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Our business is cyclical

AT THE LIBRARY

About this time each year I am tired and badly need a vacation. My mantra becomes “Shore Beats Work.” This year seems worse than usual for some obvious and not so obvious reasons. When I’m weary and need a bit of a break, it’s difficult to focus, so this week’s column may seem as though I have the attention span of a gnat on steroids.

I’ve been thinking about the life cycle of public libraries because we recently hired three new staff members. On their first day I told them, “It will take you a year before you feel comfortable in your job.” It’s important they understand that while some duties are the same, day in and day out, other duties take precedent at specific times during the year before receding into the background until they rear their heads the next year.

If we are doing our jobs, you the library customer, might not be aware of, or think about this life cycle. For example, you know tax forms are available at the library, so on April 14 you scurry in to get them. Did you know we order those forms in November of the previous year and hope they arrive in a timely fashion?

Different staff members are busy at different times of the year. The busiest months for the library director are January through mid-May, hence my weariness.

As I wind down from the relentless pace of annual reports, the audit, several grant/requests for proposals, National Library Week and the annual fundraising campaign, winter weather concerns, and setting the year’s strategic goals with appropriate objectives, other staff members are gearing up for the busy summer months and the Summer Reading Program.

By the time August rolls around, everyone will need a vacation to prepare for the fall cycle of programs, school assignments, and community events such as Goose Day, pumpkin decorating, and the headlong rush into the holiday season.

Come January, we start all over again.

Right now, however, we are in the throes of final planning for the Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme is “Building a Better World for 175 Years.”

Public libraries have always encouraged reading for pleasure during the months of school vacation. You don’t want you to be “dumber in the summer.”

There are all kinds of activities, programs and prizes beginning with the kickoff event, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. You won’t want to miss the fun. There is a cupcake contest, so put a few coins, or $100 bills, in your pocket to vote for your favorite confection. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy music by Sasparilla. Use your camera/smartphone to take some Book Character Selfies or a picture with our mascot, BeeAReader.

There will be games, face painting, fitness fun with the U.S. Army, and free popcorn, hot dogs, snow cones.

Last year, you could dunk the director and this year you can duct tape Dr. Molly for only $1 a strip. Of course, you will want to register as a summer reader to be eligible for prizes all summer long.

Juniata County Library’s kickoff program is Friday, June 9, with a plethora of activities too. It is

offering online registration at www.juniatalibrary.org. Each week adult readers will get tools (a mug, pens, highflyers, etc.) to build a “reading toolbox.”

Did you know you can participate in the Summer Reading Program at both libraries? What are you waiting for? I’ll tell you a little secret to help you this summer. There is a 100 percent foolproof way to prevent sunburn. It’s called stay inside (or stay in the shade) and read a book.

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Molly S. Kinney is the director at the Mifflin County Library. She’s reading “I Will Send Rain,” by Rae Meadows, and worrying about being duct taped and hoping she doesn’t need to go to the restroom during this time.

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