No matter what holiday you celebrate, I hope it is safe and a happy one!

Wow this week has been crazybusy! I had planned to take my kids to the mall this weekend to see Santa. It’s my little one’s first Christmas and my older one’s first Christmas that he will remember.

We’ve done the Santa thing every year so far. My first year as a parent I had no idea how long the lines would be. I almost gave up. But then while we were shopping in PetSmart, I saw Santa–more importantly Santa with no line–so I did what any intelligent woman would do. I sat my baby on his lap and said, “Here you go!”

It wasn’t until I saw people lining up behind me with their schnauzers and dalmatians and cats and rabbits that I realized that Santa was here to see babies pets! Oops! He was a good sport and said as long as I paid my $7.95 he didn’t care what I put in his lap.

The next two years we did the mall thing which involved waiting in long lines only to have my son cry at the sight of a huge dude dressed in red with enough hair to make a small rug.

This year I discovered that you can’t just wait in line to see Santa. No. You have to have an appointment! Hey anything to avoid standing in line! However, all the appointments are taken from now until Christmas but you can be placed on a call list in case there is an opening. Wow, it’s easier to get a doctor appointment during flu season than to see Santa.

I was really disappointed and wondered how I would explain this to my three-year-old when someone at the library asked me if we were coming to the Christmas Cabaret.

“The what?”

“The Christmas Cabaret. We’re doing a play, and singing, and Santa will be there.”

“Santa? SANTA!” (imagine me as Will

Ferrell in the movie Elf)

So forget the mall! We are going to the library!

My kids had a great time. As did all the kids. I was so impressed by the program that the staff at University City Regional Library put together. I miss working there! And Santa was wonderful! He knew my kids names–he is Santa after all. He even had a talk with my son about helping me get out of the house on time in the morning. You rock Santa!

We’ll miss you Helene!

Tomorrow will be a difficult day as we say goodbye to Helene with a party and hopefully a nice send off from Charlotte. If you have any thoughts or wishes you’d like to share, send them my way and I’ll pass them on to her. There will be lots of food and some music from Dewey and the Decibels.

This was PLCMC’s first year participating in Employee Learning Week. Since I only learned about it a week before there was not much time to plan ahead. As soon as the dates for next year are announced I’ll have to mark my calendar. There’s a training group that I belong to that always concludes a presentation with two questions. What did you do right, and what would you do differently next time. So here goes.

What went right?

The timing was perfect, even with the short notice. Since I just returned from an almost year-long maternity/medical leave and our other trainer has been temporarily reassigned, not much training has been done this year. My only goal was to generate some excitement about learning and to inform staff of the opportunities available to them. I think I succeeded in that as long as they read their email.

What would I do differently?

Plan ahead! It seems like a small task to send out six emails in six days. But it’s funny how something so small can snowball into something bigger. It reminds me of the school house rock video about the bill. There is a chain of events that needs to take place. So to send an email out about a benefit the following has to be done first:

• Find the information about the benefit…in our case it is all on our Intranet
• Check with HR to make sure the information is correct
• Draft the email
• Revise the email
• Have someone else review the email (thanks Sarah Poole!)
• Revise again
• If needed, send to HR for review or approval

So in other words it’s more than just typing an email.

It’s the final day of Employee Learning Week 2007. Today’s topic is Learning @ PLCMC and Beyond.

Learning is a year round event, and we in the library know that better than any other industry. Whether it’s training in the areas of computers and technology or learning to manage your time, PLCMC offers a variety of opportunities for you to learn and develop.

While the training calendar covers many of our staff workshops, training, and meetings—that’s just a snippet of what’s available. Here are some additional sites you might want to check out

Mecklenburg County Power of Learning

• What: Through a partnership with Mecklenburg County, library staff can sign up for most classes that Mecklenburg County offers. Classes cover everything from basic business writing to effective management skills.

• Where: Power of Learning schedule is available on the training calendar. Look for the Spring 2008 schedule to be posted soon.

• How: Contact Julia Lanham to register for Mecklenburg County classes.

State Library of North Carolina Continuing Education Opportunities

• What: Training available to library staff at any North Carolina library. Training topics this past fall included NC Live products, Spanish outreach, and Web 2.0

• Where: Link to the State Library website can be found from the training calendar on PLCMC Central.

• How: For face-to-face classes follow the registration procedure on the state library website, and complete a Continuing Ed Request form. For online* classes follow the registration procedure on the state library website.

OPAL (Online Programming for All Libraries)

• What: OPAL offers free programs online for both library staff and patrons. Programs include author interviews, book talks, Second Life, technology and more.
• Where: The schedule of OPAL programs can be found at: http://www.opal-online.org/progschrono.htm. You can listen to archived programs too! The list of archived programs can be found at: http://www.opal-online.org/archive.htm.
• How: Registration is not required. All of these programs are online* and require a plug-in for OPAL. At least one week before training follow the instructions on the OPAL website to test your computer to make sure the plug-in is current.

SirsiDynix Institute

• What: SirsiDynix offers webinars for the library community. Programs cover a variety of topics related to library service and technology. Programs are archived and available online at the site below.
• Where: http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/.
• How: Follow the registration procedure on the SirsiDynix website. All programs are offered online* and may require special software downloads.

WebJunction ELearning Institute

• What: WebJunction is co-op of library staff who share information relating to libraries and technology, training, outreach. In January look for “10 Ways to Make Your Library Great in 2008.”
• Where: Current schedule and archived events: http://www.webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=12365
• How: Follow the registration procedure on the WebJunction website. All programs are offered online and may require special software downloads.

* Online classes and webinars may require special software or equipment for your computer. Contact Lori Reed for assistance at least a week before the program.

It’s Employee Learning Week 2007 @ PLCMC. Today’s topic is Show me the money!

If you are looking for money to continue your education or to take a class there are several opportunities available to you.

Library Employee Education Assistance Program (LEEAP)

Up to $2,000 in a calendar year, on a reimbursement basis, towards courses for a college degree; skilled craft or trade training which leads to a certification or license; or coursework to renew and update skills.

Carla Dupuy Scholarship

$1,000 scholarship towards pursuit of MLS.

Friends of the Library David Howe Scholarship

$200-$1,000 scholarship towards any formal school or training that helps you develop your skills necessary to provide outstanding library service Application Deadline: June 1 and December 1 (applications received at other times are reviewed at the discretion of the Friends of the Public Library board

For additional information about any of these opportunities contact your HR Manager, Rick Ricker.

It’s Employee Learning Week 2007 @ PLCMC. Today’s topic is Get to Work!

Do you prefer to learn by doing? Do you have ideas to share? If you are ready to get out of the classroom and get to work then take a look at these on-the-job learning opportunities.

Technology Scholars Program

If you have innovative ideas for new or expanded library services then check out the Technology Scholars Program.

Application Deadline: December 21st
For more info contact: Matt Gullett

Staff Exchange Enrichment Program

Are you curious about how they do things down under? Do you have some best practices that you’d like to share with another library system? The Staff Exchange Enrichment Program provides the opportunity to trade places with a library staff member in another part of the world.

Application Deadline: December 31st
FAQ
For more info contact: Rick Ricker

Multicultural Scholars Program

If you have the desire to provide service to the Latino community and to help other staff provide this service then this is the program for you.

Application Deadline: January 1st
For application and more info contact: Conchy Farrell

It’s Employee Learning Week 2007 @ PLCMC. Today’s topic is Healthy Bodies = Healthy Minds.

What would you do with an extra day of vacation each year?
Spend time with family.
Get a head start on some holiday shopping.
Take a day to rest after completing a big project.

So how can you get the extra day off? It’s as easy as pie—or walking off that pie!

Sign up for the Fit City Challenge.

*Speaking of pie, how long does a 150lb person have to walk to burn off a piece of apple pie?
Email the correct answer to Jody Schmidt by Friday, December 14 to have your name entered in a drawing for a prize.

What is Fit City Challenge?

Fit City Challenge is a community level initiative open to all residents of Mecklenburg County that encourages you to get healthy. PLCMC offers vacation time as a reward for participating.
How does it work?

Fit City Challenge goals are to:

• Walk 5 miles per week
• Eat 5 fruits and vegetables each day
• Record progress: www.fitcitychallenge.org

What can I do?

• Find out how to start earning your vacation time: http://intranet.plcmc.org/hr/health/
• Find out how to win a year’s family membership to Ray’s Splash Planet: http://www.fitcitychallenge.org/Challenge/bodyworlds/
• Learn how to make your library a healthier place to work: http://www.fitcitychallenge.org/worksite/
• Get healthy with your family: http://www.fitcitychallenge.org/Families/

Who do I contact if I have a question?

Team Leaders:

• Lori Reed
• Kevin Deese
• Jody Schmidt

It’s Employee Learning Week 2007 @ PLCMC. Today’s topic is the Professional Membership Assistance Program.

What is the Professional Membership Assistance Program?

It’s a benefit to assist you with paying for membership dues to organizations such as ALA or NCLA. Membership and active participation in a professional organization is encouraged for all staff. You and the library can benefit through membership and its related activities, networking opportunities, committees, and resources.

How does it work?

As this is a reimbursement program, obtain or renew your membership first, then submit an Expense Report and attach your membership receipt. See the Employee Benefits Handbook on PLCMC Central for more details and for a complete list of organizations: http://intranet.plcmc.org/hr/benefits/employee.asp#membership

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Chuck Mallas (Finance Director) or Rick Ricker (Human Resources Manager)