book and holdings listings for patrons, electronic databases such as DIALOG, checking serials and alerting staff to miss- Internet and non-networked public access ing materials,Martin said. computers. Chicago Tribune,Wednesday,August 3, 1994 Section 7 77 Hinsdale/Oakbrook Library ppatrons have someone . to turn to with their questions , , ,,,. . .„,„ , . : , :„::. :6.. .„.„ ,,.., ,. „, . . ,.„..„eBy Jeffrey Steelecards, which are used to help someone to the appropriate ref SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE the library keep track of its erence volume, Price says. `. '� - .. Nine years ago, when Marga books and compact discs. She In addition, she often helps w , Marga- ret Price needed money to buy works about 17 hours a week. patrons find a book that isn't at a new car, she began looking Each book and CD has a shelf the library. "The library is par •t . for a part-time job to sup- card that lists the pertinent in- of the DuPage Library System , 10: N , b 11 A; plement her income as an ac- formation on that item: the au- based in Geneva,” she says. thor and date of birth and "Through this system, we can b countant. ,0� �� c ,� �° °`f At about the same time, Pric- death, title, publisher, year of get books from other libraries. ro it e's sister, an Oak Brook resi- publication,pages and subject. Most books arrive within a c,,,. dent, told her about a notice she But her most important re- few days, but some take longer v had seen at the Oak Brook Pub- sponsibility is helping to an- The DuPage system has access 1”. to libraries all over the count k' lic Library: The library was swer questions from patrons, country, � j .,: , seeking a parttime data entry Price says. In some cases, they and "it can take up to a month worker to help in the conver- know the name of the book and to get some of the books. Once . sion from a card catalog to a its author, but in many other we got a book from California. -• r,- computerized system. instances, they know only part But if patrons really want the Price applied for the job and of a title or only the author. To books, the wait is worth it for was hired. She soon found she answer their questions, she uses them." enjoyed her new position. "1 her computer to help track the Though she has been working love books, and all the people books they want. at the front desk for more than were nice to work with," she re- In other situations, patrons a year, Price says she is still calls. need to find reference material. learning on the job. She is often She has worked at the library "We have a lot of people who amazed by the questions from ' ever since, and last year took a come i n with business patrons. .„` new position as parttime circu- questions," she says. "We have "Recently, someone called the lation desk clerk. quite a bit of reference material library to ask where she couldR buywrought-iron fencing," ' "Last year, a lady who was on on Illinois businesses. We get g g," she � <; the circulation desk retired, and people from small businesses in says with a smile. "I looked up '' I decided to ask for the job," the area, but we have also had a listing of places that sell that Price says. "The librarian at the people from McDonald's [Corp., kind of fencing in the Yellow „ ; time, Joanne Fritter, knew my headquartered in Oak Brook,] Pages, then read her the names and phone numbers of those . work and hired me for the come in and ask us for refer desk." ence material." stores." �._. ___`. Price has a number of duties. She often refers patrons to the Working with patrons is one Tribune photo by James O'Leary She checks books in and out, re- reference libarian, but in some of the greatest rewards of the Margaret Price took a job at the Oak Brook Library to supplement her news books and files shelf instances, she is able to direct CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE income as an accountant. She's now been there nine years. - _ Hinsdale/Oakbrook 78 Section 7 Chicago Tribune,Wednesday,August 3,1994 ibex A'' ` Never a dull question for library worker CONTINUED FROM PRECEDING PAGE to the library, librarian Ruth ing firm for several years before job,Price says."Especially in a Martin says. "Margaret is a marrying in 1951. The couple 00k . �.7` smaller library like this one, friendly and charming lady.She have two grown daughters. a ` you really get to know the pa- knows most of our library users After a divorce, Price re- turned to work at another Bir- • nice and very friendly—and I any way]she can....Were glad mingham manufacturing com- a • . R • • think they like to see the same she's with us here at the Oak pang In 1972, her sister, who • people on the circulation desk" Brook Public Library." had moved to the United States • •! 0 She has come to know the The 5,000-square-foot library, and lived in Hinsdale, invited ...4. • reading tastes of many of the at 1112 Oak Brook Rd., has Price and her daughters for a rso patrons, ture she says. othersme like prad- 38,E books,100 periodical sub- the monthlong visit.a that liked er mysteries and,for an increasing moved to the U.S. five years number of patrons, Westerns .r. • i in a mailerlater. are a favorite genre.Having be- After settling in Hinsdale; come acquainted with these library like this one,you Price worked as an accountant preferences, she often recom- really gat to know the for an Oak Brook chemical mends particular books. patrons, company and later for a Hins- dale"I'll say, 'I think you'll like ' dale property management firm. A this; this book will be to your Margaret Price Her final full-time position was taste,"'she says. as an accountant for a Cicero A particular joy for her is the scriptions, and many compact Packaging firm. She retired in 4 opportunity' to work with discs and books on audio tape. February 1993. younger readers. Two full-time and seven part- After her daughters moved The library has a summer time employees staff the library, into their own homes about ' reading program for children 5 which has about 8,000 cardhol- nine years ago,Price moved to through 12. The program ders. a trailer park in Countryside. rewards children who have read Price, 65, was born in Ade- Her daughters are married,and 10 books with a gift certificate Ade- laide,Australia,but moved with she has one grandchild. for a cookie at a local bakery. her family to Birmingham,Eng- She is considering becoming For every five books children land,when she was a year old an American citizen now that itil read,they can enter a drawing She attended Ashton Commer- she has retired from her full- for a $10 gift certificate at an 44 Oak Brook bookstore. cial College in Birmingham be- time job and has time to study a Price encourages children to tween the ages of 13 and 16 to for it. -. learn secretarial and accounting � ., enter the program. "I like to skillsn . Price completed the full Price plans to continue work- re°„ ,.. ' and ask them what theyhlikerto three-year course m 1946. (The d and I like that the e�e I like work I college didn't grant degrees.) People I work &rr `` - � 4,: read," she says. "I enjoy the • with,"she says."I'll work here `° a children." She worked as an accountant as long as I'm able to be of ser- Price=f` is a valuable contributor at a Birmingham manufactur- vice." AA ry�. t ' .r- 7-17 t a. Change is the constant at-Oak Brook Library "SeptemberFest"and invited the corn- :•obtaitung a new library facility.In 1994, carded, making the addition of new By Ruth A.Martin munity to come to the library for music, that effort took a step forward when the periodical titles to our collection a reali- Oak Brook Library Director food and an opportunity to meet the Village Board of Trustees hired a con- ty.Automated periodical index search- new director.About 300 people attend- sultant to undertake the Cultural/ ing is now possible using Info Trac,a ed.Many.shared their hopes and expec- Recreational Facilities Study,In 1995, CD-ROM program brought into the Change is the constant at Oak Brook tations for the library.Excellent weather village residents and business owners library on a trial basis in September and Library in 1994.Retirements and new kept our children's sidewalk chalk will be contacted to obtain a compre- now a regular part of the collection. opportunities filled the library with new drawings bright for more than a week hensive understanding of what they Additional CD-ROM programs are faces and new ideas. after the fest. want the future of Oak Brook Library to expected to be added in 1995. A new effort in programming out- Library presentations to Butler Junior be. It is an exciting time to be part of Oak reach to children included summer story High School have been well received Change is evident inside the library in Brook Library and its service arca. times in addition to the traditional and fun to do.So far staff has offered the display of materials.With donations Come visit us.Tell us what you want Summer Reading Program. Special historical fiction and financial resources from the Oak Brook Women's Club and the library to be in the future with or events included"The Chocolate Lovers' presentations.More are scheduled for Borders Books and Music,the audio without a different building.We know Read-Aloud"where children read sto- 1995.National Children's Book Week book collection is being repackaged and we cannot fulfill every single informa- ries and poems with a chocolate theme in November gave the opportunity to shelved in a more convenient manner.A tional demand,but we need your partic- to each other on a beautiful summer have a creative writing workshop for new bulletin board publicizes current ipation in determining what you want_ afternoon outside on the library middle and high school young people bestsellers and topical reading sugges- The public library is your resource and grounds.Chocolate(and nonchocolate) presented by local author Mary Jane tions.A new microform reader/printer we want to develop it in the direction treats completed the afternoon. Miller. makes use of microformed periodicals most desired by most people. Come The Oak Brook Library Association For many years, the Oak Brook easier.This,in turn,allows some back visit the library;share your ideas with sponsored the library's first-ever Library Association has worked toward files of hardcopy periodicals to be dis- us!