Disrupting Convention
What traditional conventions do you see at your library and how would you like to disrupt them?
From "shhh" to Dewey Decimal to puppet shows, there are many stereotypes or "conventions" that seemingly define libraries in our industry and in the public's eye. What are some of the conventions you would like to disrupt so libraries remain relevant and vital to your community? How would you disrupt them?
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One of my favorite parts of the Anythink experience was the variety of sounds I heard in the library. The days of "shhhh" from the stuffy librarian are certainly over. I walked through the Wright Farm branch and heard teenagers laughing, computer keyboards clicking, and children exclaiming. Anythink has a great blend of quiet workspaces and sociable areas where community members can meet and work together.
Greetings!
Heard you speak in Pittsburgh back in May! Have been doing much thinking. In the process of writing more humorous, "please return the stuff" letters--thought that was a grand idea. I was wondering how you all strike a balance with folks bringing their library cards--particularly teens. Some staff are pretty hard core, but I'm more of the "give them a quiz" kind of gal--whereby the student has to give us information found in the card or we check around to see if someone from the staff can "vouch" for a teen. Also, I figure if they have taken the time to actually memorize the card number then they are more likely to be on the up and up. How do you all handle this kind of policy? Thanks! You all are awesome!
Sharon
Hi Sharon--
Yes, it's always a balancing act, isn't it? In our library, if you have your card or know your number, you can use both selfcheck and computer self-signup. We do expect people to carry the card [or know the number], and if a person doesn't have the card with him/her, we give a replacement at no charge. [For kids and teens, we ask for confirmation of birthdate, address and phone as their identification; adults show ID. ]
While the replacement process takes a moment longer than "just doing the checkout" we want customers to carry the card. Our board has asked us to hit 90% selfcheck this year, and we hope to make it.
That said, there are always exceptions, and we support staff decisions whenever they're made in favor of great customer service. That's the short answer.
For more of the rationale: A few years ago, we had no selfcheck and no PC self-signup, customers had to wait in line to have items checked out or to reserve a computer by people standing behind a desk. We didn't have enough staff to provide much in the way of reader advisory, computer help, and other services.
As we got wonderfully more busy, and were able to hire more staff, we also offered selfcheck machines and PC Reservation so staff could spend more time connecting with patrons out on the floor, roving, doing reader advisory, creating great programs, and more. We realized by asking customers to bring their card or know their number, they had much faster access to computers and checkout, and they had more staff available to help find a great book or movie, assist with formatting a resume, or explore a new interest. We had a "carry your card" campaign, and even the kids got on board.
Hope that wasn't waaay more than you wanted. Let me know if I can provide any additional info.
Cheers--Ronnie
I love some of the suggestions I've read. incorporating the outdoors does so much; It helps us to connect to our environment, it nurtures us, and it creates "out of the box" experiences for us, the library community. (Check out 'Last Child in the Woods' by Richard Louv)
I also really like the idea of the library community playing a role in decorating something in the new libraries. It adds a sense of ownership, especially for the children.
One of the roadblocks I run up against, as an information technology librarian, is when library professionals don't make the effort to learn new technology. It's embarrassing when a librarian says something like, "I don't know anything about Google Maps." It's our responsibility to learn about technology and use it to help our customers find the information they need. Many librarians are operating with 20th century tools and are unwilling to learn about 21st century ones, while our customers are speeding right past us, into the future, and out our doors.
I think as an organization and as a profession it's important for library staff to stay in the loop on technologies. Regular tech training, peer communication and staying in touch with our customers and their needs are all important for us to stay ahead of the tech curve - and remain relevant and vital to our communities in this crazy, ever-changing world.
My developer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But
he's tryiong none the less. I've been using Movable-type on
several websites for about a year and am worried about switching to another platform.
I have heard excellent things about blogengine.
net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content into it?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Here at Anythink, we use Drupal, Wordpress, VuFind, and other open source tools, many of which are based in PHP. Many libraries feel a commitment and connection to open source given shared values between the communities.
An advantage of open source over proprietary software is that cost can be directed toward providing support, rather than licensing fees. And release cycles are tied to an enthusiastic community, not the profit margins of a large company.
Whatever you decide, be sure to make decisions based on real data, not personal preference or comfort. Keep in mind that the website is not for your developer, nor is it for you; it is for the library patrons. Their needs, above all, should be served.
I had an interesting conversation today with a friend of mine. He said that most people tend to learn about 80% of all they will ever know in their jobs during about the first four years of employment. They tend not to learn very much more after that. I had not thought of that before, but I guess it's true. I sure can't imagine doing things that way. That's scary!
This also reminds me of something else I heard a while ago. It used to be that there was lots of time, but the information was limited. You would go to the library, it might take a while, but that's where all the information was. Now, it's just the opposite. Information is everywhere, but nobody has any time. The rules have changed.
Our library interiors are dated and very depressing. Nothing has been done to them for years and they are not very welcoming places. We have zero budget for new furniture, etc. Looking for some low-cost/no-cost ideas to turn our library into an attractive community spot.
Depending on how high your ceilings are have you considered getting customers to donate a gallon of paint?
Use it to paint a section of the library with a new bright color and put up a sectional sign, i.e. Cooking or Crafts, etc.
The community gets involved because the sort of 'adopted' an area by donating the paint.
Who knows? This could even lead to several local organization adopting you as a project and raise money for more remodeling/refurnishing.
Rob,
With warm days on the doorstep, would it be possible to make the most of any exterior space. Spruce up or rearrange any picnic areas. What about a blanket on the lawn, story time, author reading, or other event?
A creative space is just as exciting as a beautiful one. Think of any art studio or high school classroom you've ever seen.
Maybe you could try partnering with different groups or businesses in the community. An upholsterer to help update furniture or have a community 'clean up the library' day. When they see how it relates to them, people are more interested in helping. You have to get out among people and help them see that the library is importatn to them.
Kathleen, good point. Our library book trucks needed some sprucing up in anticipation of our new library opening up next year, so a deal was made with the nearby prison to have 50 of them painted.
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