The Princeton Public Library is seeking an entry-level part-time Library Assistant. This is an ideal job for a retiree or homemaker who enjoys interacting with a variety of people. Library Assistants help the public on their journey of lifelong learning, and do a variety of daily “chores” (see Duties below). The Library Assistant reports to the Library Director. Candidates must be able to meet the physical requirements for the job and pass a background check. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Duties include, but are not limited to:
Checking library material out to patrons, registering patrons for library cards, checking returned items in, sorting and filing materials, answering telephone calls, pulling holds, taking payments for fines and fees, assisting with setup for various programs, and assisting customers.
Candidates must be able to give correct change, use a copier, find books for patrons using our online catalog. Although some training is provided, candidates should be comfortable using computers with a variety of software programs, including Workflows, Microsoft Word, and email.
The ideal candidate will also be able to recommend books or authors to customers, and assist people with technology, including downloading ebooks.

Physical Requirements:
Candidates should be able to lift up to 40lbs, and be comfortable standing, sitting, kneeling, and bending over for longer periods. This job entails shelving books close to floor level, shelving books above five feet high, lifting bins of library books onto carts, and occasionally other manual labor such as moving tables.

Educational Requirements: Candidates must have a high school degree or equivalent (GED). Although a college education is not required, strong communication and computer skills are necessary, and some familiarity with literature is desireable.
 

 Hours of Work: 
5-15 hours per week, with at least one Saturday per month. After training, employees will be asked to work alone on some shifts.
 
Start Date: As soon as possible.

 Wages:  $10.00 per hour to start. 

 Application Deadline: Preference will be given to applicants who apply by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1st 2020. This position will remain open until filled.

How to Apply: 
Send a resumé and a completed application form to Library Director Laura Skalitzky at director@princetonpublib.org or drop them off at the library.
Applications are here.

Candidates must be fill out the application form as well as submit a resume.

Princeton Public Library
424 W. Water St.
Princeton, WI 54968
920-295-6777
princetonpublib.org

Local author Joy Ribar will talk about Scandinavian Christmas traditions and how they are incorporated into her new  mystery novel, "Deep Flakes Christmas."

Copies of the book will be available for sale.

To ensure social distancing, we need to know the number of attendees-- please RSVP on Facebook or by calling us at 920-295-6777.

Want to find out more about Joy Ribar's books? Visit https://joyribar.com. 

Deep Flakes Christmas

"Baker/vintner Frankie Champagne is named coordinator for the Deep Lakes Holiday Festival in the unexpected absences of the town officials. What should be a piece of cake for the confident multi-tasker is a half-baked fiasco when the town is buried by snowstorms, and the official Christmas tree and its delivery truck driver go missing. With the help of an enchanting stranger, can Frankie and her cohorts save the holiday season for everyone?"

The Princeton Public Library opened for normal service on Thursday May 21st. Our library board has discussed, at length, the need to provide our patrons with vital services while keeping our staff and patrons safe.

Vulnerable people should continue to stay safe at home.

Sick people should stay home.

We welcome those who wish to use the library, with the understanding that being in this public space carries some level of risk.

As is the case in many communities, our library provides the only free public computer access for homework, job searches, unemployment filing, and other vital activities. We also fax time cards, copy legal documents, and allow people to connect with others online. Finally, we provide information and entertainment to help people maintain their mental health, a particularly tough challenge for many in this time of uncertainty and isolation.

For these reasons, we believe that it is important to open our doors. We will work hard to ensure the safety of our staff and patrons, while providing materials and services that many people can't get elsewhere.
 

Library Safety FAQs:

What are our hours? Normal pre-pandemic hours: Mon-Thurs 9am-7pm, Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-1pm. 

Do we have Senior hours? Yes, we reserve Thursdays from 9-10am for seniors and vulnerable people. We ask other to stay out of the library during this time.

What is our maximum capacity at this time? 25 people including staff.

Do we allow meeting room use? No.

Do we allow children inside the library? Yes, but we do not have toys out at this time.

Do we allow PC use? Yes, but computers will be spaced six feet apart, Chromebooks will not be available, and gaming will not be allowed on computers—for any age.

Are bathrooms open? Yes. Bathrooms are sanitized regularly.

Do we take cash/card payments? Yes. Staff wear gloves or sanitize their hands frequently.

Do we require staff to wear masks? Yes, except when alone in the back office.

Do we require patrons to wear masks? No, but we recommend them.

What if patrons are not comfortable entering the library? We will still provide curbside service to those who want it.

What other safety measures are we taking?

• We will regularly sanitize frequently touched surfaces.
• Returned items are quarantined for 72 hours.
• Seating will be spaced six feet apart.
• The water bubbler will not be used (it will be taped off).
• There will be a sneeze guard at the circulation desk.
• Toys will be put into storage.
• Hand sanitizer will be provided to patrons and staff.
• No in-person programs will take place at this time.

Signs posted in the entrance and inside the building will advise people:

- We are sanitizing surfaces regularly, but we cannot guarantee the library is germ-free. If you are extra-vulnerable, we encourage you to stay home and try our free ebooks and audiobooks on the Libby app.

- We recommend that you wear a mask and wash your hands regularly.

- Look, don’t touch, unless necessary. If you touch an item that you don't take, please put it in our book drop so we can quarantine it.

- If you are sick, stay home.

Can I Return Library Items Now?
Yes, please do! Other people are waiting for them.
We are taking returns in our outside book drop. It's a metal door set into the wall on the east side of the library (the right side, if you're facing it from the street). Please don't try to hand returns to staff, or leave them in our lobby-- we are taking these items out of our book drop with gloves and placing them in quarantine for the time required to for the virus to die.

Can I Donate Items Now?
Yes, please do. We accept gently used books, dvds, cds, audibooks and vinyl. Anything not cataloged for our collection will go on our ongoing and annual book sales. Proceeds go to the Friends of the Library.

I'm not comfortable coming into the library yet. Can I still get materials?
Yes, we are still offering curbside services. Give us a call to schedule a pickup time: 920-295-6777.

Can I Print/Fax/Copy at the library?
Yes. 
If you are not comfortable coming into the libriary, you can email us your documents, and we will print, fax, or copy them for you and then arrange a pickup time with you. 

How Do I Place a Hold on Princeton Items?

Here's a step-by-step picture guide to placing holds on Princeton items. Click on it and zoom in to make it bigger.

Start at our website, princetonpublib.org.

How Do I Browse Princeton Items?

Start at our website, princetonpublib.org.

The Library Board meets on the first Monday of every month at 6pm.
Attendees can either come in person or attend via Zoom (online or call-in).

Public Notice:

The Princeton Library Board Meeting will be held at the library
424 W. Water St. Princeton WI 54968
6pm Monday November 2nd, 2020

Agenda:

• Call to order
• Roll call of members
• Approval of minutes from October
• Friend's Report
• Review & approval of bills
• Director’s report
• Lost & Damaged Materials, Refunds, and Maximum Fines Policies
• Pandemic precautions review
  • loosen or tighten restrictions?
• Nominations for Library Board President
• Adjournment

Join the Zoom Meeting online:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88973481505?pwd=NjJ4aGhiUkVQWDNzYi9aS1FGNkdHQ…

Join the Zoom Meeting via phone: 
1 312 626 6799

Meeting ID: 889 7348 1505
Passcode: 256725

The next meeting will be on Monday November 2nd, 2020 at 6pm.

We have thousands of ebooks and audiobooks you can borrow for free! Download the Libby app. More info at https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/

Downloading Ebooks & Audiobooks FAQ

What's the difference between Libby and Overdrive?
Both are great, free programs for downloading library ebooks and audiobooks. Both draw from the same collection of books.

Overdrive is the older version. It is the only one that works with a Kindle Fire. Some people find that it works better for downloading things to your computer, especially if you are then transferring them to another device (like an mp3 player). Learn more here: https://app.overdrive.com/ (Download links are at the very bottom.)

Libby is the newer version. Some people find that it is more user-friendly. It works with Apple CarPlay. However, it does NOT work with Kindle Fires. Download it here: https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/

You can use whichever one you're comfortable with, but don't switch back and forth-- it confuses the computer system.
You can't download more books by using both.

You can have more than one library account on either one, so that family members can share a tablet or other device without using up all your checkouts.

Both apps require a PIN. Your PIN is a four digit number-- it's the phone number you used when you signed up for your library card.

Both apps require you to put in your library card number.

What if you don't have a library card?
Usually, we required photo ID and proof of address to issue library cards. However, because of the virus situation, we are issuing temporary card numbers to people so that they can download free ebooks and audiobooks from our Libby app. Email your full name, birth date, phone number, and street address to director@princetonpublib.org and we'll give you a library card number. It will expire in six months, and you'll need to come in and show us a photo ID and proof of address then.

What if you have a library card from another system?
You can add a card from there too! Another library system's collection of books may be different from ours.

Want to Bookmark your page? You can. But your book will automatically open or start where you left off.

Want to return a book? You don't have to-- it will automatically disappear from your device when due. But if you need to free up the space, or want to be nice to someone waiting for the book, you can return a book early. See how here: https://help.libbyapp.com/6033.htm#aanchor22

Want to go to sleep listening to an audiobook? Click the little moon symbol to set a sleep timer. Your book will stop playing after 15 minutes, when you're in dreamland.

Is the audiobook narrator too slow or too fast? You can adjust the speed.

Not sure about a word? Tap and hold any word to learn its meaning.

Print too small? You can adjust the size and the font for easier reading.

For Libby tutorials, go here: https://help.libbyapp.com/index.htm?tocpath=Home%7C_____0

For Overdrive help, go here: https://help.overdrive.com/en-us/home.htm