Summer Reading Programs: Not Just for Kids Anymore!

Photo by Starzyia

How many of us can recall those fun summers spent at the local library reading books and winning prizes as part of the annual Summer Reading Program? For years, research has shown  that these types of programs help prevent the “summer slide,” in which K-12 students lose some of their reading achievement, including vocabulary and comprehension, but did you know Summer Reading Programs aren’t just for kids anymore?

Many libraries, including those in the Treasure Valley, offer programs for readers 18 and older and many of those programs offer fantastic prizes! The Boise Public Library system for example, advertises prizes for adults including, HD Nooks, iPod Nanos, Fred Myer gift certificates and more. Participants receive an entry into the prize drawings for every two books they read or listen to. That’s right! Audiobooks, eBooks, and books read to pre-readers count too!

During the school year it is so easy to get bogged down in research and required reading that students, and even faculty, often forget the importance of recreational reading. Summer is the perfect opportunity to try a new author, a new genre, or just finally get around to reading that book everyone else seems to have read. Although most libraries require a library card in order to participate, some, like Boise Public and Meridian Public Libraries, don’t even require that you come in to fill out the entry forms; once you have a library card you can submit entries online from the library’s website.

Visit your local public library to find out more!

Heather Grevatt,
Access Services

John Streiff Retires

John Streiff of the circulation department checking out a book to a library patron, June 1995.

John Streiff, Library Circulation Manager, retired on Monday, June 17th. That was the last day he worked with student employees, answered patron questions, and closed the building. We’ll miss him and his expertise but we are very happy he is going to have more time to ride his bike, write and play music, and spend time with his wife Sandy and their family.

To quote what we wrote for the Update:

Streiff started at Boise State as an adjunct English instructor in August 1992. He was subsequently hired by Albertsons Library in 1993 as a library assistant and promoted to circulation manager in 2008. Through the years he has supervised hundreds of student employees and has served Boise State staff and students with great competence and skill.

“I feel honored to have mentored and encouraged all the students I have had the pleasure of supervising over the years,” he said. “Additionally, numerous faculty and staff relationships have given me an especially rich experience here at Boise State. Though I can’t really retire from a family (unless I want to join some crazy relatives in the basement!), I will always feel part of this educational community. I look forward to enjoying many more years of learning from this great family of friends, students and scholars.”

We hope John returns to visit us as a patron and we hope we run into him cycling on the greenbelt, flying down from Lucky Peak, or playing in a Jazz club. Good luck John!!!!

Mary Aagard,
Access Services

Time is on your side with laptop checkouts

Photo by Jen Gallardo

You check out a laptop from the Circulation Desk. You set up a study space on the fourth floor and arrange it just so.  You’re several hours into the essay that will determine your grade in the class that will ultimately determine your academic future and in turn your entire life! When suddenly, you glance at the clock and realize that the laptop was due 30 minutes ago. Panic sets in as “$.50 per minute overdue fine” echoes in your ears.  

This all too familiar scenario happens to students every day, which is why Access Services is happy to announce that starting Summer 2013 we have updated our laptop lending policy. Instead of a 3-hour check-out period, students may now check out a laptop at any time during the day and keep it until 30 minutes before closing, no renewals necessary!   

In addition, the $.50 per minute overdue fine has been eliminated. Students will now operate on a 3-strike system. If a student returns technology items late, 3 times in a single semester, they will lose their technology borrowing privileges until the start of a new semester. These students will still have access to all Library desktop computers, scanning, and printing and will be able to check out all non-technology items, such as books, periodicals, and DVDs. Their ability to borrow materials from OIT operated Labs, such as The Zone will not be affected. 

Some aspects of technology lending will not change. Except for 3-day iPads, technology items are still restricted to in-Library use only.  Also, students will not be able to “park” their materials. If students need to leave the library, they must check-in their items and check them out again when they return. Due to limited supplies, the extended checkout will not apply to certain specific items, such as iPhone 5 chargers, Apple Mag-Safe chargers, and VGA adapter kits.  

It is the Library’s hope that these new policies will better serve our students by providing uninterrupted typing and studying time, while eliminating the stress associated with large fines!

Heather Grevatt,

Access Services