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Library blog tackles a wide variety of topics to buzz about

Have you read any of our blog posts yet? Launched last spring, What's the Buzz is a way for Library staff to take a deeper dive when delivering information about our many resources. We are fighting for attention on social media, and people tend to be looking for specific information on our webpages, so this is a place to go if you want a little more. We aim for more of a magazine-like feel, with features and articles written by staff. 

Some are specifically about Library resources, like the Resource Spotlight: Novelist or Using Our Online Catalog: Instructional Videos. Both blog posts were written by Library Associate Elliot Stapleton, and the videos were made by him too. 

Others take an idea of what kinds of questions we might get and expand upon them. For example, Programming and Outreach Coordinator Ellen Miles recently wrote a post about how to give charitable donations to organizations here in the Camas area (Giving Locally). 

There are lighthearted posts (Finding New Music; Halloween Fun), more serious posts (Kids Learning about 9/11, Podcasts and Race), and the best part is, we're just getting started. 

If you have an idea of something you'd like to see covered, please let us know. New posts go up on Fridays. 


We received a Black Voices Microgrant. Beanstack Black Voices Microgrant

Beanstack, the company whose software we use for the Summer Reading Program, recently offered microgrants for up to $1,000 for libraries who are discussing and pursuing racial justice in their communities.

We applied for the grant in order to bring back Alexis Braly James, the speaker we hosted in August, to lead another workshop on racial equity. The response to her class was so positive, we'd like to be able to do it again when we can meet in person. 

Good news: we got the grant! The award monies will cover her speaking fee and digital marketing. 
Return your letter to the North Pole Librarian by Friday! Hollie, the North Pole Librarian

This is the last week to get your letters into Hollie, our North Pole Librarian! You can print your letter template here: https://bit.ly/NorthPoleLibrarian and drop off the finished letter by Friday, December 11 at 5pm. Responses will be sent via email starting December 14.
The Library will be closed December 24, 25, and January 1. Holiday Hours

We will be closed (no curbside service) December 24, 25, and January 1. 
Basement restoration after flood on September 18. Flood Restoration

Demolition work is complete. Insurance representatives and contractors hope to agree on terms to move forward to restoration work by mid- to late December. 

Comments from your Library community this month. Some are direct quotes and some are as-reported by staff. We love our patrons!

◘ Just talked to a patron who, when explained the purchase request/ILL request process, was astounded and very pleased that we might go buy a copy of a book because a patron requested it. He said, "That is very generous of the Library."

◘ "To all the staff at Camas Library, We really appreciate your hard work and the creative ways you've found to keep community outreach and library services going, whilst being mindful of covid protocols. Elsie loves the little craft activities, great idea! Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving."

◘ "I sure miss indoor visits to my favorite library and librarians!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!"

◘ While setting up a curbside appointment, a patron told me, "What a first-rate library!" 

◘ "Wow. What a good idea to share this during Thanksgiving week. I do have many things to be thankful for, even in this Strange Year 2020. The Camas library services and helpful staff are on my list too. Having books, ebooks, a hotspot and even an assortment of DVDs sure has helped me thru this isolation period. Blessings to you all!"

◘ "We sure do appreciate you guys."

◘ "Thank you so much!!! I especially appreciate the equal number of books for each kid. They count and compare." (re: book bundles)

◘ A patron just called to schedule a pickup of book bundles for her kids. She complimented how quickly we put them together and she called them "a cool way to expand our reading adventures".

◘ A patron just shared that she's been using curbside since we started back up and that she is so grateful, it has saved her family and given them a little normal.

◘ A patron emailed this about book bundles: “That was so quick and what an awesome service! I found it hard to browse online for new and interesting books for my son. Plus, I kept picking out the same ones :) It's so wonderful to have a librarian's expertise to pick out age-appropriate and different books!”

◘ "Thank you so much for all you're doing for the community. You've certainly kept me supplied with interesting, educational reads during this difficult time. I'm particularly enjoying the book bundle that was selected for me a couple of weeks ago, on top of all the special books you've ordered for me over the past several months. Librarians are the best!"

◘ From someone who attended the Equality on Trial program: "Thank you Ellen & Library Staff for organizing and hosting this event -- wonderful to have these listening opportunities brought to us through Camas. I thought the presenter shared some perspectives that were new to me, so it was an hour very well spent!"

◘ A patron named Susan just called to say what a wonderful job Leah did pulling together a bag of audiobooks for their road trip through the desert. She was very grateful, and said the audiobooks made the "time fly by"! 

◘ A patron (not sure if they're a kid or teen) sent us a message through Instagram asking about the library sleepovers. They said, "The lock-in is a highlight of my whole year".

◘ "Happy Thanksgiving, Librarians!! Sarah wanted to say thank you for letting us get books."


Community Engagement

◘ Outreach Outside the Box, Ellen Miles

◘ Providing Library Senior Services in a COVID-19 World, Leah Burch

◘ Public and School Libraries: Creative Ways to Build Successful Partnerships, Elliot Stapleton
Content Delivery

◘ Researching Persons of Color: African American Genealogy, Rebel Martin

◘ How to be More Inclusive in Your Readers’ Advisory Work, Leah Burch, Elliot Stapleton, and Vanessa Perger
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

◘ Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise, Part 4 "Touch The Sky", Colleen Kawamura

◘ How to Be an Ally,  Danielle Reynolds

◘ Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, episodes 6, 7, and 9, Christopher Knipes
Professional Growth, Staff Training, and Wellness

◘ The Art of Giving Feedback, Connie Urquhart

◘ Libraries Transform Communities (final classes), Connie Urquhart

◘ Library Journal Design Institute Conference, Connie Urquhart





Camas Public Library

625 NE 4th Ave, Camas
WA 98607 United States
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The Director's Report is prepared monthly for the Camas Public Library Board of Trustees and disseminated to Library stakeholders. You received this email because you signed up on our website or otherwise opted in.
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