Library cooperation, at least in Illinois is something many librarians take for granted. At the ILA conference there was a presentation titled “The Changing Face of Illinois Library cooperation.” The speakers talked about the cooperation that is facilitated through consortia and library systems. The past couple of years have seen changes in these organizations some from the economy and others by because of changes in rules of operation.
David Carlson, SIU-C stated that Cooperation as a shared value does not come naturally and is not without work and communication. Successful cooperation required leadership and some risk taking.
In the next few months you will be hearing more about cooperation in Illinois. November 9th ILA is holding a “Summit on the Future of Illinois Library Cooperation.” I don’t know what the outcomes of the summit will or if the outcomes will transform library cooperation in Illinois. I will let you know.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Transformative Experience@your library
Omar Wasow, the keynote speaker at the ILA Opening General Session could have used the title of this post as the title of his presentation. I expected Mr. Wasow, a digital native, would talk about the uses of technology in the library and what will come in the future. Instead He spoke of the library as a gathering place, library as a public park for your brain, library space as the heart of community, and library as a transformative place for those who use them.
What struck me was that this message was very similar to the message I had heard last summer at the OCLC Symposium from speaker Joseph Michelli; I blogged about that presentation on July 10th.
A few years ago I was at a presentation given by Steven Abrams and someone asked how he picked out from all the information he scans the things to really watch. He said when he hears something three times in a short period of time, that’s when he takes a deeper look at it. I have taken that to heart and when finding myself hearing something two or three times I take note of it. The transformative experience and libraries is one of those topics.
Mr. Wasow made one statement that I want you all to think about. I’ll paraphrase; Librarians should celebrate the reading experience (a transformative experience), and not be so concerned with materials management.
Now, look at your library and its services. Does it provide a place where people can think, have an opportunity for self-directed learning, and transform themselves?
What struck me was that this message was very similar to the message I had heard last summer at the OCLC Symposium from speaker Joseph Michelli; I blogged about that presentation on July 10th.
A few years ago I was at a presentation given by Steven Abrams and someone asked how he picked out from all the information he scans the things to really watch. He said when he hears something three times in a short period of time, that’s when he takes a deeper look at it. I have taken that to heart and when finding myself hearing something two or three times I take note of it. The transformative experience and libraries is one of those topics.
Mr. Wasow made one statement that I want you all to think about. I’ll paraphrase; Librarians should celebrate the reading experience (a transformative experience), and not be so concerned with materials management.
Now, look at your library and its services. Does it provide a place where people can think, have an opportunity for self-directed learning, and transform themselves?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Spanish Resource from the Government
This past week I received in the mail some posters in Spanish announcing GobiernoUSA.gov. This is the official government website where the Hispanic public “can get all the information they need about immigration, employment, health, education, and other government services and benefits.” This website is free and in Spanish. If people have questions about the site they can contact Marangely Rodriguez at (202) 501-1794 or marangely.rodriguez@gsa.gov.
For your English speaking patrons needing government information send them to USA.gov. Here they can learn about social security benefits, government jobs, and federal, state, and local government information.
For your English speaking patrons needing government information send them to USA.gov. Here they can learn about social security benefits, government jobs, and federal, state, and local government information.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Criticas
LJ, Library Journal and SLJ, School Library Journal have announced that Criticas book reviews have resumed online. To find them go to www.libraryjournal.com/criticas for the latest coverage. They also have an e-alert you can sign up for.
Criticas reviews adult and children’s Spanish-language titles. When the print edition was stopped, readers asked for these reviews and LJ and SLJ have listened.
Criticas reviews adult and children’s Spanish-language titles. When the print edition was stopped, readers asked for these reviews and LJ and SLJ have listened.
Professional Media
As a director of a library system, I rarely read reviews of general fiction or non-fiction for adults or children. We don’t buy in those areas. However, I always look at the reviews of under the professional literature or media heading.
In looking at the September 1, 2009 issue of Library Journal I noticed that the reviews of Professional Media and now “Web-Only.” Just go to www.libraryjournal.com and look under Reviews/professional Media.
I took a look and the reviews are there just as they were in print. I looking at the ones for Aug. 15 there was a book titled Searching 2.0 by Michael Sauers. The only reason I mention this is that I have been in Plinkit committee meetings with Michael and did not know he was writing a book.
Oh the small world of librarianship.
In looking at the September 1, 2009 issue of Library Journal I noticed that the reviews of Professional Media and now “Web-Only.” Just go to www.libraryjournal.com and look under Reviews/professional Media.
I took a look and the reviews are there just as they were in print. I looking at the ones for Aug. 15 there was a book titled Searching 2.0 by Michael Sauers. The only reason I mention this is that I have been in Plinkit committee meetings with Michael and did not know he was writing a book.
Oh the small world of librarianship.
Monday, September 21, 2009
How does your library rank?
For years libraries have been comparing themselves to other libraries. There have been several ways that libraries have been ranked. The Hennen rankings and most recently the LJ Index of Public Library Service 2009 are two such rankings for public libraries. It does not mater what algorithm is used to determine the ranking or which outputs or inputs are used. There are always fine libraries that do not make it to the top of the ranked lists.
Does it mater where your library falls in a ranking? Maybe to the Mayor or the board but does it really mater to the patrons that come into the library on a daily basis. Not really. They want service and service is what you should give them. The support of the community for the library is one of the best gauges of success not some arbitrary number ranking.
That said, if you really want to compare yourself watch what factors you use. Libraries have differing levels of population in relation to their income. Compare yourself using both factors. You will be surprised to see different libraries on each list. The Bibliostat tool that public libraries use to report annual library data can give you quick and easy access to comparison data.
What I find more helpful and interesting if for a library to compare themselves against themselves. Take the same statistics and see how they compare over 5 years. Are they going up or down.? Do they reflect a change in the community, staffing, income? This type of comparison can be much more meaningful for a library that comparisons with others who may or not be like you.
Does it mater where your library falls in a ranking? Maybe to the Mayor or the board but does it really mater to the patrons that come into the library on a daily basis. Not really. They want service and service is what you should give them. The support of the community for the library is one of the best gauges of success not some arbitrary number ranking.
That said, if you really want to compare yourself watch what factors you use. Libraries have differing levels of population in relation to their income. Compare yourself using both factors. You will be surprised to see different libraries on each list. The Bibliostat tool that public libraries use to report annual library data can give you quick and easy access to comparison data.
What I find more helpful and interesting if for a library to compare themselves against themselves. Take the same statistics and see how they compare over 5 years. Are they going up or down.? Do they reflect a change in the community, staffing, income? This type of comparison can be much more meaningful for a library that comparisons with others who may or not be like you.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Strategic Planning
Yesterday, I went to UIUC GSLIS. That is University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign Graduate School of Library and Information Science. I was asked by my friend Nancy Gillfillan to teach a session of her library administration class about planning. I have done this for her 5 or 6 times. Each time I have presented this information I had new information or I focused on the information is a different way.
Overall the presentation went well. There were 25 students in the class. They seemed engaged in the topic and asked some very good questions.
Why with my schedule, do I take the time to teach this class? First I know the topic pretty well and can bring a practical look to a sometimes theoretical topic in library school. Second it keeps me up to date on the process being used for planning. And third but most important it allows me to give back to the library profession. I have an opportunity to have a little impact on the future generation of librarians.
If you have an opportunity to teach a class or present at a program; don’t say no right away. Think about it; share your expertise with others. It’s a good thing.
Overall the presentation went well. There were 25 students in the class. They seemed engaged in the topic and asked some very good questions.
Why with my schedule, do I take the time to teach this class? First I know the topic pretty well and can bring a practical look to a sometimes theoretical topic in library school. Second it keeps me up to date on the process being used for planning. And third but most important it allows me to give back to the library profession. I have an opportunity to have a little impact on the future generation of librarians.
If you have an opportunity to teach a class or present at a program; don’t say no right away. Think about it; share your expertise with others. It’s a good thing.
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