Enhancing access, Space, and Collections for the Community
The Frank Carlson Library is committed to offering free access to information, entertainment, and services. We meet the needs of our community through books, media, and special activities. To better serve you, we have evaluated our collection and physical space and are now introducing changes to support the community’s needs more effectively.
Our main goal is to make optimal use of our existing space and furniture. This transformation will provide more space for activities and for the arrival of new materials each month. Our secondary aim is to reorganize the collection to serve our patrons better. To achieve these goals, the Library’s Revitalization Project began in 2023 with three key phases: Reduce, Rearrange, Reorganize.
Phase 1: Reduce
Status: Complete
Objective: Reduce collection by retiring worn-out, outdated, or irrelevant materials.
The Frank Carlson Library is committed to offering the public free access to information and entertainment. In order to do so, we consistently add new materials to our collection. As part of this ongoing process, we carefully evaluate our collection to ensure that it is always dynamic and relevant. We employ a variety of factors to determine which items to remove from our collection, including physical condition, publication date, and circulation.
When assessing physical condition, we consider materials that are worn-out, damaged, stained, torn, or otherwise beyond repair. However, we may still retain certain items based on their literary or cultural merit.
Regarding publication date, we generally regard information in certain fields as outdated or irrelevant after a five-year period. Older content may also lose its significance or fail to meet the current needs of our community.
Circulation plays a significant role in our decision-making process as well. If an item has not been checked out by patrons for three years and was purchased more than five years ago, we may conclude that it is no longer relevant to our community and should be removed from our collection. This allows us to make space for new materials that better serve the needs of our patrons.
Materials removed from the collection are added to our fundraisers or recycled.
Phase 2: Rearrange
Status: Complete
Objective: Utilizing Central Kansas Library System’s resources, move shelving and furniture.
The role of the public library within our communities has evolved, and we are no longer solely a facility for book checkouts. At the Frank Carlson Library, we strive to offer more than just access to information and entertainment. Our goal is to provide a conducive environment for activities, creative pursuits, learning opportunities, social interaction, and amusement.
Rather than incurring the significant expense of expanding our building, we aim to enhance our existing space by reorganizing our shelving and furniture. Our objective is to create more open and functional areas for programs, as well as to establish distinct sections tailored to the diverse ages and needs of our community.
When designing our new layout, our library staff has carefully considered the various requirements and preferences of different age groups within our community. We have taken into account the needs of families with young children who may need to complete work on a computer while their child plays. We have also considered the requirements of studious teens who require a designated space for studying, as well as adults who may visit us to work or recharge their electronic devices at a quiet table. We have extensively brainstormed, measured, and tested various possibilities before settling on the layout that you see here.
Our library staff is delighted to guide you through the new layout and assist you in locating any section of our collection or space that piques your interest.
Phase 3: Reorganize
Status: Complete
Objective: Reorganize the library collection to fit within the new layout.
In the final phase of this project, library staff will be rearranging, relocating, and reorganizing our collection to align with the new layout. This process may take several days after the furniture has been rearranged. We kindly request your patience during this time and are available to assist you in finding materials in the meantime.
The secondary objective of this project was to remove irrelevant portions of the collection to accommodate new and expanding materials. As technology continues to advance, information and content are transitioning to the digital realm. Public libraries remain relevant by adapting to these advancements to better serve our community’s needs.
If you or your child require assistance in locating materials during and after this project, the library staff is always delighted to be of assistance.
Large Print Collection
Over the past few years, our collection of Large Print books has experienced significant growth and has outgrown its current location. Consequently, we have made careful adjustments to our regular-print fiction section in order to make room for the large print fiction on the larger shelving units. However, this may make some books less accessible to certain patrons. Please don’t hesitate to ask our library staff for assistance – we are more than happy to help.
Young Adult Collection
Similarly, our Young Adult books have also outgrown their designated space. As children enter their teenage years, they often desire more autonomy in their environment and schedule, rather than being treated as young children. By relocating the Young Adult collection between the Junior and Adult collections, we aim to provide them with a dedicated space to explore literature and socialize without the presence of younger siblings.
Games & Puzzles
We are excited to announce that board games, card games, and puzzles will soon be added to our collection. These items will be available for library patrons to borrow and enjoy with their families and friends at home. There will be a Children’s Game section separate from the regular games.
Graphic Novels
We are also experiencing a growth in our graphic novel collections for all age groups, which requires additional space. Shelby has already begun separating the Junior graphic novels from the regular fiction for easier accessibility. Graphic novels serve as an excellent bridge between picture books and chapter fiction, particularly for readers who are struggling. We will continue to add graphic novels to our Young Adult and Adult sections. To build our collection, we purchase the most recent volume of popular titles and rely on interlibrary loan to borrow previous volumes from other Kansas libraries.
Junior Fiction & Early Chapter Fiction
Exciting changes are on the horizon for the Junior Collection. In Phase 3 of our project, Shelby Newville (Children’s Coordinator) and Lyndsey Kopsa (Library Director) will be diligently reorganizing the Junior collection to better cater to the needs of our young patrons. In the near future, our Junior Collection will be divided into more specific sections based on reading development and interest. The Junior Fiction Collection will soon be separated into three sections: Early Chapter Fiction, Junior Fiction, and Graphic Novels. The Early Chapter Fiction section will feature children’s fiction that is designed for young readers who are transitioning from picture books to chapter fiction. These books are typically smaller in size, with larger print and some illustrations. Examples of titles include Junie B. Jones, I Survived, and Geronimo Stilton. Once the Early Chapter Fiction and Graphic Novels have been separated, this section of the collection may appear slightly diminished compared to its current size. However, there is no need to worry, as we constantly add new books to ensure children never run out of captivating stories to read.
If you have any questions regarding this project and these changes, please feel free to visit the library or contact us:
Email: frankcarlsonlibrary@yahoo.com
Phone: 785-243-2250