A recent article published by MTV News profiled several librarians around the country who have worked tirelessly for years to keep public and academic libraries constantly moving forward not only as instruments for social and political change but as the standard bearers who lead it. (Fuller, 2017).

Diedre Conkling, one of the subjects in the article, is a librarian in Oregon who has spent most of her career working to encourage public libraries to embrace progressive social change, environmental issues, and politics and spurred them to be part of the movements that make those changes possible. She graciously took the time to answer a few of my questions on February 16 via email about the role public libraries should take in this time of great social and political upheaval.

Public Libraries: In the MTV article “In Trump’s Amerca, Activist Librarians Who Won’t Be Shushed” you’re referred to as an “activist librarian.” Do you consider yourself an activist and how do you define what an activist librarian is? What made you want to become one?

Diedre Conkling: I never really called myself an activist librarian or an activist at all. That just seems to be the current label. I have always thought that as librarians we needed to be aware of current trends in our communities and the world. I also always felt that being a librarian naturally puts us into a position to do work in the spirit of service. It is that this social service that now seems to be called activist.

I started out in the American Library Association by being involved with the Feminist Task Force, a part of the Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT). We were doing preconferences based around understanding racism and working to make change and add diversity to our libraries and our library resources. This was in the early 1980s. There have been lots of changes in our libraries and in society since then but we could do these same workshops today and they would be just as relevant. Now we have some other projects. We have the Amelia Bloomer Project, which reviews feminist books for birth through 18. We also do the Women of Library History Tumblr during Women’s History Month,

So, I have not given a clear definition of an activist librarian but I think that the definition seems to be applied to anyone working for the public good, freely providing service to all members of society, and considers that an important mission. I find this very interesting. In 1985, when E. J. Josey was president of the American Library Association his presidential program was on “libraries, coalitions, and the public good.” I was very fortunate to have attended the all day workshop around this topic and it has been a part of my thinking since then.

PL: It has been said that librarian culture can be very slow to change. You spoke about public libraries’ reluctance to take firm stands on civil rights issues. Where do you think that reluctance stems from? What is the most effective way to combat it?

Conkling: I think there have been times when we have been slow to take a stand on civil rights or human rights. We were slow to desegregate libraries in our southern states. This is probably the area of discrimination in libraries that was most written about until current years. Here is a very small sample of what easily pops up doing a search.

1. https://dp.la/exhibitions/exhibits/show/history-us-public-libraries/segregated-libraries
2. https://lcrm.lib.unc.edu/blog/index.php/2013/03/25/from-the-archives-historic-library-desegregation/
3. http://lithub.com/on-the-battle-to-desegregate-the-nations-libraries/
4. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/timeline-in-library-development-for-african-americans/
5. Robbins, Louise S. The Dismissal of Miss Ruth Brown: Civil Rights, Censorship, and the American Library (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2000)
6. http://bookriot.com/2017/02/15/freedom-to-read-the-1939-alexandria-library-sit-in/

I wish there was an easy way for all of us to just except all people as equals and deserving of all of our services but this seems to be difficult. I know much of this is unconscious behavior. We create policies in our libraries to address one behavior and don’t always see the big picture and recognize the barriers we are putting in place for being able to serve all populations in our communities. When we try to break down these barriers we become activists.

For some libraries it has taken a long time to actively collect and provide up-to-date materials by and about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, and to be supportive of lgbtq staff and patrons.  However, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) which was founded in 1970 as ALA’s Task Force on Gay Liberation is the nation’s first gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender professional organization. So we can be ahead in some areas and behind in other areas.

Our libraries have been used by the homeless for many decades but only recently have libraries started actively working to provide more than a chair, a newspaper, and room deodorizer for this section of our communities. Now libraries are starting to provide social workers onsite instead of treating this population as a population that is a problem for our libraries.

We still often put policies in place that make it difficult to work with adults with developmental issues.  My own nephew has not been allowed into the children’s area of his local public library because he is an adult and yet the books and computer programs in the children’s section are more appropriate for him than those in the adult area of the library. He, and his mother, now never use the library because of this.

Our libraries are now trying to hire staff able to work with people who are non-English speakers and/or new to the country.  This is not something that was very prevalent in libraries in the past but is more and more just an everyday part of what we do. Now we are also being put on the front lines protecting our patrons feeling in danger because they are immigrants to this country. The new immigration guidelines coming from the Trump administration are causing a fear among immigrants. Many libraries are making even more of an effort to help these people find good information about the new immigration guidelines. They are trying to still encourage children and their parents to attend library programs and use the library resources and not be in fear of being deported. Libraries are maintaining the privacy of their records and strongly requiring court orders before releasing any information and trying not to store any unneeded information about patrons. Not every library is going to do this but many are. Those that aren’t will probably have staff members who want to be more upfront about helping these patrons. They may have to work on making incremental changes in their libraries and putting together good arguments for the library administrators, boards, and governing bodies about why they need to take these actions.  This can be a slow and frustrating process but it works. In other libraries they will be willing to be right on the front lines.

PL: Public library policy can often leave librarians feeling like their hands are tied in terms of actively taking a stand while on the job regarding social or political issues. There’s also the concern that voicing an opinion one way or even appearing to have a stance that might make a patron uncomfortable will result in a reprimand or the loss of a job. Is there a way to strike a balance between providing a neutral, safe place for everyone and still being able to feel you are staying true to your personal politics and beliefs? Should libraries even be considered “neutral territory” or is it part of our job to share and express our beliefs constructively so others can be exposed to them?

Conkling: Libraries have never been neutral territory. I’m not sure how they even could be. We may not do political campaigning over the desk, usually not just library policy but also a restriction on public employees by state and federal laws, or force our opinions on our patrons but we do provide information on as many topics as we can with as many viewpoints as we can and that certainly makes us anything but neutral places.  By serving all our communities we are going to have people using our libraries who have viewpoints that differ from ours. Sometimes we do just listen and hold back on our own opinions.  Sometimes we answer a question by saying these materials support your view and these materials give some different viewpoints. This is being a professional. We don’t have to be confrontational.

We can have programs and displays representing different ideas. The programs don’t always have to address all possible sides of an issue. They actually can represent just one viewpoint. We can always refer people to our collections for more information and other viewpoints. It is frustrating and unrealistic to think that we must address all viewpoints in every program, every display, and every conversation.

We can be out in our communities belonging to various groups and involved in various activities. We cannot legally be told what to do and not do politically on our own time. We might even bring to the library a new group of enthusiastic users by being a part of these groups. We can learn about sustainability and start bringing in suggestions for changes in our buildings. We might learn about new programs to help refugees or the homeless and bring that information to the library and take information about library services and resources to the groups. Some will think this is political or activist and others will think this is just being a good librarian.

Today, just following the mission of libraries we are being thrown into an activist roll. When we stand up to other people and government agencies in support of free access to information today we are suddenly activists, even though this is what we have done for years. It is our job to fight for free access to information and to support the retention of all kinds of information, especially information created by our government agencies. We are now on the front lines of activism.

PL: My favorite moment in the article is the story you tell about a gentleman’s concern that CD-ROMs were going to make libraries obsolete. Many of us have faced similar questions over the years. Like you, I agree that libraries are in a very good place now and if anything our work is getting more complex and fascinating. We need to change how we do our jobs to accommodate how people want to get their information. Do you think part of that change is also about becoming more active participants in the social and political world?

Conkling: I will always remember the reporter who sat next to me on an ALA Conference shuttle bus at the ALA 1986 Annual Conference. CD-Rom products were just becoming widely used in libraries and were displayed everywhere at the exhibits. He really seemed to think we would soon have everything on CDs so wouldn’t need libraries.  Even by then it was obvious to me that this was just one more tool for libraries to use as we change and adapt to our environment. This was a bit before the Internet became one of our major tools. These things are tools used in libraries and do not signal the end of libraries.  They do signal changes in what we can do in libraries.

I think that some of the changes that have occurred really are the changes being made in libraries to work more in other areas including working with the homeless, refugees, health care, legal services, makerspaces, and much more. We were plunged into the political front when we became very vocal about how those of us in libraries could help people analyze information on the Internet and judge whether a site has reliable news or fake news. I think we welcomed this change because we have been working on computer literacy, diagnosing valid and invalid works on the Internet, and even plagiarism for years. It is nice to be able to easily demonstrate our expertise in these areas but it certainly is a political issue this year. I think that this is now a political issue may surprise some working in libraries because this was just day-to-day information that we provided until now.

I am not going to pretend to know what this means in the future but I do see libraries continuing to be active and vital institutions in our communities. I do believe that this quote from Herbert Schiller remains true.

PL: As I’m sure many of us do every day, I recently had a very difficult reference interview where a patron was requesting material I found not just contradictory to my personal politics, but outright vulgar. What is the best approach, in your mind, when confronted with a patron who wants to discuss or requires information or access to something that is in direct contradiction to the librarian’s moral, social, or political beliefs.

Conkling: I’m pretty sure that no one has an easy answer for this question and an answer somewhat varies with each person and question. We sometimes get questions that really are meant to harass and in those instances it is reasonable to not answer the question but to walk away and immediately report the incident to your supervisor and/or library director. You might say to the individual something like “I will be right back.” Many times we have patrons who want to get us involved in political discussions.  It should always be fine to say that you have found the topic interesting but you have other work to do so.

While at work you do need to have nonconfrontational ways to get away from these uncomfortable situations with our patrons. It is not good or safe for anyone to create a confrontational situation. It really is best to have thought about the possibilities of these kinds of situations and already have a plan for dealing with them.

On the other hand, if someone asks you for information on a subject like abortion, or legalizing drugs, or closing our borders you have some other options. I tend to show the person all of the materials we have showing ones that agree with their viewpoint and those that disagree. If someone is writing a paper remind them that their paper will be better if they have references from various viewpoints. Even if they aren’t writing a paper it doesn’t hurt to point out the variety of ideas expressed in our library collections.

We are always going to disagree with many of our patrons but the library itself is about these various ideas and promoting using the library resources to learn more about the topics and further form our opinions. However, we are also there to help people understand what information is good and well-researched and what sources they may be using that are giving them false information and how to tell the difference. Many times we have patrons who want to get us involved in political discussions. It should always be fine to say that you have found the topic interesting but you have other work to do.

The post Public Libraries as Instruments for Social and Political Activism first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

To combat that drawback, I’ve added leadership-specific resources to my Twitter and RSS feeds. At times the gap between a for-profit business and the library is apparent, but more often the topics and advice are spot on. I’ve been excited to learn something new, inspired to reconsider my perspective, motivated to try a new approach, or simply encouraged by another leader’s shared vulnerability.  If you’d like a list of leadership experts to follow, start here.

One of my go-to resources is Tanveer Naseer’s blog. Naseer is an author, leadership coach, and keynote speaker. I’ve always found the entries to be thought-provoking and well-written even when they are created by guest bloggers.  They are meaty, as well, often running two to three times as long as many blog posts do. The length allows for a more in-depth look at the topic and it’s not uncommon for posts to include references to books, methodologies, or field research.

One of the aspects of his website I frequently use is the extra material that goes with each blog post. Each is extensively tagged, click on a single word and you can immediately access an entire list of related articles. In addition, at the end of each post the site lists, as links, the full titles of a few related prior posts. If you want to share what you learn about leadership, you’ll appreciate the ready-to-tweet highlights scattered through the posts.

Michael Hyatt’s website is a wholly different experience. If sales pitches or occasional references to faith would bother you, pass this one by.  Hyatt was formerly CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, and his blog is aimed primarily at people in high-pressure jobs. His site’s tagline is “Win at work. Succeed at life.” His tweets, blogs, and podcasts run the gamut, including productivity tips and tools to life hacks. “How a Small Shift in Your Vocabulary Can Instantly Change Your Attitude” is a great example of the latter and a post that I have continued to think about long after I first read it. His posts generally include specific, actionable points.

If you prefer something more philosophical, Seth Godin is all about ideas. He can look at a concept you’ve been around your whole life and take something new from it. His blog tends to focus on creativity, innovation, marketing, and how to do great work; the very short posts are designed to make you reflect.

If none of these are the right fit for you, take a few minutes to track down other leadership gurus worth following. Having a regular dose of leadership inspiration, infused with a few practical tips, helps me focus on how I can get to where I want to be and makes me believe I can get there.

The post Cultivating Your Inner Leader first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Although studying memes doesn’t seem to be part of a public librarian’s job at first glance, no matter how fun it may be, Brennan points out that even a basic level of familiarity with them can aid a librarian in assisting patrons, understanding the community, and even planning and promoting programming. For librarians first wishing to familiarize themselves with Internet culture, she suggests choosing a few topics of interest and browsing social media, blogs, and websites to see what people are saying about them. “See the flow of conversation and how people are participating,” she says. “Every community has their own quirks and internal memes, and once you find the niche you click with, you can start to translate that to other Internet communities.”[2]

By familiarizing yourself with a few topics and the various online platforms through which people talk about them, you might even get some ideas for new services or programs at your library. Furthermore, seeing various social networks in action will likely give you some ideas about how to communicate with your patrons this way and market your existing offerings. For librarians looking to learn more about memes in general, Brennan suggests Know Your Meme and Meme Documentation as great online resources and Memes in Digital Culture, It’s Complicated, and Life on the Screen as print sources.

Interested in a career similar to Brennan’s? She urges library school students to seek out positions or internships in technology and social media. These don’t have to be housed in libraries, as many LIS skills can be applied to these industries as well. Special libraries are also a great start; while a student at Rutgers, Brennan interned in MTV’s tape library. Many of these positions can be found through INALJ. She also suggests that students “take classes that don’t sound like typical librarianship,” naming database design and MySQL as two important tools she learned in library school.[3]

One thing’s for certain: with the growth of tech jobs similar to Brennan’s, the library world is changing more than ever. It’s no longer farfetched to see a patron visit his or her local reference desk with a question about a meme or other Internet phenomena, and there is a growing need to make sense of the array of content available through social media. Add an understanding of Internet culture to the ever-growing list of skills in the public librarian’s toolkit.

Resources

Know Your Meme

Meme Documentation

Limor Shifman, Memes in Digital Culture (Cambridge: MIT Press, 2013).

danah boyd, It’s Complicated (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2014).

Sherry Turkle, Life on the Screen: Identity in the Age of the Internet (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995).

INALJ

References

[1] Julia Carpenter, “Meme Librarian Is a Real Job — and It’s the Best One on the Internet,” Washington Post, December 21, 2015.

[2] Amanda Brennan, meme librarian, in an interview with the author, January 12, 2016.

[3] Ibid.

The post Lessons From a Meme Librarian first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Librarians are very fond of pointing out that we are not our stereotypes. We’re not all shrill older ladies in horn rimmed glasses with a wicked “Shhh!” We’re not all meek or mild-mannered men in V-neck sweaters.  We like relaxed dress codes, and we’re very comfortable with tattoos and bright blue hair. When we’re not getting people books, we’re putting on pub trivia nights or showing off 3D printers. These are not our stereotypes.

Another thing about us is that we’re far more snarky than most people realize. Truth is, a sense of humor is a prerequisite. Like so many other service jobs, sometimes we need sarcasm to relieve tension and get through the day. I suspect we’ve always been this way. But while librarians in Alexandria were presumably just as snarky as we are, the modern world has given us a new place to express it: Twitter.

Librarians on Twitter

This is the focus Roz Warren’s Huffington Post article, “Librarians! Here’s a Little Snark to Brighten Your Day,” which focuses on the anonymous tweets of @LousyLibrarian. Here are two examples:

“Can you help me find the self-help books?” “I kind of feel like I shouldn’t.”

Storytime is every Monday and Wednesday at headache-thirty.

I myself have spent some time at work doing…um…research into sarcastic librarian Twitter feeds. Turns out, there are a lot of them. My personal favorite is @RantyLibrarian. Two examples:

Yes, we have books on Paleo. And yes, also Cross-Fit. And alcoholism, for me, because of patrons like you. #StopReading

Sure we carry #AynRand. She’s in the “You Should Make Better Life Decisions” section. #TerribleDecisions #StopReading

For a few more funny library themed Twitter accounts, see the bottom of this post.

We don’t all do this…but most of us do this

Many of these feeds are anonymous, of course. But I’ve never worked for a library where a certain amount of behind-the-scenes sarcasm wasn’t the norm. That we make jokes about library-life should surprise no one. Servers and bartenders do, too, and our jobs are similar in many ways— highly specialized, existing in every town and city, operating at every level of the economic spectrum, and most critically, finding out what you want and bringing it to you. But let’s not read too much into the service industry comparison. I’m quite sure every industry has a discrepancy between how its professionals act in front of customers and how they act with each other.

Hey, people are stressed. Humor helps.

Because the librarian stereotype varies between calmness and austerity, it doesn’t reflect the very real fact that librarian work can be stressful. Many of our patrons are stressed. A person who hasn’t used a computer in fifteen years but has to pay bills online, a homeless patron who needs medical services, a high schooler prepping for an AP exam, a person with severe mental disorders, or even just a well-meaning patron who’s obviously on a lot of speed—these people are stressed, and often create stressful situations for everyone around them. Sometimes our patrons are difficult to be help, or even be near. Sometimes they mistreat each other or us.

If we take part of our break to giggle at Twitter feeds that express what we’re feeling or provides some catharsis, that’s a lot better than sassing patrons at the reference desk.

Twitter feeds and hash tags (a small representative sample)

@RantyLibrarian

@BelleLibrary

@LousyLibrarian

@FakeLibStats

#libraryproblems

#librarianproblems

Also: #BookFace.

Resources:

American Library Association. “Programs for Millennials and more.” July 15, 2015.

Scott, Clare. “American Library Association Continues to Stress the Importance of Public Access to 3D Printing.” 3dprint.com, December 10, 2015.

Warren, Roz. “Librarians! Here’s a Little Snark to Brighten Your Day.” Huffpost Books, January 5, 2016.

The post Snark, Sarcasm, and Your Friendly Neighborhood Librarians first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The Challenges
Part time work can be physically and mentally demanding. When you work several jobs at several different libraries, you often have different roles and responsibilities at each of the jobs. In addition to different responsibilities, each library may have a different computer system, as well as unique standard operating procedures. Part-time employees also juggle double or triple the amount of coworkers and patrons with whom to interact and develop good customer service relationships. To keep all of these elements straight in my mind, I needed to develop excellent organizational and time management skills.

The Rewards
Managing my time wisely and staying focused on the task at hand enabled me to take on a large number of varied tasks and responsibilities that may not have been available to me in one library position. For instance, at one library, I created adult programs and taught computer classes. At another library, I managed an adult literacy program. At my third job, I administered part of the adult collection.

In addition to gaining valuable experience, part time librarianship can be a way of building professional contacts. While working at the Belleville Michigan Area District Library, I was tasked by the Director and Assistant Director to coordinate the Library’s Adult Literacy Program. Through coordinating the Literacy Program, I developed skills in project management, grant writing, and networking. By networking with other librarians who coordinate literacy programs, I was asked to be a part of a team that presented a “Creating Your Own Literacy Program” at the 2014 Michigan Library Association Conference.

Finally I am often provided with concrete evidence that people’s lives are improved through my work as a librarian. Working part time in a number of local libraries has enabled me to provide services to a large number of patrons. It is such a thrill for me to see the difference that I can make by performing my work as a librarian. Researching medical topics for an ill elderly man, helping a patron fill out an online employment application, or helping people improve their reading and computer skills are some of the ways that librarians can make a positive difference.

Part-time librarian work is a trend that is here to stay.  Sure—there are a number of challenges to overcome.  However; it has been my experience that the rewards are well worth the effort.

The post Part Time Librarianship Brings Challenges and Rewards first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

One issue that recently came up for my library involved appropriate number of open hours. With a population base of a bit over 5,000, my library is open fifty-one hours a week. But one board member felt this was inadequate; they suggested being open sixty hours a week, while another argued that being a small, relatively rural library our resources were already strained and we should reduce our hours. The discussion turned into one of obligations. What began as a discussion of the library’s obligation to patrons evolved into a discussion about the institution’s obligations to staff.  With a small staff (4.5 FTE), increasing hours would put additional strain on library workers and in particular the director, who would in effect, become ‘on call’ seven days a week.

For me, the discussion raised another issue: is the library’s obligation to the existing demographics of the community or to a more diversified perspective?  Specifically, consider collection development, programming, and displays. Should we offer only that which applies to our known community’s demographics? Or should we try to broaden outlooks and horizons? Many times our decisions in these areas are shaped by our users.  We might put up a holiday display because we believe our community expects or supports that perspective. But are we sure? Should we, in fact, be displaying alternative views as part of an obligation to support lifelong learning? Would we draw more users if we expanded beyond our perceived local culture?  Is this not part of obligation, also? While it may be easy to say we should do both–support our community’s demographics and expand on the status quo–the finances and/or politics of many libraries may not allow for such a broad spectrum of activities or materials.

We can also expand this question out to larger professional organizations. Is the obligation of a state agency to all institutions within its jurisdiction? One might answer, yes, of course!  But the question becomes whether this is a feasible possibility.  In most states there are urban and rural libraries, large bureaucratic establishments, and small independent organizations; there may also be municipal libraries and libraries in nonprofit organizations, with differing structures and needs. On a national level, the issue is confounded as there are an even greater number of variations.  Consider something as mundane as where a national event will be held?  The problem arises that no one location can inherently serve everyone.

Personally, I believe all public library organizations of any size have the obligation to provide a broad base of perspectives, as reflected in materials and activities, and the obligation to strive for as much diversity as is feasible. To that end, on the national level, I support organizations that make mindful efforts to rotate conference location. On a local level, I support state agencies that offer diversified support to different levels and kinds of libraries.

On the daily level of library operations I make a conscious effort to assure my collection is diverse in terms of the topics and peoples it represents. I seek out programs that are unique or unusual. I am ecstatic when I find things that most people have not encountered and thrilled when I hear patrons speak of finding something they never knew about before. I am considerate of all holidays and celebrations–not only putting out the materials or iconic images of those who most participate or that which is most common.

When I consider my obligations for my library I think about challenging common thought patterns, offering a path into places unfamiliar, and helping to support diversity; those considerations shape my obligations to my library.  I see this as my obligation not only to my library, but to my community and the well-being of our world.

The post The Obligation of Libraries first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

I work at a public library was started by librarian Gina Sheridan in 2010 as a way to remember and share the interesting encounters she had at her library. Before long, she had shared the blog with other librarians who in turn shared their own stories to add to the site. Now thousands of readers, from librarians to library lovers, read and share these stories on Tumblr.

Posts to the site are filed, in true librarian fashion, into various categories based on the Dewey Decimal System, including “028.9 Reading Interests and Habits,” “302.2 Miscommunication,” “745.5 Found Objects,” and “808.879083 Children’s Humor.”

Recent submissions have included humorous word mix-ups:

“Same, Not the

Patron: I need books on gynecology.

I begin to walk to the section.

Patron: Yeah, I really want to know about my ancestors.

I quickly change course.”^[1]

And adorable children:

“Blues, Library

A little girl was taking her time picking out books when suddenly she sighed heavily.

Girl: Coming to the library makes me sad.

Me: Oh dear! Why does it make you sad?!

Girl: Because it reminds me of school and school is out and I miss it terribly.”^[2]

Sheridan says that I work at a public library gets about ten story submissions per week, some of which go up right away if they catch her interest. Not every story makes it to the site, though; Sheridan works to give the blog the right tone.  “I work at a public library isn’t about making fun of people or venting about work. It’s meant to be an objective celebration of the mundane–a reminder to stop and observe the weird and wonderful things that happen every day in a place where everyone is welcome,” Sheridan said.^[3]

Fans of the site can also find great library stories in print in Sheridan’s 2014 book I Work at a Public Library: A Collection of Crazy Stories from the Stacks, which features some popular stories from the Tumblr blog but is comprised primarily of book-exclusive stories from Sheridan’s library life.

Sources:

[1] I Work at a Public Library. Accessed July 10, 2015. http://iworkatapubliclibrary.com/.

[2] ibid.

[3] Sheridan, Gina. E-mail interview by author. July 10, 2015.

The post Thousands Enjoy Public Library Stories first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

That’s right. In its third year, Read a Romance Month (RARM) has turned August into a month of not only sultry summer heat but also sultry romance advocacy. RARM is the brainchild of Bobbi Dumas, a Kirkus Review and National Public Radio contributor. “I wanted an event that truly celebrated romance,” says Dumas. She found several happenings that were related to the genre but usually only through certain publishers or organizations. She wanted a place for the writers themselves to promote and celebrate the genre.

Beginning on August 15, the Read a Romance Month site there will feature daily posts by romance novel authors. This year’s specific theme is “The Joy of Romance.” Currently scheduled novelists include Mary Jo Putney, Lori Wilde, Elizabeth Hoyt, Jill Shalvis, and Lisa Kleypas, just to name a few. Since there will be ninety-three diverse and successful authors contributing, there is sure to be diverse thoughts on what the joy of romance novels really is. “I try very hard for RARM to be about romance, and that writers have the freedom to express their feelings about the genre and each theme in their own unique and authentic way,” says Dumas. Also included with each author’s essay is a bio, a Q&A section, and recommendations. Giveaways will also be given out where available.

This year, three of the posts will be by librarians who support and relish the romance genre. Yes, this year RARM advocacy and community now include librarians who get to tell their stories as well. According to Dumas, “Librarians are so cool! Librarians can have a really powerful effect on readers when they don’t make them feel judged for their reading choices.” SuperWendy writes the blog, The Misadvenutres of Super Librarian, and Monique Flasch is a librarian who started the Facebook page, Romance in the Stacks. Yours truly will also be contributing to Librarians Day, which is August 21^st.

As for thoughts of only February being the most romantic month, Dumas’s research showed differently. Folks are relaxed from vacations and therefore more ready for a romantic beach read. There are no national holidays in the eighth month of the year either. So the month can be an uninterrupted flow of romance and romance genre advocacy.

The post August is Read a Romance Month first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

One of my earliest memories of finding a librarian noteworthy and thinking “hmmm, that could be an appealing job” was Parker Posey’s character Mary in Party Girl. Now, I’m not a girl, I don’t live in New York City, and I’ve never been arrested—so this seems like a stretch. Yet there was something about her discovering the joys of libraries and librarianship that really stuck with me. There is a scene in the movie where she has researched and culled some books for a patron who is overcome with delight and gratitude, and Mary replies, “So happy I could help.” I just remember thinking, “She got to read books and do research as her job—and people really appreciated it. Sign me up!” To me, there is nothing better than helping people discover some little treasure that they never knew existed and may not have found if I hadn’t been there. For example, I always own two copies of my favorite book A Confederacy of Dunces. One is for me, and the other is to give away to someone who has never read it, because I found that usually people love it so much they don’t want to return it. After all, who doesn’t fall in love with Ignatius J. Reilly and Miss Trixie?

Also, I really drew inspiration from Rupert Giles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Often the general population thinks of librarians as old women with their hair in a bun who shhhhh-ed you. Yet with Giles you got a man who battled demons and carried weapons in order to save the world, as well as knew the Dewey Decimal System. What was great about his participation in the show was that it always underscored the magnitude of doing research and being prepared before engaging in battle. Basically he preached being smart as well as strong.

Many shows and movies have highlighted the significance of librarians and challenged preconceived stereotypes of them. Which pop culture librarians are your favorites?

Photo Credit: Nevins Memorial Historic Collection

The post I Wanna Be On TV! Librarians in Pop Culture first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

United for Libraries has created Authors for Libraries, giving authors and libraries an opportunity to connect via the Internet. This innovative website gives authors a way to feature their books in a searchable database that can be accessed by libraries nationwide. For the relatively low cost $39 annual membership fee, authors get:

• A link to the author’s or book’s personal website where library staff or Friends of Libraries groups can research information and make contact.
• A subscription to the “Voice for America’s Libraries” newsletter, with information on how to become a better advocate for libraries.
• To add a personal quote about libraries to the Library Quotes database for Friends of Libraries to use in their publicity and marketing materials.

The program not only connects authors and libraries but also informs authors about library issues. United for Libraries could not recruit better advocates.

Barnes and Nobles already knows it, as does any small bookstore. Marketing 101. Getting customers in the door is half the battle. After that, it’s easy to make a sale. United for Libraries, a national network formed in 2009 from The Friends of Library and the Association of Library Trustees and Advocates, shares the same belief: libraries need users. They need people to come in the door. Libraries should be the heart and soul of social and intellectual activities in every community. Past-President Peggy Danhof explains the group’s mission. She urges library advocates to unite citizens’ voices and “strengthen all voices in support of libraries.” And what better way than to host an author talk or presentation? Author talks are a wonderful way to generate interest in visiting the library for all users—children, young adults, and adults. The Authors for Libraries program makes it easy. Authors can easily join online with credit card, via paper form, or by contacting the ALA offices at (800) 545-2433, ext. 2161 between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Here are a few of the “Tips for Contacting Libraries to Present a Program” from the Authors for Libraries site:

1. Join the United for Libraries “Authors and Libraries” listserv that invites authors, librarians, and other interseted individuals to exchange ideas, information, opportunities for author programs, announcements of new books, and more.
2. Use http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/libraries/librarysearch/ to find libraries in your touring range or region.
3. Call or email selected library or libraries. Check the library’s website to see to whom you should address your request.
4. Introduce yourself and let them know about your book(s). Include information about your webpage, reviews, special area of expertise, and experience in speaking to audiences.
5. Discuss your idea for a program opportunity with them including all the details.
6. If the library is interested, what would you require in return?

In addition, the site offers “Tips for Booking an Author” to Friends of Libraries groups and librarians as well. Finding an author and then finding one within a library’s budget can be a daunting process. The tips for these groups include:

• Joining the “Authors & Libraries” listserv
• Plan ahead (they recommend a six month window)
• Select author based on this three prong approach—budget, author’s proximity, and subject matter.
• Contact via website, email, or publisher.
• Provide author with information about the event, the budget, the type of program, schedule, the amount of publicity that will be provided, and whether they will be able to sell books or not.
• Prepare for the event by ordering books (if needed), ensure publicity (at least two months in advance), and include notices to the community via library website, newsletter, twitter, and email blasts.
• See also United for Libraries Fact Sheet #9: Planning a Book and Author Event for more tips and suggestions.

This, of course, cements the rationale for establishing Authors for Libraries in the first place.  By bridging the needs of author and library, United for Libraries can fulfill and envision some of its mission: education, governance, fundraising, promotion, and advocacy of libraries through the formation of Friends of Libraries groups, Library Foundations, or Trustees at the local, state, and national level. Simply put: Authors for Libraries is one more reminder to the community—libraries matter.  They are vital to you.  They meet your needs. Inviting authors into the library is certainly one way of inviting the community in. It is also certainly one way of building an advocacy base in support of libraries.

Authors for Libraries is a new way for authors and libraries to connect.  Whether you are an author or a librarian, this program is well worth exploring.

The post Authors For Libraries first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

First, I have a problem with using the phrase “rock star librarian.” This is another one of those empty phrases that gets thrown around, but has no real meaning or pertinence. What defines a rock star librarian? Somebody who actually got noticed for a cool program that brought in a fresh group of patrons to their library? Someone who can deliver a solid presentation at a conference and get the majority of the attendees to leave more motivated to than they were before? This all reminds me a bit of high school with the cool kids versus the outcasts. Do we really need to label people in our profession? Or maybe we should just judge people based on their performance and not whether they appeared in Library Journal or another major library-related publication.

I read pretty much every issue of Library Journal, American Libraries, Public Libraries, etc. and pay attention to library trends through social media as much as I can. Each publication has an audience they are trying to reach and there is also competition amongst them. Therefore, some of the articles may feel sensationalized since they are trying to get your attention. American media in general has become pretty sensationalized. As a result, some members of the library profession have also found unique ways to get publicity for either themselves, or for their libraries. This makes perfectly good sense to me since if nobody is paying attention to what you are doing in today’s competitive tax environment; you are going to lose out.

Personally, I understand why some of these famous librarians exist. Who wants to get paid what we get paid with an advanced degree and not get some recognition for it? Yes, I know we are here to serve the community, but doing just that can burn you out. Also, who wants to keep watching the budgets for police, fire, roads, etc. continue to be increased while the budgets for most libraries and schools decrease? Just like King Kong beating his chest for attention, we have to find a way to not only engage our communities, but also the glazed over eyes of the dead weight that permeates our profession. I say let the rankings continue, let the beauty contests go on all night. If this is what it takes to get people to take our profession seriously and motivates the smart and ambitious to come up with bigger and better ideas to make libraries matter, then go for it. There are always going to be a few rotten apples that ruin it for those who actually deserve recognition, but that should not be enough to derail the entire idea that some truly deserve their moment on the stage.

Reference

http://bossladywrites.com/how-did-we-get-here-the-rise-and-hopeful-fall-of-rockstar-librarians/

The post Keep on Rocking first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Earlier this year, the Huffington Post ran an article from the co-founders of the Library as Incubator Project, 7 Big Myths about Libraries. The first myth mentioned is one of my favorites: libraries are places where you will be shushed if you emit a peep.[1] While that may have been truer at one time, we definitely aren’t the quiet type anymore. Sure, you might have a quiet area, but it can be hard to contain “the joyful noise,” as one friend calls it, from a children’s program when you have an open concept design. If you have an area for business where co-working, collaborating, and hoteling is encouraged, conversation and phone calls definitely ensue. If you have teen gaming, the event can get a little boisterous. As we evolve more and more to a place for community gathering, you’re bound to bring a little noise in.

Another huge myth mentioned in the article is about libraries being all about books.[2] We’re librarians, we love reading, we will always promote reading, and we will always provide reading in some way or another. However, we’ve all seen loads of articles lately showing that libraries are about so much more than just books. Libraries are meeting places, learning environments, collaborative spaces, innovation centers, and entertainment spots, as well as a source for reading. We’re hosting Mini Maker Faires, concerts, zombie dances, and book clubs.

Another misconception that needs to be set straight is that libraries are just for kids.[3] Libraries offer something for everyone: from story time for babies to teen gaming to computer classes for older adults. With lifelong learning being a key tenet to libraries, programs don’t end at a certain time of life. Oh, and this library stuff is not boring.[4] With new technology being added to every facet of services and energetic librarians presenting, nothing is stale in the library. Plus, did you see earlier when I mentioned the zombie dances?

The article covers a few other myths, but a couple that always come to mind for me weren’t there. I’ve been told more than once. “You’re a librarian? It must be so great to get to read all day!” I agree; that would be pretty awesome.

The other misconception that used to bother me was when people, including family, would say to me, “We don’t need librarians; we have the Internet.” I don’t take it personally anymore because I realize that the person saying it doesn’t really know what a librarian does. We don’t just find facts. We help people find the best, most reliable facts, not just any information. We develop programs and classes that enrich people’s lives and help provide a place for community. My advice? Take comments like that as an opportunity to help someone learn.

Some of the myths around librarianship are funny and innocuous. Some are a little harder to battle. We just have to keep showing what we do and who we are.

Got a myth you didn’t see? Please share!

[1] Batykefer, Erinn and Laura Damon-Moore. “7 Big Myths about Libraries.” Huffington Post. April 29, 2014. (accessed November 18, 2014).

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

Cover Image Credit: David Rees, Environmental Protection Agency

The post The Legend Behind the Library Myths first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

If I’ve written about this before, sorry, it needs to be stated again: materials don’t just magically appear on the shelves.  I have a staff of 9 people whose job is to buy, catalog, prepare and process materials for a library that circulates over a million items each year. At least 3 (sometimes 4) people have touched that book the patron pulls off the shelf. This doesn’t even address the many hands (and a truck) for items we don’t own and must acquire from a member of our resource-sharing consortium into the patron’s hands.

We are always looking for ways to make processing easier.  Whether it is standardizing and streamlining processing procedures, migrating to a new ILS, or floating items to a branch, the goal is to get the patron what they want as soon as possible, while still upholding discovering and accessibility standards in the catalog. Sometimes the changes are apparent, sometimes the public doesn’t even know.

Sometimes we need to break with the past, which I have learned isn’t as easy as I would hope. Often, my lets-see-what-happens-attitude is mitigated by one of my staff asking questions or a manager indicating a concern. Indeed, a colleague is fond of saying, “This is a big ship to turn.”  This concept has helped me be more thoughtful and deliberate, and it stops me from making hasty decisions.  There comes a time, however, when we need to pull the trigger on a change.  Staff may not be happy. Patrons may be confused, at least in the short term. With a little hand holding and clear communication, we help them through.

The mystery of the library world isn’t really a mystery. The mystery is that being a librarian and working in a library takes work. Our work may not be visible and you may not see us (you probably never see my staff), but we do work; we are the engine that drives us. Tax payers aren’t wasting their money because someone needs to get materials on the shelf.

So, when I heard the comment, “I had no ideas how much work you guys do,” I was proud.  We do work hard and everyone should know.

The post Librarians Work Hard and Everyone Should Know That first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

I mark the arrival of the holidays with my own private film fest, egg nog, slippers and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” producer Frank Capra’s 1946 film, now turned Christmas classic. A befuddled and kindly guardian angel, Clarence, who also happens to read Mark Twain, interrupts the George Bailey’s suicide attempt. Clarence gives George the chance to see what life would be like without him.

Of course, without him, all of George’s friends’ and family’s lives are dramatically changed. Most of us would be surprised to know the ways in which we touch and influence each other’s lives. George and Clarence travel the course of George’s life and see how George’s loss affects almost everyone he knows. The most memorable life, of course, is his wife’s Mary’s, gasp, who has become what Capra must have viewed a great tragedy in 1946—a spinster  librarian. George and Clarence encounter her on a snowy Christmas Eve as she locks the Potterville, not Bedford Falls, Library doors (because, of course, Bedford Falls without George’s having been around, is now owned by evil Mr. Potter who has claimed it as his own.

Well, it’s 2013 and what a wonderful life it is—for librarians, that is. Librarians are working everywhere and we aren’t dull anymore. We are inside the public library like the one in Bedford Falls and we are lively and intelligent and fun. We’re still behind reference desks, well, information centers, sometimes virtual ones available 24/7 online. We are mobile, at sea, and in the air. We’re specialized—some of us are digitalizing data and metadata and things like the 1946 film version of “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the Library of Congress. Others are at law firms, museums, theology schools, music conservatories and many, many more places.

And like George Bailey, without us, the world wouldn’t be so wonderful at all. Last year, without the Freeport Memorial Library, the residents of Freeport, Long Island, wouldn’t have had any place to charge phones or access the Internet or email after Hurricane Sandy tore through their community and flooded homes [2]. Displaced families and local communities came to the library for weeks on end as it was the only place for miles that had electricity. Likewise, Staten Island residents affected by this same hurricane couldn’t have found the help they needed filling out the endless number of insurance and FEMA forms without the assistance of the New York Public Library’s staff at its New Dorf branch [3]. In fact, “The Federal Emergency Management Agency classified libraries as an essential service — like one of the things that would get early funding so that communities could recover,” says Jessamyn West, founder of library.net, and moderator of the popular blog MetaFilter in response to the many recovery efforts made by libraries across the US after hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters [4].

In 2000, a Denver Post editorial acknowledged what a wonderful gift librarians are to the world by stating, “Librarians are very special people. They are the caregivers of the world of the mind, the nurturers of dreams and the defenders of truth. Perhaps no other profession is so marked by the singular generosity of its practitioners” 5.

Fittingly, at the end of the film, Clarence donates his copy of Tom Sawyer with the inscription “No man is a failure who has friends” into the collection basket for George Bailey. It reminds me that books and information and knowledge are powerful forces of change in the world and that a librarian is as much a guide as Clarence was for George. George realizes that he is grateful for his life and his family and his friends. So am I. Like George Bailey, I’ve discovered that as a  jail librarian, I do have a wonderful life. All librarians do.

(1) “Library Quotes: Media & Journalists.” United For Libraries. America Library Association. Accessed December 21, 2013

(2) Hogan, Matthew. “Nov. 6: Hurricane Sandy Updates From LIRR, Nassau -Government.” Rockville Centre, NY Patch. Accessed December 21, 2013.

(3) Rose, J. (2013). “For Disaster Preparedness: Pack A Library Card? [Radio series episode]. In Keys to the Whole World: American Public Libraries. New York City: National Public Radio. Accessed 11/18/2013.

(4) Ibid.

(5) State Library of Iowa. “Quotes About Librarians, Libraries, Books and Reading.” Iowa Library Services. Accessed November 19, 2013.

The post Being a Librarian—It’s a Wonderful Life first appeared on Public Libraries Online.