In doing some research on libraries and the economy, I came upon an interesting blog, Impromtu Librarian, published by a libraian at the University of Minnesota in Rochester, Minnesota. Her comment regarding librarians having to educate local government officials regarding the importance of keeping our libraries open during tough economic times is very valid. I guess in hard times we need to promote our libraries more than ever.

"12 Ways Libraries are Good for the Country"

I found a great article "12 Ways Libraries Are Good for the Country" in the ALA and thought you might like to check it out. It breaks down why libraries still need to be funded during economic hard times. The libraries have seen a surge in patron use during this recession and these 12 simple ideals help bring focus to the importance of libraries in our society.

http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/resources/selectedarticles/12wayslibraries.cfm

Got a grain of salt?

CAVEAT: The source is CBS, stained by Dan Rather's manufactured facts (translation: he's a liar.) But taken with the proverbial grain of salt, maybe there's a worthwhile kernel in there..
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/02/eveningnews/main4770599.shtml

Even non-readers are hitting the libraries (for web-access)

From this article, some folks are using the libraries for the free web-access. Is that such a good thing? What's next, free phone calls served with a free lunch? And who's paying for it? Not O-ba-ma.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/28/recession.libraries/index.html

Have a peek!

Time to cut the cord? (or the bill?)

I thought this was interesting, since it mentions people going to the library because they've cut their internet access bill. Hmmm. Also the bit about the kid section being used more, as I've heard the complaint about people using (abusing?) the library as a day care joint. Here's da link....http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/stories/2009/03/14/recession_libraries_busy.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=13

Libraries in Bosta

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/01/03/the_library___a_recession_sanctuary/
Here's a little story about libraries in recessionary times in Boston. A few quotes are included from our illustrious President. Well, since "earmarks" have been banned, perhaps libraries will follow suit.

21st Century Librarian

This is a great video from the New York Times. The video was published on February 15, 2009 about a 21st Century Librarian named Stephanie Rosalia. Stephanie Rosalia is known at her school as the "information specialist."

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/02/15/arts/1194837851726/the-21st-century-librarian.html

Catloging

I am also taking the Cataloging Class this semster, and let me say that I have a new found respect for our library staff that spend their time cataloging all of the items that are available in a library and making sure that the average library patron can find what he or she is looking for. The online catalog makes it easy for the average user to find the information they need. Even with the aid of "copy cataloging" there is a lot of work that goes into the process.

Recycle batteries at County Libraries

Starting on January 8, 2009, all San Diego County libraries have joined the effort to make California eco-friendly by collecting used household batteries from the public free of charge as part of a pilot program. The County Department of Enviromental Health and County libraries are providing collection containers for household battery recycling in an effort to promote awareness of proper disposal. The pilot project is funded by a grant from the California Integrated Waste Management Board.
Household batteries are considered "universal waste" by the state. While less of a risk than other hazardous chemicals, universal waste can be toxic to the environment if not handled properly. Other universal wastes include used flourescent bulbs, electronics and products containing mercury, such as thermometers.
For further information contact your local County Library

Tough Times

I clipped out an item in NC Time's Letters to Editor section, will bring it to class. Seems some guy in Encinitas believes our local libraries are declining in quality.
With regard to the display....I could not see how to contact NCTD regarding a few railroad spikes. I did see that Bill Horn is on the board of directors, so I e-mailed him. No response yet. What a surprise!

Libraries are hurting for funds and yet they are being creative in ways that does not hurt their pocketbook. The N.Y. public library held an event that provided a service to it's customers to help them in this downturned economy. I find it very heartening to know that libraries are still trying to provide the best service possible under very trying conditions.

The New York Public Library hosted a job-search event with Vault.com "Officials at both Vault.com and the public library say they saw a need for this event, and they're changing the way they do business because job-seekers need them more than ever. " http://www.ny1.com/content/ny1_living/92959/job-search-events-prove-important-tool-for-many/Default.aspx

Searching through the Internet to see what kind of response the california government was enacting towards the plight of public libraries I found a site from concerned citizens from the city of Salinas (Santa Cruz) who wrote a letter to the governor asking for help. http://santacruz.indymedia.org/newswire/display/17209/index.php

Libraries and today's economy

According to a report on CBS News that aired earlier this month, it was reported that libraries are experiencing an increased demand for their services. Children's programs are filled to capacity and there is a wait to use a computer. With more and more people becoming unemployed, checking out books instead of purchasing them has become a more viable option for those that love to read. According to this report "approximately 18 million people visited the library in 2008, which is two million more than last year," Many adults are using library computers to search for new jobs, type up resumes and just have some quite time. So my question is, "If the public turns to libraries during difficult economic times, why are libraries the first item that government wants to cut from the budget?"

Hi, Everyone:

I just got on the blog site today, because I have been working my job at Vista all week and the position is exhausting! I think we had something like 55,000 books go out in one month.
I really wish I could come to class tonight but I am working from 12-8pm. This will not happen often!

I am enjoying your very informative blogs in the meanwhile, and I hope I can catch up on tonight's class through blogging with some of you.

Thanks everyone!
Jennifer Closson

changing with the times

I found a interesting article on the history of WashingtonCenter library that gives a history of the library's timeline and what new programs they have implemented to encourage librarianship. Changing with the times. http://www.wclibrary.info/history/

Kids Get Their Own Web site
A new Web site designed for children and featuring Bobo, the storytime monkey, made its debut. This interactive Web site, accessible from the main Web site, encourages kids to Read! (get suggestions, write a review, or listen to a story), Learn! (ask a question, learn cool stuff, or get homework help), and Do! (play games, color or create their own stories, jokes and poems). The site also features fun kid-centered polls, trivia questions, and offers homework help. To celebrate the new site, a new signature library card, featuring Bobo, was developed just for kids.

Library at the Forefront with Video GamesWashington-Centerville Public Library continued its innovative approach to service and materials with the introduction of video games for Nintendo’s Wii, PlayStation 2, 3, and Xbox 360. One of only a handful of libraries in the state to offer video games, the collection set records from the start. On the very first day, patrons checked out 64% of the video games available. The success of the collection sparked the Library to order an additional 500 new games, with an eye toward expanding to other gaming platforms in the future.

Market Driven CollectionsThanks to a market-driven selection philosophy, checkout of materials remained an impressive 2.2 million. Despite the introduction of new audiovisual collections, check out of books grew almost 7% over the previous year. Teen books in particular showed strong gains with an 18% increase - proving that teenagers value reading as much as technology. Convenient and Civic-Minded Services


With new international travel guidelines in place, staff at the Centerville Library became certified U.S. Passport Processing Agents as the library processed passports for more than 800 new or returning travelers throughout the area in its first year. Convenient evening and Saturday hours by appointment only added to the other civic services offered by the library including voter registration, which saw an astronomical near 400% increase in registrations in 2008

change is inevitable!

I found an article or a blog that I found interesting which mentions that libraries have to change to compete

Tame The Web
Libraries, Technology and People
http://tametheweb.com/2008/12/15/the-transparent-library-six-more-signposts/


Check your ego at the door. Good leaders don’t surround themselves with “yes” people. And good leaders know that if their message is not being heard, or it’s being heard incorrectly, then the fault does not lie with the listener but with the speaker. Stop worrying about the snarkiness of survey responses and start worrying about the meaning behind those negative comments.
Be sure to listen through the criticism. Behind relatively unconstructive criticism may lie a real concern. Show those critics you can listen, and show them that you’ll respond.
Recognize and grow your talent. Talented staff reflect better on you. Talented staff can help you take your organization places you didn’t think possible. However, if you view talented staff as threats, or, worse, ignore them completely, then you are doing a disservice to yourself and an injustice to your organization.

Embrace change. Build change into everything you do. Don’t plan, implement, and forget. Recognize that the tools will change, but the purpose and mechanism will stay the same. Not trying a library blog because “next year there’ll be something new” is not a workable excuse. We need to communicate now with our users.
At a recent conference, we overheard someone say, “Every time people really like something, we get rid of it.” Wouldn’t a better solution be to examine the reasons that something becomes popular or well used and find ways to deliver it as much as possible, be it Facebook access, more tables and chairs, or niche materials?
Properly handled and managed, adaptation to change ensures our survival. You can build that change into your organization through the use of review teams and community forums, drawing on staff and users alike.


Read the whole column here: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6618868.html

libraries booming

Since you two have started the blog going why don't we go with usage increase and how technology has helped.


Here is a link to an article ...actually it was on public radio.... on increase use of a minnesota library.
"There's one place where business is booming right now despite the recession. It's your local public library."
"One factor is a new library in Forest Lake, another is the economy. But it's also because of a change in what libraries have to offer. It's not just books, magazines, music and movies anymore."
"We provide computers, access to the Internet, help with writing your resume, job search programs," said Pat Conaly, the Washington County library director. "


http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/12/18/with_the_recession_library_usgage_on_the_rise/

Still searching fo' dat topic

So shall we focus on libraries' functions, as they are maintained during tough times? Are we then to investigate how libraries were maintained during the great depresion? Or just during recessionary times, which we've all been through? Point is, what, actually would be the issue?
And actually, I hit my local library on Saturday. I had no time using a computer. There were several empties. And the woman next to me was attempting to submit an online resume! Hmm, what a serendipitous cornvenient coincidence!!

Failing Economy Bolsters Library Use

I am throwing this topic out here seeing no one else has posted. I was reading an article on the failing economy and how it may or may not affect libraries. In this article it says that in past few months memberships and book loans have increased. That when there were economy issues in the 90's many library's then saw an increase in library use.
It seems that people do flock back to library's when in hard times. However then why are so many library's being closed down to save money? People need the library seeing it is a focal point in the community. During these times the article says people use the library as a job hunting source, as well as recreational and education.
This library in particular saw an increase of 3 percent in circulation alone in December.
Would the same not apply to the internet usage in libraries. I am certain there would be an increase there, seeing many people are tightening on their resources. Same as for media materials.
It is an interesting thought that libraries are the first to go when states and cities need money, yet we the people rely on them heavily during those same times.

Hey Lynn
Can you create a nice graphic for our blog spot and we need to decide on a topic.

jclosson

Ok thank you Lynn for invitin me, let's see if this works, then I am going to sleep

Jen Closson

Let's decide on a topic!!!

Topics

I'm for the subject in Linda's handout: How technology skills may improve your marketability. Just tossing it out there.

Happy Birthday AbraHAM L!!

So does anyone know what we're supposed to have done before tnoght's class, other than reading? Am I the only one totally fuzzy on this?

Group 4

Are we ready to blog?