Why Am I Here?

I’m a retired librarian who has worked in public and academic library settings in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

I’ve been blogging here since 2012, almost three years. I started this blog because I had recently retired, but because I had done so a little “early” I hoped I would be able to continue to do some online teaching and consulting, so I wanted a place where people could “find” me and see I was still connected to libraries.

So I blog here about stuff related to libraries, mostly public libraries, but also stuff about management, and organizational stuff.  (Apparently, I use the word “stuff” a lot.)

So that’s who I am and why I’m here.  Here on this blog, not here in an existential way.

 

 

Solve Every Problem!

The post 4 Easy Steps to Solving Every Problem in the Workplace resonated with me when I first read it. Then I set it aside, and just found it again today.  And again, it resonates! The article is not specific to libraries, but a library IS a workplace.  I think it works at home, too.  What are those simple steps? I’m glad you asked!

Ask these 4 questions:

• What is the problem?
• What have you done to solve the problem?
• In trying to solve the problem, what have you learned about it?
• What’s your action list?

But to better understand this works, read the whole post and the examples of the process in action.

Are You a Change Agent?

Here‘s a post from Fast Track that begins:

When organizations believe they must change to survive, they often bring in an outsider to drive that transformation. But that can be as disruptive as it is stressful, leading to turnover, reduced productivity and sinking morale. The better solution may be in harnessing the power of existing teams to come up with ideas that trigger change and drive innovation.

The post identifies two questions employees can ask themselves to determine if they could be good change agents:

• Is there something I can do to make the organization a better place?
• Is there something I personally need to change to make myself a better employee?

Change is hard, and sometimes we do a lot of it in libraries.  I suggest you read the post to learn more about change, change agents, and how to find such agents in your organization.

 

More About Makerspaces

I wrote about makerspaces in libraries awhile back.  There is so much written about them that I don’t earmark every one to mention in this blog.  But Five Things to Remember When Opening a Makerspace has some good tips, especially for those just starting such a space.  Here’s an important point:  “[I]t’s a very different type of service to create, and you most definitely WILL be surprised by something.”

 

Like so much of what we do in libraries and in life, we’re learning by doing, learning as we go.

Keeping an Open Mind

I just re-read this post I had saved awhile ago.  I needed it today.  My state is deeply divided politically.  My country is deeply divided as well.  So I have to pay attention when I read things today like:

If you are tired of “us vs. them” attitudes… if you are feeling frustrated or hopeless about those who don’t agree with your views… if you are concerned about the polarization in this world today… if you are waiting for leadership that unites instead of divides…

… the best place to start is by taking responsibility for yourself.

It’s time to let go of forgone conclusions, set my viewpoints aside, and pay attention to others and their viewpoints.  This is true in all aspects of our lives: work, home, and play, as well as in our interactions with the world.

So at your workplace, take the time to listen to others, search for points of agreement, and find ways to collaborate.

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 library, please be sure to share the post with those that do.

If your library declines to select certain materials with diverse protagonists or plots because “they won’t circulate here” your library is doing your users a disservice.  In fact, your library is not doing a very good job.

But the post says it better than I do.  Please read it.  And think about it.  And don’t let your library fall into this trap.

Try Something Different

Sometimes I am so overwhelmed by having too many choices that I am paralyzed and can’t make a decision.  Does this ever happen to you?  Do you respond by simply sticking to the same old standard choices?  I’m afraid I do.

What if you freed yourself up to consider all the possibilities?  Really: How Many Choices Do You Want? challenges us to do so.  And then, “there’s only one option: Will you choose to try doing something differently?”

Snow and Libraries

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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 close because the schools do.  But I do think maybe you should if they are advising no travel.  On the other hand, I am also a firm believer in “libraries as an essential service,” which may mean serving as a shelter for folks in a snow emergency.

A library in Connecticut regrets their “essential service” status, in the light of the recent blizzard.  What do you think?

What Aren’t They Telling You? And Why?

If you’re a manager, whether in a library, or somewhere else, it is important to foster an environment where employees are not afraid to tell you hard truths.

10 Things Your Employees Aren’t Telling You

If this is the case for you, encourage your employees to speak their minds, and let them know it is safe to do so.

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And the Winner is. . .

This time of year typically finds me trying to see as many of the Academy Awards nominated movies as I can (at least those that I think I’ll like).

I’ve always thought that the Oscars would provide good fodder for public programs at libraries.  Do very many libraries do this?  I’ve found a few.  What could you do?

• “Film night” showings of previous award winners (with public performance licenses of course!)
• Discussions of the books the movies were based on
• Oscars party on the big night.  Show the awards TV program on a big screen, serve fancy desserts, have a red carpet, a contest with awards going to those who get the most right on their ballot.

Here’s what some libraries have done:

• Warren Public Library (MI)
• Chicago Public Library

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Have you done anything like this?  What have you done?  What are you going to do?