System Spotlight
By Staff
Tandy:
Wow – where have the last 39 years gone! I would have never dreamed that I would be ending my working career at the same place that it all started.
It all started while I was attending Dodge City Community College about to graduate with my Executive Secretarial Certificate in the spring. I was working in the Records Department when I was not attending classes and trying to plan for a July wedding. The College Registrar mentioned to me that a good friend of hers was the Director of the Dodge City Public Library/Southwest Kansas Library System and they were looking for help working the front desk.
I remember so clearly walking into the Dodge City Public Library on April 1, 1986 being a young 19-year-old just starting my working career. As the weeks passed, I eventually started working mornings at the Front Desk at DCPL and afternoons in the basement for the SWKLS as the Communications Assistant. In 2004, SWKLS moved our offices to Military Plaza and I made the move with them! In 2017, I became the Office Manager. A position I love very much – but all good things must come to an end.
It is time to move on in life to slow down and enjoy more. In my retirement I am planning to help my parents more with various tasks as their health isn’t as good as it used to be. I will also be volunteering at my church, which I am already doing – but will be able to spread these tasks out more throughout the week and not have to do this in the evenings and all weekend. Kevin, Krista and I have already booked several camping trips this summer and this fall we will be attending all the home K-State Football games (Go Cats!!). Yes, my husband is very jealous as he is having to work possibly a couple more years before he can fully retire, but his time will come soon and we will be able to travel a lot more then.
I would like to thank the SWKLS staff – my work family – for the awesome reception they held for me last Friday. It was great to see a lot you and a lot of the former employees that I have worked with over the years. This meant so much to me and I will cherish those memories!
I would also like to thank all of you – my extended work family – for all the encouraging words and all your kindness over the years. I have been blessed to surround myself with great people that do so much in their communities.
I will try to keep up with all your library happenings by checking out the SWKLS website and reading the weekly wrap-ups.
Keep up the good work in your libraries as you are all very special to me and I will miss you all very much!
Blessings — Tandy Ritchhart
*SWKLS would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jetmore Public Library Director Jacque Sherrill, the photographer of most of these pictures. Jacque always takes such amazing photos and we appreciate her talent and thank her for sharing it with us!
Consulting
By Sara Wilson
- April 22nd – 2 PM – Twosday Takeaway: SCCC Inclusive Spring Programming | Webinar/Registration Link
- April 22nd – 12 PM – Communicating Our Non-Partisan Mission | Webinar/Registration Link
- April 23rd – 1 PM – Managing Difficult Employee Behaviors | Webinar/Registration Link
- April 23rd – 2 PM – Spirituality in the Library Workplace: Bringing Your Whole Self to Work | Webinar/Registration Link
- April 24th – 12 PM – How to Get Your Board to Fundraise | Webinar/Registration Link
- April 25th – 12 PM – DPLA Book Talk: Jacqueline Woodson on Banned Books | Webinar/Registration Link
Save the Date: Family Resource Training
Join us May 7th on Zoom as Shyanne Hall, from 1-800-CHILDREN shares a wonderful, statewide resource for families that you can tell your patrons about!
We do not have registration set up for this event, yet. Please save the date so you can plan to attend!
More changes for the Southwest Kansas Library System – Richard
The System is still in flux with many directors retiring over the last couple of years. That is still happening during this year. We have had 3 directors retire, some preparing to retire, and new directors coming into the library world. Just in the last few months alone we have had Ronna Schmidt (Greeley County Library), Joan Weaver (Kinsley Public Library), Amy Halling (Hanston City Library), Tandy Ritchhart (SWKLS), and Tammy Dickey (Kearny County Library). Now we add Marge Tillitson (Ransom Public Library) to that list.
We miss and will miss all of these wonderful individuals that gave so willing to the library community. Thank you to each and everyone of them and we wish them much joy and wellness as they move into this new chapter in their life.
Twosday Takeaway: Inclusive Spring Programming
Cataloging, Collection Development, and ILL
By Miguel Coca
Collection Development Inspiration
Adult Fiction
Children’s & YA Fiction
#Trendy Librarian
Join us for an exciting event exploring the latest trends in libraries and programming. Hear from our keynote speaker from SWK9 Pawsibilities (dogs might be making an appearance), who will discuss the growing role of animals in library programming and their impact on community engagement.
Lunch will be provided – Quiznos
Non-Members: $75 Registration Fee
SWKLS Members: No fee
Please contact Tonia if you have any dietary restrictions.
Register with the link below!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trendy-librarian-tickets-1311954213369?aff=oddtdtcreator
From the SWKLS Pro Collection
This librarian’s guide provides recommendations for quick and easy implementation of space-improving, time-saving practices. It also discusses the fundamentals of business and engineering management, public health, and other disciplines as they directly relate to the improvement of library service and management.
Detailing free and affordable adjustments to the library environment as well as information for those who will participate in a renovation or new construction project, the book features tips for creating functional, efficient, and productive spaces; procedures for streamlining routine tasks; methods for arranging materials in high demand; and ways of reconfiguring or planning spaces. It will provide librarians with a working knowledge of process management that will help them to strengthen their competence and build confidence to address and troubleshoot problems, freeing them to engage in more meaningful interactions and activities that benefit the community.
(Reminder) Verso Reports update
On the March 20th Verso Release they removed the Old Reports and replaced it with Reports (new). I have attached the Verso Release Notes below
Removal of Old Reports from Statistics Menu in Staff Dashboard
To streamline the user experience and improve access to essential features, we removed certain reports from the
Statistics module in the Staff Dashboard. These reports have been replaced with improved versions in the Statistics
module under Reports (new).
Key Changes:
- The removed reports are no longer available in the Staff Dashboard > Statistics module.
- Equivalent reports can be accessed in the Statistics module under Reports (new).
- Users requiring similar data can generate reports using the updated options.
Technology
by Christopher Dressler
False Domain Registration Notices
False domain registration bills are making the rounds again and I thought it would be a good time to bring awareness to these mailers. If you read the entire notice, you will see that it is an ad to get the use to unknowingly switch to this provider.
I hope this article was helpful to you this week. If you have any questions in regard to creating an AI Usage Policy, please call us here at the office.