In October 2015, MIT Provost Martin A. Schmidt asked Chris Bourg, Director of MIT Libraries, to lead an Ad Hoc Task Force on the Future of Libraries. Faculty members, graduate and undergraduate students, and staff began a conversation among a diverse group of library stakeholders—some who had never entered the physical facility at all and others whose research and teaching depended on print materials.^[2]

“The task force spent significant time imagining the kind of library we need at an institution that aims to improve the world,” said Bourg, who served as the task force chair.^[3] The report, based on the Task Force’s year of work, sets forth recommendations for the future in creating a “a global library for a global community.”^[4]

MIT’s Great Dome exposes the four pillars the Task Force chose to build their vision for the future:^[5]

• Community and Relationships—the university, the world of research outside the university—those who need to access information and those who can contribute information.
• Discovery and Use—a commitment to radically enhancing the discovery, access, and use of information. The library as a point of access and dissemination.
• Stewardship and Sustainability—a responsibility for leadership in the long-term stewardship and sustainability of the scholarly record as well as a stalwart of intellectual freedom.
• Research and Development—a new initiative to convene interdisciplinary research and development in information science and scholarly communication.^[6]

Photo Courtesy of MIT

The university was asked to reimagine the library. How it will be used? How it will serve not only the university but the world? Who will use it? Where will it be used?

“I don’t think we need to save libraries, but I do think we might need libraries to save us.”^[7]  Bourg said at the Educause Conference last month in California, assessing the value of the Task Force’s preliminary observations. Bourg and the Task Force envisioned the future library as an “open global platform”one where information, regardless of university affiliation, is accessible and where a free exchange of ideas and research permits global solutions such as “discovering new clean energy sources.”^[8]

The MIT “Future of the Library Task Force Report” creates a world where collaboration precedes conflict.  Libraries have no borders and neither do ideas. As MIT embarks on A Campaign For a Better World, “for the MIT Libraries’s [role], the better world we seek is one in which there is abundant, equitable, meaningful access to knowledge and to the products of the full life cycle of research.”^[9] MIT hopes other universities and libraries will read the preliminary report and join in this important conversation to reinvigorate their library landscape.

The Task Force will measure their success through the creative ways in which scholars and global users eventually “exploit” the open platform they have envisioned. “We tried to write the report as an invitation,” Bourg said. “If this is your vision for the future, too, come join us, help us build it.”^[10]

References

[1] “Institute-Wide Task Force Report on the Future of Libraries: Preliminary Report” (executive summary, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2016), 4.

[2] MIT Ad Hoc Task Force on the Future of Libraries, “Institute-wide Task Force on the Future of Libraries,” PubPub, October 24, 2016.

[3] Peter Dizikes, “MIT task force releases preliminary ‘Future of Libraries’ report,” MIT News, October 24, 2016.

[4] Ibid.

[5] MIT Ad Hoc Task Force, “Institute-wide Task Force on the Future of Libraries.”

[6] “Institute-Wide Task Force Report on the Future of Libraries: Preliminary Report,” 5.

[7] Carl Straumsheim, “A ‘Moon Shot’ for Libraries,” Inside Higher Education, November 23, 2016.

[8] Ibid.

[9] MIT Ad Hoc Task Force, “Institute-wide Task Force on the Future of Libraries.”

[10] Carl Straumsheim, “A ‘Moon Shot’ for Libraries.”

The post MIT Invites Global Community to “Hack Its Libraries” first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

3-D printers are perhaps one of the most obvious creation tools that have started to penetrate today’s libraries. Weller writes this shift will transform libraries into places where people go to create the future, rather than research the past. Eventually, libraries could pave the way for creation in areas like genetic engineering and alternate reality. It is possible, he writes, that in fifty years our patrons would check out experiences such as visiting other planets or thinking like a dog, just as they currently check out books or DVDs.

Eventually, today’s flood of traditional data will shift into a human desire to access “sensory data,” he writes. Sensory data is essentially the act of sharing others’ experiences. Through this change, he argues that librarians will remain as important as ever as they help patrons make sense of this information. We will need to help patrons navigate this sensory data landscape, as well as continuing to give them a physical space to create.

The majority of Weller’s speculation does not surprise me. As we see 3-D printing become increasingly prevalent in society, especially in the fields of medicine and engineering, I see libraries as more important than ever in providing spaces for our patrons to create. Additionally, the runaway success of Pokémon GO’s virtual reality technology suggests to me that we are not terribly far away from superimposing more complex experiences onto our own lives. Libraries are a great candidate to provide these services and experiences.

It is refreshing to see a mainstream news article discuss the positive aspects of libraries and how they can transform to remain meaningful in the future. Does Weller’s research coincide how you see libraries evolving? Where do you see public libraries in fifty years?

References

^[1] Weller, Chris. “Libraries of the Future Are Going to Change in Some Unexpected Ways.” Business Insider. August 24, 2016. Accessed September 9, 2016. http://www.businessinsider.com/libraries-of-the-future-2016-8?r=UK&IR=T.

The post The Library of the Future Is Coming, and It’s All About Experience first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Outside the Lines, now in its third year, is a week-long celebration—September 11–17, 2016—demonstrating the innovation and creativity happening in libraries. Libraries of all types—large, small, urban, rural, academic, special—are encouraged to sign up in an effort to reintroduce themselves to their respective communities. To help ensure that they’re “walking the walk,” each participating library hosts at least one event or campaign during this week that gets people thinking and talking about libraries in a new way.

As of mid-August, Outside the Lines 2016 includes more than two hundred libraries across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Denmark, and Croatia. The libraries’ service areas range from more than three million to less than a thousand people. From libraries that specialize in theatrical plays to cultural centers that serve the indigenous First Nation tribes of Canada, a diverse set of institutions are going above and beyond to connect with their respective communities in unexpected ways.

Libraries are community hubs that help people be their best. You don’t have to look far to see it. Whether it’s the efforts of the Queens Library in New York to reach victims of Hurricane Sandy or the determination of the Ferguson Municipal Library of Missouri to be a refuge for those impacted by strife, libraries have the power to bring community together, in good times and bad.

The Orange County Library System (OCLS), which serves the residents of Orlando, Fla., is no exception. After a gunman killed forty-nine people at the Pulse nightclub this past June, OCLS stepped in to help their community heal. They offered titles to those struggling to cope with tragedy, donated supplies to their local LGBT community center, participated in a viral video campaign aimed at raising awareness—all to convey that their libraries are safe, welcoming spaces for everyone. OCLS, participating in Outside the Lines for the second year in a row, is continuing to put the idea of the library as a community connector on full display this September. “For Outside the Lines, we wanted to do something that would continue to help Orlando heal and also put the city’s strength on display in a very public way,” said Erin Sullivan, public relations administrator for OCLS.[1]

To achieve this goal, OCLS will host PaintStrong Orlando, a public art show and reception on September 15, 2016. PaintStrong Orlando is the result of a collaboration between OCLS and Sam Flax, an Orlando business that donated art supplies to anybody willing to make a piece of art in response to the Pulse shooting. The callout for PaintStrong Orlando resulted in more than 250 pieces of original art, many of which will be on display at the downtown Orlando Public Library for the duration of the exhibit. Many of the pieces will travel to other branches after the exhibit’s opening reception to help spread awareness across the district. PaintStrong Orlando is just one of many ways that libraries around the world will be connecting with their communities in meaningful ways during this year’s Outside the Lines celebration. For many, it’s a way to show the important role that libraries can play in everyone’s life. “We’re really proud to show Orlando that the library isn’t just a big downtown building where you can check out books, take classes, and use computers,” says Sullivan. “We’re an organization full of people that really care about our community and are proud to call Orlando home.”[2]

Learn more and sign up for Outside the Lines at getoutsidethelines.org. Keep updated on Outside the Lines events and support online with #getOTL.

Reference

[1] Erin Sullivan, public relations administrator for OCLS, in an e-mail interview with the author, August 5, 2016.

[2] Ibid.

The post Outside the Lines Aims to Shift Perceptions of Libraries first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Barker notes that few patrons are willing to drive upwards of twenty miles to visit their library. He then argues that local governments should focus on developing/maintaining more numerous, smaller libraries; these libraries and their staff can, in turn, better target their collections and offerings to their specific constituents. Additionally, he suggests incorporating small libraries into larger community centers to strive for a one-stop experience for residents. This type of merger can also save a governing body some of the costs associated with maintaining multiple municipal buildings.[2]

Finally, Barker notes that, with more and more resources moving online, patrons are likely to relish the personalized face-to-face interactions that come with a small library. Certainly, this is one amenity that Google or Amazon cannot compete with.[3]

There are both advantages and disadvantages to public libraries of different sizes. Larger libraries have the boon of more spacious facilities, and, ideally, higher budgets. They are also able to lend deeper, more diverse collections. Smaller libraries are able to offer a more intimate customer experience. Small libraries also tend to be located in more convenient, pedestrian-friendly locations, as there are more of them in a given area, according to Barker.[4] Unfortunately, libraries of all shapes and sizes can experience similar frustrations with advocacy, funding, and more. There is some degree of uncertainty for the future of all libraries.

Have you had experience working in libraries of different sizes? Do you think one type is better than another? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Reference

[1] Steve Barker, “A Library Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” Washington Post, April 15, 2016.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

The post Are Small Public Libraries the Way of the Future? first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Back in February, as part of the Eugene McDermott Award in the Arts honor, MIT convened a panel of various experts to discuss the changing needs of libraries, particularly areas fostering collections, research, public engagement, and technology. The purpose of the panel was to honor the award winner and utilize the expertise of architects, librarians, archivists, and other relevant professionals to help all libraries move into the future as integral parts of the public sphere. While essentially a discussion of experts, a meeting of minds, this panel served to foster a conversation which should ultimately lead to solution, as one panellist shared about his architectural library success in London and Washington, D.C.

This panellist was this year’s award winner, David Adjaye. The panel helped kick off his three-month residency at MIT. Adjaye is an architecture with an understanding of the transformative nature of libraries and other information spaces. He designed the Whitechapel Idea Store in London as well as two branches of the Washington, D.C., public library system. The McDermott Award is given each year to outstanding artists in any field who demonstrate MIT’s commitment to, in part, problem solving and advancement of creative minds. Adjaye certainly fits the bill with his unique architectural library designs, as well as his belief that libraries should be a social place where one can gain knowledge.

The panel’s moderator was Ana Miljacki, an MIT associate professor in the Department of Architecture. The other panellists included Jeffrey T. Schnapp, a Harvard professor and director of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society; Nader Tehrani, dean of the Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture at the Cooper Union; Ginnie Cooper, the retired former director of the D.C. Public Library; and Chris Bourg, the MIT libraries director and the chair of MIT’s task force on the Future of Libraries. Each professional had the chance to present independently, after which they all came together for the discussion featuring Adjaye.

Perhaps the biggest result of this panel discussion was the renewed focus on how to keep library momentum as the twenty-first century advances. Adjaye’s ideas have worked well at the Whitechapel Idea Store, for instance, and his view of the library’s importance as a social knowledge space were supported by the other panellists. For instance, Bourg reflected the recurring theme of Adjaye’s work when he noted during the panel that he wants “libraries to be the spaces that students and the community feel like they are important.” He added, “Libraries are spaces where [anyone] belongs in the scholarly conversation.”[1] Each panellist spoke of the future and libraries, leaving many fitting remarks; Cooper’s, however, resounds strongly: “Imagine a future where people don’t read [or need to read]. What would a library be then?”[2] Adjaye finished the discussion with his encompassing and welcoming view: “We have an opportunity to create a forum where technology doesn’t have to have [an] elitist image,” he stressed. “It becomes the new public square. It’s a more sustainable future.”[3]

It is these words library professionals must remember as the new century progresses. Where once libraries served primarily to retain knowledge in the form of scrolls, then bound volumes, today it has evolved to serve all manner of users in a variety of ways, from printed books to computer class, from STEM-oriented makerspaces to children’s storytime. Instead of being a repository for a select group of people, libraries are, as Adjaye reminds, a social gathering hub, a learning center for all. Collaboration with architects, professors, and a variety of professionals will result in smarter library design, greater outreach, and higher digital and traditional literacy. Adjaye’s pioneering work ensures the future of libraries, from the practical mind of an architect. This panel discussion also reminds library professionals that information literacy comes in a variety of forms, beyond only books. To remain relevant and helpful, libraries must evolve to the needs of the people and remain true to the pursuit of information access for all. If library and information professionals can harness this spirit of collaboration and devotion to the user, the future of libraries will always be secure.

Further Reading

• al-Qarawiyyin Library Set to Reopen Once Dust Settles from Renovations

References

[1] Chris Bourg, “MIT’s Future of the Library: Encouraging Social Knowledge-Building” by Jennifer Koerber, Library Journal, March 3, 2016.

[2] Ginnie Cooper, ibid.

[3] David Adjaye, ibid.

The post A History of the Future Library first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Today’s libraries are moving away from vast stacks of books and expanding their catalogs of e-books, special collections, and audiobooks as the publishing industry itself changes. Future Tense, a partnership among Arizona State University (ASU), New America, and Slate held a panel in November with experts in the field of library sciences. The experts were asked to describe the library of the future and whether or not they believed libraries will outlive books. All of them pointed to the concept of adaptation when answering the question.

From the Middle Ages . . .

Miguel Figueroa, director of the American Library Association’s Center for Future Libraries pointed out during the panel that people “still like their books in all different formats.”[1] That includes the print format, which can be traced to public libraries established in the Late Middle Ages but originating even earlier as well-rounded personal or restricted collections. Printing was so unique in medieval France that, in the fourteenth century, the oldest public library still open today, the Bibliothéque nationale de France (BnF) was created, based on King Charles V’s royal collection of printed texts. This eventually morphed in a legal depository of all published works in France. In the 500 years since its establishment, the BnF still adapts to meet the needs of its public. In 1988, then-President François Mitterand surprised everyone, including the library’s staff, with his announcement of the construction of an additional new research library.

The BnF isn’t the only ancient library to bring books from the Middle Ages into the twentieth century. Traced back to a small library room in the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin in the early 1300s, Oxford University’s Bodleian Library has successfully navigated nearly 700 years of constant change to stand as one of the oldest libraries in Europe. When I visited it in the late nineties, it was ahead of its time in how readers navigated its vast stores.

Stretching throughout more than one huge building, including the famous Radcliffe Camera, it had a digital catalog from which I had to request books. My request was sent to the appropriate stack, where a librarian found it, and then the book was “shipped” to the reading room I was assigned. The catalogs were, compared to my small college where we still used a card catalog, as high-tech as one could get in 1998.

To Infinity . . .

Even the Bodleian, or the Bod as those of us who have studied in it call it, curates a large library of e-books for its users. The collection is searchable via an online portal, and this is in line with what Future Tense panelist Deborah Jacobs cites as a need for libraries to focus on the preferences of the customer. Director of the Global Libraries Initiative for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Jacobs points to the Boston Public Library (BPL) as a beacon of adaption in the face of customer needs.

Not only does BPL have cafés, but it also produces television shows for teens and has teen librarians who curate collections at various locations in the BPL network. The content of libraries evolves, as does the customer base. Each community serves a unique customer base. In large cities like Boston, the customer base is going to be diverse; thus the evolution of the library will have to grow with the population. As Jacobs stated, libraries “have to be where the information is going.” For Boston, much of that information is going through the eyes of teens.

Even smaller library networks, like the one in my hometown of Boise, Idaho, are serving increasingly global audiences. The Boise Public Library offers a conversational English course for second language learners. Libraries are moving beyond providing books and are branching into providing educational services to meet their communities’ needs.

Beyond the Books . . .

What will libraries look like in 2100, or even farther into the future? If ASU’s librarian James O’Donnell has anything to do with it, they may look a lot like the Library of the year 5100 featured in the sci-fi series Doctor Who. O’Donnell’s primary vision is for a global library where all the world’s libraries will be brought together in one massive collection, like the planet-library hybrid explored by the Doctor. O’Donnell has already achieved this in a smaller scale at his university, as its library collections are accessible worldwide by ASU students who are learning via online programs. My own university uses a similar platform to make its library collections available to international learners, proof that a global library isn’t so far-fetched.

At the same time, it is likely that while libraries will indeed outlive books, and even perhaps the people who read them, they will also have to remain as adaptable to the communities that use them. Our libraries may someday be, literally and figuratively, in Clouds.

Sources:

[1] Miguel Figueroa. “Will Libraries Outlive Books?” (panel, Future Tense, Washington, Dc, November 12, 2015).”

Resources:

Gravalt, Nancy. “Will Libraries Outlive Books?” American Libraries, November 17, 2015.

The post Libraries May Outlive More Than Just Books first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

So, why are we so worried about the future of our libraries? People love us, right? Yes, they do, but that love is not always measured by their willingness to allocate funding to our budgets. Which begs the question, “How do we transform this unquestionable love for public libraries into increased funding?” Enter the librarian.

As I wrote in October, if the library is “the place,” then the librarian (and by librarian, I mean everyone who works in the library) may very well be what saves the public library. Listening to Patrick Sweeney’s keynote session at the Arizona Library Association conference, I was reminded of OCLC’s findings in a report that states that “The factors that determine residents’ willingness to increase their taxes to support their local library are their perceptions and attitudes about the library and the librarian.[2]  Sweeney, who works for EveryLibrary, (a Super PAC), informed us that most voters will not vote against a library referendum if they have a relationship with the librarian.[3]

Sure, I am making several assumptions, and perhaps drawing lines between dots that might not otherwise be connected, but play along with me, will you? Librarians humanize the library. They put a face on the institution as they connect people to books, programs and resources. Librarians are true community connectors and therein lay the potential that Wiegand brings to light—our transformative potential, that is what causes change or causes a shift in viewpoint usually for the better. When a patron experiences this transformational change, it can be exactly the type of emotional catalyst needed to motivate them up the ladder of engagement—from patron to volunteer to advocate to voter—and send them straight to the polls to vote for the library referendum (if and when that time comes).

What if librarians were fully engaged in their communities (yes, I know many are) and well-networked with their municipal counterparts, stakeholders, elected officials, trustees, and patrons (yes, even patrons). Wouldn’t forging such positive professional relationships help boost the perception and attitudes about the library and the librarian?

So, let’s drop our wasted energies on defending ourselves and our existence. People love us. Yes, libraries do matter in the age of Google. They always have and they always will. Libraries will outlive the printed books so long as we continue to evolve, grow, and innovate (just as we always have). In the words of Roy Bennett, “Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, focus your energy on what you can create.”[4] Let’s continue to create the future of public libraries with innovative services and a well-connected community of librarians.

Reference

[1] Wiegand, Wayne A. Part of Our Lives: A People’s History of the American Public Library. New York: Oxford University Press, 2015.

[2] De Rosa, Cathy, and Jenny Johnson. “From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America.” Report to the OCLC Membership (Dublin: OCLC, 2008). Web. https://www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/reports/funding/fullreport.pdf.

[3] Sweeney, Patrick. “Opening Session: Party Hard.” Key Note, Arizona Library Association Conference, Flagstaff, AZ. November, 19, 2015. Libraray Association Conference, Flagstaff, AZ. November, 19, 2015.

[4] Http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7349842-instead-of-worrying-about-what-you-cannot-control-focus-your. Accessed January 22, 2016.

Resources-Further Reading

Berry, John N., III. “By the People: The Library future resides in the users’ perception.” Library Journal. (15 October 2015). Web. http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2015/10/opinion/john-berry/by-the-people-the-library-future-resides-in-users-perception-blatant-berry/#_.

Wiegand, Wayne A. “Why Americans love their Public Libraries.” The Northwestern. (27 October 2015). Web. http://www.thenorthwestern.com/story/opinion/2015/10/24/americans-love-public-libraries/74563880/.

The post Americans Love Libraries first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

To accomplish this feat, the Pharr Memorial Library (PML) required assistance from the city’s GIS and Engineering departments. The project was spearheaded by the library’s Reference department, which invested almost a year’s worth of time coordinating information on 1,500 plots and 2,230 deceased individuals. Adolfo Garcia, PML’s Director, stated, “We’re interested in archiving information as librarians and making that information available to the public so people can search to know if their relative is there.”[2] Photos of every headstone were taken and will be used as a search tool for patrons interested in not only searching to see where their relative was buried, but what the headstone looks like.

The idea came about after multiple library patrons visited the library’s local archives to sift through two boxes of cemetery paperwork that included the names of all individuals buried at the Guadalupe Cemetery. The main problem the library faced was the time it took for the Reference Librarian to sit with inquirers until he finally come across the sought out relative. There was no structure to the paperwork as an earlier novice project simply recorded names in a primitive fashion. The Library Director and Reference Librarian brainstormed options for providing this information to the public in a more suitable and reliable way. They knew the city had already been using hand-held GPS devices to map out fire hydrants across the city. That is when it hit them (lightbulb):why not use those same devices to GPS every single grave at the cemetery? That information would then be placed in an online searchable database at no charge to the public. It was logical and convenient for community members and the library. And best of all? No more paper shuffling!

So, the Reference department got to work. They battled cold and rainy days as well as the suffocating South Texas heat for the sake of completing this one-of-a-kind project. All graves were coordinated. Information about birthdates and death dates were recorded on a simple iPhone app known as iSpreadsheet and photos were taken of every headstone to use as a searching tool for anyone interested. Several graves were in bad condition so names and dates were not legible. Those simply read as “unknown” on the online database that is now available online for community members to utilize. The deceased can be searched through a search tab by first name, last name, birthdate, or death date. The database can be found here: http://cop.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c85a7458cb404438ac0d580c51c157ac.

So the next time you wonder if technology will put a damper on public libraries, remember the innovative idea the Pharr Memorial Library Reference department devised using advanced technology available to them. Libraries have always and will always adapt to stay relevant and current.

[1] Vinjamuri, David. “Why Public Libraries Matter: And How They Can Do More,” Forbes, January 16, 2013, accessed October 19, 2015, http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidvinjamuri/2013/01/16/why-public-libraries-matter-and-how-they-can-do-more/.

[2] Sides, Emily. “Pharr Library Catalogs Historic Cemetery,” The Monitor, March 28, 2015, accessed October 20, 2015, http://www.themonitor.com/premium/pharr-library-catalogs-historic-cemetery/article_49303b7c-d590-11e4-ae58-3b91c6499bd6.html.

The post The Departed: One Library’s Innovative Cemetery Project first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Photo Credit: Amazon

At the same time, the relationship between libraries and publishers has changed. A majority of libraries now have ebooks available. According to the American Libraries Association 2014 Report on the State of Libraries, by the end of 2013 all of the major publishers were offering e-books to libraries, whether directly or through distributors like Overdrive, Axis 360, and 3M .

The relationship is still troubled, as issues of pricing and availability remain, not to mention the ever present concern about digital preservation. This is understandable considering the current troubled state of the publishing industry. Authors, small presses, and the big publishers alike are concerned about earnings and profit, and instead of embracing libraries as partners, often see them as the enemy. They often assume every book borrowed from a library is one the borrower would have purchased otherwise, so is thus a lost sale. Instead, they should be  looking at the way libraries can help their bottom line.

As community centers, libraries also reach out to local writers. The rise of self-publishing has added a new dynamic, and blurred the lines of what constitutes a “real” author. However, programs like the Soon to Be Famous author program in Illinois seek to address these while still Spotlighting Self-Published Authors.

Photo Credit: Flickr

What do book subscription services have to do with libraries? Well, in a Forbes article, Tim Worstall suggests we “close all of the libraries and buy everyone a Kindle Unlimited subscription.” Using his home country of the United Kingdom, the author argues such an action would benefit the public in the long run. Are subscription services library killers? Here are some simple reasons why not.

Costs

Libraries are publically funded, and therefore essentially free to the public. Even calculating in the costs of property tax levies and local sales taxes, libraries cost patrons much less (per capita) than the $120 dollars annually it would take to enroll each patron in Kindle Unlimited or one of the other subscription services.

Availability

Even though your local library might (only?) have 20,000 titles in stock–a small number when compared to those 600,000–the difference is in the titles themselves. For instance, many of the classics, including The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, books by Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and countless others are not available on Kindle Unlimited or either of the other subscription services.

Where does Amazon get their astounding number of titles? From their pool of self-published and small press authors who offer them exclusive rights to their content for a certain amount of time. Many other factors affect whether a book is available for “borrowing.” Publishers deal with these services much like movie studios deal with services like Netflix or musicians deal with Spotify or Pandora.  Not every book (or movie or artist) is available because the vendor has not brokered a deal with them to offer licensing of their work.

So while libraries wrestle with publishers, subscription services face many similar obstacles. Not all content or even most of the content readers want will be available in digital format.

Photo Credit: Pew Research

Print

The other factor is print. In 2013 according to a survey conducted by Pew Research, 28% of adults had read an ebook in the last year, up from 23% in 2012. But 69% reported reading a print book, also up from 65% the previous year. More than 54% of adults visited the library for one reason or another the previous year.

So while e-reader use is on the rise, and ebooks are becoming more popular, a large number of readers prefer print.

Preservation

Preserving knowledge is a huge part of any library’s mission. While there is some controversy over whether or not digital preservation of ebooks is actually taking place, the preservation of print materials, and the digitization of other parts of library collections, is a constant priority.

Community Centers

Patrons count on libraries to do more than just lend books. They visit for free Wi-Fi or even computer use and research assistance from knowledgeable staff. Often such services include assistance with job searches, especially for those who do not have reliable internet service at home.

Many libraries around the world offer innovative ideas to get print books and technology into the hands of readers, from mobile libraries to delivery services. The New York Public Library even offers remote answers to simple research questions through their ASK-NYPL program.

Discoverability

For years, the Big Six (now Big Five) were the “gatekeepers” of the publishing world. For the most part, they kept the bad out and let the good in. Smaller presses offered some opportunity, but self-publishing was obscure, frowned upon, and often perceived as an exercise in vanity. However, with the rise of Apple iBooks, followed by Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, the number of books published tripled in a decade, and rises exponentially annually.

As a result, classification and quality screening become more critical than ever. A smaller, more selective ebook collection accompanied by competent staff and a collections management plan makes for a much better user experience.

Ebooks will not replace paperbacks entirely anytime soon. Subscription services will not replace libraries and the community resources they provide. Libraries win, even in the area of ebook lending, despite the challenges they face. But the challenge won’t likely come from any kind of subscription service, at least for now.

The post Why Libraries Win: Library Lending vs. E-book Subscription Services first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

My library has an existing strategic plan, but I learned a tremendous amount about its implementation during the program. Creating a vision for your library is one thing, but actually identifying the necessary steps to make it happen, while getting staff on board in the process, can be difficult. Boot Camp gave me specific tools and strategies to help refine my library’s goals and put them into action.

Perhaps the information that stuck out to me most was the importance of acclimating staff to change and helping them see the benefits of the library’s goals and objectives. The costs associated with change do not merely deal with money or facilities; there is an emotional component to it as well. By taking the time to understand how employees are feeling and address any questions or concerns they may have, a manager can help ensure his or her plan’s success.

Another rewarding aspect of Boot Camp was the small group format. This year’s class was the largest to date, featuring eighty librarians from throughout the country. Because the group was not unwieldy, participants were able to get to know each other and collaborate throughout the week. While it is very easy to become insulated in your own county or state, this setup forced us out of that habit, helping us to see how libraries operate in different areas.

For more information about strategic planning, I highly recommend instructor Sandra Nelson’s book Strategic Planning for Results, available through the ALA Store. This information contained in this work, part of the PLA Results series, mirrors much of the content covered in Boot Camp and is a necessity for any public library working towards a strategic plan.

Have questions about PLA’s other continuing education and professional development offerings? Visit http://www.ala.org/pla/education.

The post Results are What Matters: PLA Bootcamp 2015 first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Bibli is a homemade robot. It uses a Roomba-branded floor vacuum base, just like the disc-like vacuums that roam household floors sucking up dust balls. It was built by library patrons for library patrons with the assistance of Jalali Hartman of Robauto, Inc. Hartman describes himself as “Chief Human” of his company.

A combination of industry, librarians, engineers, and patron-families collaborated together over the last twelve months to build Bibli. The common goal was to create a robot for the library to increase engagement in its patrons. Many of the kids on the small team that helped create this robot were on the Autism Spectrum. A lot of research shows that ASD kids engage as well or better with robots.

This prototype, which debuted with human library staff members at Denver Comic Con in May, is being tested at the Longmont Public Library according to Hartman. Bibli will be commercially available in 2016. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit autism research in schools and libraries.

#imetbibli pic.twitter.com/FryUmjTUDA

— ROBAUTO (@ROBAUTOPROJECT) July 22, 2015

Road to Creation: Weird Science

When Jalali (his name is pronounced Juh-lolly) first contacted me about building a robot for the library I was intrigued. Building a robot with almost no money, in a library for the library with kids on the Autism Spectrum, seemed like a very strange and light-hearted discussion. Now I take both Jalali and robots very seriously and he takes libraries seriously. He hadn’t read a book in years (that has changed since of course). Don’t be afraid to approach your leadership and potential funding sources just because your project hasn’t been attempted before. Don’t shut down an idea just because you don’t know what you are doing. We are librarians: if we expect our patrons to dare to learn new ideas and concepts we had better show the way.

Low-cost Robot Creation

While other companies spend millions of dollars in testing and research to make social interaction robots Bibli cost less than three thousand dollars. Most robots after research and development cost over $6,000 each—even at reduced educator’s rates. Manufacturing robots can cost $25,000 each or more. Most families, and most libraries, can’t afford a robot.

Social robots on the market today include “Milo” from Robokind and “Nao” from Aldebaran.

Most of the money for Bibli came from a grant from the C’AND Aid Foundation written for its “Total Canarchy” grants division. This foundation section is described for “UnCANventional (sic) projects that make a difference.” Money was also granted from the Friends of the Longmont Public Library towards this project.

Industry-Library Collaboration

In many libraries funding is decreasing, not increasing, and public-private library ventures may be a source of necessary revenue for public libraries thrive. What it requires is innovative public library leadership as well as a business, such as Robauto, experienced with these types of partnerships. Hartman states that non-profit colleges and universities use and encourage partnerships with businesses regularly and it is a model that can be adapted for library partnerships as well.

Robots in Industry

Robots have long been employed in other industries such as manufacturing. An example of this is “Baxter.” It is a robot built by Rethink Robotics. It works primarily for the manufacturing industry but can be repurposed across jobs and does not require programming.

Three robot receptionists will greet guests in July at the Henna-no Hotel in Nagasaki prefecture in Japan. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, “Initially the hotel will have 10 robot members of staff,” but Huis Ten Bosch company President Hideo Sawada told a news conference, “In the future, we’d like to have more than 90 percent of hotel services operated by robots.”

The use of robots, just like the use of computers decades ago, is increasing. Libraries will be no exception. While libraries are not hotels or manufacturing they are in the business of educating, engaging, and entertaining their patrons. Robots in the library, at least in one library, seem well on the way to doing just that.

References:

Robauto.co

http://www.timescall.com/longmont-local-news/ci_28261766/bibli-robot-is-longmont-librarys-newest-employee

https://www.aldebaran.com/en/humanoid-robot/nao-robot

http://www.robokindrobots.com/robots4autism-home

http://foundation.oskarblues.com/funding-areas/total-canarchy/

http://www.seejapan.co.uk/jnto_consumer/media/press-releases/press-release-detail/15-01-30/hotel-staffed-by-robots-opening-in-japan

The post Build a Robot and Add It to Your Staff first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

While Napoli was certainly an innovative thinker in terms of collection management, he was a trailblazer when it came to technology. It is because of Napoli’s leadership that SJCPL was the first public library in the United States and the second in the world to have a web page.

1996 SJCPL Homepage

Therefore, it is no surprise that when asked about the future of libraries, Napoli sees technology continuing to play a major role in how libraries serve their communities. He states that while technology is changing too rapidly for him to try and predict very far into the future, “I would guess that the digital age and the wearable computer, all­ in­ one, personal device for communicating with everyone everywhere at anytime will accelerate unabated.” While he recognizes the importance of embracing new technologies, he believes that equally as important is a knowledgeable staff who can guide patrons through the rapidly changing online environment.

Napoli is rather excited when he speaks of the role technology will play in public libraries in the future. Perhaps because he has already seen firsthand how libraries have learned to adapt when facing an uncertain future. This is apparent in the chapter he wrote for The Evolving Virtual Library II: Practical and Philosophical Perspectives, published in 1999, in which he posed the question. “What does the future hold when the most creative minds in the world can talk to each other, instantly and constantly, at any time and can share their thoughts with the rest of the world? No one can tell. Everything will certainly move even faster as this creativity feeds on itself.”

Donald Napoli in 1978

As Mr. Napoli reflects on his many years of experience working in public libraries, he advises those facing new ideas to “be very excited about it yourself and you will spread that excitement to those around you. Immerse yourself in the excitement of the new initiatives. Let them become your energy!” Although he is optimistic about the future of libraries he knows that there will still be challenges ahead. When asked what advice he would give to someone considering a career working in libraries his advice is encouraging, yet realistic. “Go for it! Embrace the pain!”

It is because of constant evolution of thoughts and ideas that he has conditioned his staff to not be afraid of change. It is this ability to adapt that allowed Napoli to retire with a happy heart, knowing that SJCPL will continue to thrive despite his absence. It also helps that he has turned the reins over to long­time assistant director, Debra Futa, who he is quick share credit with for many of SJCPL’s successful initiatives. “She knows what she is doing, is very excited about the future, as uncertain as it is, and is ready to lead the way. This is the day I’ve been waiting for and it is a pure joy to see her excitement. She already is and will continue to be a great leader!”  Ed. note:  Look for an interview with Don Napoli in the July/August 2015 issue of “Public Libraries.”

The post Immerse Yourself in the Excitement of New Initiatives: Longtime Indiana Director Retires first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The annual program begins each year at ALA Midwinter, to be held in Boston in 2016. Emerging Leaders also present their work at a poster session during ALA Annual Conference, which will take place in Orlando. Additionally, participants may get the chance to participate in an ALA committee or taskforce.

Applications and references must be submitted online no later than August 1, 2015. Applicants may elect to seek sponsorship from a number of ALA divisions in order to help defray the costs of attending the required conferences, although this is not required.

Thanks to its robust reputation, Emerging Leaders is a great opportunity for newer librarians to gain experience within ALA, network, and add to their resumes. As 2015 Emerging Leader Anna Coats, Head of Youth Services at Livingston (NJ) Public Library, states, “The point of Emerging Leaders is to get you more involved and in an upward trajectory in ALA.” Many former participants go on to serve on ALA committees, in addition to securing leadership positions. The program is also a great way to collaborate with people and organizations outside your normal day-to-day work environment. This can be truly inspirational and have a positive effect on your regular work.

To help your application stand out, Coats suggests discussing any leadership experience you may already have, and to be specific while doing so. It doesn’t necessarily have to be running a department or singlehandedly chairing a committee; the little things like volunteering to take on a project that no one else wanted or mentoring a library school student count as well. Additionally, she advises to be clear about your goals and what you hope to get out of the program. Of course, it is also important to thoroughly look over your application before submission in order to make sure it is as clear and succinct as possible.

For more information, including specific selection criteria, visit ALA’s Emerging Leaders website.

The post Deadline Approaching For 2016 Emerging Leaders Program first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

To prepare for the publication of these books, 1000 trees have been planted in a forest outside of Oslo for the sole purpose of providing paper to print the books. As noted on the Future Library website, “Tending the forest and ensuring its preservation for the 100-year duration of the artwork finds a conceptual counterpoint in the invitation extended to each writer: to conceive and produce a work in the hopes of finding a receptive reader in an unknown future.”

One author we know will be in this library is Margaret Atwood, who was chosen to be the first author to provide a manuscript for the project. She presented her manuscript to the library on May 26^th in a ceremony that included a walk through the Future Library Forest and a conversation with artist Katie Paterson, who created the Future Library concept. Atwood is a natural choice for inclusion in the Future Library as so much of her writing deals with what will happen in the future. “In the case of the Future Library, I am sending a manuscript into time. Will any human beings be waiting there to receive it? Will there be a ‘Norway’? Will there be a ‘forest’? Will there be a ‘library’?” wrote Atwood in an essay for the project. Another futurist author, David Mitchell, was chosen shortly after Atwood’s ceremony to write the second work for the Future Library. His manuscript will be added in 2016.

For $1000, collectors can purchase a printed certificate that functions as a piece of art until the Future Library opens, at which point the certificate entitles the owner to a complete set of the 100 works in the library

Paterson’s other artworks have involved broadcasting the sounds of a melting glacier live to a visitor on a mobile phone, mapping all the dead stars, compiling a slide archive of the history of darkness across the ages, custom-making a light bulb to simulate the experience of moonlight, burying a nanosized grain of sand deep within the Sahara desert, and sending a re-cast meteorite back into space.

Sources:

Future Library – Framtidsbiblioteket – Katie Paterson. Accessed June 9, 2015. http://www.futurelibrary.no/.

“KATIE PATERSON: Future Library Certificate.” James Cohan Gallery. Accessed June 9, 2015. http://www.jamescohan.com/editions/2014-09-05_katie-paterson-future-library-certificate.

“Margaret Atwood 2014.” Accessed June 9, 2015. http://www.futurelibrary.no/Future_Library_Katie_Paterson_Guide_2015.pdf.

The post Opening in 100 Years: The Future Library first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Since 2005, future Minnesota library leaders have come together to learn more about leadership styles, library trends, and professional network building at the Minnesota Library Association Institute for Leadership Excellence (MILE). Every MILE retreat is unique, as it is planned by the previous graduating group. Library staff who are interested in participating are required to complete an application and undergo a selection process. The interest and demand for the program continues to grow, so not everyone who applies is selected. Selection is determined by previous MILE graduates.

One program that is typically revisited each year is a session on the book Strengths Finder by Tom Rath. Each attendee takes the StrengthsFinder assessment to learn more about their personal aptitudes. This year’s retreat also included sessions on library advocacy, leading from the middle, and creative thinking. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from experts like Barry Kudrowitz and Jamie LaRue. Participants are also paired with mentors from the professional library community who will help them work toward the goals they have set over the following eighteen months. Those interested in becoming mentors also complete an application. The information provided is used to match the skills of the mentor with the needs of individual mentees.

I had the opportunity to attend the last day of the retreat as a mentor for the program. It was great to see the connections that had already been built between the participants in such a short time. Most of my time was spent meeting one on one with my mentee. I’m excited to build the connection with another person in our state’s library community and expect to learn a few new ideas and perspectives myself. Several graduates from MILE work at our library system. I have seen real benefits of having staff with greater connections in the library world. It can be difficult to build this type of network. MILE achieves this in just four days.

MILE is the brainchild of members of the Minnesota Library Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing library services and increasing public awareness of Minnesota libraries. According to one of its founders, Don Kelsey, the program grew out of a conversation in 2004 based on workshop opportunities offered by the American Library Association. “We wanted to do it in Minnesota,” said Kelsey at a closing session of the conference. “The Foundation looks at this as a way to pay it forward.”

The program has reaped benefits from its efforts. Three of the last four Minnesota Library Association presidents have been MILE graduates. In addition, approximately forty percent of last year’s MLA conference attendees had a MILE connection, according to Kelsey.

It will be another two years before the next MILE retreat begins. Visit the Minnesota Library Association website for more information.

References

MILE 2015 Conference

Minnesota Library Association’s Institute for Leadership Excellence (MILE) 2015

The post MILE Grows Future Minnesota Library Leaders and Networks first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The iPads will come with specific preloaded apps such as Mango Languages, Hoopla, and Overdrive. Along with these apps are music, games, video editing applications, and educational resources. The iPad check out service is intended to coincide with the already successful Free Library of Philadelphia Computer Labs and Hot Spots spread amongst neighborhoods in Philly.

A search on Google revealed that a number of colleges and universities in the United States have been loaning out iPads to their students for some time. This includes both private schools such as Briar Cliff University, and public universities like the University of South Carolina and the University of South Florida. With the cost involved it is understandable that there are relatively few public libraries that allow their patrons to check out iPads. There is also the concern of the safety of the devices that would need to be addressed before more public libraries adopt a similar program. One hopes that a project like this meets with great success, and thus influences other public libraries to not only partner with their local colleges, but also take a chance on their patrons.

Further resources on iPad checkouts for your library:

http://crln.acrl.org/content/72/4/212.full

http://www.macprofessionals.com/new-library-ipad-checkout-solution/

The post iPad Check-Out at the Library first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

What might be considered an extreme case of this is the Sacramento Public Library’s recent initiative to create a Library of Things. One aspect is a variety of instruments, including guitars, drums and ukuleles. They have board games for all ages and video games for circulation. GoPro cameras and sewing machines are also available. It is also possible to work with the library’s 3D printer and bike repair station, though these are not available for checkout.[2]

When considering a lending library of this sort, it is important to determine that it is in keeping with the library’s mission. SPL’s Mission Statement reads,  “Sacramento Public Library provides ideas, information, and resources to help our community discover, learn, and grow.”[3] Viewing the Library of Things in this context, not only does it seem appropriate to supplement their print collection with these items, but it could also be seen as a disservice to not allow these venues for learning, discovery, and growth.

It is important when building non-standard collections (as it is in all collections) to allow for vigorous assessment. 3D printers are a growing trend in public libraries, but a library needs to make sure that it is providing sufficient programming around such a costly addition. Moreover, it must ensure the public has both the opportunity and desire to use such equipment. Some of this assessment can only be performed after a purchase. Yet understanding the demographics most interested in 3D printers and determining if they are regular library users or might become regular users if a device was purchased can be helpful information to gather before a purchase is made. Also, surveys with realistic evaluations of the cost both in terms of dollars and products/services can help shift the decision from the library to the community.

It is also important to seek alternative revenue streams to supplement taxpayer dollars. The Library of Things was supported by a $10,000 grant through the Library Services and Technology Act.[4] Many object lending libraries either begin as a result of a donation, or are supplemented through later donations. Even with donations it is important to assess the community impact and how the objects help the library fulfill its mission as they require physical space and staff maintenance.

Finally, the library needs to determine what special policies (if any) need to be in place for these special additions. As noted above, items like the 3D printer can only be used in the library, while in some libraries, smaller portable ones may be brought off-site by a library staff member. Some libraries lend laptops or tablets for use in the library. The Sacramento Library notes that some of the more expensive items will include a written agreement before checking out items.[5] Other libraries may require a copy of a driver’s license to keep on file until the item is returned. Determining a policy that properly supports the library and the community’s investment while also not being onerous or excluding potential users can be challenging and may need to be amended over time.

Over the centuries libraries have evolved from maintaining collections of papyrus scrolls to lending books to the general public. Books should not define the legacy of the library, but instead be viewed as an important means through which libraries can serve their community. In many communities they still offer one of the best, most affordable means of promoting learning. Yet in some communities, and likely increasingly over time, libraries must seek new service opportunities within their neighborhoods. For one community this may mean a greater portion of the budget being spent on audiobooks or DVDs, in another it could mean adding board games. It is not the tool that defines the library, but instead the library, with the help of the community, defining the tools that enable it to serve most effectively. What tools does your library currently use and what  does it hope to incorporate in the future? How will these tools help serve your community? For more on the widening definition of the library’s collection see The Evolution of Library Collections.

[1] “Library.”  Merriam-Webster Dictionary.  Accessed April 18, 2015.  http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/library

[2] Milne, Steve.  “Library of Things Launches on Saturday.”  Capital Public Radio.  Accessed April 18, 2015.  http://www.capradio.org/articles/2015/03/12/library-of-things-launches-on-saturday

[3] “Strategic Plan.”  Sacramento Public Library.  Accessed April 18, 2015.  https://www.saclibrary.org/About-Us/Strategic-Plan/

[4] Milne, Steve.  “Library of Things Launches on Saturday.”  Capital Public Radio.  Accessed April 18, 2015.  http://www.capradio.org/articles/2015/03/12/library-of-things-launches-on-saturday

[5] Milne, Steve.  “Library of Things Launches on Saturday.”  Capital Public Radio.  Accessed April 18, 2015.  http://www.capradio.org/articles/2015/03/12/library-of-things-launches-on-saturday

The post Library of Things Shapes Dialogue on Library Collections first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Choosing your genres…This may seem obvious, but choose all your genres before you get started and stick with it until the end. Look at what books seem to circulate well. Look at review magazines or other publications to see how they group fiction materials. Take a survey of your patrons to get ideas. However, we also strongly suggest you pull some books from a section of your shelves. Look at what genres they represent. Does your collection gravitate towards a specific direction? However, keep in mind that if you choose to create niche genres, these will be more fluid. When the books go out of style, you may want to dissolve the genre and return the books to other areas. Or someday there may be a new niche where a large number of books are published, and you may want to keep all these books together. For example, with the craze for vampires and other supernatural entities, our library decided to create a supernatural genre to keep these books together. And, in the future when vikings or something else become extremely popular, we may need to create a new collection.

Where do you go to determine genres…Many book vendors have genres listed within their online catalogs.  OCLC’s WorldCat has genres specifically listed in their catalog entries as well. But keep in mind that both OCLC and also the commercial vendors are judging each book individually. Also, if you are part of a consortium, see where other libraries have placed books or series of books. This may give you ideas about what genres you would like to include in your library.

When to take a broader look at your collection…When you are putting books into different genres, you will find that some authors write in multiple genres. Some libraries classify strictly based on genres, while others try to keep author’s works together. This is particularly important if the library is in a community where reading an author’s entire body of work is important. However, our advice to you is do one author at a time, and pay attention to books in the authors’ series. You may find that throughout a series, each book has a different genre assigned to it. At the very least, you need to keep all the books in an author’s series together.

How are you keeping track of what you have done…Is there a master list somewhere that says this author goes in this genre, or this chunk of an author’s work goes here and this chunk goes there? It’s more than likely that you will have multiple people work on this project. How does everyone make sure they know what is going on and don’t either duplicate already completed work or do something that doesn’t match previous patterns?

When a patron disagrees with you…There will be patrons that don’t agree with what genre you have assigned to a book or a series of books. They may want to suggest additional or different genres to use. Not all their suggestions will be great, but listen to them because some will be very helpful. Take notes, and tell them you will consider what they say. It may not change what you ultimately do, but your patrons will feel they have been heard.

Good luck with your genre-fying project. It will be great.

Melanie A. Lyttle is the Head of Public Services Madison Public Library. You can watch her YouTube channel, Crabby Librarian, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rv5GLWsUow. Shawn D. Walsh is the Emerging Services and Technologies Librarian at Madison Public Library.

The post Genre-fying Your Library’s Fiction Collection first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Early experimenters with tablets found them a bit weighty and burdensome, but newer technology has eliminated that complaint for the most part.  Some libraries have taken the tablet concept a bit further and even use them to check out material, renew an item, or place other items on hold, thus eliminating the requisite stop at the circulation desk.  Also, in reference to downloadables (e.g., books, recorded books, movies) librarians have found that it is easier to teach the patrons how to use the features on the actual products people will have at their home, as opposed to reading directions from a desktop.

At the Boise Public Library (BPL), they have begun to switch out desktop computers altogether and replace them with tablets for the librarians in their offices/reference desk. This way they can “work” on them and also be roving reference librarians without switching from one piece of equipment to another.

Full disclosure:  I do not own a tablet, although I have used them at friend’s houses and at work for a special project.  The one I used at work was not owned by my library, but was my boss’ personal tablet that I used for an offsite cataloging project for a major donor. It took a little getting used to; I favor a mouse to a touch pad any day of the week.  That being said, I can see the efficacy and need to integrate tablets into libraries.  In the long run, they will probably eradicate paper and ink waste from printing out locations of books for patrons or receipts from check outs. The integration of tablets is just another sign of the times that libraries need to and will amend to.

References:

http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2015/01/technology/meet-the-tabletarians-mobile-services/#_

The post Tablets: Are They Right for Your Library? first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

“Modular” is a new buzzword in library design across all departments. Every designer my board and I interviewed for our project threw the term around, and a recent Library Journal article agrees[1]. Modular fixtures are flexible and can be arranged different ways. For example, the Modular Display Shelving System mentioned in the article can easily accommodate a different breakdown of shelves, screens, and bins based on your library’s needs. What’s more, the configuration can be altered at any point in time. Modular seating, multiple examples of which can be found in Library Journal’s piece, can be arranged in any number of patterns with the components all in one area or spread throughout the library.

This type of furniture is a smart investment in that buyers are not limited to one particular set-up. If, for example, a modular fixture is purchased to house DVDs and a library decides to cut back on its physical media collection in five years, the piece can easily be used to accommodate other materials or tablets. Similarly, modular seating allows for both group and independent work, depending on your patrons’ preferences.

Mobile shelving and other fixtures is also hot. By placing large pieces on casters, staff can easily move displays from one area of the building to another. This allows freedom to use collection space for programming or even change your layout if you decide it isn’t working anymore. With this type of furniture, a library is no longer locked into a certain footprint.

Finally, sleek silhouettes and bright colors are popular for seating areas. Most of the furniture featured in the Library Journal article comes in eye-catching shades that look inviting to library users. This trend is significantly removed from the more institutional-looking pieces that were so popular in decades past and reflects a library’s fun, appealing attitude.

Like everything else in today’s library world, flexibility is key when it comes to choosing a new design. Pieces that have multiple uses or configurations will remain useable even if the face of the public library changes. Add in some vibrant colors and interesting shapes, and it is easy to update your space to last well into the 21^st century!

Citation
[1] What’s Hot: Library By Design, Fall 2014. (2014, November 25). Retrieved December 16, 2014, from http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2014/11/buildings/lbd/whats-hot-library-by-design-fall-2014-2/

The post Flexibility is Key: Innovations in Library Design first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Here is some background on Salt Lake City Public Library’s 24/7 proposal. The idea of remaining open all night came out of a discussion with Jason Mathis of the Salt Lake City Downtown Alliance; Bill Evans, former director of government relations for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Bruce Bastian, one of the founders of WordPerfect software. The three of them were concerned with Salt Lake City’s teenage homeless problem, and inquired if it was feasible for the library to provide space for the teens at night. SLCPL Executive Director John Spears did not want to open the library up at night for only the homeless teens, but instead suggested keeping the library open at night for everyone. When queried , the library board was receptive to a formal assessment of this possibility as well.

For those of us working in public libraries we may be thinking that this 24/7 proposal seems like a potential logistical nightmare, but Spears has clearly put a lot of thought into it. He aims to keep only the bottom two floors open at night, while utilizing runners to fetch items from floors three to six. Security will also be on hand to alleviate concerns over drug use, prostitution, and patrons camping out.  He hopes to use a grant to fund this initiative, and the grant will pay for a permanent set of staff to work the night shifts. The period of the grant as proposed is for two years. After that time has elapsed, the program will be evaluated to see if it will be made permanent.

As expected, there are some concerns from the community. These concerns are primarily about security, the homeless, and alcohol/drug use. Anybody who has ever worked in an urban library knows something about each of these issues. One way to alleviate these concerns is Spears’ desire to fund the two year grant solely with private and corporate donations—no public money will be involved. Regardless, these are still some serious considerations to factor in. Along with. . . Who will really use the library at these hours? Will it be the desired late shift workers, night owls, hipsters, and college students? Or will it instead be a haven for those with nowhere else to go and those looking for trouble? We keep hearing how libraries need to adapt or risk becoming obsolete, but is there really a demand for our urban libraries to be open 24/7? I suspect the majority of patrons who will take advantage of this new implementation will be the displaced, and those looking for a last minute movie rental. For now, this is getting the library some publicity, and creating many conversations in the media. We will all have to stay tuned to see what happens.

Until then, what do you think? Would a 24/7 schedule help serve your community?

The post Up All Night at the Public Library first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Maximizing impact
In addition to increased funding, changing the types of services that are allowed for reimbursement will more specifically target the audience this funding is intended to reach: students without reliable wireless connectivity. The program aims to reach an additional 10 million students by 2016.

Modernization
The plan shifts funding away from what was known as “Category 1” services toward “Category 2” services. This will move funding in phases toward broadband-related needs like wireless service and away from standard telephone service, web hosting, and text messaging. Funding for email services is also eliminated.

Funding discontinued for the following Category 1 services:

• 900/976 call blocking
• custom calling services
• direct inward dialing
• directory assistance charges
• email
• inside wire maintenance plans
• paging
• text messaging
• voice mail
• web hosting

Category 2 services include those needed to establish and maintain broadband connections within libraries and schools. Category 2 services qualifying for FY2015 e-rate funding include:

• Access points used in a local area network (LAN) or wireless local area network (WLAN) environment (such as wireless access points)
• Antennas, cabling, connectors, and related components used for internal broadband connections
• Caching
• Firewall services and components
• Switches
• Routers
• Racks
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)/Battery Backup
• Wireless controller systems
• Software supporting each of the components on this list used to distribute high-speed broadband throughout school buildings and libraries
• Repair and upkeep of eligible hardware
• Wire and cable maintenance
• Configuration changes
• Basic technical support including online and telephone based technical support
• Software upgrades and patches including bug fixes and security patches

Streamlining
One of the most notable changes is that a technology plan is no longer required for funding. The application is designed to make the process “faster, simpler and more efficient” than it has been in previous years. All documents will be filed electronically. The emphasis will be on faster turnaround times so that schools and libraries can focus their resources on building strong, internal broadband and wireless systems.

Resources
USAC Schools and Libraries E-Rate Modernization Order

District Dispatch: New Year, New E-rate: E-rate implementation begins

District Dispatch: E-rate modernization process in the news

The post FY2015 E-rate Funding Targeted Toward Expanding and Modernizing Wireless Networks in Schools and Libraries first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

In direct correlation to their higher comfort level with technology, a significant 36% of this age group has visited a library’s website in the last twelve months, 8% more than the 30 and over sector. While the majority of millennials do not indicate a tremendous familiarity with their library’s offerings, this age group is more likely to have read a book in the last year than their older counterparts. In fact, Americans in their late teens—ages 16-17—are the most likely demographic to read books for pleasure, school, or work, and to utilize the library as a research source. Interestingly, older teens also gravitate towards print books over electronic material and are the only demographic who prefer to borrow their reading books over purchasing them [1].

These findings present an interesting task for public librarians. Because millennials are voracious readers and are so deeply rooted in technology, they can represent a wildly untapped market in a library. My library, for example, offers a wide variety of programs and displays for children, teens, parents, and senior citizens, but the age group in between is admittedly underserved. Why is this the case? Many recent political campaigns have focused extensively on marketing to the under-30 bracket with the mentality that young people are traditionally less likely to come out and vote while representing the future of the United States. Shouldn’t we apply this same logic to the public library?

The good news is that with the increased popularity of the “New Adult” genre of fiction—generally geared towards individuals who have recently outgrown YA—there is plenty of fodder for attracting millennials to the library, both through collections and programming. The Pew study shows this demographic is already visiting the library to borrow items; why not also hook them with an innovative program such as a generation-specific book club or interesting lecture? The more we attract millennials, the more likely they will be to remain life-long library users and eventually instill this interest in their children. In short, this age group may be the future of the public library.

Has your library created any specific collections or programming to cater to millennials?

Works Cited

[1] Zickuhr, Kathryn, and Lee Rainie. “Younger Americans and Public Libraries.” Pew Research Internet Project (2014). Web. 25 Oct. 2014. <http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/09/10/younger-americans-and-public-libraries/>.

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Recently I came across a reference book in my library on American innovators called They Made America by Harold Evans. This book details the big idea people that truly changed the American way of life. Important inventors and innovators ranging from historical figures like Eli Whitney, Levi Strauss, Henry Ford, and Walt Disney to current innovators like Larry Page and Sergey Brin the founders of Google, are each given a chapter. What do all of these people have in common? An idea (or two) and the passion and energy to act on it! Librarianship is a field that is still seeing almost constant change and lends itself to people with ideas who are not afraid of challenging the way things have always been done.

When I worked at the Delray Beach Public Library, I sat across the room from an underutilized computer lab. Ten computers in a quiet and ideal environment just glaring at me, almost begging me to be used. These underutilized resources irked me, and I was even more frustrated when patrons pointed at the lab when all the public internet computers were being used and asked, “Why can’t we use the computers in there?”. I had no good answer besides the fact that we only ever used the lab for our computer classes. I was beyond fortunate to have the opportunity as a member of the Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute to use this lab as my culminating project and turn the space into the Empowerment Zone – a career, eGov, and education resource that in a year would allow over 100 patrons a month to use the space and computers.

Next year, I would like to challenge everyone in our profession to try to smash the status quo. As mentioned previously, giving up takes little effort, but trying to find a way around a road block can be an important challenge. On March 21^st, the anniversary of the founding of Twitter (facilitator of change throughout the world), I propose #SmashTheStatusQuoDay, where every library professional attempts to create or reimagine an idea, or just plain blow up the status quo in a way that is beneficial to their library and profession. You can tweet about it, or mention it on Facebook and other social media platforms. The challenge is positive change for you and your organization. Good luck and remember that there are plenty of resources out there, including Public Libraries Online, to help you formulate your plan of attack!

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