tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24897272607837198242024-03-14T02:11:21.191-07:00James' ThangsJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-10920784286160350162009-06-15T12:32:00.000-07:002009-06-15T12:33:22.238-07:00The Impact of Libraries: Today Show 6/11/09<div><iframe height="339" width="425" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/31237988#31237988" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><p style="font-size:11px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #999; margin-top: 5px; background: transparent; text-align: center; width: 425px;">Visit msnbc.com for <a style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com">Breaking News</a>, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507" style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;">World News</a>, and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072" style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;">News about the Economy</a></p></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-9286450007044048352009-05-15T11:15:00.000-07:002009-05-20T13:49:03.672-07:00Do I Know You? : Strategies for Connecting with the Community as a Citizen or Trustee<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/ShRsuBIhgeI/AAAAAAAAAHM/iV6KwkJnOHk/s1600-h/IMG_0933.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/ShRsuBIhgeI/AAAAAAAAAHM/iV6KwkJnOHk/s320/IMG_0933.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338010996174848482" /></a><br /><br /><b>Speaker: Judith Ferrell, Friends of <a href="http://www.washcolibrary.org/index.asp">Washington County Free Library</a></b><br /><br />Developed a Friends Outreach Program (received a $1,000 grant from <a href="http://www.citizensformarylandlibraries.org/">Citizens for Maryland Libraries</a>)<br /><br />Goals: <br />Find ways to communicate a unified message—Library, Library Director and Friends. <br />Increase public awareness<br />Increase political awareness<br />Increase number of volunteers<br />Increase literacy<br />Increase funding for programming<br />Increase awareness of library values<br /><br />Brought in a speaker to coach Friends in public speaking and one-on-one advocacy. (16 people took part in that training)<br /><br />Developed pre-packaged fact sheets targeting particular audiences to prepare Friends for addressing various constituents. Also wrote letters to the editor. <br /><br />[NOTE: <a href="http://www.citizensformarylandlibraries.org/">CML</a> has started to award two $1,000 grants per year to Friends groups. Must be member of CML to apply.] <br /><br /><b>Speaker: Marion Francis, Director, Anne Arundel County Public Library</b><br /><br />AACPL had no formal Friends group-- though they have many corporate friends. <br /><br />Director went to Library Board about establishing a foundation. 501c3<br /><br />Board was somewhat reluctant that government funding might be reduced in an amount equal to that raised by a foundation. <br /><br />Conducted a feasibility study; determine if the library’s current message was getting out to the public. <br /><br /><i>Target the 4 Ls</i><br />Library supporters<br />Local leaders (active citizens)<br />Legislators (funding leaders and elected officials)<br />Ladies who lunch (womens’ groups—could be professionals, could be individuals who have never worked)<br /><br />The importance of developing a library story to share with these groups. <br />Articulate it. Project it. How? <br /><br /><b>Share your facts</b>: What are the 3 most significant and unforgettable things about your system?<br /><br /><b>Develop an emotional hook</b>: A story, one minute or less, that captures the essence of why you are involved with the library. This will hold the attention of groups. <br /><br /><b>Why was it meaningful to you?</b>: Convey your passion and be able to do it in any media—interviews, one-on-one talks, addressing large groups, printed fliers, etc. <br /><br />Make your own treasure map. Groups to talk to: Rotary club, neighborhood associations, other Friends groups, family members and their groups, professional colleagues, chambers of commerce<br /><br />Stay up to date on your library’s successes. <br /><br />Brainstorm with library leaders.<br /><br />Stay positive in economic downtimes. <br /><br /><b>Speaker: Joseph Bush, Library Trustee, <a href="http://www.stmalib.org/">St. Mary’s County PL</a></b><br /><br />St. Mary's Board of County Commissioners funded a study. 6 focus groups to determine the future and evaluate present library service. 72 people participated: business, community members, parents, staff. <br /><br />New focus is on Teens, Seniors, technology, virtual users. Gates grant. <br /><br />Their Trustees/Friends have participated in fundraisers, community outreach and partnerships. Example, local IT company donated PCs and provided WiFi for 3 buildings. <br /><br />Trustees also accompany Library Director to BoCC talks to provide support.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-81929848659992742032009-05-15T09:15:00.000-07:002009-05-20T13:50:55.103-07:00Beyond the walls: Outreach services in Maryland libraries<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/ShRtK89QVqI/AAAAAAAAAHU/36IvAhwS-YA/s1600-h/IMG_0989.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/ShRtK89QVqI/AAAAAAAAAHU/36IvAhwS-YA/s320/IMG_0989.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338011493270050466" /></a><br /><br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.aacpl.net/">Anne Arundel</a>’s Library by Mail program</b><br />Determine eligibility<br />Collect readers advisory profiles (Books, DVDs, any format) <br />171 people in program; youngest is 23 and oldest is 99<br />Focus on new materials only (unless patron requests older items)<br />The LBM responsibilities take approximately 40 hours per week and are divided between 1 Circulation and 2 Information staff members. <br /><br /><b>Baltimore County PL’s <a href="http://www.bcpl.info/branches/branch_mls.html">Mobile Library services</a></b><br />Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services abos_outreach.org<br /><br />Shared some favorite Readers' Advisory sites<br /><a href="http://freshfiction.com/">Fresh Fiction</a><br /><a href="http://www.urban-reviews.com/newindex1.html">Urban Reviews</a><br /><a href="http://romantictimes.com/">Romantic Times</a><br /><br />Have several vehicles. Most recent addition, <a href="http://www.dodge.com/en/2009/sprinter/">Dodge Sprinter</a> holds 3,000 items.<br /><br />They require a contract for new sites. <br /><br />BCPL circulated 48k items between two Sprinter vehicles last year. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.caro.lib.md.us/library/">Caroline County Public Library</b></a><br />3 branches; 1 BKM (2008)<br />Rural setting<br />Marketing led to 30% increase in visits and circulation. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://library.carr.org/default.asp">Carroll County Public Library</a>: Library Link Service to Seniors</b><br />32 volunteers<br />No fines or fees for damaged items<br />Maintain a separate collection (8,000 items)<br />Donated items to people who get to the point of damaging books<br /><br /><b>Cecil County—<a href="http://www.cecil.ebranch.info/your-community/outreach-services/">Book Buddy</a> program</b><br />Volunteers bring books to the homebound<br />No fines for late items<br /><br /><a href="http://www.lbph.lib.md.us/index.html"><b>Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped</b></a>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-82543628042269924752009-05-14T16:00:00.000-07:002009-05-20T13:05:10.516-07:00We’re all in this together: Trustees, Board members and Libary staff<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/ShRepyg7I4I/AAAAAAAAAG0/cD7cv5F78yE/s1600-h/IMG_0963.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/ShRepyg7I4I/AAAAAAAAAG0/cD7cv5F78yE/s320/IMG_0963.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337995530368394114" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/altaff/index.cfm">ALTAFF</a>, <a href="http://www.citizensformarylandlibraries.org/">Citizens for Maryland Libraries</a> and local Friends groups should all work together. <br /><br /><b>Speaker: <a href="http://www.hclibrary.org/index.php?page=111">Valerie Gross</a>, CEO, <a href="http://www.hclibrary.org/">Howard County PL</a></b><br /><br /><i>inform + inspire + interact = educate</i><br /><a href="http://www.choosecivility.org/">Choose Civility</a> initiative<br /><br /><b>The unique roles of Trustees, Friends and Director</b><br /><br /><b>Library Board of Trustees</b><br />Hire and fire director<br />Set policy (not procedure)<br /><br /><b>Friends of the Howard County Library</b><br />Convey library values<br />Advocate for public funding<br />Advocate for private funds <br /><br /><b>Director/CEO</b><br />Inform, inspire, engage<br />Attend meetings<br />Submit report to trustees<br />Ensure language alignment: vision and mission<br />Develop succinct, yet powerful, message <br /><br /><b><i>What does your organization do?</b></i><br />Howard County’s 3 pillars: <i>We provide equal education for all Howard County residents. Libraries are in the Maryland Code as a component of education.</i><br /><br /><b>Speaker: Pat Fisher, President, <a href="http://www.pfisherassociates.com/">P. Fisher and Associates</a></b><br /><br /><b>Role of Trustees</b><br />Represent the community<br />Help set vision<br />Determine and adopt policy<br />Advocate to elected officials, family, friends and neighbors<br /><br /><b>Role of Director</b><br />Advise board<br />Helps set vision<br />Implement policy of the board<br />Develop strategies for using legislative advocacy<br />Encourage neighborhood advocacy<br />Give numbers and statistics<br />Develop analogies<br /><br /><b>Role of the Friends</b><br />Advocate for the library<br />Raise funds to supplement government funding<br /><br />Vision is put in motion by carrying out the library’s mission, goals, etc. <br /><br />Greatest advocacy message is a short, heartwarming story (…backed up by statistics). <br /><br /><i>Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.</i> – Yeats<br /><br />Don’t wing it.<br />Don’t forget to mention your affiliation. <br />Don’t tell everything; pick 3.<br />Don’t forget that relationships are the key to successful advocacy. <br />Don’t forget your stories, facts and figures. <br /><br /><b>Speaker: Ari Brooks, Executive Director, <a href="http://www.folmc.org/">Friends of the Library Montgomery County</a></b><br /><br />24 paid employees, plus part-time staff with $1.2 million budget<br /><br />Branch Friends groups have 1 annual meeting with umbrella group. <br /><br />Ms. Brooks is invited to staff meetings.<br /><br />Ms. Brooks and her staff are invited to strategic planning meetings, then her Friends board drafts their own strategic plan in alternating years, so that goals of the library and the Friends are aligned. <br /><br />Friends fund Staff Development Day ($50k) for 600+ staff. <br /><br />Joint meeting with branch managers, Friends chapters and library board held annually. <br />Library Director delivers <i>State of the Library</i> address. <br />An elected official is often the featured speaker. (Most recently, County Manager)<br />Come up with 3 points, a unified message for the year.<br />Listen to and follow through on what the elected officials say.<br /><br />The Library Director has a column in the Friends newsletter. <br />The Friends Executive Director has a column in the staff newsletter.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-33889355098800358952009-05-14T09:00:00.000-07:002009-05-20T13:45:47.454-07:00MLA 2009 Keynote: Paul Holdengraber<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/ShRa9VahLlI/AAAAAAAAAGs/pBMMgc6aBT8/s1600-h/IMG_0982.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/ShRa9VahLlI/AAAAAAAAAGs/pBMMgc6aBT8/s320/IMG_0982.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337991468107771474" /></a><br /><br />His <a href="http://www.nypl.org/research/chss/pep/peplist.cfm">programs</a> are often discussions (no lectures). They are best with no rehearsals and with allowances for the unexpected. <br /><br />Break all the rules of the library. <br /><br />Try different things. <br /><br />Don’t worry about failure. <br /><br />The power to try, fail, succeed<br /><br />Bringing solitudes together (<i>respecting reading as a personal and isolated act, but recognizing the power of programs to bring individuals together</i>)<br /><br />Find humor in programs<br /><br />Seek new forms of engagement<br /><br /><i><b>We must recognize the importance of the cultural sphere in the midst of scarcity, like the WPA during the Great Depression.</b></i><br /><br /><i>Make art popular or make people artistic</i> – Oscar Wilde<br /><br />The goal of library programs -- seek to create a moment of focus for your community. <br /><br /><i>Every good book, every good painting is a victory over death.</i><br /> <br />Learn the community, what they appreciate and then take them one step further. Don’t just give them what they want. Give them what they didn’t know they wanted. <br /><br />What are subjects that people are thinking about today? Find themes that matter. <br /><br />Smaller libraries can move very fast and are more agile. Use this to your advantage. <br /><br />NYPL does not pay their speakers. Their programming budget is shoestring. Most programs have 800 seats and the library sells tickets to these events. There are two <i>seasons</i> for these programs. Sept – Dec & Feb – June; Summers off. <br /><br />The importance of partnerships and sponsorships. <br /><br />Stressed the importance of building a collection of email addresses. NYPL currently has 25-30k. <br /><br />Holdengraber recommended Alain De Botton's <i><a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl/9780375424441.html">The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work</a></i><br /><br /><i><b>It is natural for people to initially feel small in the presence of so much culture (at the library); we must discover how to move them, to empower them.</i></b>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-69426644247413028742009-05-13T12:00:00.000-07:002009-05-20T12:31:08.258-07:00How to Collaborate in the Workplace: One Conversation at a Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/ShRYlEfIMcI/AAAAAAAAAGk/_gHWJmCyXw0/s1600-h/IMG_0935.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/ShRYlEfIMcI/AAAAAAAAAGk/_gHWJmCyXw0/s320/IMG_0935.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337988852223586754" /></a><br /><br />Presenter: Andrea Mayfield<br /><br />Leadership and how it guides organizational culture<br /><br /><i>Which behaviors encourage collaborative cultures? <br />How do leaders create an environment that ensures staff are engaged with the organization?</i><br /><br />Rankism = organizations in which the hierarchy gets in the way<br /><br />Many problems arise because of confusion about process. Often staff within an organization are working toward the same goal, but there has been no discussion of process. This can result in infighting between departments. <br /><br />The importance of moving from the implicit to the explicit<br /><br /><b>The intent/impact gap.</b> Leaders should try to narrow their own intent/impact gap. What is your intent? What is the impact of your actions? Our actions can be easily misinterpreted. We should strive to narrow the gap between intent and impact. <br /><br />Don’t assume intent of others. Discuss things--particularly with difficult people. Ask direct questions. <i>Is your intent to…? That is how you are coming across to other people.</i> Make assumptions visible. Get it out on the table. <br /><br />Un-discussables—-the elephants in the room--result in nasty surprises or missed opportunities. Discuss and understand. <br /><br />Robust dialogue is a vital and healthy part of conversation. If you or your organization is uncomfortable with disagreement, frame the conversation and prepare for opposing viewpoints.<br /><br />Dissent is not disloyalty. A good (productive) fight is healthy. Frame it up and depersonalize it. <br /><br /><i>I trust your passion about the collection and about our goals. I have concerns about whether you’ll meet deadlines. What can we work on or change?</i><br /><br />As you prepare for a meeting, try to determine what your role is and why you were invited. Was it to drive the meeting? Discuss issues? Play Devil’s Advocate? Offer your experience and expertise? Each meeting is different and, to be most effective, you must determine and embrace your role. <br /><br />With elements of organizational culture (example: assigned parking, close to the building for management), we must ask ourselves -- <i>Does this help us or get in our way?</i> <br /><br />The say/do gap: What we say we believe versus what we actually do<br /><br />Find examples of corporate cultures that you admire. Look at and learn from them. <br /><br />System theory breaks staff into top, middle and bottom. Middles can be allied with upper management or front line staff. There are strengths and weaknesses to either alliance.<br /><br />Arrogant/confident line – we walk it everyday. <br /><br />A culture that promotes almost exclusively from within is not looking outward for new ideas. One administrator stated, <i>Incest made us slow and dumb.</i><br /><br />The quickest way for leaders to erode trust in their organization is by allowing incompetence and bad behavior. <br /><br />Decision making – if it will be <i>I want to hear from everyone, then I will make a decision in my office</i>, then say that beforehand. <br /><br />Understand that this is very different from <i>We want consensus.</i> Consensus means that everyone must eventually agree; that is an extremely long process. <br /><br />Perhaps the decision must be made by the leader and then you seek consensus on how to roll out a new product, policy or service. <br /><br />Sunk cost bias = <i>We’ve already spent X dollars on this, let’s stay the (wrong) course</i>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-49364833359533858662009-04-01T10:30:00.000-07:002009-04-08T06:30:49.652-07:00Learning solutions through technology<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqohZqKp_I/AAAAAAAAAGU/-8wbKRQDVYI/s1600-h/IMG_2983.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqohZqKp_I/AAAAAAAAAGU/-8wbKRQDVYI/s320/IMG_2983.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321751201468557298" /></a><br /><br /><br />Slides <a href="http://librarytrainer.com/2009/04/01/learning-solutions-through-technology/">here</a>.<br /><br /><b>Learning Solutions through Technology--<a href="http://librarytrainer.com/">Lori Reed</a></b><br /><br /><i>eLearning solutions</i><br />synchronous (like <a href="http://www.wimba.com/">Horizon Wimba</a>, <a href="http://www.webex.com/">WebEx</a>, <a href="http://www.dimdim.com/">Dimdim</a>)<br />asynchronous<br />blended<br />informal<br /><br /><i>The information people need to do their jobs will not be posted on a whiteboard, it will be found from interacting with other people.</i><br /><br />Check out <a href="http://tisfortraining.wordpress.com/">T is for Training</a><br /><br /><i>Tips to implement e-Learning</i><br />You need support from the top<br />Include IT in discussions early on<br />Trainer, train thyself<br />Don't put speed over quality<br />Have a plan<br />Be prepared to demonstrate Return on Investment<br />Enlist the help of tech-savvy staff<br />Look for support from local businesses<br /> <br /><b>Rockin' Staff for everyone: Empowering your staff through tech skills building-- <a href="http://librarianinblack.typepad.com/">Sarah Houghton-Jan</a></b><br /><br /><i>Why is staff tech training important?</i> <br />Increase staff retention rate<br />Show institutional commitment to lifelong learning<br />Save money<br />Strengthen staff skills and confidence<br />Improve customer service<br />Increase efficiency and productivity<br />Motivate staff to keep learning<br /><br /><i>Benefits of a skills based approach</i><br />Equitable expectations for all staff<br />Reveals training needs <br />Accurate job descriptions<br />Helps with performance evaluations<br />Consistent customer service<br />Helps staff adjust and handle change<br /><br /><i>Project planning</i><br />Goals<br />Skill lists<br />Assessment<br />Training <br />Reassessment<br />Evaluation<br /><br />What are your goals?<br />Who manages the project?<br />Do you have, or need to create, a skills list?<br />Do you have a timeline in mind?<br />What are your resources (funding and staff)?<br />What training resources exist and which ones need to be created?<br /><br /><i>Ensuring staff buy-in</i><br />Listen: ask staff for their input <u>and use it</u>.<br />Keep everyone informed. <br />Reassure staff that they don't have to know it all now. <br />Managers <b>must</b> follow project plan. <br />Hold a brainstorming session or party. <br />Fun. Rewards. Food.<br /><br /><i>Ensure Admin buy-in</i><br />Write a purpose statement<br />Determine measurable deliverables (% increase in skills by individual or unit, # of classes or hours completed, etc)<br />Build training into performance evaluations<br />Train Admin/Management first or separately (if need be)<br /><br /><i>Creating a training program</i><br />Decide on types and numbers of trainings<br />Start with the basic topics<br />Open trainings to <u>all</u> staff<br />Mandatory or voluntary attendance?<br />Training budget based on staff needs<br />Set goals and rewards<br /><br /><i>Four types of learning</i><br />Scheduled learning<br />Unscheduled learning<br />Ongoing learning<br />eLearning<br /><br /><i>Tips</i><br />Add fun!<br />Use real world examples<br />Personalize the exercises<br />Highlight tips and tricks<br />Encourage student independence<br />Ask students to dream at the end (<i>...now that you've learned this, what could you change about where you work...</i>)<br />Be available and accessible<br /><br />Importance of ongoing reassessment<br />What about staff who don't meet expectations<br />How will you measure success? (assessment, anecdotal reports from staff, evaluations, successful tech launches, better customer service)<br />Celebrate successes!Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-39070538201330177762009-03-31T14:30:00.000-07:002009-04-08T07:34:24.541-07:00Evaluating, Recommending and Justifying 2.0 tools<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqoJifxVFI/AAAAAAAAAGM/fF5Ke8bVXXE/s1600-h/IMG_2999.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqoJifxVFI/AAAAAAAAAGM/fF5Ke8bVXXE/s320/IMG_2999.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321750791524013138" /></a><br /><br />Presenter: Marydee Ojala, Editor, <a href="http://www.infotoday.com/online/default.shtml">ONLINE</a> magazine<br /><br />New technologies include all things 2.0, social networking/software/media. <br /><br />Each social tool has a use, but not all need to be used by your organization, necessarily. Use common sense. Not everyone has to follow the cool kid on the block, but, social and 2.0 are real. They are the future and they are evolving. <br /><br />Does your management appreciate the power of social? <br />Does your staff?<br />Do you?<br /><br />Social media are becoming more traditional methods of communication; meanwhile, traditional media becoming more social themselves. <br /><br />Current Challenge: our professional and personal lives are blending because of the use of these tools. <br /><br /><b>Benefits of <i>Social</i> in a Business Setting</b><br />Evaluating products, services, technologies<br />Recommending them for internal use<br />Justifying your recommendation<br /><br /><b>Why add Social Tools?</b><br />Customer expectation<br />Marketing yourself, your department<br />Product promotion<br />Transmitting information, sharing knowledge<br />Learning others' expertise<br />Reputation management<br />Back channel at conferences, meetings<br /><br />These tools get us outside our comfort zone. <br />This isn't just a library decision.<br />Opportunity to join a larger organization. <br />They position the library- and information professionals-as tech experts. <br />Put info pros at the center of decision making for entire organization. <br /><br /><i><b>New technology should solve a problem, not provide a solution to a problem your organization does not have.</b></i><br /><br /><i>Questions</i><br />Does the tech work as advertised?<br />Will it survive?<br />Who provides tech support?<br />Who owns the data?<br /><br />These aren't trivial concerns. You need to know the difference and be able to explain the difference. Don't brand people Luddites. Anticipate objections and be prepared to reply. Do background research for their discipline, their world view. Ground your case in the realities of your situation, your organization. Timing is important. <br /><br />One common objection--<i>This social stuff just wastes time</i>--however, if a deadline is missed, it doesn't matter if it was missed due to Twitter or to plain incompetence. A missed deadline is a management/personnel issue. <br /><br /><i>Getting management buy-in</i><br />Don't surprise them. <br />Don't complicate their lives. <br />Prove management skills, vision of organization as an organic whole. <br />Communication is key. <br />Stress value of research functionJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-56915311953386497972009-03-31T13:30:00.000-07:002009-04-08T06:45:47.297-07:00Unconferences<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqnujonBHI/AAAAAAAAAGE/P1pDqnKoi_k/s1600-h/IMG_2990.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqnujonBHI/AAAAAAAAAGE/P1pDqnKoi_k/s320/IMG_2990.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321750327973053554" /></a><br /><br />Presenters: <b>Steve Lawson, Stephen Francoeur, John Blyberg, Kathryn Greenhill</b><br /><br /><b>Kathryn: Methodology</b><br /><br />Barcamp, <a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org/cgi/wiki.cgi?AboutOpenSpace">open spaces meeting</a>, libcamp, bibcamp, <a href="http://mashedlibrary.ning.com/">mashed library</a> are all terms for <i>unconferences</i>.<br /><br />Recommended reading: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Open-Space-Technology-Users-Guide/dp/1576750248"><i>Open Space Technology</a></i><br /><br /><i>Methodology of Unconferences</i><br />Turn up on day and talk about what the group wants (sometimes that means more structure, not less; depends on group)<br />Whoever comes are the right people<br />Whatever happens is the only thing that could have<br />Whenever it starts is the right time (conversation goes on as long as needed)<br />When it’s over, it’s over<br /><br /><i>Law of Two Feet</i>: <i>every individual has two feet, and must be prepared to use them. Responsibility for a successful outcome in any Open Space Event resides with exactly one person -- each participant. Individuals can make a difference and must make a difference. If that is not true in a given situation, they, and they alone, must take responsibility to use their two feet, and move to a new place where they can make a difference. This departure need not be made in anger or hostility, but only after honoring the people involved and the space they occupy. By word or gesture, indicate that you have nothing further to contribute, wish them well, and go and do something useful.</i><br /><br />For more, read Dave Winer's post <a href="http://scripting.wordpress.com/2006/03/05/what-is-an-unconference/"><i>What is an unconference?</i></a><br /><br /><br /><b>Steve: Planning</b><br /><br />For unconferences, as with a party, you pick the location, bring the refreshments, invite a bunch of people, invite specific people, <i>but</i> you can’t/don’t plan what each person says. <br /><br />General unconferences are not about specific library settings. <br /><br /><i>Casual, but how casual?</i><br />What will you keep from traditional conferences? <br />Keynotes (It can give a basis or establish a theme; this can be good or bad)<br />Sessions <br />Registration<br />Fees<br />Hybrid? <br /><br /><i>Select the time and place</i><br />Everyday is a bad day for somebody<br />How many will attend?<br /><br /><i>Use social software to organize.</i> <br />Unconferences share a wiki-ethos in terms of participation. <br />Establish a wiki with details about when/where; seed the wiki. <br /><br /><i>Supplies, meeting space, etc</i><br /><i>Free</i> as in <i>someone else is paying</i>—partner when possible.<br /><i>Borrow</i> from your own institution. <br /><br /><i>Consider amenities and grace notes</i> <br />Takeaways, gifts, schwag<br /><br /><b>Stephen: Real world examples</b><br /><br /><i>Library Camp NYC</i><br />Provided notebook printed with logo to participants (200 at $4 each)<br /><br /><i>Planning</i><br />Asked for topic ideas, received 160, merged/combined (via open discussion) into 28 slots. <br /><br />Use the above moderated method to organize OR... <br />consider posting a blank grid on a wall and individuals fill-in to present. <br /><br />Once it is set up, participants run the unconference themselves. <br />Organizers simply then focus on food and WiFi. <br /><br /><b>John: Real world experience</b><br /><br />Organized 6 unconferences, all different topics. <br />Most recently--responsibilities of librarians in the future, responsibilities of librarians to the future<br /><br />Unconferences are agile to address emerging needs. <br /><br />To be successful, feel free to diverge from outlined model above. Some structure may be important, be ready to activate a topic, if participation is not there. <br /><br />Unconferences will not replace traditional conferences, but they are a great way to inject intelligent thought into work. <br /><br />Unconferences can be exhausting (in a good way) when participants are fully engaged.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-59934073334735523812009-03-31T10:30:00.000-07:002009-04-08T07:46:42.458-07:00New strategies for digital natives<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqmsTo74jI/AAAAAAAAAF8/ke9tFpsxIPk/s1600-h/IMG_3027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqmsTo74jI/AAAAAAAAAF8/ke9tFpsxIPk/s320/IMG_3027.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321749189808087602" /></a><br /><br />Presenter: Helene Blowers, <a href="http://librarybytes.com/">Library Bytes</a>, Director of Digital Strategy at Columbus Metro Library<br /><br />Slides <a href="http://www.librarybytes.com/2009/03/cil2009.html">here</a><br /><br />Digital natives = born after 1980<br /><br />Web 1.0: find, access and chase information<br />Web 2.0: connect, engage, share and create information<br /><br /><b>Natives</b><br />Access and engagement have always been their reality.<br />Their digital identities are the same as in-person (...though they may use avatars to test the waters of emerging technologies.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/134/boy-wonder.html"><i>The Kid who made Obama</i></a>, social media article from current issue <i>Fast Company</i><br /><br />Libraries can teach communities to stop chasing information and how to get information to come to them (via RSS, online alerts, etc). Libraries provide spaces and places to create. <br /><br />Check out: <a href="http://www.digitalnative.org/#home">Digitalnative.org</a><br /><br /><b>9 realities of digital natives</b><br />Identity<br />Privacy<br />Safety<br />Advocacy<br />Info Quality<br />Creativity<br />Education<br />Opportunity<br />Sharing<br /><br />Top 5 social networks (Jan 09): Facebook, MySpace, <a href="http://www.flixster.com/">Flixter</a>, Twitter, <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/">LinkedIn</a><br /><br />Book recommendation: <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rengen-Cultural-Consumer-Means-Business/dp/1598691341/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239201848&sr=8-1">Ren Gen</a></i> <br /><br />93% of Teens are online<br />2/3rds of online teens create content like photos, posts and remixed content<br /><br />In the new environment, information quality shifts from authoritative control to collaborative control with an increase in social responsibility. Study which appeared in Nature found that Britannica has the same average number of mistakes as Wikipedia. Britannica has since added a wiki element recognizing the importance of collaborative control.<br /><br />According to an OCLC survey, <i>individuals learn about electronic information sources from friends 61% of the time, from librarians 8% of the time.</i> <br /><br />Digitally…<br />There are no barriers.<br />The playing field is leveled. <br />Access is universal. <br />Connection is ubiquitous. <br />It’s all about me. <br />-------------------------<br />= opportunityJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-1774853403206049292009-03-31T09:00:00.000-07:002009-04-08T08:38:25.391-07:00Library without walls: Meeting place of and for the People!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqmYahgi-I/AAAAAAAAAF0/AU6YD_ehoxc/s1600-h/IMG_2981.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqmYahgi-I/AAAAAAAAAF0/AU6YD_ehoxc/s320/IMG_2981.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321748848058600418" /></a><br /><br />Keynote: <a href="http://www.nypl.org/press/2004/holdengraber.cfm">Paul Holdengraber</a>, NYPL, Director of Public Programs, <a href="http://www.nypl.org/research/chss/pep/index.cfm">Live from the NYPL</a><br /><br />Bio: studied Law and Philosophy, then Comparative Literature. Fellow at Getty. LA Institute of Art. NYPL. <br /><br /><i>Universe is made of stories, not of atoms</i> <br /><br />Museums and libraries should not be mausoleums. <br />These organizations can be imposing, but...one should feel small in the face of that much knowledge. <br /><br />Libraries should empower the public. <br /><br />Make libraries less formidable, more sexy.<br /><br /><i>There are 52 million items in the collection, but [my programs] are supposed to bring them out and make people desire them.</i><br /><br />NYPL director recruited Holdengraber: <i>I want you to oxygenate the library</i><br /><br />Make this library irresistible. <br />Change things. <br />Focus on transforming and molding.<br />Belief in communicating and experiencing. <br />Be addicted to friction. (Program strategy: Bring two people together for discussion. Seeing them makes you revisit their work.) <br /><br /><i>Digression is the sunshine of narrative.</i><br /><br />What happens when learning--a private act—occurs in a public space?<br /><br />The important thing is to begin. <br /><br />Library programming: average age of participants was 63. Goal was to make it 36. <br /><br />After initial programs, NYPL director was skeptical--<i>At the library, we have never done this.</i><br /><br />Interested in the afterlife of the art and the conversation. How does it continue to have a life?<br /><br /><b>Future of libraries</b> <br />How might libraries be able to help us focus in an age of speed and constant information? Libraries can present new discoveries, serve as a place of opportunity and as a haven. <br /><br />Our jobs are hospitality. <br />Programs are a different way of opening the door.<br />Libraries = home <i>and</i> homepage<br />Libraries = Facebook <i>and</i> face-to-faceJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-40190135519518537832009-03-30T16:45:00.000-07:002009-04-08T08:10:20.434-07:00Continued Online Community Engagement<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqpCSoh9AI/AAAAAAAAAGc/kOGKczbnOPA/s1600-h/IMG_2998.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqpCSoh9AI/AAAAAAAAAGc/kOGKczbnOPA/s320/IMG_2998.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321751766518330370" /></a><br /><br />This session was a series of related presentations. <br /><br /><b>Continued Community Engagement: Keeping up the connection – Rebecca Ranallo from Cuyahoga County Public Library</b><br /><br />Over 1,000 employees, 28 branches, Union organization/change difficult<br />Marketing vs. IT/Webteam vs. Staff<br /><br /><i>Control what you can</i><br />Branch (Message over and over again)<br />Public Website<br />Opportunities for practice<br />Best practices online<br />Content management system/staff work with webtools (200+ people add content)<br /><br /><i>Let go when you can</i><br />What is tied to your brand?<br />What needs to be a systemwide project? (Preserving systemwide message, train staff so they can provide content)<br />Where can you let go?<br /><br /><i>Trust</i><br />Trust staff<br />Give guidelines (example: protocols for use of library Flickr page, Branch twitter pages)<br />Provide opportunities to learn<br /><br /><i>Engage a community</i><br />We trust staff to engage our customers<br />Transfer that trust<br />Rhetoric in action (examples: Their LibraryThing local page, a Facebook page with info about an upcoming proposed local levy)<br /><br /><i>Evaluate</i><br />Honestly assess performance<br />Find right person for job<br />Accept that it will take time<br />Accept that there will be mistakes <br />It is a learning experience<br /><br /><b>Social Media monitoring: Clyde Miles, Chief Strategist, <a href="http://www.optiem.com/">Optiem</a></b><br /><br />What are your marketing objectives for social media?<br />Brand buzz, reputation buzz, programming and PR…<br />Google alerts<br />Technorati<br /><a href="http://www.backtype.com/">BackType</a> (monitor comments, conversation)<br /><a href="http://yacktrack.com/home">YackTrack</a> (social comments)<br /><a href="http://www.boardtracker.com/">BoardTracker</a> (search discussion boards)<br />Twitter and Twitter search<br /><a href="http://friendfeed.com/">FriendFeed</a> (aggregator)<br /><a href="http://flock.com/">Flock</a> (Browser with imbedded monitoring of social network tools) <br />…and more sophisticated tools like <a href="http://www.techrigy.com/">SM2</a><br /><br /><b>Continuum of Engagement--Jennifer Peterson, Community Programs Manager, WebJunction and Susan Colon, Teen Services Librarian, Princeton Public Library</b><br /><br />Civic engagement = <i>Pull open the circle</i><br /><br />Digital stewardship. Help the public navigate it, then hand it over to them <br /><i>It is the public’s library</i><br /><br /><i>Levels of participation</i> <br />Explore<br />Connect<br />Respond<br />Personalize<br />Consume<br />Contribute<br />Collaborate<br />Facilitate <br />Lead<br /><br />Presenters recommended <a href="http://technologyforcommunities.com/">Technology for communities</a> <br /><br /><i>What does community want?</i><br />Put together mission statement for partnerships and projects<br /><br />Build a team. <br />Library staff --> <br />Interested community members --> <br />Facilitators/Contributors/Advocates/Presenters/Mentors/ChampionsJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-35502522059428644942009-03-30T15:15:00.000-07:002009-04-08T08:31:19.427-07:00Obstacle or opportunity: It's your choice!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqlPcESXVI/AAAAAAAAAFk/ZDRbLa8XpvU/s1600-h/IMG_3029.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqlPcESXVI/AAAAAAAAAFk/ZDRbLa8XpvU/s320/IMG_3029.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321747594342456658" /></a><br /><br />Presenter: Pamela MacKeller, <a href="http://www.accidentallibrarian.com/index.html">The Accidental Librarian</a><br />Slides <a href="http://www.accidentallibrarian.com/CIL09">here</a><br /><br /><i>Librarians can spread the word about...</i><br />Basics of libraries and librarianship<br />Your library’s mission<br />Your community’s information needs<br />Planning, planning, planning<br />Mission/Vision/Goals/Action steps (<i>When new tech or other ideas come up, you’ll know which will help you meet your goals</i>)<br />Designing goals to meet needs<br />Where the library is going<br />Funding projects with grants<br />Removing <i>barrier thinking</i><br /><br /><i>What happens when we see mostly obstacles</i><br />Disengage at work<br />Staff become negative <br />Valuable members quit<br />Customers are turned away<br />Negative marketing starts (<i>lists of what you can’t do in the library</i>)<br />Neglected or forgotten webpages/wikis/mySpace <br />Technology doesn’t work<br />Obstacle-drive organization<br />Discouraged, disengaged, unproductive, negative staff<br /><br /><i>How we frame or perceive reality is our choice; we can flip negative into positive.</i><br /><br />Since you can create your own reality, why not choose to focus on opportunities. <br /><br />Presenter shared examples of librarians working to create opportunities<br />Fulfills community needs<br />Goal/purpose driven <br />Multiple partnerships<br />Multiple funding streams<br />Break out of the <i>librarians don’t do that</i> paradigm<br /><br />Challenges: lack of support from town leaders or board members, small town thinking, <br /><br /><i>Overcoming barriers</i><br />Stay committed<br />Think big<br />Strive for a purpose or goal<br />Stay in your power<br />Keep trying<br />Be fearless<br />Don't listen to criticism<br />Just jump into it<br />Believe in yourself<br /><br /><i>Choose opportunities</i><br />First have plan, vision, mission<br />Know library’s goals<br />Know community’s goals<br />Be brave<br />Believe in yourself<br />Go for it<br />Stick to it<br /><br /><b>Five steps to changing your mind</b><br /><br />1.<i>Evaluate your own outlook</i><br /><br />2.<i>Identify the problem</i><br />What negative thoughts about work go through mind regularly?<br />Which must you face to change your attitude?<br />Write down one attitude to readjust or pattern to change? <br />What resources do I need to change?<br /><br />3.<i>Decide to change</i><br />Outlook is the result of the choices we make<br />Your outlook or attitude is not permanent<br />You can choose to change<br />You cannot change someone else<br />People can change only if they want to change<br /><br />4.<i>Develop a guiding principle</i><br />Know where you’re going<br />Write statement of purpose<br />Change is fun when you know what you’re aiming for<br /><br />5.<i>Take action</i><br />Do something to support your guiding principle everyday<br />Do something out of your comfort range<br />Encourage others<br />Believe in yourself<br />Change negative vocabulary<br />Set yourself up for success (<i>use tech to meet a community need, do something that will make a difference, use free tech tools, take free webinars, read, try something easy, have fun, do something that doesn't require lots of time or staff, be flexible, loosen up, spread the word about your successes</i>)Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-69165790092534708252009-03-30T13:30:00.000-07:002009-04-08T09:53:10.396-07:00Building Communities: Wikis and Ning<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqkP95SN2I/AAAAAAAAAFU/efahYP9fZA8/s1600-h/IMG_2984.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqkP95SN2I/AAAAAAAAAFU/efahYP9fZA8/s320/IMG_2984.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321746503911487330" /></a><br /><br /><b>Using wikis to manage student employees (or staff or volunteers): Heather Moss and Jennifer Fitch UMBC</b><br /><br /><i>Uses and benefits of their wiki</i><br />Created page within wiki for each staff member to track tasks/accomplishments; helpful when review time comes<br /><br />Meets various learning styles<br /><br />No longer necessary to update information in duplicate places (like email, shared drives, message boards, intranet) to get information out to staff<br /><br />Enables <i>dynamic</i> documents that are hyperlinked and easily update-able<br /><br />Saves staff time by consolidating training docs and procedures in a central location<br /><br />Many wikis are flexible, easy to use with WYSIWYG editors<br /><br /><b>Nings: Susan Geiger, Moreau Catholic HS, and Karen Huffman, National Geographic Society</b><br /><br />Susan Geiger, <a href="http://librarygrants.blogspot.com/">LibraryGrants</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ning.com/">Ning</a>s are social networks that are often topic-oriented.<br /><br />Infinitely customizable<br />Easy to add multimedia content<br />Can be invitation only <br />Enables commenting<br />One login will bring up posts to all the Nings you belong to <br /><br />Ning is <i>cloud</i> tech; not hosted on your own servers<br /><br />Good venue for threaded content with embedded multimedia content<br /><br />Examples: Teacher Librarian Ning, Ning in Education, Learning Community at MCHS, Bay Area Independent School Librarians, Roselle Public Library Network<br /><br /><br /><b>Karen Huffman, National Geographic, Web 2.0 Integrator/Consultant</b><br /><br />Social network: Facebook vs. Ning<br /><br />Examples: <a href="http://ngscollectors.ning.com/">National Geographic Collectors Corner</a>, <a href="http://mistakebank.ning.com/">Mistake Bank</a> (anti-“best practices”), <a href="http://dcblankets.ning.com/">Blanketing DC with Love</a>, <a href="http://education.ning.com/">Ning in Education</a><br /><br />Personalize the experience: Importance of Play<br /><br />IGoogle gadget & Facebook application to market initiatives<br /><br /><i>Benefits of Ning</i><br />Various security/contributor options<br />60 design templates<br />Add external widgets<br />Cross application integration<br />Personalized homepages for each person<br /><br /><b>Building and sustaining communities</b><br /><br /><i>Builders</i><br />Vision and goals<br />Creativity/persistence<br />Time/energy<br />Community drivers and feeders<br /><br /><i>Sustainers</i><br />Also, community drivers and feeders<br />Engage participants, personalize experiences, <i>What’s in it for me?</i><br />Trust and shared ideals<br /><br />More info can be found <a href="http://delicious.com/khuffman/2009CILning">here</a>.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-57104322861892262342009-03-30T11:30:00.000-07:002009-04-07T17:33:55.223-07:00Building Community Partnerships: 25 ideas in 40 minutes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqjvahjtCI/AAAAAAAAAFM/nwfZpmPnSXM/s1600-h/IMG_2996.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqjvahjtCI/AAAAAAAAAFM/nwfZpmPnSXM/s320/IMG_2996.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321745944660915234" /></a><br /><br />Presenter: Kathy Dempsey, <a href="http://www.themwordblog.blogspot.com">The M Word: Marketing Libraries</a><br /><br />1. Join the Chamber of Commerce or Speakers Bureau. <br /><br />2. Join the Lions Club, Jaycees, etc to meet people/join/benefit from community projects.<br /><br />3. <a href="http://www.wrl.org/feedmeastory">Partner</a> with grocery stores to hold story times there, put in a book drop or branch. <br /><br />4. Have <a href="http://www.infotoday.com/mls/nov05/gruber.shtml">events</a> in a nearby shopping mall to attract people who may not come to your location. <br /><br />5.Find groups with similar values or missions. <br /><br />6. Identify target markets that could use your help, such as assistants of college deans, secretaries of CEOs, aides of govt officials, city/county commissioners, sports coaches, etc. <br /><br />7. Work out trade deals with small business owners for in-kind services. <br /><br />8. Seek out IT experts that might trade their services for yours. These could include owners of computer-repair services, companies that build websites, people who sell things on eBay. <br /><br />9. Contact college professors to see if they would create student projects that are actual work for you. Marketing classes can create marketing plans and promo materials for you; design classes can create logos for you to choose from. <br /><br />10. Join with scout troops or other youth organizations to offer them service projects that benefit the library. <br /><br />11. Form an alliance with video game stores, skateboard shops or arcades. See if the management will help you promote teen reading by giving coupons or game tokens to kids who read X number of books from your library. <br /><br />12. Work with school gaming clubs to get gaming events ramped up in your library. <br /><br />13. Trade training with anyone who has skills that your staff needs and vice-versa. <br /><br />14. Instigate meetings with office assistants and liaisons of government officials to ask what their information needs are, and then to explain that filling those needs is part of your library's mission. <br /><br />15. Contact organizations like AARP to get access to their members and to deliver services through a group they already know and trust. <br /><br />16. Work with senior citizens centers to give them meaningful projects that also help the library. <br /><br />17. Get <a href="http://www.infotoday.com/mls/may04/still.shtml">involved</a> in local politics so the politicians and their staff members can get to know a real-life, modern day librarian. Create opportunities to interact with them and to discuss your daily working situation. <br /><br />18. Offer your research services to lower-level govt officials. Keep abreast of the work or topics that are coming up and proactively offer your help. <br /><br />19. Make allies of the whole community. Invite every single person to become a book sponsor! You <a href="http://www.infotoday.com/mls/mar04/howto.shtml">make a list</a> of hundreds of books you'd like to have and their prices. <br /><br />20. Help reporters fill the voids when they need news and make sure they know that you can do just-in-time research when they're on deadline. <br /><br />21. Form casual advisory boards of people from target audiences that you want to build awareness with. They will probably be glad you asked for their opinions, plus you get buy-in with people when they're part of decision-making processes. Teen advisory boards are very common, but what about an Adult advisory board or a board that targets mothers/Latinos/young professionals, etc. Ask them questions about the types of programs they would like to see, when it is best for their schedules to attend programs. Instead of throwing money away on useless programs, bring them in on ideas to create buy-in early. <br /><br />22. Build your social networks on sites like Facebook. Once you have a fan base, you have a ready-made group of folks to go to when you need voices or votes. <br /><br />23. Work with parents to help them understand what librarians can do for their kids. Treat them as partners in the processes of learning, reading and researching to win their support. <br /><br />24. Build alliances now with K-12 teachers to help with your summer reading programs. <br /><br />25. Form relationships with consultants! Look for local consultants, especially small proprietorships, that specialize in things you could use help with--finances, marketing, advertising, image/branding, space planning, etc. Chances are these people need access to information and help with research when working for other clients.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-9117137611647455972009-03-30T10:30:00.000-07:002009-04-06T17:49:49.299-07:00I wanna be 2.0, too!: Web Services for Underfunded Libraries<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqYQhAwmmI/AAAAAAAAAFE/cySBCcv2o2E/s1600-h/IMG_2994.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqYQhAwmmI/AAAAAAAAAFE/cySBCcv2o2E/s320/IMG_2994.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321733319198546530" /></a><br /><br /><i>Ten Laws of web services for underfunded libraries</i> presentation by Sarah Houghton-Jan, <a href="http://librarianinblack.typepad.com/librarianinblack/">Librarian in Black</a>. Slides available <a href="http://librarianinblack.typepad.com/librarianinblack/2009/03/cil2009-the-10-lol-cat-laws-of-web-services-for-smaller-and-underfunded-libraries.html">here</a>. <br /><br /><b>1. Talk to your customers</b><br /><br />Email, IM, Chat, VOIP (<a href="http://www.skype.com/">Skype</a>), Texting, Video Chat<br /><br />Doing it right? UNLV’s <a href="http://www.library.unlv.edu/ask/chat.html">IM service</a><br /><br />Hint: Add the chat widget to your <i>no results found</i> page or wherever people get mad when visiting your webpage; if not chat, then at least add your contact info. <br /><br />Text (SMS)- Cell phones and SMS very popular; offer circulation and reference via SMS; use pay option, not hack options (see <a href="http://www.mosio.com/">Mosio</a>)<br /><br /><b>2. Interact with customers</b><br /><br />Welcome comments on everything<br />Respond like a human being<br />Hint: offer online bookclubs with a mix of staff and customers; use <a href="http://groups.google.com/?pli=1">Google groups</a> or <a href="http://www.librarything.com/groups">Library Thing</a><br /><br />Use blogs for recommended materials<br />One post = one review<br />Encourage full staff participation<br />Offer a template with tags and categories <br />Enable comments<br /><br />Doing it right? <a href="http://www.aadl.org/">AADL</a> (effective use of tags) and <a href="http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/madreads/">MADReads</a><br /><br /><b>3. Be engaged</b><br /><br /><a href="http://engagedpatrons.org/">Engagedpatrons.org</a> offers free and low cost 2.0 options for libraries. Run by Glenn Peterson of <a href="http://www.hclib.org/">HCL</a>. They provide events calendars, Google mashups, etc.<br />Example: <a href="http://www.monterey.org/library/">Monterey PL</a><br /><br /><b>4. Be social</b><br /><br />Be present where users are<br />Be real<br />Be reliable and continuously new<br />Don’t be fake, don’t speak <i>institutional</i>, be genuine<br />Example: Hennepin’s Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Minnetonka-MN/Hennepin-County-Library/7223112325">page</a><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/advertising/?src=pf">Facebook Adverts</a>: According to presenter, $10 = 5,000 ads in your geographic area. <br /><br /><b>5. Use multimedia</b><br /><br />Photos, images, podcasts, videocasts, games<br /><br />Example: Westmont PL used Flickr for <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/westmontlibrary/sets/72157594145214590/">marketing faceouts</a> and links to catalog <br /><br />Example: San Jose PL’s <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sanjoselibrary/sets/72157615601256282/">TeensReach</a> (contest voting via comments)<br /><br />Exploit image generators like <a href="http://generatorblog.blogspot.com/">generator blog</a>, <a href="http://www.imagegenerator.org/">image generator</a>, or <a href="http://www.imagechef.com/">image chef</a>.<br /><br />Podcasting—needs: people who can talk/sing (free), digital mic (cheap), <a href="http://audacity.sourceforge.net/">Audacity</a> (free), blog (free)<br /><br />Videocasting—needs: people who aren’t camera shy (free), digital video camera, <a href="http://fixounet.free.fr/avidemux/">Avidemux</a>, blog (free)<br /><br /><b>6. Offer <i>treatsies</i></b><br /><br />People like shiny objects, ask them what they want, then find them some<br /><br />Example: catalogs that allow adjusting size of text, link to comments, subject links, etc.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.library.nashville.org/teens/teenweb.asp">Teen staff at Nashville PL</a> created avatars (scroll down) and answered <i>Who are we?</i> questions. <br /><br /><b>7. Exploit the free</b><br /><br />TinyPic, Wordpress, Bravenet, OpenPhoto, GIMP, SurveyMonkey, Zoomerang, Webmonkey, PollDaddy, Dzone, StatCounter, ImageAfter, Google (groups, docs, calendar, translate)<br /><br />...and the almost free...like <a href="http://www.techsoup.org/">Techsoup</a> who offer public libraries access to software at very discounted rates.<br /><br /><b>8. Respect customers</b><br /><br />You never know when you’re lunch.<br />Expect the best, not the worst (don’t make rule for one person who curses in the comments).<br />Treat customers with respect--regardless of age.<br /><br /><b>9. Offer users choices</b><br /><br />Choices for contacting us.<br />Choices for how we can contact them.<br />Choices for how they find things online. <br />Choices for what they find online. (content and format)<br /><br />Mashups = choices. People are mashing up your library’s content, why not advertise that? see <a href="http://www.libraryelf.com/">LibraryElf</a> and <a href="http://www.libx.org/">LibX</a><br /><br />Good catalog = choices<br />Can’t change ILS? Use an overlay. <br />Several pay options like Library Thing for libraries, etc.<br />An open source option is <a href="http://www.vufind.org/">VuFind</a>.<br /><br /><b>10. Keep going!</b><br /><br />Try new things.<br />Push administrators (stress the 24/7 nature of web services, minimal staffing and cheap costs, highest return on investment in the library)<br />Rejoice in failures...it means you’re pushing boundaries!Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-23520649827819550812009-03-30T08:45:00.000-07:002009-04-06T16:54:11.923-07:00Friending Libraries: The Nodes in People's Social Networks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqSftmeNwI/AAAAAAAAAE8/PwcxZE7znl8/s1600-h/IMG_2980.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SdqSftmeNwI/AAAAAAAAAE8/PwcxZE7znl8/s320/IMG_2980.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321726983206221570" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.infotoday.com/cil2009/default.asp">CIL 2009</a> conference keynote by Lee Rainie, Director of the <a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/">Pew Internet and American Life Project</a><br /><br /><i>Cloud</i> = content that does not live on your computer; rather, it lives on servers elsewhere (Hotmail, Flickr, etc)<br /><br />2008 = 75% of adults use the internet; 53% use <i>cloud</i> <br /><br /><u>Ecosystem changes</u><br />-Volume, variety and velocity of information increases<br />-Times and places to experience media enlarge (<i>watching movies on the bus with video ipod</i>)<br />-People's vigilance for information expands (<i>become an expert quickly</i>) <br />-People's vigilance for information contracts (<i>need to set up filters</i>)<br />-Immersive qualities of media are more compelling<br />-Relevance of information improves (<i>get <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daily_Me">The Daily Me</a> with Google filters, etc.</i>)<br />-Number of voices explodes and become more findable<br />-Voting and ventilating are enabled<br />-Social networks are more vivid<br /><br />Once institutions/organizations/libraries create a web presence(s)—not simply creating a web page---they can be nodes on social networks. <b>This is the way real people, really work</b>; libraries can become sense-makers on social networks.<br /><br />The Pew Internet’s new report <a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/5-The-Mobile-Difference--Typology.aspx"><i>The Mobile Difference</i></a> examined assets, actions and attitudes with regard to technology. <br /><br /><u>The 9 user types and how libraries can help each of them</u><br /><br /><b>Digital Collaborator</b> 8% <br />(Early adopters and influencers)<br />Be a place they can jack into the grid<br />Be a place to collaborate and share<br />Get their coaching and feedback on library collections and services<br /><br /><b>Ambivalent Networkers</b> 7% <br />(They feel obligated to participate because that is the expectation of their networks)<br />Be a sanctuary where they can be offline<br />Offer gaming haven<br />Provide conversation about online etiquette<br />Help them navigate information overload<br /><br /><b>Media Movers</b> 7% <br />(community-oriented; not into blogging, rather video/photo share)<br />Help find outlets to share content <br />Teach to curate and save content<br /><br /><b>Roving Nodes</b> 9% <br />(could not give up their cell phone; too busy to create content; group tends to skew female; think: soccer moms)<br />Help them use tech to be more efficient<br />Teach them to use tech to manage lists<br />Offer tips and strategies to avoid overload <br /><br /><b>Mobile Newbies</b> 8% <br />(new cell phone users; less interested in the internet)<br />Offer How-to<br />Coach and mentor<br />Offer tech access and support<br />Offer pathways to the wonders of the web; sites with politics, news and health are a revelation<br /><br /><b>[Types below are stationary media users; mobility is not an issue]</b><br /><br /><b>Desktop Vets</b> 13% <br />(internet-veterans; think: middle-aged office workers)<br />Offer reliable internet access<br />Offer self-check machines since this group is largely self-sufficient<br />Offer some content creation classes<br /><br /><b>Drifting Surfers</b> 14%<br />Don’t force technology on them<br />This group appreciates your traditional services <br />Offer some tech support classes on gadgetry<br /><br /><b>Information Encumbered</b> 10% <br />(feel burdened by technology)<br />Don’t force technology on them<br />Help them navigate<br />Offer sanctuary<br /><br /><b>Tech Indifferent</b> 10%<br />See no benefit in technology<br />Offer Tech Basic 101 classes<br /><br />Remaining respondents were classified as <b>Off the Network</b> 14% <br />(they see no lifestyle improvements through technology)<br />Continue offering traditional services<br />Offer community activities<br /><br /><i><b>Five pathways for libraries</b></i><br />Pathway to problem-solving information (library as aggregator)<br />Pathway to personal enrichment<br />Pathway to entertainment<br />Pathway to new kinds of social networks (…built around people, institutions and media)<br />Pathway to the wisdom of crowds (…so you can fill your library’s own future here)Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-9530976966456121112008-05-16T14:00:00.000-07:002008-11-13T05:20:47.444-08:00Hidden patrons<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SDlfSLfcVpI/AAAAAAAAADk/wWZkWjNLCRE/s1600-h/IMG_2413.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SDlfSLfcVpI/AAAAAAAAADk/wWZkWjNLCRE/s320/IMG_2413.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204295610330273426" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/library/">DLDS</a> funded several needs assessments around the state recently. They anticipate that requests to fund similar projects will increase as systems recognize the utility of needs assessments in learning about the particular populations they serve. <br /><br />This panel discussion featured reports on four such projects. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.hclibrary.org/">Howard County Public Library</a></b><br />Speaker: Fritzi Newton<br /><br />Cultural Connections project <br />DLDS awarded a $50k grant<br /><br />1 in 9 Howard County residents is foreign born. <br /><br />The largest populations are Chinese and Korean. <br /><br />Hired a part-time community liaison from the targeted community. <br /><br />Created native language surveys and conducted focus groups<br /><br />Wrote comprehensive service plan and developed a model for other libraries to follow.<br /><br />Drafted Cultural Connections updates and highlights of materials which ran in local ethnic newspapers. <br /><br />Translated the systems FAQs into various languages and provided copies at all service desks. <br /><br /><i>5 steps</i>:<br />Study community<br />Select 1 or 2 target groups<br />Recruit respected community partners<br />Hire a liaison<br />Build trust between community and library<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.esrl.lib.md.us/">Eastern Shore Regional Library</a></b><br />Speaker: Raineyl Coiro<br /><br />Project Adelante (8 libraries) – a needs assessment for the Latino community<br />Project components: focus groups, ethnosurvey of 120+ participants, produced a marketing plan<br /><br />To encourage participation in survey, respondents were given copies of a Spanish/English Picture dictionary. <br /><br />Through survey discovered that many Latino males in their community possessed only a 3rd grade education. <br /><br />Eastern Shore felt that they had to be cautious with outreach as some in their community felt that using tax dollars for service to possibly illegal immigrants was not appropriate. <br /><br /><i>Additional outcomes</i>: <br />Developed "Spanish for Librarians" training. <br />More focused book purchases (health and law) <br /><br />Final report available from presenter. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.washcolibrary.org/">Washington County Free Library</a></b><br />Speaker: Kathleen O’Connell<br /><br />Project Empecemos- needs assessment of Washington County Spanish-Speaking population<br /><br />Conducted an ethnosurvey--which focuses on understanding a local population in broader socio-economic and political contexts. <br /><br />4 focus groups; 2 with churches.<br /><br />The Spanish-speaking population in Washington County is, itself, diverse. <br /><br /><i>Outcomes</i>: <br />2 Basic computer classes offered in Spanish at the Central Branch<br /><br />Library committed $10k for materials in Spanish<br /><br />Monthly series devoted to Spanish Language film<br /><br />Have applied for a 2nd grant to fund a position focused on Spanish Outreach<br /><br />Have also had to tread lightly due to local political climate<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.bcpl.info/">Baltimore County Public Library</a></b><br />Speaker: Susan Waxter<br /><br />Grant funded project which:<br />hired a consultant (Cuesta Multicultural Consulting) <br />conducted a needs assessment <br />designed new materials and services by branch<br />enabled them to share skills and knowledge<br /><br />Targeted non-users, rather than focus their assessment on a particular ethnic group. <br /><br /><i>Recommendations for other libraries</i>:<br />Identify target <br />Interview community leaders (could be the owner of a salon or grocery)<br />Prioritize needs<br />Determine library responses to those needs<br />Build on relationships you establish<br /><br />BCPL is currently developing best practices and decision making docs<br /><br /><i>Lessons learned</i>: <br />Needs assessment can be easy and fun<br />Relationships are the key<br />Interview = conversation<br />Be flexibleJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-69845280443729147562008-05-16T12:00:00.000-07:002008-11-13T05:20:47.691-08:00Creating a technology petting zoo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SDlc9rfcVoI/AAAAAAAAADc/53tZh3fy7Mg/s1600-h/IMG_2308.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SDlc9rfcVoI/AAAAAAAAADc/53tZh3fy7Mg/s320/IMG_2308.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204293059119699586" /></a><br /><br />Presenters: <a href="http://danceswithkeyboards.blogspot.com/">Annette</a> <a href="http://nettemla.blogspot.com/">Gaskins</a> and <a href="http://baldgeek.wordpress.com/">Maurice Coleman</a><br /><br />Slides for this presentation are available <a href="http://baldgeek.wordpress.com/2008/05/23/here-is-our-maryland-library-association-presentation-creating-a-technology-petting-zoo/">here</a>.<br /><br />The speakers developed a training workshop called the Technology Petting Zoo, so that Harford County staff could test drive various technologies. They also <a href="http://hcpltechfair.blogspot.com/">blogged</a> about their experiences. <br /><br />Staff were divided into small groups and cycled through various stations throughout the library. There were stations devoted to:<br /> <br />Wikis/Open Source software<br />Gaming<br />Streaming media<br />IM/MySpace<br />Blogs<br />MP3s and players <br /><br />While Annette and Maurice offered some info about the success of the program and the staff response, the focus of their presentation was a <i>how-to</i> for other systems who were interested in developing similar programs. <br /><br />They explained their planning process, logistics, corporate partnerships, staff responsibilities, signage, troubleshooting and the importance of scheduling on the day of the event. <br /><br />I was excited to see five other FCPL staff members in attendance and I hope they left as enthusiastic about the idea as I did. I would love to host something similar for our staff--maybe at our <a href="http://www.fcpl.org/information/programs/2008/trl.html">newest regional library</a> in August, right before they open to the public. It would be an opportunity for staff around the system to see the new building.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-34465011121418618592008-05-15T14:00:00.000-07:002008-11-13T05:20:47.847-08:00Wikis in practice<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SDlYc7fcVnI/AAAAAAAAADU/BJ79GapjE34/s1600-h/IMG_2492.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SDlYc7fcVnI/AAAAAAAAADU/BJ79GapjE34/s320/IMG_2492.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204288098432472690" /></a><br /><br />Presented by Kathryn Sullivan and Danielle Whren<br />Full notes available <a href="http://mlawikipresentation.pbwiki.com/">here</a><br /><br /><i>Features of wikis include</i>: <br />Editing<br />Comments<br />History<br />RSS<br />Search<br />Recent history log (for back up and to revert to earlier copies)<br />Changes can be sent to email<br /><br /><i>Why wikis?</i> <br />Collaborative<br />Dynamic Text<br />Crosslinking<br />Thoughfully written<br />Topical arrangement<br />Accessibility<br />Eases info sharing<br />Easy to learn<br />Instantaneous updating (not reliant on one person)<br />Non-linear navigation<br />Well structured<br />Searchable <br />Inexpensive<br /><br /><i>Workplace benefits?</i><br />Growth in collaborative work<br />Simplified document management<br />Establishment of institutional memory<br />Increased staff feedback and voice<br />Improved customer service<br /><br />On Wikis and other 2.0 tools: Libraries need to be present in spaces where people are. <br /><br /><i>Features and Considerations</i><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WYSIWYG">WYSIWYG</a> editors<br />Cost<br />Security<br />Locally hosted vs. Externally hosted<br /><br /><i>Locally hosted</i>: <br />customizable<br />no space limitations<br />requires time and someone on staff with technical expertise in MySQL and PHP<br /><br />Free/open source examples include <a href="http://www.pmwiki.org/">PmWiki</a> and <a href="http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki">MediaWiki</a> (This is the platform that Wikipedia uses, it has a WYSIWYG editor and lots of good documentation already exists. A stable platform.)<br /><br /><i>Externally hosted</i>: <br />little customization available<br />space limitations with an option to purchase more<br />little technical knowledge necessary<br /><br />Examples include <a href="http://pbwiki.com/">PBwiki</a> and <a href="http://www.wetpaint.com/">Wetpaint</a>. <br /><br /><b>Compare Wikis at <a href="http://www.wikimatrix.org/">wikimatrix</a></b><br />[Note: One of the presenters stated that her organization is moving to <a href="http://www.atlassian.com/software/confluence/">Confluence</a>.]<br /><br /><i>Building a wiki</i>: <br />Have goals<br />Get input from staff<br />Select projects to include<br />Create some structure as a base before staff populate your wiki<br />Determine access levels<br />Prepare documentation/help/guidelines<br /><br /><i>Internal uses</i>:<br />Scheduling<br />To-do lists (track who is doing what on various projects)<br />Team and Committee collaboration<br />List logins and passwords<br />Directory and contact info<br />Policies and procedures <br />Document repository<br />Project work and updates<br /><br />HINT: As with any new technology, libraries will experience mixed levels of staff participation. However, if you want staff to start using the wiki, begin by finding a fun use. One library provided space to their "Cheers Committee" and staff had to sign up for the next staff potluck via the wiki. <br /><br /><i>Uses of an external (for patrons) wiki</i>:<br />Research guides<br />Collaboration on projects with patrons (giving them a voice)<br />Collaboration with other libraries and librarians<br /><br /><i>Real world example</i>: <br /><a href="http://researchwiki.lndlibrary.org/index.php/Main_Page">Loyola Notre Dame’s wiki</a><br /><br />They added a <a href="http://www.meebo.com/">meebo</a> widget to their wiki, so that staff can IM; they replaced their old HTML subject guides with new ones on the wiki; added tutorials for databases and style guides; included a new FAQ.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-40432116618087104872008-05-15T12:00:00.000-07:002008-11-13T05:20:47.989-08:00Everything you ever wanted to know about IT<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SDlUwbfcVmI/AAAAAAAAADM/5eySDBJ8qDA/s1600-h/IMG_2331.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SDlUwbfcVmI/AAAAAAAAADM/5eySDBJ8qDA/s320/IMG_2331.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204284035393410658" /></a><br /><br />Panel discussion moderated by Scott Reinhart of <a href="http://library.carr.org/">CCPL</a><br /><br />On working with Systems: <br />If you need anything from Systems, write a proposal for Administration. Have examples of what is lacking in existing equipment/software/service and offer an alternative. <br /><br />On 2.0 Tools: <br />They are as secure as they need to be. If you’ve been told to use the intranet and there has been some resistance to update it, explain that the intranet is not currently enabled with features that staff want or need. Put together a proposal--here’s what we need, here’s when we need it, here’s a free service that does it or would you like to build something by the deadline?<br /><br />On <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_library_system">ILS</a>:<br />The panel noted that there are very few ILS systems that work with Mac, but there is a movement afoot to produce OS-agnostic ILS systems. <a href="http://open-ils.org/">Evergreen</a> was cited.<br /><br />On Open Source ILS:<br />Howard County is moving to <a href="http://www.koha.org/">Koha</a> in Winter 2008. Koha is better for single library systems. Kent County is moving to Evergreen by the end of this month. Evergreen is better for consortia. <br /><br />Pros of Open Source= ability to tailor user experience, customer service, cost, web browsing with book covers (ability to electronically browse and <i>see what’s on shelf</i> via the catalog), the ability to work on problems now versus waiting for a release a year later which may or may not address the issue <br /> <br />On libraries’ aversion to Apple products: <br />Primarily cost, however as costs come down and ILS systems become more friendly and compatible, we may see more Macs. <br /><br />On Instant Messaging: <br />Some Maryland Libraries have been doing this for several years, primarily as a internal communication tool (between staff themselves rather than between staff and patrons). It has worked well for shelf checks between branches. Libraries should continually be looking for better ways to communicate. <br /><br />On real world tricks and tips: <br />Reimage computers at least 2 times per year. <br />Troubleshooting networked computers- First, can you see it on the network? Get IP from printer, then ping it. <br /><br />On future issues: <br />Implementation of Windows Vista<br /><br />Libraries will seek to creatively integrate 2.0 collaborative technologies<br /><br />Library websites will move toward the Amazon experience to meet the patron expectation (Also, how long will it take slow moving ILS to shift toward that model?)<br /><br />IT departments will work toward seamlessly integrating environments (making the many electronic products and services that we offer work together)Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-10041703115401030222008-05-15T11:00:00.000-07:002008-11-13T05:20:48.207-08:00Life is a Relational Experience: Civility, Ethics and Quality of Life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SDiGKbfcVlI/AAAAAAAAADE/lYBqWvXqSXs/s1600-h/IMG_2384.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SDiGKbfcVlI/AAAAAAAAADE/lYBqWvXqSXs/s320/IMG_2384.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204056883163059794" /></a><br /><br />Conference keynote by <a href="http://web.jhu.edu/civility">Dr. P.M. Forni</a>, co-founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project<br /><br />Civility is a search for gracious goodness. <br /><br />The first half of our lives is a search for beauty; the second half of our lives is a search for goodness. <br /><br />Civility and ethics = When we treat others as ends in themselves, then we are ethical agents. <br /><br />Incivility often escalates into physical violence. <br /><br /><i>Causes of incivility</i><br />1. Lack of self-restraint<br />2. Anonymity and stress (<i>When you believe that no one knows you, then you think that you can get away with anything.</i>)<br />3. Pursuit of an individual identity in a society of equals<br /><br />Neurochemistry of hostility and humor<br /><br />Very often, we are rude to others because we are insecure, then we shift the burden to others through hostility and incivility. So think of yourself as an accomplished person instead of being insecure. <i><b>Pretend you are being filmed and that the film will be used to train others.</i></b><br /><br />Be prepared. <br />When we are caught unprepared, we get in trouble. <br /><br />Visualize, reflect and plan<br />Be aware of your vulnerabilities. <br /><br />Cool off and calm yourself<br />Deep breaths, count to 10<br />Don’t take it personally<br />Decide what to do<br />Pick your battles<br /><br />By ignoring rudeness, you invite more. We teach others how to treat us by how much we’re willing to take. <br /><br />When confronting others: state, inform and request <br />State what happened. <br />Inform the effect on you.<br />Request by making clear (<i>I would appreciate it if in the future...</i>)<br /><br />The dreading is worse than the doing. <br /><br />Deflect other people's deflections (excuses).<br />Stand your ground, defend your feelings. <br /><br /><b>Relational (social) intelligence is a better indicator of success than IQ.</b><br /><br />Respect, restraint, consideration. <br /><br />A leader = aura of power in repose<br /><br />Howard County Public Library <a href="http://www.choosecivility.org/">Civility Projects</a> = Library programs and lectures<br /><br />Manners are the training wheels of altruism. <br />Teaching children that our actions have consequences for others. <br /><br />Organizational civility – crafting signs more gently, having staff talk to patrons. Train staff. Model civility in your libraries and in the greater community.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-967148272243585382008-05-14T17:00:00.000-07:002008-11-13T05:20:48.653-08:00A Booster Shot of Leadership<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SDh_Z7fcVkI/AAAAAAAAAC8/z3_-WTuamoA/s1600-h/IMG_2397.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/SDh_Z7fcVkI/AAAAAAAAAC8/z3_-WTuamoA/s320/IMG_2397.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204049452869637698" /></a><br /><br />Presenter- Maureen Sullivan<br /><br />Teams: <br />are engaged in a common purpose<br />don’t shy away from conflict<br />are stronger than any individual member<br /><br />A <i>team</i> is very different than a <i>group</i> (a collection of people who do not exhibit the aforementioned characteristics). <br /><br />Libraries often use the word <i>teams</i> when most of the work is done by what would properly be characterized as <i>groups</i>. <br /><br />When examining a problem, leaders should consider whether the problem is best solved by working alone vs. working in groups vs. collaboration toward pre-determined goal. <br /><br />Rethink and redesign work:<br />Focus on what makes a difference for constituents<br />Let go of what they don’t want or need*<br />Redesign to enable greater work satisfaction<br /><br />*Peter Drucker talks about <b><i>planned abandonment</b></i><br />Ask, <i>what do we do well?</i> <br />Then ask, <i>if it didn’t exist, would our library invent it?</i><br />This is often an easier exercise than asking <i>What should we cut?</i><br /><br />Clarify performance expectations and coach staff. <br />Reinforce and support new behaviors. <br />Counsel staff to let go of dated and irrelevant processes. <br />Promote a culture of learning, continuous improvement and mutual accountability. <br /><br />Leaders should be able to reframe staff tasks (and their own), underscore value and tie tasks to the library's mission. If you can’t do that, perhaps the task is no longer relevant and is one that can be dropped.<br /><br /><i>Resonant Leadership</i> is <i>Emotional Intelligence</i> in practice. <br />Its components are: <br />mindfulness<br />compassion <br />hope<br /><br />Use this model, when you need to make a behavior change. <br />First, identify what you want to change <br />(<i>I want to be a more active listener</i>) <br />Second, identify what tasks or behaviors prevent you from doing that.<br />(<i>I don’t let people finish sentences</i>.)<br />Lastly, model the behavior and reward it in others when you see it. This will be a good reinforcement. <br /><br />Concepts of learning organizations and appreciative inquiry: <br />strategic planning, work redesign and a focus on changes in organizational culture are key. <br /><br />Frames = how we look at things. <br />Think about how your experiences led to your frame. <br />What are the strengths and weaknesses of your frame?<br />Realize that this frame provides our first perspective when we encounter problems. <br />Consider <i>frame flipping</i>. Look at issues from above. <i>Step up to the balcony.</i> <br />If team members have other frames, you can rely on each other. <br /><br />Robert Keegan’s idea of competing commitments. <br />How the way we talk can change the way we work. <br /><i>What? <br />Why? <br />What am I afraid of? <br />Why is that frightening to me?</i><br /><br />Systems processes model (ideally circular, not linear)<br />Work processes->Outcomes->Customers->Mission, vision, values<br />Staff->Impact->Customers->Mission, vision, values<br />Structure/Systems/Needs of people->People/Skills/Culture->Mission, vision, values<br /><br />Scattered notes: <br /><br />Look for opportunities to say thank you<br />Be specific about what you are capable of<br />Check out <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Barthes">Roland Barthes</a><br />When change is necessary, communicate to staff why the change needs to happen. <br />Define new aspirational values.<br />When people in your organization make surface assumptions, challenge those which are not relevant, reaffirm actual direction or propose a new one.<br />Before you act, reflect. <br />Leadership practice is never perfect; we are always learning. <br /><a href="http://www.pbs.org/opb/thenewheroes/whatis/index.html">Social entrepreneurship</a> is popular right now. <br />Leadership is a capacity within each person and organization. <br /><br />We should be fostering an environment of trust within our organizations so that ideas emerge organically from staff who are closest to an issue or problem.<br /><br /><b>Books referenced</b><br /><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781591391845-0">Primal Leadership</a> <br /><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781591395638-0">Resonant Leadership</a><br /><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781422117347-0">Becoming a Resonant Leader</a><br /><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780787964276-1">Reframing Organizations</a><br /><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/72-9780070580282-0">The Leader’s Handbook</a><br /><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780738209050-0">Learning to Lead: A Workbook on Becoming a Leader</a><br /><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781401301309-0">What Got You Here Won’t Get You There</a><br /><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/2-9780787974138-0">Wizard and Warrior</a><br /><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/17-9780385472562-17">The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook</a><br /><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/17-9780787902469-1">Learning as a Way of Being</a>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-776001612531984802008-03-29T12:00:00.000-07:002008-11-13T05:20:48.791-08:00Too Many Teens: Blessing or Burden?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/R_rJqV9dHAI/AAAAAAAAAC0/BykPeoqMtzE/s1600-h/IMG_2345.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/R_rJqV9dHAI/AAAAAAAAAC0/BykPeoqMtzE/s320/IMG_2345.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186679650157140994" /></a><br /><br />Facilitated by Kent Johnson and Susan Spicer, <a href="http://www.slco.lib.ut.us/">Salt Lake County Library</a>'s Kearns Branch<br /><br />First, find an ally, a co-worker who thinks like you for support. <br /><br />Raise cultural awareness.<br /><br />Clarify library use policy. Talk to kids. Distribute the use policy. Created a paired-down version. Essentially, <i><b>Be respectful, no swearing, no fighting</i></b>. <br /><br /><b>Create a plan</b><br />At Kearns Branch, every teen that comes into the library must go through a 10-minute Powerpoint presentation on the use policy. Explain the Trespass policy. They must go through this training AND get a sticker on their library card proving that they've taken the training BEFORE they are allowed to use internet PCs for the first time. <br /><br />An off-duty sheriff's officer is paid by the library and is present from 2-6pm daily. If possible, work with the officers assigned to your local high schools. They already know the students and how to work with them. <br /><br />Kearns' Teen staff focused on Behavior until it was under control, before considering any program planning. <br /><br />Staff went to elementary schools and sent letters home with sixth graders (most letters made it home) explaining behavior expectations in the nearby Kearns branch for students, as well as the library and parental responsibilities. <br /><br /><b>***Get a copy of the local Middle and High school yearbooks. Photocopy pages; learn and use the names of your teens.***</b><br /><br />At Kearns, <b>all</b> staff roam during peak teen hours. <br />No staff in offices between 3 and 5pm. <br /><br />There is a "zero-tolerance aggressive-behavior policy"—-even when it is two friends roughhousing. <br /><br />If teens are put out of the library for an extended amount of time, they must return with an adult and talk to a review panel before they are allowed to reenter the library. <br /><br />If teens are outside observing a fight on library property (as has happened at Kearns), the librarian said <i>I am so disappointed in you for watching. Go in the library or go home.</i> Since the librarian had built relationships with these teens, this statement worked for their group. Fear of disappointment worked better than threats of banning. <br /><br />When enforcing policy, be consistent and never argue. <br />Don't get into a debate about whether, for example, a teen did or did not swear. <br />Instead, crouch beside a seated teen and say <i>In the library, I really need you not to swear.</i><br /><br />OR<br /><br />Drop your tone and say <i>It seems like you're having a hard time, I'll have to ask you to leave. I'm going to give you 5 minutes and then you have to leave, but we can't wait to see you tomorrow.</i> <br /><br />Then, and this is important, leave the area for 5 minutes. You need to give teens a chance to say goodbye to their friends and gather their books. Lingering might only escalate the situation. Return after 5 minutes. <br /><br />OR<br /><br />...if it is a noise issue in a large group and you know who is being loud, say <i>You have 5 minutes to gather your materials and move to another table or you'll have to leave the building.</i><br /><br />Remember, there is nothing gained by having the last word with ANY patron—adult or teen. Let it go. <br /><br />Give teens the time and space to do things on their own after you've given a directive. <br /><br />There are issues of brain development and chemical changes in this age group. You can see shifts in behavior—-for the better or worse--over a period of a few short months. <br /><br />Remember, that developmentally, teens change quickly and they do grow up. <br /><br />Take a look at some of your problem teens and at their lives. <br />Chances are you may be the only adult who actually talks <b>TO</b> them, and not <b>AT</b> them.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2489727260783719824.post-76195086650908764452008-03-28T17:00:00.000-07:002008-11-13T05:20:48.995-08:00Diversity in our neighborhood libraries: table discussions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/R_rH9F9dG_I/AAAAAAAAACs/twMEfLeqnhQ/s1600-h/IMG_2355.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w5KhwRv3Ncs/R_rH9F9dG_I/AAAAAAAAACs/twMEfLeqnhQ/s320/IMG_2355.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186677773256432626" /></a><br /><br />Facilitated by <a href="http://www.nypl.org/">NYPL</a><br />Highlights from group discussions<br /><br /><i><b>What role can the library play in strengthening diverse cultures?</b></i><br /><br />Maintain bi-lingual collections<br /><br />Celebrate international holidays<br /><br />Talk to leaders from individual communities about needs<br /><br />Reach out to the faith communities<br /><br />Recruit staff/volunteers who speak other languages<br /><br />Make referrals to other agencies when appropriate<br /><br />Provide a neutral space for community programming<br /><br />Advocate for immigration rights and reform<br /><br /><br /><i><b>How involved should the library be in promoting diverse cultures?</b></i><br /><br />Programming should be driven by shifts in local demographics<br /><br />Programming could be brought to you by members of the public<br /><br />Provide neutral space; don't necessarily have to design programs<br /><br />Collections- driven by makeup of community; they won't come in if there aren't things here for them. Also, be mindful to have infrastructure (cataloging capability) before purchasing materials, building collections and courting groups.<br /><br />Present film screenings, bi-lingual storytimes by native speaking volunteers, ESL classes, cooking demonstrations, work with specific local agencies (for example, not just Asian; rather Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean) <br /><br />When it is hard to find books in a particular language, try to collect periodicals. <br /><br />Recruit librarians with foreign language skills<br /><br />Balance space and collection with community need<br /><br />Use census data (realizing that that data may be 10 years old)<br /><br />Recruit Friends and Volunteers from local ethnic groups<br /><br />Offer your webpage in other languages (see <a href="http://www.spl.org/">SPL</a>)<br /><br />Partner with refugee development center (Lansing MI library created outreach to refugee teens and now works with young adults who are from Sudan, Liberia, Afghanistan, Cuba and Somalia)<br /><br />Create library videos using teens from various communities (Hennepin County created "How to use the library" videos in a variety of languages) <br /><br />Host conversation clubs<br /><br />Translate forms<br /><br />Teen Groups should have liaisons from different ethnic groups<br /><br />Work with local language schools<br /><br />Create an oral history project<br /><br /><br /><b><i>How does the library benefit?</b></i> <br /><br />Helps us achieve our mission of access to all and learning for all<br /><br />Outreach to underserved communities and talking up library services<br /><br />Publicity for library<br /><br />Invitations to outside groups to share their culture = automatic programming<br /><br />Could lead to increased budget<br /><br />Library as community meeting place<br /><br />Engage community in conversation<br /><br />Better signage and graphics<br /><br />Public awareness of smaller communities <br /><br />Hire more diverse staff and increase cultural competencies<br /><br />A more culturally sensitive staffJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10850606705778364364noreply@blogger.com0