The program, titled “Camp What-A-Wonder,” starts at 6 p.m. every Monday between June 24 and July 29. The Main Branch is located at 1740 Central Ave.

Students who participate will be encouraged to uncover the wonders around them. Every week will have a different focus. Participants can come to one or all of the programs. No registration is required.

The themes include:

Week 1: “Scout Out Some Superstructures.”

• Week 2: “Count the Ways to Wander.”
• Week 3: “Explore the Big Blue Marble.”
• Week 4: “Unlock Your Inner Inventor.”
• Week 5: “Adventure into the Atmosphere.”
• Week 6: “Dig into the Wild Kingdom.”

The free program will have children and parents learning together, as well as participating in fun activities and making crafts. Food and drink will be provided.

Camp What-a-Wonder is a program started by the National Center for Family Literacy. BCPL is participating through a grant from the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives. To learn about the camp, visit www.wonderopolis.org.

by Debbie Cosper, BCPL Director

Those of us who work in a library – like those in other career fields – are guilty of periodically (pun intended) using jargon that’s often not used by the rest of the world. So, I thought I would take a few minutes to define some BCPL “library-ese” for all of you”

Boyd County Public Library: consists of four locations: Main in Ashland, Catlettsburg Branch, Kyova Branch, and Outreach Center (which is closed to public access); it is governed by the Board of Trustees, lead by the library director, guided by 10 supervisors, and run by about 40 staff members.

Branches: the three locations other than Main Library, are Catlettsburg, Kyova, and Outreach.

Catalog: this used to be the card catalog; now it is an electronic database which includes what the library has on the shelves at all locations plus what we have digitally.  It is also known as PAC (public access catalog).

Check-out: the process of adding an item to a borrower’s account so he/she can take the item home.

Check-in: the process of taking an item off a borrower’s account when it is brought back to the library.

Children’s Room: the basement area of Main Library dedicated to serving kids; it’s the place where the new fish tank is.

Circulation Services: the term librarians use for books and materials going in and out.

Facilities Services: the group of staff who keep the buildings and grounds clean and functioning.

Friends: an independent group dedicated to supporting library services through book sales or other fund raisers and by volunteering when extra help is needed for events. Official name is BCPL Friends.

Front Desk: also known as The Circulation Desk, or Circ Desk, for short.

Genealogy Services: where we keep the dead people … well, actually, information about area ancestors and their history.

Interlibrary Loan: a.k.a. ILL; getting an item from a library not in Boyd County – from across the state to across the country, and even “across the pond.”

Information Services: formerly the Reference Department; it’s still a place to get your questions answered but it is also the department that helps patrons locate the best website, learn how to use non-book resources, download materials, or get a book from another library.

Library Commons: the green space between the Reading Garden and the Tennis Courts belonging to the City of Ashland (they did such a great job).

Outreach: services provided to homebound patrons by application only; staff is located at the former Summit Branch (which is closed to public access).

Patron, User, Borrower, Customer: people who come in to use the library. At BCPL, we refer to people as Patrons, Borrowers, and Users.

Reading Garden: the lovely outdoor space at the Main Library.

Technical Services: the department that oversees the selection, purchase, and delivery of materials, and is also responsible for describing the item and adding it to the library’s catalog so people can find what they are looking for.

Youth Services: the department that focuses services and materials on patrons from birth through high school; in also includes The Children’s Room.

But, a few years ago, we thought, “What about the adults? Shouldn’t we include them in our fun summer plans?” And that is how our adult summer reading program was born.

The adults get to start a week earlier than the kids, and the program runs more than a month longer. We figure adults are busy people – working and taking care of the kids – and finding time to read might be a bit harder for them.

So, get ready adults: “Groundbreaking Reads” starts on Memorial Day!

That’s when you can start counting the books you read, and getting rewarded for telling us what you thought of them. You have until Labor Day (Sept. 2) to read, read, read!

It’s simple to participate – click on the summer reading link on the home page, or click here. (this will be active starting on Memorial Day). Once you get registered, then you write a brief review (25 word minimum) telling us, and other summer reading participants, what you thought of the book. That’s it.

Reviews forms can also be found at any library branch (after Memorial Day). Each review submitted gives the person one entry in the drawing for the grand prize – a tablet computer!

The Groundbreaking Reads theme ties in with this year’s programs for kids (Dig Into Reading) and teens (Beneath the Surface). The rewards are focused around the theme, too:

For 5 books read, adults will get a shovel-shaped packet of mint seeds, which can be planted directly into the ground.  When adults read 10 books, we will give them a foldaway “Groundbreaking Reads” bag. At the 20-book level, the reward is a set of headphones. When adults read 25 books, we will reward them by letting them select a book or audio book of their choice (up to a $25 value). BCPL Friends are once again graciously paying for the book rewards!

And finally, at the 30-book level, we will give adults a one-year family membership to the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center, so they can go “dig into” all the cool stuff at the museum.

Speaking of the Highlands Museum, it will once again be the site of a month-long photography exhibit connected to our adult summer reading program. The theme this year is “Groundbreaking Images,” and it will be on display at the museum from Aug. 2 through Sept. 3. More information and entry forms will be available soon.

The program will end with a Groundbreaking Party on Friday, Sept. 6, at the Main Branch. That’s when participants will get the rewards they earned throughout the summer. We will also draw for the grand prize, and give away some neat door prizes.

Summertime is here. It’s a great time to get caught up on your reading – and have some fun and get some cool stuff at the same time. We hope many of you will take part.

That’s the main conclusion of a recent national survey by the Pew Research Center as part of the center’s Internet & American Life Project. It interviewed 2,252 Americans age 16 and older on the role that libraries play in their lives and in their communities.

That news is not surprising to any of us at Boyd County Public Library. We see parents every day who bring their children to the library for story times, to borrow materials, to use computers or to attend programs. Those parents are a vital link between their children and unlimited resources and information available at BCPL.

Nationwide, the vast majority of parents of minor children (94 percent) feel libraries are important for their children, and 79 percent describe libraries as “very important,” according to the Pew Center report. They give three main reasons for why they feel that way: libraries help instill a love of reading and books in their children; libraries provide information and resources not available at home; and libraries are a safe place for children.

Lower income parents (households earning less than $50,000) are more likely to view library services as “very important,” particularly because of free access to computers and the internet; programs for kids; job and career resources; and free meeting space.

Not surprisingly, parents of young children are more likely than other adults to use libraries, the report showed. In fact, 73 percent of parents reported having a library card, compared to 59 percent of other adults.

Parents’ ties to libraries are all the more interesting because parents are more likely than other adults to have computers, internet access, smartphones and tablet computers – tools that might make them less reliant on libraries because they have access to information and media through other convenient platforms.

When it comes to gender, mothers – more than fathers – report feeling more attached to their libraries, and say they are eager to see libraries expand and add new technology-related services.  They are more likely than fathers to have a library card, and to have visited the library in the past 12 months. Mothers are also more likely than fathers to read to their children every day (55 percent v. 45 percent), according to the study.

We don’t care which parent does the reading, or brings the child to the library – just as long as it’s happening.

This is a fun and easy program to do … just pick up a copy of that month’s short literary selections at Kyova, or read them online, using the links posted here. At the program, join in a brief discussion of each selection, and then enjoy some sweets. We promise to wrap it up within an hour.

We call it a quick taste of literature for busy people.  New participants are always welcome!

The selections for June 13 are:

“The Girls in Their Summer Dresses” by Irwin Shaw

http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/dresses.html

“A Pair of Silk Stockings” by Kate Chopin

http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=ChoSilk.sgm&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=1&division=div1

Starting the week of June 4, there are fun and educational programs each week for toddlers through tweens at the Ashland, Catlettsburg and Kyova branches.  The teen program is called “Beneath the Surface,” with weekly programs at both Main and Kyova.

All the fun aside, there are serious reasons for taking part in a summer reading program, said Library Director Debbie Cosper. “Studies show that kids who read at least a few books during the summer are less likely to lose the skills they learned during the school year,” she said.

Kids and teens can start keeping track of their reading hours on June 1 – register by clicking here - or fill out a registration form at any branch. Participants will receive a reading map/journal, in which they will record the number of hours spent reading, and the programs they attended.

Kids can add up their time spent reading to qualify for rewards, including seed packets, a browsing bag, a book of choice, bucket & shovel, bookmark timer and t-shirt. For every five hours over 50, kids will be entered into a drawing for the grand prize – a Kindle Fire.

Digging time starts Saturday, June 1, at 2 p.m. at the Kyova Branch, located in the Kyova Mall across from Elder-Beerman. Coyote Chris from Silly Safaris and a few of his favorite creatures will help get the summer fun going. All ages are welcome.

“Dig Into Reading” is for children 4-12, but the older kids (tweens) will do different crafts and activities than the younger ones. Weekly program times are as follows: Main Branch (1740 Central Ave., Ashland): Wednesdays at 2 p.m., ages 4 to 12; and Fridays at 11:30 a.m., toddlers; Kyova Branch: Tuesdays at 2 p.m., ages 4 to 12; and Fridays at 1 p.m., toddlers; and Catlettsburg Branch (2704 Louisa St.): Thursdays at 2 p.m., ages 4 to 12; Mondays at 10:30 a.m., toddlers.

There are special summer reading programs again this year at the Highlands Museum: Discovering Your Roots” is for teens, on Saturday, June 8; and “Digging Deeper” is for kids 4-12 on Saturday, June 22. Participants in summer reading at BCPL can pick up a free museum pass for themselves and a guest at any library branch during the week prior to the museum programs.

The program for kids wraps up Saturday, July 27, with a big party at the Kyova Branch. Kids must reach the five-hour reading goal in order to attend.

“Digging Deeper” movies are also being shown each Friday at noon at the Main Branch, starting June 7. Snacks will be provided. That schedule is:

• “Scooby Doo in Where’s My Mummy?:” June 7
• “Gnomeo & Juliet:” June 14
• “How to Eat Fried Worms:” June 21
• “Holes:” June 28
• “Journey to the Center of the Earth:” July 5
• “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs:” July 12
• “FernGully: The Last Rainforest:” July 19
• “The Goonies:” July 26

The teen summer program, “Beneath the Surface,” meets each Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Main Branch, and Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Kyova Branch. Weekly activities include Mystery Box, Mirror Mirror, Tie-Dye, CSI and Mystery Ink. Just like the younger set, teens are rewarded for the time they spend reading in June and July. Teen rewards include a lanyard, sport bag, t-shirt, book of choice and headphones. When teens reach 100 hours, they will be entered into a drawing for a iPad. Every 25 hours after that gets them another entry.

Teens will have their own wrap-up program – a lock-in at the Kyova Branch on July 25. Only teens who attended at least one Beneath the Surface program and read at least 25 hours are eligible for the lock-in.

The adult summer program is back again this year, and is called “Groundbreaking Reads.” It is longer than the youth programs – running from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Adults fill out brief (about 25 words) book reviews for each book they read and earn rewards based on the number. Book review forms are available at any branch, or at www.thebookplace.org.  Adults are rewarded based on the number of books they read.

The Highlands museum will be the site of a special “Groundbreaking Images” photo exhibit in August (opening reception is Friday, Aug. 2, at 6 p.m.), and the adult program ends with a Groundbreaking Party on Friday, Sept. 6. All reading rewards will be given away at the final party, as well as the tablet computer grand prize. Each book review written during the summer enters the adult one time in the drawing for the grand prize.

Click here to register for Summer Reading 2013!!!

Summer is when our monthly Pictures in the Park program returns to the Library Commons area adjacent to the Main Branch, 1740 Central Ave.

This free outdoor family movie night is held the first Friday of May through August. At dark, we show a movie on our large outdoor movie screen. We even provide popcorn and drinks. All you need to bring is a chair and blankets (it can sometimes get pretty chilly in the evening).

We will start around 9 p.m. In case of rain, the movie will be shown the following Friday. If weather prevents us from showing the movie the second time, it won’t be rescheduled.

The remainder of the Pictures in the Park lineup is:

• June 7: “The Smurfs.” In this 2011 animated movie, rated PG, the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, and they tumble from their magical world into New York City.
• July 5: “Independence Day.” We couldn’t pass up the chance to show this 1996 movie so close to the Fourth of July. Will Smith stars as a pilot who tries to save the world when the aliens arrive and intend to destroy it. The aliens have the superior technology, but mankind fights back with its strong will to survive. Rated PG-13.
• August 2: “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Our final film in the series is the 1981 Indiana Jones classic, starring Harrison Ford as an archaeologist hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis. It is rated PG.

Something new – or should I say, “someONE new – we are adding to the First Friday Fun this summer is a visit from The Story Lady. She will share a special story hour with kids at the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center (1629 Winchester Ave.) at 6 p.m. on the First Friday of May through August.

The Story Lady @ First Friday program includes an interactive story or two, followed by a fun craft and activity. The program will last about a half hour or so, leaving plenty of time to grab some dinner and get over to Pictures in the Park, just a couple of blocks away.

Did you know there’s more than one type of smart? There’s “book smart,” of course, an area in which libraries can help a lot. There’s also “street smart,” an area where the library might not be the best expert.

But what about “money smart?” Do you know what that is, and that the library can go a long way toward helping you achieve a high level of “money smartness?”

First, we have books and electronic resources to help you make money, save money, invest money and just become better money managers, in general.

Now, Boyd County Public Library is offering some programs to help you get smarter with your money. And we’ve found the perfect time to do it: Money Smart Week 2013 (April 20-27).

Money Smart Week is a national observance that’s just a couple of years old. The American Library Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago held the first one in 2011, as a way to promote personal financial literacy.

BCPL is sponsoring two programs. The first, on Wednesday, April 24, at 6 p.m. at the Kyova Branch, is Couponing 101, starring our own Jamie Bayne. By day (and some evenings and weekends), Jamie is the library’s information services supervisor. But the rest of the time, she is a wife, mom and extreme couponer. Jamie will show you how to save tons of money by finding, collecting, sorting and using coupons. The program is free (of course!) and no registration is needed.

Our other Money Smart program is designed to keep you from becoming a victim of identity theft. It’s called Document Disposal Day, and it takes place on Saturday, April 27. Just visit any branch during regular hours that day (Catlettsburg is open 1 to 5 p.m.; Main is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Kyova from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and staff will shred and dispose of your documents. There is a limit of five bags per person.

Why shred? Because when you put a piece of paper in the trash, you never know what happens to it. It’s likely that your piece of paper passes through several stages on its way to a landfill or incinerator. And with every stage there is a risk that someone will find your personal information, and use it to steal from you or otherwise harm you. One way to safeguard against that is to shred it before it goes into the trash.

Personal documents that you might want to consider shredding when you no longer need them include: tax information and returns (older than 3 years); investment records and statements; bank statements and canceled checks; paycheck stubs, credit card statements and receipts; utility bills; insurance policies; deeds and mortgages; and ATM receipts. It is also recommended that electronic files with personal data be shredded.

When you come to Document Disposal Day, make sure you don’t bring any personal documents that you need to hold onto, such as: wills, powers of attorney, birth certificates, marriage licenses; divorce or child care orders; trust documents; and military records.

If you can’t attend any of our Money Smart programs, then make sure you check out all the resources on this site, and in our catalog. That way, you can get “book smart” and “money smart” at the same time!

This is the highest rating a library can receive in Kentucky. Exemplary libraries are those that “exceed expectations,” according to the Kentucky Public Library Standards. Only five libraries in the state have this distinction.

BCPL’s board and staff have been working hard on attaining exemplary status since the standards were first announced a few years ago.

Standards provide a guide to excellence, and define the kind of public library services that should be available for Kentuckians. The KPLA Standards stress ongoing planning and evaluation in seven key areas: governance and administration; human relations; collections; services; facilities; technology; and marketing/public relations.

Standards define the kind of public library services that should be available for Kentuckians. There are three Kentucky Public Library Standards:

•  Essential: a library that would be meeting the basic needs of the community
• Enhanced: a library that is providing enhanced services
• Exemplary: a library that exceeds expectations.

Part of BCPL’s strategic plan was to attain Exemplary Status by 2013.

“This award represents many hours of hard work and planning by those who are dedicated to providing the best possible library system for the people of Boyd County,” said Debbie Johnson, president of the BCPL Board of Trustees. “Many thanks go to the staff … as well as to the past and present members of the board. This is a prime example of what we can accomplish when we focus on a goal and work together.”

BCPL Director Debbie Cosper said achieving exemplary status confirms what Boyd County residents already know: “We have a terrific library that offers so much.”

The designation shows that Boyd County Public Library is a forward-thinking and responsive organization, Cosper said. “It documents that the library has an engaged and informed board, provides well-trained and state-certified staff, and maintains and updates policies and procedures regularly,” she said. “It also means that the library provides a balanced collection that is current and informative, that the library is at the forefront in technology across the state, and that it offers a wide range of programming for all ages.”

According to the KPLA Standards Committee, the standards help maximize the library’s role in the community by focusing its resources. “Planning is the keystone for a dynamic, evolving organization … The most effective tool for evaluating a library’s progress and defining goals for future development is a written plan,” according to the introduction to the Kentucky Public Library Standards: Direction and Service for the 21^st Century.

Warren County Public Library also received exemplary status this year. Kenton County was the first, in 2011, followed by Boone and McCracken last year.