“Kids” These Days!

In case you haven’t heard about this recent Pew Report, let me do my part to make sure anyone who reads this blog is aware of it!  (Because I think it’s important news for libraries!)

A Pew Research Center report released June 25 found that among those 16-29 years old, 75 percent had read at least one print book in the last year, versus just 25 percent who had read at least one e-book. They also think that libraries should coordinate more with local schools, offer free literacy programs, have more comfortable spaces, and a bunch of other stuff.  They don’t seem to think libraries are a thing of the past.

Read more about it!

Teenager (Photo credit: Jenn Durfey)

It’s Too Darn HOT!!

Four Brooklyn libraries will remain closed during the current heat wave due to busted air-conditioners.

The city typically urges residents to go to libraries to flee Mother Nature’s fiery wrath, but the Brooklyn Heights, Brownsville, Clinton Hill and Flatlands branches won’t be able to serve the steaming public.

 

Four Brooklyn Branches to be Closed (NY Daily News)

 

TOO DARN HOT! (Photo credit: Bekah Stargazing)

 

But Are You Passionate?

Job interview (Photo credit: Kino Praxis)

Here’s an interesting post about interview questions, in particular, how to measure passion in an interview.  Finding candidates who will be passionate about their jobs is not an easy thing to do in an interview situation.

These questions, or some version of them, may or may not help you determine whether a candidate is passionate about what they do.  Or, they may just get you thinking of ways to devise questions that do get at this quality.

Good luck!

 

Remembering the Dust

One of the saddest episodes in our country’s history is the Dust Bowl. And like so many sad episodes, it was man-made.  There is much more I have to learn about it, but I have learned a lot in recent years, by reading The Worst Hard Time, and watching The Dust Bowl on PBS.  (By the way, I recommend them both.)

Now, libraries can help share the story of the Dust Bowl through the traveling exhibition Dust, Drought, and Dreams Gone Dry.  The ALA Public Programs Office, the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Library, and the Mount Holyoke College (MHC) Library developed the project.  Applications must be received by September 30.

I hope a library near me sponsors the exhibit—I’m anxious to see it.

Dust Bowl (Photo credit: USDAgov)

Introverted Much?

Sometimes I think that libraries have more than our share of introverts.  I am really an introvert, although many people don’t believe me.  Anyway, if you are an introvert, take a look at How Introverts can Thrive in a Collaborative World.  Hey, I’m already doing some of this stuff—I use social media, and I have a blog!

Take a look, and then start thriving!  Good luck!

Shy puppy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Libraries Can Help!

Here’s another great way for public libraries to be involved in their communities, and be an essential service to their users.

The new health care overhaul (called ObamaCare by some) is taking place very soon.  No matter what or where you are, your library is going to get questions about it.  Not that you have to be an expert in the changes in the law of course!—BUT one thing librarians do know how to do is find information.  So it’s no surprise that libraries are being “recruited to help people get signed up for insurance under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. Up to 17,000 U.S. libraries will be part of the effort to get information and crucial computer time to the millions of uninsured Americans who need to get coverage under the law.”  (NY Times, 6/28/13)

More from the Associated Press press release:

Libraries equipped with public computers and Internet access already serve as a bridge across the digital divide, so it made sense to get them involved, said Julie Bataille, spokeswoman for the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“Libraries are a tremendous resource for people in their communities,” Bataille said. “They’re already a destination many individuals go to when they’re seeking out information and understanding on a variety of issues.”

Libraries also have public spaces where meetings can be held. And they already provide health information to 28 million people a year via public access computers, according to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal grant-making agency, which will coordinate the new effort with CMS. The two federal agencies also worked together during the rollout of the Medicare prescription drug benefit, experience that should help with this effort, Bataille said.

What a great opportunity and what a great service you can provide!  Read the article for more ideas, and to learn about the online toolkit that is being developed to assist you.

(Photo credit: epSos.de)

Be Confident, Not Cocky

I guess everyone needs to be confident in their work.  But it seems especially important for leaders.  Of course, I include library leaders when I say that.

But don’t be cocky about it!  In fact:

Cocky is phony confidence. . . .  The need to feel superior means you aren’t.

(I love those quotes, by the way!) So if you shouldn’t be cocky, how should you find your true confidence?  I suggest you start by reading 12 Ways to Find Your Confidence (from Leadership Freak).

Enjoy!  Confidently!

confidence (Photo credit: glsims99)

When They Need Us Most

End-of-life decisions are not something any of us like to think about, much less talk about.  When the time comes to make such decisions about a loved one, people are understandably emotional and perhaps not thinking clearly.  And yet, while difficult, the topic is practically universal:  everyone loses loved ones, and everyone dies.

self portrait of sadness (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

How can libraries help?  It seems to me that this is a perfect opportunity to offer assistance to our clientele—here are some of my ideas:

• Make sure your collection has current materials in all formats on the topics of hospice, grief, living wills, death and dying, and the like.  Don’t forget the children’s collection.
• Partner with your local hospice and/or hospital to offer programs at the library, provide reading lists at their facilities, jointly sponsor programs, etc.
• Allow grief support groups to meet at the library

But this is just a start.  What are your ideas?  Has your library addressed the topic?  Why or why not?

So How’s Your Board Doing?

I haven’t talked about public library board members (or as they are often called, Trustees) lately, and that’s a mistake.  Public libraries are nowhere without their boards, and in fact, in most states, the boards hire and supervise the director, so in effect, are the library director’s boss.  It’s important that you have dedicated board members, and that you continually keep them well-informed.  Here are some tools to help you with that:

• Trustee Essentials (Wisconsin) (most or all other states have similar documents)
• Library Trustee Self-Evaluation (Utah)
• Action List for Trustees (based on a list created by Malcolm Hill of the Mid-York Library System, Utica, NY)

check (Photo credit: PNASH)

 

What else do you wish your board members knew?

 

Hodge Podge

Gentle Readers,

A recent spate of family issues, coupled with preparing to teach two online courses in the fall, has contributed to my lack of blog posts.  I’m still caught up in both, so today’s post will be links to a variety of articles I’ve found interesting recently.

Libraries:

• Show Me the Awesome: 30 Days of Self Promotion (from Stacked)
• Spare Me the Hype Cycle (by Meredith Farkas, from American Libraries)
• The Art—and Act—of Listening (from Infoblog)
• Opportunity and Tools for Discussing Diversity (from Infoblog)

Leadership and Management:

• 11 Ground Rules That Leaders Ought to Know ( from Leading Blog)
• How to Manage Former Peers After Promotion (from The Fast Track)
• How Do You Build Performance (from All Things Workplace)

 

Pieces of a puzzle (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Enjoy!  I hope to be back to posting more regularly soon!