Friday, May 8, 2009

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!

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