Wednesday, May 19, 2010

MB Lib Conf 2010: Reaching Out to Newcomers

...with Winnipeg Public Lib staff...

  • ESL is now called EAL (English as an ADDITIONAL language)...I wonder if that is a MB thing or if we should change our signage / brochures etc.
  • (btw found out today there are 200 peeps at this conference)
  • Riccardo, a newcomer to Wpg (from Argentina), spoke about the magical role of EAL teachers...the key to the transformation in to a new life in a new country is the public library...a safe place for independent work and freedom...a place that teaches people how to *learn*
  • the public lib is a revolutionary place that supports freedom to learn and freedom of thought...where you can perform the alchemy of transforming info in to knowledge...wow, very well spoken
  • newcomers might be: immigrant (planned move) or refugee (from conflict zones, experienced interrupted schooling...Canada might not have been their first choice
  • MB expecting 20,000 immigrants a year by 2016...double the number of 2006 (I wonder what the #s for ON / TBay are)
  • make the Labour and Immigration Web site your friend...lots of info re languages, number of refugees etc.
  • immigrants are a remarkably diverse community
  • Why reach out to newcomers?...if they don't know you exist, you risk being redundant and out of touch with a community that is clearly changing
  • the immediate needs are housing, employment, education
  • Labour and Imm. web site outlines the settlement strategy...there is some library information included
  • WPL does regular presentations for the local EAL teachers
  • WPL did a needs assessment...a large demographic...but what do they know of libraries?...did they use them before?...are our procedures a barrier?...are we meeting their needs?....WPL wanted to know what newcomers thought of them...what's working, what's not....what do they need from the Lib?
  • four staff went out and talked to newcomers and people who work with them...settlement workers, EAL teachers...newcomers...
  • not everyone knows about libraries ... how they work etc.
  • wide variety of libraries out there in the world!
  • don't assume what s/one might know about libraries and how they work
  • Received fab feedback..."tell me why I want to go to the lib"..."libraries can be overwhealming"..."rules aren't always understood -- fines are a barrier"..."I want to feel welcome"...fear of the security gates...what happens when they beep...bad experience in the past with police..."I want to feel welcome"...not staff rolling their eyes b/c I'm going to take longer b/c you have to explain things to me
  • not understanding the date due receipt...confusion re 05/04/10 date due...so format was adjusted to 05 April 2010
  • developed a strategy...photo novels for EAL classrooms / web site for resources / multilingual info / collection improvements / stronger outreach / staff newcomer awareness and orientation w. EAL rsources
  • photo novels: needed to explain what the lib is all about in pictures...nifty! I wonder if we can get a copy?
  • why photo novels?...diversity of newcomers required diverse strategies for meaningful in
  • brochures etc.
  • (btw found out today there are 200 peeps at this conference)
  • Riccardo, a newcomer to Wpg, spoke about the magical role of EAL teachers...the key to the transformation in to a new life in a new country is the public library...a safe place for independent work and freedom...a place that teaches people how to *learn*
  • the public lib is a revolutionary place that supports freedom to learn and freedom of thought...where you can perform the alchemy of transforming info in to knowledge...wow, very well spoken
  • newcomers might be: immigrant (planned move) or refugee (from conflict zones, experienced interrupted schooling...Canada might not
  • o
  • English is critical
  • benefits: tareting groups who may not be familiar with libs...uses existing network to get the msg out (ie EAL teachers)...wanted to involve the EAL teachers, so ensure to meet their needs, and sense of ownership...not only informs learners, but also teachers...easy to update as is web-based (woot!!!)
  • modules of lib info: collections / services / programs...and WHY and HOW to use the Library...also lib space/place...programs...virtual stuff
  • photo novels tell a story about common library experiences...EAL teachers can use in the classroom, and build activities around...so full understanding...follow up with visit to EAL class from the library
  • Canadian Language Benchmarks (www.language.ca)...fab to be familiar with in order to provide appropriate level of communication ...check them out
  • the new Word has a feature to tell you what grade level you're writing at...under "spelling"...plush kinkaide reading level (check the name of that!)...we tend to write at a grade 10-12 level, should write at grade 7 level for broader understanding...***consider including that in new web site guidelines*** double check how that works and teach others to check their writing for the Web site there (then wash out the coding in note pad)
  • to do: email kathleen (email adr in handout) re photo novels...are they online?...will they share?
  • benchmarks...Rex Murphy is level 12!!!
  • photo book of getting a lib card
  • WPL newcomer Web page
  • photo books are pdf, so easy to update...same pics, but change the blurbs when your info changes...project for next year???...talk it up with BP...probably AS + virtual + major partnership with Multi...but first ascertain if we need...
  • Century Gothic is a font that is most readable to EAL level 1 and 2 (look at the "a"s...interesting...) ***take that in to account for the Web site look and feel***
  • photo stories for different levels...lower level has word "balloons", higher the students make up their own story / dialogue...wowser this is fab
  • the answers are provided for the EAL teachers
  • matching exercise for library lingo fab (in level 5/6 book)
  • Tumblebooks would be superfab for newcomers...for both children and adults (WPL mentioned other "read along" databases)
  • they also have a dual language collection (books in English + another language)
  • puzzlemaker.com is a fab resource for making word searches, anagrams, crossword puzzles etc...check it out...it is free
  • how did they connect with EAL teachers?...word of mouth / connections btn the teachers, and Riccardo who had approached Katie
  • leverage your community connections
  • applied for a small grant ($5,000) to fund the project (paid for Riccardo's time...taking pics / formatting the photo books) and also for EAL teacchers consulting for the photo books exercises etc?
  • overview...look at YOUR demographics...ask Labour and Immigration...talk to your local settlement works + schools...make connections with the service agencies (who want to provide good info)...connect with your EAL teachers...build relationships....open the communication for both positive and negative feedback
  • "Welcome to the Lib" flyer produced by WPL and Man. Lib. Services...I think I got one...will be a pdf / translated to 10 languges...for use by MB languages...Katie happy to share the text...email her

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

MB Lib Conf: Ebsco new features

MB Lib consortium working on province-wide access/license

  • Anna from Ebsco
  • EBSCOhost mobile...need a separate url to get to it...soon it will be an autodirect (good!)...yet another reason why I need to get a lib smartphone to play / test with...focussed on the core functions
  • EBSCOhost mobile also takes less bandwith...so good for peeps with dial up (could add the url as a "dial up" option...nice...)
  • ask our ebsco rep for the mobile url (and/or check support sites / email updates)
  • mid2010 there will be an iStore app for EbscoHost...NoveList app coming soon
  • posters and flyers for EbscoMobile are available from support site
  • WPL has ebscohost mobile interface
  • ARRC....new look and feel is coming...drill down will still be there, but they are adding a search box (wow wee...put on WebFeat/360 radar for a translator...will be federated-searchable now...)
  • lots of widgets for chat within ebsco databases (includig AskON?...should ask them about it, b/c Ebsco is big in KO to...)
  • geolocation:...we know where you are and can use that info...library still has user launch from the lib's web site to ensure proper usage credit...hmmm...still have to log in?...yes, once, then cookie saved...don't have to log in again
  • ebsco host connection...a site designed to get anon. users from google (or another search engine) in to EBSCOhost via their library...initial version released in 2006
  • Text-to-speech...make sure everyone knows about this...coming soon
NoveList
  • facelift coming
  • link now to beta version (todo: ensure everyone is aware of that, and takes a few mins to check it out***)
  • one addition, "reason" why something was recommended
  • search box on every page
  • genres and sub-genres quick links
  • "subject appeals"...big lexigography of appeal terms...like "cozy winter stories"...more than a genre...the feeling...why people like certain books

EbscoHost
  • making the most..
  • federated-ish search within Ebsco dbases
  • promote email alerts to patrons from ebsco...eg when new issue of McLeans arrives in the database...could package with My Lib Card email alerts...
  • also can do rss feeds...
  • you need an EbscoHost acct to have an alert / feed
  • your EbscoHost account works at any library (that is s/th else to promote with patrons and staff...exp for snowbirds / students...)
  • (too much "......does everyone remember how to...?)...no evaluation forms at this conference...hmm...maybe will have one biggie after the fact...
  • I should set up an Ebsco alert for library stuff I'm interested in...also in other databases...to test + for my personal interest
  • todo: find out where our "ask a librarian" link goes
  • new seach box in "help"
Ebsco support site is fab
  • check FAQs for common problems
  • can brand ebsco with our logo / colours...hmmm...do we want to do that?...chat with JR first, and then follow up with TT if interested
  • "promotion": bookmarks / posters etc.
  • consider promoting database of the month webinars (from ebsco support site...(and also from gale etc...)) for extra oomph
  • tutorials for patrons can be linked to...copy url from support site...they are in ppt so we can customize...wow wee that is nice so we can add our unique log in info*****

MB Lib Conf 2010: The Power of Lib Partnerships: Collaboration Thoughts...with Stephen Abram

  • (the URGENCY for partnerships in a google age
  • we need to scale ourselves to leverage what we do well
  • we are good at the deeper questions (why, when, how...etc...) and also we're not influenced by google adwords etc...they make *huge* money...their real customer is advertisers, not searches...so NO we do not want our services to work like google!
  • change is a constant...and only getting faster...
  • also baby boomers are big whiners!!!...are we ready to deal with even bigger change?
  • in June google will launch huge mega (30 million books) ebook collection / store (will be launched at ALA...stay tuned!)...how will we handle that
  • what is our competitive advantage over google?...OUR PEEPS!!!...so we need to put them front and centre...put pics of PEOPLE on the web site, with deets re what they do (people all know we have books!!!)
  • and that is a very good reason to be on FaceBook (as an individual and a lib)
  • libs need to scale ourselves up to the level of being there to help peeps with the massage change.."the internet has now progressed to is infancy" (seach, social networks, learning, commerce)...
  • ...that is the BIG challenge...and WE (libs) can influence it if we want...or...we can let the internet happen to us
  • so what is our plan?...
  • what's on our minds?....usually a sense that something is not quite right...questions where a job starts and stops (yeah I can relate!!!)...questions of where work starts and stops...of skills required for jobs...
  • we need to get libs to break inertia...in order for libs to remain what they are, they must change...
  • the magic sauce is in collaboration
  • are you being heard???...
  • are you talking???!!!...you have to get out there and do it...
  • eg. give library cards to new city councillors...and follow up...be sure they know what you do...get on their radar...
  • small communities can serve their peeps in a big way, by finding out what they want / need and meeting their needs
  • communicate on many levels (eg not just paper annual report)
  • will we find our voice?...bing, google, FB, twitter, social media, libraries
  • slide with lots of text (link to it on Stephen's Lighthouse) re diffs btwn private sector and public sector
  • libs competitve advantage is having GOOD information and a place where peeps can come to learn
  • shift to knowledge based economy...therefore peeps need to know how manage info...we're at a fork in the road...
  • are we going to become a nostalgic place, or a dynamic place where you can get prepared for the future...
  • who do they think built this stuff?....librarians were KEY in the development of google, yahoo, boole, intranets etc...
  • 85 librarians hired at the early development of yahoo
  • Boole (as in Boolian logic) self-taught at a lib...wow!...ended up being a prof @ Cambridge and oxford)
  • look to the future to see what will make us successful...just b/c legal info is online does not mean we don't need lawyers...just b/c you have a calculator doesn't mean we don't need accountants
  • where is the leadership?...
  • one eg is Knowledge Ontario...good eg b/c academic / public / school etc
  • drivers of change...our future slide...newspapers are dead but news isn't (John Stewart, for eg is the #1 news source for many peeps)
  • publishing models are in a huge transformation...what do text books look like in the age of Kindle / iPhone / iPad
  • libs won't go away but they will be differnet
  • why should there be more than one lib in your city / province?...need to be able to answer that
  • question should not be what the future of the book is, it should be what are the behavoiuors and ecology of reading in the future
  • human understanding...info + learning = knowledge...your learning style is in your genes
  • you want your surgeon to learn like your mechanic...hands on / visual
  • libs need to learn to relate to peeps who learn in diff ways...not just by reading
  • YouTube is only five years old...wow...and it is the number two search engine!
  • what will it look like when all the books are online?
  • partnerships...integrated collection development...community / learning / e-learning
  • productivity push...the cloud...what is stopping you from using it?
  • Canada is the smartest country on earth...WOOT!...why do we want to sleep with the elephant south of us?...will only take us south
  • libs need to focus on how we can support all the smarties
  • libs critical competitive advantage is the peeps!...we need to be out there...why do libs want to be anonymous?....
  • librarians must take personal responsibility for their professional development (YEAH!!!!)
  • we must be our own advocates, not victims...no one is going to do it for us
  • coll dev must be patron-centric
  • re-think ownership
  • community eclogy management...lib as social glue...commuicate THAT aspect of libraires...not the *stuff*...goes back to Gerry Meek's SMILE-o-meter...
  • the ne
  • wow...and it is the number two search engine!
  • what will it look like when all the books are online?
  • partnerships...integrated collection development...community / learning / e-learning
  • productivity push...the cloud...what is stopping you from using it?
  • Canada is the smartest country on earth...WOOT!...why do we want to sleep with the elephant south of us?...will only take us south
  • libs need to focus on how we can support all the smarties
  • libs critical competitive advantage
  • the new normal: fully integrated virtual and physical strategies...
  • single core community service portal with branch customization
  • what do your virtual patrons look like (diff from in-lib users)...in-lib users are the needy ones!!!...I need to learn more about our virtual peeps
  • oops I think I cut and pasted...read over and reorganize!!!
  • are you ready for real collaboration, beyond cooperation?
  • some change agent examples...: knowledgeOntario, the Alberta Library, WYLD in Wyoming, infOhio, LYRASIS
  • innovative audit questions...
  • (btw 85% of autobiographies have a positive story of librarians in them!!!)
  • Be important (remember you are...!)...don't be the Star Trek guy in the red shirt!!!
  • questions for orgs: how should we be organized to best interact with and delight our clients or patrons?...how should we be organized to make the best decisions int he least amout of time? (don't study things to death!!!!...death is not the goal!!!)...learn to be ok with good enough...
  • small, agile groups move faster than large bureaucracies
  • ***culture kills everything***...wow...is there something about the culture of the lib that squishes innovation...um, yeah...wow...
  • what IS the lib's main focus?
  • Galbraith's star model
    • it's impartive that we use the devices, and not vice-versa
    • I REALLY need to go around and do staff training on downloading ebooks and eAudio...don't set them up for failure
    • focus on the issues: uniquness, services, and PEOPLE!!!!
    • the tools: wow, social graph platform wars...major slide!!!!
    • use tools that support sharing: wiki, tagging, the cloud, blogs, photos, slide share, smart phones
    • ***start playing with smart phones...the lib needs to get one*** put in a small cap request (also new chair!!!)
    • next up...GeoIPs...FourSquare and Gowalla...TODO: take a look and play around!
    • how to get there?...play...build a techno sandbox...get a kindle / smart phone / ipod / mp3....develop a culture of experimentation at TBPL...that should be my new GOAL!!!...YEAH!!!!
    • also work to collaborate with OPLA???...chat it up...to change the way the dreaded stats are reported / collected...already we know the virtual stats collection system is screwey....how can we measure the satisfaction / smiles?...not the number of steps, but the length of the steps...****...I already feel passionate about this, so work on it...follow it up...poster pres to generate interest?...chat with OPLA peeps / TT / GLF / OLS-n...DO IT...YEAH!!!!
    • Stephen A said "we" are working on this...follow up with him...does that mean Gale?
    • Gale just bought "encyclopedia.com"...has local access...creating access to the lib so peeps can find it...a way to achieve scale...iPhone ap to find local libs / provides you automatic access to gale databases
    • how to build scale
    • Gale's goal is to double database use every few months
    • be the cute goldfish with a shark fin attached!!! (not the dead fish)
    • wow, exciting to focus on satisfaction and not USE...yeah!!!... :)
    • love the content, not the container
    • see our peeps as human beings
    • don't just put a mouse on it
    • fab 50 reasons not to change (really excuses)
    • the problem is inertia, not money
    • good idea for summer reading game: make lib training cards for ALL lib staff...get SRG kids to collect (from all branches / depts...so fun...!) DOIT!!!

    MB Lib Conf 2010 Transforming Partnerships: Gerry Meek

    • why we have to go out there, and how we can be smart about doing that
    • trying to go it alone is not smart, esp in an increasingly connected world
    • it's not how smart you are, it's how you are smart
    • it's not just about relationships: it's ALL about relationships
    • our culture loves things and uses people...but libs love peeps and use things
    • business as unusual: libs have to communicate our relevance...what is valued gets funded
    • libs are often overlooked / assumed / undervalued...so WE have to advocate for ourselves
    • we need to reposition at the core of our communities (where the action is)...good eg is new MJLB in the "hub" of Westfort!
    • renewed / reimagined / deeply involved...providing service WITH the community...a shift
    • move from ME to WE
    • pub lib as a community hub...of leisure / culture / learning / community development
    • critical need to brand our industry...why/how are libs relevant?
    • "an easy instrument of mass instruction"
    • "a new community commons"
    • language matters...eg: community connector, versatile social utility, community deficit fighter
    • new messaging: the power "offering the gift of tongues and vast potencies" Northrop Frye
    • what libs bring to partnerships:...broad community perspective, respect for diversity, powerful voice for inclusion, skill at finding meaning in the noise
    • we are a profession of beautiful thinkers...we are link makers / collaborators / connectors
    • public orgs can become isolated b/c they build walls instead of bridges
    • benefits of partnerships: tap in to community assets / provide a critical mass for new initiatives / solve issues that cross boundaries / opportunity to redefine the possible
    • we need to be at the RIGHT table...an not on the menu!!
    • not enough to sit at the table...need to bring visible acts of community leadership
    • partnerships @ Calgary PL....work in progess...intent to forge connections / position lib at the heart of community life
    • started by looking at own image...the PERSONA of the lib: pleasantly mad place...sense of fun and a little weirdness (YEAH!)...
    • Calgary Stampeede parade = huge networking event!...all the big community peeps are there!
    • "cheap and easy" marketing poster!...says it like it is!
    • wrapped bus..."rediscover"
    • door hangers "another great thing to do in bed....read!"....
    • "neatest people" campaign...very cool...neat peeps...others wanted to be "neat" so set up web site and peeps could write about why they're "neat" and what they do at the lib
    • lib was green before it was cool
    • knowledge increases with use (totally a renewable resource)
    • re-branding: stage one... "everything you're into"...turning the breadth of the pub lib in to a strength....super fun poster series...engaging, different, not stuffy...illustraing "everything"...even in fruit displays at the superstore!
    • second phase coming next "everywhere you are"...
    • so everything you're into and everywhere you are...that is what the public library is all about
    • how we drive partnerships at cpl...guided by purpose of the lib, passion of the sta sign in the fruit displays at the super store...staff and gifts of the lib and staff...sweet spot = conjunction of passion of the staff, gifts of the lib and staff...sweet spot = conjunctio of the three
    • drive partnerships by: making them a part of everyone's job...encourage experimentation...ABC = always be connecting....leverage the power of personal connections of ALL staff.....***give peeps training re how to do this***...super duper...eg when going to a trade show: go around and introduce youself to the other exhibitors...people are afraid of failures...
    • in libs things seem to want to be poop or perfect...don't set limits...listen with intention to our community...leverage every opportunity...cultivate the mavericks (the bees who don't follow instructions are the ones that find new sources of honey...so essential to the hive)
    • everyone has something to offer...you need to find it
    • partnerships are everywhere
    • "noticing is the art of all arts" (Henry David Thoreau)
    • look at points of interaction / fusion ...that is where ideas / innovation happens
    • how do we position the lib as the place where new ideas are born?
    • how can we turn these new ideas in to a competitive advantage?
    • look for partnerships where gaps exist...+ where the lib has something to offer + where there is a need
    • egs at Calgary: transition hours programming for kids (ie transition btn after school and when parents get home)...preparing for the aging Boomers (making the lib a place for them...three types: gogos, slowgos and nogos!!! ...lib needs to be relevant and useful to all
    • look in likely and unlikely places...eg tattooed / bikers...have a biker partnerhip...what lib has to offer: info about mythology / for their tattoos...also helping bikers change their image
    • think of lib suppliers as partners...how you can work together to mutual advantage?..eg staff @ warehouse, expediting distributi0on
    • "it's a crime not to read" program...idea sparked by a staff person at a cocktail party (so go to more cocktail parties!!! ROFL!!!)...approached police services, got police officers to do storytimesl...connetion = reading as crime prevention...high rate of illiteracy in incarcerated peeps...also police officers wanted to get out in to the community...funded by Rotary...kids love it and police offices love it...addressing crime before it begins, via literacy
    • "get caught reading"...for commuters on public transit...partnership with Calgary Transit Authority...lib staff go on public transit, and reward people for reading!...suggested transit measure the experience (ie "smiles per hour" vs. number of passengers)...wow what a concept for lib satisfaction too!!!....count smiles of staff + patrons
    • Living Librar program BIG at CPL (biggest outside of Scandinavia, where it started)...growth of "neatest peeps use the lib" campaign...used those peeps...super popular...people in unique fields, alternative lifestyles, people with cancer etc...totally unlimited!
    • "be part of a great story" book used to recruit partners and new staff
    • Ecopalooza: enviro fair at the lib...first time the wide variety of groups got together...the lib became a place of convention...lib as a matchmaker...also lib was super clean after!!!
    • link to emerging agendas: sustainability, creative cities, social innovation, knowledge economy, vital issues
    • lib looks to how it can inform the community, and engage in vital conversations with them
    • "vital signs"...what matters in your community...leads to vital conversations
    • spcial areas of focus: 21st century literacies, early childhood learning, leadership development, ability to leverage, critical mass opportunities
    • monthly leadership breakfast...invite community leaders to lib...mutual benefit is they learn about the community
    • CPL has a manager of partnerships / splonsorships
    • partnership partners
    • each branch has a list of 25 key stakeholders + have to engage with them
    • partnerships are the new norm
    • need to be addressed in a strategic fashion
    • shift from what the lib can do for others to what can we achieve by working together
    • need new metrics for partnerships***
    • we need to quit counting THINGS
    • impact on our communities is more important that where we put stuff on shelves...
    • need "feeling indicies"...the smile index / sense of belonging...so HOW are they doing that?
    • hidden costs in partnerships: take time and attention...need to be committed to them...is like a romance! (in terms of the stages...glance / courting / engagement / marriage / (prenup?!...get it in ink!!!) / honeymoon / etc...rough patches / ongoing
    • "Those who loose their dreaming are lost." (Australian Aboriginal Proverb)...as libs we need new dreams...
    • how do libs achieve success?...by acts of relevance situated in meaningful action...wow that is a good one...
    • where does magic come from?...
    • from a tomb in westminster Abbey:....when I was young I dreamed...when I got old got cynical...finally realized would have to had changed self first"
    • so magic comes from ONE / with YOU / ME...a decision to act / have a conversation...ask framing questions...WHY / WHAT IF...
    • is our process worthy of the outcomes we desire to attain?
    • possibility is everywhere
    • take some risks...purposeful bold action
    • when you take a risk and reach out, you transform yourslef

    Monday, May 17, 2010

    Winnipeg Public Library's Millennium Library...WOW!








    Fab quote outside...they're working on the garden.

    (see also their Flickr pics for more views.)









    "New and Noted" stuff in a nook located near the entrance...was very busy. Included recent returns.













    Looking up.







    Main staircase with open/airy table/carrels on the side (with lots of plugs on tables) for laptop users / group study / sunny perches etc.










    Huge collage @ main entrance.


    And an aside...












    ...why does MB have such funky mail boxes?! Will endeavour to find out.

    MB Lib Conf 2010: Creativity with Stephen Abram

    Official description on the Conference Web site:

    This is a half‐day workshop that involves several creative exercises and hands‐on play. It has been presented at several international library conferences with different and interesting results and learning ever time. Participants will learn more about the role of play and creativity in their workplace and how it relates to innovation, change, adaptation and life. Come prepared to participate and create (there’s no other choice!).

    • why play? because we are built for play
    • opposite of "play" is not "work"
    • check out the book "Play"
    • information + learning = knowledge
    • human genome mapping...we are all hard-wired to a certain learning style
    • learning is a combination of different learning styles -- a matrix
    • when you're having fun, you're more open to new ideas
    • teen space @ Darien Public Library...glassed-in to keep noise in + visibility (also RHD's vision for teen space @ Brodie)...provided markers for teens to express themselves (aka graffiti) on the glass...super popular...clean off a few times a year...increased teen traffic
    • when putting a team together give permission for peeps to bring their personalities / sense of play / don't be a wet blanket!
    • creativity in the workplace needs to be released
    • @ Gale they did "crucial conversations" training...b/c librarians don't like conflict (gee, I can relate!!!) so they would not speak when when something was wrong...and this was creating problems / stalling development etc.
    • met a woman from here: www.allardlibrary.com who was raving about their new building...check it out...did say web site not up to snuff, but there are pics
    • idea: do a construction blog for new MJLB...take a pic a day, to engage patrons in the process (does MJLB have a digicam?)...chat with TT
    • we participated in a three step process...looked at self/how we interact with our library...how our ROLES are secondary to our STUFF (ie materials)
    • similar to the "five whys" process (start with a question, and keep asking WHY to the answer, five times)
    • the STAFF are the centre of the lib / most imp part
    • Can we describe this crucial aspect of the lib in a creative way?
    • I think our new tag line: new stories daily does that v well
    • IDEA: bring some TOYS to a meeting so people can PLAY...new framework / new ideas / release creativity b/c it changes the dynamics of a meeting/discussion...lego/playdough/pipecleaners
    p.s. we got SHUSHED 3 times by the peeps next door at a RDA session...and there were only seven about 10 people in our session!!! Sad.





    Group project: What "library" is all about...connecting peeps with info + providing the resources and space for creativity














    How I want people to feel in the Library: energized / open to new ideas / happy / raising the roof!!!