I am often asked if I am worried about eBooks and technology in general removing the need for libraries in the future. The truth is that electronic resources, databases, books, music, and audiobooks play an integral role in our library services. Our ability to provide magazine, business, genealogy, foreign language learning and multiple other databases enables residents across the county free access from home, work, and on your smart phones and iPads.

We are excited about the popularity of our new Freegal music database which allows us to extend our music collection from CD’s into the digital age! Digital audiobooks provide easy access to thousands of titles that are great for your daily commute, exercise routine, or long car ride. And, electronic books are our fastest growing service. In the past year, check outs have jumped from 20,000 a year to more than 40,000. Many people enjoy having an alternate format and I have heard from more than one person that they have increased their reading based on the ease of access of having multiple books at their fingertips on their electronic readers. Anything that encourages reading is ok in my book!

And don’t forget that the Library has more than 350,000 books. If you are like me, you find the technology fun, but every once in a while it is best to turn all the devices off and curl up with a great printed novel. Whatever your format preference, the Library has it. Check it out and keep on reading!

Todd Dunkelberg, Library Director

Download Free Music through the Library’s new online service Freegal

Deschutes Public Library is excited to offer music downloads to Deschutes County residents through the Freegal Music online service. Begin downloading music today by visiting the library’s website at www.deschuteslibrary.org/freegal. With your library barcode and PIN, download up to three songs per week in a standard and universally compatible MP3 format from a selection of more than two million songs available in the Freegal Music service. No special software is needed to download, just a standard web browser, and songs are yours to keep.

“More than 1,200 songs were downloaded in genres from pop to country to alternative during Freegal’s debut week," said Electronic Resources Manager Wylie Ackerman. "There is no shortage of selection, so be sure to download your three songs this week and every week.”

More information and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the Freegal page on the library’s website.

We want to hear from you! From September 14th to October 11th Deschutes Public Library will be running an online survey to find out how our customers use the library’s computers and Internet connection. This information will help us improve our technology services within our communities. The IMPACT Survey is anonymous, available in English and Spanish, and takes 10-15 minutes to complete.

Go to the library website www.deschuteslibrary.org to fill out the survey or access it from one of the library’s public access computers. The survey is coordinated by the University of Washington with generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

If you have questions or concerns about the survey contact Assistant Director Kevin Barclay, kevinb@deschuteslibrary.org or 541-312-1046.

Thanks to the generous grant funds from the Oregon Community Foundation and the Meyer Memorial Trust, the Deschutes Public Library Foundation Board has hired local development contractor, Sharon Leighty, in its effort to build resources for long-term sustainability for the Library. Sharon brings 25 years of extensive development and management experience. She was trained under the United Way model for many years and has been a successful fundraiser for several non-profits including libraries. Her energy, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit provide a unique asset to any development project.

If you have any questions regarding the Foundation, please feel free to contact Sharon directly at 541-610-7004 or admin@dplfoundation.org And, check out what is happening with the Foundation at www.dplfoundation.org.

Board Member Beth Pearl-Gent Remembered

The Library lost a great leader and advocate when Board member Beth Pearl-Gent passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2011. Beth demonstrated her passion for library services through her involvement in the Friends of the Sisters Library, her services as an elected member of the Deschutes Public Library District Board, and as an active member of the State Library Board. In 1998, Beth was instrumental in the creation of the Deschutes Public Library District. Beth placed an emphasis on creating a strong governing board and she played a crucial role in the adoption of current board governance policies.

During Beth’s tenure, the library completed new facilities in La Pine, Sisters and East Bend, as well as major remodels in Sunriver, Redmond and downtown Bend. Beth was most proud of her contributions to the new Sisters Library, which serves her home community. She was also instrumental in helping the library achieve state and federal funding to introduce the Library Linx project. This innovative project brought public library services to participating schools throughout Deschutes County. This successful endeavor continues to enrich the lives of youth, which was near and dear to Beth’s heart. Beth will be missed for her kindness, intelligence, humor and unwavering support of libraries.

The Deschutes Public Library Board appointed Sisters resident Linda L. Davis to fill the open Board position. Linda has served for years as a member of the Friends of the Sisters Library, on the Sisters Library’s art committee, and on the Library Board’s Budget Committee. Linda was born in Hood River and has lived in Oregon most of her life. She received a degree in Geography and Urban Studies at Portland State University and worked primarily with cities and counties doing land use planning and local government administration. Linda received a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners. She has lived in Sisters for 11 years and been involved with the Sisters Library since 2005. She is active in fiber arts organizations and currently teaches workshops and seminars. Other interests include camping, hiking, canoeing and other outdoor activities with her husband, Tom, and golden retriever, Koda. Welcome, Linda!

Thanks to our five Friends organizations, we were able to secure color Nooks to give away during our Adult Summer Reading Program this year. Each of the Friends of the Libraries organizations made donations to support this important incentive for our adult readers. They also did some other amazing fundraising this summer to help our libraries and communities and have some exciting art shows and books sales planned for the fall. Read on to learn more.

Friends of the Bend Libraries
The Friends of the Bend Libraries donated $1,000 for Nooks for the 2011 Adult Summer Reading Program which provided two Nooks for the downtown Bend Library and two Nooks for the East Bend Library. They also covered the expense to have the south window of the downtown Bend Library’s children’s area painted to celebrate the Summer Reading Program theme. And in August, they generously donated $1,100 for teen furniture for the downtown Bend Library.

The Bend Friends will have their fall book sale Saturday, October 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 2 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Please direct questions to Rob Byrd/ Friends Book Sale Chair at (541)389-1622. For more information on the Friends of the Bend Libraries, please call or visit the FriendShop at 541-617-7047 located in the downtown Bend Library or check out their website at www.fobl.org/.

Friends of the La Pine Library
The La Pine’s Friends book sale raised more than $500 over the 4th of July weekend. They generously donated money to purchase a Nook for the adult summer reading program and also purchased a gondola for $1,600 to house the new books and feature regular displays.

The La Pine Friends will be active participants in the community’s effort to build a center with the La Pine Parks and Recreation. They will be donating $5,000 to this important community effort. For more information on the La Pine Friends, contact the Library at (541) 312-1090.




Friends of the Redmond Library
The Friends of the Redmond Library are having a Stuff-A-Bag $5.00 sale on select books. Also, all hard cover Mystery and Fiction books are 50 cents each. So come into the Redmond Friends store at the rear of the Library and enjoy some great fall savings! The Redmond Friends are currently collecting books for Project Connect and made a very generous donation of children's books to FAN (Family Action Network). They have also sent a donation to women in the military through Friends member Barbara Rich. And, they also contributed to this summer’s adult summer reading program by purchasing a Nook to give away as the grand prize.

If you are interested in working with the Friends of the Redmond Library, they currently have shifts available in their book store on Saturdays. Contact the Redmond Library for more information at 827 SW Deschutes Avenue or call (541) 312-1050.

Friends of the Sisters Library
The FOSL Programs Committee is sponsoring a presentation by Roscoe Creed on Sunday, October 16, at 1:30 pm, in the Community Room of the library. It will be open to the public and everyone is welcome. Roscoe will be talking about his WW II model airplanes, which are replicas of original airplanes flown during the war. This is the first of a series planned, and is part of the Diane Jacobsen Historical Memorial Fund.

The FOSL Peg Bermel Scholarship funds for 2011-2012 were disbursed in August and two lucky students received $1,000 each. Parker Bennett received funds for his second year of college and Clare Greaney received monies to assist with her first year of college.

During September, The FOSL Art Committee is sponsoring a fabulous exhibit of Valori Wells’ fabrics and paintings in the Community Room of the library; watercolors by Barbara Walters in the Computer area; and some of Paul Bennett’s tapestries in the Entrance Area and the Fireside Room. The Friends Book Corner is open every Tuesday morning and Sunday afternoon, offering good used books donated by the public. It was also open on Quilt Day in July, and made more than $1,000 for that one day. The Sisters Friends supported the adult summer reading program with a generous gift of a Nook to one lucky participant. For more information on the Sisters Friends, visit their website at: www.sistersfol.com or email them at info@sistersfol.com.

Friends of the Sunriver Area Library
The Friends of the Sunriver Area Library had their annual book sale over Labor Day weekend and raised $2,367. Drop in any time to browse the SR Friends sales shelf available at all hours the library is open.

Currently the Friends are sponsoring their annual Exhibitors of 97707 art show. This show includes a selected piece of art from people who live in the 97707 zip code area. This popular art show is in its 10th year! The SR Friends recently purchased a projector for library programming. They also support all of our children’s, adult, and teen programming with funding for additional supplies, including most recently books, Nooks, and prizes for the summer reading program. For more information or to join the Friends of the Sunriver Area Library contact: Jayne Meister, 541-593-7469.

There is still time to attend some of our Know South America programs until the end of September. In October, get scared with the Library’s Know Fear month and in November we’re bringing it home with the Know Family series of events. The Library offers these monthly programs, free of charge, for your enjoyment and enrichment. We also have computer classes and/or open computer lab at your local library. Check out the calendar of events for the latest listings:

www.deschuteslibrary.org/calendar

Visit the library’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/deschuteslibrary) and become a fan to receive Facebook updates on events, programs, and what’s new at the library.