Photographic MLA

Excellent signage...

Epic conference tshirt

Electronic Resources "Dinner with Colleagues" where I met another hockey-playing librarian!

Geocaching

• Andy McCracken and Terese Sonnak
• Andy is a geocaching specialist, Terese is a public librarian
• use a gsp to find stashes of stuff
• geocaching.com
• basically: someone hides something, marks it with a gps, then registers the cache on a Web site...people can look up caches close to where they live / where they will be, and go find it
• gpses are not always super accurate, so challenge to find caches
• geocaching peeps call non-geocacheres muggles!
• traditional caches are stored in a container, with a log book
• containers can be micro, small, regular or large
• multi caches: in stages, like a treasure hunt...first cache is a clue to the next one
• puzzle caches: go to the cache's web page to solve a puzzle
• event caches: special events
  
• virtual caches: can't hide something, no container, but need to bring back some evidence (eg name of sculptor of a statue), and email that back
• earth caches: eg Goosebery Falls...usually related to geology
• what you can find in a cache: log book, pencil, swag, coins, travel bugs
• swag = Stuff We All Get!!! (who knew?!)
• kids like to trade swag in and out (evenly)
• interesting way to explore an area
• "dnf" = did not find
• qr codes are starting to show up in geocahes
• after you find a cache, log it on the cache's web site (also if you did not find it)
• there's an app from geocaching.com for smartphones
• caches in libraries: generally multi-stage or puzzles
• need to put a container outside with a hint in it
• the cache could be a book "hidden" in the stacks...they used a weeded book and disguised it as "Encyclopedia of Geocaching" ...created a Dewey lesson to help people find it...nifty idea
• lots of different examples...could have clues inside the library and the cache outside
• The British Library is even doing it!
• why hide a cache in a library?: point out a new location / teach new users how to use the library / bring back users who haven't been in recently / because it's fun
• people of all ages geocache...very family-friendly...non-disruptive (cachers like to be stealthy)
• can look at geocaching.com to see logs of library caches

Things in a flash: Latest 2.0 Tools

• presentation is available online here (just QR codes)
  
• also here (full presentation...all speakers' stuff)
  
• six people talking for 10 mins each...(including questions)...hence the "flash"

QR codes:

• Jenny Sippel
• todo: see if I can find stats on smart phone use in TBay/NWO/Ont/Canada
• todo: see if I can get stats on how many times our qr code was scanned (and/or look at stats for that (app) page on our site)
• qr codes in opac records to get call number...nifty! See if any III libs are doing that...is it possible? Ask/search listserv
• use url shorteners (to both get a cleaner code and to get data (todo: look at bit.ly and goo.gl)
• in bit.ly can add "+" at end of url to collect data (and "qr") to generate a qr code
• include url with qr codes for equitable access

Katie Polley: Apps (GetGlue and Instagram)

• Get Glue: check in to anything (books, movies etc) and links to twitter (and other sites) Gamified: gives you virtual (plus irl) stickers if you check in to a lot of things. nice! Check it out.
• also lets you rate things...and then you get suggestions of similar (readers advisory tool - ish)
• you can follow people and they can follow you...social interaction
• Instagram: only for iPhone (for now) photosharing service...some editing available

Megan Kocher, Uni of Mn: Evernote and Wunderlist

• staying organized across platforms (and devices)
• compulsive list maker: yeah!
• both live in the cloud + have desktop clients + apps (all synced)
  
• check them out...what would be the advantage over google docs?
• in Wunderlist can make lists and add tasks, then tick them off!
• you can share lists with others (do they also need an account?)
• Evernote works similarly...is searchable (nifty)...you can also collect things which are not text (eg audio notes, web site clips)...can tag notebooks

John Daniels (Minneapolis Community and Technical College): Google APIs

• application programming interfaces
• allow programs to talk to each other
• visualisation api: takes data and makes it look pretty
  
• need html code, and a data source (can use google spreadsheets)
• there is a lot of documentation available
• resulting charts are accessible by screen-readers
• there is an api playground (part of documentation)
• cons: time and complexity
• use for: simple erm (electronic resource management)...makes info from a spreadsheet look nice
• Featured books: scan isbns of new books in to spread sheet, and uses google (world cat, google books) to make a nice new book display (with covers, links etc)

Collaborating in the Cloud: Google Apps and PBworks
Amanda Mills

• use google apps for collaboration
• can create a google group (look in to google groups for FB coach sched...easier than "sharing" a doc?)
• need all peeps to have gmail to make a group...but JRo and LL do...do some research and consider/discuss
• google sites: free Web site creation, also integration with google docs
• look up Minnesota Library Futurists
• PBWorks: wiki...free version + costs for enhanced version...used on a campus w a Library 101 class (group work)
• (aside: check out polleverywhere (lots of tweets about it!...can we use during our FB EI session?)

Jen Strauman: geolocation tools

• foursquare, gowalla, fb places
• google places, yelp, urbanspoon (more about finding a place)
• gamification again!
• earn ponits, get badges, "Mayor"
• todo: look at foursquare and claim our lib locations

eBooks: What's all the excitement about

• panel of 5 from public, academic, consortium
• Hennepin County has had OverDrive for only about a year (wow!)...we are ahead of that curve!
• interesting how one of the panelist is not a fan of ebooks! What about "it's the content not the container?"!!!
• recent Pew report 12 percent of adults in the US have eBook readers so still big digital divide
• "paper will be a luxury niche"...nice thought!
  
• good point: we also have to look at our own communities (not just big Pew-like studies)...quandry: how DO we do that in TBay?...demand for "how to download" classes still big + ebook circ going up
• question about how publishers decided to publish an ebook or not...they are in transition too...not carved in stone
• St. Paul pub lib has made physical changes to their libs in view of becoming more digital -- lib of the future (todo: email conveyner of this panel re what those changes look like)

Engagement through games: Reaching library users through playful ways

• Scott Nicholson (super peppy presenter) (from MIT)...read his book!
  
• de-briefing is important (applying what you did to irl)
• libs are about SERVICES not stuff...the stuff supports the service
• gamING = service (games = stuff)
• the oldest chess club in the USA (still going) is in a library (in San Fran)
• "gamification" is big (eg 4Square)
• gaming=fab for storytime grads...what comes next? shared experience for kids and parents
• the "magic circle" is a nifty idea: ie when you sit down w peeps to play a game, different rules (than in usual life) apply (eg maybe it's ok to lie and not be nice)
• gaming literacy: levels, badges etc
• http://becauseplaymatters.com (Scott's Web site)
• will post notes about the RPG (role playing game) we tried
• *debrief* so important to learn from each other after a shared experience
  

Everyone is a Library Advocate

• Margie Schuster, Hennepin County Library
• Ginny Heinrich, Macalester College
• notes are online here (will be updated)
  
• something to ponder: recent Toast magazine article re everyone needs an "elevator pitch"...and talk about what you DO, not your job title (which is usually meaningless to peeps outside your org. So think about a 20 second description...focus on what problems you solve.
• need to empower all lib staff to feel like library advocates
• advocacy = building relationships and sharing stories
• stories about what the power of information can be
• get back to basics: people have to know about you (ie what the lib is all about) before you can connect w them
• pub lib = the place to help the peeps become INFORMED...informed citizens and informed consumers
• show people that the lib is the place to ask questions
• Civics 101: all lib staff need to know how the lib fits in with local politics (re board / how it fits with City admin etc) + provincial...so when you meet a politician (or whoever...) out there in the real world, you can chat intelligently...I wonder if this is part of TBPL orientation, at any level (chat with YW about this)...all staff should know the lib's priorities
  
• use your "advocacy moments"...eg when someone asks where you work
  
• fab idea to invite politicians to Library programs...to see our fab work in action
• interesting approach to tell stories about what would happen if there were NO libraries
• another phrase / description for "advocacy" is "speak out"
• (*love* how Minnesotians say "hockey"!)

Professional Social Media: Beyond the Buzz

• Brian Huffman (Law librarian) and Megan Kocher (works at academic science library)
  
• slides are here
• handout is here
• goals of social networking: connect, share, expand networks
• check out slide w links to evaluate/monitor your online presence
• to do: spend more time on LinkedIN...look for resume creation link...(pdf)...also add some more content (slideshare link for eg)
• to do: spend some more time on Google+...flush out my profile, connect with more people
• to do: look at Hootsuite closely...use for monitoring twitter for eg.
• also tweetdeck and ping.fm
• interactions and conversations are key
• check out "Doing social media so it matters" book
• to do: claim our lib locations on FourSquare...would add to info from app use to get an idea of how many of our peeps are using smartphones / are interested in mobile services...and add a link to our airpac, app page ...consider "specials" for Mayor / frequent visitors etc (eg. tbpl swag)...can also leave tips
  

Social Media @ the Library

• Virginia "Ginny" Erbe, Communications, Rochester Public Library
• ppt is online here
• twitter: #mnlib11 @ginerbe
• question to ask in case she doesn't cover it: do you report the use of your social web presences? We recently started to, as it's significant interaction / use (Facebook monthly active users, twitter followers, blog visits, flickr pic views etc...) answer: does send to supervisor, not sure beyond that!
  
• todo: follow Rochester Public Library on twitter
• todo: compare our monthly page views with RPL's (in presi page 7)
• todo: start to track click throughs re how many people click on links posted on fb (see how many page views we get for links posted on fb)
  
• todo: look at tweetfeed : works with rss feeds (eg from e*vents calendar)
• todo: look at foursquare and at least claim our locations
• tip for QR codes: shorten url first (using bitly or ht.ly) which results in a cleaner code
  
  

Minnesota Library Association Conference

• Conference Web site
• links to presentations
  

ALA Virtual Conference: July 13/14, 2011

Privacy in an era of social media with Danah Boyd

• very energetic speaker, great start to the day
• was tuned in to "chat" trends and spoke to them
• Danah is an ethnographer who studies privacy and young people
• has found that teens use a variety of personal strategies to "hack" FB to make it work for them (do this far more than use the built-in privacy settings)
• "FB as a scrapbook of your social life"
• "networked privacy"
• discussion evolved around the Library's role in social media education and I mentioned how we offer FB Coach and the Road Show (which generated some interest)
• check out www.danah.org and follow @zephoria

Download this! How one library embraced its downloadable future (Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County)

• problem: lack of awareness / knowledge (in patrons and staff) about ebooks
• set up a committee to review / fix / market
• (I think we are doing a good job of this at TBPL)
• do we have a holds/copy ratio for eBooks? (*ask RHD / SR!)
• "Virtual Information Centre" established
• what % of our book budget is allocated to eBooks?...find out and compare to % of circs

Seriously social: Leveraging social media

• Web branch manager from Grand Rapids P.L.
• how libs can use FB, Twitter etc. (mostly a review pour moi)
• used Prezi which did not work well for the VC
• David Lee King from Topeka and Shawnee PL posts questions on its FB page: What are you reading this weekend? and gets good feedback...check out their page and try some
• they are not using FB ads...lots of interest in the fact that we are

Reinventing librarianship with David Lankes

• by far the best part of the VC
• we need to go back to our roots: fundamentally we do the same thing as we have been doing for 100s of years which is facilitating knowledge (it's not about technology)
• talked about "The Great Influenza" by John Barry book (614.51809041 BAR) about medical history, and how in spite of the huge advances in medical technology, it's bed side manner that still counts the most...the human touch...personal contact...service...ditto for libs
• people helping people, regardless of the tools
• "users" needs to be replaced with "members" (drug dealers and computer programs have "users")
• the mission of librarians (not "libraries) is to improve society by facilitating knowledge creation in their communities
• we need to shift our focus from collection management to connection management (similar to the notion that libraries need to shift from being the LIVING ROOMS of the community to being the KITCHENS)
  
• "the great challenge of librarianship is improving communities"
• replace WHAT you do with WHY you do it
• ask what the community needs...what problems are they trying to solve...and respond
• also "Librarians must be ruthless in seeking out things we don't know if we can do and then doing them."

One person can make a difference: Tips and techniques for the long change agent with Stephanie Chase

• "transformational leaders work on the edges" which is not always comfy
• be the person who sees the need, the hole
• then build the bridge (as you cross it!)
• you'll never be excellent if you keep doing only what you're doing
• be strong like water, flowing around obstacles, re-shaping them
• broaden your scope of advisers, your network...beyond your library, your profession, your city
• having a building-wide "stand up" meeting a good idea...eg at the beginning of a new season, after a busy time...to quickly share info / generate ideas
• staff meeting tip: divide up quick info sharing time and deeper thinking / discussion time (we don't do that enough)
• read "Death by meeting" by Patrick Lencioni (658.456 LEN)

General "Virtual Conference" notes:

• I had Twitter open in another window and was tweeting / following the #ala11 tag as well as participating in the VC chat...worked ok but would have been nifty to have them mashed up
• "Discussion" area was completely separate (asynchronous) from the session chat and I did not go there
• I logged in 10 mins prior to start time and a presenter and facilitator were chatting, which was not very welcoming! Should have been kept private, with a general "welcome" message posted
• chat was moderated (very short delay)...one comment I made about something the moderator said in an intro was replied to privately (she said something about not using your "library voice" to which I objected!)
  
• about 1,500 participants
• there were some annoying "watch my presentation later" tweets...self-promotion
• some presis had too many stats
• some presenters were obviously reading from notes, which was not very inspiring to listen to
• the best presenters took time to review the chat and twitter conversations and participate
• facilitators posted a quick poll in between sessions for involvement (but same question each time: how many people are participating at your location?)...could have varied
• there were a few delays including the 30 min Pecha Kucha session being 15 mins late
• day 1 was archived by day 2
  

eResources Training

E-resource training: uncovering a collection of hidden gems

Amanda Larsen, Burlington PL

• Amanda is the training librarian at bpl (recently promoted to something else...vp of something)

• did the Betty Blogger program (I went to her talk two years ago)

• was also manager of electronic resources

• will cover why / research / layout / numbers / lessons learned

History of the initiative:

• BPL has 6 branches; 54 Info services staff, 2 training staff (1 Librarian and 1 LA...do both staff and patron training), 80+ e-Resources

• use was less than stellar when she took over their management

• majority of staff not comfortable promoting eresources

• start plan touched on skill development (as ours does...)

• HR dept had done a skills-assessment survey (what a good idea)...wanted to know what staff wanted to know, what they wanted to get from training, and surveyed what other libs did (todo: ask Amanada for her report / references)

• part of Amanda's strategy to increase usage...

• Amanda proposed eresources learning program...after researching the program (6 steps in research: survey staff / identify internal use / survey other libs / analyze feedback / consult with services delivery managers / make recomendation

• used surveymonkey to survey staff

• sounds like our staff are way more smart than theirs were!...or more willing to use / share our databases with patrons

• “each one teach one” new name for “train the trainer”

• Amanda decided customers are unclear about purposes of the databases, and staff feel they're not equipped with strategies to use an eresource to answer a ref question quicklly...I don't think that's the case in our shop.

• ...too much background, not enough nitty gritty!...she is reading notes, but still a dynamic speaker

• project layout: will be in 2010...shared responsibility in training...staff like the model...self-directed...had used that model before for web 2.huh!

• Http://eresourcetraining.blogspot.com

• had used blogger before, so staff familiar...easy to work with

• lots of links to vendor web sites / their training resources (good idea)

• blog included projects for staff to work on

• included articles on databases (why are they important / how funded / google vs databases etc...major important for conext...great idea...)

• tip sheets about the training

• trainers choose four databases which needed immediate help

• we don't eed to know about all the databases, just the training part!!!

• beginning May 1 training began...weekly email (w database of the week), re blog update with special features and contextual reference questions (that staff had to answer and hand in)...a short paragraphy talking about a fictional patron who comes in at 10 mins to closing etc...based on read patrons in most cases

• focus not on HOW to search the database (assumed info service staff would already know how to do that)...rather WHY they should use a database

• staff had all month to complete all four questions...could move at own pace, designed to be completed on desk in a minimal amount of time; collaboration with peers encoruaged

• very self-directed

• I could enhance database of the month with a blog like this, and a scenario quesion to answer...maybe for 2012 work plan?...chat with Jesse re how it would go over...work with ref staff to come up with scenarios...do it!!!

• there were no “right” answers to the questions...praise/praise/praise! (great work / don't forget about this...)...many ways to get to the “answer”...prompt staff to actually use the tool...not a test, an exercise

• “bonus question” on federated seach system...incentive prize

• creating context: later in year...choosing which eresource to use at the ref dest...developed a template for staff to describe each eresource...templates were potsed to the blog also (Amanda is happy to email teamplate to peeps)...info found on vendor sites

• staff presented 5-10 minute talks at staff meetings about eresources...follwed the template, used contextual ref questions...focus on WHY, not HOW...posted completed templates to a shared online space...great idea, esp for new staff

• def meet with Jess about this...prob good for ALL staff, esp supply/sunday/pages...also need to talk to YW re how to pay for supply/sunday...but can do online...that is the key, so no issue....make it part of orientation

• Calgary public does this well also...look at their e-resources page on their Web site***

• had 54 participants, 50 completed, 30 did bonus...15-45 minutes per question...100% feel more confidnet...85% now completely comfrotabele with eresources as a reference tool

• outcome = 20% increase in eresource stats...I had way more with dbase of the month!!!...but this could majorly enhance, esp for non-ref staff + sunday/supply/pages

• now easy to re-do this training...would just need to update the blog...nifty

• lessons learned: timing is everything...spring works well for bpl...have a post-training plan...you can never give or get enough feedback (use surveymonkey)...do your homework...beg, borrow or steal for an incentive prize...set up a seperate email account for training (or a filter)

• do your homework re the question you set, to ensure there are adequate resoruces there to get an answer

• larsena@bpl.con.ca

Top Tech Trends

Top Tech Trends

Dorethea Salo, Univ. Of Wisconsin-Madison

dorothea.salo@gmail.com

Roger Nevin, Kwartha Pine Ridge District School Board

roger@oslacouncil.org

Aaron Schmidt, Principal, Influx Library User Experience, and District of Columbia Public Library

librarian@gmail.com

Nicole Engard, ByWater Solutions

nengard@gmail.com

• check out Aaron's Walkingpaper site...has a new partnership with Amanda E-J (about library ux)...interesting...keep an eye on them

• look up Nicole's blog: what i learned today

• make sure I have a plan, and stick to it, to back up all our social web stuff (delicious (prof + personal)...even do a print out every few months...+ HC's book club in a bag list ...does she back up / print at all?)...also flickr and youTube

• check out boysread.com (Roger's passion...clearning house for teacher resources)

• cloud and mobile big...check on the cloud (we're using google docs a bit...)...need more work on mobile (in my action plan...check!)

• Aaron: The Big Tech Trend is the ubiquity and ease of use of digital content...ebook readers are getting more affordable...as are ipods / iphones / netflix etc. ...the ebook revoluation has come, and libs are not as big a part of it as we need to be....libs are about commercial content...people come to us for stuff: books...+ for funding we report circ stats (which is unsustainable ...AMEN!)...in the digital realm content is leaseed, not owned...so issues...and implications...library resources are difficult to use...easy trumps free...we need to make them easier to use...AND lobby vendors to help with all that...How do we respond to this? We can't compete with Amazon and Google...and that is a shallow view...studies show that when we buy stuff it doesn't make us happy...for long term satisfaction we need experiences, not stuff...libraries need to move from a consumer-based transaction model to one that is about experiences...we need to adapt what we do to respond to this...focusing on offering e-content is letting our competition define what we do...(I think FB coach is a fab example of a quality experience)

• we need to design places for learning / community / problem solving rather than being book mausoleums

Questions/discussion:

• we spend a lot of time in our individual libs thinking about marketing our great stuff...can we work together better to do that?...call for the universality of library interfaces...Aaron went further re universal library signage

• what does aaron mean by “experience”...diff for each institution...we need to learn about our library communities / users and what they want, and make meaningful experiences for them...people coming together and gathering around content

• ...and creating content

• foster the enthusiasts in your community...co-working space...and a place to gather locally created content...what a concept!...catalogue it...share it...capture experiences at the local level...the community's ambassador to the world...I like it!!!

• discovery layer experience issue...what libraries are creating vs public / commercial tools (question from stephen abram)...part of our job is info literacy...use new tech to explain new concepts (eg using a video to explain how to use e-resources...note to self: check for viewlet update wrt youtube tool)...

• we have an unexpected opportunity when google gets choked with spam: an opportunity to communicate that our databases are better than google (that is what I need to do for Shaw cable interview...+ ask for permission to post to our YouTube / FB etc)

• net-neutrality / wiki-leaks etc...Aaron: “it's a good thing”!... huge issue...multiple threats...governments are waking up to the net as a tool for revolution etc...lots of unknowns...place for Libraries?...also related issue privileging of traffic...cost of wifi / lack of access to wifi..

• what role should libraries take around freedom to info / access to info...new tech that restricts our freedom

• Aaron: big opportunity for libraries...don't trade digital rights for convenience

• generally libs are all about being rule-free...but lots of examples of people using that to their advantage...can we really teach everyone to be savvy / cautious when online (Stephen A told story of TO mayoral candidate who made up false twitter accounts to forward his campaign, and then boasted about it afterwards!...yikes)....slimey

• online tools and social media are changing the ways we express ourselves...we are subject to the whims / rules / structure of the companies whoes stuff we are using (eg Mark Zukerberg's fave colour is blue...hence fb is blue!)

• Libraries and the mobile space...design for mobile first, big screens second...

• mobile and QR codes are big...I need to learn more about QR codes

• educational game development is big at Univ of Wisconsin-Madison (follow Dorotea @RepoRat)

• how can we make library interaction fun...4Square...check it out...used in Tbay?

• Dist of Columbia...mobile branch manager ap for iPad and mobile patron registration...for iPad (apple-focussed)...

• Android is fastest growing....works with google aps / cloud computing

• mobiles today = web about 5 years ago...very propriatry (apple vs open-source)...

• question about libs lending ipads / ebook readers...as we lend books and internet access...new digital divide (“device-divide”)....mobile devices are becoming cheaper...the public good is more about wifi access...we need to advocate for city-wide free wifi (maybe talk to tBaytel?...hmmm...interesting)

• another digital divide...among library staff!...interesting...THAT is why TBPL needs an iPad / iPodTouch etc....we need to facilitate our staff becoming familiar with this stuff... as head of Virt. Serv I need to do the basics...next 23 things (we never really did the first 23 things...but people pretty familiar with that stuff...) ..we need to focus on this stuff, and get it done in order to be relevant / remain relevant
  

• sols is working on a library 2.0 tool kit, as well as core competencies

• Web 3.0? ...it's here...cloud computing / aps etc...

• are the gadgets defining our roles (as libraries)?....hmmm...speaks to how libraries have conceived of innovation...it's a reactive way to innovate / define our goals...but...we do need to look at the motivation behind people using gadgets...and...figure out what OUR peeps want...could consider a book a “gadget”...WE choose how to define ourselves ...it's complex

• similar to other new technologies...reaction to them (including scribes / paper!!! / radio etc...)

• ASK your patrons how they use technology....how they want us to communicate with them...can we txt hold notices?...can Encore?...can Evergreen?

• Tech needs to work for you, not the other way around...interesting...

• but...you need to be prepared to fail...learn from it...dip in a toe...don't take it personally...don't feel guilty when you fail...move on...that is normal / how you learn...but also plan

• “deep thinking” is more important than the container

• need to ensure the content can morph in to the next container

• personal digital arching...what's the back door out of the cloud?!...see my notes above re printing...also proprietary file formats (pdf for eg)

• we need to help people be aware of this stuff / restrictions....don't store your pics only on FB

• recommendations for libraries to keep up with LAWS around econtent....copyright...need to educate...part of info literacy

• tricky issue...very complex...univ of Minnesota librarian is a “JD” and copyright expert...surveyed libs and faculty, and libs knew more about copyright than faculty

• follow Michael Geist (in Canada)...is he in my bloglines?....I think so...if not, add him

• in spite of doom-y stuff...so many opportunities for libraries

• adopting individual tech tools is not going to save any lib...need to think bigger
  

• the possibilities are unfolding b/c the way we are sharing and re-using data / info

Selling What Can't Be Seen

Selling What Can't Be Seen: Marketing Virtual Lib Services

Cecile Farnum, Ryerson, Christy, Kitchener PL and Liz Dobson, Centennial College

• Cecile talking about 3 virtual services at Ryerson: AskON, an audio tour of the main floor that's downloadable (neat idea), and “discovery layer” (federated search engine – soon to be implemented)

• AskON: Ryerson had a deeper history with chat ref (since 2001ish)...talking a lot about the service itself...what about marketing?!!

• marketing AskON: logo on web site; inclusion in ref services; mention in univ. Publications; marketing in library space; in-class demos (nothing really revolustionary there!)

• idea...(chat with LL and Jro...) should we put askON widget (or maybe logo and link) on our Database pages / My Giant Search page / Just Ask Us / other places people look for help...but then it is on the home page...hmmm

• is askON prominent in new member guide / info ?...

• audio tour: 8 minute tour of the main floor to orientate new students; developed a script and recorded it ina studio; edited using GarageBand (comes with a mac...like windows media player?...check it out)...interesting idea...see if any public libraries do this

• audio tour marketd with the lib's suite of mobile apps...niiiice...check out their other ones!

• Experimented with QR codes...linked to audio tour

• also have QR codes in all their opac records...WOW!

• Discover layer: Summon...University of Calgary has this...check it out

• This will be a radical change...so agressive marketing plan required...to explain how this new thing works...will change the research process...planning to: mandatory staff training for everyone; workshops for lib users; booth in Library lobby; demos during orientation week; social medial push; testimonials

Christy from Kitchener (Teen services)

• Go! “Get Online” presentation developed for showing to students outside the library

• WOTS: barrier free advertising

• GO! Get your Info Online at KPL...wanted to SHOW students on tours of the physical library how they can use databases / so added show and tell to tours...consulted with school boards...agreed that presentations to grade 8 students useful...used Cantasia to edit video...filmed selves doing tour (+ demo?) resuled in major increase in use of databases

• KPL has Freegal

• Go! evolved to demos of downloading ebooks, eaudio etc. Show them how to do it

• focus shifting away from research databases to leisure stuff / Tumblebooks etc.

• Also use Captivate software

• marketing at the street level...Word on the Street festival...kpl has a booth...test driving new media (OverDrive eAudiobooks)...needed to educate peeps (public and staff)...had a laptop with earphones at the fesival...let people download books on to their portable devices on the street...barrier-free library cards (lax on i.d. On the street to encourage use of overdrive...)

• christy.giesler@kpl.org if any questions

Liz from Centennial College

• AskON and Citizen Researcher (an interactive graphic novel that teaches info literacy...neat!...check it out)

• marketing is necessary

• good practice to read about marketing in general...and adapt ideas for library use...

• how Cent. College marketed AskON: several places on web site, black board software and other college web sites; twitter and FB; tent cards and flyers (canned, from KO); not exactly revolutionary stuff here

• plan to make a video about askON and to add QR codes

• Markam PL has a YouTube video w line dancing staff! Check it out

This is not really what I thought it would be.

Ended with an overview of contemporary marketing trends...not exactly relevant.

Augmented Realities

Augmented Realities! Mobile augemnted reality and libraries

Fiacre O'Duinn, Cataloguing Librarian, Hamilton PL

fiacre@librarybazaar.com

• subscribe to his blog librarybazaar

• artile in latest access magazine by Fiacre

• what does it mean to augment reality?!...

• as libs we need to use technology in a meaningful way

• def'n and history...

• definition: allows info to overlay the physical world...combines real and virtual worls...interactive in real time...registered in 3d

• works with mobile phones using camera / gps / internet connection

• 1968 first augmented reality system! Helmet attached to the ceiling!

• 1992 goggles to overlay images over the real world view

• 1997 backpack / gps / digital radio...major gear!

• 2000 AR Quake ...game for outdoor use

• 2005 AR tennis game

• 2008 wikitude...gps + compas data + wikipedia info

• over the last two years definition broadened...emphasis more on real-time info....eg an app called “do not eat” (donteat.at) ...shares health dept info re restaurants which were rated low

• groundgrew...used by non-profits to build squads via gps and txt msgs...nifty...used by community gardens in London...like farmville for real!...walking by a garden, get a txt to please water

• GeoLoqi....Amber Kays super AR researchers...look her up!...says we have all become cyborgs due to attachment to mobile devices

• can send yourself a note to get in the future / when you're in a certain location...via sms

• tying info to location

• wow this guy is a GREAT speaker...

• ambient info / non-visual augmented reality v interesting

• layar and StreetMuseum (available for iPhone and android)

• Layar...augments reality by showing real time digital info about the real world you see through your phone camera...uses gps...pre-loaded on samsung phones

• interesting ops for Libraries...Layar platform is open...have any libs done anything with it? Layar Player allows you to use their player to create an app

• Hoppala! Augmentation is an easy way to create a Layar app / info

• easy way to experiment / low barrier to entry...make a little video and go watch it...do you have to have an iPhone/android?

• Layar has a Tim Horton's locator

• StreetMuseum...example of how to do AR well....Museum of London...places old/historic photos of London around the city...an app...overlays historic pics on what you see through your phone...wowser

• challenges: physical space...architecture....helps people understand what a space is for...physical cues...archtecture defines activity...challeng for libs = focus on dependency btw physical space and activity...need to think architecturally about AR

• social/cultural aspects...space (it's abstract)....”location” is longititude and latitude...”place” is the organizing of experience / networks of support / might be “place” for one person, but not another...ar much enhance preception of “place”...focus needs to be on place, not self...(Tommy Texters)

• technilogical infrastrucutre: becomes interwoven with the physical space

• best example...unofficial art exhibit in museum ofmodern art...all in AR...funny...might lead to “geo-fencing” ...places locked to AR

• someone hacked a BP (British Petroleum) logo joke, so it was spilling oil...lol!

• Solutions: how to deal with the complexity?....examine the metaphors and concepts we use...

• helps make new media environments become familiar

• information decoration...originally mentioned in an article by an artist...seeking a balance between tech and art...using info to achieve something

• be aware of different levels of awareness (human bandwith...wow!)...we tend to drift in and out of info world (phone buzzing etc...)

• good principle to see what artists are doing with new technology (interesting)...(also the military)...hmmmm...

• context IS content

• Information Flaneur (check out article from Univ of Calgary guys)....Flaneur was a character who roamed the City of Paris when it was exploding...walked the city in order to experience it...compares urban world of 1840s to modern works of info overload

• move to a more positive info-seeking experience

• a more optimistic outlook

• the city is explorable...and so is info

• info ethnography: WHY people are using info

• allow people to become active participants in the process...

• where is the “field” you're doing research in?...ethnography is trying to make sense of this

• look up some of this guy's references to do some more reading on this stuff

• Aaron Schmidt just wrote a small article re user research...should have more focus (AMEN!)

• predictions: don't make predicionts, but create the future we want t see!

• Libs should demonstrate the way AR should be used

• not “I have seen the future” but “I am making the future”

• www.bit.ly/arola2001

• San Jose lib has delved in to this....when Sarah H-J was there...check out her blog

• www.librarybazaar.com

• follow Fiacre's blog!

This guy was the BEST speaker so far!!!

Atom Egoyan Plenary Session

Atom Egoyan Plenary....

• requisit story of going to the lib as a kid...

• talked about ego...thinks people should be interested in him

• early feeling about getting others involved in / excited about your personal plan / work (as a son of immigrant parents...learning English...getting your point across)

• reading speech from notes...not doing the Toast page slide!

• Need to communicate a vision of what's possible

• “dream collaborators”...get some!!! Well, I do have some...need to cultivate / recognize / nurture

• everyone “performs” ...all the world's a stage...hence we like to watch drama (and read...) ...tell us about life by showing us how we might act

• we like drama when it shows us something about ourselves!

• We need to find a way to present ourselves by performing oursleves...hmmm

• you need to find others to be in your performance

• key to collaboration: defining roles of “leadership” and “followers” (who are confident in the leader)...divions of labour: strategic, operational and tactical (similar to the three ideas George and Joan talked about: vision/technique/outcome...) interesting...

• people need to understand their role and those of others

• movies started as moving theatre...then developed their own intrinsic artistry

• movies were easy to share / ship (compared to a play going on tour) -- “industiralization”

• movie studios dominated / movies became vanilla...no independent spirit

• 1960s indpendnet...1970s National Film Board...more individual style and motifs

• recognized need for collaboration when he started to make his first films...wanted to create his own style / look and needed help

• got early grants from Canada Council / Arts Council etc

• had to write screenplays to inspire people to work with him (for little or no money)

• wants his films to explore the complexity of the human condition

• “I am human...nothing human is strange to me” (look up refernce!)

• a movie all begins with the script

• best screenplays collect random characters, and bring them together in a satisfying dramatic whole...purpose = to learn something about ourselves...b/c humans are curious / connected etc.

Size Doesn't Matter

Size doesn't matter: Technology and innovation for libraries of every size and any budget

Sarah McCormack, Community Liaison Librarian, Medicine Hat PL (she plays hockey!)

Prezi problems!

Where do we begin?

• Social media

• ...YouTube video with all the facts and funky music

• free does not always mean free...some times free basic, but cost for more + staff time to learn

Twitter

• pulled twitter feed onto their home page, under “news and events”

• co-tweet: twitter management (like hootsuite)...check them out...allows scheduled tweets (good for program info...do whole newsletter in advance)

FaceBook

• (feeling like I know all this...good for TBPL!)

• MHPL has 150 likers

YouTube

• did a funky video for the Summer Reading Game last year

• shortgrass lib system does videos about their Database of the Month...good idea! Consider for 2012! ...or even the rest of 2011

Wikipedia

• edited own entry...did not mention anything re flack about shameless self-promotion like we got...hmmm...interesting

Digital advertising

• use Tvs as we do

• began with ppt via a network

• then discovered ScreenScape...free for non-profilts...super easy to use...check it out and tell TT!...might make that job easier

• they take their Tvs to trade shows with a slide show...cool idea

MHPL gets grants to fund public internet / technology classes...wow...wonder if that's an Alberta thing. Grant called L.E.A.R.N. (check it out)

Evaluating Your Digital Core

Peter Atkinson, St. Thomas PL (very intersting history...20 yrs in hotel IT...)

Heather Cunningham, U of T

Marian Doucette, Huron County PL (link to her ppt)

Peter is working on a Library 2.0 Toolkit...look it up!...due 2Q 2011

• look up FAQ for librarians about wikipedia

• it enriches your community when you help your community use the web (check!...FB coach...and ineternt classes)

• libraries become bullet proof at budget time when the lib is the one that is embracing web 2.0 and sharing the knowledge...puts the lib at the centre of everything

• multitude of options: web site, facebook, blogs and more

• patron engagement: Youtube, Podcasts, QR codes, Flickr, Four Square, Google Places, Twitter

• idea for a QR code...add them to local historic places...to deliver info from spcieal collections / Gateway where you are...enhanced reality...access to info...hmmm....find out how to create a QR code...free tools?....add to posters?...do a pilot project?...

• how do you decide what to do?...DATA!...make a plan...and do it

• data = facts, not opinions...getting data helps you understand what's really going on

• making decisions based on data is safe...it's non-judgemental...not emotional...also makes it safe to fail – which leads to creativity / new ideas

• you need to use the data you have: “Stats are like a drunk with a lamppost: used more for supoport than illimunation.” Churchill

• if stats aren't working for you, move on to another set!

Heather: web coordinator at Gerstein Science Info Centre at U of T

• Web site needed to serve wide group of users spread out geographically

• so needed a well designe site

• the Web page itself is not the destination...it's a portal / gateway

• used crazyegg – generates heat maps and other visual analytics...interesting...see how much it costs...can googleanalytics do the same thing?

• Crazyegg gives day of week usage as well (interesting, but do we care?)

• compared online patron behaviour to in-house usage...again, interesting...could have implications to our kiosks....to what to create quick-links

• also get time of day data in 30 minute increments...can we get that from ga?

• Used other stats (like # of im and email questions) in concert with web stats, to get a full picture of use

Marian:

• evaluating social media use

• mobile device will be the world's primary connection to the internet in 2013 (fuel for my request for an iPod touch!)

• go where your users are...check!

• Basic metrics: unique users, page views, bounce rate, time spent

• facebook “insights” interesting...yup, check!

I thought this session would be more about database stats. Not really anything new to me.

Look at facebook.com/insights ...same info as page admin can see.

Todo: research on adding an opac seach box to our FB page...I think there was some chat on the iug list about it...search for it in the clearinghouse and get 'er done!

• Kind of interesting that this woman did not talk at all about FB ads...I wonder if she's using them at all?...asked, and mentioned how we have used them with a fab results (ie 400 new like-ers), and she talked about ensuring your target audience is not too narrow
  

• might be useful to propose a SC talk about FB ads for next year?....with Jro...could also do FB coach / our community outreach etc...and how it's relevant to the Library

• check out twitalyzer, tweeteffect ...

• also interesting that this woman did not mention that you can hook up your FB status with twitter

• look for unexplained trends...analyze, text and fix

• pull data regularly...focus on your objectives

New Technology Benchmarks for Ontario Public Libraries

with Frances Stocker, Kestrel Information Services and Elise Cole, Oakville PL

(slides will be on SC2011 Web site...add a link!)

An entirely new section on the use of technology has been developed for the latest edition of the Ontario Public Library Guidelines. This session introduces the technology guidelines, and answers questions about implementation.

What I am curious to know about...

• benchmarks for # of opacs/kiosks

• is it just about “hard” technology (ie equipment), or also “soft” in terms of training and access to certain types of technology

Elise is vice chair of the Ontario Public Library Giudelines Council

History of the Guidelines:

• evolved from 1990 “One Place to Look” Ontario Public Libs strat plan...Strategic Directions Council (SDC) created

• “A Call to Action” 1996

• 5^th edition of Terms of Ref / comprehensive IT guidelines released in Nov 2010

• (find the guildelines online and link to them!)

• Accreditation: allows libs to match themselves against standard guidelines

• 6^th edition planned for SC2012

Benefits of accreditation: demonstrates effective use of public funds; positive impact on library's profile in the community; Library meets provincial norms

• over 30 Ontario publicl ibs are accredited

Goals of the Project...for lib systems:

• provide measurable benchmarks

• focus on tools not content

• reflect current lib tech trends and the general technology environment

• addresses known technoloy-related concerns

• provide a process for achieving/maintaining vialbe and sustainable service

The committee did a lot of research in order to determine the benchmarks / guidelines...to establish what was appropriate....questions:

• current levels of tech. Use in Ontario pub libs

• current and future developments in library tech

• reasonable level of use for libs to attain

• other changes affecting lib development in general

• major concerns of library systems

Looked at tech. Standards in other juisdictions (all around the English speaking world).

Resaerch findings:

• https://acrobat.com/#d=rvrZf63qTFxjgabw2yGbIw

• (if that link does not work, will be on conf Web site)

• survey results...gives a good overview

Issues:

• Ils development

• connectivity/boradband

• WiFi

• Website development and remote access to services

• equipment maintenance and troubleshooting

• provision in branches

• social media

• digitization

• use of eLearning tools (for both staff training and user education)

Some of the findings...

Connectivity:

• broadband patchy outside urban areas

• expectations are high

• ILSes: leading systems/trailing systems/consortia and partnerships

Support for technology and skilled staff:

• major area of concern

• case-making for library technology needs

Social media:

• low priority for many libs

• positive approach where need perceived and/or staff interest

• core service? (I say YES!!!!)

Tech trends:

• Web 3.0 / symantic web

• open source software

• dynamic content

• rfid

• consumer techology and expectations

• mobile technology

• ebooks

• eLearning and blended learning

• technology use in the work place (cloud etc.)

• pace of change and its impact on setting guidelines

Form and format of the guidelines:

• maintain format of exisiting guidelines

• mandatory guidelines

• measurable/visible

• achievable understandable by libraries and trustees

• meet the goals of OPLG

• reviewed by library community

essential elements include:

• web site

• ils

• opac

• email

• public internet computers/access

• stable networks

• user eduacation

• workplace software + training

• tech support

• collaborations and partnerships

Fifth edition:

• new Section 7: Use of Technology

• major revisions to Section 2: Accessibility

• check it out!!!

Examples of guidelines:

• internet connectivity: mandatory

• integrated library system: has one, with at least a cataloguing and circ module (could be consoritum)...and...(not mandatory, but recommended): ILS has a range of modules and add-ons to make lib more efficient and add convenience for patrons (eg: automatic notification of holds)

• workstations and peripherals: the lib has defined the adequate number of networked workstations and peripherals for public use (so what is that number?!...local variation...)

  (and by “workstation” do you mean public access to internet, or “kiosk”?...sounds like public internet station...ask: up to the library to decide what their patrons need, so both)

• additional computer requirements: lib has established its approach to assessing its need for new or specialized compuer devices, and has protocols in its tech plan for including such needs...so...how will we decide to buy ebook readers, and ipads!...should we have a broad policy about “staff needs to play with stuff that the public is going to have?”....have been sort of doing it on the fly / professional judgement...intersting...think about this

• WiFi: a good thing if you can get it

• Web site: mandatory (check!)...designed according to a clear plan / adheres to standards; criteria for updating established (check!)

• tech support: needs to meet your needs

• tech-related cooperation: provincial issue...around encouraging partnerships / building on the strength of provincial network of publiclibraries...to deliver tech services / training / increase lib efficiency

In conclusion:

• back to the goals...

• focus on tools not content

My thoughts: I need to take a look at the guidelines (even though we decided not to do accreditation this year), and see if we need to do any work...good assessment tool.

5^th Edition of guidlines is available on the FOPL Web site (FOPL is the parent body of this bunch / the standards)... www.fopl.ca

OLA SuperConference 2011: Post 1...Mid-management Pre-Conference

• George Needham and Joan Frye Williams and un-conference

• started with brain-storming about the elements (attributes, ingredients) of an excellent library

• 70+ combined years of experience...variety of perspectives

• libs can't go where they want to go without middle management

• challenges of mid-management...btwn a rock and a hard place...need to lead/follow, ask/tell etc.

• need to design and implement the work

• don't ignore challenges

• it's not your job to make everyone happy!

• there are ways to disagree and move forward

• make people PRODUCTIVE

• management does not equal control...it's about making people effective

• we are given influence, not control

• what makes group work successful...brainstorming...collaboration/communication/leadership/budget/snacks/

• soooo....someone has to be responsible for these elements of successful projects: voila le mid manager...don't leave things to fate

• mid-managers need to own the responisbility to make stuff happen...empower people to do it

• clear expectations: WHY is your dept/lib/project here...WHAT does your dept do?...be clear...HotShots / Dave the coach are good at this...play your hardest / fun, fitness, friendship

• TBPL as a whole needs more clarity...so everyone has a clear vision re why we're here...is it to get more circs than last year?!...if not, then what?

• “here's what we know right now”...good phrase for mid-managers...b/c things change / expectations change... “...so therefore the expectation is...”

• don't loose track of why we're there...what the point is

• expectations need to be communicated

• understand what you have, not just what you don't have...”appreciative inquiry” (AI) (a phsychology concept)...how you can leverage your strengths (see salmon coloured handout for more on AI)...FAB!

• focus on your strenghts...be a player / what can you bring to the table

• in SWOT focus is on WO ...but need to focus on STRENGTHs...

• beware of professional eyeors! (naysayers) who focus on what you don't have

• there is more than one path to success / more than one way to do things right...and that is not chaos, that is empowerment!...provide a variety of tools / options...and focus on the end results, not the process

• lead by example...treat peeps with respect, and make it clear that's what you expect

• empathy...try and see things from other peeps' perspectives...Aristotle: it is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it

• know what your goal is, and focus on it

• use the “parking lot” to park ideas which aren't part of the focus for now...and then have a “parking lot day”...good idea...I should make a “parking lot” folder / file / box

• actions have consequences...and also in-action is an action, and it has consequences too

• when someone isn't doing something, say to the person: “I see this isn't happening...what can I do to help?” (sort of like saying to a cranky waitress... “are you having a bad day...?”...and also like Madam Lavoie's strategy: first talk...)

• innovation is about making things happen: finding the best ideas

• “fresh practices” vs “best practices”

• steal from people with R&D money!!! (ie not other libraries!)

• put on my wall: “A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world.” John Le Carre...you have to get other perspectives...esp with the community...

• meetings are not the same as conversations...if you have the choice, have a conversation

• what do we do about the chorous from management re “what are other libraries doing?”

• manage communications does not equal “control” conversations

• default to tarnsparacney on the facts (good point!!!)

• deal with the eyeroll... “tell me more about how you feel about that”

• “here's what in it for you”...make it real for the person / how it affects them

• communicating bad news:

  1. be empathetic

  2. don't delay

  3. stick to the facts

  4. no sugar coating

  5. no “sandwiching”

  6. link to principles

• speaking truth to power: management needs to kow what's going on...be 100% sure of your facts...be clear about the facts...find the facts first...lead with facts...”here is what I know...”...and offer a solution (don't just present a problem) ...if not a fully formed solution, then an offer to work on the solution

• handling rumours:....library workers tend to catastrophise!...tie in to the grape vine

• good communication requires that facts get showered on rumours...it's your job to confirm or deny rumours as soon as possible

• don't quote or assess blame, just get the facts out

• if the rumour is about an individiual, you need to talk to them, get the facts, and find out how they want to handle it...let them know you have their back / will support them

• if rumour affects your work you need to deal with it...acknowledge that productivitiy is affected, so you have to deal with it

• good site for feedback: www.insidebridge.com/tipsfeedback

• “the classic objections” slide...make it into a poster and bring it to every meeting!...acknowledge... “quit being so negative” is not productive...instead say, “You're right, HOW CAN WE make it different this time?”

• move from an obejction to a design criteria

• translate objections in to “how can we'....?” make people work with you to find a solution

• don't resist the negative force, go with it

• blue sheet: about communicating new ideas effectively...study it! Scripts for presenting new ideas / phrases etc.

• Managing Decision Making:

  1. important to let people know the CONTEXT for decisions making...so people don't think your decisions are arbritrary...where you're coming from...can help others improve their work / how your professional principles inform your decisions

  2. acknowledge real-world constraints

  3. tie thinks back to your mission

  4. don't justify your decision after the fact

• “second bananaas” group...network with your fellow mid-managers

• assume responsibility for solutions...don't say someone else will do it (eg. We need more marketing...classic TBPL whine...take on the responsibility)

• avoid binary thinking...it's not all black and white...soutions ususally a mix of things

• keep things as simple as possible, but no simpler!!!

• treat exceptions as exceptions....ie don't cater to the squeaky wheel!!! (we are guilty of that I think)

• diff btwn principles, outcomes and techniques...

• principles / outcomes / technique: know the difference...

• principles = big picture / values

• outcome = what happens to the peeps (patrons / community) as a result of their interaction with the Library

• technique = tools to delivr the outcome

• G&Jdid a podcast on this...will share link

• “This I Believe” piece on G&J website (check it out) defines overriding lib principles

• when you need to change a techniques, acknowledge the related otucomte and principles (which prob won't change)

• important to make these distinctions when talking about change

• consensus is about the preperation for moving forward...make the process fair; make sure people understand the decision criteria; that people have the chance to be heard...important:
  “Even if the decision isn't exactly what I would have chosen, I will support it fairly in my communications and actions.”....makre sure people agree to this....

• run your shop like this...follow the three consensus points + ask people to agree to the fourth

• try to spot patterns of dissent and anticipate needs

• “suck it up, take the money and do the work”! Library staff have a tendancy to feel entitled to have things done their way. Decisions get made, and people have to follow through. Here's the task that has been set – let's get together and figure out how to get there.

• If you're an employee you will be “employed” (ie. “used”!) many peeps forget this!!!

• manage relationships / network / help your colleagues / work with partners

• work with mentors: good to have someone outside of your organization...it's an honour to be a mentor...I should find one!!!...find someone who makes sense to you...cultivate the relationship...someone to tell you you're not crazy!

• More than one mentor is good...one inside, one outside...or more

• like other relationsips, mentors may change over time ... needs to be mutually beneficial

• don't let it be lonely at the top!

• Hang out with people you don't work with (HOCKEY!!!!)

• good to cultivate a non-library peer group

• overcome the urge to hide!!!

• stop and breathe

• get out of your office...have some fresh air fun!

• Go back to appreciattive inquiry (AI)...look at the assets....express gratititude to perk yourself up!

• “at least I didn't break both legs!”

• How do you eat an elephant?...one bite at a time!

• Extra credit: infiltrate non-library groups! (HOCKEY!!! and TOASTMASTERS!!!)

• manage results: think about continues results...cultivate continuous improvement

• praise people for progress

• think of little bits of improvement as normal

• prepare for success! (eg OverDrive...+ adding Advantage program...+ adding classes...good for us)

• good question to ask: What are we going to do if this works?

• What keeps people motivated: #1 thing = a feeling of connection

• therefore staff appreciation is so important

• opportunities for growth are important

• leave room for people to be creative...to create some work

• connect to the otucomes...people need to know they're making a difference

• people need to know management has their interests at heart

• overcoming resistance...people who have “retired in place”, unmotivated etc and GET AWAY WITH IT...make other people qustion why they are bothering...#1 thing to do is NOT IGNORE resistance

• “when staff dig in”: link to outcomes, listen to concerns, encourage participation, cultiveate champtions, reward desirable behvaiour, be prepared to change yoruself, repeat as nesc.

• Sometimes resistance really is someone who doesn't want you to step in the poo

• neutralize the pit dwellers!...how? Give them two choices: whine privately, or don't come with us. Tell them, “This is the direction we're going...I would love it if you would join us...if not...stay behind, or be quiet.” Don't reward the negaitivity. The naysayer might be your boss.

• Leveage mistakes: sometimes you wll step in the poo...so, learn from it. Debrief...so the traps become less random. Ask questions: what can you do?...what could you have done differently? Don't appologize, but rather investigate / learn from it / what did work? (appreciative inquiry)...your job is not to guarantee perfection...don't loose track of what is resonable

• “if you're in control you're not going fast enough!” Mario Andretti

• middle manager is like the concert master...in charge of your section, under the umbrella of the conductor

• when in doubt choose:

  1. simplicity! (good rule for life in general!)...don't cater to all the exceptions

  2. generosity (you don't have to be perfect...cultivagte inter-staff generosity...we're better together)

  3. flexibilty (tools not rules)

  4. urgency (we have to move quickly...can't wait for perfection)

  5. trust (it's ok to ask for back up...help me get ready for this)

  6. fun (YEAH!....staff appreciation...YES!) (identify the most mickey-mouse rule, for eg!) people learn more when they're having fun

  7. show the passion (but you don't have to get the “bald kid with the book” tattooed on your body!)...let your colleagues see your passion

• signs you're on the right track (post this slide in my office!.(pg 25 in handout)...and ask self @ end of day “What did I learn today?”....if nothing, take a step back and re-focus

• don't try to make everyone happy!