Big changes are coming at Salina Public Library. Some important reorganization will begin Jan. 3, 2017, in an effort to continue the library’s critical focus on early literacy and service to families.

A noticeable change for library patrons will be the transition to one circulation desk on the main floor. Currently, materials are checked out and returned on both floors of the library. After the transition, all materials should be returned for check-in to the main circulation desk, just inside the doors of the library.

All new and renewing library cards, fines paid, account inquiries and materials-on-hold functions will be focused in that same department. This will provide more consistency of policy and service. For the convenience of patrons, the library will add a fourth self-checkout unit in the Youth Services library downstairs.

This change will allow Youth Services staff the time and space to devote their expertise to serving children and families, children’s book and media collections, and expanded programming for children and families, including more outreach and community engagement work.

Dianna Waite, Head of Circulation, will retire at the end of this year. Waite has worked at the library for 30 years, starting part-time at the circulation desk, before moving to full-time and then full-time in the reference department, before taking over as Head of Circulation. During her career, she worked on the transition to an automated circulation system, the transition to RFID self-check stations and the conversion of the entire library collection. Waite initiated the Cultural Pass program and taught at a Library Circulation Institute in Madison, Wis. She also worked on Project Salina, leading library participation each year.

There will be a retirement reception for Waite on Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. Kristi Hansen, Head of Youth Services, will move into the position of Head of Circulation. She has 29 years of experience
working with all circulation policies and functions, 16 of those years as the head of the Youth Services Department.

The new Head of Youth Services, Lisa Newman, has more than 15 years of experience providing education and resources to families, children, child care professionals and residents of Saline and Ottawa counties. Newman previously worked as a Family and Child Development Extension Agent with Kansas State University. Prior to that she coordinated the library’s CLASS program and worked in the early childhood field. Newman earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Family Studies and Human Services from Kansas State University. She is active in the community, including involvement with Circles of the Heartland and Altrusa International of Salina.