Some libraries are creating departments specifically for outreach and community engagement. Several Canadian libraries are following a community-led model of service delivery. Edmonton Public Library’s service philosophy framework is “to build relationships, and to improve its ability to identify and meet customer needs.”¹ They strive for Participative Engagement with their communities where local residents and organizations influence the library’s priorities. Another Canadian example is Saskatoon Public Library. Last year, Saskatoon restructured, leading to nearly 40 percent of the nine-branch system’s approximately 300 employees changing their jobs.²

“Customer experience” is being added by some libraries to add focus on providing user value. Libraries are splitting the public services function from their operations function. Human-centered design” is something Salt Lake City Public Library incorporated into their latest strategic plan. They aim to be a learning organization with lifelong learning focus on staff as well as patrons. Salt Lake created their strategic plan to be an “experiential learning tool that invites all staff to participate in the co-creation of meaningful outcomes and experiences for the community.”³

According to the FY2016 IMLS Public Library Data Survey summary, library staff size has decreased over time. The past ten years has seen an overall decline of almost one staff FTE per 25,000 people Libraries are rebounding from the most recent economic recession, but staffing levels are staying flat.⁴

For the past several years, the growth of Non-MLS librarians has outpaced MLS librarians. The FY2016 data showed the average percentage of MLS librarians increased at a rate of 0.71 percent. The average percentage of Non-MLS librarians increased at a faster rate (3.50 percent).⁵

There also seems to be a move toward not requiring the MLIS degree for the library director. In Minnesota this spring, the legislature changed the requirement for Hennepin County. Up until then, it had been the only library director position with a requirement in Minnesota state law. This change was a step toward recruiting a more diverse set of candidates for the position.⁶

Will these trends hold? It’s hard to stay. As baby boomers leave the workforce and are replaced with younger generations, skill sets will change. Changing technology is changing how people use their libraries as well as their information needs. A push toward a more diverse workforce may mean a change in job requirements and recruitment strategies. With the growing emphasis on customer experience and community engagement, there’s promise in what new library structures will deliver.

Thanks to Michele Cornelius from Washington County Library for sharing a wide range of library organizational charts with me and allowing me to reference them for this article.

References

¹Martinez, Pilar. “One Library, One Staff: Innovation and Organizational Culture.” LLAMA Thought Leaders Series August 20, 2015. Accessed July 05, 2019. http://www.ala.org/llama/sites/ala.org.llama/files/content/8-20-15 slides.pdf.

²Peet, Lisa. “Saskatoon Public Library Readies for Staff Restructuring.” Library Journal. January 18, 2018. Accessed July 05, 2019.https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=saskatoon-public-library-readies-staff-restructuring.

³“Strategic Planning in a Deeply Weird World: The Flexible Roadmap Field Guide Approach.” WebJunction. March 26, 2019. Accessed July 05, 2019. https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/strategic-planning-in-a-deeply-weird-world.html.

⁴Pelczar, M., Frehill, L. M., Williams, K., & Nielsen, E. (2019). Data File Documentation: Public Libraries in the United States Fiscal Year 2017. Institute of Museum and Library Services: Washington, D.C

⁵“The 2017 Public Library Data Service Report: Characteristics and Trends.” Public Libraries Online The 2017 Public Library Data Service Report Characteristics and Trends Comments. December 4, 2017. Accessed July 05, 2019. https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/the-2017-public-library-data-service-report-characteristics-and-trends/.
⁶Chanen, David. “Hoping for More Diverse Candidates, Hennepin County No Longer Requires Master’s Degree for Its Library Director.” Star Tribune. June 18, 2019. Accessed July 05, 2019. http://www.startribune.com/hoping-for-more-diverse-candidates-hennepin-county-no-longer-requires-master-s-degree-for-its-library-director/511408032/.

The post Flatter, Focused, and Community Led – Public Library Staffing Continues to Evolve first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Family literacy is a growing area of public library service. “Engaging families in anywhere, anytime learning is critical to children’s academic and social development, but it is also a matter of equity,” according to Public Libraries: A Vital Space for Family Engagement, a Public Library Association resource.[1] Family literacy is a more holistic view of children’s literacy. It broadens the scope of literacy to include lifestyle choices and language barriers. Reduced barriers to access means children have a better environment and more resources to develop their literacy skills.

So what does an effective library family literacy program look like?
At the Waukegan (IL) Public Library, ambassadors reached out to the local Latino community. They gained ideas for how the library could better reach this population. They began focusing on early childhood education and grade-level reading. New programs were developed including Conversational ESL and Health Awareness.[2] Houston Public Library worked with local health agencies. Together they expanded access to health care and health resources in their community. Their Healthy Literacy Initiative For Everyone (L.I.F.E.) program provides mobile wellness clinics and nutrition classes. Classes are intergenerational and focus on healthy lifestyles.[3] Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Public Library offered a series for families of kindergarten through 8th grade students. A licensed social worker met with families monthly. Together they talked about ideas for students to succeed.[4]

Family engagement is all about building relationships and building on family strengths. The Five Rs of family engagement are Reach out, Raise up, Reinforce, Relate, and Reimagine. Each strategy is a way libraries can support family literacy in their communities. Successful programs mean families are more connected to libraries and have more knowledge about resources. They develop relationships with other families in the community. This, in turn, helps them grow their parenting skills.

Two solid resources come from the Public Library Association. Public Libraries: A Vital Space for Family Engagement is a great overview. It explains why family engagement is important to children’s success.[5] Ideabook: Libraries for Families puts these ideas into action.[6] The Ideabook has real-life examples of adding family engagement strategies into library services.

Taking small steps can improve learning opportunities for children. Provide books in your community’s families’ home languages. Designate spaces for conversations between families. Get outside the library walls and spread the word about the services available. Solicit ideas from families. Incorporate best practices into your library’s day-to-day work to create community spaces where families can thrive.

Resources
1. M. Elena Lopez, Margaret Caspe, and Lorette McWilliams, Public Libraries: A Vital Space for Family Engagement. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard Family Research Project, 2016), http://www.hfrp.org/librarycta
2. Illinois Library Association. “Going Beneath the Surface: Outreach to Latino and Other Communities.” Illinois Library Association. January 17, 2017. Accessed February 23, 2019. https://www.ila.org/publications/ila-reporter/article/56/going-beneath-the-surface-outreach-to-latino-and-other-communities.
3. “Healthy L.I.F.E.” Houston Public Library. January 19, 2018. Accessed February 23, 2019. http://houstonlibrary.org/learn-explore/healthy-life.
4. Benson, John, and John Benson. “Cuyahoga County Public Library Invites Families to Grow with Ongoing Series.” Cleveland.com. January 08, 2018. Accessed February 23, 2019. https://www.cleveland.com/parma/index.ssf/2018/01/cuyahoga_county_public_library_40.html.
5. M. Elena Lopez, et al., “Public Libraries.”
6. Heather B. Weiss, Margaret Caspe, M. Elena Lopez, and Lorette McWilliams, Ideabook: Libraries for Families. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard Family Research Project, 2016), https://globalfrp.org/content/download/73/436/file/IdeaBook.pdf.

Other Resources
Family Engagement: Public Library Association

The post Family Literacy – A Holistic Approach to Lifelong Learning and Student Success first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

WHO Will Manage the Accounts
To start, be sure policies about staff participation, patron confidentiality, and acceptable use are clearly defined. Libraries are public entities, so the law defines much of what is required. Be sure staff are trained in handling patron information, including photos, within the bounds of data privacy. Copyright applies to online content as well, so sharing information on a library platform needs to respect this boundary also. The American Library Association offers guidance on social media policy considerations. Who will monitor accounts and how often? How often will each person post — what is the schedule? How will posting be handled when someone is off work? David Lee King, Digital Services Director at Topeka & Shawnee County Library, has established these guidelines for staff who manage social media. One rule of thumb, consult the employee handbook for guidance. Also be clear about who can create content or add a platform.

Look through best practices and think about how best to set up the accounts to get the best results. For example, creating a library administration account email can help keep a bright line between work and personal social media use. Notifications for the library pages will only go to the library account. Also keep in mind requirements for identification – be clear when sharing information on a personal account about your link to the library.

WHAT Will Your Library Market or Promote?
Are you hoping to increase program attendance? Or bring more people to the library? Or advocate for library issues? Think about and set goals for what your library’s social media platform will do. Do you want to pay Facebook to promote posts? If so, have you thought through the privacy implications of using this function? Have you defined what is unacceptable behavior online? How and when will the library have the right to remove content on its platforms? Will you accept advertisements on your page?

Many libraries use their platforms for event promotion. This can be done through normal posting or through special platform functions, such as Facebook Events. There are pros and cons to using these types of features, so watch metrics to see what works more effectively for your library. Some libraries are going beyond event promotion on social media. Many libraries are using hashtags like #bookfacefriday. NYPL took its social media presence to the next level last year with its #InstaNovels hashtag as well as its Black Friday promotion.

WHERE – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest
Techsoup found that the platform of choice for libraries is Facebook, followed by Twitter and Instragram.² Something to consider is which audiences your library is trying to reach through social media. Demographics for each platform are very different. In 2018, Pew Research found 68% of adults were on Facebook and 73% were on YouTube. To reach teens and millennials, YouTube, Snapchat, or Instagram may be more effective. Pew’s study also found a lot of reciprocity across platforms. For example, 90% of Twitter users also are on Facebook.³

Whatever platforms your library uses, communities of practice abound online. On Facebook, groups such as the Libraries and Social Media Group provide places to share questions and ideas with other librarians. A recent article in American Libraries, Snapchat in the Library, featured libraries on that platform. Follow other libraries on your platform of choice to gain insights and ideas for posts. Follow other libraries on your platform of choice to gain insights and ideas for posts.

WHEN
Consider the amount of time you will dedicate to this effort. Draw clear boundaries between work use of social media and avoid blurring the line between personal use and the library. Social media maintenance and monitoring can take a lot of time. It’s important to know how much time and effort you and the library can dedicate to it. Frequency and timing of posts is also dependent on the platform. Many libraries post daily on Facebook⁴. Time of day is important as frequency in generating social media engagement. The topics you post about also have optimal times for posting. You can read more about post frequency in the following articles:

• Best Time to Post on Social Media: 2018 Industry Research
• How Often You Should Post on Social Media – According to Ten Studies

WHY?
Probably the most important question to answer is why do this, why has a social media presence? A clear purpose is vital to social media success. Are you aiming to communicate with patrons, promote library activities, or enhance patron service? Every library is unique – a reflection of its community. Social media pages for libraries are equally varied. Voice is important. Sound too stodgy and people will tune you out. Come across with too much jargon and people will tune you out. Do you want to be professional and approachable? Or funny and whimsical? Your voice will hape the types of content your library posts.

The two challenges most cited by libraries in the TechSoup study were growing audience and follower and administration, staffing, and time. Take time to set up your social media presence and you will decrease these challenges for your library. Defining clear purpose and strategies for social media can help yield tangible results from social media.

Do you know of other great social media resources? Share them in the comments below!

References

1. “How Libraries Use Social Media.” TechSoup. October 12, 2017. Accessed January 5, 2019.

2. Ibid.

3. Smith, Aaron. “Social Media Use 2018: Demographics and Statistics.” Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. September 19, 2018. Accessed Janaury 05, 2019.

4. “How Libraries Use Social Media.” TechSoup. October 12, 2017. Accessed January 5, 2019.

Other Social Media Resources

Social Media Image Dimension Guide for 2019

Ten Must-Haves for Your Social Media Policy

Creating a Social Media Policy

The Librarian’s Nitty-Gritty Guide to Content Marketing Workshop – Laura Solomon Slidedeck

The post To Engage or Not to Engage? Social Media in Public Libraries first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

What are people spending their time on? Is it value added community service? Increasing political activism? Attending worship services? No, people are spending more time on the highly addictive activity of mindless scrolling. Time spent watching TV also increased. Last year, the average American spent 10 times more time watching television than reading.²

Who is not reading? The results from Pew Research’s latest study yields few surprises. Adults without a high school diploma is the group who is least likely to have read a book. More than a quarter of people older than 50 haven’t read a book in the past year. Those with incomes under $30,000 annually are three times as likely not have read a book in the last 12 months.³

Libraries and reading are synonymous for many. The general public already links reading with libraries. We librarians need to extol the merits of reading wherever we go. We need to be the unapologetic champions of reading.

Many lament our changing society. People feel more isolated in a time of hyper social connection. The achievement gap continues to grow in spite of innovative new teaching approaches. Income disparities are growing. People spend an increasing amount of time scrolling through feeds on their phone and less and less time with literature.

And the results? A nation where mental illness is on the rise, where opioid use is epidemic, where both teens and senior citizens feel more alone, where social isolation is growing.

It’s time for libraries to re-embrace the “books” brand and loudly shout the benefits of reading. It may not be a magical panacea, but it is an actionable step we can take to improve society’s plight. Below are a few facts to help you spread the word on reading’s importance:

• Reading reduces stress. Just six minutes of reading will cut anxiety levels more than listening to music or going for a walk.⁴
• Reading increases literacy. The U.S. Department of Education found the more students read for fun on their own time, the higher their reading scores.⁵
• Reading increases empathy. Studies show reading literary fiction increases a reader’s ability to understand what others are thinking and feeling.⁶

The American Library Association has a long history of advocating for reading. National Library Week was sparked by a 1957 survey found that only 17 percent of Americans were currently reading a book.⁷ ALA launched the READ campaign in 1985. In recent years, we have taken a slight step away from this priority – talking about how libraries transform our lives. We are redefining the library as a 21st century technology resource, promoting the many other services libraries provide. It may be time to shift back to emphasizing reading as priority number one.

Resources

1. “Analysis | Leisure Reading in the U.S. Is at an All-time Low.” The Washington Post. June 29, 2018. Accessed September 23, 2018. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/06/29/leisure-reading-in-the-u-s-is-at-an-all-time-low/?utm_term=.d83d51a0d974.
2. Ibid.
3. Perrin, Andrew. “Who Doesn’t Read Books in America?” Pew Research Center. March 23, 2018. Accessed September 23, 2018. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/03/23/who-doesnt-read-books-in-america/.
4. “Reading ‘can Help Reduce Stress’.” The Telegraph. March 30, 2009. Accessed September 23, 2018. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/5070874/Reading-can-help-reduce-stress.html.
5. “Facts about Children’s Literacy.” National Education Association. Accessed September 23, 2018. http://www.nea.org/grants/facts-about-childrens-literacy.html.
6. Chiaet, Julianne. “Novel Finding: Reading Literary Fiction Improves Empathy.” Scientific American. October 04, 2013. Accessed September 23, 2018. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/novel-finding-reading-literary-fiction-improves-empathy/.
7. “’Wake Up and Read’ to ‘Libraries Lead’.” American Libraries Magazine. February 26, 2018. Accessed September 23, 2018. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2018/03/01/national-library-week-60th-anniversary-libraries-lead/.

The post Shout It From the Rooftops: Reading Is Fundamental! first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The Department of Homeland Security defines a refugee as “a person outside his or her country of nationality who is unable or unwilling to return… because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.” The person is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war, violence or natural disaster. Refugees differ from immigrants. Immigrants are defined as people who choose to live permanently in a foreign country.¹

World refugee numbers are at the highest levels ever seen, exceeding even the time of World War II. According to Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 24,559 refugees resettled into the United States last year. Since 1975, the U.S. has welcomed more than three million refugees from all over the world, who have settled in all 50 states.²

Serving the needs of this population requires fine-tuning of public library services. Refugees are often learning a new language as well as new customs. According to UNHCR, over half of school-age refugees did not go to school in 2016. Public libraries can serve as a welcoming entry point and are positioned to provide specialized educational opportunities.

Libraries Serve Refugees brings together resources, stories and best practices from libraries across the country. You can find toolkits on a various subjects including culturally responsive approaches. It also includes links to government resources on refugee resettlement statistics and information on processes.  Topics include advocacy, employment, government agencies, health, legal aid, learning English and youth and family. The site is sponsored by Urban Libraries Unite, a professional group that aims to build community-centered libraries. Librarians who wish to contribute to this new resource can submit their ideas via webform.

Another resource for librarians serving refugees is Project Welcome, an IMLS-funded project of the Mortenson Center for International Library Program and the American Library Association. The site includes both national and international library best practices. The site includes an action guide to help librarians learn, collaborate, connect and support this audience.

While serving refugees in public libraries is not new, the demand for this assistance continues to grow. By learning from successes around the country, local librarians can build responses based on the unique needs of the people in their communities.

Resources

¹ “Refugees and Asylees.” Department of Homeland Security. April 30, 2018. Accessed August 12, 2018. https://www.dhs.gov/immigration-statistics/refugees-asylees.

² “How to Help Refugees – Aid, Relief and Donations | USA for UNHCR.” Refugee Crisis in Yemen: Aid, Statistics and News | USA for UNHCR. Accessed August 12, 2018. https://www.unrefugees.org/.

The post Welcoming the Refugee – Best Practices to Help the Displaced first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Librarians can take part in two ways – making the library a summer meal site or supporting an existing summer meal site. Our main library in St. Cloud (MN) is in its second year of being a summer food site. Getting the program started was a bit of a leap of faith. We had many questions including: ill patrons complain about meeting room availability? Will we have too many kids come? Will any kids come? Will we have enough volunteers?

I can say we were grateful for the community support for the library to start this program. The local media gave us radio air time and wrote stories about the program. It helped us to garner public attention as a community hub. Our city provides free busing for kids who are 10 and older. The library is on the main bus routes, so transportation is less of a barrier to the program. Local businesses provided a cadre of volunteers to help serve the food and clean up.

Becoming a food site wasn’t an easy decision. It grew out of a conversation with the local United Way on how the library could be a stronger community partner. Children in poverty is a growing problem in our area. It is one of the largest barriers to reducing the achievement gap. Once we understood what was involved with being a food site, we gave it a try. It went so well, we offered it again this summer.

How Our Summer Feeding Program Works

Kids younger than 18 receive a free meal each day. The meal is offered with no questions asked and is open to all kids. Program sponsors cook and deliver the food to the site as part of the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Our program sponsor is the Yes Network, a local nonprofit dedicated to creating vibrant neighborhoods. Volunteers serve the food and help monitor the space. Library staff and partners can offer programming during meal time. The idea of offering mealsin the library is probably more daunting than the actual site administration, once everything is in place.

The SFSP has existed since 1968 through the USDA. In 2013, the program began to expand, targeting specific states. The program is federally funded and state administered. This summer, USDA plans to serve more than 200 million free meals to children 18 years and under at approved SFSP sites. The SFSP is available to libraries. School districts and other entities can continue preparing lunches through Seamless Summer Feeding Option, which is a different program through USDA.

How to Get Started

Understanding state support and finding a program sponsor are the two first steps to getting the site started. Check with your state library to find out what resources are available to start a program. They can connect your library with partner agencies. Meals need to be prepared in a commercial facility, so finding a program sponsor who can help with this is essential. USDA provides a toolkit for getting started.

Recruiting and coordinating volunteers is crucial aspect of being a food site. Getting the word out about the program helped our library to find volunteers. Several local businesses offered to help support the program. When starting the program, recruiting participants was a volunteer activity. Friendly volunteers stood in the library lobby to welcome patrons and get the word out that lunch was available.

Having a plan for leftovers is also important. We partnered with a local women’s shelter to bring any leftovers to their facility. This partnership fits with the program requirements, and there is always a need for healthy food there.

Volunteering at an Established Meal Site

Helping at a meal site is another option. You can find summer food sites near you using the USDA’s tool:https://www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks. Sites are often looking for volunteers and programs to coordinate with meal time. Library staff or Friends of the Library can help to support these programs by providing learning experiences and literacy activities to the kids who come to eat. You can learn more how summer meal sites work by helping to support them.

Lessons learned

One of the biggest challenges to being a food site is coordinating volunteers. This year, our Friends of the Library gave the  library a grant to hire a volunteer coordinator to manage our summer feeding program. This allows our librarians to spend more time planning library activities and programs during lunch.

We were surprised at the community engagement this sparked in our library. Within the first week, we had neighbors meeting neighbors for the first time. Volunteers were very committed to helping out in the community. It is hard to describe all the benefits of being a summer food site. It has been a much more natural fit for our library than we had anticipated.

If your library hasn’t considered whether to become a summer food site, take a little time to look into it. You’ll be surprised at the support available to do this. Libraries play an integral role in student success. Supporting summer meal programs in your community is a natural way to expand the library’s reach and impact.

Resources:

“Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).” Food and Nutrition Service. Accessed June 28, 2018. https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/serving-summer-meals

“Libraries.” United States Department of Agriculture. Accessed June 28, 2018. https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/sfsp/smt-libraries.pdf

“Summer Food Service Program Frequently Asked Questions.” Food and Nutrition Service. Accessed June 28, 2018. https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/frequently-asked-questions

Further reading:

Summer meal programming at the library

Summer lunch partnering with community agencies

Nourishing Bodies & Minds When School is Out: California’s Public Library Summer Meal Programs

Calling kids to the library lunch table

The post Summer Feeding Can Mean Summer Reading first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts all the files on a server or computer. It can spread through a network in a very short time once executed. The encrypted files are then unable to be opened without the encryption key. The attacker demands payment to unlock the files.²

In Spartanburg, the ransomware gained access to the system through email phishing, an attack method that is on the rise. Impersonation attacks are on increase, according to the Mimecast Email Security Risk Assessment. “Spear phishing” is a particularly dangerous type and targeted type of email attack. Attackers create a credible-looking spoof email and mimic the address. These attacks can sometimes request wire transfers or access to sensitive information.

The human factor is the greatest risk to computer security. The steps below will help keep you and your library secure in the virtual world.

Don’t click, even if it looks like a trusted source

It’s easy to do. You get an email that looks like a Google Doc from a colleague. You click the link, and next thing you know, everyone one your contact list is receiving phishing emails from your address.

Resist the urge to click. Closely check the sending email address. Make sure it comes from someone you expect to be receiving email from. Clicking links within an email is also risky. Links can redirect to websites with executable files. It’s possible the person sending you the email may have been hacked themselves, so even if you know and trust the sender, you should remain wary and on guard. Disabling links in your email application will help prevent errant clicking also.

Train everyone on basic online security practices

People are the weakest link in your cybersecurity defense. Anyone who uses your library computers is a possible vector for attack. Training staff and volunteers who use library systems is a key way to keep your systems secure. The most advanced antivirus software is no match to the user who is tricked into clicking something they shouldn’t.

Teach your staff not to click an attachment automatically and to watch for file extensions that might contain executable files, such as .exe or .zip. Microsoft’s 10 Immutable Laws of Security is a great resource to use as a training tool. It provides the whys behind computer security and provides strategies to protect your systems.

Keep your software up to date

Vendors release updates on a regular basis, providing security patches for known vulnerabilities. Be sure your systems are receiving these updates. It’s like plugging the dike against the ocean of malware out there. You need to keep systems maintained to prevent leak.

Back up your systems and files

A ransomware attack can bring all activity to a grinding halt, as we see in Spartanburg. Patrons depend on technology access in our modern-day libraries. Even our access to books depends on online catalogs and integrated library systems for checkout. Recovering from an attack means cleaning each device and recovering all the data. Having up-to-date backups makes this process go faster.

Below are some deeper articles on each of these topics. The world of cybersecurity grows more complex each day. Staying informed about the risks is a step everyone should take to build a wall of defense.

Resources

Lambert, Troy. “Protecting Your Library from Ransomware.” Public Libraries Online. March 2, 2017. https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/03/protecting-your-library-from-ransomware/.

Rubenking, Neil J., and Neil J. Rubenking. “Don’t Click That Link!” PCMAG. August 03, 2016. https://www.pcmag.com/article/346736/dont-click-that-link.

References

1. Montgomery, Bob. “Spartanburg public library computer system hit by ransomware.” GoUpstate. January 30, 2018. Accessed February 11, 2018. http://www.goupstate.com/news/20180130/spartanburg-public-library-computer-system-hit-by-ransomware.
2. Fruhlinger, Josh. “What is ransomware? How it works and how to remove it.” CSO Online. November 13, 2017. Accessed February 11, 2018. https://www.csoonline.com/article/3236183/ransomware/what-is-ransomware-how-it-works-and-how-to-remove-it.html.
3. Brandon Vigliarolo | December 5, 2017, 8:37 AM PST. “Report: Email attacks increasing, but none as much as impersonation phishing.” TechRepublic. Accessed February 11, 2018. https://www.techrepublic.com/article/report-email-attacks-increasing-but-none-as-much-as-impersonation-phishing/.

The post How to Avoid Becoming a Ransomware Hostage first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The library workforce fails to reflect the increasing diversity of our communities. No matter which study is looked at, the demographics of the library workforce remain largely white and female. In 2005, Keith Curry Lance showed the public library workforce lacked diversity.² Over a decade later, the AFL-CIO recognizes “persistent lack of racial diversity” as an issue for library workers. Our circulation and reference desks do not reflect our communities.³ So how can we move toward providing services to audiences our staff does not represent?

This is not a new challenge or a challenge unique to libraries. But it is an essential one for 21st century public libraries to tackle. According to Pew Research, “by 2055, the United States will no longer have a single ethnic majority.” Obviously, our past efforts are not keeping pace.⁴

According to the Ithaka study we “need look no further than professional development initiatives and growth pathways for MLS-holders to begin diversifying librarianship.” As professionals, we have a duty to take this recommendation to heart. As individuals, we can expand our knowledge of diversity and bias. We can seek perspectives different from our own to expand our understanding. We can use this knowledge to reshape the public library workforce.

An effort we can take as individuals is to better understand our own implicit biases. As librarians, we take pride in offering unbiased service and providing equal access to all. However, our own upbringing in communities less diverse than those of today means we have inherited bias. A tool to help understand your own implicit bias can be found from Harvard University. Project Implicit is a study measuring social attitudes related to race. It takes only a few minutes to complete, and is a window into understanding bias impacting your own unconscious decisions.

Meeting people where they are at is also an important step. It’s easy to slip into assumptions about programming offerings, displays, or collections that “should” be interesting to diverse audiences. Talk to the people in your community as a first step before developing programs and services. Just because a program worked at another library doesn’t mean it will work for your community. Focus groups held in venues outside the library is one way to reach new audiences. Consider the roadblocks to participation as you plan. Is time of day, venue, or location a barrier for the people you are trying to reach? Find members from the specific neighborhood to help you plan culturally responsive outreach.

One initiative from the Public Library Association recently attempted to tackle this issue head on. The Inclusive Internship Initiative grant placed high school students from diverse backgrounds into public library internship roles. Students worked with a librarian mentor and got a chance to meet other interns from around the country. Efforts like these are exactly what is needed to energize the next generation of librarians and recruit them from a broader community.

Some libraries are going one step further and creating specific positions to attract a more diverse workforce. Rethinking job descriptions and position requirements can open the door to a more diverse library workforce. Hennepin County Library developed grant-funded positions that required bilingual skills rather than a library degree to develop services to reach Hmong, Somali and Latino people. The St. Paul Public Library was part of a citywide Racial Equity Initiative taking action to reduce inequity. They altered their hiring practices and job promotion structures to recruit a more diverse workforce.⁵

A diverse library workforce is essential for public libraries to effectively serve their communities. We each have a responsibility to take action. It is time to change our workforce demographics to better reflect the people we serve. Individual professional development, improved outreach efforts, or restructuring job opportunities are steps we can take today. If we are effective in our efforts, measurable results will follow.

References

1. “The White Face of Library Leadership: Survey reveals overwhelmingly white face of leadership in research libraries”. Accessed October 29, 2017. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/08/30/survey-reveals-overwhelmingly-white-face-leadership-research-libraries.
2.  Lance, Keith Curry. “Racial and Ethnic Diversity of U.S. Library Workers.” American Libraries. May 2005. Accessed October 29, 2017. https://www.lrs.org/documents/workforce/Racial_and_Ethnic.pdf.
3.  “Library Workers: Facts & Figures.” Department for Professional Employees – AFL/CIO. October 24, 2017. Accessed October 29, 2017. http://dpeaflcio.org/programs-publications/issue-fact-sheets/library-workers-facts-figures/
4. http://www.ala.org/tools/sites/ala.org.tools/files/content/Draft%20of%20Member%20Demographics%20Survey%2001-11-2017.pdf
5. Cohn, D’Vera, and Andrea Caumont. “10 demographic trends that are shaping the U.S. and the world.” Pew Research Center. March 31, 2016. Accessed October 29, 2017. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/03/31/10-demographic-trends-that-are-shaping-the-u-s-and-the-world/.

⁵Reworking the Workforce | Diversity 2016.” Library Journal. December 06, 2016. Accessed October 29, 2017. http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2016/12/diversity/reworking-the-workforce-diversity-2016/.

The post Diversifying Librarianship first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

In Philadelphia, four overdoses in one year spurred the McPherson Branch of the Free Public Library staff to take action. They proactively sought training on anti-overdose medication and learned how to administer it. They conduct overdose drills so they are prepared for incidents. Other measures include new rules for bathroom use and increased monitoring. [1]

The Denver Public Library has come into the spotlight as they face this challenge. In addition to training staff on Narcan, they added a social worker to its staff. They work more closely with their police department to address any misconduct. The police now have a more regular presence in the building. The library added security cameras to increase the ability to monitor activity. Some bathrooms were closed to limit the number of places to control.[2, 3]

Public libraries are tasked to serve everyone in their community. They are a place where marginalized people are welcomed and services are easily accessible. As librarians, we have a duty to make sure our spaces are safe and welcoming to all. This can be a daunting challenge in communities where drug abuse is prevalent.

Taking on this emerging community need should not be done lightly. Opioid abuse is more dangerous and prevalent than ever. Fentanyl is so potent that ingesting or inhaling just a few grains can lead to accidental overdose. “Drug tourists” travel to places where they can obtain cheaper drugs.[4]

Dealing with societal issues often comes to the forefront in libraries. To be fully engaged in our communities, taking on these challenges head-on reframes what it means to be a public library. Some staff may be comfortable on the frontline of a drug overdose. This approach requires a higher level of training and risk management than what is traditionally encountered at libraries. It is not the only strategy or plan of attack. Assess your community’s needs. Learn what resources are available, including social services and law enforcement.

References

[1] Newall, Mike. “For these Philly librarians, drug tourists and overdose drills are part of the job.” June 1, 2017. Accessed July 28, 2017. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/mike_newall/opioid-crisis-Needle-Park-McPherson-narcan.html

[2] Rainey, Libby. The Denver Post. “Denver police bring new focus to downtown library amid spike in drug use, illegal activity.” July 10, 2017. Accessed July 28, 2017. http://www.denverpost.com/2017/07/07/denver-police-downtown-library-drug-use-illegal-activity/

[3]Sakas, Michael. “How Denver Public Library Balances Books And Being A Homeless Shelter.” May 17, 2017. Accessed July 28, 2017. http://www.cpr.org/news/story/how-denver-public-library-balances-books-and-being-a-homeless-shelter.

[4]Simon, Scott. “Librarians In Philadelphia Train To Thwart Drug Overdoses.” June 3, 2017. Accessed July 28, 2017. http://www.npr.org/2017/06/03/531347278/librarians-in-philadelphia-train-to-thwart-drug-overdoses.

The post Other Duties as Assigned – Public Librarians in the Heart of the Opioid Epidemic first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

High demand shows this service fills a strong public need. Pew Research recently found more American households have smartphones than home broadband access. In fact, broadband access declined slightly between 2013 and 2015. [1] This trend is concerning as students need Internet access to complete homework assignments and access class materials and a growing segment of the workforce need broadband at home for their jobs.

Libraries that lend Wi-Fi are attempting to balance supply with demand via a variety of means including limiting to residents, offering at specific locations,  and not offering renewals. In Gwinnett County, the hotspots are in high demand, with more than 200 holds on five kits. The hotspots are checked out for three weeks at a time to patrons who are 13 or older.

Some libraries have chosen not to add this service, knowing demand would exceed capacity. Many Wi-Fi lending projects are grant-funded, making it difficult to add the service long-term. Patron satisfaction is a concern if not enough hotspots are available to be loaned. A recent Star Tribune article highlighted many of the challenges faced in developing Wi-Fi lending services in the Minneapolis metro area.

An innovative approach to digital inclusion can be found at Topeka-Shawnee County Library in Kansas. They developed a multi-pronged effort through grant funding. Rather than lending hotspots, they are working through community partners to add a computer lab in a local community center, supplying low-cost refurbished computers, offering basic computer classes, and providing low-cost broadband access to the home. [2]

If you are thinking about developing a Wi-Fi lending program, check out the Non-Traditional Circulating Materials resources compiled by the Public Library Association. It’s a starting point and can help you to analyze the pros and cons of adding this service or to improve digital inclusion in your community.

References

[1] Smith, Aaron. “Record shares of Americans now own smartphones, have home broadband.” Pew Research Center. January 12, 2017. Accessed June 11, 2017. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/01/12/evolution-of-technology/.

[2] Banks, Rob, and David Lee King. “Digital Inclusion in Topeka.” Library Hotline 46, no. 21 (May 30, 2017): 4-5.

The post Wi-Fi Lending: Balancing Supply and Demand first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The interface is simple to use. A few clicks and you can find grant recipients and donors for your state or region. The tool can help identify potential partners as well as funders. It displays not only grant amounts, but also brief project descriptions.

There are several ways to navigate through the data. The map allows you to drill down by location. Another option, “Constellations,” shows networks between donors and recipients. You can review results over time with the “Charts” feature. “Pathways” shows relationships between grantors and recipients.

Training is being released throughout the year. Webjunction hosted a webinar in February to explore the site in depth. The archived webinar Visualizing (and Finding!) Funding for Libraries includes the presentation and handouts. The training goes into detail about how to use the navigation features and the different types of information available.[2]

The Foundation Center is the leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide. They harnessed support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to develop this virtual tool. The tool is a Knight Foundation News Challenge winning project. The Foundation Center’s goal is for libraries to increase their capacity. They also hope library supporters will better understand funding trends and find additional resources.

References

[1] ” Visualizing Funding for Libraries.” Visualizing Funding for Libraries. Accessed April 16, 2017. http://libraries.foundationcenter.org/?doing_wp_cron=1492371427.0433080196380615234375.

[2] “Visualizing (and Finding!) Funding for Libraries.” WebJunction. February 28, 2017. Accessed April 16, 2017. http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/visualizing-and-finding-funding-for-libraries.html.

The post Visualize the Possibilities: Turning Data Into Dollars first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

“The caller would like you to talk a little about e-books,” said the radio announcer as my colleague and I talked on the air about library services. So, I launched into my elevator speech about how our digital collection is in high demand, but our physical collection is still our core service. I chatted away about all the e-books and e-audiobooks in our collection.

And then a second caller asked a follow up, “What is an e-book?” An eye opener for sure.

It’s easy to assume the digital divide is closing as public librarians who use technology every day in our work. Evidence shows this isn’t the case.

Recently, the Nielsen Norman Group released an article on an international study by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) [1]. The researchers tested adults aged 16-65 in countries including the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, Singapore and Canada. One of theresults found26 percent of the adult population has no technology skills. Of those with skills, most are limited to using basic email or web browser functions [2].

In the table below you can see the level of skills defined and the OECD study averages. You can see the full breakout by country in the article. The ranges do not vary much when broken down by country.

So while 77 percent of Americans have a smartphone and nearly 50 percent have a tablet, that doesn’t necessarily mean they know how to use them well [3]. We hear stories like this all over our library system. For example, an elderly couple came in to meet with one of our librarians after purchasing a smartphone and a tablet from a local retailer. They wanted to know how to make phone calls and connect to the Internet. Our librarian was more than happy to help.

You might not have woken up this morning feeling like a technology guru but reality is your skills are likely in the top quarter of the world’s population. As a public librarian, your mission, should to choose to accept it, is to bridge the digital divide. We have our work cut out for us. Don’t assume your definition of “basic skills” is the same as the next patron who comes to your desk for tech help. If someone asks you about e-books, “Do you know what they are?” might need to be your first reference interview question.

References

[1] Nielsen, Jakob. “The Distribution of Users’ Computer Skills: Worse Than You Think.” Nielsen Norman Group. November 13, 2016. Accessed Jan. 21, 2017.  https://www.nngroup.com/articles/computer-skill-levels/

[2] OECD (2016), Skills Matter: Further Results from the Survey of Adult Skills, OECD Skills Studies, OECD Publishing, Paris. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264258051-en

[3] Smith, Aaron.  “Record shares of Americans now own smartphones, have home broadband.” Jan, 12 2017. Pew Research Center. Accessed Jan. 21, 2017. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/01/12/evolution-of-technology/

The post Your Mission: Technology Guru first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

1. : the introduction of something new
2. : a new idea, method, or device : novelty

Library Journal Editorial Director Rebecca T. Miller recently called on the library community to share library innovations. She observed the need for organizational commitment for innovation to succeed. Promoting innovation takes a conscious decision to change our management structures and organizational cultures. Below are a few ways companies are sparking creativity. Try one of these concepts at your library and see what new ideas you can ignite.

Changing focus to allow time for play and creativity is essential to creating an innovative workplace. Daniel Pink’s book Drive showed people who work on cognitive tasks are more motivated by autonomy and a sense of purpose than financial rewards. The Renaissance Society of America posted a summary on this topic: Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us.

Other industries are successfully using these strategies. The Minneapolis-based technology company Clockwork has a human-centered approach allowing them to meet the needs of both their customers and staff. Known as a “Best Place to Work in America,” Clockwork allows staff to work when and how best meets their personal needs so long as the work gets done. Being a place people want to come to work is a key strategy they are using to meet their goals and to retain quality people. Australian tech company Atlassian allows staff members to use 20 percent of their time to work on any project they want with anyone they choose. The only catch is they need to share the results. This approach has helped them to become profitable and also a company that is recognized as a best place to work.

While libraries may not be able to offer this much unstructured time and keep the desk covered, the concept of free time is one we can use. Rather than scheduling a meeting for discussion, take some down time to think creatively with others.

Changing how we interact with each other is also key to becoming more innovative. The Second City recently published a book on improvisation called “Yes, And.” The company has taken improvisation off the stage and into the workplace to help companies transform their thinking. Improv theater relies on the performers being able to take another person’s ideas and transform them into comedy. The principle of “yes, and…” helps improv groups move a performance forward. The book describes how “yes, but…” thinking can kill an idea before it really develops. Try this in your next brainstorming session to see what a difference this way of thinking can make.

Expecting people to fail seems counter to improving library services. However, having a safe place to fail is important in fostering innovation. “Fail fast” is an entrepreneurial strategy used to pilot new ideas to see whether they will work. Failure is not a typical librarian goal. However, trying something new without being judged beforehand is important in fostering creativity. After all, fail just stands for “first attempt in learning.” If we, as librarians, are not learning, we are failing to grow in our profession.

Innovation is not only a catchy buzzword, but it is also a vital role libraries need to play as information intermediaries and creative spaces for the public. We owe it to our patrons and communities to foster our creativity to continue to offer relevant services.

Further reading

The Library Innovation Toolkit: Ideas, Strategies, and Programs. Edited by Anthony Molaro and Leah L. White. Chicago: ALA Editions, an Imprint of the American Library Association, 2015.

References

“The Best Place To Work In America?” November 14, 2014. Accessed November 27, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d8_lkiH7zs.

Leonard, Kelly, and Tom Yorton. Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses “no, But” Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration–lessons from the Second City. New York, NY: HarperBusiness, 2015.

Miller, Rebecca T. “Staff as Innovation Leaders: From Great Ideas to Great Implementation.” Library Journal, 016. October 31, 2016. Accessed November 27, 2016. http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2016/10/opinion/editorial/staff-as-innovation-leaders-from-great-ideas-to-great-implementation-editorial/#comments.

Pink, Daniel H. Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us. New York, NY: Riverhead Books, 2009.

“RSA ANIMATE: Drive: The Surprising Truth about what motivates us.” April 1, 2010. Accessed November 27, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XAPnuFjJc&feature=youtu.be.

The post Make Space to Innovate first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Take time with the application.

The application itself may include screening questions asking for descriptions of your experience. Be thorough but succinct. Complete every step in the hiring process. Is a cover letter optional? Provide one anyway. Taking extra steps shows your attention to detail and investment in getting this job. An incomplete application is likely to remove you from consideration.

On the flip side, do not write a novel-length cover letter. Comprehensively detailing all your past projects is not respectful of the reader’s time. If your cover letter takes five minutes to read, find a good editor.

Public jobs mean public processes.

A public employer needs to fairly process all candidates. Don’t be surprised if several people interview you, either as a panel or through a series of interviews. If you apply for a director-level position, your interview may include members of the library board or the city staff, or it may even be attended by the public. Be aware that your name could be shared as part of the hiring process, even if you don’t get the job.

Education counts.

If you’re enrolled in a library program, include your anticipated graduation date. You may be asked to provide your transcripts. Do you have other degrees? Be ready to describe how your educational background relates to the job. Our library will count a bachelor’s degree as partially meeting a master’s level educational requirement, but not all libraries do, so ask about this before submitting your application.

Show your experience.

Some libraries will consider library volunteering, internship, or work experience toward educational equivalence. Experience at a public service desk is relevant. Have you conducted storytimes or attended Every Child Ready to Read training? Do you have a teaching background? This could set you apart in a candidate pool. Supervising volunteers or student workers shows leadership, so be sure to mention it. Share any pertinent projects you completed in library school. Did you study web design and have a homework example? Bring it along to the interview.

Share your nonlibrary experience, too.

Where you obtained customer service skills—whether at a circulation desk or in retail—really doesn’t matter. Marketing and social media skills are increasingly important in libraries; don’t overlook your experience in these areas. Be descriptive: Do you tweet daily? How do you manage your Facebook or Instagram account? Problem solving skills are desirable. Have you dealt with a difficult situation well? Find a way to tell that story. In one of the best interviews I’ve been part of, a candidate described how experience with a furniture-moving company demonstrated teamwork skills—and, yes, they were hired!

Research!

Use your librarian superpowers to learn about the organization. Most libraries have a public web and social media presence. Who are the leaders? Are there any recent news articles about projects or events happening there? Is the tone of their public communication formal or informal? Use this information to understand the job you’re applying for and to craft questions for the interview panel.

Come ready with educated questions.

An interview is a two-way conversation to help everyone involved understand whether you’re the best fit for the job. I’m surprised at how little some candidates will ask about our library or their prospective job. Make sure this is work you’ll want to do daily. Questions to consider include:

• What will you be expected to carry out this year?
• How big is the department?
• What are the expectations around work hours, time off, or telecommuting?
• Is this job vacancy due to a retirement, or is it a new position?

It’s not over until it’s over.

Don’t forget to follow up with a personalized thank you e-mail or handwritten note to show you are serious about the position. Recognize that public processes can often take a long time to complete. Reference and background checks are common practices and add extra time to the hiring process.

If you don’t receive the job, reach out and ask your interviewers how you can improve in the future. This demonstrates your willingness to learn from constructive criticism. You’ll be better prepared the next time you apply for a library job.

Resources for Library Job Seekers

ALA JobList

INALJ (I Need a Library Job)

State Library Associations

The post Landing the Library Job Interview first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The survey focuses on four main indicators of public library activity: visits, circulation, program attendance, and computer sessions. Both circulation and visits are trending downward since their peak; however, the PLS continues to show a ten-year increase in both measures.

• Physical visitation decreased by 8.2 percent since FY 2009 but is showing an increase over the prior ten-year period.
• Circulation has decreased by 3.6 percent since the FY 2010 peak, but has a ten-year increase of 25.4 percent.
• Program attendance continues to increase, 3.5 percent over FY 2012 and 28.5 percent over FY 2006.
• Computer usage in public libraries is decreasing, 333.9 million user sessions for a 9.2 percent decrease over FY 20ten. But since this figure does not include metrics for public library wireless and broadband services, IMLS is looking into adding measures to reflect this activity.

PLS has demonstrated a correlation between library usage and investments in collection, programs, computers, staff time, and expertise. After adjusting for inflation, the national trend is toward an increase in local government revenue and a decrease in state contributions. Funding and expenditures for public libraries appear to be stabilizing. However, spending on physical collections have declined 14.5 percent over the past ten years. Meanwhile, electronic collections have seen a 186.8 percent increase over the same time period.

While spending may be declining, print materials still comprise the lion’s share of public library collections. Electronic collections are growing. Public libraries reporting e-book collections increased by 14.6 percent over FY 2012.

Staff expertise is another area stabilizing and growing in public libraries. Overall staff levels stabilized in FY 2013. Half of public libraries reported having at least one MLS librarian on staff. The percentage of librarians on staff has increased over the ten-year mark by 6.1 percent.

With 97 percent of public libraries participating, the PLS is a reliable source of comparative library data. The survey has been collected since 1988. To see how your state or your library compares with others, use the Supplementary Tables or the Compare Tool provided by the IMLS. State-by-state reports are not available for FY 2013 data.

Resources

“Public Libraries in the United States Survey: Fiscal Year 2013,” Institute of Museum and Library Services, March 15, 2016.

Supplementary Tables

IMLS’ Compare Tool

The post Public Library Usage Shows Ten-Year Increase first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Apple was initially sued by the Department of Justice back in April 2012 for fixing e-book prices. At the time, the publishers were also sued but settled out of court. The case revolved around the “agency” model, which Apple used in its iBookstore offerings. This model required e-book authors and sellers to hand over a 30 percent cut of each sale. It also allowed publishers, rather than the vendors, to set the prices.[2]

Libraries across the country struggle to meet exponential patron demand for e-books by offering digital collections. However, the ability to lend digital material has been limited by the publishers offering the content. Now that the Apple e-books case has shown the “agency” model is anticompetitive, an opportunity is open for libraries to show the negative impacts of library e-book pricing practices on public access. Attention should be brought to the Justice Department to show that publishers are engaging in questionable practices involving the licensing of digital content to libraries.

While the e-book format is relatively new to the library world, the situation between publishers and libraries is not. Rather, antitrust claims against publishers have been a perennial issue. The current situation parallels the 1960s when the US Senate Antitrust and Monopoly Subcommittee investigated claims by libraries that publishers had conspired with wholesalers to inflate library prices for children’s books. Publishers would be wise to remember that libraries are a major player in the publishing world, expending $1.22 billion on total collection expenditures annually,[3] and find ways that they can include them in the role of content distribution rather than trying to cut them out.

Libraries need a champion to take on their cause at the federal level. The current practices of publishers suggest a viable case could be made using the same antitrust regulations that were cited in the 1960s. Publishers are alleged to be conspiring to control market pricing. The agency model of pricing cited in the US Justice Department case is similar to the net pricing structure of the 1960s. An argument can also be made that the library pricing structures of e-book publishers, with expiring content and inflated prices, are price discrimination against libraries.

In 1966, librarian Marvin Scilken led the charge against children’s book publishers after learning publishers were charging libraries under a different pricing structure than other consumers. Scilken contacted the Federal Trade Commission and members of the US Senate in an attempt to bring the situation into the public eye. Scilken’s efforts brought the issue before the Subcommittee on Antitrust and Monopoly in September 1966.

The words of Scilken echo today, “Libraries must be wary of our suppliers. Librarians should also be wary of books sold primarily to libraries for they tend to be overpriced. Every time publishers ‘discover’ libraries they tend to put their hands in the taxpayers’ pockets.”[4] It is time for libraries to influence more strongly federal law and policymaking for digital content and be more selective when spending taxpayer dollars on licensed materials.

References

[1] Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols, “Apple gets smacked by $450-million e-book price-fixing fine,” ZDNet, March 7, 2016.

[2] Zack Whittaker, “DoJ sues Apple, publishers in e-book price fixing antitrust suit,” ZDNet, April 11, 2012.

[3] “Marketing to Libraries,” American Library Association, November 2015.

[4] Marvin H. Scilken, “Scilken on publishers,” Library Journal 116, no. 7 (1991): 8.

Further Reading

U.S. Congress, Senate, Committee on Antitrust and Monopoly of the Committee on the Judiciary, Alleged price fixing of library books: Hearings before the Committee on Antitrust and Monopoly of the Committee on the Judiciary, 89th Cong., 2nd sess., 1966.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act, U.S. Code 15 (1890), § 1 et seq.

Joseph Deitch, “A conversation with Marvin Scilken,” in Getting libraries the credit they deserve: A festschrift in honor of Marvin H. Scilken, ed. Lorien Roy and Antony Cherian (Oxford: Scarecrow Press, Inc., 2002) 45–58.

Lawrence Hurley, “Supreme Court rejects Apple e-books price-fixing appeal,” Reuters, March 7, 2016.

Adam Liptak and Vindu Goel, “Supreme Court Declines to Hear Apple’s Appeal in E-Book Pricing Case,” New York Times, March 7, 2016.

Lyle Denniston, “Apple loses case on its e-book selling tactics,” Scotus Blog, March 7, 2016.

Bobbi Newman, “Should Libraries Get Out of the eBook Business?” Librarian by Day [blog], March 7, 2012.

The post Apple E-book Verdict an Opportunity for Libraries first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

“People talked about the demise of physical books as if it was only a matter of time, but even 50 to 100 years from now, print will be a big chunk of our business,” said Markus Dohle, CEO of Penguin Random House, which has nearly two hundred fifty imprints globally as quoted in a recent New York Times article. Print books account for more than 70 percent of the company’s sales in the United States.[5]

These facts show e-books are not a one-size-fits-all solution for readers. Research is beginning to reveal that even digital natives prefer print to electronic formats in some instances. Pew Research recently reported that young readers are more likely to have read a book in the last twelve months than other age groups.[6]^–[7] Millennials also prefers print to digital formats for reading. Another recent study showed 92 percent of college students would rather do their reading using paper books.[8]

For public libraries, this will mean continuing to balance the services we deliver. Our selection practices need to include multiple formats and sometimes tailoring our selection to the best format for delivery. For example, time sensitive content like that found in an encyclopedia, lends itself better to electronic form because it is quicker to update and retain its relevancy. This is evidenced by publishers like Britannica moving to electronic-only publication. We need to listen to what our readers are telling us about their format preferences through these trends.

References:

[1] “AAP StatShot: Publisher Net Revenue from Book Sales Declines 2.0% Through Third Quarter of 2015.” January 27, 2016.

[2] 2010. “Ebooks Coming of Age as Digital Sales Skyrocket.” Information Today 27, no. 7: 25. EBSCO MegaFILE, EBSCOhost (accessed February 28, 2016).

[3] Marshall Breeding. 2011. “Ebook Lending:Asserting the Value of Libraries as the Future of Books Unfolds.” Computers In Libraries 31, no. 9: 24-27. EBSCO MegaFILE, EBSCOhost (accessed February 28, 2016).

[4] Trefis Team. “Why Would Amazon Open Physical Stores?” Forbes, February 11, 2016.

[5] Alexandra Alter. “The Plot Twist: E-Book Sales Slip, and Print Is Far From Dead,” New York Times, September 22, 2015.

[6] Kathryn Zickhaur and Lee Rainie. “Younger Americans and Public Libraries,” Pew Research Center Internet Science Tech, September 10, 2014.

[7] Lee Rainie and Andrew Perrin. “Slightly Fewer Americans Are Reading Print Books, New Survey Finds,” Pew Research Center, October 19, 2015.

[8] Michael Schaub. “92% of College Students Prefer Print Books to E-books, Study Finds,” Los Angeles Times, February 8, 2016.

Resources:

Alan S. Inyoue. “What’s in Store for Ebooks? Looking at the Digital Future of Libraries in 2016 and beyond.” American Libraries Magazine, January 4, 2016.

Rachel Nuwer. “Are Paper Books Really Disappearing?” BBC, January 25, 2016.

The post E-book Trends Flattening, Paper Books Holding Their Own first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The library competes with choices from the outside world, including social networks. Librarians need to beware of assuming what users need and want. We also need to develop future services by focusing on user needs. Empowering the people who come through our doors and engaging them will help us to better serve them. The report “Shaping the Library to the Life of the User: Adapting, Empowering, Partnering, Engaging” highlights these findings shared at the conference.

User-centered design is a term frequently associated with web development and online experiences. The research shows librarians need to expand their understanding of this concept to the physical library experience as well.

A suggested planning and research path is described in the report:

1. Watch with open eyes. Interviewing users can be one of the best sources of new information on how to design the library experience.
2. Design with a purpose. Look for how the library can add value to its users’ lives.
3. See the world differently. Through visitor mapping, library space and services can be seen through the users’ eyes.

For public libraries, the challenge to create unique user experiences is even broader. We need to find ways to be engaged outside the walls of the library and bring our knowledge, talents, and skills to our communities. As cited by Lorcan Dempsey, Columbus Metropolitan Library Chief Executive Officer Pat Losinski said, “20 years ago I was in the libraries business. Today I am in the Columbus business.”[2]

The OCLC report challenges all library staff to become engaged in improving library experiences. “Members of the library staff need to engage and learn the relevant skills to help form a nimble team to do the research, analysis and implementation.”[3] In twenty-first century libraries, staying relevant to the user is everyone’s job.

So where to start? One resource I’ve found to be helpful is Useful, Usable, Desirable: Applying User Experience Design to Your Library by Aaron Schmidt and Amanda Etches. It includes checklists and strategies for improving library services based on what users are looking for. The Aspen Institute also just released a new Action Guide as a follow-up to last year’s report on re-envisioning public libraries. This tool helps provide real-life examples of how to become more engaged in the community. Both are concrete starting points to becoming a more engaging library.

References:

[1] Lorcan Dempsey. 2015. “The library in the life of the user,” slideshow on SlideShare, November 6, 2015.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Merrilee Proffitt, James Michalko, and Melissa Renspie. “Shaping the Library to the Life of the User: Adapting, Empowering, Partnering, Engaging” OCLC Research report, accessed Feb. 11, 2016.

The post Is Your Library User-Centered? first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

• Virtually all libraries (98 percent) offer free public Wi-Fi access—in 1994 only 21 percent offered public Internet access;
• Close to 90 percent of libraries offer basic digital literacy training, and a significant majority support training related to new technology devices (62 percent), safe online practices (57 percent), and social media use (56 percent);
• Seventy-six percent of libraries assist patrons in using online government programs and services;
• The vast majority of libraries provide programs that support people in applying for jobs (73 percent), access and using online job opportunity resources (68 percent), and using online business information resources (48 percent);
• More than 90 percent of public libraries offer e-books, online homework assistance (95 percent), and online language learning (56 percent).

Facility renovations

The survey results show the average public library was built around 1970, which predates the digital age. This is a major limitation in updating buildings to meet community technology needs. The survey analysis suggests that “libraries are significantly more likely to offer certain types of services to patrons, including new and emerging technology activities, if their buildings have been constructed or renovated within the last five years.”

Public library spaces will need to adapt to these changes in order to meet the needs of their communities. According to the survey, “One in five libraries reported renovations in the last five years, with city libraries more than twice as likely (33 percent) to report this than rural libraries (15 percent).”

“Those who receive formal digital literacy training were significantly more likely to use the internet to pursue economic opportunities and cultivate social ties. Those who received formal training were fifteen percentage points more likely to use the internet to look for a job,” observed Internet researcher John Horrigan, as cited in the Digital Inclusion Survey Executive Summary.

What is Digital Inclusion?

Digital inclusion has three main prongs:

• Understanding the benefits of advanced information and communication technologies.
• Equitable and affordable access to high-speed Internet-connected devices and online content.
• Taking advantage of the educational, economic, and social opportunities available through these technologies.

Raising awareness

In addition to offering public technology services and programs, raising awareness is a key aspect of digital inclusion. The ALA has also created tools to help tell the digital inclusion story. Downloadable infographics are available for librarians to share 2014 data on social media and with stakeholders. Specific state-by-state information is available as well as an interactive national map with data visualization tools.

Public libraries play a vital role in advancing the cause of digital inclusion. Providing public technology, broadband connections, and wireless services are key to bridging the digital divide. The basic technology assistance and programs most libraries provide are vital services as demonstrated by the survey results. Public libraries are the place in the community where the physical world and the virtual world interface as an entry point.

“Today libraries are less about what we have than what we can do with and for our patrons,” ALA President Sari Feldman said in a recent press release. “As community demands shift, libraries are transforming.”

Resources

Gravatt, Nancy. 2015. “2014 Digital Inclusion Survey Results Released.” American Library Association. Accessed Jan. 3, 2016.

“Digital Inclusion Survey.” American Library Association. Accessed Jan. 3, 2016.

The post 2014 Digital Inclusion Survey Report: Public Libraries as Basic Community Technology Infrastructure first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Measuring impact and outcomes is getting easier. Public librarians have an assortment of tools available to demonstrate the impact of library services in their communities. National initiatives like the Impact Study and PLA’s Project Outcome provide new standards and tools to measure library services.

Indicators like circulation or program attendance are valuable metrics. However, these are only indicators, a measure of volume rather than value. It’s important to align indicators with the desired goals and outcomes of a service to demonstrate its impact. Demonstrating impact is essential to the ongoing health of America’s public libraries. Measuring outcomes of library services helps to tell the story of why resources and funding are needed to sustain and grow existing services.

One nationally funded tool, the Impact Survey, was developed in 2009 to compile information for a study titled “Opportunity for All.” Researchers from the Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA) and the U.S. Impact Study Research Group aimed to measure digital inclusion initiatives and their effects on public libraries across the country. In the six years since the study was initially conducted, the Impact Survey has shown some trends in responses from public library technology users. One key trend is that the majority of respondents have access to the Internet, but come to libraries to receive assistance from library staff or volunteers.

The Impact Survey has grown to become a standardized measurement tool for public libraries. It is now on its third iteration and offers many self-service tools that are easy to use. If you are looking use outcome measurement at your library, below are additional resources to investigate:

• Impact Survey: Tool to measure impact of public library technology services.
• PLA’s Project Outcome: Performance measurement tools for areas such as civic/community engagement, early childhood literacy, economic development, and job skills.
• Digital Inclusion Interactive Map : Comparison between American Community Census data and Digital Inclusion Survey results.
• Edge Initiative: Assessment tools to align services with growth and community priorities.

Tools like these help link goals with performance indicators. Through this comparison, public librarians can continually improve the services they offer. They can also take the next step of adjusting them to better fit local community needs.

Resources:

1. Samantha Becker et al., 2011. Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries. Washington, D.C.: Institute of Museum and Library Services. Accessed October 25, 2015.
2. Becker, Samantha. 2015. “Outcomes, Impacts and Indicators” Library Journal 140, no. 15: 26. Accessed October 25, 2015.
3. Becker, Samantha. 2015. Impact Survey: Measuring Your Library’s Impact. Accessed October 25, 2015.
4. Teasdale, Rebecca. 2015. Project Outcome Launch – Seven Surveys To Measure Impact. Accessed October 25, 2015.

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Attendance at the Central Library’s 2012 “Bookless” event became a clear indication of community interest in non-traditional library programs. Bookless was a way for the community to say goodbye to the old library building prior to a major renovation. Over 100 local artists gathered in the gutted library space to share art, community, and fun. Attendance was surprising. In the words of library program coordinator Trent Miller, “At our first big event 5,000 people showed up, and we realized we should be doing this type of stuff.” The desire to do “something different at the library” became a good fit between a grant opportunity and Miller’s arts background. Programming was initially funded through a National Endowment for the Arts grant.

The new Central Library space called “The Bubble Room” includes a media lab, which required a focus from someone outside of the library world. Grant funds were used to hire a dedicated staffer with a degree in digital media creation and a professional background in video game production. Miller explained, “People over equipment— more important than the space are the people who are running it. Not ‘we have a 3D printer, what can we do with it?’ The Bubbler is a mindset – no matter where the program takes place.”

This guiding philosophy has allowed new program ideas to emerge. Program offerings target a wide audience, particularly children and millennials. Pop-up programming where attendees drop in at the library and do the project are regularly scheduled. Other stations that are moved from library to library include stop motion animation stations, circuit blocks, and screen printing.

Some programs evolved from the artist’s interest areas. The Bubbler did not start out with screen printing as a program offering – which needed an expert to successfully conduct it. “We hired an artist in residence and asked the artist what he would be interested in doing. Then we built the equipment. As we found the right people, we built the core things, not the equipment first,” explained Miller.” Now that the artist has trained others, the screen printing programs are now offered by other people throughout the nine libraries in the Madison Public Library system. The programs are also being brought to outreach sites targeting special populations, like the local juvenile detention facility.

Miller also co-wrote an IMLS leadership grant with University of Wisconsin, Madison professors Dr. Erica Halverson and Dr. Rebekah Willett. This grant helps to extend program experiences beyond the central library and measures the effectiveness of Bubbler program delivery.

According to Halverson, the IMLS grant has two focus areas:

1. To focus on learning when people engage in making experiences and how to best align programming to these experiences.
2. To learn how the Bubbler Room, the library system and city can work together to reach a system-wide approach accessible throughout the community for the events.

According to Halverson, the library director, Greg Mickells, has played a key role in The Bubbler’s success. “A lot is possible because the library director is really supportive of this direction— not maintaining a status quo library. He is willing to let stuff happen: experiment, fail. He is very open to that.”

At the core of the program’s success was Miller’s involvement in the Madison art community and other staff who were connected in the tech and media community. These outside connections have brought specialized expertise to the program offerings. “Now because of doing this—we have artists who are interested in being involved. It is an ‘if you build it, we will come kind of thing,’ to the point we have to say no because so many people want to be involved,” said Miller.

By using and building on the strengths of the Madison community, The Bubbler was nominated as an IMLS 2015 Finalist for the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Halverson and Miller plan to present at the upcoming Public Library Association conference. Watch for other opportunities to learn more about this innovative program and library space project in the future.

Resources

Bookless: a library transformed

The Bubbler @ Madison Public Library

The post The Bubbler: If You Build It, They Will Come first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

“These projects underscore the important role libraries play across the country in engaging all ages of learners and in providing access to content, in physical and digital form. We look forward to watching these projects evolve and develop new models, tools, and research that can be broadly adapted by the library profession,” said IMLS Acting Director Maura Marx in a recent press release. Projects cross a wide range of services and learning opportunities.

In Vermont, an early literacy initiative will increase STEM knowledge of twenty-five librarians through a National Leadership Grant. The funding will be available through a partnership between the Vermont Department of Libraries, the Vermont Center for the Book, and the Montshire Museum of Science. The librarians will learn about STEM concepts and how to use those ideas in programs for children, their parents and childcare providers.

The Free Library of Philadelphia will be developing a Prison Services project. Through the grant, families of the incarcerated will be able to share reading through televisiting. The project will also provide information on resources and temporary library cards on the day of release.

Librarian training opportunities and resources will also become available. Through the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, public librarians can expect to benefit from projects through the American Library Association. Watch for scholarship opportunities to attend World Library and Information Congress in Columbus, Ohio.

Additionally, the American Library Association is part of a joint project between Creative Commons, California State University System, and the Digital Public Library of America. This project will offer professional development opportunities for librarians.

An open source curriculum and training on web literacy skills and digital competencies will be developed. Watch for more on this project, offered by the Mozilla Foundation, in collaboration with The Technology and Social Change Group (TASCHA) at the University of Washington Information School.

The deadlines for FY2016 funding are fast approaching for the next round of federal grant opportunities. If your library has an innovative project on the back burner, now may be the time to look to IMLS grants to move it forward. Additional information about upcoming IMLS deadlines can be found on their Apply for a Grant webpage.

Resources

 “IMLS Announces 276 Grants, $14.16 Million for Libraries in the United States.” LJ INFOdocket. Accessed September 17, 2015

“IMLS Announces Grants of $14.16 Million for Libraries across the U.S.” Accessed September 17, 2015.

“National Leadership Grants for Libraries.” Accessed September 17, 2015.

 “Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries.” Accessed September 17, 2015.

The post Projects to Watch – IMLS Funds 276 Library Grants first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Other questions to ponder include:

• What new ways could libraries connect to outside partners, institutions, or audiences?
• How should libraries prioritize their resources?
• Whose work in libraries should the Knight Foundation know about?
• What will libraries look like in 10, 20, or 50 years?
• What challenges does your library face adapting to the digital age?

After the success and great response from the library community to the first library-focused News Challenge last year, the Knight Foundation decided to focus on library innovation for 2016. The Knight Foundation has a mission of “supporting transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts.” The News Challenge is one of several initiatives used to promote these causes through foundation grants. Since 1971, the foundation has awarded funding to over 180 library-related projects, including the Digital Public Library of America.

In 2014, the foundation launched the first News Challenge focused on libraries. They asked participants, “How might we leverage libraries as a platform to build more knowledgeable communities?” Over 690 entries were submitted from which emerged forty-two semi-finalists with twenty-two winning projects eligible for the shared $3 million in funding.

Projects that won 2014 News Challenge funding ranged from improving online learning to privacy workshops. One other winning project was to create a digital platform designed specifically for low-bandwidth environments in order to expand access in developing areas of the world. Fourteen projects were awarded $35,000 in prototype funding for training on design and innovation methodology.

The specific question for the 2016 News Challenge will be announced in March followed by a call for ideas. Winners will be presented at the ALA annual conference in Orlando next summer. Check out the Knight Foundation Blog to learn more about the News Challenge and to watch for future developments for this upcoming funding opportunity.

Resources

First Knight News Challenge of 2016 to Focus on Libraries

The post Help Shape the 2016 Knight News Challenge – Focus is Library Innovation first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Since 2005, future Minnesota library leaders have come together to learn more about leadership styles, library trends, and professional network building at the Minnesota Library Association Institute for Leadership Excellence (MILE). Every MILE retreat is unique, as it is planned by the previous graduating group. Library staff who are interested in participating are required to complete an application and undergo a selection process. The interest and demand for the program continues to grow, so not everyone who applies is selected. Selection is determined by previous MILE graduates.

One program that is typically revisited each year is a session on the book Strengths Finder by Tom Rath. Each attendee takes the StrengthsFinder assessment to learn more about their personal aptitudes. This year’s retreat also included sessions on library advocacy, leading from the middle, and creative thinking. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from experts like Barry Kudrowitz and Jamie LaRue. Participants are also paired with mentors from the professional library community who will help them work toward the goals they have set over the following eighteen months. Those interested in becoming mentors also complete an application. The information provided is used to match the skills of the mentor with the needs of individual mentees.

I had the opportunity to attend the last day of the retreat as a mentor for the program. It was great to see the connections that had already been built between the participants in such a short time. Most of my time was spent meeting one on one with my mentee. I’m excited to build the connection with another person in our state’s library community and expect to learn a few new ideas and perspectives myself. Several graduates from MILE work at our library system. I have seen real benefits of having staff with greater connections in the library world. It can be difficult to build this type of network. MILE achieves this in just four days.

MILE is the brainchild of members of the Minnesota Library Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing library services and increasing public awareness of Minnesota libraries. According to one of its founders, Don Kelsey, the program grew out of a conversation in 2004 based on workshop opportunities offered by the American Library Association. “We wanted to do it in Minnesota,” said Kelsey at a closing session of the conference. “The Foundation looks at this as a way to pay it forward.”

The program has reaped benefits from its efforts. Three of the last four Minnesota Library Association presidents have been MILE graduates. In addition, approximately forty percent of last year’s MLA conference attendees had a MILE connection, according to Kelsey.

It will be another two years before the next MILE retreat begins. Visit the Minnesota Library Association website for more information.

References

MILE 2015 Conference

Minnesota Library Association’s Institute for Leadership Excellence (MILE) 2015

The post MILE Grows Future Minnesota Library Leaders and Networks first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Bacon cites her experiences serving as a branch manager in a Minnesota consolidated regional library system as foundational to her abilities to move her Montana library forward. “Great River Regional Library—with all of its libraries—has an amazing support system, from technology to marketing to collection to policies for all libraries.” It is through this network that she developed the skills she needed to lead in a director role. She also credits her experience serving on a school board as essential in learning the ins and outs of working with a library board.

Bacon shares the credit for her library’s rags to riches story with community partners and her staff. A key to the library’s turnaround was the library staff. Bacon says, “I put skilled people around me. Two received their master in library science degrees within the last five years. I consider myself a director, someone who orchestrates and taps staff for their new skills. That’s really my role, to be the encourager and leader.” Many of the new programs and services she added to BCL came through collaboration, such as biweekly Book­a­Tech sessions offered by the BCL public services librarian.

Bacon advises librarians to be an active member of their library communities. “We all face the same challenges. We are so busy with limited staffing and the budget. It is difficult to get out. Networking and supporting your community are stepping stones.” This community involvement has resulted in a larger network of support for her library, allowing them to become more innovative. It was by advocating for an operating levy and pursuing grant funding that Bacon was able to balance the library’s budget and restore its reserves.

Along with the library’s foundation, Bacon has made a concerted effort to find grant money to pursue new projects. For example, the library recently received 3­D printers through competitive grant funding. Educational classes and community outreach will be included as part of this grant project. She has also retained grants from everything to summer reading program supplies to OverDrive services. Bacon looks for local organizations that have a similar mission as the library and organizations that want to give back to the Belgrade community. Her goal is to for the library to be an equalizer between all ages and incomes.

“The library is more relevant than it’s ever been. We have become the common cultural community center for our community,” she says.

Further information

• The Loaves and Fishes Library | Best Small Library in America 2015
• Belgrade Community Library

Photo:
Back row from left to right – Kathleen Godfrey, Vanetta Montoya
Front row from left to right – Keiley McGregor, Gale Bacon, Rebekah Kamp, Katie Ramstead

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