Reference is defined as the act of referring or consulting.[1] With this definition, anything other than the transactional process of circulating materials would be reference. In an age of library as a brand, we’re selling ourselves short by clinging to a term that feels so outdated. For example, we don’t direct customers to our ILS or even OPAC, instead we show them the catalog. Our jargon has long moved on from serials or periodicals to magazines and newspapers. It’s time we officially let go of the term reference, but in no way, am I suggesting letting go of the service. Libraries across the country have been tackling this with brand new terms like Information Services, Library Services, or simply, Help Desk.[2]

In these more nebulous terms we can incorporate readers advisory, research assistance, tech support, program referral, and assistance locating physical and digital materials. Many libraries are going a step further and combining their reference and circulation desks to create a more general Customer Service desk. Reference Help (or whatever you want to call it) should be obvious to find and easy to use. If possible, it should also be mobile.

And finally, staffing. While I don’t believe libraries should operate entirely like businesses, I do believe some business sense could do us good. If you think about the traditional reference department, with the multi volume reference material, databases with access to scholarly articles, and a full-time Master’s Degreed Librarian, you may realize it’s one of the more expensive departments in the library. If you then look the actual use of that department, the ROI is significantly low. With a refreshed idea of reference as Adult Services or Information Services, an opportunity opens up to include more library support staff in the mix. In a study conducted at the Deschutes Public Library System, staff tracked the type of questions being asked at the reference desk. The majority turned out to be “ready reference” with a close second going to “how to use.”[3] These questions could easily be handled by a paraprofessional with the occasional reference question being referred to the librarian.

The truth is that I’m worried about our future. if we don’t face the reality that public library work has changed, and do our best to change along with it, we are also going to go the way of the reference department.

Reference

[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reference

[2] http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2015/10/reference/reworking-reference-reference-2016/

[3] Barclay, K. (2014). Public Library Reference Desk: Less is More. OLA Quarterly, 10(2), 2-4.http://dx.doi.org/10.7710/1093-7374.1056

The post Rebranding Reference first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Entrepreneur Magazine defines side hustle as “a way to make some extra cash that allows you flexibility to pursue what you’re most interested in.”^[2] Online marketplaces can offer patrons a venue to sell new or used items, as well as their own creations. Consider developing classes for some common platforms, including:

• Etsy: A self-described “global creative commerce platform,”^[3] Etsy is a popular marketplace of handmade items.
• eBay: One of the largest online auction and shopping websites in the world.
• LetGo and Carousell: These snap and sell services allow you to quickly take a picture of an item and create a listing using an app. These services require that you meet in person, rather than arrange shipping.

When developing these classes, you’ll want to ensure your curriculum covers some core concerns. Among these are:

Creating a listing: What are the best practices of each service? What are the elements of a successful listing? How does one upload a photo and when should one pay a premium to use additional photos? Discuss the use of keywords to improve discoverability. Cover how to write a catchy headline and effective description.

Marketing: Aside from discussing how to upload photos, you should also spend some time on how to take them! There are entire website dedicated to bad eBay listings; often a poor photo central to the catastrophe! Instruct your class on how to create a simple light box, or better yet–offer one as a public service! What are the costs/benefits of a promoted listing? Finally, discuss social media. While this can be a topic for a separate class, you should touch on the ability of sites like Etsy to integrate to Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Shipping and taxes: We often consider shipping and taxes as a consumer, but they are also a common concern among sellers. Shipping can easily impact profitability for a seller. Be sure to go over postal scales and how to print mailing labels. While libraries shy away from directly providing tax guidance, there is, of course, good referral information for Etsy, Ebay and other services.

Protecting yourself: It’s not just buyer beware! Sellers should be aware of how to manage issues involving scams, failure to pay, unwarranted negative feedback, and general disputes. Shipping insurance is a necessary topic.In the case of in-person meetings, educate patrons on SafeTrade Stations, where they can do their business safely. Finally, familiarize the class with their chosen platform’s seller protection policy.

By teaching a tech side hustle, your library has an opportunity to quickly deliver value to your patrons in the form of additional income. The outlined classes and similar ones offer a gateway to entrepreneurship that can grow into full-fledged businesses. Along that journey, the library can continue to offer assistance in the form of business counseling, tax assistance, supplementary classes (such as social media marketing), and a wide range of electronic and print resources with business applicability.

References

^[1] http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/9951-long-hours-multiple-jobs.html

^[2] https://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/230431

^[3] https://www.etsy.com/about

The post Teaching the Tech Side Hustle first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Traditionally, libraries have self-published “…bibliographies, facsimiles, and catalogs…”[2] However, it is only recently that public libraries have begun to extend self-publishing workshops, software, and resources for patrons, specifically targeting community involvement in the publishing process. I believe the makerspace movement has really helped open the door by bringing awareness to the library’s mission to service patrons through a variety of means, not just information acquisition, curation, and distribution. Modern libraries are helping patrons create and produce original works (i.e. makerspaces). One of those things should be books.

In the book/library world, self-published books carry a stigma; that they are not as good as traditionally published books as far as content, editing, design, and etc.  But that does not mean we cannot have a self-published book section in our libraries?  A self-published book section that is clearly defined and labeled as such, including its own acquisition policy. Who said the library must purchase them, anyway? Petition indie authors in the community for donated copies of their work. Have an indie author open house, where in exchange for a book donation, they can take part in an author Q&A session. This will not only draw people into the library, but will provide the library with new material and help dispel myths about self-publishing.

As librarians, we must ask ourselves: who do we serve? We serve the people of our communities, and it should be our mission to allow the community to express themselves through our resources. For example, take makerspaces. These areas usually include 3D printers, laser cutters/engravers, vinyl cutters, media conversion labs, sewing machines, etc. These items are there for patrons to produce. Why not encourage patrons to produce books? We can do this by teaching patrons how to use software and online resources to produce quality material. There are many places where patrons can self-publish their books for free. Lulu.com and Amazon CreateSpace are two such places. Yes, they have the option to pay for design assistance, but the entire process can be free if they choose to do so. Print books and eBooks can be made this way. Or, if your library is big enough, a print on demand (POD) book machine might be something to consider. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (OH) has done just that by making available a POD Espresso Book Machine.

Ideas to bring self-publishing to your library:

• Combine NaNoWriMo programming with concurrent or post-event self-publishing workshops.
• Create a locally self-published author book display and shelving area.
• Invite local indie authors to speak about their projects and the steps they took to self-publish.
• Demonstrate how to use appropriate software to create content.
• Hold workshops that compare traditional and self-publishing, with tips for succeeding with each.

References

[1] http://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jep/3336451.0020.106?view=text;rgn=main

[2] Ibid.

The post Self-Publishing, Indie Authors, and Libraries first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Library officials created an innovative approach for storing material below the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street with an emphasis on maintaining the greatest possible space. Dewey order was scrapped in favor of storing books by size, a system that will increase the repository’s capacity by 40 percent.

Books are organized into nine size categories, and staff members use book-sizing templates to determine where they will reside. To ensure the books can be located, a barcode on each item includes both basic bibliographic information (title, author, topic, summary, call numbers), as well as location information (room, aisle, shelf, tray) accessible only to library staff members.

A repository of this magnitude requires a high-tech, efficient retrieval system. Pick lists are sent every five minutes to an office in the Milstein Stacks. Staff members pull and place the requested material in one of the electric railroad’s twenty-four red cars that then make the five-minute trip to the circulation desks on the first and third floors of the main building. This new $2.6 million train system is nearly twice as fast as the previous chain-and-belt series of conveyors and is less prone to breaking down, and the cars can each carry up to thirty pounds.

The two subterranean floors that run westward below Bryant Park were originally excavated in the 1980s, but only the upper level opened in 1991. The lower level remained unfinished until this new renovation. The stacks are climate-controlled and are kept at 65 degrees with 40 percent humidity.

In the midst of major renovations to the flagship branch of New York Public Library, the roughly 2.5 million research materials were originally sent to the library’s storage facility in New Jersey. After critics lamented the lag time in receiving materials from miles away, it was decided to renovate the space with an $8 million donation from longtime library benefactors Abby and Howard Milstein so that the bulk of the research material would remain easily accessible.

Although roughly one million books remain in the New Jersey storage facility, librarians carefully selected which books to bring back (with an emphasis on those published in the last 100 years) and estimate the 1.5 million on-site materials will fulfill 90 percent of research requests. With capacity for more than four million items, underground space is also being kept free for the addition of the hundred thousand volumes acquired by New York Public Library each year.

References

Annie Quito, “The New York Public Library has adopted a very unusual sorting system,” Quartz, October 13, 2016.

“New York Public Library Installs New State-Of-The-Art Conveyor to Deliver Collection Items Throughout The Iconic 42nd Street Library,” press release by New York Public Library, September 21, 2016.

Corey Kilgannon, “Below Bryant Park, a Bunker and a Train Line, Just for Books,” New York Times, November 21, 2016.

Tom Mashberg, “Beneath New York Public Library, Shelving Its Past for High-Tech Research Stacks,” New York Times, November 15, 2016.

The post New York Public Library Opens Milstein Research Stacks first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

According to an American Libraries Magazine article, “The American Library Association (ALA) established the Library War Service in 1917 to provide books and library services to soldiers and sailors both in training at home and serving in Europe.”[1] Reading was one of the only ways many soldiers could escape the horrors of war that was all around them. Many soldiers found a deep appreciation for the books that reached them in Europe.

It is no secret that reading is beneficial for a variety of reasons. It stimulates the brain and provides muscle to your memory; most importantly, reading can melt away stress: “Snuggling up with a good read tamps down levels of unhealthy stress hormones such as cortisol. In a British study, participants engaged in an anxiety-provoking activity and then either read for a few minutes, listened to music, or played video games. The stress levels of those who read dropped 67 percent, which was a more significant dip than that of the other groups.”[2] At war, soldiers felt alone, scared, anxious, and their morale was low due to an almost certain death that awaited them. Librarians across the world knew morale was low, so they sprang to action.

A 2004 Florida Libraries article celebrates librarians’ initiative in World War I: “During the war, librarians reaffirmed their belief in the book as a powerful determinant of human intellect and behavior. This faith in the power of print was pervasive: reading produced a contented, efficient army; reading advanced the cause of better citizenship; and reading hastened medical recuperation.”[3] The soldiers found as much solace in a good book as they did receiving mail from their loved ones back home. Whether momentary or lengthy comfort, it was comfort nonetheless. Participating librarians stood up to ensure their soldiers had books they could cling to in moments of doubt and disbelief, granting them a reprieve to boost morale was of the utmost importance for the soldier and for the world.

A whopping total 8.5 million soldiers on both sides died during World War I. Librarians could not prevent death, but they sure did their best to ensure soldiers on the front lines found some happiness in between the pages of a book. Had it not been for the American Library Association and other organizations that stepped up to provide soldiers with reading material, the morale of the allied forces would have been in a critical state. “ALA’s participation in the nation’s World War I effort served as a capstone to the public library movement that was made possible during the previous 20 years because of the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie and other benefactors, as well as the professional practices ALA had fostered and libraries had adopted. Combined, they all helped to make the public library an essential institution in local American communities, a position it has never relinquished.”[4] During World War II, public libraries once again proved they were effective in boosting soldier morale when they shipped off millions of Armed Services Editions (ASEs) paperback books to Europe. If there is ever a time to and a place to prove the need of a public library, this article is a nice place to start.

References:

[1] Wayne A. Wiegand, “The Library War Service: ALA’s book campaigns in World War I,” American Libraries Magazine, February 18, 2016.

[2] Lauren Gelman. “Benefits of Reading: Getting Smart, Thin, Healthy, Happy,” Reader’s Digest, accessed March 3, 2016.

[3] Kathy L. Souers, “The Library and the Community it Serves in Times of War: Everything Old is New Again,” Florida Libraries 47, no.2 (Fall 2004): 16–19, accessed March 3, 2016.

[4] Wayne A. Wiegand, “The Library War Service: ALA’s book campaigns in World War I,” American Libraries Magazine, February 18, 2016.

The post The Library War Service first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

In general, I believe a library should always be looking for alternative solutions even when not faced with a budget cut.  It may make sense to keep an ongoing file.  Perhaps being a part of a consortium like WorldCat isn’t necessary when you look at the statistics and discover that it isn’t utilized enough to validate the cost of having it available.  Perhaps every library in the state doesn’t need to subscribe to every newspaper/magazine/online database.  Libraries should be monitoring their statistics of how often these items are being used and adjust accordingly.  It may make sense to carry a subscription to a fishing magazine like Bassmaster  in an area that is around a body of water, but it may not be necessary in a more urban area.  It may make sense to provide Hi-Fructose in an area with a large college population and a thriving art community, but it may not make sense to also carry it in a smaller rural community with no art galleries.

A library I used to work at faced job cuts and we had to restructure our work after two positions were eliminated.  Ultimately we decided to look at the statistics of when we were the busiest, and adjust the hours of operation accordingly.  We found that hardly anyone was using the facility on Sundays or after 8 on Monday through Thursdays, so we closed Sundays and closed at 8 during the week.  This allowed us not to more easily cover the shifts with our reduced staff.

In Connecticut, they are being presented with a possible $3.5 million cut to the State Library System.  The time is now for Connecticut libraries to get creative about their cost savings.  It has been suggested that they may need to look into depending more and more on foundation support to cover what local and state money may no longer be able to provide.[1]

It’s an unfortunate situation, but one that can be improved with a little thought, examination, and ingenuity.  Often once a community realizes just what has been lost they will rally with the next election to support their local libraries and all of the many, many, many services that we provide.

[1]. http://www.westhartfordnews.com/articles/2015/10/28/news/doc563148be46646259700799.txt?viewmode=fullstory

Further Reading
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/library-budget-cuts/

The post Budgets Cuts Require Tough Choices first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Passport Processing and Photo Services
Every Cuyahoga County Public Library branch  is an official Passport Acceptance Facility for the U.S. Department of State. The library offers passport processing and photo services every day of the week from opening until one hour before opening, and no appointment is necessary. The passport application process usually takes from 20-60 minutes per applicant. Routine application processing takes 4-6 weeks. The library can also provide expedited service for an additional fee, which reduces the processing time to as little as 2-4 weeks. All details about how to apply for a passport are available on the library web site, at the circulation desk, and by calling a CCPL branch. The service is very popular, and there are many people coming to the library to apply for a passport. They come to the library because it is convenient to come to the local branch instead of driving downtown where most of the official facilities are. Library staff is very helpful, and all passport forms are available.

Recording Studios
Two of the Cuyahoga County Library branches feature recording studios. Warrensville Heights Branch has an audio recording studio while the Garfield Heights Branch has an audio and a video recording studio. Customers can make their own videos or cut their own CDs. Both are free and open to the public. The Garfield Heights branch features more opportunities to use their recording studios through their Broadcasting Club and Video Production Camp. The Broadcasting Club helps students take advantage of the new audio and video recording studios. Kids ages 8-12 learn broadcasting basics and share ideas for group projects and activities. Video Production Camp allows students to produce their own digital video program. Children ages 11-18 learn all the phases of the video production process. Attendees form production teams and storyboard, script, shoot, and direct a video while using professional video, lighting, and audio equipment.

Cuyahoga Works: Cuyahoga County Public Library Job & Career Services
The Job & Career Services at Cuyahoga County Public Library is a nationally recognized Adult Career Planning Resource Center. Cuyahoga County Public Library has been serving the community with job and career services assistance since 1976. Cuyahoga Works: Job & Career Services offers extensive job and career services to the customers. Services include individual appointments, workshops, and a Job Seekers Series dedicated to the education and training of current job search skills and techniques. Library Career Counselors offer free job search advice. Cuyahoga Works: Jobs & Career Services are located in Maple Heights Branch and Fairview Park Branch. One-on-one counseling sessions with  a certified career counselor are available at no charge in the Library Career Centers at the Maple Heights, Fairview Park, Solon Branch, and the North Royalton Branch libraries. Also, Cuyahoga Works offers free classes and workshops at branches throughout the Cuyahoga County Public Library system and one-on-one counseling sessions with certified career counselors.

These are just a few examples of the library services that provide help in new ways to extend typical library services to the communities. What unique service is your library providing?

The post Libraries Branching Out first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Libraries (CH-UHL) of Ohio are part of a small movement with big potential: Little Free Libraries. Little Free Libraries are small, dollhouse-like structures containing books for people to borrow or exchange. People can take a book and bring another book to replace it, or just return it. The Little Libraries are located on yards, tree lawns, and street corners. The project helps to promote reading and literacy among the community members. It is also another way of providing outreach services. I wanted to find out about the CH-UHL Little Free Libraries, so contacted the library’s project manager, Sam Lapides.

The Little Free Library project at CHUHL started in 2012. The library administration was interested in the project in order to bring a new service to Cleveland Heights-University Heights residents. After getting approval from the library director Nancy Levin,  Lapides found a local craftsman who agreed to build three Little Libraries for a small fee. The library then pursued gaining permission to place the Little Libraries in approved locations throughout the city. In order to publicize the Little Libraries, the library held an ice cream social at each Little Library location during the summer. Since the Little Libraries are in front of volunteer homes, the owners of the homes are stewards of the Little Libraries. They agreed to stock the Little Libraries with appropriate materials. The response from the community has been fantastic. During the first six months, volunteer stewards had to restock the Little Libraries on a regular basis, but now that the community is more aware of the program, residents are bringing their own books to restock and the Little Libraries are basically self-sustaining. The main ingredient that has led to success for CH-UHL in this project was finding enthusiastic stewards who live in neighborhoods.

References
Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public library web site. 2013. “Little Free Library Project” http://www.heightslibrary.org/page/little_free

The post Little Free Libraries first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

What might be considered an extreme case of this is the Sacramento Public Library’s recent initiative to create a Library of Things. One aspect is a variety of instruments, including guitars, drums and ukuleles. They have board games for all ages and video games for circulation. GoPro cameras and sewing machines are also available. It is also possible to work with the library’s 3D printer and bike repair station, though these are not available for checkout.[2]

When considering a lending library of this sort, it is important to determine that it is in keeping with the library’s mission. SPL’s Mission Statement reads,  “Sacramento Public Library provides ideas, information, and resources to help our community discover, learn, and grow.”[3] Viewing the Library of Things in this context, not only does it seem appropriate to supplement their print collection with these items, but it could also be seen as a disservice to not allow these venues for learning, discovery, and growth.

It is important when building non-standard collections (as it is in all collections) to allow for vigorous assessment. 3D printers are a growing trend in public libraries, but a library needs to make sure that it is providing sufficient programming around such a costly addition. Moreover, it must ensure the public has both the opportunity and desire to use such equipment. Some of this assessment can only be performed after a purchase. Yet understanding the demographics most interested in 3D printers and determining if they are regular library users or might become regular users if a device was purchased can be helpful information to gather before a purchase is made. Also, surveys with realistic evaluations of the cost both in terms of dollars and products/services can help shift the decision from the library to the community.

It is also important to seek alternative revenue streams to supplement taxpayer dollars. The Library of Things was supported by a $10,000 grant through the Library Services and Technology Act.[4] Many object lending libraries either begin as a result of a donation, or are supplemented through later donations. Even with donations it is important to assess the community impact and how the objects help the library fulfill its mission as they require physical space and staff maintenance.

Finally, the library needs to determine what special policies (if any) need to be in place for these special additions. As noted above, items like the 3D printer can only be used in the library, while in some libraries, smaller portable ones may be brought off-site by a library staff member. Some libraries lend laptops or tablets for use in the library. The Sacramento Library notes that some of the more expensive items will include a written agreement before checking out items.[5] Other libraries may require a copy of a driver’s license to keep on file until the item is returned. Determining a policy that properly supports the library and the community’s investment while also not being onerous or excluding potential users can be challenging and may need to be amended over time.

Over the centuries libraries have evolved from maintaining collections of papyrus scrolls to lending books to the general public. Books should not define the legacy of the library, but instead be viewed as an important means through which libraries can serve their community. In many communities they still offer one of the best, most affordable means of promoting learning. Yet in some communities, and likely increasingly over time, libraries must seek new service opportunities within their neighborhoods. For one community this may mean a greater portion of the budget being spent on audiobooks or DVDs, in another it could mean adding board games. It is not the tool that defines the library, but instead the library, with the help of the community, defining the tools that enable it to serve most effectively. What tools does your library currently use and what  does it hope to incorporate in the future? How will these tools help serve your community? For more on the widening definition of the library’s collection see The Evolution of Library Collections.

[1] “Library.”  Merriam-Webster Dictionary.  Accessed April 18, 2015.  http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/library

[2] Milne, Steve.  “Library of Things Launches on Saturday.”  Capital Public Radio.  Accessed April 18, 2015.  http://www.capradio.org/articles/2015/03/12/library-of-things-launches-on-saturday

[3] “Strategic Plan.”  Sacramento Public Library.  Accessed April 18, 2015.  https://www.saclibrary.org/About-Us/Strategic-Plan/

[4] Milne, Steve.  “Library of Things Launches on Saturday.”  Capital Public Radio.  Accessed April 18, 2015.  http://www.capradio.org/articles/2015/03/12/library-of-things-launches-on-saturday

[5] Milne, Steve.  “Library of Things Launches on Saturday.”  Capital Public Radio.  Accessed April 18, 2015.  http://www.capradio.org/articles/2015/03/12/library-of-things-launches-on-saturday

The post Library of Things Shapes Dialogue on Library Collections 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

The post Lessons from 2015’s Best Small Library in America first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[4] Ibid. Page 13.

[5] Ibid. Pages 17-18.

[6] Ibid. Page 33.

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

War Ink is an extraordinary and moving online experience presented by Contra Costa County Library (CA). The exhibit, created by Contra Costa County Library manager Chris Brown, together with Jason Deitch, expert and scholar in the combat veterans’ post military experience, brought together veterans from nearly every county in California, to describe, display and record their war memorial body art.

Check out the trailer for War Ink:

The finished project, body art and narratives, came together on Veterans Day 2014 in a finely conceptualized and equally masterful documentary-art experience, entitled War Ink. The public library exhibit, entirely online, was made possible by the support of partners who joined the vision shared by its co-creators to make possible the veterans’ war experience through the stories told in tattoos. Funders for War Ink included The Institute of Museum and Library Services, Pacific Library Partnership, and Cal Humanities. Support was also given in a variety of ways from Eureka! Leadership Institute, StoryCorps, along with generous businesses, and dedicated individuals.

War Ink provides an online storytelling platform for all veterans, their families, friends, and anyone who is interested in understanding the experience of war and its lifelong impact on returning veterans to all of our communities. Through documentary photos, personal and poignant stories told by veterans returning from war, War Ink visitors begin to understand why war experiences were documented as a permanent reminder to wear throughout a lifetime.

After your visit to War Ink you’ll understand why over twenty public libraries partnered to provide access to the exhibit for their public library communities. Veterans were contacted by both Chris and Jason after calls for entries were made in counties throughout California. This was accomplished by searching for veterans’ participation through online queries, sought from men and women veterans from all branches of the US military.  Veterans responded to the call and were selected on their unique story and the way in which their tattoos memorialized their unique experience. The exhibit required the participation of library leaders, veterans, partners and many others interested in supporting telling the veteran story.

This collaboration helped patrons spark an overdue dialog, truly hear veterans’ stories, and begin to understand how painful it is to return home with all of the war stories held inside. Visit War Ink About to experience a poignant and intimate glimpse into how War Ink’s production affected each veteran’s life.

The success of the project—and perhaps what makes the exhibit so visually moving—is the juxtaposition of the armor-clad warrior toughened by war with the vulnerable and intimate images displayed on their exposed skin. Veteran participants report that War Ink opened the door to tell their story, which was so impactful that they memorialize it on their body for a lifetime. Their stories surprised and touched both online visitors and those who are closest to them. But for everyone who visits War Ink, the stories delivered by this unique medium will bring a new awareness of the veteran experience. Patrons will be drawn in by the revealing portraits of war told by the men and women who survived and want to share their story with an audience.

War Ink unfolds their experiences in four touching chapters: We Were You; Changed Forever; Living Scars; and Living Not Surviving. Men and women recount the pain and loss of combat, how it changed their entire world, and describe the self-actualization that returning home often brings.

War Ink has been covered nationally and internationally by news media including Newsweek, Inked Magazine, PBS News Hour¸Veterans Today and continues to draw attention as a result of newspaper, radio and television coverage.

The Creators of War Ink

Chris Brown is the project director, grant writer, and co-curator for War Ink, and has the ability to create community by leading momentum for library projects that are relevant to peoples’ lives.

Jason Deitch is co-curator, a social researcher, and a veteran advocate. Chris and Jason recruited men and women veterans from every branch of the service by making calls, connecting with veterans’ centers and tattoo artists, and by driving up and down the state of California. Some meetings happened by chance and others by word of mouth. Chris feels that War Ink is a natural extension of public library service since libraries are in the story business, and veterans have stories to share as they re-enter civilian life.  Chris manages the Walnut Creek and Ygnacio Valley libraries at Contra Costa County Library.  His enthusiasm for the project and for making connections with grantors, partners, and dedicated community supporters created mounting momentum and strong supporters in and out of public libraries.

“…In an ideal world we would all recognize each other as rich and complex people, each deserving of respect and compassion.” –Chris Brown, Project Manager and co-curator, War Ink

“…Without shared understanding, the men and women who have served cannot come all the way home.” –Jason Deitch, co-curator, War Ink

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1. Current trends in early literacy practices and education. My school district recently began to follow the Fountas & Pinnell Guided Reading. When children and their families come in looking for a “level M” book, it’s a huge cause of frustration for my circulation staff. A trained children’s librarian should be aware of developments such as this and be able to offer recommendations. Similarly, a familiarity with the Common Core can aid not just in customer service, but also in collection development.
2. The importance of the reference interview. Reference interviews aren’t just for reference anymore! They can also be helpful in performing reader’s advisory. A librarian who is able to assess exactly what a patron is looking for is a huge asset to his or her department.
3. Understanding the needs of all levels of readers. Some children read far above their grade level and are not ready for the mature content that can come with higher-level books. Others struggle, and in the words of Marie Joyce, Children’s Librarian at the Free Public Library of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, “it’s important to get them books they can read but that are not ‘babyish.’” A successful children’s librarian should be able to help find resources for all reading levels.
4. An awareness of pop culture. Just as it’s important to be cognizant of current educational trends, it can greatly help a children’s librarian to be aware of what’s going on in popular culture. Some of the highest-circing items in my library’s juvenile collection are LEGO books and Star Wars tie-ins. Similarly, we recently held an American Girl tea party that was an overwhelming success. Staying up to date on these things can help a professional relate better to young patrons, not to mention make the library a “cooler” place to hang out.
5. Management and networking skills. “Children librarians seem to be doing more and more on less available time. We are not an island…we need staff help, whether it is preparing crafts and props to marketing programs to patrons. Good management skills help rally the internal staff and outsiders who support the library with time and money,” points out Robin Rockman, Youth Services Librarian at Oradell (NJ) Free Public Library. Furthermore, many children’s librarians are also tasked with making sure their department runs smoothly. Having a good professional rapport with support staff makes this duty far easier.
6. How to talk to children. It seems obvious, but providing good service to children is far different than working with adults, or even teens. Establishing a non-intimidating but still authoritative stance with young patrons is key in a public library.
7. Technological know-how. That’s not to say every children’s librarian should be fluent in three different programming languages, but being able to leverage different resources can be a huge aid in both program development and customer service. It is also important to understand how screen time can affect our youngest patrons. It’s no longer out of place to have a parent or caregiver come into the library looking for app suggestions for their preschooler.
8. How to be a creative problem-solver. Children are unpredictable! You never know when a scheduled performer might not show up, or a kid has an accident during story time. Flexibility and being able to think quickly on his or her feet will pay off greatly during those moments of uncertainty.
9. Time management. Many children’s librarians are responsible for scheduling programming. Yet providing enough events for the public without burning themselves or their staff out can be a tricky act of balance. Similarly, most people in this position wear many different hats, from programming to collection development to community outreach and more. Being able to manage anything without being overwhelmed is vital.
10. How to promote library services. I come from a digital marketing background, and what I learned while working in that industry has helped me almost every day in my library career. Now more than ever, it’s necessary to stay relevant in the eyes of the public and elected officials. We can’t do that if no one knows about what we offer. From social media marketing to creating catchy in-house displays and merchandising, a keen sense for promoting library awareness will ensure the longevity of our field.

What other topics do you think a children’s librarian needs to know about? Share your thoughts in the comments!

The post Ten Things a Children’s Librarian Needs to Know first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

In direct correlation to their higher comfort level with technology, a significant 36% of this age group has visited a library’s website in the last twelve months, 8% more than the 30 and over sector. While the majority of millennials do not indicate a tremendous familiarity with their library’s offerings, this age group is more likely to have read a book in the last year than their older counterparts. In fact, Americans in their late teens—ages 16-17—are the most likely demographic to read books for pleasure, school, or work, and to utilize the library as a research source. Interestingly, older teens also gravitate towards print books over electronic material and are the only demographic who prefer to borrow their reading books over purchasing them [1].

These findings present an interesting task for public librarians. Because millennials are voracious readers and are so deeply rooted in technology, they can represent a wildly untapped market in a library. My library, for example, offers a wide variety of programs and displays for children, teens, parents, and senior citizens, but the age group in between is admittedly underserved. Why is this the case? Many recent political campaigns have focused extensively on marketing to the under-30 bracket with the mentality that young people are traditionally less likely to come out and vote while representing the future of the United States. Shouldn’t we apply this same logic to the public library?

The good news is that with the increased popularity of the “New Adult” genre of fiction—generally geared towards individuals who have recently outgrown YA—there is plenty of fodder for attracting millennials to the library, both through collections and programming. The Pew study shows this demographic is already visiting the library to borrow items; why not also hook them with an innovative program such as a generation-specific book club or interesting lecture? The more we attract millennials, the more likely they will be to remain life-long library users and eventually instill this interest in their children. In short, this age group may be the future of the public library.

Has your library created any specific collections or programming to cater to millennials?

Works Cited

[1] Zickuhr, Kathryn, and Lee Rainie. “Younger Americans and Public Libraries.” Pew Research Internet Project (2014). Web. 25 Oct. 2014. <http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/09/10/younger-americans-and-public-libraries/>.

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The discussion, for me, was proof that library funding is more political than I ever imagined. A mayoral task force, countless staff meetings, and three public forums highlighted that there were no easy solutions. In the end, I imagine the decisions are the same for any library: it’s either people or materials. Either way you look at it, the patron loses. While it’s easy to suggest that slashing the materials budget or getting rid of highly-paid librarians will solve the problem, there is a fundamental misunderstanding of their symbiotic relationship. If there aren’t enough people, services and processing suffers. If there aren’t materials, the public has nothing to read and the staff has nothing to do; as we all know, overstaffing is incredibly upsetting to taxpayers.

I have also never been too close to the political realities of library funding. Elected officials campaigned on revitalizing our neighborhoods. Home owners were livid at the thought of a library closing (or reducing hours) in their neighborhood. But, while the cries of, “How can the library do this?” rang loud, it was countered by voices asking, “What would you have us do?” Fiscal responsibility is tossed around everywhere these days. I’m all for it. We have a responsibility to be careful and deliberate with taxpayer monies.

The most telling comments were to fire “overpaid” master-level librarians. Why this bothered me was not because I’m one of these master librarians, but rather, what does the public gain by not having trained, educated, and professional staff to serve the information needs of the community? The library community and constituents suffer. We all want the library to succeed. This makes me wonder how we failed to communicate what we do and why we do it. We try to be responsive but we are either hindered by funds, personnel, or technology.

I suppose when this rolls around next year (oh, this year’s discussion didn’t solve any long-term funding issues) that I will try to keep smiling and remember that at least the library community wants three locations, even if we can’t agree on how to sustain them.

Cover Photo Credit: San José Library

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