Category Archives: Public Libraries

Not Everybody Can Be a Boss

Not everybody is cut out to be the boss. . .  Well, that should be obvious, shouldn’t it? But maybe it’s not. Lots of people are happy to be “worker bees” and have no intentions of ever being an administrator. … Continue reading

Posted in Employees, Leadership, Management, Public Libraries, Supervision | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Spring Spruce-Up

Spring has sprung. At least, the first day of spring is “officially” here, according to the calendar.  In Wisconsin, that means slightly warmer temps. . . on some days. On another day, we might get snow! (But I digress.) But … Continue reading

Posted in Blogging, Library spaces, Public Libraries | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

The Future of Libraries

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

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”

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

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

Diversity and Collection Development

Selection is Privilege (The Show Me Librarian) is an excellent blog post getting some attention in library circles this week, and I would be remiss if I didn’t draw your attention to it.  If you don’t do selection at your … Continue reading

Posted in Children's Literature, Collections, Public Libraries, Selection | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Snow and Libraries

Much of the country had snowy and blizzard conditions recently.  Lots of libraries closed.  So begins the ever popular debate, whether to close or stay open.  Personally, I think it is a hard call.  I don’t think libraries should necessarily … Continue reading

Posted in Library in Community, Public Libraries | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Why?

Today’s is another post with its basis in the Wisconsin Library Association conference I attended earlier this month. I heard about the book Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek.  I confess, I … Continue reading

Posted in Customer Service, Leadership, Management, Marketing, Public Libraries | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Makerspaces

OK, I’m stepping outside my comfort zone.  I don’t know a lot or understand a lot about the makerspace movement.  You probably know a lot more about it than I do.  But basically, a makerspace is just a place where … Continue reading

Posted in Library in Community, Library Programs, Public Libraries, Services, Technology | Tagged , | 1 Comment