tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311068142024-02-06T21:26:50.151-08:00Gather No DustDiscussing Libraries, Management, and Technologyjdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.comBlogger218125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-67094003888543890012014-08-14T18:00:00.000-07:002014-11-15T12:21:49.169-08:00Management Book Review: Leaders Eat Last<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlaqi70XCR0xE_hslVCEnxliKx2AFaO8sAHftQEdufy7gWm5mfnVgs6tNs9IRdcOEDb0qAeIDKOcP293KhJJlXo7d4hgM8JEWKtrBaUfDoM155VBrV0n6O9DoSbFd-5blbIkK/s1600/imgres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlaqi70XCR0xE_hslVCEnxliKx2AFaO8sAHftQEdufy7gWm5mfnVgs6tNs9IRdcOEDb0qAeIDKOcP293KhJJlXo7d4hgM8JEWKtrBaUfDoM155VBrV0n6O9DoSbFd-5blbIkK/s1600/imgres.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1000389896?book_show_action=false" target="_blank"><b>Leaders Eat Last</b></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>by Simon Sinek</b></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><u>Leaders Eat Last</u> is a surprisingly bold book, with an author that is both forward-thinking (very TED Talk), yet also retro in philosophy. Simon Sinek maintains that as business leaders, we have increasingly looked at employees as statistics and cogs, instead of as human beings. Much of this new philosophy stems from layoffs and business practices of the 1980s (based on Reagan’s firing of air traffic controllers). This trend has led to leaders only looking at the bottom line. Their main goal, it seems, is to increase profit margins for their shareholders at the cost of taking care of their employees. Gone is the “Mother Merill” philosophy toward employees and its “long term greed” (be good to customers and they keep coming back to your business for years to come.) Rather, it is now all about how much profit you can make next quarter. This type of philosophy is creeping into companies and leading to poor decisions. Some of these decisions are what led to the Great Recession. He maintains that this needs to change and that there are very primal reasons we need to make these changes. It is better for employees, better for customers, better for business, and for our economy. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">True leaders have great responsibility and those that take it seriously will put their people first and their own ego last</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">They don’t force the organization in a direction that just benefits them and their bottom line, but one which benefits the organization as a whole. We are trained to look to leaders and trust that they will make the right decision on our behalf. When that trust is broken, chaos ensues, and that can lead to disastrous results.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">The leader creates the culture of the company; they must have integrity and see their people as human beings, not just as statistics and output. Sinek places this as the top priority, which is really a return to the way most companies treated their employees before the 1980s, as people. </span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">This is a very powerful book that many business leaders and politicians should be reading. I have read this theme in multiple books from Thomas Piketty’s </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>Capital,</i></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> to Al Gore’s </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>The Future</i></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">. Having the main focus of making the numbers for the next quarter makes us toss everything else aside. With this mindset, we are only looking at the next three months. The decisions that we make last longer than a quarter; they last for years and decades. Short-sighted philosophies have long-term consequences. As Sinek points out in this book, this short-sightedness needs to stop. </span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>Favorite passages:</i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">“What makes a good leader is that they eschew the spotlight in favor of spending time and energy to do what they need to do to support and protect their people. And when we feel the Circle of Safety around us, we offer our blood and sweat and tears and do everything we can to see our leader’s vision come to life. The only thing our leaders ever need to do is remember whom they serve, and it will be our honor and pleasure to serve them back. "</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">“A supportive and well-managed work environment is good for one’s health. Those who feel they have more control, who feel empowered to make decisions instead of waiting for approval, suffer less stress.”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">"This is the most important lesson I can impart to all of you,” he offered. “All the perks, all the benefits and advantages you may get for the rank or position you hold, they aren’t meant for you. They are meant for the role you fill. And when you leave your role, which eventually you will, they will give the ceramic cup to the person who replaces you. Because you only ever deserved a Styrofoam cup.” </span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">“The goal of the leader is to give no orders,” Captain Marquet explains. “Leaders are to provide direction and intent and allow others to figure out what to do and how to get there.” </span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">“For leaders, integrity is particularly important. We need to trust that the direction they choose is in fact a direction that is good for all of us and not just good for them. As members of a tribe who want to feel like we belong and earn the protection and support of the group, we will often follow our leaders blindly with the belief (or hope) that it is in our interest to do so. This is the deal we make with our leaders. “</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">“Building trust requires nothing more than telling the truth.”</span>jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-21782266243637623972014-06-08T13:56:00.000-07:002014-10-06T14:02:09.030-07:00Your Library In More Places<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCrFpqoohh4rj6fapoOXFDbuAj2ZgyQ8BGcRSaCVOJA7M830QiEmJeMsK_hcSBihrQkOjzFc2OW4RPpO40qASXdC-zZs4CJ45btjrUT2dbS3GlAYgz4JADVo13ySy1rmiOSsk/s1600/8592166685_fa9310102a_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCrFpqoohh4rj6fapoOXFDbuAj2ZgyQ8BGcRSaCVOJA7M830QiEmJeMsK_hcSBihrQkOjzFc2OW4RPpO40qASXdC-zZs4CJ45btjrUT2dbS3GlAYgz4JADVo13ySy1rmiOSsk/s1600/8592166685_fa9310102a_m.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>I often tell people that I am a big believer in the magic of
libraries. They provide inspiration and hope, no matter their size. Today,
libraries can be everywhere. From the massive buildings that dominate a downtown landscape,
to the small branches in malls where people shop, book machines on the walk home from school, and
even on your smartphone, libraries are there. The biggest challenge is getting
this message across. How do we find ways to tell this story to the local
community? To get people excited about it, and ultimately change their
perception and gain their support? I believe it is in this magic that we can spread that message.
This misconception is an opportunity to surprise and delight. It’s our own
shock and awe, and we can deliver that to our communities.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AdfCcaCr2vUM3ChCl5RiZgKVjjDi05sEiH54BcxtXFEKgkin5BcyoaG4DogUMDfh1QYssy_IqHIgXw1BXmdxc8DWaPhD9OTCSQ_Uzfh4EPaKVdEI0BWERg3Gxo-TTyNL5896/s1600/8593184926_743eb301b4_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AdfCcaCr2vUM3ChCl5RiZgKVjjDi05sEiH54BcxtXFEKgkin5BcyoaG4DogUMDfh1QYssy_IqHIgXw1BXmdxc8DWaPhD9OTCSQ_Uzfh4EPaKVdEI0BWERg3Gxo-TTyNL5896/s1600/8593184926_743eb301b4_m.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>One of the key principles to this process is a motto from
our Foundation: Your Library in More Places. The concept came up on a sort of
whim. I have written a regular feature for the local paper about our library
for several years. One of these articles was titled "Your Library in More Places." In this article, I discussed our book machine services and our efforts in renovating our libraries.</div>
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My main focus in the past few years has been outreach, specifically the
library’s book machines and renovating our small rural libraries. It is amazing
to see the impact these kinds of acts can have in these communities- a new
library with state-of-the art services that they never would have imagined. Instead
of dilapidated hand-me-down shelving, worn carpet, and old computers, they get
the same new furnishings and finishes that are available in the larger
branches. The custom carved book shelving, the early literacy computers, they
are all there. It provides a big boost for the community to have these
amenities and it demonstrates to the community that the library cares about
them. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mEP-sK2Wd20Cm3ivdPi5KLRSyHIpP9OVOfHQJlnLE4BokyFPbi-130meLQWyq8LzM7IAWR2Y2DCV-9J1snokQ1cJgTuVsg1P6JQ81-O2cMhwd9dWlTS3XlYrMaydpa_7UPO-/s1600/13543949553_d95b45c65f_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mEP-sK2Wd20Cm3ivdPi5KLRSyHIpP9OVOfHQJlnLE4BokyFPbi-130meLQWyq8LzM7IAWR2Y2DCV-9J1snokQ1cJgTuVsg1P6JQ81-O2cMhwd9dWlTS3XlYrMaydpa_7UPO-/s1600/13543949553_d95b45c65f_m.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>Book machines are the easiest and cheapest way for libraries
to provide books and materials on a 24/7 basis in a remote location. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>We've provided these machines outside of schools, inside job
centers, but most importantly, where books are simply not available. A lot of
discussion today has been about how to get children school ready, as well as how to ensure children read at a third grade reading level by the third grade.
Access to books is a key feature to that effort. There is much buzz about projects
such as Little Free Libraries, but this alone doesn't address the problem of getting books
into a community in the first place, especially in small rural towns. These
machines provide 300 books to children on a 24/7 basis. They get such heavy use
that we need to send staff out several times a week, just to replenish the
machine. Most of these areas are without any resources and have no access to
books or a library. Some of their schools do not even have libraries. It is in
this way that we can provide the key ingredient to literacy, and in a way that has the
greatest amount of access.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKkg-mIb4Vg6_CNcUIUR5iAp7YS1iP0VIQbMCuv5mJhJTIWyCrMtdewyVpClg42-uQChqjzrtA1TMWlOOP9PKr8Rt9Sd8a7L7EvVNt99Q0fnh61u5BUFUybg-_ch8UqdscKYq/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKkg-mIb4Vg6_CNcUIUR5iAp7YS1iP0VIQbMCuv5mJhJTIWyCrMtdewyVpClg42-uQChqjzrtA1TMWlOOP9PKr8Rt9Sd8a7L7EvVNt99Q0fnh61u5BUFUybg-_ch8UqdscKYq/s1600/photo.PNG" height="320" width="179" /></a>It's also important to keep ahead of national technology trends and apply them to local community needs. E-books, digital maker spaces, and other technology are key pieces to the library's immediate future. Throughout a community, if someone looks at their smartphone for information, a library app can be there, complete with e-books, magazines, videos, reference materials and research. Even tutoring help is available! Now more than ever, libraries have the tools to show up in unexpected places and demonstrate their value.<br />
<br />
It is a critical time to be involved with libraries. People are increasingly without resources when they most need them. Libraries provide community space for children and adults alike, to have access to books in any format, free access to that knowledge, learning, and reading. We provide that advantage. I've always thought that libraries will exist as long as curiosity exceeds one's budget. Whether it is reading or information gathering, libraries play a role no one else can. Libraries are a beacon of hope in so many communities throughout the country. There are those who seek magic, and libraries are the place to find it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5D_ZMqw71LxtsdiZ21T9B69a6JSKI-2dVXpxY4bEjBp69dvh9BxhBPQ3gW-4pX4EBNZQZ7SjD4upVY_aqxrSandANFn5Y2lP_2xTcQXDuaL7RzQOFvDkEbRytdqEL9xQJSn4y/s1600/Multipliers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5D_ZMqw71LxtsdiZ21T9B69a6JSKI-2dVXpxY4bEjBp69dvh9BxhBPQ3gW-4pX4EBNZQZ7SjD4upVY_aqxrSandANFn5Y2lP_2xTcQXDuaL7RzQOFvDkEbRytdqEL9xQJSn4y/s1600/Multipliers.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></div>
<h3>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8310410-multipliers">Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter</a></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">by Liz Wiseman & </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Greg McKeown</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">The book Multipliers, in my mind, falls into the category of
servant leadership: encouraging employees to give their best, providing the
resources they need, and getting out of the way. Authors Liz Wiseman and Greg
McKeown take this a bit further to create a better definition of the concept.</span></h3>
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There are two kinds of managers, multipliers and
diminishers. The main goal for multipliers is to get employees to think for
themselves, come up with creative solutions, and harvest their potential. It’s
not about the manager or the leader, but about the employees who are making
things happen. Intelligence and capability can be multiplied in this way,
without getting more staff or more resources. Diminishers, on the other hand,
make everything about them. They have the great idea; things must always be
done their way. It’s much like the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland. The
employees cower and hope to get transferred, or work somewhere else very soon.
These employees don’t give their best; they focus on getting away. The authors
are very detailed on how to become a multiplier, how to identify a diminisher,
and remind us that anyone can have both traits without intending to do so. </div>
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<b>There are five key disciplines for a multiplier: </b></div>
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<ol>
<li>Attract and optimize talent</li>
<li>Create intensity that requires best thinking (remove fear of failure and create safety for best thinking)</li>
<li>Extend challenges</li>
<li>Debate decisions</li>
<li>Instill ownership and accountability</li>
</ol>
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<b>There are also tips to identify talent: </b></div>
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<ol>
<li> Look for talent everywhere</li>
<li> Find people’s native genius (they might not realize they
have it)</li>
<li>Utilize people at their fullest</li>
<li>Remove the blockers</li>
<li>What do they do without effort, better than everyone,
without being asked, without compensation?</li>
</ol>
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This book helped hone some already believed truths. It
provides a more concrete idea to help an organization act smarter, be more
efficient, and have employees who love what they do. I really enjoyed the read
and felt it provided a clear path for me to follow, as well as pitfalls to avoid.</div>
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jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-53158923425389963362013-12-26T18:00:00.000-08:002014-10-06T14:05:11.129-07:00More Straight Talk #clanoiseI recently wrote an article for the California Library Association Management Interest Group Newsletter <a href="http://www.cla-net.org/associations/12147/files/13-12%20LEAD%20Newsletter%20Vol%203%20Issue%202.pdf">LEAD</a> covering the program that I moderated at this year's annual conference. I'm posting it below.<br />
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<b>More Straight Talk by Jeff Scott, County Librarian, Tulare County Library</b><br />
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I had the honor to host another Straight Talk program with some of the best library minds in the state, Directors: Jose Aponte of San Diego County Library, Julie Farnsworth of Pleasanton Public Library, Robert Karatsu of Rancho Cucamonga Public Library, Jan Sanders of Pasadena Public Library, and Rivkah Sass of Sacramento Public Library, were captivating as they discussed the trials and tribulation of today's modern library director.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ft3e1DaEuvUqsuxKcfLvUM1RvkJTMnO6x32fLQQDUXTXwltb_gMLNJA5f6L8lAWFJiWsmY1GwPPBTQwCXL3c-raYiacFMjeMd4KXU36YGkpgUeW-ePUj02zHKnrf_YvLSvmG/s1600/2013-11-04+10.30.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ft3e1DaEuvUqsuxKcfLvUM1RvkJTMnO6x32fLQQDUXTXwltb_gMLNJA5f6L8lAWFJiWsmY1GwPPBTQwCXL3c-raYiacFMjeMd4KXU36YGkpgUeW-ePUj02zHKnrf_YvLSvmG/s320/2013-11-04+10.30.15.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>I really enjoy putting this program together. Library directors are always so willing to tell their story and to help others. Often, people can be too intimidated by directors, particularly with a group as prestigious as this one. However, they are all incredibly down-to-earth and willing to help. My thought behind providing this program was that I hoped it would not only inspire those new to the profession, but would also demonstrate how human these directors are; they started out just like everyone else. I gathered some notes from the program which were particularly poignant for me.<br />
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<b>Don’t Follow the Crowd</b><br />
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In their own way, each director had advice on being innovative. Jose Aponte said it was important to look outside of the profession, in some cases getting out of the profession for a time to gain perspective. It leads to a different outlook and attitude when coming back. Robert Karatsu said that the only way to know the future is to change it. If we follow everyone else, we will always fall behind; by taking our own path we can create something new. Julie Farnsworth said that those drawn into being a director must possess a heart-pounding drive to do good things. All members of the group reminded us that politics make strange bedfellows. In order to get things done you have to look to the people to make alliances with and put party politics aside.
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<b>Say Yes</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIyLV3DtXWx449K2ZAnGgZ3mcgfbtfvNAQl549XS-wG17ITOnkEvdhVDmmGoqCP8XkZoR1BLQP8xIBcBTqtbcj_6EE7hjE61xXaxUpdeF9SIhJWlnk5EnZjqwTF2iJLodjiB0/s1600/2013-11-04+10.30.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIyLV3DtXWx449K2ZAnGgZ3mcgfbtfvNAQl549XS-wG17ITOnkEvdhVDmmGoqCP8XkZoR1BLQP8xIBcBTqtbcj_6EE7hjE61xXaxUpdeF9SIhJWlnk5EnZjqwTF2iJLodjiB0/s320/2013-11-04+10.30.41.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
It's important to look for opportunities, be willing to say yes, and build a culture of the same, according to Rivkah Sass. It‟s important to be fearless and be willing to move backwards or sideways in a career in order to make the big leaps forward. I particularly liked Jan Sanders point when she said, “Dragons be damned” emphasizing the importance of pushing through despite heavy opposition. Robert Karatsu further expanded on this by suggesting it is important to stir things up.<br />
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<b>One is the Loneliest Number</b><br />
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All of the directors reminded us that it can be very lonely at the top. It's important to know oneself since the ego will be often bruised. One of the most frustrating things, brought up by Julie and Jan, was how the slightest phrase can be taken out of context and twisted. Rivkah had the best comments on the topic stating that words can be twisted, making you out to be a monster. It's important to have a trusted circle. It's also important to be a good poker player.<br />
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The real point of this program for me is to allow library directors to speak directly and honestly about how they got where they are, what others can do to be successful, and where the profession is going. While others may panic during budget cuts and a changing climate, these directors have seen it all. The benefit of this experience can be very calming for those new to the profession or experiencing tough times for the first time. I always appreciate their honesty. Even with the same questions, each time it takes a different tack, the less formal the better. Straight Talk is a straight answer about the library field, past, present, and future.jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0Long Beach, CA, USA33.768321 -118.1956167999999833.5572185 -118.51834029999998 33.9794235 -117.87289329999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-37977292372319994262013-09-03T18:04:00.000-07:002013-09-03T18:37:38.702-07:00Tulare County Libraries Start New Chapter<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6NtaFNbkE1Pl60aIz0Wj3YPHdoMLw94mrbuDrcyHKppDFkb7VVZxdl_9rQ_A63yK8EFUetLrQ2WLYNv0xlp5ZXzWJvf9SUi-fcUC7SZa984tvOttZreQkaz80w-fkL8vPxV7/s1600/articlephoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6NtaFNbkE1Pl60aIz0Wj3YPHdoMLw94mrbuDrcyHKppDFkb7VVZxdl_9rQ_A63yK8EFUetLrQ2WLYNv0xlp5ZXzWJvf9SUi-fcUC7SZa984tvOttZreQkaz80w-fkL8vPxV7/s320/articlephoto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A couple of months ago the Visalia Times-Delta featured a great article on our libraries. Unfortunately, it is no longer available on the newspaper's online archive. However, I am currently including it in a project, and have uploaded <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/165257609/Tulare-County-Libraries-Start-New-Chapter">the article as it appeared in the newspaper</a>, <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/165264322/Tulare-County-Libraries-Start-New-Chapter">as well as the full text document.</a><br />
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<b>Libraries start new chapter</b><br />
<b>Bridge to the future built on technology, multimedia, convenience and community</b><br />
<b>By Kyle Harvey</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Excerpts from the article</i>:</span></b><br />
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"It's an old profession in a new frontier."<br />
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For better or for worse, the 21st century has brought a new level of connectivity, accessibility and flexibility when it comes to the gathering, altering and distributing of information, art and ideas. This new information age has contributed greatly to the evolution of the traditional library. Once the guardian of information, libraries are changing, becoming hubs outfitted to organize and redistribute the world's vast wealth of online resources in the formats that are most compatible with its communities' needs and desires.<br />
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In Tulare County, librarians have been charged with the task of meeting the needs and desires of several groups of people‚ children who read traditional books but who are also technologically inclined, teens and young adults who consume much of what they read on a mobile device, and older adults, who could be either completely faithful to traditional printed media, or eager learners of their children's and grandchildren's gadgets. But the strategy for staying relevant goes beyond simply adding technology. There has been a concerted effort on the part of our public libraries to re-brand themselves as not only information centers, but also community centers‚ places where learning is social.<br />
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<b>A tech-driven tomorrow begins in Visalia today</b><br />
While community engagement is an integral part of the Tulare County Library's plan for the future, the transition to the library of tomorrow is very much technology-driven. During the fiscal year that ended June 30, the Tulare County Library checked out 20,000 ebooks. While 20,000 checkouts constitutes only about 3.5 percent of total library transactions, it becomes significant given the fact that there were zero e-books being checked out four years ago. Today, Tulare County is invested in three digital library services, the largest being OverDrive, which houses most of Visalia's digital collection.<br />
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"December 2010 was the e-reader Christmas," County Librarian Jeff Scott said. "We got OverDrive because it was the tipping point for e-books. It was either get them or get left behind." Getting left behind in the digital age is precisely what Scott says will not happen in Tulare County. Patrons of electronic reading material have a considerable selection from which to choose here. The Tulare County Library boasts more than 32,000 digital titles‚ a number that Scott says is larger than that of libraries in comparable markets elsewhere. "We have a Fresno-sized collection in a Visalia-sized market," Scott said.<br />
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In addition to catering to clients who already own and operate their own e-reader devices, Tulare County Library is taking an active role in introducing the latest in electronic reading technology, whether it be Nooks, laptops or tablet computers, to library card holders. Grants have enabled the library to begin loaning out Nooks, which are preloaded with bestsellers and other requests, for guests to take home. The opportunity to participate in workshops and use a mobile device free of charge has helped to spread awareness and increase the library's clients' proficiency with technology, many clients wind up purchasing or being given some kind of mobile reading device as a gift. With older adults who already frequent the library going digital and younger e-reading adults returning to the library for the first time since childhood, the result is an ever-increasing digitalonly clientele that is checking out more and more electronic media every year.<br />
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But what does the new media cost? Does it cut into the print budget? Right now, about 20 percent of the $500,000 annual collection development budget is spent on ebooks, leaving 80 percent to traditional print books, according to Scott. In addition, the digital collection has benefited greatly from donations from the Friends of the Library and Tulare County Library Foundation, as well as private donations from individuals totaling $200,000.<br />
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How far does a digital dollar go compared to a print dollar in terms of buying new material? Are gadgets making books harder to come by? How far a digital dollar goes is hard to pinpoint, Scott said. To purchase a digital copy of an old novel is pretty inexpensive. And the upside of a digital copy is that even if the initial cost is more than that of a hard copy, it has a limitless shelf life. There are no pages to tear, no binding to come unglued, and thus, no replacement copies ever needed.<br />
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The situation is different, however, when it comes to purchasing the latest bestsellers. Each of the big six publishing houses have different, and ever-changing, rules about library usage rights. A digital copy of a bestseller, which may cost $75, is still a good deal if it never has to be replaced. After all, by the time the library purchases several replacement copies of a heavily used bestseller that sells for $15 apiece, it about breaks even.<br />
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But the drawback is that the exorbitant initial investment in an online book does not help with short-term high demand. An electronic book can only be viewed on one device at a time. So while it may have good long-term value, the cost of purchasing several digital copies of a popular item all at once is astronomical.<br />
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<b>New gadgets are not just for reading. </b></div>
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Thanks to grants, teens who participate in the awardwinning TCL Teens program will have the opportunity beginning in the fall to check out iPad Minis for the purpose of creating their own personal documentaries with a "Day in the Life of..." theme. The kids will then be trained to edit their footage into a short film. Gunner Santos, 15, a student at Mt. Whitney High School, is an eager participant in the TCL Teens program. "It sounds really fun, showing people what I do," Santos said of the documentary program. "I'm really excited about that." </div>
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Read the full article as <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/165257609/Tulare-County-Libraries-Start-New-Chapter">it appeared in the newspaper</a> or <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/165264322/Tulare-County-Libraries-Start-New-Chapter">in a text document.</a><br />
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jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-14684124199337092452012-11-06T15:39:00.000-08:002014-10-12T16:24:29.569-07:00Straight Talk Panel at CLA 2012 #calibconf<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WbCdKsyufMw/UJl3xUXVwNI/AAAAAAAAB7I/wG9UacT5kwE/s1600/12+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WbCdKsyufMw/UJl3xUXVwNI/AAAAAAAAB7I/wG9UacT5kwE/s320/12+-+1" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Straight Talk: The Directors Speak</b> featured five prominent directors whose contributions to our profession are quite substantial. The program was sponsored by the Management Interest Group, and was presented at the California Library Association Annual Conference in San Jose. I was honored to moderate the panel, and excited to assist in providing such a valuable program. It’s inspiring to gather a group of some of the best minds
in the library world to hear them talk about their experience as directors and
their views on where we are headed as a profession. As busy as this group is, I was amazed that
they so readily agreed to serve on this panel. The panel members are Librarian
of the Year winners, library management school instructors, and Eureka program
mentors, in addition to being inspiring library directors.<br />
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Luis Herrera, San Francisco Public Library Director; Rivkah
Sass, Sacramento Public Library Director; Patty Wong, Yolo County Library
Director; Brian Reynolds, San Luis Obispo County Library Director; and Robert Karatsu,
Rancho Cucamonga Library Director, sat down with me to talk shop. The California
Library Association Management Interest Group and I gathered questions to ask.
The responses were insightful, inspiring, and surprising. It takes a lot to be
a library director, and even more to be an inspiration to others.<br />
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I asked them five
questions:</div>
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<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">What made you choose
the path to become a director?</li>
</ol>
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<ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">What has surprised you
about being a director?</li>
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<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">If you could give
someone just coming out of library school one piece of advice what would
it be? Keeping in mind that this might affect the path they choose to
take.</li>
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<ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Given the current
trends in technology and funding, where do you think libraries will be in
5 years?</li>
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<ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">What are some of the
most important lessons you have learned as a director?</li>
</ol>
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<b>The Responses</b><br />
No blog post could possibly compare with having been a member of the audience. For those of you who were not able to attend, here are some of the notes that I gathered as they were speaking. Some of it of course may have been shortened and/or paraphrased. Organized by speaker, from left to right.</div>
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<b>Luis Herrera, San Francisco Public Library Director</b><br />
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Organizational citizenship behavior: you are an ambassador to the organization. You contribute to the health of the organization. It's about creating a stronger and healthier organization. You are responsible beyond your job. If we are going to thrive, we need to blur our organizational lines. </div>
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We can identify trends to prepare us for the future. The publishing industry will be a big impact on libraries. It also hinges on the consumer. We need to be part of that trend to be part of the future. Staff need to plan programs. Not just what has happened, but something entirely new. E-learning is a great idea working with vendors. Lifelong learning: libraries will be people's university. We are facilitators of learning. Collection management is going to be our one biggest concern. How do we balance media vs. print. We need to be storytellers. </div>
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Political nature of the job- once you accept that you will do a much better job. 60% of the job is dealing with politics. You can broaden the political environment if you do not personalize it. Don't take it personal. You want to be liked, but it is part of a process to believe in what you are doing. You will not please everyone. High tolerance for change. Tolerance for ambiguity. Top down library management is out. Need a bottom up approach. Suggestions coming from the staff can be more accepted than it came from top down. Culture of engagement.</div>
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<b>Brian Reynolds, San Luis Obispo County Library Director</b></div>
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You become a really big pebble. What you do or don't do matters. It affects everyone. Need to be compassionate and common-sensical. People are relying on you to be steady. Do you have what it takes to deal with difficult people and stay sane? You have to have that. </div>
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We serve too small of a community. We only serve a small part very well. Need to convince half of the population that we matter. Not to look at just libraries, but also look towards the community.</div>
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Acquire and attain good staff. Create working additions that provide that environment. Don't let people know you are doing that. It is a political minefield over time. To improve morale, better to go after the bad staff rather than praise the high achiever. You have to be willing to fix it. </div>
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<b>Rivkah Sass, Sacramento Public Library Director</b></div>
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It's okay to make mistakes. We'll only get better if we make mistakes and own up to them. When you make a mistake, know how to fix it. Admit your mistakes. There are people who will not like you. She used the Winston Churchill quote, "You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."</div>
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Directors need to be optimistic about libraries. Well-educated community members over 50 are coming in running our programs as volunteers. Embedded community inside our libraries helping us solve community problems. Libraries that will thrive will not be wallpaper. Use our community in ways we never thought of before. It's the talent and skills that our community will give to us. Eureka program is a great harvester of our future. Convergence of community technology and people, with the library as the nexus. The library is the place that will help them learn what they want to learn.<br />
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Everyone has a set of strengths. Don't be afraid to hire someone with a skill set that you don't have. Different skill sets make a whole.<br />
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<b>Patty Wong, Yolo County Library Director</b><br />
The Director job is very unstructured. Need to go beyond the MLS. Getting it and being done is not ok. You need to be continually learning. Continue to grow. Need to make connections outside of libraries. Build community through others. You are responsible for your own growth. Go make the world a better place.<br />
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Need to be relevant with our own funding. Can't rely on the same resources that we have always relied upon. Find new sources of revenue and new partnerships. Work with local government organizations. Need to be stronger advocates for our diversity in funding. We can influence policy as a neutral organization. Access to information cannot be just through the smart phone. Internet Access is not as universal as we think it is. Libraries need to be at the forefront. Abundance thinking, not scarcity thinking. </div>
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Directors can have same level of importance as politicians and other government officials. You are that important. It's important to know where your money comes from. Leave your ego at the door. You need to have partnering skills. Surround yourself with people who know more than you do. Team building support is necessary. You just need one more person to stand next to you and you have a team. Bridge builders! </div>
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<b>Robert Karatsu, Rancho Cucamonga Library Director</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">You are ultimately responsible for everything.</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Be creative, do new things. Start a program and then let others borrow. </span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">We can't get in front of the technology. We can't predict the future. Find the right path. </span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Libraries are not silos. We need to create relationships. There are always opportunities to partner with other organizations. As Library Director, he is part of the Emergency Operations Center because librarians have those crisis skill sets. </span></b><br />
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jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-90513641717362114392012-07-03T15:52:00.002-07:002012-07-04T22:12:57.508-07:00Librarians Rebooted: ALA 2012<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pTRXJpkHUiqL1Wxih9WG-2ABFkuCW9aqFDbcL6GlYhAHAW7qDLvkhnFYNVr2x91Q2tjLlmM_68hdSCsfacXmwvhiNHELL5YjScY5MrEXjSSaucXrfdTEgS-NOE181j5jZUqd/s1600/12+-+6" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pTRXJpkHUiqL1Wxih9WG-2ABFkuCW9aqFDbcL6GlYhAHAW7qDLvkhnFYNVr2x91Q2tjLlmM_68hdSCsfacXmwvhiNHELL5YjScY5MrEXjSSaucXrfdTEgS-NOE181j5jZUqd/s320/12+-+6" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the greatest benefits of attending a conference is the
encouragement received from other librarians. Currently, most libraries are likely under so many budget cuts and restrictions that the answer to any new idea is
probably "No." Over time, it begins to not only wear on a person, but it discourages
innovation. The obvious problem is that we need new innovative ideas
now more than ever. We don’t provide better services by cutting; we only do that by innovating.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy of Jazzy Wright </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I've spoken at the California Library Association and at Internet Librarian, but it was a special thrill to speak at the American Library Association's Annual Conference. </span><span style="background-color: white;">I spoke about our "Job in a Box" program for E-Government in Action - Matching People with Jobs. This is part of our concept "Your Library in More Places" proving that our library can indeed be everywhere, when and where you need it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKx1PZlq2b9oqW9Wv9Gx3qaj9Bpwyu_LbLwggabU1iVWplxg5zbPmof8duHRqjYv8HuuRkunCOeZmjOBp7kK_2GsOGfn-ppXDMu7c-IFkzbAN9S4lGuIjUI9TpU3RQTIqGffxc/s1600/12+-+3" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKx1PZlq2b9oqW9Wv9Gx3qaj9Bpwyu_LbLwggabU1iVWplxg5zbPmof8duHRqjYv8HuuRkunCOeZmjOBp7kK_2GsOGfn-ppXDMu7c-IFkzbAN9S4lGuIjUI9TpU3RQTIqGffxc/s400/12+-+3" width="300" /></a>We've been expanding our book machine program for some time. We recently purchased two more machines: the first to be deployed at one of our branch libraries, making it a 24/7 library, and another one near a school, much like our Cutler machine. Because our purchase of the machine was so close to ALA, PIK Inc. asked if they could display our machine in the exhibit hall. It has a new fun design on the side that will hopefully catch the attention of patrons.<br />
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Additionally, I participated in the ALA Outreach and Diversity fair for the California State Library's Literacy and Outreach programs. They also highlighted our book machines and other programs to help connect patrons with jobs. </div>
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The opportunity to participate in committee work is another benefit of attending a national conference. I currently serve on the Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA) for the Leadership Skills Committee and now also the Human Resources Management Committee. LLAMA is at the forefront of providing programs that will help librarians step into management and leadership roles. To further this goal, LLAMA recently revamped the mentoring program.<br />
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National and state conferences contribute to the vitality and development of our profession. Participating in these conferences is beneficial to the individual librarian, but also to the home library and community. This work is invigorating, but one of the keys to maintaining that passion is to find ways to replenish it. Conference is a great way to do that and come charging back with fresh energy! </div>
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<br /></div>jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-40657410030918961782012-05-22T16:08:00.000-07:002014-10-26T18:31:46.104-07:00A Future of Reading: The Barnes and Noble Nook Check-out Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We recently launched an e-reader project at our library with great success. Barnes and Noble currently has a program that offers support for
libraries thinking about circulating Nooks. I wasn’t aware of this project until last Fall during the California Library Association Conference, at which time I was approached by a Barnes and Noble representative about the program.<br />
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<o:p><b>The Origin: Sacramento Public Library</b></o:p></h3>
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I first learned about the Sacramento Public Library’s Nook project
as part of the "Great in the State" presentation highlighting ideas that libraries could adopt. I was part of the panel there discussing our "Job in a Box" project and book machines. They were
circulating the Barnes and Noble Nook to patrons, pre-loaded with books.<br />
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<o:p>A Different Approach to Circulating E-Readers</o:p></h3>
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Over the past several years, libraries have experimented
with checking out e-readers, so the concept itself isn’t new, but having the
blessing of the organization certainly is. I remember the “wink, wink” approach
from other vendors suggesting that libraries could do that and they won’t say
anything, but they won’t offer support.<br />
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A surprising aspect of Sacramento's presentation was that they brought their own Barnes and Noble representative
and she worked with them every step of the way on their project. I was even more
surprised to discover that the rep was looking for me at the conference.<br />
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<o:p>Doing More with Less</o:p></h3>
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We aren’t the wealthiest of libraries, but we do have a very
healthy and robust e-book collection. Through her research, the rep found that we had the most
e-books per capita, per expenditure in the state of California. In short, even though we
didn’t have a lot of money, we still thought e-books were important. And they
certainly are. Since the e-reader Christmas of 2010, the demand for e-books in
libraries has sky-rocketed. We only launched our collection in June of 2011,
but the demand was already there. Heavy promotion of our collection, as well as
the Kindle compatibility announcement from Overdrive, led to a significant financial
contribution to expand our collection. We are in tune with community demand and therefore, we were in a
perfect position to take the next step. </div>
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<st1:city w:st="on">Sacramento</st1:city>
has done an excellent job promoting its program. I saw them at CLA, the Edgy
Librarian, and more than a few webinars. They have also done an extensive job
documenting their project (<a href="http://www.saclibrary.org/?pageId=1465">http://www.saclibrary.org/?pageId=1465</a>)
For a library with our resources, we planned to do the stripped down version.</div>
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<o:p>Our Version of Circulating Nooks</o:p></h3>
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We purchased 30 Simple Nook Touches at around $100 each. We
also purchased the Nook satchels that Barnes and Noble sells. The complete
check-out kit includes: the Nook, a cover for the Nook, a usb cord, power
connection, instructions, all placed in the satchel. </div>
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The rules for transferring titles to devices is six devices
per book. Therefore, we performed the math- 30 Nooks, five genres, six books
per Nook. We distributed the project among the collection development librarians
responsible for the genre including: fiction bestsellers, non-fiction bestsellers,
romance, mystery, and young adult. The books would have a normal check-out rate
with late fee charges and replacement charges consistent with how we check-out
similar materials. Those who check-out the Nooks must sign a form stating that
they will accept the replacement charge if they break, damage, or lose the
device and any of the parts. The project in general cost around $4,000 to run
with 30 Nooks. </div>
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Great Press Coverage, Great Success</h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">We plan to expand the program based on its recent success. We
also received heavy press attention for the venture. The local ABC News covered
the program and we received great coverage in the local paper:</span></h3>
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<st1:city w:st="on">Visalia</st1:city>'s
Library to offer e-book readers</div>
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<a href="http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20120517/NEWS01/205170320/Visalia-s-library-offer-e-book-readers?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFrontpage">http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20120517/NEWS01/205170320/Visalia-s-library-offer-e-book-readers?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFrontpage</a></div>
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The Nooks are coming to Tulare County Library</div>
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<a href="http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20120516/ENTERTAINMENT06/205190308/1040/ENTERTAINMENT">http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20120516/ENTERTAINMENT06/205190308/1040/ENTERTAINMENT</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrLU95f3XcWc4xwJr5GZgRDAv5jQEFYf5-SMKvQnwtbPSVjd31Y8R9_lbgVrqXxzNvA7mW6fyrtqG5IFtvGfe5i0rhjNGfyDViDc1hUQ6ITVxjjQE5UKAb8vjLEMpDR5rJ1eE/s1600/Nook+Checkout.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrLU95f3XcWc4xwJr5GZgRDAv5jQEFYf5-SMKvQnwtbPSVjd31Y8R9_lbgVrqXxzNvA7mW6fyrtqG5IFtvGfe5i0rhjNGfyDViDc1hUQ6ITVxjjQE5UKAb8vjLEMpDR5rJ1eE/s320/Nook+Checkout.JPG" height="258" width="320" /></a></div>
The extensive coverage resulted in all of the Nooks being checked out in the first two days of the program. We announced the open-house program to check-out
Nooks for Friday at 2PM. We actually had people lined up as soon as we opened at noon, waiting to get one of our new Nooks! In the first five minutes, all of our
Fiction Bestsellers were checked-out and most of our Non-fiction. Saturday
morning, all the Nooks were checked-out, a marvelous success. Our next steps
will be an assessment from patrons to see if they liked the format, the titles,
and how we can improve the program. The general idea for this kind of program
is to introduce our community to the future of reading. They have the opportunity to look at
the device and see how it works. It also helps us promote our Overdrive e-book
service. In utilizing a relatively cheap and easy to use device, a patron can
have access to their reading material 24/7, all provided by their local library!</div>
jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-79524781292031060982012-05-01T14:04:00.001-07:002012-05-02T12:28:23.512-07:00Some brief notes about the Digital Public Library of America West Program #dplawest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRnO4LRNsuCK9Fg2e0AS4YasdO_gfgbh1UtPPxPJwU3sIaXnbUAgZ4UOubTtUzx8ZaqAN_9Q-sBYH7Asm2edChkT3CHulU4B2wY3fK5finAVHnylOxHK5iSENfMgiJUrAMipS/s1600/6C683C5E-BF46-4DA6-ACE7-85C8261181BC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRnO4LRNsuCK9Fg2e0AS4YasdO_gfgbh1UtPPxPJwU3sIaXnbUAgZ4UOubTtUzx8ZaqAN_9Q-sBYH7Asm2edChkT3CHulU4B2wY3fK5finAVHnylOxHK5iSENfMgiJUrAMipS/s320/6C683C5E-BF46-4DA6-ACE7-85C8261181BC.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Digital Public Library of America is a vast program attempting to encompass everything from rare archival information to the modern best sellers- all through a single interface that will enfold all human knowledge. A rather ambitious endeavor. A great deal of this is born out of the wreckage of the Google Digitization project that was shut down by the courts due to copyright issues. In order to restart the program, the steering committee is rebooting the program on its own.<br />
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There is a good overview of what they want to do in the LA Times Opinion Page:<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-samuelson-google-books-and-copyright-20120501,0,2442760.story">A universal digital library is within reach</a></span><br />
<i>"<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">But the dream of a universal digital library lives on. Now a coalition of libraries and archives has come together to create a Digital Public Library of America to fulfill the original vision of a digital library for all. It could well be that an effort without commerce in the mix will have an easier time of it."</span></i><br />
<br />
There is also far more thorough overview by Peter Brantley in Publisher's Weekly:<br />
<span style="color: #354d66; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/51747-at-west-coast-meeting-digital-public-library-of-america-begins-to-take-shape.html">At West Coast Meeting, Digital Public Library of America Begins to Take Shape </a></span>
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<br />
<b>My initial observations after attending DPLA West last week:</b><br />
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The plan is to include everything, even the obscure paper that existed for a few years in a tiny rural community- a problem of unique, but obscure content. Negotiating the copyright to include the big newspapers, as well as modern popular authors, is a legal hurdle.<br />
<br />
I was generally heartened about the support for rural libraries. A big problem that I see is that we are not moving fast enough. A lot of private companies want to digitize library content (especially newspapers), with quick and dirty techniques. Using simple OCR techniques is not enough; the text can be found, but the context is lost. We need the metadata and that is what Harvard just recently <a href="http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/pamphlet/2012/04/27/the-new-harvard-library-open-metadata-policy/">released</a>.<br />
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Coordination strategy is important, but formal process even at the state level is too slow. They don't have the staff or the funds, and neither do local libraries. If we don't get the funds and the staff then how are we going to digitize anything?<br />
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If this gets off the ground, we would really have an accurate view of cultural content. Look up a topic and find everything- from web pages and images, to books, archival newspapers, and oral histories. Research that encompasses everything in one search, rather than using different websites for each type of research.<br />
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Digitize older books or negotiate for books in copyright; both take time and money. Which one will take priority? New books are sexier, but history is just as essential.<br />
<br />
Program had a tough time with the ebook lending aspect. What is available and how is it getting distributed? We do need to get ahead as an organization, otherwise a private group will develop one and we will again be a bottom priority. We need movement on this issue.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vGwDnS7ZoNJpc02q29Mma11h9YWzRFFj-0jMg6fsZ3JOe2sMBjWLf7VtdR0-gA7uOgwZlMlK2yhncO80fAmL0RpdCyDDI5pbQtlWJ9Z-Oscd2YIsi8P2q4Yo81ZFxm_arQL4/s1600/3FC47E3B-69F2-41D2-AD07-22BB5514BAB4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vGwDnS7ZoNJpc02q29Mma11h9YWzRFFj-0jMg6fsZ3JOe2sMBjWLf7VtdR0-gA7uOgwZlMlK2yhncO80fAmL0RpdCyDDI5pbQtlWJ9Z-Oscd2YIsi8P2q4Yo81ZFxm_arQL4/s320/3FC47E3B-69F2-41D2-AD07-22BB5514BAB4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>This ambitious program faces the chasm and the wall.</b> There is a chasm that represents the lack of digitization of archival materials. Libraries all across the country have such rich cultural collections that need to be scanned and preserved, but there isn't the funds, staff, or equipment to make it happen. There is a wall that represents the big publishers and authors. If we cannot gain the rights for distribution of this content, then not only will this project stall, but it places libraries in jeopardy. There is obviously a lot at stake here. It is an encouraging project despite these facts. DPLA is on the right track and with the right moves it can unleash the kind of service libraries have only <a href="http://www.technologyreview.com/web/40210/">dreamed </a>about.<br />
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<br /></div>jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-25205599336719039402011-11-18T04:15:00.000-08:002012-03-13T16:58:04.142-07:00Job in a Box CLA presentation 2011 #calibconf(I am posting the slides and text from my California Library Association conference presentation. It provides a little more detail from when we unveiled the machine back in June. Feel free to contact me for more information.)
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<div id="__ss_10208298" style="width: 425px;">
<strong style="display: block; margin: 12px 0 4px;"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/jdscott50/job-in-a-box-cla-presentation-2011-calibconf" target="_blank" title="Job in a Box CLA presentation 2011 #calibconf">Job in a Box CLA presentation 2011 #calibconf</a></strong> <iframe frameborder="0" height="355" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/10208298" width="425"></iframe> <br />
<div style="padding: 5px 0 12px;">
View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/" target="_blank">presentations</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/jdscott50" target="_blank">Jeff Scott</a> </div>
</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Intro<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Good Morning. My name is Jeff
Scott and I am the Deputy County Librarian for the Tulare County Library. Our
program is about our Job in a Box. This is a $60,000 LSTA project that would place
a Brodart Lending Library book machine in the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Visalia</st1:place></st1:city> and Dinuba Workforce Investment Board
One Stops. We fill the machines based on feedback from library staff, library
circulation statistics, and job coaches at the One Stops. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Pitch an idea<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">For those unfamiliar with
this new way of applying for LSTA grant, I will provide a little background.
The program is called Pitch an Idea. Instead of investing the blood, sweat, and
tears over a grant that may not get funded, the state library has simplified
the process here. You get a notification that these grants are available and
you have one week to write up your elevator talk, develop a total cost, and
submit that to the state. The State Librarian, with a group of experts, then
makes conference calls with questions about your proposal. If you make a
compelling case, your project gets funded. I really like this approach since it
saves a lot of time for library staff and it’s an opportunity to be very
creative. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Inspiration<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">What inspired the project?
This project was actually one of two we submitted to the state library. For
those of you familiar with Pub-Lib Robert Balliot you may recognize the phrase, "There’s a Book for That." That was actually the title of our other project that
we had submitted. The idea behind that was that we would place a machine in
community centers around the city with a focus on that center’s purpose. For
instance, if there was an Art Museum or non-profit center, we would place a
machine in there and create a collection based on the users needs. If it is a
history museum, we would place a machine in there and have materials relating
to museum displays. Lastly, we included Work Investment Board One Stops. After
carefully considering the work that would be involved in placing several of
these machines in the city and throughout the county all at once, we decided to
focus on the biggest need, job assistance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Segway to partnership<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Last year, the State
Librarian’s office held a conference to help library directors collaborate with
their local Workforce Investment Boards. The Department of Labor had recently
instructed their local boards to work with their local community specifically
targeting libraries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">De-facto job centers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">For many years, libraries
have acted as de-facto job centers. We help with resumes, set-up email
addresses, and navigate an often complicated online application process. Even
though we often receive no recognition (monetarily speaking anyway) for these
efforts, it has become particularly critical for libraries to take on this role
during our recent recession. We are the safe place to forage in this harsh
winter of recession. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Funding<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The biggest objective for a
library to build a partnership with the Workforce Investment Board is funding.
When you turn on the news and you hear about job bills that are trying to get
pushed through Congress, much of that funding is going to your local Workforce
Investment Board. Most of the money that they receive is distributed to
partners in the area. Adult Literacy and Job Assistance are two of the key
sources of funding. The key to receiving funding is to partner with WIB and put yourself
in a position to receive distributed funds. One of the key aspects is to find
out more about how your local WIB operates. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Libraries and WIBs are Similar <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">WIBs and Libraries work in a
very similar fashion. If you were to enter a facility and ask for job services,
you would fill out an application, and then be whisked to a computer center.
These centers look just like computers in libraries. Some examples:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Computer Labs<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">There are no time
restrictions in the WIB centers. They can actually be there all day on the
computers. It’s interesting how reversed this concept can be. Even though a
library computer lab does not have to have a specific mission, a WIB center
obviously does, yet you can get completely unrestricted time. Customers can go in
the center and not do one bit of resume writing or job searching. Furthermore, there
isn’t anyone on the floor to help them with the computers. Typically, there is
just a security guard available. A typical WIB center doesn’t receive funding
to provide this service, therefore, support is minimal. And you wondered why you
receive so many job seekers at your computer labs; you are the only one there
to help them in your communities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Job Coaches<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Most of the steps taken by
serious customers involve Job Keys, Job Coaches, and Placement. A customer
comes in and asks for job services. The customer is brought over to the
computers and takes a job keys test. This makes an assessment of their
abilities. If their abilities are below what the One Stop can support, they can
refer the person to other services. Often, the library will see those people
who don’t make that cut as they may require literacy skills or someone that can
provide technology training that WIB doesn’t provide. Those that possess
necessary skills are passed onto job coaches. Job coaches work with the
customer to find out more about what the customer needs. If they possess the
right set of skills, they can more likely be placed. Those successfully placed
at a job provide the revenue for One Stops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Where WIB makes its money?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">One Stops make their money on
placement. How many of the unemployed can they find jobs for? They do this very
well. For example, a recent grocery store chain Vallarta came into town needing
employees. WIB already had the names and abilities of people that would fit
right into the job on their rolls. They established the interviews in their
facility and helped with all the paperwork. The grocery store was able to get
up and running far more quickly with their help rather than having to do all of
the work, the advertisement, the placement all themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">How do libraries fit in?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Libraries can fit into the
funding cycle by searching for ways to partner. The local WIB in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Tulare</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place>
has an Employment Connect Council that coordinates all job training efforts in
the county. CSET, Proteus, and other private contractors all go to this meeting
and report. They also get many of the magnets to come in and give a talk about
what they are looking for in employees. We were able to become part of this
council and talked about our computer classes, literacy programs, and job seeking
assistance efforts. After this meeting that the State Librarian coordinated, we
got a seat at the table and began discussions on how we can partner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Gaining a Foothold<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">One way the library could
integrate itself into the One Stop service flow was by providing resources at
critical junctures. When a customer came in, the ones that have the highest
potential for getting a job are provided a job coach. This person provides
guidance and resources. The library can play a very strong role here by
providing the needed resource. In the past, we had tried office hours
(providing a staff person available to answer questions and help with library
services), but we wanted something that had smaller staff time and higher
impact. Job coaches often refer their clients to book resources. What better
place to get that resource than at the library? However, an easier way to go
about it was to provide the books at the point of need. They may make referral
to us, but that doesn’t mean we will see that person. This is how we decided on
using the Brodart Lending Library book machine inside the One Stops. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Previous Experience<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">We have had previous
experience with these book machines. Last year, we were awarded a United States
Department of Agriculture grant to provide library services in poor rural
areas. We used the lending library and placed it in the small town of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cutler</st1:place></st1:city> near a school. The
circulation on the machine by children was more than we could have possibly
hoped for. The first day we had the machine, the books were almost entirely
cleared out. We decided that we can use this as a model to expand future
library services with minimal staff impact. <br />
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<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">One Stops<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">We decided to place the
machines in the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Visalia</st1:place></st1:city>
and Dinuba One Stops. We decided on those two since out of the four One Stops
in the county, these were the only two that were run by our library (<st1:city w:st="on">Porterville</st1:city> and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tulare</st1:place></st1:city>
libraries are run by the city, but there is still potential to partner with
them to expand the book machines there). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">What needed to be accomplished<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The many problems with this
plan were manifest. We could place a book machine in the one stops, but who
would choose the books? What would happen if they didn’t have a library card? What are all the obstacles that we could face? Furthermore, how could we
encourage One Stop Customers to be full library patrons if they didn’t have to
come to the library to get materials? What cross training was needed for WIB
and library staff so that we can know what we both do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Our plan was to coordinate
the unveiling of these machines with a program that was paid for through the
state grant. The grant would pay for cross training of both WIB and Library
staff. Furthermore, Paul Clayton, a popular motivational speaker for One Stops,
was hired to have the kick-off program in April of this year. Our main problem
was how to solve these operational problem between February and April. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Collection<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">What material would go in the
machine? The library already had a strong test collection that includes GED,
ASVAB, and SAT prep, but we had to research the most popular items that would
be most beneficial for job seekers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">We surveyed our reference
librarians and ran circulation statistics in the areas of 658 (business), 373
(secondary school) as well as other areas. We also asked WIB staff,
particularly the job coaches, what type of books we should have. The result was
a list of over 300 titles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The problem that we
encountered with this was that even though the machine could hold 300 titles,
we wanted to focus on a core list and purchase duplicate copies inside the
machine. That way, there isn’t a title that is missed. As you can see from the
machine, you can only see what is in the front row of the machine. In the case
of job help, it’s difficult to recommend a book if it is buried in the back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Some example titles would be
What color is your parachute?, How to write better resumes, 48 days to the work
you love, GED, high school equivalency exam and How to prepare for the ASVAB.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Even as we filled the
machine, job coaches approached us on what we were missing. Many of their
customers were veterans recently returned from their tour of duty. We ending up
purchasing books on how to adjust to civilian life after a tour of duty and
what to do next. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Some interesting problems
with the collection I will describe in detail later on. One of which was a
misunderstanding at one of the one-stops about what should go in the machine.
While we had agreed on workforce books, she had thought we should put childrens
picture books in the machine. More on that later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Issuing Cards<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Another issue that we had to
tackle was what if customers weren’t library patrons. Sure the books were
there, but if there is no way to get a library card, then they are useless. After
cross training WIB staff we described the problem. Staff were willing to
provide library card applications since they often need customers to fill out
paperwork. However, they did not have access to our database so it could not be
activated in real time. What to do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Our plan was to create dummy
cards that were created with names like OneStop1 so that the WIB staff would
have a live card that would work on the machine. WIB staff would issue the
card, connect the library card number with the paperwork and fax the paperwork
in. We would then create the patron. This worked exceeding well and helped
accomplish another goal of the project, getting more One Stop customers to
become full-time library patrons and realize all the library had to offer. We
also saw a dramatic change in perspective in regard to the library. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Surveys<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">We conducted a pre-survey of
WIB customers and their perception of the library. We asked them how often they
used the library, what did they think of when they thought of the library, and
what would make the library easier to use. What we found in the survey results
was that the more people used the library, the more they saw the library as
other than a repository for books. After three months with the machine in
place, we reversed the perception as more WIB customers became library patrons.
Whereas only 18% saw the library as a place to get books in the pre-survey, 75%
saw the library as a place for job resources and computers after the survey.
Even though, ironically, we found a way to integrate library services into the
One Stop using library books. Customers found something tangible right in front
of them and once they see a small aspect of what they could do, they wanted to
see all the could do. Getting a library card at a WIB One stop resulted in more
customers becoming full library patrons and utilizing all of our services. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Caveats<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Some things to keep in mind
in regards to the machine. The machine can hold up to 300 books at one time.
Providing a variety of books in each row will only block the books behind the
front book. It’s important to try to find a small selection of the most needed
books and provide multiple copies of them. Some of these books can be quite
heavy as well. An entire row of a heavy GED book may end up straining the
coiling system on the machine. Sometimes it is necessary to use every other
slot in placing the books or using two different rows. The Brodart Lending
Library can be used with or without a connection to your catalog. If you choose
to connect it, there can be issues with the SIP connection dropping that can
leave the machine inoperable. We chose to leave the machine offline so any
transactions are stored on the local computer inside the machine. The
information can be retrieved and then uploaded to our catalog. This can even be
done remotely with an internet connection. We haven’t had any issues with
authentication, but using the machine in a different environment can lead to
some minor problems. Even if you choose to not connect the machine to the
Catalog, you will still need an internet connection to the device so that the
manufacters at PicInk can trouble shoot or re-boot the machine if necessary. It’s
easier to make a connection inside a facility with an internet connection as
the One Stops do have. However, even in a remote environment, a sprint card can
be enough of a connection to troubleshoot issues with the machine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">You should also look into
moving the collection around to add more books and take out ones that aren’t
moving. This isn’t necessarily a hot check-out spot since the collection is
very specific as is the clientele. We don’t need to check on the machine more
than once a month as circulation is low. We check-out around 10-20 books a
month at each location. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lastly, it’s important to
have all <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">One</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Stop</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>
coordinators on the same page. Whereas we felt we were clear about what we were
doing with the committee that was formed with Library and WIB staff, some
people misunderstood. We had a complaint from the Dinuba facility about the
collection. We had first thought that maybe the machine wasn’t working properly
or we had the wrong books in place. It turns out that she had expected
regularly library books, particularly children’s picture books. We explained
that the machine was for workforce development materials. She still insisted on
getting children’s books and actually tried to work up several rungs on the
administration ladder (both up and down) to change this. This kind of issue
ties back with general WIB management. While most One Stops are dedicated to
providing services to the unemployed, others are not so vigilant about what
customers do on their computers (in some cases booking their cruise) and
therefore, would prefer to have just general library books in the machines. A
further point, an ironic one at that, was that the One Stop was only three
blocks from the library branch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Results<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">In the end, we changed the
perception WIB customers had of our libraries. We also changed the perspective
of WIB staff and administration. Our partnership was highlighted both in the Library’s and the Workforce Investment Board’s annual reports. This partnership
now puts us in a position to partner with WIB for future grant projects
whenever another Jobs bill is passed. Furthermore, the project in of itself has
generated more publicity for the library. It has demonstrated innovative
thinking in tough economic times. Furthermore, it’s generated enough interest
from our foundation to warrant using the machines for a fundraising campaign
entitled "Your Library in More Places". There are many underserved rural areas in
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Tulare</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place> and we could use these to quickly
deliver service that is more reliable and more available than a bookmobile
stop. We hope to see these pop up all over the county in the coming few years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-92082333522238498252011-07-26T08:00:00.004-07:002011-07-26T08:05:12.056-07:00Library Mobile Service without the Apps<div class="MsoNormal">There are so many great ways to create a mobile app for the library. With a little know-how and coding ability, the library can save thousands of dollars in the set-up of a mobile destination. Recent <a href="http://www.walkingpaper.org/3998">presentations </a>have indicated that it is important to minimize content to the most essential parts. It’s great to provide this service. However, I think more often than not, libraries do not have the ability to create it on their own. They need to have a third party developer create an app for them, especially when it comes to the library catalog.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A problem that arises, not just with mobile services, but with digital library services is compatibility. Your library has audiobook services, but it suddenly stops working for iPod Touches, what happens next? Apps are also problematic for this reason, once the platform ceases to support the operating system; you and your patrons are just out of luck. The general business climate with Apple, Google, Amazon, and others in relation to app development impacts libraries trying to get into the same market. When the companies don’t play nice, we suffer the consequences. It has already impacted brand new innovative services. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>From the Digital Reader: <a href="http://www.the-digital-reader.com/2011/07/25/spotify-rhapsody-have-cut-ties-to-their-ios-apps/">Spotify, Rhapsody have cut ties to their iOS apps</a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Last Thursday saw new app updates from both Spotify and Rhapsody. And guess what? Both listings state that the only change was that the app dropped the subscription link. These streaming music apps are now as crippled as Netflix or the reading apps that fell victim to Apple over the weekend."</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">From <a href="http://www.libraries.wright.edu/noshelfrequired/?p=4035"><b>No Shelf Required: Amazon, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble, Google Books remove in-app purchasing from iOS apps</b></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Apple’s new in-app selling rules are in effect, requiring retailers to give Apple 30% of revenues from book sales. As a result, Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Google Books have stopped selling books through their apps."</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">From <a href="http://gigaom.com/apple/apples-e-book-edict-claims-its-first-big-casualty/"><b>GigaOm: Google Books says goodbye to Apple App Store</b></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">"While Google hasn’t yet confirmed that the rule change is the reason for the app’s removal (we’ve contacted them and will let you know if they do provide comment), given changes that have taken place in other e-book apps in recent days, it seems very likely. E-reader software from Kobo and Barnes & Noble has been recently updated, and the links to their respective online stores are now absent from the app."</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Finally from <a href="http://lifemerging.com/2011/07/25/greedy-greedy/"><b>Life: Merging Greedy, greedy…:</b></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Now…I’ve always thought it silly that the app redirected me to the website anyway…shouldn’t an app do EVERYTHING? I guess not…"<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">(I feel this captures the expectations from most of our patrons, shouldn't an app do everything?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">All this impacts how we deliver service. If a patron used your downloadable audiobook site and it suddenly stops working, they stop using the service, blaming you, not the business environment. We have to look at other options in mobile service delivery.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.boopsie.com/">Boopsie </a>, <a href="http://www.sirsidynix.com/products/bookmyne">Bookmyne</a>, <a href="http://www.bowkerinfo.com/offers/LibraryAnywhere/">Library Anywhere</a>, and <a href="http://www.librarything.com/forlibraries">LibraryThing for Libraries</a> are three providers of mobile catalog services. (I am open to suggestions to anyone who can point me to others.) The problem with a reliance on apps is the exclusivity of service, but also an unrealistic demand. In the end, we are just as beholden to the technology market limitations just like any business and must be aware of these market trends. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Some examples beyond the current news includes iPod Touches and Blackberries. IOS 3, which is the operating system for the iPod Touch doesn’t seem likely to receive further support. If Apple continues to provide a new toy for the public and then stops supporting it, we need to be aware of that change. (I know I was directly impacted when some of my apps on my iPod Touch went away after an upgrade several months ago.) Furthermore, RIM is in trouble. Even though they have never been a strong app creator and their native browser was one of the primary weaknesses, in which, Apple set its sites on when developing the iPhone. When it comes to any of these services, asking for mobile apps for the catalog, or other services, what can we expect from the vendor? When will the iPhone app come out, Android, Blackberry?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> It’s the pressure we put upon the vendor that’s put upon us by the public and the market, but it seems we really should be looking at a web based app that can do most of this kind of service. The content needs to be presented more mobile web friendly, not just app friendly. In that way, we can break free of many of these issues and not subject ourselves and our patrons to these problems. I think everyone would just like to take any device, point it at a url, and the easiest and appropriate interface should present itself. Without that it makes our services more difficult. I hope that we can see this alternative for our services including mobile catalogs, to mobile databases, e-books, and more. </div>jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-27751701453134774722011-07-14T05:00:00.006-07:002011-07-24T12:36:09.292-07:00We Need More Competition in the EBook/Library Vendor Market<div class="MsoNormal">There are quite a few vendors selling eBooks to libraries. In my <a href="http://gathernodust.blogspot.com/2011/06/library-e-book-vendor-discovery-ebooks.html">previous post</a>, I asked for suggestions regarding all those that are currently available. Of the ones on that list, how many offer downloadable materials from popular authors? It didn’t seem like that many, Overdrive is probably the leader in this, getting materials from most of the publishers that are offering e-books at all. Ingram was doing this too, as will be Recorded Books, Baker and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Taylor</st1:place></st1:city>, and 3M. It doesn’t feel like there is enough competition to go to another vendor if I don’t like the one I have. For databases, I have a pretty good selection of vendors from general content, auto repair, and even languages. I don’t feel the same is true for e-books. Most of this post details what I would hope to see and possible issues with libraries delivering e-books to patrons. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Strengths and Weaknesses</span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">3M’s entry into the market is the first real threat to Overdrive. They intend to provide both e-book and downloadable audiobooks and they have the same agreements with publishers as Overdrive, providing 60,000 titles available at the time of their launch to libraries with 200,000 available within a year. They are also going after Overdrive’s big weakness, the ability to download books inside the library. With 3M's download station (which is much cheaper than I thought it would be), a patron can walk in to the library and download a book more easily than with Overdrive. Honestly, Overdrive’s biggest weakness is the interface and it will be interesting to see if this competition in the market will force them to make it easier. Another aspect is the entry of Recorded Books into the market. Even though they seem to offer only downloadable audiobooks at this point, the service is cheaper and offers another option for libraries. This is the benefit to the consumer, competitors must improve their product to get your business. However, there is another aspect to this market. </div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A Problem with Too Many Vendors</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">If more vendors enter the market, there could be an issue with rights to e-books. I would compare the e-book licensing with the audio book licensing.. Many audio book providers rely on exclusive rights to a book to gain an edge. Recorded Books is one of those vendors. In order to get a book that is exclusive to them, you would have to sign up for a standing order plan. Even though the books are of quality, it’s sometimes not what the patrons want. I end up overpaying for that one book. This practice may carry over into their downloadable audio book service. This exclusivity can breed confusion. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Currently, most library e-book/downloadable audio books have their own platform. MARC records are available, but it is far easier to go to the platform and find what you need. With vendors have exclusive rights to books; patrons would have to search on multiple platforms just to find the book they want. Libraries, of course, can place everything in the catalog, but that can create a problem of expectation. When a patron searches for books in the collection, isn’t it an expectation that it is a paper book? Current catalogs don’t seem sophisticated enough to make that distinction clear to patrons, and current patron perceptions are libraries=books, paper books. Many vendors would be a good thing, but if there are too many exclusive rights, it can resemble the audio book market (which in a library with physical material, the patrons doesn’t see that).I also enjoyed this brief article about this problem with the future of e-books <a href="http://futureready365.sla.org/07/13/alice-in-libraryland/">Alice in Library Land</a> by <a href="http://pegasuslibrarian.com/">Iris Jastram</a> that speaks to this issue better than I.<br />
<br />
Overall, it's fascinating to see all the changes in the e-book market. What I ultimately hope for is a time where library materials can be received cheaply and easily. When I see a book I want to read, I can get that exact book from my local library instantly. (It would also be nice to do the same for Music, Movies, Games). I hear the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_laws_of_library_science">Ranganathan Five Laws of Library Science</a>: Books are for Use, Every reader his or her book, Every book its reader, Save the time of the reader, The library is a growing organism. It will be a messy time getting there, but it's really part of a renaissance in reading that's going on now. It's fun to watch the change.<br />
<br />
</div>jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-51845146272823836092011-06-30T12:00:00.029-07:002011-08-17T10:10:32.559-07:00Library E-Book Vendor Discovery #ebooks<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">I am attempting to gather all of the library vendors that provide e-books. This is a preliminary list of new and established vendors. I've added some brief commentary on those that I have tried. If you know of any that should be included that I have missed, please add them in the comments and I will move it into this post.</span></span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Overdrive</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; color: #114488; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><a href="http://www.overdrive.com/#1">http://www.overdrive.com/#1</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The big daddy of library e-books. I've used them in libraries off and on since 2007. They are by far my favorite, have provided the best collections, and have evolved with library demand. (Examples, used to be no iPods, that changed, used to be no Kindles, that will change).</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NetLibrary<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.netlibrary.com/Default.aspx"><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; color: #114488; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">http://www.netlibrary.com/Default.aspx</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't used this product, but will probably establish a trial shortly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Recorded Books One Click Digital</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; color: #114488; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><a href="http://www.oneclickaudio.com/">http://www.oneclickaudio.com/</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't used this product, but will probably establish a trial shortly. Per Sharon K's observation, Recorded Books is downloadable audiobooks only. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ingram MyILibrary</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ingramdigital.com/libraries/"><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; color: #114488; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">http://www.ingramdigital.com/libraries/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've used the e-book and downloadable audiobooks. At the time, the e-book didn't allow transfer to devices, which is a big deal for me. My library currently subscribes to the downloadable audio and the stats have been through the roof. It beats Overdrive on the price of the service, and the audio is device agnostic. However, there are some indications that the audiobook portion of the MyILibrary may not continue. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gale Virtual Reference Library</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.gale.cengage.com/servlet/GvrlMS?msg=ma"><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; color: #114488; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">http://www.gale.cengage.com/servlet/GvrlMS?msg=ma</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will start using this service next month. Mostly Gale Encylopedias and general reference books placed on the web, downloadable as pdf (either by page, chapter, or entire book) and no Digital Rights Management on the books. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3M Cloud Library</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; color: #114488; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><a href="http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3MLibrarySystems/Home/SolutionsAndTechnologies/E-BookLendingService/">http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3MLibrarySystems/Home/SolutionsAndTechnologies/E-BookLendingService/</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">Completely new service, I am attempting to set up a trial, but I'm sure so is everyone else. Only thing I have read about it in depth is this post, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><a href="http://go-to-hellman.blogspot.com/2011/06/3ms-ebook-cloud-library-didnt-come-out.html">3M's eBook Cloud Library Didn't Come Out of Nowhere</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">. (The </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><a href="http://txtr.com/">txr </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">page may be what it will look like?)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">Recommended by <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/srharris19">Steven Harris</a>, Director of Collections and Acquisitions Services at University of New Mexico:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><a href="http://safaribooksonline.com/Corporate/Index/">Safari Books Online</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.books24x7.com/books24x7.asp">Books 24X7</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.eblib.com/">EBL</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ebrary.com/corp/">Ebrary </a></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">Recommended by <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/gregschwartz">Greg Schwartz</a>, Library Systems Manager Louisville Free Public Library:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><a href="http://www.baker-taylor.com/viewnews.cfm?press_id=299&typ=c">Baker and Taylor Axis 360</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">That's all I have so far. I'm not including any free e-book sites like Project Gutenberg since I am looking for e-book vendors that provide new content from major publishers to libraries. Is there anything I am missing?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-89802561646051484442011-06-01T05:00:00.001-07:002011-06-06T08:06:55.385-07:00Job in a Box Unveiled<div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-ADRGzWiRnfuX1vCFyqC5K_LN_KBJeXrTZYld4hDNLccLZsd_nAacjZDrI2zp29IKWiXUdET4CXECjjjYJqqD-GUu7SXnk6caqD8FDcBqHwd-wS-0ofxW1yLFVlXHUtG4P5E/s1600/295555236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-ADRGzWiRnfuX1vCFyqC5K_LN_KBJeXrTZYld4hDNLccLZsd_nAacjZDrI2zp29IKWiXUdET4CXECjjjYJqqD-GUu7SXnk6caqD8FDcBqHwd-wS-0ofxW1yLFVlXHUtG4P5E/s320/295555236.jpg" width="240" /></a>I’m happy to announce the expansion of our book machine programs using the Brodart Lending Library. This post will describe our latest venture and also update our Cutler machine.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Through a new California State Library Program called Pitch an idea, we pitched placing a book machine in two Workforce Investment Board One Stops. These One Stops are places where the unemployed can get job assistance that includes anything including job searching, computer time, job coaching, training, and even job placement. I am currently on their Employment Connection board for about six months and we have been searching for a way to collaborate to help the unemployed. Tulare County has a 19% unemployment, one of the worst in California, and is one of the most stressed counties in the nation. Any way in which we could collaborate can only help our citizens. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Each machine will carry 300 books with multiple copies focusing on workforce materials, GED Testing, ASVAB, Resume Writing, Cover letter, and career searching. All the materials included in the machines were selected by a group of WIB staff, library staff, and library circulation statistics. There are about 11 different books in the machine and we will receive advice from job coaches on how to adjust the collection to meet their customer’s needs. We have also held cross training with both WIB and Library staff to make both sides more aware of available options for job seekers in the community. Overall, the program implementation cost about $60,000 for two book machines, two book drops, 600 books, and a paid motivational speaker. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNd0kDTcbIZqF9t07c_UpZvkmrX0Wosh4l1CYCAw-0yKnCrEvyBrtCY_89HaNrrW0tAm87cJLeNWdnMabM7hZ_uOPRmsQTS-KyVvK5v_Zm4BY06bwPQi0kyGPSZcR0DiyIYiv/s1600/295554630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNd0kDTcbIZqF9t07c_UpZvkmrX0Wosh4l1CYCAw-0yKnCrEvyBrtCY_89HaNrrW0tAm87cJLeNWdnMabM7hZ_uOPRmsQTS-KyVvK5v_Zm4BY06bwPQi0kyGPSZcR0DiyIYiv/s320/295554630.jpg" width="320" /></a>One of the interesting quirks is that job seekers that do not have a library card can get one from WIB staff. Those interested can get an application and a card, with those applications being sent into the local branch, checked for duplication, and entered into the system. A person can walk in and check-out those books even though they haven’t had a card with us before. We also conducted a pre-survey on library usage by WIB customers and found that many did not realize the library's job resources. Only 18% of participants found that the library was place to receive job assistance, whereas 73% saw us as a place for books, and 21% for computers. Part of this program will work to change that perception and work hand in hand with WIB to integrate the library into the job searching process. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We also hosted a nationally recognized motivational speaker Paul Clayton speak to WIB customers in Visalia and Dinuba and unveiled the job in a box program. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloEY9lJw1fNPH4fQGFoP-J-VKvIem6FXqPyi2KJ1u2eAyVDDLX-XlOkU6-wHyI05coIqn9_SRw2UUHcyTIqR8bjBY3RH86m9N3ouLGHNKXrPeR8Aiglz6rwW8T9DcfPlxZ7n5/s1600/295538229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloEY9lJw1fNPH4fQGFoP-J-VKvIem6FXqPyi2KJ1u2eAyVDDLX-XlOkU6-wHyI05coIqn9_SRw2UUHcyTIqR8bjBY3RH86m9N3ouLGHNKXrPeR8Aiglz6rwW8T9DcfPlxZ7n5/s320/295538229.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal">I would say overall, that the Cutler book machine is getting more usage and will probably continue to do so since it is a less targeted market. Providing picture books to kids just getting out of school is just as easy as if we had an ice cream truck out there. Providing assistance to job seekers who may be frustrated and not sure what to do is a bit harder. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
So far, the Cutler machine averages between 350 and 750 check-out per month. The machine made it through frost, heavy storms and wind, and a variety of other weather and still works. It actually out circs about three of our smaller rural branches and it may be the start of a new level of service to complement our bookmobile services. We plan to investigate more targeted book collections like this in the future and hope to see what that will bring in new library services. </div>jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-75466739272873320842010-11-18T04:00:00.000-08:002010-11-18T04:00:00.970-08:00Alternative Funding for Libraries #calibconf California Library Association Conference presentation 2010<div style="width:425px" id="__ss_5720364"><strong style="display:block;margin:12px 0 4px"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/jdscott50/alternative-funding-for-libraries-calibconf-california-library-association-conference-presentation-2010" title="Alternative Funding for Libraries #calibconf California Library Association Conference presentation 2010">Alternative Funding for Libraries #calibconf California Library Association Conference presentation 2010</a></strong><object id="__sse5720364" width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=alternativefundingforlibrariesclapresentation2010-101109164746-phpapp02&stripped_title=alternative-funding-for-libraries-calibconf-california-library-association-conference-presentation-2010&userName=jdscott50" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><embed name="__sse5720364" src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=alternativefundingforlibrariesclapresentation2010-101109164746-phpapp02&stripped_title=alternative-funding-for-libraries-calibconf-california-library-association-conference-presentation-2010&userName=jdscott50" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><div style="padding:5px 0 12px">View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/jdscott50">Jeff Scott</a>.</div></div>jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-85095240035059505552010-11-02T10:59:00.006-07:002010-11-10T15:21:07.330-08:00Cutler Lending Library Unveiled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_jSF9V9zDM8U1ECsOvPmt3MOoS3xnrjsh42eXnRjo5Ij4SiHYkt1Y39KvwHNYp4U36Gq_pqjOjmKea8K0F00rcZq3ln7wyn9kyon_GFDrX-H1WlMVNGzCcpwA2l1c9Stj8S4/s1600/DSC03830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_jSF9V9zDM8U1ECsOvPmt3MOoS3xnrjsh42eXnRjo5Ij4SiHYkt1Y39KvwHNYp4U36Gq_pqjOjmKea8K0F00rcZq3ln7wyn9kyon_GFDrX-H1WlMVNGzCcpwA2l1c9Stj8S4/s320/DSC03830.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After over a year's worth of work, our Lending Library was officially unveiled yesterday. It was part of a USDA Rural Development grant (also part of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act), a $100,000 project. This is one of the projects I spoke about at Internet Librarian, and I will further discuss at the California Library Association Conference in November of this year.<br />
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The product is called the Brodart Lending Library. We selected this machine because it was cheaper and easier to use than other machines. In particular, the Library-go-go machine is $140,000 to implement fully and you need a Swedish team to come out to install and deal with any technical issues. The Brodart library is created and maintained in the United States and can be accessed remotely by cell tower. The product is only $17,000. We paid an additional $10,000 to custom build this machine so that it did not require internet access. The rest was for the bookdrop, books, and building the housing to protect the machine. Information is stored locally on the machine, with a branch librarian coming out weekly to get the information and re-stock the machine. It's as easy to use as a candy machine, and you just need to know the number of the book you want and have a library card; it's that simple.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object height="344" style="clear: left; float: left;" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.twitvid.com/player/TTDDX"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.twitvid.com/player/TTDDX" quality="high" allowscriptaccess="always" allowNetworking="all" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></div><br />
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I am especially proud of our staff for getting all this together. It took a year of planning, but just like cooking, most of the action is in the last moments. We paid for the machine and had it custom built.We had to contact the Cutler Public Utility District to get permission to build a structure on their grounds to house the machine. It took coordination from our Public Works, the Utility Office, canvassing the schools and businesses, and working with Brodart to get all the technical requirements correct to go live. It all worked beautifully. It was also a wonderful location since it was right across the street from the school and it sits in between the school and the way home for the kids.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbj-Ruqb6IDygFAkErl6QxcC1jvtHhrCfw6oj8BW8FkP2az74n7BvE6X0Ec1tQJhnATeQApqghQssf7rdtLE-sFhQPYYYeJMEL2kHzvymybNeAKrGohJAaktDpjnbAm14W-x-N/s1600/DSC03851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbj-Ruqb6IDygFAkErl6QxcC1jvtHhrCfw6oj8BW8FkP2az74n7BvE6X0Ec1tQJhnATeQApqghQssf7rdtLE-sFhQPYYYeJMEL2kHzvymybNeAKrGohJAaktDpjnbAm14W-x-N/s320/DSC03851.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>When I got out there yesterday there were kids streaming in from everywhere excited about the machine. We had about 300 kids at the event and we signed up 200 of them for new library cards. It's wonderful to see the heavy use considering this area where 60% of the population does not have a high school education and 80% are mono-lingual Spanish speakers. We had kids running up and asking about it, then running to our bookmobile to get library cards and then coming back. We had a whole row of books gone in under an hour!<br />
<b><i>UPDATE!! After one day's use, the book machine is now empty. That's 300 books gone in one day!</i></b><br />
<b><i>UPDATE 2!! After one week, it looks like we will have to restock the machine three times a week. We've restocked it three times and it is empty the next day. Today the book return was full!!!</i></b>jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-77768959376705020142010-10-30T08:21:00.006-07:002010-11-09T10:40:22.157-08:00Internet Librarian 2010 #intlib10 pre-conference: Promoting Effective use of E-resources using E-tools by Barbie E. Keiser<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPvu0CVYkbzEszPn-L3nWn1c9CdMJLTHvttTFtQxhrUcj9P1ByRoUufDJf5tTPVIHvWdHwfBGwScQ1yoUdk-wV8tvXVWqqeOdRwXkYZ_IoFPQnuAcwiDBuvyre5ic23Mvm3OZ/s1600/internet-librarian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPvu0CVYkbzEszPn-L3nWn1c9CdMJLTHvttTFtQxhrUcj9P1ByRoUufDJf5tTPVIHvWdHwfBGwScQ1yoUdk-wV8tvXVWqqeOdRwXkYZ_IoFPQnuAcwiDBuvyre5ic23Mvm3OZ/s320/internet-librarian.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This was my first year at Internet Librarian. I will post my feelings about my first conference, speaking as part of a panel at the conference, and failure. For now, these are my notes for Promoting the Effective Use of E-Resources by using E-Tools. We are getting heavily into our usage stats for our digital products and determining whether this database or resources needs to be cut, or needs more promotion. This session answered both sides of that question.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The Program/Michael Porter Approach to Marketing</span> </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I really enjoyed this program since it promotes marketing to a specific group of people rather than a spread out approach, shotgun style. Find and identify the specific target group, develop service and promotion around it, and then measure the full impact of the program.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"> </span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">It begins with the assessment process. The thinking behind this presentation takes a business-like approach to rolling out a new service. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><b>Establish an information need, estimate size of market, identify competition, can you meet the need now? </b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><b></b>She brought up <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porter_five_forces_analysis">Michael Porter's Five Forces</a> that affect the marketplace: New Entrants into the market, suppliers, buyers, substitutes, and Industry Competitors. I found this approach very refreshing. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">When I simplify this question, I would wonder if I should bother with a library database when Google will do. Some researchers will even pay to get the information that is already available through the library because they don't know about it. Genealogy research comes to mind, people can Google their ancestry, pay for a subscription at Ancestry.com or use the library resources that provides all that and more. The introduction of the competition in this was fascinating and really changed the way I am thinking about marketing e-resources.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Need to identify your user base, who are they, what drives them, what forces them, what are the barriers, what are all the critical factors?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Porter">Porter's four P's</a>: product, Place, Price, Promotion. There was a great emphasis on Porter's works, should pick it up. If product is not new, how do you repackage as if it is? People have short attention spans, need to re-introduce and re-package current services.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Heavy emphasis was placed on focus groups, asking them what they expect of your service, what products and services are currently available, do people even know about it, are you aware what others offer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">(As a side note of strategically marketing services, lots of comments from librarians on how they needed a certain database, but project was scrapped to get eBooks. I wonder if that is a director overreacting to a trend or librarians unaware of their market?)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Pull marketing ideas from what we are doing now</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Libraries need to find new ways to promote services, examples given were product of the month, giveaway of products, get and giveaway freebies. Think of marketing like a sales promotion, tie everything into that. Lower the barrier to access for a limited period of time to encourage usage, same as a sale. One of the participants mentioned that libraries do this during their Summer Reading Programs. Another thought is asking why are you promoting it? Yes get new users, higher stats, what's the goal. What does this promotion say about me?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Need to use these skills to push a message, but can also allow message to be pulled, what users define us as, and also participatory, engaged patrons. There are different methods to accomplish any one of the three.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Next part covered social networks available. Overall, this segment was a rehash of social networking sites and which one works best for each type of marketing and promotion. This segment was a bit more advanced and I think it would take a good amount of critical analysis to get this part right. Broadcast media equals lower engagement; Networks/Blogs equals higher engagement. Push messaging versus dialogue, this segways into a general approach of library branding and service delivery. When is it a good time to use a blog, wiki, newsletter, tutorial, podcast, Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, giveaways, RSS feeds and more? </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Libraries should develop a marketing campaign design worksheet. Needs and benefits, messages, platforms, vehicles, frequency and strategy, partners and personal dates, measures and more all affect that message. A parting thought, people don't friend libraries, people friend people, we may need to change approach in library marketing to further embed ourselves. Not a library, but a librarian is a more human approach. Funny that most libraries that have social networks have maybe one or two people work on them, and also have their own account. Why not use personal accounts to push?</span></span></div>jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-53532872264830982472010-09-23T05:00:00.015-07:002010-09-23T08:20:25.917-07:00Library Bandwidth in Terms of Gigabytes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIELu1o4nttKLRL9Pat6l12pJiuIGVmE6zV7nFHDvqiomEwP04nmHusqShmgWTGaFTXwdZXE6V1yBmshJaym8h3fBkjTVSynE4SdivYg306QJ-d2_512U4htWdLjpgkCOUGcN7/s1600/397163135_393b6754f5_o.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIELu1o4nttKLRL9Pat6l12pJiuIGVmE6zV7nFHDvqiomEwP04nmHusqShmgWTGaFTXwdZXE6V1yBmshJaym8h3fBkjTVSynE4SdivYg306QJ-d2_512U4htWdLjpgkCOUGcN7/s200/397163135_393b6754f5_o.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td><div id="photo-details" style="display: block; text-align: left;"><div class="by-line" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.zoo-m.com/flickr-storm/#" style="color: #0066ff;"><img align="top" border="0" height="15" id="copyright-image" src="http://www.zoo-m.com/flickr-storm/images/cc.gif" width="15" /></a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/81513646@N00/" id="author-link" style="color: #0066ff;" target="_blank">xeni</a> (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/messages_write.gne?to=81513646@N00" id="contact-action" style="color: #0066ff;" target="_blank">contact</a>)</div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I attended the meeting for <a href="http://www.cvngbip.org/">CENIC's </a>project to provide high speed fiber for California's Central Valley last week. When completed, this project will provide high bandwidth fiber pipe from Kern County (Bakersfield) up to Colusa County. The Central Valley is California's most rural and poorest area, encompassing over 500 miles with a population of over 6.2 million. This is an often neglected part of California. A largely agricultural area, so it is no wonder that this area doesn't have fast bandwidth.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">CENIC approached many different partners earlier this year when they submitted an ARRA grant to get high speed. In this area, we refer to bandwidth in megabytes if we are lucky, but it seems soon, we will be speaking in terms of gigabytes.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It's an ambitious program that has identified anchor institutions receiving one Gigabyte per second download speeds. Our Visalia branch library will be an anchor institute, one of <a href="http://www.cvngbip.org/alliances/libraries.html">20 headquarter libraries</a> chosen in this project. Currently, the library has 5mbps download times, but with this new fiber coming through, there is the potential to have 1 GBPS, almost 1000 times more bandwidth.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This is the second stimulus grant in which we will benefit. The first from USDA for library construction. This one will be a group project involving schools, public safety, universities, and public libraries. We are one of many organizations, in particular public libraries, that are receiving stimulus grants for broadband. In order to track the progress of these awards, you can go to the </span><a href="http://www.usda.gov/rus/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">United States Department of Agriculture Utilities Page</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> to track grant awards or to the Broadband USA page to see </span><a href="http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/GrantsAwarded"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">various broadband</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> and </span><a href="http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/computercenters"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Public Computer Center</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> grants.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The grant intends to accomplish the </span><a href="http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/central-valley-independent-network-llc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">following</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #292929;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>"According to a June 2009 report by the Public Policy Institute of California, Internet and broadband use has increased in all regions of California except for the Central Valley, where 49 percent of households cannot access high-speed service. Current broadband infrastructure in the region is largely inadequate to meet the needs of local community anchor institutions. In response to this situation, Central Valley Independent Network (CVIN), along with its project partner, Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC), intends to deploy a 1,371-mile fiber backbone network through 18 Central Valley counties. The network, consisting of 720 newly constructed miles of fiber and the leasing of 164 miles of dark fiber, will provide Internet backbone service to Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Fresno, Kings, Kern, Mariposa, Merced, Madera, Nevada, Placer, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tuolumne, Tulare, and Yuba counties. In addition, the project will construct 12 new wireless nodes in order to deploy WiMax last-mile service to the rural portions of Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern Counties."</i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Further, the </span><a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/09/fcc-to-fast-track-fiber-to-schools-and-libraries.ars"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">FCC</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> will </span><a href="http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/09/schools-and-libraries-can-rent-fiber-with-fed-funds-fcc-says/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">fast track</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> these sorts of projects and allow schools and libraries to borrow pipe. Even though we have an anchor institution in Tulare County, we have 15 libraries that could also use high bandwidth fiber. With the many anchor stations in the county, we could tap into four and possibly six other locations, vastly improving service. In fact, this project is scheduled for completion in October of 2012, just two years away. This is the kind of service desperately needed in this rural part of the country. I wrote about <a href="http://gathernodust.blogspot.com/2009/12/why-bandwidth-is-important.html">bandwidth choking</a> late last year and how that can affect new features and services from libraries. This kind of project can unlock so many doors and provides so much potential. I couldn't believe my ears when Cenic spoke of a one gigabyte pipe and I can hardly contain my excitement at the possibility of having this amount of bandwidth</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">. </span>jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-13375214410523372512010-06-01T05:00:00.006-07:002010-06-01T17:07:01.959-07:00Libraries need to put content online<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><blockquote><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eflon/3271730476/" title="photo sharing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/3271730476_433a024f20_m.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></span></span></a></blockquote><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eflon/3271730476/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Uris Library Stacks</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Originally uploaded by </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/eflon/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">eflon</span></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Libraries are nowhere near a future where everything is online. Books and information will stay in print for many, many years to come, but we need to position ourselves to not just provide services online (such as marketing through social networking sites, or online reference), but start providing content online, whether as a digital distribution center for e-books, or by providing our own content that is easy to access. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first foray into e-books increased my reading habits. My library didn't have a large budget and we had to be very efficient. When I was the collection development librarian, the director wanted Science Fiction titles from LOCUS (he circled what he wanted), but they never circulated.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I became the director, I ran into a dilemma, there were books I wanted to read, but I couldn't justify the costs if it was just for me. However, when an opportunity came to subscribe to the largest e-book consortium in the state, I jumped at the chance. It was 20,000 e-books for only $20,000, one dollar per book. By doing that, I opened up the possibility of so many more books for our patrons at a low cost (that was equal to one fifth of our entire print collection added immediately), and for myself, I now had far greater diversity and selection. Since then, I have always been excited about e-books and about what they can do.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vendors like Overdrive, Netlibrary, and MyILibrary all provide e-books and e-audiobooks online through library websites. Libraries pay for this content so that the information can be freely accessed by the public.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overdrive continues to make steps into the library's future. The recent announcement that they will make e-book content directly downloadable to smart phones (http://www.teleread.com/2010/05/19/overdrive-to-release-ebook-reading-applications/) (just like they already do with audiobooks) demonstrates a strategy that is in line with the library's future as it connects online content with a mobile delivery system.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">E-books evolving</span></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the game changer. If all e-reader devices, from iPod touches, iPads to Kindles, can download material from the library it would be a different world. A free book option provided by libraries would change how we view e-readers. There will be more devices that can read e-books that aren't just for e-books. With so many ways to read a book, having a free option would be wonderful. Furthermore, librarians will need to learn more about these devices as they are multiplying like rabbits. One Library Journal Editor commented at BEA: </span><br />
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<div class="bbpBox14701858203"><div class="bbpTweet"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">"affordable ereaders are going to drive you all crazy" -- B&T's Coe to librarians, on future of collection development for devices </span></span><a class="tweet-url hashtag" href="http://twitter.com/search?q=%23dod10" rel="nofollow" title="#dod10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">#dod10</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><span class="timestamp"><a href="http://twitter.com/Hadro/status/14701858203" title="Tue May 25 15:59:48 +0000 2010"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">less than a minute ago</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> via </span></span><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/app/twitter/id333903271?mt=8" rel="nofollow"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Twitter for iPhone</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span><span class="metadata"><span class="author"><a href="http://twitter.com/Hadro"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><img src="http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/78327473/Josh_inked_normal.jpg" /></span></span></a><strong><a href="http://twitter.com/Hadro"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Josh Hadro</span></span></a></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br />
Hadro</span></span></span></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also need more training in this area and to be able to support this technology. At BEA:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.teleread.com/2010/05/27/bea-tomorrows-library-in-the-world-of-digits/">Teleread: BEA: Tomorrow’s Library in the World of Digits</a></span><br />
SNIP<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Libraries are becoming “IT” services for consumers and they need to train their own people better.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's dissapointing that libraries aren't considered partners with publishers and vendors in ebook distribution. This excellent article explains where libraries need to be in regard to ebooks.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6729306.html?rssid=191"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Librarians to Ebook Creators and Sellers: Library Model Needed</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (Library Journal)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SNIP</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In order for us to help you sell and promote your e-books, we need you to sell or license them to us in a manner that works with our business model.<br />
- Provide for electronic check-out to customers similar to how we lend hard copy items.<br />
- Offer popular titles at reasonable prices.<br />
- Provide e-books in standard format with standard digital rights management.<br />
- Offer them to individual libraries and allow libraries to pool resources by selling to groups and consortia. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many are concerned about the content delivery going through library vendors instead of through the library. The library currently subscribes to databases that are not housed in the library, but require librarian navigation and troubleshooting. That content still serves the public and tax dollars support it so that everyone can have equal access. That's the basic model of librarianship. We pool community resources to better the community by providing services and access to content, not necessarily providing the content ourselves.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Destroy your microfilm machine, libraries provide digital content</span></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many libraries house history collections and microfilmed newspapers. There should be a major push to digitize which will bolster library collections. Part of libraries continued relevance online. The library is one of the few places that collection this type of resource, particularly local in nature. Publishing our own resources as well as partnering with local history centers to digitize their materials should be the next steps in library service evolution. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much of my frustration is the need to destroy microfilm machines in libraries. These expensive tedious machines represent such an anachronism today. You can sit down on a computer and look at a historical digitized newspaper which can take minutes for a patron or a librarian to look up, or you can scroll through reams of microfilm for hours fruitlessly. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Digitization projects are very expensive, so bringing up this point seems indelicate, but I get frustrated at many librarians who would simply say, "Sounds great, if we could afford it." I think it is important enough to place some focus upon it. In California, there are two good online repositories for digital collections, Online Archive of California and California Newspaper Project. Both of these agencies are great at organizing information and providing permanent access to collections. There are also private library vendors that can perform the same amount of work with assurances that the items will be properly formatted for the future. I think this needs to be more of a priority for libraries to make this content easy to access and better preserved. </span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's next?</span></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What other content can we provide online and how can we make that content easy to use. Not just online, but downloadable to devices. If an iPad can read it, highlight, and edit this content, it becomes infinitely more useful for future generations. Instead of researchers having countless photocopies and clipping, they can have access to everything through one device and be able to replicate that content if necessary. That cannot happen, however, if that information isn't digitized and preserved and formatted in a way that it can be accessed in the future.</span><br />
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</span>jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-58658309086319838632010-05-25T05:32:00.004-07:002010-05-25T11:16:12.005-07:00California Libraries Article on USDA Grants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79S17ncfCXgBfYTu5dTwfzxCM31RKehb7CnRiY8httOqnCLL9534IZyf26aD0h7rZuSXoUpdk49cOmIM05TcIsh0k1cRTMpVMU5iG2kR16BiSTIkOGOOq1dfooO3oHd8sn9yZ/s1600/logo-with-name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79S17ncfCXgBfYTu5dTwfzxCM31RKehb7CnRiY8httOqnCLL9534IZyf26aD0h7rZuSXoUpdk49cOmIM05TcIsh0k1cRTMpVMU5iG2kR16BiSTIkOGOOq1dfooO3oHd8sn9yZ/s200/logo-with-name.jpg" width="171" /></a></div>My article for the May California Libraries Newsletter is now up. I discuss all the nuts and bolts on how our library applied and received a grant to renovate two of our branch libraries and purchased one book machine. If you have rural communities in your library system, you might consider reviewing the article and applying to the USDA. They have Community Facility Funds set aside just for libraries and the Undersecretary of the USDA is making a point of getting the word out. Take a look: <a href="http://www.cla-net.org/weblog/2010/05/creative_fund_f.php">Creative Fund Finding: USDA Grants for Libraries</a>jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-74525435852608528062010-04-08T13:04:00.000-07:002010-04-12T09:57:57.731-07:00A Thanks to KVPR and the future of librariesI have always loved National Public Radio. When I was asked to be interviewed for the local NPR affiliate, KVPR's <i>Quality of Life</i> Program, I was ecstatic. The program aired Tuesday and is now available online <a href="http://www.kvpr.org/shows/quality_of_life.php">here</a>. During the program, the moderator speaks to a varied selection of people about the future of libraries and information. The program included segments with a Fresno County Librarian, Rick King, Chairman of the <a href="http://www.ultra-high-speed-mn.org/">Minnesota High Speed Broadband Task Force</a>, and later in the show, myself.<br />
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As I was listening and speaking on the show, one of the things that kept surfacing in my mind was- how do we get our services to people? How do we connect the information that we have to them? iPads and ebooks are all the rage, and are certainly a great innovative step into our future. However, for the here-and-now, it's a question of, "how do I get this print book or this DVD to the person who wants it?"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGR8OF56iJLV-E15sDngWdzBh9ha22QA1witk3KV7WrDCQGO7_XoeuB8i_fxOBvcbqvYOKIEVrpKu4qb7hYcRzMMnpiLNtYM7iQqdqOcyi_JRV_z4XhF6YSKSWiBE6UdcrqPEj/s1600/logo_bottom.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGR8OF56iJLV-E15sDngWdzBh9ha22QA1witk3KV7WrDCQGO7_XoeuB8i_fxOBvcbqvYOKIEVrpKu4qb7hYcRzMMnpiLNtYM7iQqdqOcyi_JRV_z4XhF6YSKSWiBE6UdcrqPEj/s200/logo_bottom.gif" width="200" /></a></div>Here in the San Joaquin Valley, there isn't sufficient broadband to provide e-content consistently and the population typically isn't affluent enough to have e-book readers or the bandwidth to download an audiobook online to their mp3 player. We need to provide the content that we currently have, most of which is non-digital. That's why I continue to be impressed with our library consortium. The San Joaquin Valley Library System includes 13 different jurisdictions, making 2 million books and other items available. If you live anywhere in the area, whether it is the biggest city such as Fresno, or the smallest community, which might be Alpaugh, you can still have access to a variety of material, from critical information to the latest bestsellers. It's all moved around by hand and delivered to your local library.<br />
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It's truly amazing what we can do by pooling our resources, responding to the community needs right now, and getting them the services they want. It's looking to the future as well, and being able to plan for future needs. However, it's the <i>right now</i> that needs to be figured out. How do we do that?jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-7406482703503201392010-03-28T09:47:00.000-07:002010-04-12T10:27:14.059-07:00Mobile conferencing at PLAI don't like lugging laptops to conference so I thought that I would try to rely on my Blackberry, iPod Touch, and Sony Reader. I made a big mistake on the last device; I forgot the power cord for my Reader. There I was foolishly reading my book while listening to music on my Reader (so that I could conserve power on my other devices). Of course this drains the battery like nobody's business. I also brought a digital camera, not thinking about how I would upload those pictures. Luckily the hotel had a business center and I was able to upload pics just fine.<br />
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I tried Foursquare with my Twitter account. I felt Foursquare was valuable for the conference, but doubt that I will use it outside of that. Foursquare is a good tool if you already know people and are in close proximity, fostering social connections, especially at a professional conference in a new city. It was a great tool to see who was around and I got to meet people in real life that I only knew on Twitter. I geeked out a bit and put my Twitter handle and picture on my badge as well. It was helpful and fun to associate a photo with the Twitter persona. <br />
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Overall, I would say the mobile conferencing was a success.jdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-15146771151178409082010-03-27T13:23:00.001-07:002014-10-08T00:44:38.167-07:00Changing Course: Leadership for Navigating the New Library<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdscott50/4462283477/" title="Me with Luis Herrera by jdscott50, on Flickr"><img alt="Me with Luis Herrera" border="0/" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2695/4462283477_8ec225b5c3_m.jpg" height="180" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">With Luis Herrera, San Francisco Public Library Director</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdscott50/4462283473/" title="Me with Susan Hildreth by jdscott50, on Flickr"><img alt="Me with Susan Hildreth" border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4462283473_0646ea1ed9_m.jpg" height="180" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">With Susan Hildreth, Seattle Public Library Director</span></div>
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This was a wonderful program that I had the privilege to attend. There were many of my library management heroes there like Susan Hildreth (Seattle), Luis Herrera (San Francisco), and a good friend, Laura Isenstein with Providence Associates. I met some new friends there, some from Twitter, and other brilliant library admin people.<br />
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We had homework for this program, four articles that are available online. These are classics in the management profession, one of them by Peter Drucker. I will post the links to my Delicious account.<br />
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This session was held over two days during the pre-conference. The main focus was to understand the basic principles of the articles; the community building and building personal networks were the high points for me. <br />
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The thing that puzzled me a little is that I feel like I have gone down this road before. I used the Planning for Results model sponsored by PLA. However, even though many libraries went through the strategic planning process, many didn't engage the community in a meaningful way. They grabbed the same people that were already in their circle and asked them what they already knew. As the presenter told me, they didn't expand their sandbox or their social circle, thereby they didn't gather meaningful support. I even discussed a very prominent library and wondered surely they did this, and in fact they didn't. They got complacent. <br />
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I can't tell you how meaningful those relationships in the community are. You don't have to be a director to make them. In fact, my library has several staff members who are so embedded. It's amazing what they can accomplish, how "in the know" they are. They are valued and consulted, particularly on non-library issues. This is a big part of what we are talking about. Do you have the relationships that move beyond library and into community? Are you at that point? Great takeaways!<br />
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Another concept discussed was the personal board of directors concept- trying to establish a network of coaches and mentors that you can speak freely with and that can guide you in any aspect of your life. This is a circle that will inoculate your decision-making so that the first person telling you an idea is stupid isn't a staff member or a board member. Another point of emphasis is to not limit this circle just to librarians. I would think non-librarians would be particularly valuable, as you don't get too tunnel visioned. Library organizational issues are almost never unique to libraries, and we shouldn't treat them as such.<br />
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Overall, it was a great program. Our moderator understands our profession needs to change and to accomplish that he needed to change the people in the room, a tough sell. I think we can change and be the center, the Mecca of our communities. Surprisingly, it only takes one phone call. <br />
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhonejdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-82389507566785059722010-03-25T09:14:00.005-07:002010-04-12T10:17:21.271-07:00The post where I gush about PLA and other thoughts<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88902962@N00/4465652004/"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2465/4465652004_79d5abd2a9_m.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
I can't tell you how impressed that I am with the 2010 Public Library Association Conference. This conference just did everything right. Beautiful location, beautiful venue, free working wireless and world class presenters. They even got the weather to cooperate! Sunny days in Portland in MARCH, someone must have good connections.<br />
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Having Natalie Merchant at the program was huge! Playing stuff yet to be released and having her serenade librarians with a thank you and going into the audience! Wow, that's what librarians need right now. The conference started a bit melancholy for me as I knew many colleagues were suddenly pulled from coming and many more would shortly be laid off. In fact I got news of a friend who was to be laid off, just as the program was starting. I hope that I can make a connection for her, but I couldn't help thinking of others. Like soldiers falling in the line, we must move forward but it's hard not to mourn what's going on, I can barely read the news anymore.<br />
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In sharp contrast, Kristoff gave us a lot to be thankful for. If you've read <i>Half the Sky</i> you know about the oppression of women worldwide. Women not considered worthy enough to save their lives, pay for an education, or even to pay for a simple surgery that could improve their quality of life. The book resonated with me, but not in the specific way of women in third world countries. What makes the book different was that it breaks down the problem, offers a solution, then goes further in discussing how good deeds and relief can be fruitless and difficult. Sometimes solving the problem doesn't end at one stage in the effort, but must be seen through. He told the story of a woman kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery. To save this woman, he purchased her and brought her back to her village. However, in one week she ran back to the brothel because she was addicted to meth that only the brothel could supply. How to solve that problem?<br />
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It reminded me of our library's literacy efforts. Literacy is only the first step. They then need a GED, job skills, soft job skills, then afterward to find a job, but then there aren't any. It's a great deal of work, and rewarding, but the work doesn't stop at literacy. The problems are much bigger and multifaceted. It's not just literacy, it's getting teens out of gangs and into the library. It's so much more. This is the work libraries need to do.<br />
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At the end of the day I'm energized and thankful about the work I can do in my community. I run an organization that is unique in one particular way. Other community agencies, schools and nonprofits have specific goals, mandates, and parameters that restrict them from doing the most good; libraries aren't as restricted. I can get on a committee and say we can give resources, know how to get funding, and can bridge the gap on your mandate. It's a wonderful feeling, like being a superhero and that's how this conference made me feel, thank you PLA!<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88902962@N00/4465652194/"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4465652194_3f5b3eeaa9_m.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhonejdscott50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04229906352079565341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31106814.post-45862708338969019752009-12-17T04:00:00.007-08:002010-04-12T10:17:21.276-07:00Why bandwidth is importantThe Internet is the lifeblood for libraries. With so many people out of work or unable to pay for information, entertainment, and necessities, libraries providing free and fast Internet is the only means to stay connected. There are so many things that can be done online now, from something that requires little bandwidth like submitting a job application, to watching full length movies online. With the influx of services that can be done online, a problem arises with providing enough bandwidth to provide the basic services patrons expect.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Does Library Bandwidth need to double every 18 months?</span></b><br />
The need for increasing bandwidth seems to flow right along with the rate of computer memory. Keeping up with technology comes with a price, as computers can handle more memory and work faster, the bandwidth required to make them effective also needs to increase. With many needed services going online, libraries need to keep up with this need, but the problem is bandwidth creep. It seems that library bandwidth needs to double every 18 months to keep up, but then it should be less expensive according to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen%27s_Law#Contributions"><b>Nielsen's Law</b></a>. Our communities depend on us now more than ever to keep up since:<br />
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1. Libraries are the only free internet resource in town, often the only resource.<br />
2. Bandwidth for an individual goes up faster than in an organization.<br />
3. Libraries can't do as much if content requires more bandwidth, leading to feature freeze<br />
4. Services deteriorate if we can't keep up, other services become affected. By trying to pay for more bandwidth, ongoing costs to maintain it can burden other services in an already stripped down service economy.<br />
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As mentioned in this Ars Technica article a few weeks ago reporting on ALA's report on Bandwidth. It's nice to see mainstream blogs provide attention to these issues.<br />
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<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/12/bill-gates-fund-libraries-need-more-cash-for-broadband.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss">Bill Gates fund: libraries need more cash for broadband</a> <br />
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SNIP<br />
<i>As we've reported, libraries across the United States have become <a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/07/libraries-shut-out-of-broadband-stimulus-money-1.ars">something like first economic responders</a></i> for low-income people thrown out of work by The Great Recession. As job listings go online, and more and more require an on-line application form, computerless employment seekers are besieging local libraries—often the only place where they can get free access.<br />
END SNIP <br />
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<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/11/libraries-dying-for-bandwidthwheres-the-fiber-and-cash.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss">Libraries dying for bandwidth—where's the fiber (and cash)?</a><br />
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<i>But another problem is simple availability. As the <a href="http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/E-Rate-comments.pdf">ALA's report</a> (PDF) points out, "moving from a 56Kbps circuit to 1.5Mbps is one thing. Moving from 1.5Mbps to 20Mbps or to 100Mbps or even to a gigabit—depending on the size and need of the library—is another." Even when they can pay for it, many libraries are finding that higher speeds simply aren't available.</i><br />
END SNIP <br />
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Take for example a new service at our library. It is a <a href="http://www.sorensonvrs.com/dvp/">VR Sorenson</a> machine that provides a relay service for the deaf. A patron comes up to this machine, dials the number and a VR Sorenson employee signs to the person. This relay person can then contact any phone number anywhere and the person using the service can get help from businesses or other contacts that do not have a TTY machine or other services for the deaf. The machine requires high bandwidth. Most individuals can't afford this high level of bandwidth even though these machines are provided for free to many. It is superior to a TTY machine. Word of mouth spread like wildfire and we get several people using it per day. Even when it was getting set up, patrons knew exactly what it was and without advertising, word of mouth sold the service. It's an example of what a library can do, but without the bandwidth it wouldn't have happened. Without sufficient bandwidth, not only are library services frozen, but we are then forced to protect our scarce bandwidth resources.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Bandwidth Police </span></b><br />
There is a recent article about libraries becoming bandwidth police. Libraries that don't have the ability to increase bandwidth have to rely on <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandwidth_throttling" rel="wikipedia" title="Bandwidth throttling">throttling</a> so that all patrons can have enough bandwidth to get what they need online. Software vendors provide these tools to libraries, in which, an automatic limit is set so that one single individual cannot exceed a certain amount of bandwidth. A patron attempting to watch a streaming movie on Netflix would have their efforts hampered so that another patron can still use enough bandwidth for basic internet use, mostly textual in nature. Without enough bandwidth, throttling like this can affect services critical to library patrons, but because not enough resources have been providing for libraries to keep up with the bandwidth creep, libraries are reduced to this practice, leading to these articles on the practice.<br />
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<a href="http://lisnews.org/why_shortage_bandwidth_turning_public_librarians_traffic_cops">Why a Shortage of Bandwidth is Turning Public Librarians into Traffic Cops</a> LIS News points to an article from the Citizen Media Law Project, <a href="http://www.citmedialaw.org/blog/2009/library-police-why-shortage-bandwidth-turning-librarians-traffic-cops">The Library Police: Why a Shortage of Bandwidth is Turning Librarians into Traffic Cops</a> The author's basic premise is that because of poor bandwidth to libraries, and considering libraries are often the only place to get bandwidth, throttling leads to censorship:<br />
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SNIP<br />
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<i>"A short time ago, the American Library Association (ALA) released the latest update to the <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/research/initiatives/plftas/2008_2009/index.cfm" target="_blank">Public Library Funding & Technology Study</a>, a long running survey of public <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_access" rel="wikipedia" title="Internet access">access</a> to the Internet. The survey reveals that public libraries are the <a href="http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6557275.html" target="_blank">only point of free</a> Internet access in the great majority of communities, and many libraries do not have enough bandwidth to meet the needs of their patrons. The entire situation is an <a href="http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/node/5751" target="_blank">embarrassing reminder</a> that the US has a hideous Internet access rate...</i><br />
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<i>While the latter approach is certainly disconcerting (especially in a country with such poor per capita connectivity), I am terrified by the former bandwidth <a href="http://lexicon.ft.com/term.asp?t=austerity-measure" target="_blank">austerity measure</a>. Libraries have become a proving ground for two dangerous arguments: that content throttling is <a href="http://safelibraries.blogspot.com/2009/11/bandwidth-shaper-slows-porn-in.html" target="_blank">not filtering</a> and that <a href="http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6708592.html" target="_blank">resource limitations</a> justify <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5141129/cox-steps-all-over-net-neutrality-throttling-by-time-sensitivity" target="_blank">content throttling</a>."</i> <br />
END SNIP<br />
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I have personal experience in which I tried to expand computer access with old assumptions about bandwidth. It used to be 1.5 Mbps for 50 computers would be just fine, but now you would be lucky to get access with four times that bandwidth rate. E-rate helped me out there, but for many libraries that don't have the funds, can't reallocate them, can't figure out Erate, or are doing all they can and it's still not enough bandwidth. It can be very frustrating. Now with throttling becoming more common, people are beginning to notice, but at least with the author, he is in support of libraries getting more bandwidth so that they don't have to do this.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/malbooth/"></a></span><br />
</div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/malbooth/4087444199/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2746/4087444199_447585bbc2_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"> What Libraries are doing for their communities</span></b><br />
A recent Library Journal article highlighted what the ALA submitted to the FCC on libraries critical role to the economic well-being of their communities:<br />
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<span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/malbooth/4087444199/">Salt Lake City Public Library terminals</a><br />
Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/malbooth/">Mal Booth</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6710297.html?nid=2671&rid=#reg_visitor_id&source=title&">ALA to FCC: Consider How Broadband Fosters Economic Opportunity</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/malbooth/"></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> </span>SNIP<br />
<b>As Community Hubs:<b><i></i></b></b><br />
Public libraries go beyond stopgap measures in creating and supporting economic opportunity<br />
The added value libraries offer includes job training, information, and digital literacy programs<br />
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<b>For Business Adoption and Usage:</b><br />
The library as a small business<br />
Libraries need high capacity broadband to provide essential services to the general public<br />
Effective negotiation requires open dialog between service providers and small businesses<br />
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<b>Broadband's role in regional economic development</b><br />
Libraries are critical institutions in supporting regional economic development<br />
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<b>Government-provided social benefit programs</b><br />
Information literacy skills are critical to navigating online social benefit forms<br />
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<b>Workforce development</b><br />
The value of the public library’s suite of services cannot be overstated<br />
END SNIP<br />
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A recent <a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TEC_TECHBIT_FCC_BROADBAND_PLAN?SITE=AZPHG&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT">sneak peak</a> at an FCC reports provides promising news to underserved areas:<br />
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<i>"One proposal would use money from the Universal Service Fund to build broadband networks in underserved communities and pay for high-speed Internet connections for those who cannot afford them. The Universal Service Fund, which is supported by a surcharge on phone bills, was established to subsidize phone service."</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What Libraries are doing for increased Broadband</b></span><br />
The California State Library recently sponsored a competition called Fast Internet Matters @ Your Library. Libraries throughout California were to create video on Youtube that highlights why Fast Internet is important. Salinas Library was announced as the winner with this funny video:<br />
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fkT1sfNh580&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fkT1sfNh580&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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<a href="http://opportunityonline.org/">Opportunity Online</a> has been going around libraries and speaking with library staff and patrons about how important broadband is to the community. This is to help the broadband summit the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.gatesfoundation.org/" rel="homepage" title="Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation">Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation</a> plan to have around the United States to help providing funding for broadband. You can watch some of those videos <a href="http://opportunityonline.org/snapshots/texas/blogger/ecommunity_library_newsletter/2009/10/videos-from-across-texas.aspx">here</a>. <br />
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The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have also announced a round of funding for broadband projects.<br />
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<a href="http://www.gatesfoundation.org/press-releases/Pages/opportunity-online-helping-libraries-get-broadband-funding-091201.aspx">Foundation Announces New Support for Public Libraries to Help Provide Broadband Access for More Americans</a><br />
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SNIP<br />
<i>“Federal, state, and local government investments in connecting libraries to broadband are important steps toward realizing the vision of universal broadband access,” said <a href="http://www.gatesfoundation.org/leadership/Pages/jill-nishi.aspx" title="">Jill Nishi</a>, deputy director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s U.S. Libraries program. “When libraries have access to broadband, they can effectively deliver critical educational, employment, and government services for residents that lack Internet access elsewhere. As community anchor institutions, libraries can also help drive local broadband adoption.”</i><br />
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The hope here is that with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation stepping in with states and combing the Federal Broadband Stimulus program that local libraries can provide better, faster access and ensure sufficient bandwidth in the future to keep up with demand. The American Library Association has been spearheading this movement and has consistently demanded more broadband and bandwidth for our libraries. They have submitted to the NTIA and now the have submitted to the FCC the critical role libraries play in the local economy. <br />
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The last round of broadband stimulus went towards the truly <a href="http://www.stimulatingbroadband.com/2009/11/usda-secretary-vilsack-announces-134.html">needy</a>. If funding is only going towards getting locations to a 742 kbps or half of a T-1 line and that is a big step up for them; that's very critical. However, in the next two rounds libraries are pulling for expanding access for more modern needs. Without this round of stimulus, libraries will continually fall behind the fast moving internet, crippling existing services and stopping progress for future needs. More affluent communities will be able to maintain and increase access, but those that cannot afford it will be severely hurt. Increasingly, this will lead to lost connections with the rest of the world, leaving pockets of many Americans behind. The concept is scary. <br />
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