Meltaways? What meltaways? But first....
Library news.
Another benchmark has been reached. The draft for a telephone citizen survey is now ready for the two committees who will be participating in the long-range planning process. The staff committee holds its first meeting on Thursday morning; the citizen committee meets the following Tuesday. The schedule of meetings extends through early September on somewhat of a monthly basis. As data coordinator, I will have much to do between each set of meetings, most of it related to report writing after digesting survey results, census data, committees input, etc. With no end to my list of various library duties, 1984 is already sprinting toward the finish line. I certainly hope that I can maintain my stamina and keep from getting winded before collapsing on New Year's Eve.
At this point, John and I are considering contracting with a professional research survey outfit to conduct the citizen survey from start (review of survey itself, definition of sample size, sample selection) to the crucial middle (training, techniques for surveyors, and survey implementation) to finish (data entry, tabulation, computer analysis). So far we have received one estimate, an $8,000 proposal from the Wisconsin Survey Research Laboratory, affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Extension. The availability of alternatives is extremely limited. A professional survey organization with a national scope such as Gallup or Roper or Neilsenh would probably cost the library a small fortune. Using the assistance of UW-Oshkosh's testing research staff may not offer us a needed level of expertise. What will help us decide on whom to pick is how much the library board is willing to commit to the project. We may end up having to use volunteers, such as the Friends of the Library.
The new circulation librarian started on Monday. Pat Losinski is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison library school and worked part-time for awhile at the Janesville Public Library. This marks the first time in nearly four years that the library has added a professional librarian to its staff.
Yesterday being Presidents' Day, we had more than our usual share of schoolage children in the library. Around 3 o'clock, I was sitting in my office when the fire alarm started to sound, an unmistakable aural intrusion. Nobody panicked; in fact, everyone, both staff and patrons alike, quickly exited the building - on what was, fortunately, a dry, relatively mild day - and patiently awaited either smoke or an explanation. A fire engine arrived promptly, and four or five fireman searched the building. One of them discovered that an alarm on the mezzanine had been tampered with. Some prankster tyke, no doubt. The entire episode lasted between 5 and 10 minutes and added some excitement to an otherwise routine day.
Weather report.
Nearly all of our snow cover has disappeared due to February's unseasonably mild temperatures. The past weekend was a rainy one, a torrential downpour late Saturday afternoon causing some minor flooding in sections of town. The clammy weather kept my off my bicycle. My weekend exercise, therefore, was limited to carting boxes of kitchen stuff and other personal belongings to the new apartment. A week from today, I'll be completely moved in. How nice it will be to have that temporary disorientation regarded as history.
As a result of the library's changing over to a new phone system, one corner of the basement is piled high with used telephones. I need my own unit for the apartment since I won't be taking the yellow wall-phone model with me. Each Indian Trail apartment is designed with an attractive little nook for a phone, a perfect interior flourish for such a building, which is meant to house a desk-top model. Eric checked to make sure the phone, originally used as part of the library's intercom system, is compatible with the Wisconsin Bell System. It is. One less added expense of moving to pay.
Wednesday, February 22.
I took the morning off today to move some household furnishings: two end tables, a dresser, a desk, a bookcase, three plants. Later on I need to clear the clutter that covers the kitchen table and my bedroom floor. Viewing such a mess makes it seem like I have so much to do yet.
If I hadn't been scheduled to work this afternoon, I would have done some more moving, but if I hadn't been tied to that obligation, I would have certainly taken a long ride on my bicycle. Spring has made an early arrival, at the expense of all the fools who believe in old wives' tales. A couple week ago, Wisconsin was blanketed with a thick fog for a full day. According to this particular tale, ten days later we were to be hit with a crippling snowstorm. We did receive some precipitation - Saturday's rain - but since then the weather has steadily improved to the point where it seems like April in February. It must not have been foggy enough. Or maybe Minnesota hogged all of the snow we were supposed to get.
Softball practice may start early this year if current weather conditions persist. Season #6. Six summers in Oshkosh. I might as well enjoy it since it's the best time to be here. Summer in Wisconsin always lets me take a fresh approach to life. Even though the schedule of activity - bicycling, swimming, camping, softball, acting like a hyperactive preschooler - may be the same or similar, the spirit of the season is always one of extension rather than repetition.
Good weather certainly soften the hard edges of my behavior.
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