Library Visit: T.

Kyker
LIBR 101-OOH
WALTON-TIPTON TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY
1. List the complete name, address, telephone number, and web site address of
the library you are reviewing. Walton-Tipton Township Public Library. 110
North Main Street, Walton, Indiana 46994. 574-626-2234. http://walton.lib.in.us/
2. List the names and phone numbers of library staff you interviewed.
Gordon Southern (Director), 574-626-2234
3. What is the size of the physical facilities? List square footage if possible.
11,000 sq ft (5,500 each floor)
4. Describe the library building(s). How many floors does the library have?
What areas does the library include (ex: childrens department, teen zone,
government documents, genealogy, computer lab)? Describe the furnishings
and decoration of the library building(s). Does this environment seem to fit
the type of library? Is it inviting and comfortable for the patrons? Automatic
sliding glass door entrance, makes it easier on patrons in a wheelchair, with a
walker, or using crutches (elevator also available) 2 floors.
Lower level- childrens area (divided into age appropriate sections), restrooms,
community room (takes up 1/3 of downstairs)
Upper level- (as you walk up the stairs) circulation desk, catalog computers on
each side. To the right- fiction, non-fiction sections, and reference. Table with 8
chairs and 2 big oversized chairs and a love seat for reading. Another restroom. To
the left- media (magazines, newspapers, DVDs audio books, computers, maps,
blu-ray, a bench, more chairs and 2 long church-like padded pews), Indiana room
(look-up history of our state and Walton/Cass County, 2 computers)
5. What is the mission statement of the library? Is this mission statement
available to the public? If so, where is it found? Do you think the librarys
mission statement fits the type of library? Why or why not?
Mission statement:
A. To serve the community as a center for helpful information.
B. To support the educational, cultural, and civic activities of the community.
C. To provide opportunities and encouragement for residents of the community to
educate themselves.
D. To assemble and organize materials which will promote the above three
objectives.
The mission statement is available to the public and can be found on there website
under policies and procedures. I think the mission statement fits the type of library

because it is a public library and their statement clearly talks about the community
and how it can serve them.
6. Is the library open to the public? If so, on what basis?
The library is open to the public. Their hours of operation are Tues.-Fri. 10-6, Sat.
10-1, Sun. and Mon. closed (This serves as their two days off. Sometimes event
go happen on those days, like senior aerobics.)
7. Describe the types of patron that the library serves. What special
information needs do they have?
Serves 2 yr olds to death (as quoted by the director!) They serve the southern half
of the county
8. How many people are eligible for service? How many people does the library
actually serve? Give specific statistics.
Eligible-2490 serve-1100
9. Does the library offer special services, programs, or workshops for their
clients? If so, provide brief examples of these services or programs.
Yes. The services, programs, and workshops include: card afternoon,
baby/wedding showers, senior coffee, knitting group, quilting group (all held in
community room); home delivery, large print & audio books, summer reading
program, and story time.
10. What is the budget of the library? 240,000. Mostly from property tax: $80,180
($8,000 below the maximum levy for this year) per year for general operations,
$92,000 lease/rental, $550 certified shares (this is disappearing and they will
probably not get it after this year.) (tax rate is .9) Grants: $500-$750 from state
(only state money they receive), $16,740 federal grant (stimulus money, rural
internet connectivity grant), F.O.L. $13,500.
11. How is the library budget funded?
Primarily through property taxes and grants keep them afloat
12. To which governing body or to which official does the head of the library
report? The director reports to the board members
13. What is the management structure of the library? Include an organization
chart for the library (or just the circulation department if a large library). In
the chart, include levels from the director to the front desk staff.
Library board (7 appointed members)
Director (hired by board)
Staff- treasurer/cataloger/bookkeeper
- youth librarian/purchasing

circulation librarian/inter-library loan/assist youth librarian/tech staff/

check books in/out
clerk: cleans, works counter, checks books in/out
interns/volunteers: clean shelves, put books back on shelves, etc

14. Is the library part of a larger system or consortium? If so, what are the
benefits of the library being in the consortium?
The benefit is that it saves money. They are a part of several consortiums: Indian
Digital Download Center (for e-readers), Indiana State Libraries (for internet
connectivity), Indiana Library Federation, Statewide Reciprocal Agreement
(which most rural/smaller libraries are a part of), Cass County Reciprocal. They
also partner with: the school corporation, Main Street organization, Lions Club,
The Town of Walton, Teachers Association, and the Volunteer Fire Dept.
15. What is the nature and size of the staff? How many staff members are
professional, paraprofessional, clerical, or volunteer? What jobs do the
paraprofessional staff perform?
5 staff members- director is professional
- treasurer, youth librarian, circulation librarian are
paraprofessional and part-time
- clerk is clerical and part-time
-interns are volunteers
The treasurer looks after the money, catalogs and does bookkeeping. The youth
librarian is in charge of the youth section of the library and purchasing. The
circulation library runs with the circulation desk and assisst the youth librarian
(when needed) and does inter-library loans.
16. What staff did you observe? Describe what occurred while you were
observing. What impression did you get of the staff? Did they provide good
customer service to the clients? (I was greeted the minute I got to the top of the
stairs) I sat on a bench and observed the director. He waited on a woman with 2
little girls. He made them laugh and smile and told them about the upcoming
Easter egg hunt. He was very friendly and polite and talked directly to the little
girls. He provided good customer service.
17. Describe the nature (types of materials), size, and scope (topics or subjects
collected) of the collection. If the library has electronic resources, include
these in your description.
Audio books-occupying approx. 12 ft of shelving
Video games-occupying approx. 18 ft of shelving
Magazines- 12 ft
12 computers (in the media area), plus 2 in the Indiana room, 2 for the
catalogs, 2 at the circulation desk, and any that might have been in offices,
plus 1 downstairs in the childrens area
Dvds- 57 ft, along the perimeter of the wall in the media section

Blu-ray movies- 14ft

Books-new releases-12 ft
-atlases/oversized- 12 ft
-large print-12 ft
-adult fiction-4 shelves, each 12 ft long (double sided) and 3
shelves, each 6 ft long (doubled sided)
-non-fiction-34 sections, along the wall of the entire right side of
the library, each section of shelves approx 3 ft wide.
-reference-18 ft
-childrens- whole room (about 2500 sq ft), with restrooms, low
shelves (so they can reach), tables and chairs, glider rocker, and decorated kid
friendly, ramp for wheelchairs, coat rack
18. What classification system is used for the collections? Does the library use
any collection, size, or copy designations? Do you think the classification
system used is appropriate? Is the collection well-labeled and easy to
navigate? Give examples of clear or unclear labeling of the collection.
Dewey decimal system. Each section (fiction, non-fiction, etc) is well signed and
easy to find. It is the same on the media side of the library. Everything is also
clearly labeled their too. The system is appropriate and there was no unclear
labeling.
19. Which staff selects materials for purchase? How are materials ordered?
Does the library process and catalog materials in-house or does an outside
organization do it? If in-house, which staff process and catalog materials? If
an outside organization catalogs, list the name.
The director selects the material for purchasing. They are ordered through a whole
seller (Baker and Taylor) or through Amazon. They process and catalog in-house.
The circulation librarian processes and the treasurer catalogs.
20. What technology does the library offer to its clients? Computers, audio books,
e-reader, copier, fax (they also offer disk cleaning and are a bonded notary public)
21. What is the name of the library OPAC (catalog)? Webpac
22. What most impressed you about this library? I was actually surprised how
much they offered (services/book selection, the amount of computers available),
because its located in a small town. The director (Gordon Southern, who Ive
spoken with 3 times) was always very friendly and extremely knowledgeable.
23. What most concerned you about this library? I have no concerns about this
library. It has a very welcoming environment/atmosphere and the staff is friendly.
24. Would you feel comfortable using the library in the future? I would feel
comfortable using this library in the future. I feel like I already know some of the
people, and Mr. Southern said I could volunteer (I start June 5th and volunteer

through July 6th. Will be there Tues.,Wed., Thurs., and Fri. 9:30- 12:30. Found that
out today 4/17/12) to help with reading program this summer. He also said I could
use him as a reference if I decide to try to get the library job at Maconaquah
Middle School. He knows the principal.
25. Do you think you would like to work here? Why or why not? Yes, I would
like to work there. Again, the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable and its a
very laid back and casual (comfy) environment.