Some of our most interesting discussions have arisen during the NATLAC process here at the library when we try and decide the right term to use. On the surface, we all imagined that translating the Dewey numbers into a natural language term or phrase would be a snap. Were we ever wrong!
There are generally 3 to 4 of us on this project and there are times each of us perceives a different meaning in a single term. Coming to consensus, let alone consensus with the broad array of library users in mind, is definitely a process often fraught with disagreement and high emotion. Just at today's meeting, our still simmering disagreements about seafood and whether that includes fresh-water food fish, over baking and cooking being separate actions rather than baking being a subset of cooking was brought up fresh with passions still as high as ever.
Luckily we respect each other enough and have strong senses of humor as well, that continue to smooth over these disagreements and viewpoints, allow us to make a decision in the best interests of our users, and move on to the next subject to NATLAC. I am unfailing in my admiration for, and respect of the people who have participated in this process and their willingness to set aside personal opinion for the larger perspective of the topic.
That being said, at the moment we are a bit stuck on a good term for the 'characters' both divine and human in the Bible. Let me know if you have any suggestions to throw into the fray. abaker@kelleylibrary.org
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Predicting the Future
On the eve of Groundhog's Day, our country's greatest celebration of prognostication, I got to thinking about the art, science, and randomness of predicting the future. I am not sure how often Punxatawney Phil is right, as it seems like he nearly always predicts a winter the full length of winter, but there is that annual stirring of interest about what he will predict.
I find the Phil thing is like folks around me that refer to the Farmer's Almanac predictions of weather for the year. It always seems spot on when you are in the moment and someone says well the Farmer's Almanac did predict a lot of snow this year. But do we ever say the opposite, like being amazed that it is such a snowy winter when the FA predicted little snow.
A team of us have been working for several months to analyze the future of libraries in general, and the Kelley in specifics, and while we have gotten a great handle on a lot of useful things, we are still shying away from making predictions. Just a few years ago, when the digital book craze took off, there were constant predictions of the death of print books, libraries, and reading in general. Several years in, digital books sales are sagging, print is in a resurge, and libraries are still here and busy. Like so many formats before - audiobooks, large print to name a few - we have weathered the panic that these new formats spelled the end of print books as we know it, and they have comfortably settled into being a portion of the array of materials we provide. The key has always been to be careful to offer access to books and film in a variety of ways so we can support the widest range of users. Digital books are just another way for our community to access the wide variety of ideas, interpretations, creativity, wisdom, insights offered by authors and directors from all over the world. Broadening our minds, inspiring us to new ways of thinking, and keeping us open to the changing world.
I find the Phil thing is like folks around me that refer to the Farmer's Almanac predictions of weather for the year. It always seems spot on when you are in the moment and someone says well the Farmer's Almanac did predict a lot of snow this year. But do we ever say the opposite, like being amazed that it is such a snowy winter when the FA predicted little snow.
A team of us have been working for several months to analyze the future of libraries in general, and the Kelley in specifics, and while we have gotten a great handle on a lot of useful things, we are still shying away from making predictions. Just a few years ago, when the digital book craze took off, there were constant predictions of the death of print books, libraries, and reading in general. Several years in, digital books sales are sagging, print is in a resurge, and libraries are still here and busy. Like so many formats before - audiobooks, large print to name a few - we have weathered the panic that these new formats spelled the end of print books as we know it, and they have comfortably settled into being a portion of the array of materials we provide. The key has always been to be careful to offer access to books and film in a variety of ways so we can support the widest range of users. Digital books are just another way for our community to access the wide variety of ideas, interpretations, creativity, wisdom, insights offered by authors and directors from all over the world. Broadening our minds, inspiring us to new ways of thinking, and keeping us open to the changing world.
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
A New Year
We have entered a new year, after saying goodbye to a year that many people are only too ready to forget. It is a time when we all look back at accomplishments and what happened over the past year, and it isn't any different here at the library as we put together annual reports.
As much as I know it is important to remember and evaluate the past in order to plan for the future better, I am one to be more interested in the future unknown than spending too much time in the past. There is a quote by Heraclitus on my office wall that reads: "You could not step twice into the same river". It is a favorite of mine for a number of reasons, but most importantly to remind me the importance of the moment, and to remember nothing ever stays the same.
As always, we have lots of plans for making the library even more welcoming. We are most excited about being able to reopen some evening hours that we lost with a budget cut some years ago. If the 2017 budget passes, we will be open 5 nights a week until 8:30 - for people who are commuters, are involved in clubs and activities on our late nights, and to offer more evening hours for the meeting rooms.
But it is the surprises that are what I look forward to each year. It is easy to plan, it is more fun to roll with events.
As much as I know it is important to remember and evaluate the past in order to plan for the future better, I am one to be more interested in the future unknown than spending too much time in the past. There is a quote by Heraclitus on my office wall that reads: "You could not step twice into the same river". It is a favorite of mine for a number of reasons, but most importantly to remind me the importance of the moment, and to remember nothing ever stays the same.
As always, we have lots of plans for making the library even more welcoming. We are most excited about being able to reopen some evening hours that we lost with a budget cut some years ago. If the 2017 budget passes, we will be open 5 nights a week until 8:30 - for people who are commuters, are involved in clubs and activities on our late nights, and to offer more evening hours for the meeting rooms.
But it is the surprises that are what I look forward to each year. It is easy to plan, it is more fun to roll with events.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Artwork and its affect
You may have noticed in this month's newsletter that we are offering the walls of the Beshara Room and the small Conference Room walls to budding and established artists. We invested in a nifty hanging system a few years ago, and realized that it isn't being used to its potential. Additionally, the rooms are looking a little uninviting between little or no artwork on the walls, or pictures that have been there for years. Time for some fresh options!
But why bother? The library's mission includes the goals of cultural enrichment, and the provision of a welcoming atmosphere. Many studies have shown that artwork in one's environment promotes creativity, a sense of peace and calmness, and a more welcoming space. Just as important as the colors we chose to surround ourselves in our homes, so too does the artwork matter.
Libraries also have long supported lifelong learning and exploration through the books and other materials selected for the library's collection. We have a wide variety of books and videos providing how-to and how to do it better guides for many hobbies and exploration of the arts. Certainly part of that is providing space to show the fruits of our community's labors.
Hopefully some of our local artists will take the personal risk of showing their handiwork to the community. We will keep you posted through the newsletter and Facebook, but be sure to take a peek in the meeting rooms when you come by the library - at least when there isn't a meeting going on! - and let us know what you think.
But why bother? The library's mission includes the goals of cultural enrichment, and the provision of a welcoming atmosphere. Many studies have shown that artwork in one's environment promotes creativity, a sense of peace and calmness, and a more welcoming space. Just as important as the colors we chose to surround ourselves in our homes, so too does the artwork matter.
Libraries also have long supported lifelong learning and exploration through the books and other materials selected for the library's collection. We have a wide variety of books and videos providing how-to and how to do it better guides for many hobbies and exploration of the arts. Certainly part of that is providing space to show the fruits of our community's labors.
Hopefully some of our local artists will take the personal risk of showing their handiwork to the community. We will keep you posted through the newsletter and Facebook, but be sure to take a peek in the meeting rooms when you come by the library - at least when there isn't a meeting going on! - and let us know what you think.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
We really do listen. It is the expectation for all of us that serve here at the library, that we will listen and pay attention to what our users say. Of course we listen to what you have to say about your day, your family, the world around, but more importantly to what you are saying about the library: what you like, what you don't, what confuses you, what delights you. We seriously consider each bit of feedback, and when there are problems or issues, we do our best to reach a resolution.
So when we heard that kids weren't taking books because of parental concern about getting it finished in 2 weeks, we knew we had to take action. Circulation for kids (and teen) books, etc. will be 4 weeks starting on the 21st, with a renewal for another 4 weeks (and remember, you can renew online). The time between hearing about this growing issue, and the finalized plan was about 2 days. Who says library's can be nimble?
Other resolutions are tougher to achieve. Some years ago, we had to cut hours due to budgetary belt-tightening. It was tough on all our users, particularly the groups that booked rooms in the evenings. We have been working towards extending evening hours again ever since. But this kind of thing doesn't happen in 2 days, let alone 2 years. This year, we finally found a solution that increased hours without being too much of a financial burden to the community. If the budget passes next March (fingers crossed!) we will be moving to a 9-8:30 Mon through Friday schedule. More evening hours for clubs, organizations, and for our general library users.
So we do listen, and when it isn't something we can solve right away, we keep poking at it with the hopes of a great solution. So keep on giving us feedback, let us know what's good and what's not so good. Feel free to email me directly: abaker@kelleylibrary.org. I can't promise we can make everyone happy, but we definitely will give it serious consideration and our best shot.
So when we heard that kids weren't taking books because of parental concern about getting it finished in 2 weeks, we knew we had to take action. Circulation for kids (and teen) books, etc. will be 4 weeks starting on the 21st, with a renewal for another 4 weeks (and remember, you can renew online). The time between hearing about this growing issue, and the finalized plan was about 2 days. Who says library's can be nimble?
Other resolutions are tougher to achieve. Some years ago, we had to cut hours due to budgetary belt-tightening. It was tough on all our users, particularly the groups that booked rooms in the evenings. We have been working towards extending evening hours again ever since. But this kind of thing doesn't happen in 2 days, let alone 2 years. This year, we finally found a solution that increased hours without being too much of a financial burden to the community. If the budget passes next March (fingers crossed!) we will be moving to a 9-8:30 Mon through Friday schedule. More evening hours for clubs, organizations, and for our general library users.
So we do listen, and when it isn't something we can solve right away, we keep poking at it with the hopes of a great solution. So keep on giving us feedback, let us know what's good and what's not so good. Feel free to email me directly: abaker@kelleylibrary.org. I can't promise we can make everyone happy, but we definitely will give it serious consideration and our best shot.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Creativity
We have been talking here at the Library quite a bit about creativity and how best to encourage and support it. You would think that creativity is either there or not - it isn't something to be learned. Perhaps creativity on the Steve Jobs scale is something inborn, but it does have to be nurtured. If the tools, time, and encouragement isn't provided, it is like planting a seed and not watering it and keeping it in the dark.
The challenge is how to encourage original or creative thought without providing so much direction that creativity is smothered. Of course, the other end of the challenge is providing enough boundaries that will encourage yet contain the creative impulses of a child so that you don't end up with a painting in lipstick on the living room walls (I toured a house years ago while house-hunting where that had been done, and left on the wall . . . and trust me it wasn't a budding Michelangelo). But that child certainly was being encouraged in his/her creativity.
Stephen King's Danse Macabre is an interesting peek into the influences on King's creativity, and also a peek at what a master of horror finds scary. All creativity and originality inevitably builds on the creative and original thought of predecessors. And over time, what seemed life alteringly original now is thought to be ho-hum. I think of that whenever I see the opening sequence of the original Star Wars movie. I still remember sitting in the movie theater and being awestruck by the imagery. Yet I know my nephew doesn't see anything remarkable in it as his point of reference is far different. Thus the drive for ever more unimaginable imagining - and the importance of supporting creativity in yourself, your family, your community.
The challenge is how to encourage original or creative thought without providing so much direction that creativity is smothered. Of course, the other end of the challenge is providing enough boundaries that will encourage yet contain the creative impulses of a child so that you don't end up with a painting in lipstick on the living room walls (I toured a house years ago while house-hunting where that had been done, and left on the wall . . . and trust me it wasn't a budding Michelangelo). But that child certainly was being encouraged in his/her creativity.
Stephen King's Danse Macabre is an interesting peek into the influences on King's creativity, and also a peek at what a master of horror finds scary. All creativity and originality inevitably builds on the creative and original thought of predecessors. And over time, what seemed life alteringly original now is thought to be ho-hum. I think of that whenever I see the opening sequence of the original Star Wars movie. I still remember sitting in the movie theater and being awestruck by the imagery. Yet I know my nephew doesn't see anything remarkable in it as his point of reference is far different. Thus the drive for ever more unimaginable imagining - and the importance of supporting creativity in yourself, your family, your community.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Water and books
We are all familiar with the old adage - oil and water don't mix. As a librarian, I would like to add books and water shouldn't mix. As proof, I took a picture of one we just got back recently: 
I am the lucky staff person that does some of the repairs on our books, as well as evaluating whether we need to replace a damaged copy. Staff knows to stack the books on the corner of my desk, and quite honestly I devote about half an hour each day to the task. What has become startlingly clear is that 90% of the damage is water damage.
Armloads of books with stiff crinkled paper are finding their way to the discard shelves. There are so many we are taking to marveling how in the midst of a serious drought, we are seeing more and more water damage! Someone suggested that books are in bags with water bottles, leaks happen and damage happens.
Whatever the reason, I do encourage everyone to be more mindful of the risks of water around books. Modern paper seems much more easily damaged by water, so being more vigilant is helpful.
Of course, at least water is better than mysterious brownish stains we find in books - chocolate? coffee? something worse? We really don't want to know. And don't get me on when the pages are sticky . . .
Armloads of books with stiff crinkled paper are finding their way to the discard shelves. There are so many we are taking to marveling how in the midst of a serious drought, we are seeing more and more water damage! Someone suggested that books are in bags with water bottles, leaks happen and damage happens.
Whatever the reason, I do encourage everyone to be more mindful of the risks of water around books. Modern paper seems much more easily damaged by water, so being more vigilant is helpful.
Of course, at least water is better than mysterious brownish stains we find in books - chocolate? coffee? something worse? We really don't want to know. And don't get me on when the pages are sticky . . .
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