I know, it's been a while

But I've been really busy! I know, I always say that. But since we opened the new library, it just seems like I have no time any more. I'm still working 40 hours a week, but when I get home, I'm so tired I can't think of anything to write. I used to be able to blog from the desk at work when we weren't so busy, but that's not an option now.

Here are some rough statistics on our new library:

We have averaged 2000-3000 items checked out each day, up from 300-500 a year ago.
(That also means we have to shelve that many books a day to keep up.)
In May, we had 90,000 visitors to the library; in June, 100,000.
And, we've signed up nearly 2000 kids for the summer reading program!
We're doing all this on less than twice the number of staff that we had a year ago.
Last week we lost 4 staff members - two were fired, one quit, and one transferred out.

But at least we're not bored - no chance of that.

I carpooled with Rachel today to save gas, so I was dropped off at work an hour early. I put up the desk schedule, which I had to change drastically because two people called in sick. I hope it's not too busy today - I have a lot of books to process.

A couple of weeks ago, I took the bookmobile to Anaheim for the American Library Association Annual Conference. On Sunday, they had a Parade of Bookmobiles - mine was one of nine participants. After the parade, we parked out back so the conference-goers could come out and tour the bookmobiles. There's an article in the OC Register about the event. Unfortunately, my generator wouldn't start, so I had no lights or air, but at least I didn't get towed in!

On Monday, I get Joseph all to myself. I'm planning to take him to Victoria Gardens, where they have a Thomas the Tank Engine store and a kiddie train ride, as well as fountains for the kids to play in. He's never been there, and I think he'll have a blast. I'll probably bring him to the library as well. I'll try to make time to post about it.

Brian and I are planning a vacation to Seattle next month, to attend his niece's wedding. I'm really looking forward to two weeks off from work, and we've never been to the western half of Washington State. I just wonder if we can afford it. I'll post more when our plans are more solid.