Are You a Winner? Is Your Library?

Leadership Thought #420—7 Common Traits of A Winner (from Ed Robinson)

• Courage
• Resiliency
• Self-Belief
• Focus
• Work Ethic
• Passion
• Commitment

Do read it and think about it. What would you add?

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Heed the Wake Up Call!

I’ve been waiting to write this post until I’ve had a little more time.  Meanwhile, while I’ve been waiting you’ve probably heard or read about the comments from author Terry Deary that libraries are a thing of the past and no longer relevant.

While I’ve been waiting, others have already commented on Deary’s statements:

• Why Deary is Wrong: The Case for Libraries (Huffington Post)
• Making Libraries History is Horrible Idea (Guardian UK letter in response to Deary article)
• A Letter to Deary

Mr. Deary is entitled to his opinion, of course.  It should come as no surprise to you that I don’t share his opinion, and if you read this blog, I would guess you don’t either.  But here’s the thing:  Think this kind of thing can’t happen in your community?  Do you think that your patrons haven’t read about and heard about Deary’s stance?  And that they won’t ask you to respond?  Think again.

Deary and others who share his way thinking have given us a wake up call.  Be prepared to respond when folks tell you Deary’s right, or ask you why you think he’s wrong.  Why are libraries relevant? And especially, why is YOUR library relevant?  (and while we’re at it, worthy of taxpayer support?!)

Maybe you’ve already been asked.  What did you say?

Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/fredjk

Check out These Tech Tips for Your Library

Do you think that all the information about technology is just hype or a fad, and you don’t need to use social media or new technologies in your library?  Or, do you think you’re already making use of all the technology initiatives that you can, and that your library is as successful as possible at engaging your patrons and building a community?

If you have either of these attitudes, may I politely suggest you may be wrong.  Please take a look at 10 Great Technology Initiatives For Your Library, and seriously consider if there isn’t at least one of the ideas listed here that you are not using, that you could be.

Please consider that every day more and more of the population (yes, including your patrons) are living our lives online.  If you are not using social media to its fullest potential, or some of the other tips in the post, I think you are disappointing at least some of your users.

Really, what have you got to lose?

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Productivity Schmoductivity

Here’s a fun look at productivity tips:  The Secret to Making Productivity Tips Work For You.  It is true that there is all kinds of advice on how to productive, and everyone has to find and use the ways that work best for them.  And it may also be true that what works for you depends on your personality type.

 

I’m not sure I buy everything in Penelope’s post, but it is an unusual take on the topic, and she is always an interesting read.

 

(Photo credit: paperbits)

 

Now Tell me Libraries Aren’t Essential to their Communities!

Here’s another great article on a service libraries can provide:  Libraries Help Homeowners Fight Foreclosure.  (American Libraries, Jan/Feb 2013)

The article is primarily about Southern California and San Diego County, but also mentions housing clinics offered by the Las Vegas–Clark County Library District.  I encourage you to consider offering such programs at your library.  If nothing else you can link to helpful resources.

Related links:

• Housing Market and Foreclosure Resources (Chicago Public Library)
• Libraries Provide a Lifeline for Homeowners Facing Foreclosure (atyourlibrary.org)

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Are You Holding Back Your Team?

As a team leader, you need to know the ways to best serve and lead your team, as well as the ways you may be doing your team a disservice, keeping you all from being successful in your endeavors.

So take a look at 6 Self-Serving Behaviors That Will Torpedo Your Team, from Jesse Lyn Stoner.  You’re only human, after all, so consider carefully if you may be making some of these mistakes.

If you’re not happy with the way your team is working, instead of engaging in these self-serving behaviors, serve your team by non-judgmentally putting your concerns on the table.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Libraries and Lifelong Learning

Lifelong learning is definitely a role that libraries can play in the lives of our users.  Lori Reed‘s interesting post on this topic makes some excellent points:

The world we live in requires constant learning and as libraries we are poised to become the center of lifelong learning in the community. . . What can we do to teach the people in our communities not only the skills they need to find a job but the skills they need to develop a passion for lifelong learning? . .   We must all be prepared to prepare and adapt to the exponential change that technology and global communication brings.

Indeed, “Lifelong Learning” is one of the Strategic Planning for Results (ALA’s  standard strategic planning model) service responses. In a time and world where communities are changing, as well as what they need from their public libraries, the ability to foster lifelong learning seems like a logical choice.

Thinker (Photo credit: paukrus)

“Nope. Sorry. Not my Strength.” Not Acceptable!!

Great post on All Things Workplace about strengths.  Read it!  I agree, it’s important to focus on strengths, and it makes sense to hire people to do the things they are best at.  However, sometimes we all have to do things that we aren’t best at, and sometimes we all have to learn to do new things (and get better at them.)  But for an employee or manager to use “Sorry, that’s not my strength.  Can’t do it,” or “Not my strength, deal with it” as an excuse is simply a cop-out.  Especially when getting along with others, just being civil, is “not my strength.”  Especially in a public library, or any other kind of library for that matter.

Bosses and managers who let staff get away with this excuse are doing everyone a disservice.  Demand certain minimum standards of behavior and performance.

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Bloom Where You are Planted

Here’s another idea for a new library service:

How To Save a Public Library: Make it a Seed Bank.

Maybe because we’re having cold and snow in the Midwest, this idea, with an eye toward spring and all the new life it brings, appeals to me.

Certainly could bring in new clientele, and what a positive, life-affirming feature.

Flower (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

Libraries are Transforming. . . Again

Libraries are changing, it’s true.  I’ve posted about embedded librarians, taking the library to the community, offering unique programs and services, and much more.  But in my opinion, libraries have always been changing.  From closed stacks and chained down books to open access, from book catalogs to card catalogs to online catalogs, from subscription libraries to truly public libraries open to all. . . and these are just a few examples.

But there is no doubt that libraries are continuing to change today.  ALA’s Transforming Libraries provides “one stop access to information on resource, publications, webinars, and online discussions. . . related to the many aspects of library transformation: ebooks and digital content, community relationships, user expectations, . . . ” and more.

I suggest you check it out.