Category Archives: Library Services

The Future of Libraries

Posted on March 16, 2015 by cbecker53

I attended a webcast on March 12 on the “Future of Libraries.”  Speakers were from a variety of settings: public library, academic library, public library consortium, and an independent library web developer.  When we talk about the future of libraries, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Collections, Customer Service, eBooks, Equal Access, Internet, Library in Community, Library Programs, Library Services, Library spaces, Public Libraries, Services | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Be Part of the Community

Posted on March 12, 2015 by cbecker53

I’ve written before of the importance of the library to the community, and the need for libraries to position themselves as essential services.   Today’s Blogging 101 assignment is to write a post that builds on one of the blog posts … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Funding, Library Funding, Library in Community, Library Partnerships, Library Services, Planning, Public Libraries, Strategic Planning | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Exploring My “Neighborhood”

Posted on March 11, 2015 by cbecker53

Today’s assignment in the Blogging 101 course I’m taking is to “be a good neighbor” by exploring some other blogs in the WordPress Reader, and to comment on some blogs I haven’t commented on before. During my exploring earlier this … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Library in Community, Library Partnerships, Library Programs, Library Services, Literacy, Management, Public Libraries, Reading, Services, Supervision | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Praise is Not Enough

Posted on March 5, 2015 by cbecker53

There is an article, In Praise of Libraries (The Rotarian Magazine, March 2015), that is getting a lot of buzz in library circles.  Even if you aren’t in the library world, you should read it.  It’s a hymn of praise, … Continue reading →

Posted in Collections, Library Funding, Library in Community, Library Programs, Library Services, Library spaces, Public Libraries | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

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

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

Let’s Have a Party!

Posted on September 9, 2014 by cbecker53

So, with today being our 25th wedding anniversary, I am thinking about celebrations.  Which makes me think about creative use of library spaces.  I’ve been hearing and reading more and more about weddings and other celebrations in libraries, and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Library in Community, Library Services, Library spaces, Policies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Illegal Downloads and Libraries–This is Important!

Posted on September 5, 2014 by cbecker53

Do you worry about people downloading illegally at your library?  Have you heard of libraries getting fined because someone has downloaded something illegally?  Do you use filters to keep users from certain sites where they might download something illegally? Okay, … Continue reading →

Posted in Censorship, Copyright, Internet, Library Services, Policies, Services, Websites | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Times They are a-Changin’

Posted on August 26, 2014 by cbecker53

So, you know I support libraries.  All libraries, of all kinds. But you also know, today’s libraries are not your mama’s libraries.  Or if they are, they probably aren’t doing well, or aren’t well-supported. Libraries, like people, animals, cultures, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Funding, Library in Community, Library Partnerships, Library Services, Services | Tagged , | Leave a comment

How Kind are Your Library Spaces?

Posted on August 5, 2014 by cbecker53

When I do a presentation about customer service, one of things I always recommend is walking through your library and thinking like a customer. Here’s a great post on that: Examining Library Spaces Through a Kindness Audit.  (Thanks, Library Dude!) … Continue reading →

Posted in Customer Service, Library Services, Library spaces, Public Libraries, Signage | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment