Posts Tagged ‘UD Libraries’

We hate to brag, but…

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

…it’s a fact.  The new Municipal Library building has been included in the American Libraries Magazine 2012 Design Showcase.  An example of “Small Projects, Big Impact”, the library is the only new building highlighted in this section of the article.

Here are some shots that didn’t  make it into the  magazine.

Share

Did you get an eReader for the holidays?

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

So, you got a NOOK or a Kindle Fire or an iPad for Christmas and now you’ve used up the gift cards that came with it.  Ebooks are convenient but they sure can be expensive.  Like always, the Library is here to help.

As a member of the Delaware County Library System, the Upper Darby Libraries can offer you access to thousands of titles for kids and adults of all types.  Best of all, they’re FREE.

If you feel pretty confident about your ability to download, click here to go right to the “catalog” page and start looking for your next book.

If you want some help on getting started, don’t worry, there’s plenty of help right hereYou’ll get a guided tour on how to check out titles, how long you can keep them, and more.

 

If you’re still not sure about getting into this whole ereader “thing”, try clicking here first.  Choose the exact device you have (or are thinking about getting!) and watch a step by step video on how to use them.  (Thanks to the Rachel Kohl Library for the production of these videos.  Just remember, whenever it says, “Rachel Kohl Library” think “Upper Darby Libraries”!)

Don’t forget that you can download audio-books, too.  Listen while you commute, or workout, or just work. You can transfer books to dozens of players or listen on your computer.  Follow the same link to search for your next “good listen”. 

Share

Snow Days

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Upper Darby Libraries are closed today – Feb. 10, 2010.   We’d like to think that this is the last day the libraries will be closed due to snow, but somehow, that doesn’t seem realistic right now.  So, for everyone’s future reference, here’s some information about snow days and the UD Libraries.

  • For weather emergencies, the libraries follow the Upper Darby School District.  The snow emergency number is 452.
  • If the schools open two hours late, the libraries will open at 11:00 a.m.
  • The voicemail at the Sellers Main Branch will be updated by 8:00 a.m. on days that the libraries close.  Call 610-789-4440 for information.
  • Sorry – none of the libraries have outside book drops.
  • If your books are due on a day the library is closed, try renewing them online.  Have your library card barcode on hand.
  • You will never be charged an overdue fine for a day we are closed.  The library assistant who checks in your items will deduct fees for any days we close, open late, or close early.
  • You can still use all the electronic resources provided by the Delaware County Library System – Our Virtual Branch.
  • And the next time the weatherman calls for a blizzard, even just an inch or two, come see us ahead of time and take out enough books, movies, and music to get you through!
Share

The UD Libraries in 2010

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

As you, our patrons,  know, 2009 saw a long and only partially successful campaign to maintain level funding by the state for public libraries.  As we head into 2010, the impact of those cuts are beginning to be known.  You have probably seen the newspaper articles about the Delaware County libraries that are cutting the hours they are open.  Continued access to the databases offered by libraries have also been under review, as have interlibrary loans.  So, what’s happening with the Upper Darby Libraries in this new, less-funded world?

First, the good news.  There are no plans to cut the hours that any of the Upper Darby Libraries are open.  As long as financially feasible to do so, we will continue to be open for over 70 hours a week at the Sellers/Main Branch, and an average of 60 hours weekly at the Municipal and Primos branches.   More good news – the popular tutor.dom Live Homework Help service and the Reference USA business directory, separately funded by the Delaware County Council, will also be continued.  Live Homework Help has even found a way to expand their services and hours.   More good news? – The Delaware County Library System will continue its support of the InterLibrary Loan system, allowing patrons to borrow from libraries across the state and the country.

How did we do this?  With lots of help.  As mentioned above, the Delaware County Library System and County Council have decided to support three important and expensive services that are offered to patrons through their local library – in this case, the Upper Darby Libraries.  These are services that we could not offer without this financial support.  But the most important source of help has been you – through the township of Upper Darby.

The 2010 township budget provides continued support for the libraries.  While it did not make up for the almost $100,000 lost in state aid (and no one expected it to do so!), the township funding will be enough to let us stay open and available.

So where will the difference be made up?  In three main areas – staffing, materials, property maintenance.  Staff salaries will remain static, and only vacant positions will be filled – no increases in staffing.  The number of new books, movies, cd’s and so forth will be reduced.  We’ll still get as many of  those new titles you want as we can - but probably only one or two copies.  This will mean longer waits for the good stuff.  Property maintenance  – we’ll be looking to the Friends of the Library, grants, and other alternate funding sources for anything bigger than basic maintenance.  The same will be true for new and old programming alike.

So what’s left to figure out?  Still up in the air are the state-funded databases, known as the POWER Library.  The latest word from the State is that these subscriptions are being re-bid and downsized.  When we know what that means, we’ll pass it along to you.

Share

Shopping with Purpose

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Actually – shop for the UD Libraries.  Saturday, December 5, is the Barnes and Noble Bookfair in support of the Children’s programs of the Upper Darb Township and Sellers Memorial Free Public Libraries.  You can get a copy of the voucher either by clicking here or picking one up at any Upper Darby Library.  Use it this Saturday at the Lawrence Park Barnes and Noble and the Library will receive a percentage of all purchases.  And as a special attraction for the youngest among us, the mouse from Laura Numeroff’s book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie will make a special appearance at 10:30 in the morning.  Come visit the library staff, see the mouse, get some shopping done and support your library – all at one time!

Share

Plenty of activities

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

There are plenty of things going on at the Library these days, and it’s time to get them all out there.  Be sure to check the calendars each day to see what’s going on.

Our children’s programming starts back in full swing Monday Oct. 5, with a full schedule of story times, art activities, book groups, and more!  But even before then, come for Jammy Jamboree this Friday night.

Have a teen?  Programming for them never really stops.  Check out the Teen Blog for details.

Adult programs are coming.  Look for Big Read programs, Arthritis exercises, a Scrabble tournament, and even a free online Resume Workshop on Wed. Sept. 30 at 1:00 pm.  Contact Sellers Library for details.

Share

Budget News

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

First, from all the staff at the Upper Darby Libraries, a tremendous THANK YOU to all our supporters who have written, emailed or called to voice their opinions about the proposed budget cuts.  It is so gratifying to know that  we have your support and confidence.

While a budget has been approved, the details have not yet been published, and may not be known for several days yet.    The press reports say that Gov. Rendell was pleased with the education package, but how that will work down to library funding is still unknown.  You can be sure that everyone at the libraries are following this very closely. 

Once again, no matter how this works out in the end, thank you for your support.

Share

UD Big Read

Friday, September 18th, 2009

The Upper Darby Big Read program starts tomorrow with a big book give away.  Join us at the 9th Annual Chicken Festival sponsored by Christ Lutheran Community Church.  We’ll be there giving away copies of our Big Read book, Their Eyes Were Watching God, as well as reader’s guides, and information on all Big Read programming, from 11:00 am tuntil 2:00.  See you there.

The UD Big Read is sponsored by the Prayer Chapel Community Outreach Services (PCCOS).
 
The UD Public Libraries are proud to be partners with PCCOS in this program.
 
The Big Read in an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) designed to restore reading to the center of American culture.

Share