I believe leading tolerance is imperative in today’s world. Librarians are in a unique position not only to spearhead this path, but that the fundamental values of librarianship make this a responsibility. This is why I don’t decorate the library for Christmas.

I am aware that most Americans celebrate the holiday[1], including those who are not Christian. I am aware that the media and retail industry have tried to make this religious holiday secular, but by definition, it is not. However, I am one of the few who do not celebrate this particular holiday. There have been times when I have celebrated, and now I can admit I did so out of peer pressure. I did so because I felt like the only person in the country who was not celebrating Christmas.

Personally, it felt hypocritical being pressured to engage in a holiday that I felt should be religious, when I was not. Feeling this way, and choosing to celebrate other seasonal traditions, I have become very aware that is it impossible to avoid Christmas. Iconography is present from the grocery store to the television, to driving a mile down almost any roadway.

I do not mind that others celebrate, but I do mind that when I tell people I do not, the response is often harshly critical. I also mind that from October to New Year’s there is almost no place I can go where I am not bombarded with the holiday to the point of being overwhelmed.

Those of us who do not celebrate Christmas may be few and far between, but the irony is during this season of love, peace, and good will, many feel anything but those things. For that reason, I do not decorate the library for Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanza. I stick with neutral motifs of snow, snowmen, and the New Year in order to support all patrons. I want my library to be a safe haven for everyone, and in this way, I try to lead tolerance by not decorating the public, secular space of the library for Christmas.

References

[1] http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/12/21/5-facts-about-christmas-in-america/

The post Why I Do Not Decorate the Library for Christmas first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Fargo’s favorites touch upon engagement, informatics, and technology in academic libraries. I have always worked in public libraries and specialized in youth services for my MLIS, so mine are somewhat different. Despite our variations in content, I was struck by Fargo’s idea of maintaining a folder of “influential readings” at home; this is a great way to organize articles you plan to return to over the course of your career. Since reading her article, I have created a Dropbox folder with some of my favorite articles so I can view them from anywhere.

Here are a few of the professional readings that have influenced me the most and continue to shape my ideologies as a librarian:

Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other (2011) by Sherry Turkle
Turkle’s work is not explicitly about libraries, but it discusses technology’s impact on interpersonal relationships. Although her findings are somewhat grim, they provided me with a strong understanding of the psychological effects technology has on our patrons and how to leverage this to best meet their needs.^[2]

Crash Course in Storytelling (2007) by Kendall F. Haven and MaryGay Ducey
This was a required reading in my storytelling course, which I took to help me prepare for storytime, but it has helped me with all aspects of public speaking. Storytelling skills are essential for sharing your library’s message to patrons, administration, and local government.^[3]

The Accidental Library Manager (2005) by Rachel Singer Gordon
Many library managers, myself included, become supervisors by accident. When personnel changes at my previous library forced me into my first directorship unexpectedly, I found myself referring back to this reading selection from my grad school management class. Gordon’s advice is practical yet general enough that it can be applied to many different types of libraries and archives.^[4]

The Black Belt Librarian: Real-World Safety & Security (2012) by Warren Davis Graham
I actually found this book after earning my MLIS when I saw Graham speak at 2014’s PLA Conference in Indianapolis. Graham speaks honestly from many years of experience and offers successful strategies for handling security at your library, a must-have, given current events.^[5]

“Storytelling in the Context of Modern Library Technology” (2009) by Kelly Czarnecki
Czarnecki’s article paints a very real picture of the changes technology has brought to modern libraries, how services are affected, and how to adjust accordingly.^[6]

Do you find yourself referring back to certain professional readings? Which pieces of theory have helped shape your career? Let us know in the comments!

Resources

[1] Hailley Fargo, “The Theory Behind My Librarianship,” Hack Library School, May 10, 2016.

[2] Sherry Turkle, Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other (New York: Basic Books, 2011).

[3] Kendall F.Haven and MaryGay Ducey, Crash course in storytelling (Westport: Libraries Unlimited, 2007).

[4] Rachel Singer Gordon, The accidental library manager (Medford: Information Today, 2005).

[5] Warren Graham, The black belt librarian: real-world safety & security (Chicago: American Library Association, 2012).

[6] Kelly Czarnecki, “Storytelling in the Context of Modern Library Technology,” Library Technology Reports 45, no. 7 (2009): 9–14.

The post In Theory: Recommended Readings for Librarianship first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Leaks or Bursts
Feelings are going to come out whether they leak out or burst forward. Some of us keep feelings inside and they leak out in other ways. Some can’t help but burst with emotion at times, which isn’t always helpful. The Feelings Conversation is designed to prevent the leaks and the bursts. By following the techniques, you will find value in examining, assessing, and expressing your emotions.

Scenario:
You’re talking to a direct report about a change in procedure. This change will help save time and money, but your direct report isn’t into it. Instead of talking about the feelings behind the conversation you walk away. Now you’re annoyed your colleague doesn’t want to change and your co-worker’s annoyed you don’t care about her point of view. While we can easily focus on the business side of this–you want the change and you know it will work out–we have to change our focus in order to help the organization.

What’s the worst could happen? So, I hold in my emotions. Who cares? The pitfalls of holding your feelings in are:

• detachment from coworkers
• tension throughout the workplace
•  aggression in tone, body language
• hindrance of your ability to listen
• misdirected aggression can be perceived as sarcasm

What’s the best that could happen? You begin to create a culture where feelings are expressed without judgement. BUT you can’t just start going around dishing it all out all the time. Follow these steps:

Sort out your feelings  (Protip – Use a feelings inventory to help).

• Accept that feelings are normal and natural and everyone has them (this can be very hard for some)
• Don’t be a speedbump, allowing other people’s feelings to always go before yours
• This is about you, and shouldn’t be a blame game

Negotiate with your feelings (my favorite part!) (Protip – The authors compare this to walking around your feelings as if they are sculptures in a museum.)

• Your feelings follow your thoughts, so be clear on what you are thinking and why.
• Ask some questions: What is my story missing? What is another explanation? What is motivating me? How did I contribute to the situation

Describe the feelings (Protip – Start a lot of conversations with “I feel”)

• Hopefully, negotiations went well and now you can talk about your feelings in the context of the problem/situation
• Establish a judgement free zone – don’t evaluate each other’s feelings!

Stone, Patton, and Heen end the chapter by talking about acknowledgement which is an important concept – read the chapter for more information!

More Resources:

Needs inventory: https://www.cnvc.org/sites/default/files/feelings_inventory_0.pdf

Free course on emotional intelligence at Coursera: https://www.coursera.org/course/lead-ei

Stone, Patton, & Heen (2010). Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss what Matters Most. Penguin Books.

The post Leaks or Bursts: Managing Feelings in Workplace Communication first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

I work at a public library was started by librarian Gina Sheridan in 2010 as a way to remember and share the interesting encounters she had at her library. Before long, she had shared the blog with other librarians who in turn shared their own stories to add to the site. Now thousands of readers, from librarians to library lovers, read and share these stories on Tumblr.

Posts to the site are filed, in true librarian fashion, into various categories based on the Dewey Decimal System, including “028.9 Reading Interests and Habits,” “302.2 Miscommunication,” “745.5 Found Objects,” and “808.879083 Children’s Humor.”

Recent submissions have included humorous word mix-ups:

“Same, Not the

Patron: I need books on gynecology.

I begin to walk to the section.

Patron: Yeah, I really want to know about my ancestors.

I quickly change course.”^[1]

And adorable children:

“Blues, Library

A little girl was taking her time picking out books when suddenly she sighed heavily.

Girl: Coming to the library makes me sad.

Me: Oh dear! Why does it make you sad?!

Girl: Because it reminds me of school and school is out and I miss it terribly.”^[2]

Sheridan says that I work at a public library gets about ten story submissions per week, some of which go up right away if they catch her interest. Not every story makes it to the site, though; Sheridan works to give the blog the right tone.  “I work at a public library isn’t about making fun of people or venting about work. It’s meant to be an objective celebration of the mundane–a reminder to stop and observe the weird and wonderful things that happen every day in a place where everyone is welcome,” Sheridan said.^[3]

Fans of the site can also find great library stories in print in Sheridan’s 2014 book I Work at a Public Library: A Collection of Crazy Stories from the Stacks, which features some popular stories from the Tumblr blog but is comprised primarily of book-exclusive stories from Sheridan’s library life.

Sources:

[1] I Work at a Public Library. Accessed July 10, 2015. http://iworkatapubliclibrary.com/.

[2] ibid.

[3] Sheridan, Gina. E-mail interview by author. July 10, 2015.

The post Thousands Enjoy Public Library Stories first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

We’ve certainly had our smattering of “Why Libraries Matter” and “Do we still need libraries?” like the speech Sari Feldman, 2015-2016 ALA President, gave to the City Club of Cleveland [Why Libraries are More Important than Ever]. After stumbling upon Why Libraries Matter (The Nation) and In Praise of Libraries (The Rotarian), I wanted to take a closer look at how public libraries around the country are grabbing headlines. In search of an answer, I spent some time crawling through news aggregators attempting to gather insight on just how our nation’s public libraries are faring in the general press.

Much of what we see is generated via press releases, like those about summer reading programs. Press releases also garner media attention for the introduction of new services (see ‘Denver Public Library’s new on-site social worker settling into job’, The Kansas City Business Journal’s coverage of their libraries lending hotspots as is done in Seattle. Local broadcasts are also providing archived videos such as CBS8’s (San Diego), “Mayor presents plan to increase Internet speeds at public libraries.” Collectively, positive upbeat coverage bodes well for all public libraries everywhere.

When libraries can control the narrative through press releases—great! But that is not always the case. Public libraries have seen their fair share of budget woes in the press during the last several years. The New York Public Library’s budget crisis and deterioration of their three library systems remains highly visible in that city’s top dailies (see NYC public libraries urge reversal of recession-era funding cuts, Boost city funding for New York’s public libraries (Editorial), and most recently, Queens, Brooklyn and New York public libraries rally to restore $65 million in funding cuts). Just a bit north from there, the Boston Public Library finally solved its missing Dürer and Rembrandt prints (Daunting Search Paid off for the Library) but not after much ado in the Boston Globe as well as the resignation of the BPL’s President Amy Ryan.

Whether public library headlines are in the form of editorials, opinion pieces, commentary, or news stories, librarians must take charge of the conversation and, in some cases, consider how to change the narrative. One way is having library advocates issue guest editorials, letters to the editor, and opinion pieces. So wonderfully did Wilford Adkins, president of the Montclair Public Library Board of Trustees, address the crowd at the MPL’s Under the Covers Benefit, “Affirming and assisting the Montclair Public Library,” that his speech was issued as a guest editorial.

Announcements regarding new officers and key personnel are typically picked up by the media. Recently, Crain’s Cleveland Business brought public libraries to the eyes and minds of its readership with the coverage of Felton Thomas’ PLA presidency [Felton Thomas voted 2016-2017 president of Public Library Association]. This type of coverage in the business press elevates public libraries and librarians simply by the audience it reaches: local community, government, and business leaders.

As I wrap up my coverage of public libraries in the headlines, I am reminded of a famous quote attributed to Jim Morrison, “Whoever Controls The Media, Controls The Mind.” What has your experience with the media been? If you have a local story you would like to share, please comment below.

The post Reading Between the [Head]Lines…or Through the Looking Glass first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The important thing when answering a listserv inquiry is to consider if the information being supplied actually answers the question being asked. For many years reference librarians were trained in the art of the reference interview, designed to discern what the real information query was in comparison to the actual question being posed to them. Often in these ‘live’ situations the exchange was quick and the person asking the question might not have even known what information they were really seeking.

I would suggest with the advent of online inquiry the reference interview—and subsequently the true focus on the actual question—has become a lost art. Perhaps it is perceived as no longer relevant. With the Internet inquiry the question is posed solidly before us. Because it has been typed out by the inquirer, there is inherently more conscious thought going into it. Further, for those asking questions of listservs, it is very likely that the asker already possesses some Internet skill and has done preliminary investigation, particularly if the listserv is centered on a particular profession or topic.

I have found many times on professional listservs that when a question is poised, there is a myriad of replies, but few that actually answer the question. For example, I recently asked a group of librarians if they had a sample vendor contract for a particular service. The results I received told me information about the service, vendors who performed that service, and how to engage in the service, but none supplied me with a sample contract or even referenced one. Some suggested I search the Internet for information, which of course I had already tried. The internet findings suggested I contact my peers for samples.

The responses were frustrating on many levels. Worst of all, despite having numerous replies, I did not gain the needed information. While I would encourage all to be helpful and participate, I would suggest that it be done with focus.

First, consider the audience. Replying to a general group might warrant a different kind of reply than if replying to a professional group, just as answering a reference question regarding information about animals would be different depending upon the age of the person standing before us. I believe it is safe to think that if answering a question on a professional librarian list, suggesting the Internet search is not needed unless one is suggesting a particular website or unusual resource.

Second, focus on the content. If a poster is seeking contact information for a specific program provider, comments about reference books on the topic are not helpful. If a questioner asks about fundraising ideas to supplement their budget, responses about municipal budgets would not apply. A helpful starting place is to consider if the question is looking for general direction or specific information. It might be helpful to consider the kind of answer you would be seeking if you were asking the question. This is the same process reference librarians apply to the reference interview.

Finally, specifically in the context of professional listservs, I always ask myself why I am reaching for the reply button. Do I truly have content to provide or do I just want to help? Is the reply that I am forming in response to the inquiry or because of something else (a favorite topic, a recent experience, or a slow day)? Before hitting send, I also recheck if the answer I have now typed out has already been posted in the interim.  I focus on whether my information actually helpful. If I answer “not really” or have any doubts, I don’t send.

I believe that if we approach the listserv inquiry with thoughtful consideration we will all save time and become truly more helpful.

The post Making Sure Help is Helpful first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The report begins with a look at The Public Library in the Digital Age and shows how public libraries are poised to play a leading role in helping communities and individuals adapt to our changing world. It names three key assets that the value proposition of the public library is built around: people, place, and platform. The people focus reflects the focus shift from building collections to building human capital and puts people at the center of the library’s mission to inspire and cultivate learning, advance knowledge, and nurture and strengthen communities. In this new environment, librarians will need to be able to anticipate community needs, manage and adapt to new technology, and use data to best advantage. An intelligent community is the goal, rather than large circulation numbers.[3] For the aspect of place, more of a focus is being put on the library as the “family room of a community,” as Akhtar Badshah stated.[4] You immediately get this sense of the library as a place to simply spend time when you walk into a children’s area and find kids playing together with library toys while their parents chat, or you come upon an afternoon of chess or video games. In addition, the report notes that in an increasingly virtual physical libraries are community assets. For the library to be a platform, it has to provide a place for participation and learning, a place where assets are available. Users may customize this platform and adapt its resources to their individual needs. [5] For example, we can provide chairs and tables for business meetings and programs, as well as classes that give an overview of the business resources available to entrepreneurs and programs that can help them connect to resources to develop their businesses.

Finally, four strategic opportunities for libraries are presented.[6]

1. Aligning library services in support of community goals.
2. Providing access to content in all formats.
3. Ensuring the long-term sustainability of public libraries.
4. Cultivating leadership.

To ensure success, libraries must provide services that support community needs and not just exist as the cool new thing. They need to offer access to content in all formats by working with creators, publishers, and government. They must work toward transforming standard operations to ensure library sustainability. To be able to accomplish any of these, libraries have to actively develop leaders who can go out and become an active part of their community, learning the needs from the people.

The report also spotlights lots of exciting ideas and examples of new ways public libraries are working to meet the needs of their communities. Check it out at http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/documents//AspenLibrariesReport.pdf .

References
[1] The Aspen Institute. “About the Dialogue.” The Aspen Institute Communications and Society. 2015. http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/Dialogue-on-Public-Libraries/2014/what-is (accessed February 19, 2015).

[2] —. “Members of the Dialogue on Public Libraries Working Group.” The Aspen Institute Communications and Society. 2015. http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/Dialogue-on-Public-Libraries/2014/participants (accessed February 19, 2015).

[3]  “Members of the Dialogue on Public Libraries Working Group.” The Aspen Institute Communications and Society. 2015. http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/Dialogue-on-Public-Libraries/2014/participants (accessed February 19, 2015). Page 11.

[4] Ibid. Page 13.

[5] Ibid. Pages 17-18.

[6] Ibid. Page 33.

The post Dissecting The Aspen Institute Report first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The good news is that 74% of survey respondents stated that librarianship is not a dying profession. In fact, a slight majority, 36%, indicated that there are currently more full-time librarian positions at their current workplace than there were ten years ago. 62% also denied any full-time positions being replaced with part-time employees. Job growth may not be as dramatic as it is in other fields, but this survey suggests it’s not completely dismal either.

Interestingly, most hiring managers surveyed indicated having a small pool of qualified applicants to choose from. 42% of respondents received 25 or fewer applicants for their most recent professional job opening, while 36% had between 25 and 75 librarians apply. Unfortunately, a vast majority of the sample—64%—noted that less than a quarter of their applicants actually met the qualifications of the position.

For me, these results reiterated how important it is for job applicants to fully read and understand the requirements of an opening when completing their applications. This may be difficult in the case of finding entry-level work, but completing an internship or volunteer work while in grad school can certainly help set a new librarian apart from the competition. More seasoned librarians should not be afraid to take honest stock of their experience and brag about it a little. One thing I’ve encountered over the course of my career is that many of us in the field are uncomfortable boasting about ourselves and our accomplishments. Consciously avoiding this by creating a portfolio or making a list of points to touch upon in interviews can make all the difference. After all, you’ve worked hard for your experience; you owe it to yourself to talk about it.

What struggles are you facing in your job search or hiring processes? Let us know in the comments.

Sources

[1] The Best and Worst Master’s Degrees for Jobs in 2014. (2014, June 12). Retrieved January 29, 2015, from http://www.forbes.com/pictures/fjle45gfkg/no-3-worst-masters-degree-for-jobs-library-information-science/

[2] Stats and Graphs: State of the Library Job Market. (2015, January 17). Retrieved January 19, 2015, from http://hiringlibrarians.com/2015/01/17/stats-and-graphs-state-of-the-library-job-market/

The post Employment Trends in Public Libraries first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Via coccinellevoyage.tumblr.com

2. While you do get some really unique reference questions, you also get the same questions over and over again.

Via gif-database.tumblr.com

3. People think your job is easy.

Via http://whatshouldbetchescallme.tumblr.com/post/38630823737/when-im-standing-outside-the-shower-waiting-for-the

4. The patron who always asks for you and makes you feel a little uncomfortable.

Via http://wifflegif.com/tags/164411-you-re-making-me-uncomfortable-gifs

5. Your patrons think you’re a computer expert because you know how to open an e-mail attachment.

Via atrl.net

6. When books get returned and they smell funny or are sticky.

Via http://www.reactiongifs.com/emma-stone-eww/

7. When your library is cold.

Via http://weheartit.com/entry/45589098

8. Tax season.

Via reddit.com

9. The never-ending fight against bed bugs.

Via alliwantisklaine.tumblr.com

10. When someone comes in looking for a book, but they have no idea what the book is called, who the author is, or what the book is about.

Via http://www.reactiongifs.com/britney-say/

Even though there are days when you can’t wait to go home and relax — when a patron comes up to you and lets you know how much they appreciate your help with the book recommendation, or the job search, or taxes, or using a computer, it reminds you of why it’s all worth it.  Want to see a whole bunch of amazing librarian problem gifs? Check this out.

The post GIFs List! Ten Public Librarian Conundrums first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The Pros
Library associations are great places to network. In everyday life, you may not get a chance to randomly meet other people in your field, especially not on a regular basis. Yet within an association, one can easily parlay the relationships that are fostered into bigger and better things. You may learn a different way of assisting patrons or even be offered a new and better paying job as a result.

Associations are also great ways of keeping abreast of the latest innovations and technologies that affect our daily work lives. Let’s face it, we don’t all have a lot of time to sit around and read every journal and every article that discusses librarianship. With professional associations some of the best of these ideas are highlighted and discussed with you.

Associations also provide opportunities to flex your leadership skills. Being a member is great, but being an active member can benefit you even more. Taking the lead on a committee can give you management experience you may not get as a reference librarian. This can then give you the proficiency necessary down the road when you feel like advancing your career into library management.

The Cons
I have to admit that one of my first cons is money. Most of these associations require dues annually. For example, ALA membership is $48-$135, depending on your job status, and SLA membership is $40-$200 depending on what your annual salary is. These are just the dues though — they often do not include the cost of attending conferences, in and out of state. While I think it’s great that the fees are on a scale, it is still an extra expense that many of us, right out of school and burdened with school loans, may not be prepared to pay. Another “con” might be whether or not these associations are even necessary in today and tomorrow’s world of internet information globalism. I was reading the November 12, 2014 blog post from Beerbrarian, where he discusses what tools he cannot live without. One of his choices was Twitter because “I can’t afford to go to every conference I’d like to. Library twitter is like a 24/7/365 conference. Articles, blog posts, and other useful items get shared.”

I wonder if Beerbrarian is correct: Are Twitter and other social media sites are all you really need in order to achieve all (or at least most) of the “pros” of professional memberships? Please feel free to discuss and share your thoughts in the comments.

Sources:

http://beerbrarian.blogspot.com/

http://www.ala.org/membership/ala-personal-membership

https://hq.sla.org/cvweb_sla/cgi-bin/memberdll.dll/info?wrp=membershipapp.htm

http://letterstoayounglibrarian.blogspot.com/2014/10/association-membership-for-fun-and.html

The post To Join, Or Not To Join first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

If anyone doubts that libraries respond to their communities in times of emergencies, the Ferguson Municipal Public Library remained the one calming and stable constant in this Missouri town’s tumultuous life as schools, businesses, and other government agencies closed after the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown.

Even when sometimes violent protests erupted, the only librarian on staff, Scott Bonner, kept the library doors open. And when he reached out for help via social networking, many volunteers as well as supporters around the nation joined him in preserving the one glimmer of light during a very dark time in this community.

Although Bonner had only assumed his position in July, he had already developed a relationship with local businesses and the community by opening the library as a meeting space. During a recent interview Bonner explained he had “a very broad definition of librarianship.” [2] That’s why the Small Business Administration, through Bonner’s invitation, had previously used the Ferguson Library as a staging point to meet with business owners affected by storm damage in order to offer emergency loans.

As Ferguson’s sole librarian with a staff of several part-time librarian assistants and one part-time administrative assistant, Bonner operates in much the same way as many small public library directors.  Bonner wears many hats, library director, children’s librarian, reference librarian, all rolled into one.

In August, however, he could never have anticipated how broadly he would define that concept of librarianship, and as a result, elevated that concept, too.

As SWAT team police officers swarmed the streets of this divided community, the news media from around the world occupied every inch of space in this small town, and the Governor of Missouri declared a state of emergency, Bonner made the decision to keep the library open and hung this sign in its window instead:

During difficult times

The library is a quiet oasis

Where we can catch our

Breath, learn and think

About what to do next.

Please help to keep our oasis

Peaceful and serene.

Thank you.[3]

When area schools closed, with the help of volunteers, the library offered classes to up to 200 school children with nowhere else to go.[4] It offered computer access to residents who had none. It offered the news media a place of respite. With the help of some volunteers, Bonner created healing kits for children.

In one of many interviews, Bonner conceded that “if I had any sense, I should have shut down.” Yet he has continued to deliver an important message about libraries and being a librarian.  He emphasizes that what he did was “not notable, just noticeable”.[5]

In interview after interview, Bonner reveals the character, values, and strength of conviction that shaped his decision to remain open and that also shape his role as a librarian.  As he responds to the many questions asked about his decision, his responses always speak to the need to serve the community, to provide information services, and to foster free and open communication.[6]

In an interview with BuzzFeed, he explained that “this is totally, exactly, right in the wheel house of what any library does, what every library does. We have a dramatic moment, and a dramatic circumstance caught the nation’s attention, but this is exactly what libraries do every day.”[7]

Ashley Ford of BuzzFeed tweeted that the Ferguson library would be open and solicited donations.  “We all know that books save lives, please donate…”  Saves lives.  That resonated with the world in the midst of a town infuriated by the loss of life. Authors Neil Gaiman and John Greene joined her as did Reading for Rainbows.  It seemed that everyone admired this little library’s courage.

Donations keep coming in. Right now, donations exceed Ferguson’s $400,000 yearly operating budget. Bonner looks forward to hiring a Children’s Librarian this year.

Angie Manfredi, head of youth services for Los Alamos County Library System, NM, started a Twitter campaign soliciting books for the library. She created a wish list for FMPL on Powell’s,[8]

“Thanks to her efforts, we’re going to have one of the strongest collections in the state for civic engagement, civil rights history, and recovering from trauma,” beams Bonner.

No one can dispute his courage during the chaos and conflict in Ferguson.  Buildings burned several blocks from the library building and the doors still remained open.

As a librarian, Bonner’s courage extended well beyond physically opening those doors.  His actions, along with his insights about librarianship might have opened minds about the role of libraries.  It certainly highlighted the important role the Ferguson library played in the lives of that community in crisis.

One little library, one big librarian, one shared vision and dream:  Libraries can transform lives. They serve communities.Every day.

References

[1] Bonner, Scott. 2014. Twitter message from Ferguson Municipal Public Library. (#Ferguson Library@ferguson library). August 15, 2014, 6:07 PM.

[2] An Interview with Scott Bonner. (2014, January 1). (2014, January 1). The Magpie Librarian: a librarian’s guide to modern life and etiquette. Retrieved December 17, 2014, from Magpielibrarian.wordpress.com

[3]Ibid.

[4] Axelrad, J. (2014, December 10). Ferguson library, a community pillar during unrest, gets $350,000 in donations (video). The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved December 17, 2014, from http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2014/1210/Ferguson-library-a-community-pillar-during-unrest-gets-350-000-in-donations-video

[5] Miller, R. (2014, September 15). It’s What We Do: Service and sanctuary in Ferguson. Library Journal. Retrieved December 17, 2014 from http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2014/09/opinion/editorial/its-what-we-do-service-and-sanctuary-in-ferguson-editorial/

[6] An Interview with Scott Bonner. (2014, January 1). (2014, January 1). The Magpie Librarian: a librarian’s guide to modern life and etiquette. Retrieved December 17, 2014, from Magpielibrarian.wordpress.com

[7] Ford, A. (2014, November 25). Buzz Feed Books. Retrieved December 17, 2014, from http://www.buzzfeed.com/tag/books

[8] Axelrad, J. (2014, December 10).

Cover Photo Credit: Loavesofbread (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The post The Little Library That Lent a Hand: Ferguson Municipal Public Library first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

First, I have a problem with using the phrase “rock star librarian.” This is another one of those empty phrases that gets thrown around, but has no real meaning or pertinence. What defines a rock star librarian? Somebody who actually got noticed for a cool program that brought in a fresh group of patrons to their library? Someone who can deliver a solid presentation at a conference and get the majority of the attendees to leave more motivated to than they were before? This all reminds me a bit of high school with the cool kids versus the outcasts. Do we really need to label people in our profession? Or maybe we should just judge people based on their performance and not whether they appeared in Library Journal or another major library-related publication.

I read pretty much every issue of Library Journal, American Libraries, Public Libraries, etc. and pay attention to library trends through social media as much as I can. Each publication has an audience they are trying to reach and there is also competition amongst them. Therefore, some of the articles may feel sensationalized since they are trying to get your attention. American media in general has become pretty sensationalized. As a result, some members of the library profession have also found unique ways to get publicity for either themselves, or for their libraries. This makes perfectly good sense to me since if nobody is paying attention to what you are doing in today’s competitive tax environment; you are going to lose out.

Personally, I understand why some of these famous librarians exist. Who wants to get paid what we get paid with an advanced degree and not get some recognition for it? Yes, I know we are here to serve the community, but doing just that can burn you out. Also, who wants to keep watching the budgets for police, fire, roads, etc. continue to be increased while the budgets for most libraries and schools decrease? Just like King Kong beating his chest for attention, we have to find a way to not only engage our communities, but also the glazed over eyes of the dead weight that permeates our profession. I say let the rankings continue, let the beauty contests go on all night. If this is what it takes to get people to take our profession seriously and motivates the smart and ambitious to come up with bigger and better ideas to make libraries matter, then go for it. There are always going to be a few rotten apples that ruin it for those who actually deserve recognition, but that should not be enough to derail the entire idea that some truly deserve their moment on the stage.

Reference

http://bossladywrites.com/how-did-we-get-here-the-rise-and-hopeful-fall-of-rockstar-librarians/

The post Keep on Rocking first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Earlier this year, the Huffington Post ran an article from the co-founders of the Library as Incubator Project, 7 Big Myths about Libraries. The first myth mentioned is one of my favorites: libraries are places where you will be shushed if you emit a peep.[1] While that may have been truer at one time, we definitely aren’t the quiet type anymore. Sure, you might have a quiet area, but it can be hard to contain “the joyful noise,” as one friend calls it, from a children’s program when you have an open concept design. If you have an area for business where co-working, collaborating, and hoteling is encouraged, conversation and phone calls definitely ensue. If you have teen gaming, the event can get a little boisterous. As we evolve more and more to a place for community gathering, you’re bound to bring a little noise in.

Another huge myth mentioned in the article is about libraries being all about books.[2] We’re librarians, we love reading, we will always promote reading, and we will always provide reading in some way or another. However, we’ve all seen loads of articles lately showing that libraries are about so much more than just books. Libraries are meeting places, learning environments, collaborative spaces, innovation centers, and entertainment spots, as well as a source for reading. We’re hosting Mini Maker Faires, concerts, zombie dances, and book clubs.

Another misconception that needs to be set straight is that libraries are just for kids.[3] Libraries offer something for everyone: from story time for babies to teen gaming to computer classes for older adults. With lifelong learning being a key tenet to libraries, programs don’t end at a certain time of life. Oh, and this library stuff is not boring.[4] With new technology being added to every facet of services and energetic librarians presenting, nothing is stale in the library. Plus, did you see earlier when I mentioned the zombie dances?

The article covers a few other myths, but a couple that always come to mind for me weren’t there. I’ve been told more than once. “You’re a librarian? It must be so great to get to read all day!” I agree; that would be pretty awesome.

The other misconception that used to bother me was when people, including family, would say to me, “We don’t need librarians; we have the Internet.” I don’t take it personally anymore because I realize that the person saying it doesn’t really know what a librarian does. We don’t just find facts. We help people find the best, most reliable facts, not just any information. We develop programs and classes that enrich people’s lives and help provide a place for community. My advice? Take comments like that as an opportunity to help someone learn.

Some of the myths around librarianship are funny and innocuous. Some are a little harder to battle. We just have to keep showing what we do and who we are.

Got a myth you didn’t see? Please share!

[1] Batykefer, Erinn and Laura Damon-Moore. “7 Big Myths about Libraries.” Huffington Post. April 29, 2014. (accessed November 18, 2014).

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

Cover Image Credit: David Rees, Environmental Protection Agency

The post The Legend Behind the Library Myths first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

While I was working in my previous job at an academic library, I was appointed to my public library’s board of trustees.   One of my first votes on the board was to approve the purchase of cake pans.  When I pressed for details, I was told this was very successful in a neighboring town.  I was skeptical that this would work and leery about approving the suggested amount for cake pans.  Several months later, I was looking for a spaceship pan for my son’s birthday party.

Four weeks ago, I started work at a public library.  I haven’t figured out if my current library has cake pans, but they do have a seed exchange program that is wildly popular in the community and has attracted media attention throughout the region.

I see very few similarities between my current public library position and my previous positions in academic libraries.  The needs in academia aren’t the same as the needs of taxpayers and community members.  And that’s the key to reframing my thinking about what it means to be a librarian for the community: What is the need and how do we meet it?  There are needs that are being met in the public library that are as diverse as they are unique.   How do these needs become identified?  How do cake pans and seeds become a part of a library collection?  People (staff and users) ask questions.

A large part of my desire to enter public librarianship was due to my two young boys.  I see in them an incredible imagination, an innate curiosity, and a desire to learn.  (This was not something I saw a lot of with first-year or even older college students.)  They ask why.  They are curious.  They are driven to discover.  They need something they can understand, something selected for them at their individual level.  They need resources that engage their imagination.  They need librarians who can help, inspire, and point them to what they desire to know.  They need parents who allow for self-expression and exploration.  Basically, they need access to the things that encourage them to discover.

My fear is that sometime between the ages of three and eighteen, something will change in them and this desire to discover and to learn will evaporate.  I worry that they will stop asking the questions that so inspired me to embrace my profession and to truly understand the reason librarians are so desperately needed in our communities.   Because of them, I have grown.  My attitude has changed.  I want them to always be curious and to discover.  And, I want this for the community I now serve.

As Miss Frizzle says, “If you keep asking questions, you’ll keep getting answers!”  This is why I became a public librarian.  I want to help you find the answers.  But first, you need the questions.

The post What It Means to be a Librarian for the Community first appeared on Public Libraries Online.