Guess who is back?!!
As it happened I let my blog go quiet for a long time. I can’t think of who was reading it. But I have reason to post today and hopefully more often.
I am posting to announce that I am opening my blog to some of my colleagues who will be posting on the blog too.
I think it will really make it a better blog, and I hope that WE can create a dialogue in the future.
Stay tuned….
Any thoughts?
Please comment below.
2 comments:
I would like to open a dialog as to the matter of public library boards consisting for the most part, of non-librarians. Who better to provide useful input as to what it takes to successfully manage and operate a public library than librarians? I'm still researching this matter, yet, the norm seems to be library boards that are comprised of prominent community members for the most part. Savvy librarians are aware of community demographics, expressed needs,' technology tailored to meet community needs, as well as tax bases, referenda and library budgets. Still, prominent members of the community are in the 'driver's seat' in terms of determining the direction so many libraries will take in the 21st century. Librarians truly captaining public libraries? Why are we still taking a backseat in guiding the organizations in which we serve?
Yes. I agree. Librarians need to start doing more than backseat driving. We know our patrons far better than legacies sitting in high fashion and looking down on us lackeys. And by patrons I mean the actual people who walk through the door each day, which of course include the patrons who don't actually use the facilities at all, or even those who under use it such as the mother who comes in with an arm load of children and leaves with an arm load of books and videos or even other demographics such as single patrons who may not be aware of the many services we can offer in this wretched economy.
As to the needs these may fall into categories such as filling in gaps in of technology and communication where patrons with less affluence may not have access to the Internet. Why not host more tech related events? These might include partnerships with local business who's profit margin comes from IT related fields. For example: work with business who offer tech support to have free nights where the so called "Geek Squad" could be present for service or demonstrations of some type.
I think if we really want to help ourselves we will also take over the "gates" that we once attended so well.
If that means educating ourselves more then so be it. For example: rather than watch that rerun on TV read about the latest tech news. The possibilities are endless.
Just a thought…
Team Librarian! Yeah!!
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