Monthly Archives: March 2009
Shovers and Makers
Or is it Shavers and Bakers as Peter Bromberg thought? Regardless, for all you amazing librarians out there who have waited patiently for years to be recognized by Library Journal as a Mover and Shaker, there’s an award out there with your name … Continue reading
Towards a Greener Library
Laura Burnett from Jerome Public Library in Idaho wrote me wondering if any libraries had any experience with an idea they plan to implement. To help save the environment, they will eliminate plastics bags for patrons’ materials and instead checkout … Continue reading
A Fine Idea
In this economy, we know people really need us, so it’s important to eliminate any barriers to access. That’s why I was pleased to read in Library Hotline that Delta Community Library in Alaska is eliminating overdue fines. I realize … Continue reading
Resources for New Americans
A colleague, Chris Cook, was just at the Alaska Library Association conference and noticed the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services booth. Evidently they realized that public libraries are a great place to distribute the information people need for naturalization or … Continue reading
Broadband Everywhere
One of the things that separates the haves from the have-nots these days is fast internet access and America is lagging behind many of our rivals in connectivity speeds. Luckily states are recognizing that broadband can give their residents a … Continue reading
The Patron-centric Library
I just attended, The Customer Focused Library, a very illuminating Web Junction session. Three public libraries and an academic in the Chicago area had Envirosell, a company specializing in retail environments, study their physical spaces and customers’ behavior. Of … Continue reading
The Future of Public Library Funding
I sat in on a very depressing audio conference from the Urban Libraries Council this Wednesday, The Future of Public Funding. We all know the demand for our services is increasing exponentially in the current economic climate. Unemployed customers … Continue reading
Free Opportunity to do Text Messaging @ Your Library
I’ve always been a fan of collaboration and in the current economy it makes more sense that ever. Costs are less, staff effort and responsibilities are reduced – there are even surprise benefits like networking opportunities and getting great ideas … Continue reading
Local Word of Mouth Advocacy (and Fundraising)
Thanks to Tame the Web for highlighting this great library promotion idea. This would be so easy to implement at your library, just have a Tell Us Your Story link on your home page that brings up a form … Continue reading
Programming with a Difference
I listened to an interesting College of DuPage teleconference on programming last week – Targeting the Ages: Programming that Hits the Mark. Participants were encouraged to share their best or most unique programs. Some of my favorites – Using … Continue reading
