On May 15 the library’s public computer services took a step forward with the installation of Envisionware time and print management software. As library computer use has grown (8296 people have used the Library’s public computers this year) staff frequently found themselves in the hostile role of computer police - enforcing the time limits and printing charges specified in the library’s computer policies. Enforcement is now in the impartial hands of the software and the staff are free to help you with your questions.

Envisionware, already in use in many neighboring libraries, works with your library card barcode to monitor your daily alloted time and account for costs related to printing you authorize during your session. If all computers are in use you may reserve the next one available. If you do a lot of printing you may leave money on account so that you need not pay for each job independently. Reservations and printing accounts are handled through the circulation desk.

Our computer regulars have easily adapted to the new software, many having encountered it elsewhere. Near the end of each one hour session, you are prompted three times about the time remaining so that you can save your work, if there is no one in the reservation queue when your time is up, you may be allowed additional time (up to the two hours maximum per day). Children still must have parental consent for their cards to be enabled for computer use. When setting a print job, you are prompted as to the number of pages it contains and what the cost will be so that you can reconsider before authorizing the job. Previously, many people printing from websites have been surprised to discover that the one page they wanted is really a multi-page site, and this has led to unhappiness on both sides of the front desk.

While computer users were not previously required to have a library card, the Library believes the card requirement will help us gain a clearer understanding of the percentage of the school district we serve, and the percentage of our computer use that is by Goshen residents. Not all patrons avail themselves of traditional services (like borrowing books). We now have the means to account for service to some of those non-traditional patrons.

Did you know you can search over 30,000 verified and vetted documents right from the comfort of your own home (and that’s not even counting newspapers, magazines, and journals!)? Yes, you, the Goshen card carrier, hold the key to an honest-to-goodness library of information—all remotely accessible—24 hours a day, every day of the week. Thompson Gale, one of the foremost publishers of reference resources, has assembled what they are calling the Gale Virtual Reference Library, which offers full-text documents encompassing: biography; business; history; medicine; science; politics; geography; world events and more. As a gentle reminder (because it cannot be stressed enough): These are genuine reference books that have been made available in a digital format as digital “books.” In fact, many of the titles (probably all) are still available in their print incarnations. And though I count myself as among the book lovers, the perks of electronic reference resources cannot be overstated. Aside from their round-the-clock accessibility, these digital materials are searchable in a variety of ways: one can browse the e-contents, search the e-index, and perform keyword searches-- either across the entire library (comprised of over 70 volumes!) or just a select set. These multiple access points make searching the volumes much easier and more efficient than wrestling with a traditional (print) multi-volume resource. To access the Gale Virtual Reference Library, please visit us at goshenpubliclibrary.org. From our homepage, click the E-reference link and you should see a link for Gale’s Library. If you have further questions, feel free to contact the reference desk at 294-6606.

Former Speaker of The House of Representatives, Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill was famous for saying that "…all politics is local." On some level, the same thought may apply to some of the programming we offer adults here at the library. The whole idea is to provide a rich assortment of programs that will have a direct impact on you. On us. Whether it be music, books, artwork, poetry, whatever-- the aim is ensure that the cultural and educational connection happens here.

To that end, we enjoy offering the works and talents of local people. Our "Artist of The Month" series and our theatre productions utilize the efforts of folks from right here in our backyard.

In the coming months, a close look at local authors and musicians will be a priority. If you are, or know of, writers and music-makers, give us a call. We'll put out some press, hang some flyers, promote via our website, and celebrate in the sharing of talent. You can contact me via this form.

Looking forward to a great summer of programs! (Outdoor Shakespeare and The Big Band will keep July sizzling…)