So far, so good...

So far, so good on four major fronts for me this summer:

1. So far, so good on our ILS
We are in the throes of preparing the databases for our new integrated library system and are slowly but surely getting things straightened out. The biggest frustration for us is not knowing just how to solve some problems that are arising due to our coming online for the first time. Not like the others in our new consortium (PAILS ... Palmetto Academic Independent Library System) who are all migrating from some other system. But with the Lord's help and the help of PASCAL, the SC academic library consortium of which we are members, we'll make it!

We are still on target for live catalog and live circulation in January.

2. So far, so good on our new resources for the new BUSINESS PROGRAM
It certainly is not an inexpensive project to gather materials for a program that is totally new to the curriculum! But with the help of an excellent annotated bibliography for just such a purpose we have been able to find some good core resources so we can have something to offer when the classes get started in August.

A book I came across in the process of looking for good Christian, evangelical-based material on the topic of business was very interesting reading... Phil Vischner's Me, Myself, & Bob was entertaining reading but full of lessons about good business practice, lessons Phil learned the hard way through the demise of VeggieTales. I have added it to our business collection.

3. So far, so good on the growth of the KIRKLAND PRISON PROGRAM LIBRARY
I was afraid we might not have enough money to support purchase of the books we would need for the initialization of this library, but I should have known better! The faculty have been very supportive and have donated hundreds of books for this project. Others who have heard about the program have also contacted me about donating items, and most of what has been donated has been good quality and in good shape. We've spent a little bit of money but most of what we have has been in the form of donations. This summer I have not been able to keep up with all the donations, but that is a good problem to have!

We currently have over 1000 titles in the Kirkland library, and it continues to grow.

4. So far, so good on the ICE CREAM PROMISE
Back at the beginning of the summer I read about a library director who promised her staff that every day of the summer that the temperature rose to 95 degrees, she would buy ice cream for everyone on the staff. I laughingly told my staff about this and made the comment that at that rate here in South Carolina, I might go broke! Their response? "Well, what if it gets to be 100?" So I promised ice cream for everyone on any 100 degree day that comes!

Well, it has been one of the coolest summers in South Carolina that I can remember in recent years! Consequently, so far I have not had to purchase any ice cream. Not that they don't deserve it, of course!!