Author Archives: cbecker53

Helping Employees Through Their Discomfort Levels

Posted on November 7, 2014 by cbecker53

I’m off at a library conference this week (and may post about some of the cool things I learn later).  In the meantime, please enjoy this post: 5 Ways to Use Discomfort to Be More Effective as a Leader Because, … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership | Leave a comment

Libraries Care About Your Privacy

Posted on November 4, 2014 by cbecker53

In this crazy world, we are giving away information about ourselves online all the time.  I heard that younger people don’t think anything of it, because they think it’s “always been that way.”  Maybe they don’t care about their privacy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Privacy, Public Libraries | Leave a comment

You should vote. Really.

Posted on October 31, 2014 by cbecker53

You know voting is important, right?  It’s always important, no matter who or what is on the ballot.  Of course, it’s important to vote when there’s a library referendum on the ballot, or when there’s a local, county or state … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Now, THIS is Scary!

Posted on October 28, 2014 by cbecker53

This article has nothing to do with Halloween. It is a letter from a resident of Park Ridge, Illinois voicing his opinion against a library referendum, and it is filled with misinformation and bias against public libraries.  What’s scary is … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Economy, Library Funding, Library in Community | Leave a comment

Avant Garde

Posted on October 23, 2014 by cbecker53

Today I’m looking at a site called The Daily Post from WordPress, and discovered that every day they publish a new “daily prompt” for bloggers to use when they’re having trouble blogging that day.  The daily prompt pushes them to … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Collections, Customer Service, Information Services, Library in Community, Library Partnerships, Library Programs, Library Services, Public Libraries, Services, Technology | Leave a comment

Challenging Assumptions

Posted on October 21, 2014 by cbecker53

I ask that you read and think about all points in this post today: Showering in the Library (from Walking Paper ) That is all. (It’s not really about “showering in the library,” at least that’s not all it’s about.)

Posted in Customer Service, Services | Leave a comment

Keeping it Simple

Posted on October 17, 2014 by cbecker53

I have a confession to make.  Sometimes I make things too complicated.  Do you? In libraries, and in other organizations, as in our lives, isn’t is really best to keep things simple?  And isn’t it best to explain things in … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Prepared for the Job

Posted on October 14, 2014 by cbecker53

Public libraries in Wisconsin, and probably every other state, are overseen by a board of trustees.  We love and need our trustees.  But sometimes we forget that they are volunteers, and don’t always know what their job involves/includes. I’m teaching … Continue reading →

Posted in Library Boards, Public Libraries | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

On Emptiness

Posted on October 7, 2014 by cbecker53

Dear Empty: You are an interesting word.  Are you a good thing or a bad thing? Empty things that are good: An empty email “In” box. An empty dishwasher.  (They’re all clean!) An empty clothes hamper. (They’re all clean!) Empty … Continue reading →

Posted in Library Funding, Library Services, Library spaces, Public Libraries, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

This is NOT Good Service

Posted on October 3, 2014 by cbecker53

So, I’m apparently a little late to this party.  Yes, I knew some folks, and some “states” don’t like the Affordable Care Act (abbreviated ACA, and also sometimes called Obamacare).  My own state refused federal money to expand healthcare coverage … Continue reading →

Posted in Censorship, Customer Service, Information Services, Library in Community, Library Programs, Public Libraries, Services | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment