Director Briefing - February 26, 2024

Book Page from Kelly

It is time to renew our BookPage subscription. Our current subscription expires on 4/30/24. BookPage is a monthly print publication that is available to your library patrons. It includes features on forthcoming books, author interviews, and reviews of new fiction and nonfiction books for adults and youth. You can view an online edition at: http://www.bookpage.com/

The System does a group order for this publication to help provide BookPage at a discounted price. The price increased this year from $.45 to $.48 per copy (We currently have a subscription for 650 copies. In order to receive the $.48 per copy we must continue with at least 500 copies, otherwise the price will increase to $.62 per copy if we fall below 500). Libraries must order in increments of 5. (5 copies @ $.48/each for 12 months = $28.80/year, 10 copies @ $.48/each for 12 months = $57.60/year, etc.) The final cost depends on the total quantity ordered by all. The System will invoice each member library for their order.

I've attached the quantity each library ordered last time.

Please respond to this email by Friday, March 8, if your library is interested in placing an order. Specify how many copies you would like to order in quantity increments of copies, etc.)

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Public and Association Library Construction: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Application Process

Do you ever wonder why the application process for public and association library construction is as detailed as it is? Why do we need a SEAF or Smart Growth form? Why ask for a specific start date? Who is DASNY? This webinar will review the application process and answer common questions on the process, from application to award.

Monday, March 4, 2024 from 2 PM to 3 PM

Click here to register.

This Week in OSC Audits: Credit Cards

In the February 2024 audit of the Village of Deposit, the OSC outlined the importance of local governments approving and adhering to policies dictating the use of agency credit cards.

The OSC found 17 claims during the audit period where the Village Board was out of compliance with their own credit card policy and did not have the required documentation for claims totaling $20,659.

In order to adequately provide support for credit card purchases, the Village would need to, "ensure each credit card claim contains enough supporting documentation to allow them to determine whether it complies with village policies and whether the amounts claimed represent actual and appropriate village expenditures. An adequately supported claim is itemized, approved by the proper department head and supported by sufficient documentation such as detailed receipts and invoices. Once a village board has determined that the claim satisfies these conditions, it then can approve the claim for payment."

Libraries must follow these same rules.

Having organizational credit cards is perfectly acceptable. There is an entire page dedicated to it on the OSC website, Cost-Saving Ideas: Credit Card Accountability - Minimizing the Risk of Error, Misuse and Fraud.

The main takeaway is that your library's credit card policy should prioritize authorization, appropriate use, and documentation. If you work your way through the bulleted list on the site mentioned above, you should be able to create a solid policy for your library.

HBR Tip of the Week: Overcoming Overthinking

This article originally appeared in HBR Management Tip of the Day. I find reading these to be a nice little thought exercise for how one interacts with their work.

Overthinking can take three forms: rumination, overanalyzing, and future tripping. Here’s how to spot and handle each one—before they cause you to spiral, stress, and ultimately burn out.

Rumination. This is a mental loop where you dwell on past events, particularly negative or distressing ones. If you tend to fixate on negative feedback, bring up past failures in conversation with others, or you’re overly cautious about work, you might be a ruminator. To diffuse your rumination, set aside 15 to 30 minutes to grapple with these negative thoughts. This will help you compartmentalize and stop yourself from ruminating constantly throughout the day.

Overanalyzing. Procrastinating, over-relying on others’ approval, and experiencing difficulty prioritizing are all tendencies of overanalyzers. To break the cycle, shift your aim from “perfect” to “good enough.”

Future tripping. If you spend excessive energy planning for every possible scenario, or you find it hard to celebrate your successes because you’re always thinking about what’s next, you’re likely a future tripper. To address it, use your forward-looking tendencies to your advantage by projecting yourself into a future where the stress of this moment is behind you.

This tip is adapted from “3 Types of Overthinking—and How to Overcome Them,” by Melody Wilding