This link was just posted on the ARSL listserv.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/220216
The Newsweek article is entitled: "Doughnut-Hole Country". "The authors of the new book Hollowing Out the Middle talk about rural brain drain, and how to address it."
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Snippets on fundraising:
Thanks to Diana Megdad (Commonwealth Libraries) and her Strategic Planning/Funding Resource Committee for the following suggestions.
Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate! With funding issues since forever, libraries have got to partner to survive. And not just with other agencies, but with each other. There is an online magazine devoted to articles and ideas from the field:
http://collaborativelibrarianship.org
Need help choosing a low cost donor management system:
http://techsoup.org/learningcenter/databases/page11928.cfm
Ever thought of having a silent auction?
www.fundraisingip.com/fundraising/silent-auction-fundraiser
This committee has created a website with lots of ideas! Check it out:
http://www.accesspa.state.pa.us/funding_resources/
Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate! With funding issues since forever, libraries have got to partner to survive. And not just with other agencies, but with each other. There is an online magazine devoted to articles and ideas from the field:
http://collaborativelibrarianship.org
Need help choosing a low cost donor management system:
http://techsoup.org/learningcenter/databases/page11928.cfm
Ever thought of having a silent auction?
www.fundraisingip.com/fundraising/silent-auction-fundraiser
This committee has created a website with lots of ideas! Check it out:
http://www.accesspa.state.pa.us/funding_resources/
Friday, September 11, 2009
ARSL Website
The new logo and website for ARSL was unveiled in Gatlinburg today.
http://www.arsl.info/
http://www.arsl.info/
Bookstore Concept
The preconference for ARSL was held at the Anna Porter Public Library in Gatlinburg, TN. A BEAUTIFUL new library with an amazing view.
The idea of incorporating the bookstore concept into their new library is one that came from a previous ARSL held in Columbus, OH. The conference attendees toured bookstore branches within the Metropolitan Columbus Library System. An attendee at those tours was Kenton Temple, director of the Anna Porter Public Library.
The city of Gatlinburg is only 3,500 residents. A very small mountain town. Gatlinburg is not a rich community. The idea to build a new library started with a plan and people committed to making it happen. The idea to incorporate the bookstore concept turned "customers" into "raving fan customers".
Kenton Temple believes that for any library space 10,000 square feet or less this model is the way to go! The plan for this library was adapted from the book: What libraries Can Learn from Bookstores by Chris Rippel.
Some key concepts that make this model work include:
* Face out: the goal is 17% of your collection is face out.
* Slat end shelving on everything.
* The top and bottom shelves are empty. (ease of use)
* Weed, weed, weed! (Classics can be placed in a classics section; all other subject areas are "fresh"--you want continuous turn-over. Libraries are not book warehouses.) They do have a local history collection that is added to and not weeded.
* Displays, displays, displays!
* All shelves are on wheels for easy rearrangement.
* Lower ranges of shelving throughout.
* "Traffic" moves to the right.
* Add pleasant scents to the environment.
They did keep Dewey so they didn't have to reinvent the wheel. Books are arranged within each subject area by Dewey Classification. The juvenille non-fiction is interfiled with the regular non-fiction to accomodate adult readers with low reading levels (as well as children with higher reading levels).
Your circulation system must be able to support a location category (staff must be able to easily locate materials).
There is signage everywhere.
They did visit bookstores to look at their layout pattern and really worked to find the right fit with regards to where to place certain sections. The computer books are naturally placed near their bank of public access terminals. The dvd's, as well as sections for sports and entertainment are located near the YA materials.
This library is beautiful and the entire concept is worth considering. Afterall, our goal is to meet the needs of our customers and create "raving fan" customers.
The idea of incorporating the bookstore concept into their new library is one that came from a previous ARSL held in Columbus, OH. The conference attendees toured bookstore branches within the Metropolitan Columbus Library System. An attendee at those tours was Kenton Temple, director of the Anna Porter Public Library.
The city of Gatlinburg is only 3,500 residents. A very small mountain town. Gatlinburg is not a rich community. The idea to build a new library started with a plan and people committed to making it happen. The idea to incorporate the bookstore concept turned "customers" into "raving fan customers".
Kenton Temple believes that for any library space 10,000 square feet or less this model is the way to go! The plan for this library was adapted from the book: What libraries Can Learn from Bookstores by Chris Rippel.
Some key concepts that make this model work include:
* Face out: the goal is 17% of your collection is face out.
* Slat end shelving on everything.
* The top and bottom shelves are empty. (ease of use)
* Weed, weed, weed! (Classics can be placed in a classics section; all other subject areas are "fresh"--you want continuous turn-over. Libraries are not book warehouses.) They do have a local history collection that is added to and not weeded.
* Displays, displays, displays!
* All shelves are on wheels for easy rearrangement.
* Lower ranges of shelving throughout.
* "Traffic" moves to the right.
* Add pleasant scents to the environment.
They did keep Dewey so they didn't have to reinvent the wheel. Books are arranged within each subject area by Dewey Classification. The juvenille non-fiction is interfiled with the regular non-fiction to accomodate adult readers with low reading levels (as well as children with higher reading levels).
Your circulation system must be able to support a location category (staff must be able to easily locate materials).
There is signage everywhere.
They did visit bookstores to look at their layout pattern and really worked to find the right fit with regards to where to place certain sections. The computer books are naturally placed near their bank of public access terminals. The dvd's, as well as sections for sports and entertainment are located near the YA materials.
This library is beautiful and the entire concept is worth considering. Afterall, our goal is to meet the needs of our customers and create "raving fan" customers.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
ARSL 2009
Greetings from Gatlinburg, TN!
The annual ARSL Conference begins tomorrow.
A fascinating pre-conference with a look at a small, rural library that has instituted the bookstore model.
The agenda for this year's conference is spectacular!
Hoping to have several "nuggets" to share.
Stay tuned...
The annual ARSL Conference begins tomorrow.
A fascinating pre-conference with a look at a small, rural library that has instituted the bookstore model.
The agenda for this year's conference is spectacular!
Hoping to have several "nuggets" to share.
Stay tuned...
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Rural/Small Award
Sharing this post from the PA listserv (thanks Jim Hollinger). I have been collecting "stories" from all over PA for the Roundtable's PaLA session; there are great things happening at Rural and Small libraries in PA, so I know there are "award" worthy small & rural libraries in PA.
PLA (Public Library Association Division of ALA) awards are open September 1, 2009 with a January 1, 2010 deadline. For more information about the “Excellence in Small and/or Rural Public Library Service Award”, see the following link:
http://www.pla.org/ala/mgrps/divs/pla/plaawards/ebscoexcellencesmallruralaward/index.cfm
PLA (Public Library Association Division of ALA) awards are open September 1, 2009 with a January 1, 2010 deadline. For more information about the “Excellence in Small and/or Rural Public Library Service Award”, see the following link:
http://www.pla.org/ala/mgrps/divs/pla/plaawards/ebscoexcellencesmallruralaward/index.cfm
Monday, June 22, 2009
Roundtable Update
Thank you all for your patience. It is quite a process beginning something new!
A rough draft of by-laws have been submitted for review. The timeline is to have them "tweaked" and ready for presentation at the August PaLA board meeting. Once the by-laws are approved WE ARE OFFICIAL! Look for the Roundtable on your 2010 PaLA membership renewal form!
In the meantime, I gave a lunchtime "update" at the Southwest Chapter's Spring Workshop in May. And, I will be presenting at Aliquippa's District meeting in July. I have contacted District Consultants in PA for assistance with the session at this year's annual conference in Harrisburg, October 18-21
As you may recall, last year's PaLA session was: "More Cows than People". And, keeping with that theme, on Monday, October 19, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. the session is entitled: "Udderly Wonderful! Rural & Small Libraries in PA". I want the session to "celebrate" great stories, great innovation and great happenings at rural and small libraries across Pennsylvania.
If you know of a small (serving less than 25,000) or rural library that is "thinking outside the box" and doing amazing things, please let me know! tanner@citlib.org
A rough draft of by-laws have been submitted for review. The timeline is to have them "tweaked" and ready for presentation at the August PaLA board meeting. Once the by-laws are approved WE ARE OFFICIAL! Look for the Roundtable on your 2010 PaLA membership renewal form!
In the meantime, I gave a lunchtime "update" at the Southwest Chapter's Spring Workshop in May. And, I will be presenting at Aliquippa's District meeting in July. I have contacted District Consultants in PA for assistance with the session at this year's annual conference in Harrisburg, October 18-21
As you may recall, last year's PaLA session was: "More Cows than People". And, keeping with that theme, on Monday, October 19, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. the session is entitled: "Udderly Wonderful! Rural & Small Libraries in PA". I want the session to "celebrate" great stories, great innovation and great happenings at rural and small libraries across Pennsylvania.
If you know of a small (serving less than 25,000) or rural library that is "thinking outside the box" and doing amazing things, please let me know! tanner@citlib.org
Friday, May 8, 2009
Don't forget Webjunction!
Michelle McIntyre reminded me about Webjunction so I thought I would remind you.
She found a great article called "Marketing the Small Library". It is by the State Library of Kansas, 2002 and available on Webjunction. I have put a link to it under the Articles section to the right. It is 70 pages long, so you might want to just print the sections relavent to your need/interest.
There is an entire marketing section under management.
Webjunction really is a "one stop" for rural and small libraries wanting assistance with various topics. It also provides staff training, help with technology and is a social networking site for librarians. Don't discount social networking! For those of you geographically located in the hinterlands, social networking sites can help you stay connected and feel less isolated or alone.
Libraryland is filled with blogging librarians who without the Internet or social networking capablities would ever been noticed.
So, if you haven't visited in a while why not visit today:
www.webjunction.org
She found a great article called "Marketing the Small Library". It is by the State Library of Kansas, 2002 and available on Webjunction. I have put a link to it under the Articles section to the right. It is 70 pages long, so you might want to just print the sections relavent to your need/interest.
There is an entire marketing section under management.
Webjunction really is a "one stop" for rural and small libraries wanting assistance with various topics. It also provides staff training, help with technology and is a social networking site for librarians. Don't discount social networking! For those of you geographically located in the hinterlands, social networking sites can help you stay connected and feel less isolated or alone.
Libraryland is filled with blogging librarians who without the Internet or social networking capablities would ever been noticed.
So, if you haven't visited in a while why not visit today:
www.webjunction.org
Herb's Book
The latest publication to go into the "toolkit" of the libraries in Washington & Greene Counties was Herb Landau's "The Small Public Library Survival Guide: Thriving on Less".
I first purchased it for the professional collection at the district center and that copy has yellow sticky note tabs coming out of it. Next to my copy of Seth Godin's "Tribes" it is my other "bible". I then decided that every library in my district should have a copy of it. It is available through ALA. Insist that your district center purchase copies! Or, ask that someone purchase it for your library (a Friend, Trustee, a book in "honor" of your small library...).
Chapter Four is "Funding Your Library's Plan" and talks about the development of a fundraising plan for your library. No matter how small (or rural) your library, a plan for fundraising it a great idea. It need'nt be long and involved. Keep it simple. DJ Oshry recently came to the Washington District Center to talk about the very same thing. For an over view of that session and the 4 components of a plan, checkout the district blog: www.washdlc.blogspot.com.
Herb's book is filled with practical applications and ideas for thriving. If you are unfamiliar with Herb Landau, his is a story worth knowing. Herb is the director of the Milanof-Schock Library in Mount Joy, PA. Herb has a background in business and was hired by the library in 2002 when there wasn't enough money in the budget to pay his salary. In 2006, the Milanof-Schock Library was selected as the "Best Small Library in America".
As we face the possibilities of further cuts to library funding and statewide programs, it is imperative that we regroup at the local level in order to survive and thrive. Herb's book is a great start in that process!
I first purchased it for the professional collection at the district center and that copy has yellow sticky note tabs coming out of it. Next to my copy of Seth Godin's "Tribes" it is my other "bible". I then decided that every library in my district should have a copy of it. It is available through ALA. Insist that your district center purchase copies! Or, ask that someone purchase it for your library (a Friend, Trustee, a book in "honor" of your small library...).
Chapter Four is "Funding Your Library's Plan" and talks about the development of a fundraising plan for your library. No matter how small (or rural) your library, a plan for fundraising it a great idea. It need'nt be long and involved. Keep it simple. DJ Oshry recently came to the Washington District Center to talk about the very same thing. For an over view of that session and the 4 components of a plan, checkout the district blog: www.washdlc.blogspot.com.
Herb's book is filled with practical applications and ideas for thriving. If you are unfamiliar with Herb Landau, his is a story worth knowing. Herb is the director of the Milanof-Schock Library in Mount Joy, PA. Herb has a background in business and was hired by the library in 2002 when there wasn't enough money in the budget to pay his salary. In 2006, the Milanof-Schock Library was selected as the "Best Small Library in America".
As we face the possibilities of further cuts to library funding and statewide programs, it is imperative that we regroup at the local level in order to survive and thrive. Herb's book is a great start in that process!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Weeding!
I just received this link from the ARSL listserv today. It is a link to the updated (2008) CREW Manual.
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/pubs/crew/
Weeding continues to be an "issue" at some small libraries. Keeping the library collection "fresh" and relavant is a professional responsibility! It borders on "unethical" to maintain a collection that is dangerously out-of-date and of no real use to your library customers. And, in PA that should concern you--if you don't meet your customers' needs they can drive as few as 10 miles and visit another public library to get what they need! Yes, really! And, once you "lose" them to another library--chances are they "ain't coming back"!! (Even rural and small libraries need to think QUALITY not quantity!)
Sometimes the problem is "traditional" thinking staff members; sometimes it is board members. Those days have to be over if you want to survive.
The bottom line is, WE WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE BOOKS OUT OF THE LIBRARY!
Unless your library shelves are currently empty, chances are you really need to do some serious weeding.
Here is the challenge: take a look at your circulation statistics for 2008, then do a massive weeding of your collection. Follow CREW and do it right! If you have a circulation system, run a list of all items that have not circulated in the past five years and get busy! Have this project completed by National Library Week (April 12 - 18). (A great week for a booksale!)
At the end of the year, compare your circ post-weeding with last year's figures. I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised!
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/pubs/crew/
Weeding continues to be an "issue" at some small libraries. Keeping the library collection "fresh" and relavant is a professional responsibility! It borders on "unethical" to maintain a collection that is dangerously out-of-date and of no real use to your library customers. And, in PA that should concern you--if you don't meet your customers' needs they can drive as few as 10 miles and visit another public library to get what they need! Yes, really! And, once you "lose" them to another library--chances are they "ain't coming back"!! (Even rural and small libraries need to think QUALITY not quantity!)
Sometimes the problem is "traditional" thinking staff members; sometimes it is board members. Those days have to be over if you want to survive.
The bottom line is, WE WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE BOOKS OUT OF THE LIBRARY!
Unless your library shelves are currently empty, chances are you really need to do some serious weeding.
Here is the challenge: take a look at your circulation statistics for 2008, then do a massive weeding of your collection. Follow CREW and do it right! If you have a circulation system, run a list of all items that have not circulated in the past five years and get busy! Have this project completed by National Library Week (April 12 - 18). (A great week for a booksale!)
At the end of the year, compare your circ post-weeding with last year's figures. I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Update
A list serv has been created for this Roundtable at googlegroups.
Emails from the petition will be sent an invitation to join.
If you do not receive and invitation and would like to join, please email the Roundtable: rsbroundtable@myway.com or tanner@citlib.org.
Each Chapter will be contacted and encouraged to include someone from a rural/small library in their planning process for the upcoming year.
Emails from the petition will be sent an invitation to join.
If you do not receive and invitation and would like to join, please email the Roundtable: rsbroundtable@myway.com or tanner@citlib.org.
Each Chapter will be contacted and encouraged to include someone from a rural/small library in their planning process for the upcoming year.
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