rt

SE eg en agen a a TES Eee ae ee ee Ey es eee!

ey es

ae

ee cee

Poe

recat

palali eeaagressentanee i

The Librarians?

by Betty Barton

Last week, we introduced four
members of the Terrace Public
Library staff and a volunteer. This
week, we interviewed the other
three staff members and librarian
Ed Curell.

Donna Wold has been the over-
dues clerk, as well as doing desk
time, at the Terrace Public Library
for the past four years. She has
been in Terrace since 1972, Donna
says that overdue materials are a
major concern at the Terrace Pub-
lic Library.

She explains that each morning,
the computer spits out first, second
and third notices to library users
with overdue material. She makes
phone calls and also writes letters
to search out the user. "I have a
knack for tracking them down and
getting people to return books,
videos and CD’s, This gives me a
great sense of satisfaction." Donna
currently works 22 hours per week.
She would eventually like to take
on additional duties and extra
hours,

Jackie Monro has worked at the
Terrace Public Library for five
years. She has been in Terrace
since 1983. She began as the over-
dues clerk for one year, book-
keeper for one year. Jackie
explains that the work room is
very claustrophobic and she really
likes people contact. Now she
works as desk clerk, and circula-
tion officer. She also updates all
reference materials, mends books,

. manual systems in the downtimes,

and updates phamphiet files.
The year before Jackie joined
staff, the library introduced their

computer system. Three years ago, [iim

they added four public terminals.
"This makes it more: efficient, so
people can find things on their
own," explains Jackie. "We’re
always there to help."

She jokingly adds that the system
only goes down when the head
librarian, Ed Curell, is away. "It
knows when he’s away," she

quips. The files are backed up on |

disc, so nothing is lost, but the
staff and users have to revert to

which usually last about half a day
when they occur.

Jackie concludes, "I think we
meet the nicest people at the
library. We're all book people."

Gillian Campbell is another fam-
iliar face at the Terrace Public

_ Library, as children’s librarian and

resident puppeteer. Gillian has just
returned from a one-year leave of
absence, refreshed and enthusiastic
about upcoming children’s pro-
grams.

Several activities for children are
coming up at the library:
‘This week, the pre-school story
times begin for two year olds, and
3-5 year olds.
«On November 4, in the afternoon,
the Terrace Public Library will
celebrate Canadian Children’s
Book Festival Week with author
Rachna Gilmore.” Gilmore, ~orig-
inally from New Delhi, will’ visit
from Ottawa to share her four

Terrace Review —— Wednesday, October 16, 1991 9

Gillian Campbell, Donna Wold: Children’s services, overdue fines, and a sense of

satisfaction.

children’s books.

*The last week of October, the
Terrace Public Library will
sponsor a “Weigh the Pumpkin"
contest. Gillian hopes to donate
a pumpkin from her garden.

Ed Curell has been the librarian
at the Terrace Public Library since
May 1, 1979. He came directly
from two years of library school at
UBC. Prior to that, he attended
library school in England and
worked there for five years. Ed
says enthusiastically, "I like it. It’s
good. It’s great to see the growth
in usage!" In 1979, the Terrace
Public Library loaned out 92,000

records and books. More than
180,000 were borrowed in 1991.
There ate currently 9,200 library
card holders locally. Close to
20,000 cards have been issued
since 1985. Ed confirms that
library. usage is up province-
wide and expansion is happening
all over.

The present conditions at the
library are that they are "under-
booked", meaning that they don’t
quite meet the provincial minimum
of two books per capita. Ed would

books, records, CD’s and videos
now listed on the computer at the
Terrace Public Library, only
35,000 are on display. Those books
not on display have to be retrieved
from the storage room for the
individual customer. Ed adds,
"When we get a new book now,
we have to throw one away. We
either have a book sale, dispose of
the book if it’s outdated, or send it
to another library." Ed says they
keep removing materials by this
means, sO appearances of an or-
ganized and uncluttered Terrace

like to see it up around 2.5. But,Public Library are deceiving.

expansion is necessary before that
can be considered. Of the 41,000

"Something has to happen in the
next few years," he says.

In 1986 the peop

tn 1991 the

ple of Skeena want 2
someone with vision who will continue
to open doors to opportunity.

He will... with your support a }

le of Skeena said they
wanted someone who would do the job.
He Did.

we

oe te ay