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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Libraries have been a part of life throughout
history. They are as much a part of our landscape as schools,
churches, and grocery stores. A constant in our lives, we assume they will
always be here. Although that may be true, with economic changes resulting in
tightened budgets,they are the first to suffer when cuts must be
made.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>How will libraries change? When programs are
altered or eliminated, how will they reinvent themselves to survive? How
can consumers help? Where do funds come for all the books,
magazines, movies and other resources the patrons use? For many, a library
is our entree in to the magical world of
reading.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Tonight, Sandi Thompson, Director of the Puskarich
public library in Harrison County Ohio, will
discuss the plight of this library system. All across the nation,
libraries are facing many challenges never faced before. Is
there hope? How can politicians and consumers help? What services can visually
impaired consumers obtain from public libraries? What
impact do changing budgets have on staff and procurement
of materials for readers? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>On Books And Beyond, it is my hope and perhaps my
passion to acquaint listeners with individuals who will add to the knowledge
they have. Whether you read books from the National Library service
in America or receive books from a similar library in another country,
the difficulties facing libraries today are universal. We have to learn
what we can do to turn things around. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Sandi Thompson will discuss these and other matters
tonight. What does a director of a library do? What choices and decisions must
she make on a daily basis? In a nation rich in library services,
what changes will they find necessary to remain a
vibrant, visible part of our world?Below, you will find some information
about Sandi and how to come to Books And Beyond tonight. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><BR>I received my B.S. in Education
from Ohio University. My Master’s Degree is in Library & Information
Science from the University of South Carolina. I<BR>was part of a co-hort
from West Virginia; there were also participants from Maine and South
Carolina. It allowed for a lot of interaction with librarians<BR>from
across the country and in a variety of settings. Some of these classes were done
by satellite, but during each class the professors traveled to West<BR>Virginia
twice to meet with students in Charleston. It was a wonderful experience and I
was fortunate to be able to participate in such a great program.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I am a member of ALA(American Library Association) and the Ohio Library
Council. I have also served on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Public
Library<BR>Information Network.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I have always loved libraries and when I applied for the young adult
position at the Puskarich Public Library – I presented my stack of summer
reading certificates<BR>from days gone by to the panel of interviewers.
I’m not sure if they really appreciated the fact that I had kept all those
library reading records, but<BR>to me they were lists of books that shaped
my summers growing up.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Having come from a farming background where the work was never easy and
always involved pitching something, I was amazed that once I was hired I
could<BR>be PAID for reading and sharing books with children. What fun!To
hear the show, go to a browser near you and click on <A
href="http://www.ACBRadio.org">www.ACBRadio.org</A>. Then go to the mainstream
page and select your favorite player and connection speed. The show begins
airing tomorrow morning at 1 hour UTC or tonight at 9pm US eastern time. It's
then replayed every 2 hours for the next 24. Enjoy.</DIV></FONT>
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