Back to School with Brainfuse

Now that patrons have been back to school for at least a week homework and research questions will start to appear! What better time to think about promoting Brainfuse than right now. Here’s an easy way to show your patrons what they can do with Brainfuse-HelpNow. 

Do you want to create a bulletin board like this?

Simply download and print the documents on the gateway on this page: http://portal.suffolklibrarysystem.org/services/youth-services/youth-services-resources/2016-back-school-brainfuse 

Then, request a bag of pre-cut dies. We’ve done all the work of selecting colors so you can create a bulletin board! 

Email your request to patty@suffolknet.org or print “2016 Back-to-School with Brainfuse, Pre-cut Dies Request” form from the SCLS Gateway and send it to Patty Klos at SCLS-YS.

We hope this helps you and your patrons with their Back-to-School homework!

A Visit to Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library

Cutchogue- New Suffolk Free Library

I know I'm not supposed to have favorites, but it happens people! I'm only human, after all - and well, just look at this building. How can it NOT be one of my favorite library buildings on Long Island? Those windows...the steeple....the architecture! (The drive through North Fork wine country to arrive at this building is a bonus.)

So, travel coffee mug in hand, I left western Suffolk a tad earlier than usual to head out east to meet my colleagues, Derek Ivie and Samantha Alberts for a Live-Study Help training at the request of Cutchogue's director, Jennifer Fowler. We thoroughly enjoyed the crowd at Cutchogue, as library staff came from a few different libraries to hear the presentation and learn about the different resources available through Live-Study Help, like flash cards, on-line meeting capability, computer and technology assistance, resume assistance, and of course, the ever popular on-line tutoring sessions.

                                                              

 What I like most about my job? Getting to see such variety in library land, and always finding a great idea - whether it be a program, collection display, or marketing idea. Ideas are the great equalizer of libraries - any size library can have a great idea. I've been able to travel to lots of different libraries around the country throughout the last 15 years, and I'm always amazed at the energy and creativity I find and get to bring back and share with others. Cutchogue-New Suffolk was no exception! First of all - let's talk decorations. The children's section and the mezzanine area are located in the original section of the building, which was a former church. Look at those beams!

  On the other side of the bookcase, there are toys galore for library play dates.......

 and do you see what I see? A chicka chicka boom boom  homemade tree!

The youth staff does such a nice job with a small space and marketing their different collections:

But this picture below was my absolute "WHAT A GREAT IDEA!" moment of the day, when I discovered their "tween area"

The Tween area is called INBETWEEN - what a great play on words!

Finally, our time at Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library was done, and it was time to leave. Of course, walking in or out of the front door there also leads to hidden goodies:

Who wouldn't want to sit outside?

The Library "steeple"

Toddler sized car parking outside the front door!

Tell us: What is YOUR favorite part of your library? Send a photo showcasing your favorite library spot to lisa@suffolknet.org to be entered into a raffle for our October Goodies Surprise Box!

Live Homework Help

While everyone knows that there is live homework help available (year round!) on the live-brary.com website via the live study help link on the left side of the page - not everyone is comfortable showing patrons how to utilize the service. Consider booking Derek, Lisa, or Samantha from Member Services to come visit your next staff meeting to provide a workshop on site showing staff how to market,publicize, and utilize this service. You might also consider hosting a training for your library zone if you have a large meeting room available, and opening the workshop up to other libraries nearby.

For instance, did you know that there is a demo  that walks patrons through the process of a "live" tutoring session? This is especially useful for those morning and early afternoon hours when the service isn't yet live. All you need to do is sign into the live study help link with your library barcode, and click  "demo"  on the bottom ribbon menu.

You can also find Brainfuse marketing materials on the Gateway under the "marketing materials" link under Popular Services on the left hand side. Once you click on marketing materials, scroll down the list to find "Brainfuse Marketing Materials."

So what are you waiting for? Give us a call today to book a Live Homework Help refresher workshop for your staff today - both youth, teen, and adult services staff can benefit from this on site workshop!