Clean-up on Aisles Programming and Services

I'll always been interested in the concept of planning and sustainability in programming and services as well as our approach to them. Often services or program series, once started, keep on rolling, month after month, year after year, until they slowly, well...poop out.

This can happen to any of us. Perhaps, the workload is so intense or staffing so inadequate that it feels overwhelming to make any changes. It could be that a vocal patron wants the program/service to continue despite the fact that it serves only them. It may be that we LOVE that program or service we came up with and are loathe to see it end. You know how this goes.

Recently, Liza Purdy over at the ALSC blog suggested we approach service/program changes started during the pandemic in the spirit of Marie Kondo. What should stay? What should go? What should we change and adapt?

To read this post, stop here.

Streamline for Success: Library Programs and Services Reboot - Registration OPEN

Choose the one that fits your schedule:

9:00 am – 4:00 pm each date

Tuesday, May 5

New Berlin Public Library

http://bit.ly/37UN7hP

Wednesday, May 6

Portage County Public Library, Stevens Point

http://bit.ly/2VijVyA

Thursday, May 7

The Lodge, Mauston

http://bit.ly/2OSxd0D

Friday, May 8

Rice Lake Public Library

http://bit.ly/375Wxq4

Open to public library staff. 60 seats are available at each location. Lunch provided at no cost. Mileage reimbursement available, carpooling strongly encouraged!
CE contact hours: 6

We all want our library services to be strong and strategic, but how do you ensure that your library is producing meaningful, intentional services that support your mission, rather than simply falling into the traps of “more is more” or “we’ve always done it this way”? This workshop will lead participants through perspectives on creating and implementing mission-driven library services. Participants will have an immediate opportunity to put their learning into practice in this hands-on workshop.

  

Learning Outcomes: Participants will learn to…

1. Define strong library services
2. Identify pillars of your library service
3. Conduct a library service audit
4. Develop a streamlined plan for strong library service
5. Utilize tools to enact a streamlined plan

Ideal audience: Library directors, adult and youth services managers 

Presenters: Kelsey Johnson-Kaiser (St. Paul Public Library, MN) and Amy Koester (Skokie Public Library, IL)

Co-sponsored by Wisconsin Library Systems and the Department of Public Instruction, with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the form of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).  

Idea Diving

Being of a curious, creative, and information-seeking bent, I naturally look for new ideas, projects, and inspiration in a variety of places. Here I have gathered links to a few of the places I've been idea diving lately. What is idea diving you may say? It's a term I just coined for the process of diving into ideas and exploring them - just like scuba diving there are recreational dives and professional dives. The depth and range of a dive will vary based on the interests and purpose of the diver or mission. So join me in idea-diving and please share some of your favorite diving locations in the comments.

Pop Goes the Page blog and Pinterest page by "Dana Sheridan (a.k.a. Dr. Dana), creator of Pop Goes the Page. I’m also the Education & Outreach Coordinator of the Cotsen Children’s Library at Princeton University. My library offers a number of story times, programs, and workshops, many of which you will find described on this blog. They’ve all been “field tested,” so feel free to replicate them in your own library, classroom, or home!" (About page)

Flannel Friday blog and Pinterest page which "celebrates and supports the art and skill of storytime by: sharing ideas; fostering community; and supporting professional development." (Mission page)

Laughing Kids Learn blog and Pinterest page where it's all about "sharing activities and ideas that make learning fun for kids!" (Pinterest tagline)

As I See It blog where Vivian the Librarian blogs about "observations on library services to children and young adults from experiences in smaller and larger public libraries in Idaho," including storytime and baby storytime plans. (Blog tagline)

Social Services Symposium

"I'm a librarian, but I need social worker skills."   

"I want to help this patron find a place to sleep and eat tonight."   

"I don't know what to do to help this family."

Sound familiar?  If so, you may be interested in the upcoming Social Services Symposium for Public Library Staff. Regional speakers from the social services field will discuss and dissect the complicated issues that public services staff experience on a daily basis, will offer practical suggestions, and will address the need for self-care when serving vulnerable communities. 

Registration and information about the symposium is available here. 

Social Services Symposium

Friday, September 11, 2015

Great Wolf Lodge, WI Dells

Registration fee: $10

This event is sponsored through funding from Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds, awarded to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction by the Federal Department of Museum and Library Services and by the First Business Bank Foundation, Madison, WI.

the future

Ever think about that digital side of life and how it has changed everything, including our careers?

Check out this lineup of stories from To the Best of Our Knowledge, which includes an interview with Cory Doctorow about his teen book Little Brother and a discussion of 'cybrarians' with author Marilyn Johnson.

Also, did you realize Barbie got her latest career? Check it out.

Charging for Library Services?

The Library Garden blog recently had a post about charging for some premium library services, such as books by mail or a rental collection for popular items. Check out the post here (http://librarygarden.blogspot.com/2009/06/freemium-or-should-libraries-charge-for.html). What do you think of that idea? Should libraries consider offering some of their premium services for a fee? Share your thoughts in the comments section!