Library Services for the “New Normal” of Military Families

Feature Articles

28 34 38 Library Services for the Mental Health Training Innovation Expo “New Normal” of Military in Public Libraries Create and Collaborate in Maryland

Families By Josh Berk By Liz Sundermann By Jennifer Taft & Cynthia Olney Looks at the Bethlehem (Pa.) Area Shares the evolution and details of Maryland’s Maker Expo, which is held Article details the Cumberland County Public Library’s renewed approach to in partnership with the Enoch Pratt (N.C.) Public Library and Information serving mentally ill patrons. Free Library in Baltimore. Center’s quest to provide the best possible services for their military family patrons. Looks at the results of the library’s “military community assessment” and shows how programs and services were altered or developed to meet the needs of this group.

Departments

PLA News 3 New Product News 46 Kathleen Hughes Heather Teysko & Tanya Novak President’s Message 5 Under the Radar 48 Larry P. Neal Kaite Mediatore Stover Tales from the Front 12 & Jessica Moyer Britta Krabill Perspectives 14 Extras James LaRue Cover illustration by Editor’s Note 2 Jim Lange Design The Wired Library 20 (jimlangedesign@ Letter to the Editor 2 sbcglobal.net) R. Toby Greenwalt Verso—Shelving: A Task Whose Fundraising Beyond Time Has Gone? 7 Book Sales 22 Ann McKinnon Verso—New Year, New Library! 9 Forward Thinking 26 Advertiser Index 6 John Spears By the Book 43 Catherine Hakala-Ausperk EDITORIAL EDITOR: Kathleen M. Hughes PL Editor CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Liz Boyd, Susan Dowd, R. Toby Green- KATHLEEN M. walt, Catherine Hakala-Ausperk, Nanci Milone Hill, Joanne King, HUGHES Editor’s Note Kevin King, James LaRue, Jessica Moyer, Tanya Novak, John Spears, Kaite Mediatore Stover, Heather Teysko New Year =

ADVISORY COMMITTEE New Possibilities Monique le Conge Ziesenhenne, Palo Alto (Calif.) City Library (Chair); Stephanie Chase, Hillsboro (Ore.) Public Library; Loida A. Garcia-Febo, Welcome to the final issue of volume 53! Brooklyn, N.Y.; R. Toby Greenwalt, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Brian A. Guenther, Oakland, Calif.; Kevin King, Kalamazoo (Mich.) Public Library; Portia Throughout this issue, we examine in- Eileen Latalladi, Chicago Public Library; Norman L. Maas, Norfolk, Va.; novative ideas and programs—hopefully Jill Porter, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, Mich.; Celise Ann Reech-Harper, Beauregard Parish Public Library, Deridder, La.; Mary E. Contact Kathleen at they’ll trigger fresh thinking and inspire Rzepczynski, Delta Township District Library, Lansing, Mich.; Kirstaine [email protected]. you to make 2015 your library’s best year A. Smith, Buffalo, Minn.; John Spears, Salt Lake City (Utah) Public Li- brary; Nick Donald Taylor, Arapahoe Library District, Centennial, Colo. ever. And we know resolutions often get a PLA PRESIDENT: Larry P. Neal, Director of the Clinton-Macomb bad rap, but they can also serve as inspira- (Mich.) Public Library, [email protected] Kathleen is currently tion. Check out “New Year, New Library!” PUBLIC LIBRARIES (ISSN 0163-5506) is published bimonthly by the reading My Favorite Things (page 9) for a list of library resolutions American Library Association (ALA), 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. It is the official publication of the Public Library Association, a division by Maira Kalman. to stimulate new and different ideas. We of ALA. Subscription price: to members of PLA, $25 a year, included love this idea! Visit Public Libraries Online in membership dues; to nonmembers: US $65; Canada $75; all other countries $75. Single copies, $10. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, (www.publiclibrariesonline.org) to read IL, and at additional mailing offices. this article (and all of the issue’s feature articles) online and add your library’s own

POSTMASTER: send address changes to Public Libraries, resolutions in the comments. Other good stuff in this issue: 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. • “Library Services for the ‘New Normal’ of Military Families”—a look at how one library decided to boost services for its large population of SUBSCRIPTIONS military families; Nonmember subscriptions, orders, changes of address, and inqui- ries should be sent to Public Libraries, Subscription Department, • “Mental Health Training in Public Libraries”—a library director’s story of American Library Association, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611; how he came to perceive patrons with mental illness in a new way and 1-800-545-2433, press 5; fax: (312) 944-2641; [email protected]. instigated an enhanced level of service to the group; and ADVERTISING • “Innovation Expo”—a look at an annual Maker Expo held at Enoch Pratt Doug Lewis, Jordan Gareth Inc., 4920 Hwy 9, #141, Alpharetta, GA Free Library in Baltimore. 30004; (770) 333-1281, fax: (404) 806-7745; doug@jordangareth .com; Territory: FL, MS, AL, GA, NC, SC, KY, TN, VA, WV, MD, DE, Also don’t miss James LaRue’s Perspectives column on executive transitions; Toby NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, NH, VT, and ME. Dave Adrian, David M. Adrian Greenwalt’s dissection of the future of libraries in The Wired Library; and John & Associates, 3903 Jameson Place, Calabasas, CA 91302; (818) 591- 7702, [email protected]; Territory: PA, OH, MI, IN, IL, WI, MN, IA, Spears’ Forward Thinking column in which he details Salt Lake City Public Library’s MO, AR, LA, TX, OK, KS, NE, SD, ND, MT, WY, CO, NM, AZ, UT, ID, current proposal to keep the doors of its main library open 24/7, a drastic increase in WA, OR, NV, CA, HI, AK, and all international countries. its service hours that some in the community say is completely outside the library’s PRODUCTION & DESIGN mission. ALA PRODUCTION SERVICES: Chris Keech, Managing Editor Of course, we love stories like these all year long—so if your resolution is to get MANUSCRIPTS published in 2015, consider writing an article for PL. Check out our guidelines at Unless otherwise noted, all submissions should be sent to www www.ala.org/pla/publications/publiclibraries/writeforpl or just drop me an email for .editorialmanager.com/pl. See www.pla.org for submission instruc- more information. tions. For queries/questions, contact Kathleen Hughes, khughes@ ala.org. INDEXING/ABSTRACTING Public Libraries is indexed in Library Literature and Current Index to Journals in Education (CIJE), in addition to a number of online services. Contents are abstracted in Library and Information Science Abstracts.

MICROFILM COPIES Letters to the Editor Microfilm copies are avail- October 27, 2014 able from University Micro- films, 300 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann When I received my September/October issue of Public Libraries, the featured article Arbor, MI 48103. that I was most interested in was “Urban Youth and Public Libraries.” I thought that ©2014 by the American Library Association it would be very relevant to my position as a youth collection development librarian, All materials in this journal and became very excited to see that my library, New Orleans, was one of the three are subject to copyright by researched. But as soon as I started reading about Crockett’s research method, I grew the American Library Association and may be photocopied for the noncommercial purpose of scientific or educational advancement concerned. Crockett described Memphis, Baltimore, and New Orleans as “roughly granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of the same size.” Memphis, with over 650,000 residents, and Baltimore, with over 1976. For other reprinting, photocopying, or translating, address requests to the ALA Office of Rights and Permissions, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. continued on page 8

2 PUBLIC LIBRARIES www.pla.org PLA News

Ferguson Public Library of effectiveness for widely offered- pub not what they do. Library Journal calls this lic library programs and promot(ing) the approach “a 21st-century model worthy of to Receive Special training for implementation and use of study and consideration by every library in Recognition at ALA the measures across public libraries,” this America, if not the world.” Annual 2015 project aspires to drive a widespread shift The institute will offer a chance to ex- in the field towards consistent collection plore, discuss and practice proven tech- PLA, with support from Library Systems of outcomes data. After conducting an en- niques to redefine libraries in a new, in- & Services, LLC (LSSI), will honor the Fer- vironmental scan and surveying the field, novative way; align your library with what guson (Mo.) Public Library and its director, the PMTF identified core services areas to the community values most—education; Scott Bonner, during the 2015 ALA Annual address: digital inclusion; civic/communi- incorporate intuitive, value-enhancing Conference in San Francisco. This special ty engagement; early childhood literacy; words into your everyday lexicon; height- recognition will commemorate the library’s economic development; job skills/work- en your library’s visibility and stature; and steadfast provision of services to the pub- force development; summer reading; and develop strategies that you can integrate lic during the 2014 civil unrest in Ferguson. education/lifelong learning. In 2015, an ex- immediately into your work. The library will receive a $1,500 check from panding number of libraries will be invited Gross led the transformation of HCPLS LSSI, while PLA will support Bonner’s travel to participate in testing the next genera- to its current prominence as a renowned to the event. The presentation of the gift tion of survey tools. educational institution, alongside the re- will take place at a PLA event during the Carolyn Anthony, PLA past-president gion’s schools, colleges, and universities. conference. More information will be avail- who established the PMTF, stated, “The She has presented more than fifty work- able soon at www.pla.org. rewards for collecting outcomes are im- shops, seminars, webinars, and keynotes, mediate: for staff members who will see drawing the participation and input of PLA Receives Grant the value in the outcomes for people thousands of library professionals from to Further Develop served, for managers who have a tool for forty-two states and more than a dozen continuous innovation and improvement, countries around the world. Combining Performance Measures and for the library that can clearly dem- these experiences, she authored Trans- for Libraries onstrate to budget-conscious civic leaders forming Our Image, Building Our Brand: The PLA has been awarded a grant of $2.9 mil- the real value it is delivering to the com- Education Advantage (ABC-CLIO, 2013). lion from the Global Libraries Program at munity.” Registration for the PLA Midwinter the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for For more information, contact PLA at Institute is available with or without an the development of performance out- (800) 545-2433, ext.5PLA, or [email protected]. ALA Midwinter Meeting registration. Get come measures. This grant will enable more information and register at http:// PLA to accelerate development of its Per- PLA Midwinter Institute alamw15.ala.org/register-now. formance Measurement project and build PLA is offering a thought-provoking insti- an active community of informed users. tute at the 2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting. New in PLA E-News This project will develop simple surveys “Who We Are, What We Do, Why It Mat- “What You Said” is a new section of PLA E- libraries can use to collect patron out- ters: Our Distinctive Purpose” will be pre- News, with member responses to a ques- comes. Related training and support tools sented by Valerie J. Gross, president and tion posed each month. Our most recent will guide libraries in using outcome data CEO, Howard County (Md.) Public Library question was “What’s the funniest ques- for advocacy, planning, and decision-mak- System (HCPLS), from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. tion you’ve ever been asked by a patron?” ing. By collecting outcomes, participat- on Jan. 30, 2015. This interactive day will Some of your replies include: ing libraries will be able to demonstrate highlight a simple strategy that will make • “Do you have the book Men Are the real difference they make in the lives libraries and library professionals indis- from Mars, Women Are from of patrons and the vital role they play in pensable for centuries to come. Attendees Venice?”—Ruth Arnold, director, healthy communities. will learn how a growing number of librar- Staunton (Maine) Public Library Building on the work of the Presidential ies are repositioning themselves as a key • “Our patrons, who receive holds Task Force on Performance Measurement component of the education enterprise, notices by email, are sent a cour- (PMTF), established in 2013 and charged alongside schools, colleges and universi- tesy reminder three days prior with “develop(ing) standardized measures ties, by simply changing what they say— to an item being due. Recently a

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 3 PLA News

patron requested email reminders pdf) prepared by the ALA Office for Infor- services at Livingston (N.J.) Public Library. on overdue materials every day mation Policy (OITP) and (2) the Aspen “I am looking forward to meeting all of the until she returns them.”—Mary Institute’s Rising to the Challenge: Re- Emerging Leaders in person at ALA Mid- L. Cantwell, manager, Roosevelt Envisioning Public Libraries (http://csreports winter in Chicago and working together.” Thompson Library, Little Rock .aspeninstitute.org/Dialogue-on-Public Sanchez, library technician at Rancho (Ark.) -Libraries/2014/report). The Trends Report Cucamonga (Calif.) Public Library, said • “Many years ago I was asked by reviews both major disruptions and new “I’m thrilled to have been selected as one a student: How much does the opportunities for public libraries and is a of ALA’s Emerging Leaders! I’m looking state of Alabama weigh? Alas, I must-read for learning about key trends forward to the opportunity to connect and was never able to find the answer and challenges facing libraries. Aspen work alongside librarians who share my or figure out how to come up with Institute’s report highlights four strate- passion and commitment for serving our an answer. I hope the teacher who gies for success that communities need communities and contributing to our pro- gave the assignment was able to to address to keep libraries strong for the fession.” Anna and Carmen will each re- help the student figure it out.”— future: (1) aligning library services in sup- ceive $1,000 to attend the 2015 ALA Mid- Deborah L. Dubois, outreach dept. port of community goals, (2) providing ac- winter Meeting in Chicago and the 2015 manager, Mansfield/Richland cess to content in all formats, (3) ensuring ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco, (Ohio) County Public Library long-term sustainability of public libraries, where they will participate in Emerging • “I work at the Willa Cather Branch and (4) cultivating leadership. PLA is well Leader activities. In addition to their par- of the Omaha Public Library represented on advisory committees for ticipation at the conferences they will also and say that when I answer the both the OITP trends (Vailey Oehlke, PLA benefit from networking and online learn- phone. One time someone asked president-elect) and Aspen Institute (Pam ing activities. The program concludes with to speak to ‘Mr. or Mrs. Branch.’ Sandlian Smith, director-at-large) reports. a poster session presentation to showcase I also had a customer call and Both initiatives are funded by grants from the results of their project planning work. want a book with photographs of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Learn more about the Emerging Lead- Queen Elizabeth I.”—Evonne PLA President Larry Neal and the board ers program by visiting www.ala.org/edu Edgington, manager/librarian, welcome your comments and feedback. cationcareers/leadership/emergingleaders Willa Cather Branch of the Omaha Please do not hesitate to call PLA at (800) or email PLA at [email protected]. (Neb.) Public Library 545-2433, ext. 5028 or email [email protected]. • “Sixth grader: Do you have a video of Lincoln giving his Get- Using ACRLMetrics tysburg Address? I want to show PLA Sponsors 2015 and PLAmetrics it to the class as part of my history ALA Emerging Leaders Both the Association of College and Re- assignment.”—Michael Gelhausen, PLA is pleased to sponsor Anna Coats and search Libraries (ACRL) and PLA provide director, Jack Russell Memorial Carmen Sanchez as its representatives for important data services. For library man- Library, Hartford (Wisc.) the 2015 ALA Emerging Leaders program. agers and administrators, the key to the PLA E-News is a perquisite of PLA “PLA is focused on helping develop the data’s usefulness is knowing how to ex- membership. Get more information and next generation of public library leaders tract and apply the most relevant informa- join PLA at www.pla.org. and is very pleased to support the Emerg- tion to managing a library and improving ing Leader program,” said PLA President accountability. Peter Hernon, Robert E. PLA Fall Meeting Update Larry Neal. “We look forward to the posi- Dugan, and Joseph R. Matthews’ Manag- During PLA’s Fall Board of Directors Meet- tive contributions of this year’s cohort and ing with Data: Using ACRLMetrics and PLA- ing, the board reviewed the PLA strategic wish to congratulate Carmen and Anna on metrics, published by ALA Editions, is a plan (www.ala.org/pla/about/strategicplan) their achievements.” companion volume to the authors’ earlier operations and is pleased to report that The ALA Emerging Leaders program is book Getting Started with Evaluation. This PLA is well positioned to help our mem- a leadership development initiative that guide illustrates how to use the data to bers manage today’s fast-changing public enables newer library workers to partici- support value, collection use, benchmark- libraries. pate in problem-solving work groups, net- ing, and other best practices. This book is Two vital new resources the PLA Board work with peers, gain an inside look into an important resource for academic and wanted you to be aware of are: (1) the ALA structure, and have an opportunity public library managers, administrators Trends Report: Snapshots of a Turbulent to serve the profession in a leadership ca- and library trustees, World (www.districtdispatch.org/wp-con pacity. “I am so excited to be a 2015 ALA Managing with Data: Using ACRLMet- tent/uploads/2014/08/ALA_Trends_Re Emerging Leader and honored to be spon- rics and PLAmetrics is available from the port_Policy_Revolution_Aug19_2014. sored by PLA,” said Coats, head of youth ALA Online Store at alastore.ala.org.

4 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 President’s Message

PLA President LARRY P. NEAL is Director of the Clinton-Macomb (Mich.) Re-Envisioning Public Library.

Public Libraries

lthough I have to admit feeling a bit self-conscious about wearing Mickey Contact Larry at [email protected]. Mouse ears with a tassel after recently “graduating” from a workshop at the

Disney Institute (DI), the training from that day was nothing to laugh about A and really got me thinking about the Aspen Institute’s (AI) “Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries” report released in October.1 Disney’s workshop was Larry is currently reading How targeted to a broad range of attendees from the private and public sectors with a Google Works by Eric Schmidt and focus on leadership, creativity, and innovation. AI’s report is focused on public librar- Jonathan Rosenberg. ies and offers a call to action for library leaders, policy makers, and the community. The following are some of the interesting parallels I observed between the two in- stitutes. DI: “Don’t be afraid to cannibalize your own business in the name of progress. Innovation is as much about what you discontinue as what you continue or create.”2 Remaining relevant has been on libraries’ radars for the past twenty years with the rise of the Internet and then e-books. While libraries have done a great job at adopting and integrating these into their core service offerings, the notion that anything is sacred or forever is a tough one to move beyond. Will the physical book someday end up on our “stop doing” list? DI used the example of Kodak, whose core business was selling film for cameras. Rather than leveraging their lead in the development of digital cameras, Kodak clung to film and the rest is unfortunate history. AI suggests that library leaders, We have a lot to learn about collecting stories, measuring “Define the scope of the library’s programs, services and of- impact, and then using them to ferings around community priorities, recognizing that this influence decision-makers process may lead to choices and trade-offs.” and simply to, about support of the library. “Deploy existing resources in new ways.” Although Walt Disney has been gone for nearly fifty years, the company that still bears his name today continues to be a remarkable success story. Yet, even as iconic as the company has become and the traditions it has sparked in gen- erations of visitors, from a business perspective it must continue to reinvent itself. DI: “You can’t allow tradition to get in the way of innovation. There’s a need to respect the past, but it’s a mistake to revere your past.”3 We are in an experience economy where it is imperative to orchestrate memorable events for consumers of products and services. We are moving from transactional experiences to transfor- mational experiences. AI recommends, “Change long-held rules and operating procedures that impede the development of the library’s spaces and platform.” How are we transforming the lives of our users and when was the last time we made a library policy shorter rather than longer? Of course few corporations are better at marketing and telling a story than Dis- ney. As noted in the DI workshop, “Research suggests that it is much easier to remember stories than it is to remember facts.” For far too long the library community has relied on telling its story of success through transactional data, circulation, door counts, computer sessions, and questions asked. Thanks to the leadership of imme- diate PLA Past President Carolyn Anthony, the Performance Measurements Task

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 5 President’s Message

Force is working diligently to prepare tools must combat the tendency towards left- Disney once said, “Whatever we accom- for libraries to better measure impact and brain dominance and foster whole-brain plish belongs to our entire group, a tribute outcomes (more to come on this in 2015). thinking.” This statement reminded me of to our combined efforts.” I am confident AI calls library leaders to, “Measure library how library-centric our worlds are. It is re- that together we will rise to the challenge outcomes and impacts to better demon- markably easy to forget the broader com- of re-envisioning public libraries. strate the library’s value to the community munity around us that we serve. We think and communicate these outcomes to key that because we post a sign in the library partners and policy makers,” and to “Com- or send a newsletter to every home about References municate the library’s story of impact di- a service that these will become top of 1. Amy K. Garmer, Rising to the rectly to the public, partners, stakehold- mind to the members of our community. Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public ers and policy makers. Include the new Likewise, many often limit thinking within Libraries, a report of the Aspen vision built on the library’s people, place the library bubble we live in rather than the Institute Dialogue on Public Libraries, and platform assets.” Needless to say we community as a whole. AI advises, “Engage Oct. 2014, accessed Dec. 4, 2014, http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org have a lot to learn about collecting stories, the community in planning and decision /documents//AspenLibrariesReport measuring impact, and then using them to making, and seek a seat at tables, where .pdf. influence decision-makers about support important policy issues are discussed and 2. Pete Pachal, “How Kodak Squandered of the library—whether voters, elected of- decisions made.” I would further challenge Every Single Digital Opportunity ficials or municipal administrators. everyone to take it a step further as some- It Had,” Mashable, Jan. 20, 2012, DI: “To be successful in a changing econ- one recently wisely advised me, “Don’t just accessed Dec. 4, 2014, http://mashable .com/2012/01/20/kodak-digital-missteps. omy—to ensure that people can perceive seek a place at the table, set it so that you the world in new ways, recognize patterns, don’t end up on the menu.” 3. Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of the Walt Disney Company. make connections between seemingly I encourage everyone to read the AI re- 4. Talking Point: The Disney Institute unrelated details, ask probing questions, port and call to action. You may also con- Blog, https://disneyinstitute.com/blog. and generate new ideas—organizations sider signing up for the DI blog.4 As Walt

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6 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 Verso

Guest contributor AMY KLOSS is a paraprofes- sional at Lakewood (Ohio) Public Library. Shelving: A Task

Contact Amy at andrewkluga@ aol.com. Whose Time Has

Amy is currently reading The Essential Ellen Willis edited by Gone? Nona Willis Aronowitz.

asked a friend the other day to describe the kind of person who works in a library. “Well,” she said. “A woman. Probably middle-aged.” I then asked her what this I librarian does, and she started talking about owning a lot of cats. We didn’t get to the frumpy outfits she wears while reading cozy mysteries and watching Master- piece Theater, but I’m sure that was coming. “No,” I said. “At work. In your mind’s eye, what is this librarian doing at work?” The answer? Sitting behind a desk. There’s certainly plenty of time behind a desk in a library job, but I’ve long known and have recently become even more aware of the physically taxing nature of library work. I recently began shelving trucks of books as part of my regular duties. I’ve shelved before—DVDs and a few books here and there—but taking a full truck up to the stacks and putting them on shelves was often assigned to pages, usually high school students working part time. Shelving seems like one of the more basic tasks of library work—find the right spot, place the book there, move along, repeat. Little did I know. Recently assigned to shelving, I chose a truck that seemed to have been ignored and thought, “Why is this one still sitting here after so many days?” Apparently my coworkers knew more than I, because after I pushed the fifty pounds of books up- stairs and along the aisles, I was happy I’d been working out regularly. Then came the search for the exact place for each book. As an average sized woman, I can just reach the top shelves if I stand on my tippy toes and reach up, and of course there’s the bending down to the floor for the low shelves. Add to that the very large tomes (do librarians secretly hate art books and cookbooks?) I’m carrying and shifting if necessary. After an hour or so of reaching, squatting, and lifting heavy books, my usual thought is, “This shelving is kicking my ass.” But the physical difficulty is only part of it. Add to that the mental energy and visual acuity needed. Some of the books are very old with spines that are hard to read. Then there’s determining the exact location of call number 791.4302808664. It comes before 791.43028092 but after 791.43028085. Wait, these are out of order. Should I put them back in order, or will that put me too far behind? All this being said, I don’t mind shelving, as long as it doesn’t go on too long. I like physical activity and sitting behind a desk can be tiresome. There’s something meditative in working alone on a task with a definite beginning and end, and placing items in order offers a certain satisfaction. Plus, I love books, and being surrounded by so many is soothing and inspiring. Knowing the library’s collection is also an advantage when helping patrons. But the physical difficulty of moving around so many objects of varying shapes and sizes has made me consider the relative ease of access offered by e-books. It would certainly be physically easier to look up a call number and send a digital book to a patron through a computer. No one has to leave his desk. But will we lose something important when the tangible is gone? Is a lack of physical activity really that great? I imagine a population of WALL-E characters, floating around on personal

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 7 Verso—Shelving: A Task Whose Time Has Gone?

transportation devices, staring at screens. patrons probably find getting books out collection with the ease of a digital one. If we lose the ability to browse a physical a challenge as well. Better ergonomics For now, I’ll consider shelving part of collection of books, will we lose some- could ease the physical challenges inher- my weekly workouts. And the next time thing more valuable than ease of access? ent in book collections. Or maybe technol- you ask that nice lady behind the desk at I think libraries could do better. If I ogy has answers that will someday com- the library a question, check out her bi- find putting the books away a challenge, bine the pleasure of browsing a physical ceps. You might be surprised.

Letter to the Editor—continued from page 2

620,000, are substantially larger than New The Author’s Response tober 2013. I also did a keyword search by Orleans with our 343,000 residents (2010 While I appreciate your factual assessment author and found 105 books in the collec- Census). New Orleans also has four fewer that the City of New Orleans population tion written by Myers, which is not much library branches than Memphis and nine is smaller than the cities of Baltimore and different than the 102 results I earlier- re fewer than the Enoch Pratt Free Library sys- Memphis, the reasons the cities were cho- ported. The emphasis of the research was tem. I was surprised that the visual represen- sen was not due to their population statis- on the number of titles, not the number of tations of the numerical data that Crockett tics but the shared demographics in that copies of each title. included were not at all weighted to account they are majority African American and In addition, the subject category “graphic for these differences in size. struggle with issues of poverty, unemploy- novels” was used as a subject term to de- Then I looked closer at the numerical ment, and young black men who are both termine the number of titles in each library data. Crockett reported that New Orleans the perpetrators and victims of violent system’s catalog targeted to adolescents. Public Library (NOPL) had 1,158 graphic nov- crime. Since the original paper was short- Under a keyword search in www.neworleans els for young adults, but I knew that number ened for publication, this information may publiclibrary.org, I found 1,277 titles for to be much higher. Currently there are over not have been clearly stated in the article. “graphic novels.” In October 2013, when I 5,000 titles under the “graphic novel young The main point of my research was to conducted my original research, I discovered adult” collection code, and over 9,600 circu- find out what services and programs were 1,158 titles. lating copies of graphic novels. Although the targeted to urban youth at the three library I am very proud of the New Orleans Pub- data in this article was obtained about a year systems in order to positively enhance li- lic Library System because I am a product ago, I doubt that we’ve increased our num- brary service to the targeted group and of it. I was born and raised in New Orleans. bers by that large of an amount. The same increase the future success of urban minor- I stand by my results, but I am certainly goes for Walter Dean Myers books; Crockett ity youths. In view of the size of the City of willing to learn about resources that you reported NOPL having “111 copies,” and I New Orleans, the results were positive and have at your disposal that were perhaps see that we have 380 copies. The online pub- showed that the library’s collection were not available to me at the time I studied lic access catalog, which Crockett used to meeting the needs of urban youth. your library’s website. I don’t want the report these numbers, brings up 102 results As stated in the research, I conducted mechanics of my study to overshadow the when you search for Myers as the author, my analysis based on an analysis of the message that libraries have a tremendous but there are multiple copies of books under three systems library websites. As a condi- opportunity to improve the trajectory of ur- many of those records. tion of the research, I was not supposed to ban males by embracing them and putting While I understand that the aim of the contact the library systems. I independent- enabling books into their hands. I look for- article was not to contrast the collections ly studied the three library systems’ online ward to hearing back from you and working of the three sample libraries, I must take public access catalog for enabling books together to promote a profession that we issue with what is an inaccurate represen- recommended by authors Alfred Tatum, both love.—Carlos B. Crockett, Reference tation of our holdings. These discrepancies Sandra Hughes-Hassell, Walter Dean My- Librarian, Terrebonne Parish Main Library, and inaccuracies are a distraction from the ers, and Coretta Scott King award winners. Houma (La.), [email protected] much more important issue of improving Under a keyword limited by “targeted collections and services for urban youth.— to adolescent” in www.neworleanspublic Kacy Helwick, Youth Collection Develop- library.org for Myers, I discovered 137 titles, ment Librarian, New Orleans Public Library, which is not much different than the 111 [email protected] titles that I initially discovered back in Oc-

8 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 Verso

JULIE BIANDO EDWARDS is Ethnic Studies Librarian and Diversity Coordinator for the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library at New Year, New the University of Montana. MELISSA S. ROBINSON is Head of the Peabody Institute Library’s West Branch Library and KELLEY Library! RAE UNGER is Community Relations and Public Programming Coordinator, Peabody Institute Library, both in Peabody (Mass.). anuary is resolution time. Everywhere you turn you’ll find tips and tricks for mak- Contact Julie at julie.edwards@ ing—and keeping—resolutions to make you your best self ever. The New Year umontana.edu. Contact Melissa at J gives us an opportunity to make changes, firm up resolve, try new things, and [email protected]. Contact generally set off into the future on the right foot. Kelley at [email protected]. But while you’re pondering “Diets that Really Work” and “10 Great Ideas for Orga- nizing Your Home,” why not look at ways you can resolve to make this year the best Julie is currently reading The ever for your library? The New Year is a perfect time to look at what you’re doing, Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. what you want to be doing, and how you can get there. It is a great opportunity to try Melissa is currently reading Paris new things and to reconsider the way you, and your community, view your library. 1919: Six Months That Changed the We’ve developed the following twelve “resolutions” to help you start thinking World by Margaret MacMillan. about your library in new ways. Our goal is to create more community-centered li- Kelley is currently reading The Lion, braries and librarians, and the focus in the resolutions below is on how you can con- the Witch and the Wardrobe by tinue turning your library into a vital and involved community institution. C. S. Lewis. We’ve organized these resolutions so that they start with a reorientation of the way we approach our jobs, move on to specific ways to do our jobs, and then end with advocacy and attitude. They all take work, and some take a radical rethinking of how we see ourselves and our institutions, and how we prioritize our day-to-day jobs. In some cases, adopting a resolution in order to make your library thrive as a community-centered institution will mean reconsidering job duties, reorganizing your structure, or reevaluating your mission. In other cases, adopting a resolution will mean getting out of your library and into your community in new ways. Often, it will mean venturing out of your comfort zone, challenging your employees, or push- ing your local politicians. All of this is hard work, and we know that some libraries are already struggling with budget cuts and staff shortages, among many other challenges. If your library is stretched thin, get creative in how you approach these resolutions. You may need to reconsider what you’re doing and let go of what is obsolete or doesn’t serve your community anymore. That way, you can make room for what is relevant and truly beneficial to the people you serve. Remember, just like all the diet and fitness advice we see this time of year, there is no one-size-fits-all approach for libraries. Give yourself permission to only do what works for your community. So, let’s start this New Year with energy and vision! A great way to begin is to check out these suggestions for moving your library forward one month (or step) at a time. 1. You’re not in it for the information. Libraries will always be about information, but we need to start prioritizing the fact that we’re also in the community building business. Feed kids, collaborate with local organizations, help people find jobs, consider how you can affect the social climate of your community. Yes, we offer books and computers—but we offer a heck of a lot more, and our worth will increasingly be in what we can offer our communities to help them grow and thrive. 2. Worry less about trends and more about your community. In our struggle to make libraries’ relevance evident to all, we need to be sure that we are not hopping on (and off) every bandwagon that shows up in library journals and conferences. Not every library needs a makerspace or an e-reader

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 9 Verso—New Year, New Library!

lending program. But every community engagement institutions. 7. Learn a new skill. Just because munity does need thoughtful These qualities, not just a technical you don’t know how to do some- librarians who take the time to understanding of libraries, are the thing now, doesn’t mean you can’t assess their community and dis- most important when it comes learn. Sign up for an introductory cover creative ways to serve their to creating community-centered class, attend a workshop (and we patrons. It’s good to be aware of institutions. don’t mean at a library confer- current trends in libraries so you 5. Make programming a job require- ence or library consortium!), or can imagine the possibilities, but ment. To create a truly commu- develop a new hobby. Learn to just because something is getting nity-centered library, you need to do something that will help make a lot of buzz doesn’t mean it’s the provide opportunities for people your library the best it can be. For right fit for the unique collection to connect, explore, and learn example (directors, we’re talking of people who make up your com- together. Assigning this job to one to you), allow your staff members munity. person won’t work. It takes a team the time to do things like take 3. Stick the surveys in a drawer to offer the variety and volume graphic design classes to improve and get out into the community. of events that should happen in library publicity; get certified Surveys are one tool for gathering a library, especially if that library in yoga instruction so that they feedback, and when used judi- wants to be a true hub of the city or can teach classes to kids at the ciously they can be helpful. But if town. Some libraries have dedi- library; or attend weekend classes we depend solely on surveys to cated programming librarians, and to learn things like silk screening paint an accurate picture, we will we are huge supporters of having or quilting, so that they can offer end up with a narrow and shallow someone in that role to plan the library programs on those topics. view of our communities. Surveys majority of events and coordinate Why outsource web design and also limit the potential responses other staff members involved in PR, or hire presenters multiple you can solicit and do little to en- programming. Still, we feel that times, when you can train staff courage creative thinking. A better it is essential that every librarian members once and get these jobs option is to combine your survey hired for the library’s full-time staff done in-house? In addition, staff results with robust involvement be eager and willing to participate members will stick around longer in the community. Join organiza- in these activities. Perhaps your because with the variety of skills tions, serve on committees, and reference librarian would like to they get to explore at work, they talk to people whenever possible. offer some technology classes, will never get bored with their jobs. Librarians who are embedded in or your head of circulation would This is a move that is good for your the work and concerns of a com- love to share his or her gardening community and also generates munity have a much better view knowledge. Time off the desk to enthusiasm in your staff. of their patrons’ lives, needs, and do different things is good for your 8. Remember the magic. Remem- interests than those looking at staff and benefits patrons too. ber watching Sesame Street and statistics collected from a survey. With a greater number of program- learning about community help- 4. Hire for vision and fit, not skills. mers, programs can happen at a ers? Looking at libraries through In our experience, it is much wider variety of times, and cover the eyes of a child can help bring more important to find library a broader selection of topics. Both you back to basics in terms of staff members who believe in the of those things add up to reaching both what we do (introduce mission and vision of the library, more community members. people—including kids—to books and who can adapt easily into the 6. Use what you have . . . and find and the world) and why it is so culture of public programming what you don’t. Limited funding, important (is there a more magi- and outreach, than it is to find space issues, constantly changing cal time than story hour?). It is so someone who perfectly matches technologies . . . so what? You have easy to get overwhelmed with the the technical skill set you want. what you need: your staff, patrons, day-to-day operations of a library, New hires can always be trained to and community. Among them are not to mention the budgetary and do library tasks. So in interviews, grant writers, creative minds, and political pressures often involved look for the softer skills like ability specialized skills for the sharing. All in our work. Why not organize a to think creatively and critically, you need to do is ask, make a plan, “community helper” day in your willingness to work flexible sched- and get to work. In other words, library for kids and their parents? ules in order to accommodate stop getting hung up on those Invite teachers, firefighters, postal outreach, and a true belief in the things that are a struggle for all workers, bakers—anyone who philosophy of libraries as com- libraries, and do something! contributes to your community.

10 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 Verso—New Year, New Library

Encourage them to talk about proactive now so that the ground- Let’s send our supporters out into not just what they do, but how work is in place when you need it. the world to spread the gospel of what they do contributes to the 10. Claim your seat. Once you get libraries far and wide. community . . . and join in. It will political, make sure that you are 12. Don’t be content with just be a great way to remind yourself advocating for libraries all the patting yourself on the back. of the good work you’re doing, time. And when you have a spot at Libraries are great. Your library is share that enthusiasm with other the table, don’t waste the oppor- doing wonderful things for your “community helpers,” and recon- tunity. Always make sure you have patrons and your community nect with the essence of library something to say, and be willing to and you are changing lives. But services! say it! Get yourself on agendas—at don’t be satisfied with where you 9. Be political. One of libraries’ city council meetings, one-on-one are today. Resting on our laurels greatest strengths is that they are meetings with the mayor, business won’t get us anywhere. We must non-partisan. However, they can’t council or Chamber of Commerce continue to grow with and for our afford to be apolitical. Librar- meetings, and social organiza- communities. Challenge yourself ians need to be involved in local tions. Give updates about the li- to go farther, do more, and do politics, not to negate their role as brary, even if no one asks for them. it better. Be willing to be critical equitable institutions, but to join in Show up prepared, highlight what of the way things are. We’re not the critical conversations of their you do for the community, and talking about being negative and communities. Develop relation- don’t be afraid to ask for support. nitpicking, but rather about hon- ships with politicians and don’t 11. Send library advocates out estly assessing the ways libraries be afraid to let them know how into the world. It can be a great can improve. Be attentive when their actions affect the people you morale booster to hear someone you receive constructive criticism serve. When a sticky community is- from outside the library rave from patrons and stakeholders. sue presents itself, offer the library about how wonderful libraries In fact, seek out those who can as a partner to help tackle it. In ad- are. But every time one of these tell you the truth about what the dition to serving your community speakers presents the keynote at library could be doing better. in a valuable way, if you are seen as a conference, we can’t help but Community-centered libraries a problem solver, you will be much think it would be more valuable to must be forward thinking. Enjoy less vulnerable when it comes to libraries to send these super fans today’s success, but always ask budget cuts and will have more to talk to stakeholders, funders, yourself “What’s next?” leverage if you need community and others who aren’t librarians. support for a capital project. Be Librarians already love libraries.

NEH Grants ALA $1.5 Million for “Latino Americans” Programming Initiative

The American Library Association (ALA) has been granted nearly $1.5 million by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in support of “Latino Americans: 500 Years of History,” a public programming initiative for libraries and other cultural institutions. Latino Americans: 500 Years of History will support the American public’s exploration of the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinos, who have helped shape the United States over the last five centuries and who have become the country’s largest minority group, with more than 50 million people. The funding received by ALA will be passed on to libraries, humanities councils, and other nonprofit organizations to hold public film screenings, local history exhibitions, multimedia projects, and other programs about Latino history and culture. The cornerstone of the project is the six-part, NEH-supported documentary film Latino Americans, created for PBS by the WETA public television station. “Lifelong learning is a critical part of what libraries offer, and ALA is committed to helping libraries fulfill that mission through quality programs like Latino Americans: 500 Years of History,” said Keith Michael Fiels, ALA’s executive director. “I am so pleased that, thanks to NEH’s support, this initiative will reach hundreds of thousands of Americans.” Additional information and application guidelines for Latino Americans: 500 Years of History will be released in February 2015. The grant will be administered by ALA’s Public Programs Office. At $1,484,032, ALA’s grant was the largest of 233 humanities grants, totaling $17.9 million, announced by NEH on December 9, 2014. Get more information at www.ala.org/offices/ppo.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 11 Tales from the Front

Tales from the Front focuses on best practices Contributing Editor and innovative ideas from libraries nationwide. BRITTA KRABILL is Head Librarian/Library Director for Columbia (Ill.) Public Library.

I Work at a Public

Contact Britta at brittakrabill@ columbialibrary.org. Library

Britta is currently reading Salvage ustomer service can be one of the most challenging aspects of the job for by Alexandra Duncan. frontline staff, but it is arguably the most important part of a patron’s library C experience. Whether someone continues to use the library depends greatly on the type of service he or she receives from the staff. I’ve seen patrons literally cut up their library cards and demand to be deleted from the library database after being given poor service. I’ve also seen patrons whose conversations with library staff are the only interaction they have with other human beings, and they depend on the library to remind them that they’re not alone. Even those patrons who challenge us deserve the best service we can give, and those are the experiences that often give us the best stories. Gina Sheridan, a librarian at the St. Louis County (Mo.) Public Library (SLCPL), has curated (and categorized into classes) a collection of strange, humorous, and heartwarming public library patron interactions in her new book, I Work at a Public Library: A Collection of Crazy Stories from the Stacks.1 After becoming a public librarian in Fresno (Calif.), Sheridan found that her friends enjoyed hearing stories about what was going on at work. After having an encounter in 2010 with a patron who dubbed herself “Cuckoo,” she started writing down her own experiences with patrons on a Tumblr blog (http://iworkatapubliclibrary.com) in order to keep track of her interactions with her more memorable patrons.2 The blog started to take off and other library staff from across the country began submitting their own stories and experiences. Not only did the blog inspire the book, but it also won the Riverfront Times’ Best Blog St. Louis 2014 award.3 Both the blog and the book are kept as anonymous and as neutral in tone as possible. However, the stories require no spin in order to entertain the reader. For example, who of us has not had to deal with unrealistic expectations from patrons?

Library, Margaritas A sweaty patron walked up to the desk on a very hot day. Patron: Where is the margarita machine? Me: [chuckles]: That’s funny; it is hot out there. Patron: [Stares at me with a straight face.] Me: Oh, did you think we had margaritas? Did someone say we had margaritas?! Patron: [Keeps staring.] Me: I’m sorry. We don’t serve margaritas at the library. Patron: [Turns around and walks away.]4

Not only do patrons occasionally come into the library looking for something we just can’t provide, but it can also be difficult interpreting what they tell us they want. All of us, whether professionals or paraprofessionals, have undoubtedly had to use our reference skills to determine whether or not a patron is asking for the item they’ve envisioned.

12 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 Tales from the Front

Ocean, The Sheridan inspired me to Patron: Would you please order me a write down some of my own movie called The Ocean? stories from the past nine Me: Sure! Is that the exact title? years as a public librarian. I Patron: Yes . . . well, maybe. don’t want to forget the feel- Me: Is it a movie about oceans? ing I had when a previously Patron: I’m not sure. grumbly and very intimidat- Me: Can you describe it? ing gentleman thanked me Patron: No, a friend just recommended profusely for providing him it. with the books he needed Me: Do you think you are referring to start his own computer to the marine animal documentary repair business. And now called Oceans? that I can look back on it with Librarian Gina Sheridan (left) and the cover of her Patron: No, I’m sure it’s a real movie, humor, I definitely want to new book, I Work at a Public Library. not a nature movie. My friend said there remember all the details I (Photo courtesy of the author.) were three parts. can about the time a patron Me: It wouldn’t happen to be Ocean’s lodged a formal complaint Eleven, would it? about me with my supervi- Patron: That’s it!5 sor because I was not fluent in French. Remembering how I’ve dealt with References Even when our experiences seem more patrons in different situations in the past like a storyline from Parks and Recreation helps with developing more successful cus- 1. Gina Sheridan, I Work at a Public than actual occurrences in a public library tomer service strategies, for use in future Library: A Collection of Crazy Stories environment, there are those interactions interactions. from the Stacks (Fairfield, Ohio: Adams Media, 2014). with patrons that let you know that you’re Keeping track of the interactions we appreciated, and that the work you do is have with library patrons is important. 2. Sheridan, interview with the author, Oct. 29, 2014. important. Sheridan devotes an entire Certainly, it’s nice to have qualitative in- 3. Riverfront Times, “Best Blog St. Louis chapter to them at the end of her book, formation for when you need to make a 2014: I Work at a Public Library,” Sept. appropriately titled “809.9339: Volumes of point to a grant committee or your board 2014, accessed Nov. 7, 2014, www.river Gratitude.” of trustees. Also, we can share these expe- fronttimes.com/bestof/2014/award riences with future librarians and library /best-blog-2448689. Thanks, Giving workers to help them have a more realis- 4. Sheridan, I Work at a Public Library, 57. Today around noon, a man I didn’t tic idea of what it’s like in the field and the 5. I Work at a Public Library blog, “Ocean, recognize came into the library with type of customer service skills they’ll be The,” Feb. 20, 2014, accessed Nov. 7, several huge platters of food from a expected to develop. 2014, http://iworkatapubliclibrary .com/post/77278675779/ocean-the. local restaurant. More importantly, stories like this re- 6. Sheridan, I Work at a Public Library, Man: I thought I’d cater your staff’s lunch mind us why we do what we do, show the 143. today! [Places platters on the counter.] rest of the world just how important li- You all helped me apply for a job last braries are, and prove that the stereotype year when I was at my lowest. Well, I got of library workers sitting around all day, the job and never forgot it. I wanted to stamping books or playing with puppets, do something for you. is completely untrue. Me: [Thanking him with tears in my eyes, and then he quickly leaves.]6

FOLLOW PL ON TWITTER @PUBLIBONLINE

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 13 Perspectives

Perspectives offers varied viewpoints on subjects Contributing Editor of interest to the public library profession. JAMES LARUE is CEO, LaRue Associates Consulting, in Castle Rock (Colo.).

Executive

Contact James at jlarue@jlarue .com. Transitions

James is currently reading The The Interim Director Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter. t’s inevitable. Directors come and directors go. And now, the long heralded retirement of one generation of leaders (Baby Boomers), and the rise of two oth- I ers (Gen-Xers and Millennials), is finally materializing. We’re about to see a lot of change in the nation’s libraries. In this column, we look at an option that may be of interest to boards, retired directors, associate directors, ambitious or curious staff, and freelancers: the interim director. This is the person who agrees to fill the gap between one appointed director and another. Wicky Sleight offers a solid introduction to the issues, packed with insight and good advice. I was particularly taken with her presentation of the practices of interim ministers. I also think the options to “clean it up, shore it up, keep it up, ramp it up, or start it up” provide a powerful lens for the examination of organizational needs. Also, as Sleight demonstrates, the “interim” director may well become the new director. Brenda Carns offers a deeply felt meditation on a situation that is not unique. As many of us have learned, sometimes the “fit” between director and board goes south in a hurry, and it can be painful for all parties. So what do you do after you lose a job, and take that hit in confidence? One answer is to step in and help another institution get back on its feet after its own rocky executive transition. In the process, there just might be a kind of redemption and rediscovery. Finally, I tapped my relationship with my own interim successor to meet deadline (and will try not to rely on Douglas County [Colo.] Libraries in the future!) to tap Ro- chelle Logan for her thoughts from someone who didn’t want the permanent job, but was distinctly intrigued to try it. As always, she came through for me. I spent a lot of time in my last years as director thinking about “succession planning”—which in my view requires providing a “deep bench” of potential candidates and team skills. Then I let it go—and it’s a pleasure to watch (from a distance!) that executive transition unfold.

Hiring an Interim Library Director—Why, When, and How

Wicky Sleight, Director, Marshall (Mo.) Public Library, [email protected]

When and how to hire an interim director? Every situation is different and there are no clear-cut guidelines. When a library director resigns abruptly, or is asked to resign immediately, there is probably a need for an interim director. However, if a director gives at least six months to a year notice, usually with the intention of retiring,

14 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 Perspectives

that director then becomes in essence an “interim training” and they receive cer- ers’ compensation law and the interim director. tificates stating that they are qualified. right to apply for unemployment According to Dan Bradbury, managing Of course, one of the main differences be- compensation upon termination partner of Bradbury Associates/Gossage tween interims in churches and libraries is of the contract; Sager, a library executive recruiting firm, that interim pastors receive either housing • professional development respon- it takes an average of six months for a li- or a housing allowance. Most public librar- sibilities; brary board to find and hire a director. The ies would not be in a position financially to • prior notice required to terminate process entails choosing a search firm; provide this. the contract, usually thirty (30) semi-finalist and finalist candidate - inter If the board decides to hire an interim days; and views; and the time the new candidate director from the outside, there are sev- • signature of the interim and the may be required to give to his/her current eral options. Bradbury Associates can president of the Board of Trust- employer. The board also has to take into provide a list of possible candidates who ees. account the time of year. “It is difficult to are qualified and interested in serving as As stated previously, during the plan- get commitments to convene a volunteer an interim director. Many of those on the ning process of hiring, the Board must committee either in August (a popular list will be retired and/or do public library engage in serious planning with goals set family vacation period) or the week of consulting. Pro Libra Associates is a library for the interim director. They will need to Thanksgiving through the first of the new service company located in New Jersey, prepare a checklist for the interim, includ- year,” Bradbury said.1 which was founded by a professional li- ing the necessary paperwork. This may Given that hiring the library director brarian in 1975. It provides many services include copies of the library policies and is one of the three most important func- to libraries, including securing interim di- procedures; a list of staff members with tions of a library board—the other two rectors. The interim director is an employ- job descriptions; up-to-date strategic being making certain that the library has ee of Pro Libra and the library pays Pro Li- planning documents; recent annual re- sufficient funds with which to operate and bra, which in turn reimburses the interim. ports; demographics of the community; setting policies—the board must engage Pro Libra provides a checklist of duties for newsletters and other external commu- in serious soul-searching and planning as the interim. The goal is to make the transi- nications; reporting requirements to the to hiring an interim director. Should the in- tion from interim director to a permanent state library and other entities; and expec- terim director be a current staff member? director as seamless as possible. tations for community involvement such If so, should it be a staff member who is What should the Board of Trustees ex- as with the local chamber of commerce. possibly interested in applying for the di- pect from the interim and what should an The Board also needs to take stock of rector position? If the library is very small, interim director expect? The first order of their expectations, in addition to the ulti- with the director being the only profes- business, after choosing the interim, is to mate hiring of a permanent director. The sional librarian, there may be no internal provide a contract. The library attorney interim director should be given a clean candidates. Or should it be a staff member must be involved in this process. The con- and clutter-free office space in which to who is neither qualified nor interested in tract will usually include: work. He or she should be expected to the permanent position? If a staff member • date of commencement of the interview as many staff members as pos- serving as interim director then applies for interim directorship; sible to learn their role in the library and the permanent position, he or she should • duties and responsibilities, such what they see as strengths and weak- be required to apply and interview along as general operation of the library nesses of the library. Every Board member with other outside candidates. and consulting with the Board of should also be interviewed by the interim Many consultants will state that the li- Trustees during the interview and director as soon as possible. brary should be cautious about using an ex- selection process for the perma- To borrow from the Transformation isting staff member as interim director. Tim nent director; Ministries Interim Period Ministry Objec- Wolfred, senior projects director at Com- • working hours; tives, the Board could place everything passPoint Nonprofits Services in San Fran- • vacation and sick leave; the library does in one or more of these cisco, said, “If you are looking for a culture • compensation amount - usually categories: shift, an internal person usually can’t do the the interim will not be entitled to • CLEAN UP: Messes that need to job, because he or she is part of the status any health, dental, hospitaliza- be cleaned up; things broken that quo.”2 He also points to the awkwardness tion, life or disability insurance need fixing. that can arise when an internal interim benefits, retirement or pension • SHORE UP: Things in decline that moves back into his or her previous role. fund and any increase in the need to be stabilized and reener- It is interesting to note that, in some monthly contract amount; gized. denominations, churches require that • to the extent permitted by law, • KEEP UP: Things now okay need- interim pastors not take the permanent the interim agrees to waive his/ ing to be maintained at the same position. These interims must go through her rights under the state’s work- level.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 15 Perspectives

• RAMP UP: Things going okay that tion. The decision to hire an interim direc- I lost my self-confidence, discounted can be improved and make even tor, the choice of that interim, and the ori- the value of my thirty years of library man- more impact. entation provided will ensure a stable and agement experience, and became serious- • START UP: Things that don’t exist successful future for the library. ly depressed. My friends tried to help but it (at the present time) needing to was obvious that I profoundly missed my be started.3 job. I took up hobbies with a vengeance: I am currently serving as director of the References drawing, painting, knitting, quilting, gar- Marshall (Mo.) Public Library and have 1. Dan Bradbury, email interview with dening, training horses, and I even placed been since January 2013. Prior to that, I the author, July 13, 2014. first in several local art competitions. I also served as interim director beginning in 2. The Bridgespan Group, “Interim volunteered at the state college archives, September 2012. I was, in fact, the first Leadership: Looking Beyond the helped establish a new international mu- director, starting the library in 1989 and Executive Director,” 2009, accessed seum, and raised funds to expand the local serving until 1994, when I took a position at July 14, 2014, www.bridgespan.org senior center. Still, I felt lost. Then I noticed /Publications-and-Tools/Hiring-Non another public library. So I have some un- profit-Leaders/Hiring-Strategy/Interim an ad for an interim library director in Tel- derstanding and underlying knowledge of -Leadership-Looking-Beyond-ED.aspx luride. It looked like the ideal job for me, the community, the users, the library facil- #.U8P6sPldWAY. but it was short term, an eight-hour drive ity (the library is still in the same location, 3. Transformation Ministries, “Guidelines from Fort Collins, and I hadn’t worked for the basement of City Hall, although it has for the Calling and Role of the Interim three years. now expanded to cover the entire base- Pastor,” July 2012, accessed Dec. 4, I searched the Internet to learn more ment), and the collection (some of which 2014, www.transmin.org/files/TM%20 about the job, the library, and the reason Documents/Calling%20and%20Role% was purchased under my previous watch). 20of%20Interim%20Pastors%202012 the Board was seeking an interim rather As the interim library director, my .pdf. than a permanent director. I read newspa- first goal was to CLEAN UP. A volunteer per articles, letters to the editor, looked at had been working here for more than the minutes from the Board meetings, re- ten years. She had a key to the library Bridging the Gap and Enjoying viewed budget documents, and became fa- and would be here every morning before the Adventure miliar with the library’s website. It felt great I even got to work. She was preparing in- digging out the facts, analyzing the data, come taxes for clients, using library office Brenda Carns, Freelance Librarian, and formulating some ideas to address the equipment and space, during the time she Fort Collins (Colo.), problems I uncovered. I learned that the was “volunteering.” My goal was to clean [email protected] resources needed to put things right were up this problem before the permanent di- there and thought I could help turns things rector was hired. It took several months, I didn’t just need a job, I also needed a back around. Would I be a viable candidate but this problem was resolved. challenge. My seven months as interim di- for the position after my three-year hiatus My second objective was to SHORE UP rector for Wilkinson Public Library (WPL) and was I willing to relocate for half a year if the financial situation. When the library in Telluride (Colo.) provided both and was hired? I decided I had to try. was established in 1989, it was financed also a transformative experience for me. The interview process was intense but through a twenty-cent property tax. Since Three years earlier my contract as execu- fun! I was well prepared because of all the that time, the tax has been rolled back to tive director for the newly launched Fort information I gleaned from my research. sixteen cents. The overall budget is insuf- Collins (Colo.) Regional Library District The process included informal dinner meet- ficient to provide even minimal services had not been renewed. ings that provided gourmet fare at a few of to the community. As the interim direc- Here’s how that happened. Declining the fabulous restaurants that abound in tor I made initial efforts to get a state law sales tax revenues led to a downward spi- Telluride. I was wowed by the panoramic passed which would allow the Board to ral in the Fort Collins city library budget night views from the ski gondola connect- go to the voters for a sales tax to support and, as city library director, I volunteered ing Telluride with Mountain Village, the sec- the library. Since then, the law was passed to organize the necessary political sup- ond largest town in the district. I was also and has recently been signed by the gover- port, enlist dedicated volunteers, and find thrilled when I was hired for the job. Since I nor. Of course, the major work—to receive funding which paid for the successful cam- interviewed in August 2013 and a new bud- enough yes votes from the voters—has yet paign to form a library district and provide get had to be adopted by December 15, it to be accomplished. But my initial efforts to 3 mills of new property tax revenue to was necessary to quickly organize my move shore up the finances have been successful. support it. After twelve years as the direc- there. I began on September 30, 2013, and When the time comes to hire a new tor, ten for the city library and two for the finished on May 5, 2014. I accomplished library director, the Board and staff must library district, it was devastating when every major task the board, staff, and com- look upon this transition time as a positive the new district’s governing library Board munity members identified. It took lots of opportunity for growth and a new direc- turned me out to pasture. hard work but wasn’t difficult for me.

16 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 Perspectives

The library’s problems came about in small cost of living increase; we updated this remote Southwest Colorado county. It the following way. With plunging property the library’s strategic plan, which allowed was a healing experience and I consciously values, library income fell more than 27 us to look forward. By working with com- took every opportunity to feel the magic percent. The prior director recommended, munity members, we restored the positive and power of the place, the people, and and the Board approved, a 2013 budget relationships with district residents. The the relationships that I encountered. My that included closing the library on Sun- staff became empowered as active - part depression disappeared and my self-con- days as one of the ways to address the ners in solving the most obvious problems fidence rebounded. There was an added budget shortfall. This remote enclave re- caused by the budget shortfall, namely health benefit since I walked the three- lies heavily on the library as its community fewer staff members and less money to quarter-mile distance to work each day center and the main source of free, high- spend on programs and collections. A through the picturesque historical district speed Internet access. It is tremendously new director was indeed hired, is doing a and was able to step outside my front door popular. WPL has been rated a five-star great job, and continues the positive trend onto a groomed cross-country ski track library for the past six years in the Library established during my months of service. whenever I wanted. I lost a few pounds Journal Index. Staff attrition also made up The process was really quite simple be- and firmed up considerably. The area a large part of the cuts designed to work cause everyone wanted the library return abounds with hot springs, nearby historic toward a balanced budget. Fortunately, to its former place of high regard. towns, and Native American sites, such as there were also considerable savings from I enjoyed being part of this vibrant the Mesa Grande Anasazi ruins and Can- prior years which will help to offset some and unique place and received significant yon of the Ancients. I took short field trips of the shortfall for the next several years validation and recognition each day I was nearly every weekend! This provided more when it is hoped that the property tax rev- there. The positive experience started with opportunities for spiritual growth. enues will return to former levels. my first interview and continues to this This experience reinforced to me that The Sunday closure outraged some day in the ongoing friendships I formed. I am still the skilled, capable person that very vocal members of the community. Being an interim director allowed me chose librarianship as a career to make There were numerous letters to the editor to be myself because I knew what my stint the world a better place. I had been lim- of the local newspaper criticizing library as director was and what I was there to ac- iting my opportunities by focusing on my management. Ten of the library’s twenty- complish. I had the support of a capable one negative experience in Fort Collins, seven staff members resigned, and morale Board and the benefit of a very effective instead of the many successes I have had was low among those who remained. Even staff. This allowed me to simply work to- there and in prior jobs. It is most important a library survey asking the community for wards specific goals. Every day I renewed to stay true to what I believe, and the Tel- its preferences became a huge topic of my commitment to authentic communi- luride experience shows me how simple it public discussion and criticism. The library cation and it worked well. can be if I remain focused on success and director was let go and the Board and re- In my interview, one staff member pub- on helping others. maining staff were left to work out solu- licly asked me why they should trust me. tions. The Board decided to hire an interim I answered from my heart that it is the director to address the problems, calm the director’s job to create an environment My Time as an waters, and assist in hiring the next direc- where staff can succeed, and as a team we Interim Director tor. This is where I entered the picture. would restore the community’s support I found that the breach between the li- for the library because I could see this was Rochelle Logan, Associate Director brary and the community largely resulted the shared value of the staff. of Support Services, Douglas from a lack of meaningful communica- At my farewell breakfast another em- County (Colo.) Libraries, tion prior to the budget crunch. There- ployee was speaking about the impact I [email protected] fore, the Board, staff members, and I did had during my time there. She said I treat- everything we could to educate district ed them like I really cared about them; It was one of those conversations I never residents about the budget shortfall, what not like someone who was just there for wanted to have with Jamie LaRue, my was needed to reinstate Sunday hours, a short time. Frankly, I reminded myself boss, friend, and director at Douglas and the impact this would have on other nearly every day what a unique opportunity County (Colo.) Libraries (DCL). In October valued services. At every step, we repeat- I had for self-actualization and fulfillment 2013, he called me into his office to let me edly solicited public input. I also imple- and consciously tried to grow as a person know he was planning to retire in January mented a high degree of participatory in every way possible. This was one of the 2014. We had often chatted about the pos- management and put heavy emphasis on ways I chose. The staff and the community sibility of our retirements coinciding since improving internal communication. I tried responded well to my commitment to open we are the same age. He decided to beat to listen far more than I talked. and ongoing communication. me to the punch. We reopened on Sundays; staff mem- I also enjoyed the unique experiences Did I want to put my hat in for the job? bers felt supported and even received a offered by living in a fabulous ski resort in No. Having worked for such a visionary, I

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 17 Perspectives

didn’t think I was the right one to follow the job to Bob Pasicznyuk. Bob was in fessional people in these positions. They in Jamie’s footsteps. But I was willing to Iowa as director of the Cedar Rapids Public all stepped up to help me. At our District serve as the interim director until our Library. It took another three months after Roundtable meetings, it didn’t feel weird Board could find a suitable replacement. his initial offer for him to arrive at DCL. to be running things. The ADs had already Why would I want to take on a job like In the meantime, one of our other ADs, been taking turns running these meetings this while still doing my “regular” job? It David Farnan, decided to take a director when Jamie couldn’t attend. This time, my seemed daunting and scary, yet intriguing position in Boulder. David and Jamie had turn just lasted a little longer. We’ve all to try. What’s the old saying about scaring been working together on the beginning been working together for years and I’m yourself at least once every day? This op- of our new library building projects. We happy to say we still are. portunity did just that. are building three new libraries in Parker, Before I assumed the interim job, my Colorado can’t be much different from Castle Pines, and Lone Tree. I had to take thought was to keep this big ship cruis- the rest of the country in that we are see- over the lead role of this massive under- ing in the same direction, not to make ing a lot of retirements in senior adminis- taking. We were at the point of interview- any changes. Well, that didn’t happen! I tration positions. The Baby Boomers are ing and hiring architects and still had one had to appoint an interim AD of branch making their exit. At DCL, the Board didn’t intergovernmental agreement to com- operations since David Farnan had left for want an Interim who was interested in the plete. Yes, I lost sleep over these develop- Boulder. Again, I was lucky that we have a job permanently. So when Jamie asked ments. deep bench and could appoint one of the me if he could recommend me, I was flat- Both David and Jamie were also very branch managers to the position. tered. I thought about it for a very short active in the community. I’ve lived in As associate director of support servic- time, talked to my husband and quickly Douglas County for more than twenty-two es, I had been wanting to change a “rule” said yes. years, but didn’t have nearly the number Jamie had instituted about e-book pur- I thought it would be a good learning of contacts among the county leadership chases. He didn’t do this sort of thing often, experience and having been at DCL as an as these two had. With the new building but when Random House started charging associate director (AD) for thirteen years, projects in progress, I had to get out and exorbitant prices for their e-books, he told I had the most seniority on our District reassure municipalities and citizens that us not to purchase an e-book over $50. This Roundtable. After watching Jamie for so we were on track with it all and that the was a rule I didn’t agree with and told Jamie many years, I thought I had a handle on new library campaign (No Leaf Unturned) frequently what I thought. Well, once I had the level of responsibility, the number was moving forward. Our big Architect the interim job, I removed the rule and told of meetings I would have to attend, the Showcase in early April 2014 had to hap- the collection services manager to use her email load, and the amount of commu- pen, where city and county leaders could best judgment on a title-by-title basis to se- nity involvement I would need to add to hear presentations from architect finalists. lect bestsellers that our patrons want, even my daily responsibilities. It probably isn’t I’m pleased to say we were able to carry it if they were more than $50. a surprise that I only understood a fraction off and hire some of the best architects in I knew that taking the interim job of what would come. Not only did my cal- Colorado. would take some toll on my “regular” staff endar and email inbox fill up, but also my So, I had to figure out how to work with and I had to be as present as possible to brain was full, full, full. new and standing Board members to hire keep things healthy and rolling along in First was working with our Board of a director; keep them informed and get my various departments. My staff had to Trustees. Just around the time Jamie was approvals as needed for contracts; hire do a lot more on their own and occasion- retiring, we welcomed two new Board architects; and attend to the regular busi- ally helped me out. I needed trusted peo- members. So, not only did I have to orient ness of the library. The new Board mem- ple to talk to while on this journey. Besides them, but also we were jumping into the bers needed an understanding of gover- the ADs, I talked to my staff for ideas and middle of hiring a new director after twen- nance (as they all do). This took me some reality checks. I needed to be sure I wasn’t ty-three years, with the formidable task of time since they were eager to learn more letting anything important drop. replacing a leader who took us from being and were going directly to the ADs and by- We have more than three hundred the worst library in Colorado to a nationally passing me to orient themselves on library people working at DCL at seven branches. recognized district. business. The ADs came to me with this Reality checks were imperative to me. Jamie gave the Board three months’ problem. Communication at a district that is geo- notice so they could start the director Here is the next hiccup I hadn’t thought graphically dispersed is a challenge un- search. By January 2014, when Jamie left, through—how to “manage” my peers, the der the best circumstances. I needed to we were just starting the interviews. So I other ADs. Let’s face it, when you are in a be sure everyone knew that I was taking thought I would have two or three months temporary position it is awkward to sud- care of things and had the support of the as interim. That was very optimistic! It denly be the boss of the people who were ADs and management team. One impor- took another six weeks for the Board to your contemporaries. I was lucky though. tant responsibility of the director affecting finish interviewing candidates and offer Jamie hired some amazing, talented, pro- staff members is paying attention to win-

18 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 Perspectives

ter weather. Should we have a late start a little lost and emotional about my time ally interesting to get to that level of com- or be closed when a blizzard is in the fore- as interim. Knowing that we were in good prehension. We always hear that leaders cast? Should we close early? This is one of hands and that I did my best during the view things at the 35,000-foot level. Well, the first questions I got when I attended previous four months helped. it is so true! It is also true that I couldn’t get branch staff meetings. The difference between me and some- everything done. I had so much more to One heartwarming aspect of my role as one else, at a different library, taking on an prioritize and some things fell off the ra- interim director was to hear touching sto- interim role was that I have been at DCL dar completely. ries from staff about patron encounters. for the long haul. I know the community, Would I recommend that others take It occurred to me that the Board would the people, and the job, but I also had to on the role of interim director? Yes, try benefit from hearing some of these sto- make it work so I could go back to being an it if you have the curiosity, the will, and ries so I decided to gather narratives from AD again once the term was over. I feel a the support at work and at home. Make staff. I told one story at each Board meet- commitment to DCL. I love the culture and sure you are ready to cope with the un- ing at the end of my director’s report. The people and I am committed to the service expected, the sleepless nights, and the staff seemed to enjoy gathering stories, we provide. sheer volume of what needs to be done. sending them to me, and knowing I would Looking back on those four months, I It is rewarding and a big education, espe- choose one each month to highlight to the learned that being the director flexed dif- cially if you think you might like to make Board. I enjoyed this, too. I heard some ferent muscles. I had to think differently this a career path. For me, I will remem- wonderful accounts of staff going the ex- and do what was right for the whole. There ber the moments when staff members tra mile to offer exemplary service. were times when I didn’t know everything I didn’t know very well privately told In early May 2014, Bob Pasicznyuk ar- and still had to make the best decision me I was doing a good job. That was pre- rived to assume the director position. It with the information I had and use recom- cious. took me one morning to get over feeling mendations from trusted staff. It was re-

Get Your Ideas Ready for PLA 2016!

PLA will open the 2016 Conference program proposal site in January 2015, so start shaping up those program ideas now. We’re planning an extraordinary conference and need your big ideas! PLA 2016 will be held April 5-9, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. Keep an eye on placonference.org for updates and more information.

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT Public Libraries, Publication No. 724-990, is published bimonthly by the American Library Association, 50 E. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2795. It is the official publication of the Public Library Association, a division of ALA. Annual subscription price, $65. American Library Association, 50 E. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2795, owner and publisher; Kathleen Hughes, Public Library Association, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2795, editor. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, Illinois, and additional mailing offices. Printed in U.S.A. As a nonprofit organization authorized to mail at special rates (Section 423-12, Domestic Mail Manual), the purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes has not changed during the preceding twelve months.

EXTENT AND NATURE OF CIRCULATION (“Average” figures denote the average number of copies printed each issue during the previous twelve months. “Actual” figures denote actual numbers of copies of single issue published nearest to the filing date—July/August 2014 issue.) Total number of copies printed: Average, 10,147; Actual, 10.223. Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors, counter sales, and other paid distribution outside USPS: Average: 342; Actual: 353. Total paid and/or requested circulation: Average, 9,241; Actual, 9,411. Free distribution by mail, carrier, or other means, samples, complimentary and other free copies: Average, 408; Actual, 257. Total distribution: Average, 9,991; Actual, 10,021. Copies not distributed: office use, leftover, unaccounted, spoiled after printing: Average, 156; Actual, 202. Total (previous two entries): Average, 10.147; Actual, 10.223.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 19 The Wired Library

The Wired Library explores web topics relevant to Contributing Editor public librarians. Your input is welcome. R. TOBY GREENWALT is Director of Digital Strategy and Technology Integration, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

Looking at the

Contact Toby at theanalogdivide@ gmail.com. Future of Libraries

“A library is a collection of possible futures.”—John Barth, Browsing 1 Follow Toby on Twitter @theanalogdivide he future of libraries is a lot like my office clock. It has your standard 1-12 numbering around the outside edge of the device, along with an inner ring T that marks off the minutes in five-minute increments. Each hand ends in a circle, and you can read the clock by checking to see which numbers are inside each Toby is currently reading Get In circle. In order to do so, you’ve got to realize that the hour hand is the bigger of Trouble by Kelly Link. the two—countering more than 1,000 years of conditioning telling us which clock hand is which. The clock is a subtle reminder about disruptive thinking—reversing the conventional wisdom that frames our approach toward many of the issues we face in libraries. How do we create content instead of just collecting it? Can we provide grants instead of seeking them out? Is it possible for technology to drive people to our physical spaces in addition to our virtual real estate? Flipping these scripts is the key to healthy creative destruction, and might just help push libraries forward. The future of libraries isn’t having any of that. If you follow the tech world, then you know that “disruption” is one of its core tenets. From taxicabs to drinking glasses, every new startup seems to be targeting yet another mundane concept. De- spite the industry’s exponential growth and unbridled enthusiasm, there’s a creep- ing suspicion that we’ve hit peak innovation. In a world where everyone’s a disruptor—and has written a “future of libraries” think piece of their own—does the term “disruption” actually mean anything? When tiny supercomputers reside in three out of every four pockets,2 how can a public library make people feel more informed, en- tertained, and connected? The next big thing isn’t out there. It’s in all of us. With the raw materials for digital connection, curation, and creation becoming more evenly distributed, this is the moment for libraries to take advantage of their roles as community connectors. The future of libraries is a firestarter. We’ve talked a lot this past year about kickstarting innovation, both in terms of staff capacity and among our users. Every book, answer, and program can provide the spark for someone to start something big. (At least, that’s what we like to tell ourselves.) Digital tools can help us bring each of these sparks out in the open, turning each individual spark into opportunities for collaboration and skill sharing among our audience. As we build this connective tissue, it’ll be on us to make sure the quarter of the population without ready access to bandwidth is left out. The relationships have to come first. Once those are in place, it’ll be time to start exploring ways to deliver these services through technology. The future of libraries is a ripping yarn. In most cases, the relationship between library and user ends at that initial spark. We don’t often get to see the final product that comes from that initial checkout or reference transaction. Sharing our users’ creation stories is key to documenting the library’s role in the act of knowledge creation.

20 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 The Wired Library

The runaway success of the Serial pod- forward, we can’t forget to have a little address at the Next Library 2014 confer- cast serves to demonstrate just how com- fun. Our collections have always harbored ence,4 educator John Palfrey spoke of cre- pelling an ongoing narrative can be. By quirky or outright strange titles. (The ating a “new nostalgia” for libraries. While stretching out the story and ending each same might be said for our patron bases, libraries are known to generate fond senti- installment at just the right moment, the as well.) It’s always been a point of pride ments in large portions of the population, producers have brought an incredible story for us to champion undiscovered gems. it’s often steeped in the traditional notions to the ears of millions. We may not be able Similarly, injecting a little oddity into our of books and quiet. Given all the changes to go as in-depth (and hopefully not as online presence can provide a little extra taking place in our institutions, perhaps dark) as Serial, but the act of documenting garnish to the overall library story. For ex- we should look into transferring those the ongoing process of knowledge creation ample, the Orkney Library’s (in Kirkwall, warm fuzzies into something that better can provide compelling new reasons for United Kingdom) @orkneylibrary Twitter reflects current library practices. people to follow library activities. The con- account3 is living proof that a taste for the This certainly won’t be the last piece tinuous bite-size nature of most social me- absurd can help to raise one’s visibility. you ever read on the future of libraries. dia channels was made for this. Converting The future of libraries isn’t always Everyone has an opinion on the topic, and our patron’s efforts into an ongoing narra- going to get everything right. By this that will continue to evolve over time. But tive can help us show our work and provide point, the concept of “fail quickly” is get- I like to think Palfrey has a point: feelings additional sparks to outside observers. ting to be about as cliché as “disruption.” about the future can’t get started until we The future of libraries is a developing The idea of building steady improvements shape hearts and minds in the present. collection. While the stories we tell might through constant iteration is gaining trac- Shaping those feelings now is a gift we help to capture the quantitative data, tion. But it’s tough to take such risks, espe- pass along to our future selves. we’re going to need to continue to take cially for public institutions that likely face a deliberate look at what measures con- strict scrutiny from their taxpaying user tinue to make an impact in our communi- base. Risking failure with public funds is a References ties. Using open data tools to synthesize tremendous leap. Just as one should focus 1. John Barth, Browsing (Chestertown, our disparate statistical silos will be key on failure as a learning tool, it’s possible to Md.: Literary House Pr., 2004). to sorting through all the noise. By finding trade on trust to get members of the com- 2. “ComScore Reports September 2014 new ways to cross-reference these mea- munity on board with seemingly “risky” U.S. Smartphone Subscriber Market sures with one another, it’ll be possible to ventures. By keeping the risks small and Share,” comScore press release, Nov. identify new correlations between library the process transparent, libraries can give 6, 2014, accessed Dec. 14, 2014, www.comscore.com/Insights/Market use and community development. their users a better understanding of why -Rankings/comScore-Reports-September This continues to be daunting, but we they’re trying something new—even if -2014-US-Smartphone-Subscriber don’t have to do this alone. With proper things don’t always work out. -Market-Share. anonymization measures in place, we can The future of libraries is human. Keep- 3. Alan White, “Here’s The Story Behind build open datasets, offer code reposito- ing the focus on the people and the com- Orkney Library’s Hilarious Twitter ries, and allow more members of the pub- munity serves as our strongest hedge Account,” BuzzFeed, Dec. 1, 2014, lic to experiment with library software. against the ebbs and flows of technology. accessed Dec. 2, 2014, www.buzzfeed .com/alanwhite/real-talk-who-doesnt This can provide a natural jumping-on We can’t predict the next big thing, nor can -dress-as-whitesnake-once-a-week. point for groups like Code for America— we be ready for the next big tech bubble to 4. Sanhita SinhaRoy, “A New Nostalgia a national initiative devoted to cultivat- burst. But once again, it’s in the ways we for Libraries: DPLA Chair John Palfrey ing greater public participation with com- build strong ties with our public that will Discusses the Role of Libraries in munity open data projects. Trading the open the doors to technological insight. the Digital Age,” American Libraries library’s reach for this local expertise can As long as we keep an eye toward building Magazine: The Scoop blog, June 24, 2014, accessed Dec. 14, 2014, www be one way to facilitate ongoing improve- continuity in our relationships, we’ll be able .americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blog ments and building new literacies. to develop the right tools for our audience. /new-nostalgia-libraries. The future of libraries might get a The future of libraries is nothing with- little weird. In the effort to push things out a strong present. During his keynote

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PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 21 Fundraising Beyond Book Sales

Fundraising Beyond Book Sales shares innovative Contributing Editor ANN fundraising strategies for public libraries. MCKINNON is Director of Communications and Marketing for The Friends of the Saint Paul (Minn.) Public Library. Social Media and

Contact Ann at ann@thefriends .org. Online Giving

Ann is currently reading How It hen Library Strategies Consulting Group agreed to take over this column Went Down by Kekla Magoon. more than a year ago, there was little direct correlation between social W media and online giving. Those of us in the fundraising world and library professionals everywhere “knew” that we should have an active, ongoing presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest (among other social media channels), but we weren’t sure exactly how those conversations and shared images could translate into donations to our library, its Foundation, or Friends. We used social media and email to engage with our friends and followers, to promote our mission and tell our stories, and to drive users to our website where (we hoped) they would eventually make a charitable gift. Simply tweeting, “Support your local library. We need the books.” was not getting us far in our fundraising goals. But in the last couple years some new trends directly linking social media and charitable giving have emerged. Enter the Ice Bucket Challenge. As I write this article, more than $115 million has been raised for the ALS Association (ALSA), which fights amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) by funding research, supporting people with the condition, and fostering government partnerships. All that money was raised with a viral social media campaign. The fig- Farewell ure is especially impressive when you consider that the ALSA raised just $2.8 million during the same period last year, according to a statement released by the organiza- This is the last “Fundraising Beyond Book tion. Sales” column. Thanks to Library Strategies, Celebrities and everyday people who were just learning about the progressive a consulting group of The Friends of the neurodegenerative disease took on the stunt, which required either pouring a buck- Saint Paul (Minn.) Public Library, for their et of ice water over your head or making a donation. Many participants did both. expert advice and timely columns over the The campaign ignited the imagination and support of more than three million past few years. donors, and of those, approximately two-thirds are new donors. The brilliant twist in the campaign is the online video—the moving selfie. We’re living with a generation that loves to document everything and watch itself online endlessly. Just pouring a bucket of ice water over your head is not particularly helpful or fun, but recording and posting it online, and challenging your friends, family, or peers to do it too—or make a donation—can be. The campaign has raised awareness of the disease to a level not seen since the “Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth” speech delivered seventy-five years ago, when Lou Gehrig retired from the New York Yan- kees at age thirty-nine, after being diagnosed with ALS. Once a person accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge, they often enlisted the aid of able-bodied assistants, prepared their camera and ice water, got set, pressed record, and, just prior to or immediately after the big sploosh, challenged at least one other person to do the same within twenty-four hours. Ideally, they then wrote a check (or went online to donate) to ALSA. The smart people at ALSA got the participation of some big-name stars right out of the gate, which led to more stars and celebrities being involved from the

22 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 Fundraising Beyond Book Sales

beginning. Justin Timberlake challenged as a day for giving back. Launched in 2012 represents a 20 percent increase in the Jimmy Fallon, David Beckham challenged by New York’s 92nd Street Y, in partner- number of donors compared to GTMD Leonardo DiCaprio, and David Spade chal- ship with the United Nations Foundation, 2013, which raised $17.1 million.1 lenged “Dr. Dre with his new Beats mon- this year’s Giving Tuesday occurred on Appealing to both donors and the or- ey,” before donating $100,000—among December 2. Charities and donors around ganizations dependent upon their sup- the highest individual donations made in the world came together for a common port, GiveMN provides tools and resourc- the campaign. purpose: to celebrate generosity, to give, es to make charitable giving a smooth Within the spirit of the Ice Bucket Chal- and to tell everyone they could about how and simple process. Throughout the year, lenge is friendly competition. T-Mobile they gave. By using hashtags when social GiveMN.org showcases ideas to inspire president and CEO John Legere was one sharing, we expand awareness of events great giving, and in the months leading up of the first corporate heads to accept the like #GivingTuesday and #GiveToTheMax to GTMD, they host informative webinars challenge with a personal gift, and he Day and challenge our friends and family to assist organizations and page sponsors passed the challenge on to his peers at to join us in supporting our causes. in making the most of the annual day of other wireless networks. Giving Tuesday offers shared tools and giving. Former President George W. Bush re- resources to help nonprofits make the GTMD can be a lot of fun, the orga- luctantly accepted the challenge from his most of the day by enriching their web- nizers say. “Donating to a cause you love daughter Jenna Bush Hager, after many sites and social media presence in creative should be a joy ride, not a guilt trip.” In other challenges went unanswered. In ways. GTMD uses a shared website (www past years, one donor was randomly cho- his video, he looked into the camera and .GiveMN.org) that processes all donations. sen every hour to have $1,000 added to said, “To all of you who challenged me, I Organizations register and set up their their donation, creating a big incentive for do not think it’s presidential for me to be pages well in advance, and begin plan- donors to give even a modest amount to splashed with ice water, so I’m simply go- ning their social media strategy. On Give a cause. Nonprofits that raised the most ing to write a check.” As he began to write, to the Max Day, donors can log in once won corresponding prize grants for each former first lady Laura Bush dumped ice and give to all their charities throughout of the top ten spots on four leader boards water on him, and added, “That check is the day, tracking their giving, scheduling (small, medium, and large nonprofits and from me! I wouldn’t ruin my hairstyle.” donations, and even setting up ongoing schools). Bush then went on to challenge former contributions. Individuals can also create For nonprofits, GivingTuesday.org and President Bill Clinton; joking that his gift fundraising pages for their favorite causes, GiveMN.org provide the tools needed to for Clinton’s sixty-eighth birthday, which with donations going directly to the non- share their stories, connect with more was the following day, was “a bucket of profit. donors, and accept and track charitable cold water.” President Barack Obama On GiveMN.org, donors can find their contributions. As these movements contin- declined Ethel Kennedy’s ice bucket chal- favorite causes, or search by keyword or ue to grow in the United States, countries lenge, though a White House spokesman category and browse the results. Orga- around the world are leading their own so- said Obama would donate money to an nizations that offer a matching gift chal- cial fundraising movements and creating ALS charity. Mission accomplished. lenge get extra attention, so asking a their own culturally specific initiatives to Another relatively recent development major donor or board member if they’re encourage giving. in the growing interactivity between social willing to let you use their year-end gift to According to a 2013 online giving study media and online giving is the local, state, leverage additional donations is a great by Network For Good, which examined or national day of giving. In Minnesota, strategy. Who doesn’t love an opportunity nearly $1 billion in online giving to more nonprofits have the annual Give to the to double their impact? than 100,000 different nonprofits: Max Day (GTMD). A collaboration among Sending out requests to previous do- • 30 percent of annual giving occurs several groups and led by the Minnesota nors on your Facebook page, Twitter feed, in the month of December; Community Foundation, mid-November’s or website isn’t effective at attracting new • 10 percent of annual giving occurs GTMD uses innovative technology and individual givers, therefore many nonprof- on the last three days of the year; creative ideas to “help generosity soar its depend on GTMD for the expanded • branded giving pages raise six to its full potential.” An online forum en- reach. Most participating organizations times more in contributions than gages donors by raising awareness of the report healthy upticks in new donors. Each generic giving pages; and event through massive social media ef- year has seen an increase in the number of • online giving (by dollars) on forts. Smaller nonprofits, which may lack donors and in the total value of donations December 31 is concentrated the fundraising resources of larger organi- in the state. On GTMD 2014, GiveMN.org between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m.2 zations, have come to bank on the hoopla reported that more than 62,000 people So now that you’re sold on the idea of to catch the attention of potential donors. donated a record-breaking $18.3 million social giving, what are the best practices? A somewhat similar model can be seen to Minnesota nonprofits and schools dur- 1. Brand consistency across all chan- globally on Giving Tuesday, which is known ing the 24-hour online give-a-thon. This nels is crucial. Your donors will feel

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 23 Fundraising Beyond Book Sales

more comfortable giving when a gorilla costume to be creative. It of the day to post instant videos or they see that your fundraising page can be as simple as showing some graphics acknowledging randomly looks just like your website, your personality. Speak directly to your selected gifts in fun and creative newsletter, your Facebook profile, audience. Let them know how ways. People will be delighted and your print materials. Don’t much fun you are and how much to see themselves or their dona- make them guess what you mean you care. Remember that the ben- tions called out, and they’ll have or who you are. efit of being online is that you can something fun to share with their 2. Tell a great story. Go beyond the always edit and refresh at no addi- friends, leading to yet more dona- boilerplate language and liven tional cost beyond staff time. tions, and more fun. things up. Never forget that you 6. Let people know what you’ve The Internet offers an infinite number want people to click and donate already accomplished and how of ways to spend one’s time, and unlimited and share. Does your story inspire their support will help you do means of marketing your library’s mission. them to do that? And when you’re even more. Putting extra thought With people spending more and more time running a social media campaign, into your donation form can help online every day, your social media pres- ask your donors to share their ex- contributors understand the dif- ence and website must offer compelling perience with their friends. ference they’ll make with their experiences that consistently engage sup- 3. Check for spelling errors, typos, contributions. Tooting your horn is porters. Social media is a great way to let and accurate links. Make sure also helpful when you want donors people show and share their support. your logo and photos display cor- to share your good work with their rectly. Remove those that are friends. stretched out or don’t look crisp. 7. Test, revise, and test again. In the References 4. Stay fresh. It’s hard to get excited virtual world you have endless op- 1. “Record-Breaking $18.3 Million Raised about stale content. Your fund- portunities to try different things. on Give to the Max Day: GiveMN and raising page is a first impression Take advantage of the tools and re- Kimbia Partnership Grows Online for many donors. Look your best. sources offered by GivingTuesday Giving for Minnesota,” PR Web press Look into the camera and smile! .org or ideas you see on GiveMN release, Nov. 19, 2014, accessed Dec. 14, 2014, www.prweb.com/releases Replace your old photos with new .org. And as with any experiment, /2014/11/prweb12337338.htm. ones periodically. not everything will be a success, 2. The Network For Good Digital Giving 5. Find creativity in simple things. but the more you try, the better Index, 2013 Year in Review infographic, You don’t have to be an artist or your odds of getting it right. accessed Dec. 14, 2014, www1 songwriter, or make your execu- 8. Remember to thank your donors. .networkforgood.org/digitalgiving tive director walk around town in Use the momentum and zeitgeist index.

ALSC, CBC Announce Day of Diversity: Dialogue and Action

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), in collaboration with the Children’s Book Council (CBC), will be hosting a Day of Diversity: Dialogue and Action in Children’s Literature and Library Program on January 30, 2015, in Chicago. This invitation-only event will bring together leaders in children’s literature and literacy to discuss strategies for ensuring that all children have access to diverse literature and library programming. The keynote address will be given by Camila Alire, ALA past-president (2009-10). “The importance of ensuring that our children have access to literature that reflects the diversity and common plurality of our world cannot be overstated,” said ALSC President Ellen Riordan. “By bringing librarians, publishers, authors, book sellers, educators, and nonprofit leaders together for the Day of Diversity, we’ll have a chance to openly discuss strategies in which we can all work together to better serve and support our children.” Robin Adelson, executive director of the Children’s Book Council & Every Child a Reader, said “CBC Diversity has been a leader in bringing the conversation about diversity in children’s books and publishing to the forefront over the last three years. It’s now time to move from talk to action and we are looking forward to seeing what can happen when the various constituencies . . . work together. We are grateful to ALSC for spearheading this important move forward.” Those attending the 2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting are invited to learn more about the Day of Diversity and to lend their own voice during the Diversity Matters: Stepping it Up With Action! News You Can Use session. This session will be held from 1-2:30 p.m. CST on Sunday, February 1, 2015, in McCormick Place West W183b. Additionally, ALSC will also be hosting at least two online community forums or webinars in the months following the Day of Diversity; in order to ensure that the Day of Diversity discussion and outcomes are presented to a broader audience. To learn more, visit ALSC’s website at www.ala.org/alsc.

24 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 PRINT SCHOLARLY REFERENCE New & Forthcoming Titles from Oxford University Press: In Print & Online Oxford Encyclopedias of the Bible The Oxford Encyclopedias of the Bible series is a monumental reference work, consisting of eight two-volume sets and containing over one thousand comprehensive essays by scholars from many countries and with a wide variety of perspectives.

Previously Published New in 2014! 2011-2013 November 2014 The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Books of the Bible The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Gender Studies The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Archaeology December 2014 The Oxford Encyclopedia of Biblical Interpretation The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Ethics

Each entry provides a thorough overview of Coming in 2015! the topic and serves as an entrance point to The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Law further research for both seasoned scholars The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Theology and beginning students. The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Arts The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments Second Edition ◊ Buy the print or eBook and save 20% ◊ Purchase the print along with the eBook Published: November 2014 version on Oxford Reference for a bundle List Price: $745 price of $795! ◊ Grove Music Online subscribers save up to Sale Price: $595 40% on print and online!

Over 8000 entries on musical instruments, instrument makers, classification systems, performance techniques, and the cultural practice and meaning of instruments.

All titles available online through Oxford Reference approximately 90 days after their print release For more information on any of these titles or to get pricing information for your institution please contact us at [email protected] Forward Thinking: Library Trends and Innovation

Forward Thinking focuses on public library trends Contributing Editor and innovation. JOHN SPEARS is Executive Director of Salt Lake City (Utah) Public Library.

Open All Night

Contact John at [email protected]. ne of the most productive actions anyone who works in a library can take is to put themselves in the role of a library user and attempt to see the library O through that person’s eyes. Start from where the public parks and take their path into the library. Enter through the public entrance, not the staff entrance. Look John is currently exploring the at the signage and the layout of the building, not from the perspective of someone world of graphic novels and read- familiar with libraries, but from the perspective of someone who may be visiting ing Climate Changed: A Personal your library (or any library) for the first time. It is often very enlightening what you Journey through the Science by may learn. Philippe Squarzoni, Unterzakhn Recently, Andrew Shaw, communication manager for Salt Lake City Public Li- by Leela Corman, and The Ency- brary (SLCPL), engaged in a similar mental exercise to describe how our users might clopedia of Early Earth by Isabel use our main library at various times and the activities that might occur. He detailed Greenberg. an hour-by-hour listing of possibilities, including:

9:00—The Lord of the Rings movie marathon begins in the auditorium. Sixty rabid fans file in to take the journey. 10:00—Six Salt Lake Community College students gather in a meeting room, drawing figures on a whiteboard and quizzing each other on compounds. 11:00—Three local entrepreneurs gather and put the finishing touches on their business plan. 1:00—A dishwasher gets off work from a downtown restaurant. He wanders in to check his email and check out a magazine before heading home. 2:00—A University of Utah history student edits her essay for the fourth time. 3:00—A homeless teen discovers his new favorite CD in the local music collection and asks a librarian to find the artist’s next concert. 4:00—A traveler comes in to print off her boarding pass for a 7 p.m. flight.

These may seem like very traditional activities at any U.S. public library, but this exercise was done for a very non-traditional audience—those who would use a library overnight. SLCPL is currently proposing to keep the doors of its main library open 24/7, a drastic increase in its service hours that some in the community say is completely outside its mission. Those who would be served during this time (shift workers, students, night owls, and many others) are saying that they will finally be equals to those who live a 9-5 existence and be included in the library’s mission to be “a dynamic civic resource that promotes free and open access to information, materials and services to all members of the community to advance knowledge, foster creativity, encourage the exchange of ideas, build community, and enhance the quality of life.” There are still many steps necessary to take this from the conceptual stage to reality, and it is possible that it may be stopped at the completion of the needs assessment, community forums, required budget amendment, or fundraising that has been promised. Personally, I am excited at the opportunity to provide “Library Ser- vice for Everyone” (our unofficial tagline), but as with all innovations, there are lessons that have been learned, and this article is not about what a 24/7 library will look like. It is, instead, about the unfolding process of reaching that goal.

26 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 Forward Thinking: Library Trends and Innovation

Recognize Shared Goals to ensure “a city that is alive at night,” Make It Relatable and and to provide “activities, attractions, When They Occur and amenities for its 24-hour population.” Easily Understood The concept of a 24/7 library is not new. Three groups (the library, the city govern- As the conversation moved into the public Many academic libraries never close their ment, and the three community activists) sphere, it became apparent that I cannot doors during the weeks around finals, and had distinct but overlapping goals that talk in sound bites. As a friend and men- a smaller number remain open around- could all be realized through one innova- tor of mine once said, “John never says in the-clock for longer periods of the year. tion: 24/7 library service. ten words what he can say in fifty.” -De College students do not live by a “normal” scribing what an innovation might mean, schedule, and academic libraries have how it should occur, and the steps that are served these users by offering their servic- Frame the Conversation required to bring it to fruition can quickly es in the hours that are convenient. Over and Respect Perspective degenerate into an overly complex de- my career, I have often worked with users As conversations with staff ensued, one of scription of outcomes, procedural/ policy of public libraries that would be much bet- the most important lessons learned con- changes, and mechanics. There are audi- ter served by overnight hours as well, and cerned how to frame conversations. As ences for whom this may be appropriate, it has always been in the back of my mind with anything new, it is an automatic and but they are rare. that, perhaps, public libraries should fol- reflexive action to retreat to the framework As an example, an amendment to our low the lead of the academic community in which you are most comfortable. Admin- budget will be required for 24/7 library ser- in this regard. Two things, though, always istration tended to discuss 24/7 library service to proceed. When asked about this, I stood in the way: (1) funding and (2) the vice in terms of community impact; middle would often launch into a mind-numbing assumption that there would be little or no management tended to discuss it in terms explanation of the library’s budget, city use during the overnight hours. of staff workload and balancing compet- council’s legislative calendar, and the mu- On September 18, 2014, three mem- ing objectives; and frontline staff tended to nicipal appropriations process. This did not bers of SLCPL administration met with discuss it in terms of how it would be imple- help our cause; Andrew gently suggested three community advocates to discuss mented. Unless a clear framework was es- a different answer: “We are simply asking their request to open the doors of the tablished for whether the why, the how, or for council’s permission to spend the pri- main library overnight for a very specific the what was being discussed, these con- vate and corporate donations that will be demographic group: homeless teens. versations quickly became frustrating for raised. No tax dollars will be used for this They were willing to bear the costs for this, all involved, with administration wishing pilot project.” The reaction of thinly veiled but we were uncomfortable with serving that staff would get out of the weeds, and suspicion that I had typically received was such a limited audience and had prepared staff wishing that administration would quickly replaced with one of understand- a counterproposal for a two-year pilot of come down from its ivory tower. ing and excitement. 24/7 library service that would be open to Innovation can be uncomfortable and There are many other aspects of our all, paid for by private and corporate do- frightening. For administration, it can be unfolding journey towards 24/7 library nations raised by these community advo- frustrating to be immediately peppered service that could be described: trying to cates. Their goal of providing a safe and with logistical questions, and for staff it overcome the relentless comparison of the comfortable (non-shelter) environment can be frustrating for those questions to main library to a homeless shelter, allevi- for homeless teens would be realized, as remain unanswered as the larger concept ating the concerns of downtown residents well as our goal of broadening service to is examined. It is only through truly un- regarding security, and the successful gar- the entire community. derstanding that all of these perspectives nering of support from the police chief, A third goal could also be realized, and are valid and come from the same place service agencies, and downtown business this would be key in getting approval from (a desire to best serve the public), albeit organizations. Library service 24/7 may be the Salt Lake City Council for an appro- a different perspective, that productive innovative, but it is also remarkably tra- priation of the funds raised. Salt Lake City discussion can be had. Establishing at the ditional. Libraries exist to serve their us- has several planning documents, including outset of every conversation what is to ers, and any innovation should be seen in its Downtown Plan (1995), Creating Tomor- be discussed—the why, the how, or the this light. We will continue to do what we row Together—Commission Report (1998), what—is imperative. do, and often the changes that we make and its Downtown Master Plan (currently are simply a recognition that society has in draft form for consideration in 2015), changed, and we need to change with that contain copious references to city it. Library service 24/7 is such an innova- government’s desire to create a “vibrant tion—it is not a change in what we do, it downtown center 24/7,” to have a down- is merely a change that will allow what we town that is “teeming with people 24/7,” do to finally reach everyone.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 27 FEATURE

Library Services for the “New Normal” of Military Families

By Jennifer Taft & Cynthia Olney

umberland County (N.C.) Public Library and Informa- There were two reasons we believed the ALA’s “turning out- tion Center (CCPL&IC) serves the county that is home ward” approach was particularly effective for our project. First, to Fort Bragg, one of the largest military installations military family members are strong and resilient. We knew most in the US.1 With more than 60,000 service members would not talk about their needs. Instead, our goal was to learn stationed at Fort Bragg,2 a large number of Cumber- how we could provide opportunities to enhance their ability to Cland County’s residents are directly experiencing our country’s cope with the struggles of modern military life and improve the longest-sustained deployment in the history of the all-volunteer quality of their lives. force.3 Second, Cumberland County is strongly committed to its In 2013, CCPL&IC committed to learning more about the coun- military community and there are many organizations, both on ty’s military families and finding ways to serve them. We conduct- post and off, that provide a range of services to military person- ed a community assessment of the military community, using a nel and their families. In fact, in 2008, the county declared itself process closely aligned with the values described in the American the world’s first sanctuary for soldiers and families.5 Through the Library Association’s (ALA) Libraries Transforming Communities library’s involvement with some of these organizations, we knew initiative.4 We refer to this project as a “military community as- a number of professionals with a sophisticated understanding of sessment” instead of a “needs assessment.” Rather than focus on the challenges faced by military families. Their experiences with the needs of the community’s military families, our interviews and outreach to military families meant they could articulate the bar- focus groups explored the aspirations and priorities of the com- riers to reaching them. We wanted to understand the priorities of munity, which we defined as service members, their families, and these military-serving organizations and explore collaborations local organizations that want to support them. that would support their efforts as well as our own. Engaging With the Military Community About the Authors To initiate engagement with the military community, the library joined the Fayetteville Community Blueprint Network, with more JENNIFER TAFT is a Reference Librarian at the Harnett County than fifty-five local organizations that provide community support Public Library in Lillington, N.C. CYNTHIA OLNEY is Acting for service members, veterans, and their families.6 Many profes- Assistant Director of the National Network of Libraries of sionals who work in these organizations are members of military Medicine Outreach Evaluation Resource Center in Seattle. families themselves, either as active-duty or retired service members, spouses, or children of military parents. The library aware- Contact Jennifer at [email protected]. Contact ness coordinator actively participates in meetings and events Cynthia at [email protected]. sponsored by the network and its member organizations. In April 2013, CCPL&IC hosted a community forum on post- traumatic stress (PTS), which featured a one-hour discussion Jennifer is currently reading The One and Only by with panelists who had expertise with PTS through professional Emily Griffin. Cynthia is currently reading My Stroke or personal experiences. (There is momentum within the mili- of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey by Jill tary community to drop the word “disorder,” with many arguing Bolte Taylor. that stress is a normal reaction to military conflict.7) The enthusi-

28 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 Library Services for the “New Normal” of Military Families | FEATURE

astic attendance persuaded us to pursue As a validity check, key findings from During the past ten years, deployment a thorough community assessment to the interviews were presented to the Liv- has been a constant state for many mili- learn what the library has to offer to the ing in the New Normal Committee (LINN), tary families. Some service members have local military community. CCPL&IC ap- a steering committee for the Forward experienced five or more deployments.8 plied for and was awarded a Library Ser- March conference held annually in Fay- The cycle has three phases. The first is vices and Technology Act (LSTA) grant etteville. The conference is designed for pre-deployment, during which families in July 2013 through the State Library of behavioral health and other professionals prepare for the departure of the service North Carolina. The library’s community who work with military children. The ad- member. Phase two is deployment, when assessment was conducted by a military visory group is comprised of representa- the service member leaves and the spouse family project team of library staff mem- tives from community organizations that is left to function as a single parent. Phase bers, led by the library awareness coor- work with military families. Committee three is re-integration, when the returning dinator and supported by the project’s members confirmed most of our conclu- service member and family must recon- evaluation consultant, to collect informa- sions and provided excellent insight into nect. Experts call this lifestyle of constant tion about the military community and our findings. adaption to stress and loss as the “new develop marketing and programming The information collected through normal,”9 but spouses say that subsequent strategies for this population. this process helped the library’s project deployments do not get easier over time. team understand which library programs In fact, the stress is cumulative. and services would be of most interest There were common themes among Community Assessment to military families. The team identified the military spouses about their family pri- Methods potential marketing strategies that could orities that help them cope and adapt to We collected most of our data through key effectively target this community. It also living in an almost-constant deployment informant interviews and focus groups. For developed ideas for new programs as well cycle: this project, seventeen individuals were in- as partnerships with other community or- • The top priority of most military terviewed who had ties to the Fayetteville ganizations. parents is the well-being of their military community. Fifteen were mem- The marketing and program strategies children. Our key informants bers of military families. They were either were then presented to an advisory group from military-serving organiza- active-duty service members or veterans of representatives from organizations that tions told us that military parents themselves, or were spouses or children either provided services to military families were averse to seeking help for of active-duty or retired service members. or organized cultural events in Cumberland themselves, but they did seek Eleven of these fifteen interviewees also County or Fort Bragg. Some of the advi- programs for their children. worked at military-supporting organiza- sory group members had participated in The parents we interviewed tions, so they could talk about the experi- our focus group and key informant inter- corroborated this observation, ences of other military families as well as views, but others were formally introduced expressing minimal interest in the their own. Interview data were supple- to the library’s military family initiative for adult-oriented library activities mented through reviews of scholarly lit- the first time. Through their feedback, the but requesting more information erature and reports from sources such as library was able to develop a concrete plan about child and teen programs. the Department of Veterans Affairs and the for its military community project. Parents were most interested in U.S. Army. library story hours for their young- Members of the Community Blueprint er children and evening lock-ins Network were instrumental in helping to What the Library Offers for teenagers. While they valued recruit interview participants. Library staff the Military Community opportunities for their children to members with ties to the community also The interview process did teach CCPL&IC interact with nonmilitary peers, helped to identify interviewees. To supple- an important lesson about the concerns they also recognized that their ment the interviews, the library awareness and priorities of military families. Due to children benefited from spending coordinator and evaluation consultant met the enthusiastic participation at our PTS time with other military children with two groups with strong ties to the mili- forum, we anticipated more requests for who understood their experi- tary community. They visited a Mothers of programming related to this and other ences. Preschoolers (MOPS) program that met at war-related mental and emotional health • Family events. Military parents a local church, where approximately 70 per- issues. We learned, instead, that there is a also valued family-oriented cent of participating mothers were military more universal disruptor to military fam- events that allowed family spouses. They initiated informal discus- ily life: the military deployment cycle. The members to spend unstructured sions with military mothers and collected deployment cycle affects every family of time together. They talked about additional information with an informal active-duty service members, regardless attending outdoor festivals held questionnaire. of rank. in downtown Fayetteville, as well

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 29 FEATURE | Library Services for the “New Normal” of Military Families

as military-sponsored retreats and Collaborating with ees. They meet throughout the deploy- camping trips offered to couples Military-Serving ment cycle, allowing for communication and families. The organizational between FRG members and the chain representatives confirmed that Organizations of command, as well as mutual support their family events were very Representatives from military-supporting among families sharing a common expe- popular, particularly those that organizations had excellent insight into rience. Membership in FRGs is automatic were free and held outdoors. working with military families, in part be- for soldiers and families, but participation • Career and educational information cause they themselves were active-duty is voluntary.11 for transitioning service members. or retired military members or military Military leaders know some of the bar- Transitioning service members parents. They told us that their main chal- riers to keeping families involved. First, were the other group identified as lenge was reaching the geographically most families find coming to post to be potential users of library services. dispersed military community, which was inconvenient. Second, while rank is not While the military provides strong spread throughout Cumberland and other recognized within FRGs, it may be difficult support to transitioning service counties. While statistics for Fort Bragg for FRG members to overlook the differ- members, some may feel self- were not readily available, national sta- ence in rank. Our interview participants conscious researching their plans tistics indicated that approximately 90 believed that the off-post library branch to leave the military on-post, in percent of military families live off-post.10 locations not only could make meetings close proximity to other members Our key informants estimated that Fort convenient for FRG members, but they of their unit. Interviewees urged Bragg’s statistics are comparable. They also could provide neutral space that mini- the library to emphasize that it saw opportunities to leverage the library’s mizes the influence of rank. could provide information for resources to improve their organizations’ Military leaders believe that families service members because many contact with the geographically dispersed cope much better when involved in these might assume that the library’s military community. groups, but meeting on-post is inconve- resources do not address the nient for most families. Holding meetings special circumstances of those in Meeting Space at public library branches addresses both the military. Representatives expressed the most in- of these issues. We did ask directly about the need for terest in this library resource, particularly In addition, the library is not associated information or programs directed toward those who worked with on-post organiza- with negative health issues or social prob- sensitive topics such as PTS and domes- tions. They were keenly aware that most lems that might impact, for example, mili- tic violence. Most people we talked to military families lived off-post and only tary organizations that work with service thought that the library should provide ventured onto the installation for very members who have mental or behavioral information about sensitive topics. How- special holidays or occasional visits to health issues. As one key informant stated, ever, our interviewees all warned that the commissary. The location of library hospitals and mental health facilities are such issues are still stigmatized within the branches throughout the county would for people who have something wrong with military ranks, in spite of high-level efforts provide more convenient access to the them. Libraries are for people who want to within the military to counter such nega- majority of military families. The repre- learn something and become empowered. tivity toward individuals suffering from sentatives also said that their organiza- such conditions. Our interviewees sug- tions could make use of meeting rooms Information Outpost gested attracting members of the military with videoconferencing, allowing them to Military-serving organizations also need community to the library through child- make on-post meetings more accessible off-post venues for promoting their servic- oriented and family-oriented programs to the off-post members. es and requested that the library establish and services, then discreetly offering in- The library’s physical space had other information kiosks for their print informa- formation about PTS and sensitive topics. advantages over on-post meeting spaces. tion. They also suggested placing shortcuts For example, shortcuts to local services The library is known to serve all commu- to their websites on some of the library’s could be placed on computer desktops nity members, regardless of their social public computer terminals. The library and printed brochures could be offered rank. This characteristic of “neutral space” could include signage directing military through library kiosks that have informa- was appealing to organizations that host family members to resources of interest to tion about a broad range of services for groups convening service members of dif- them. Information related to sensitive top- military families. ferent military ranks and their families. ics should be interspersed with information For example, the Army’s Family Readi- about more neutral topics. ness Groups (FRGs) are organized for all members of a deploying unit. These Venue for Sharing Experiences groups include soldiers of all ranks, family Representatives also thought the CCPL& members, volunteers, and civilian employ- IC could be an excellent host for events that

30 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 Library Services for the “New Normal” of Military Families | FEATURE

recognize and share information about appropriate contacts to participate in the Books anthology for this discus- the extraordinary service of military mem- various fairs and events held on the instal- sion group. bers and their families. Book author visits, lation. As a result of contacts made during • Author visit. CCPL&IC may invite displays, and social events with military our community assessment, CCPL&IC es- North Carolina poet laureate themes would allow the broader commu- tablished a solid relationship with a repre- Joseph Bathanti, who wrote a nity to celebrate its military community. sentative from Army Community Services poem titled “Fayetteville” that (ACS). We now attend the ACS’s monthly was inspired by a recent visit to orientation offered to new soldiers and the area. The library is exploring Planned Programs their families. A CCPL&IC representative ways to memorialize and display and Services provides a short briefing about services of- the poem. Based on the feedback collected through fered at CCPL&IC and how newcomers can • Add exhibits or demonstrations this assessment, the library established get a library card. for transitioning soldiers to the four primary goals for its military commu- The library celebrated the Army’s library’s annual job fair. The library nity initiative: 239th birthday in June, with sixty to sev- may contact the Army Career • Collaborate with local organiza- enty community members attending. Fort and Alumni Program (ACAP) to tions to promote library and Bragg’s Child, Youth and School Services participate in a library-hosted job community information, services, had an exhibit booth at the birthday par- fair. ACAP provides transition and and programs of interest to the ty, as did the Red Cross. (Representatives job assistance to soldiers and their military community. from both organizations participate in the families. • Improve military family mem- Community Blueprint Network.) The local • Exhibits of community members’ bers’ access to information that is newspaper covered the event. 12 items. We are discussing a “Things important to them. The library staff has developed other They Carried” exhibit of service • Provide a venue for family mem- ideas that we are considering. Listed be- members’ personal war pieces, bers to find programs and social low are a few projects under consider- loaned to us by military families. experiences that will allow them ation: We might add stories from the to connect with each other and • Sesame Street “Talk. Listen. owners about these pieces that the broader community. Connect.” Several interviewees could be displayed or posted • Build appreciation in the local suggested that the library inves- online. community for the strength and tigate Sesame Street’s popular • Exhibits from Fort Bragg muse- sacrifice of its service members “Talk. Listen. Connect.” outreach ums. The John F. Kennedy Special and families. initiative to help children cope Warfare Museum and the 82nd To pursue these goals, the library com- with deployment, combat-related Airborne Division War Memo- mitted to remaining active in the Commu- injuries, and the death of a loved rial Museum have both agreed nity Blueprint Network. Network mem- one.13 Through this initiative, to lend museum pieces to the bers can provide invaluable assistance Sesame Street offers videos, library. (The library will have to to the library with any military-oriented storybooks, and workbooks for demonstrate that it has adequate project we undertake. Our involvement military families going through security and display cases for in this network seems to be central to our difficult transitions. The library these pieces.) success. will look into purchasing some At the suggestion of health profes- The library also pursued opportunities of these materials. We also hope sionals who participated in interviews and for potential collaborators who emerged to contract with Sesame Street focus groups, the library plans to provide during the community assessment proj- to send a character for a military professional development to its staff. ect. In particular, this project successfully family event. Representatives of military-support orga- raised our visibility with representatives • Military STEM projects. The library nizations suggested that the library staff of on-post organizations who have re- participates in the annual North become more aware of military culture, quested information about our meeting Carolina Science Festival and may including how to “speak Army” so they can space and talked with us about placing incorporate a military-related converse with members of the local mili- information at our library branches. The program into its STEM (Science, tary community. The library’s connection library awareness coordinator has already Technology, Engineering, and with organizations that have school-based responded to requests for information Mathematics) theme. This event is programs for military children will allow it about these services. geared toward teenagers. to identify professional development re- We also have become more success- • Military book discussion group. sources. ful in participating in on-post activities. In The library may seek funding to the past, we found it difficult to find the purchase a military-themed Great

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 31 FEATURE | Library Services for the “New Normal” of Military Families

where their members live. If you very difficult to find interviewees associat- Lessons Learned can connect with organizations ed with enlisted service members or veter- Less than one percent of our nation’s pop- that support children and families, ans. We assumed that active-duty families ulation serves in the United States mili- doors will open. Just realize it would be the easiest to reach and attract, tary.14 In spite of the public’s current level might be easier for these orga- so we decided to focus our initial efforts on of love and respect for its service mem- nizations to come to the library this group. As we further develop our mili- bers, the military and nonmilitary sectors rather than for the library to par- tary family program, we may find it nec- of our population are becoming increas- ticipate in on-post activities. essary to talk with members representing ingly more isolated from each other.15 We • Military families take pride in veterans and enlisted service members. learned, through our assessment project, being independent, so focus on Our library found the community as- that CCPL&IC can serve an important func- their strengths. Find events that sessment process to be an excellent option in bringing together military and civil- recognize their sacrifice and allow portunity to learn about our military com- ian members of our community through them to tell their stories. munity, promote our services and make events that recognize and celebrate the • Provide information about sensi- contact with other organizations that may extraordinary services of these individu- tive topics, but offer it discretely become invaluable partners in our efforts als. We can provide ways for military fami- and situate the information so to reach our military families. We recom- lies to share their stories with each other that military community mem- mend other public libraries get involved and their nonmilitary neighbors. bers can find it without assistance. with this strong and resilient community We believe that other public libraries Use signage that leads them to that serves our country with great sacri- throughout our nation are well positioned resources of interest. Include in- fice. to reach out to military families and cel- formation about sensitive topics, ebrate their service. Some public libraries such as PTS or domestic abuse, The military community assessment proj- have a large military installation in their among wellness materials on, for ect was supported by grant funds from the service areas. Others may have families instance, yoga or massage. Institute of Museum and Library Services of reservists and National Guard members • Also, use signage and other forms under the provisions of the federal Library interspersed throughout their neighbor- of publicity to let military mem- Services and Technology Act as adminis- hoods. Like our library, military-serving bers know you have resources tered by the State Library of North Carolina, organizations may need meeting space, specifically for them. They often a division of the Department of Cultural Re- kiosks, and computer terminals to con- do not expect civilians who do not sources. nect with these families who are facing work on the installation to under- the difficult challenges of modern military stand their special circumstances. life. For those public libraries that want to Find ways to let them know you References reach out to military families, CCPL&IC of- have resources and show how 1. MARCOA Publishing, Inc., “My fers the following lessons learned: reference librarian assistance can BaseGuide: Fort Bragg Digital • Work with other organizations be useful to them. Relocation/Welcome,” accessed June that want to serve military • Promote children’s services to 17, 2014, www.mybaseguide.com families. It can be a challenge to the military community. Parents /army/63/fort_bragg. connect with installations, but are very concerned about their 2. Ibid. networking is the best strategy children’s welfare and will come 3. Colonel Stephen J. Cozza and Richard for doing so. People who work to the library for services for their M. Lerner, “Military Children and Families: Introducing the Issue,” with community-based organi- children. Once the parents are in Military Children and Families 23, zations often have connections the door, they may find resources no. 2 (Fall 2013), accessed Nov. 10, on-post and can help you navigate that will be of use to them as well. 2014, http://futureofchildren.org the bureaucracy. /futureofchildren/publications /journals/article/index.xml?journalid • Be patient and persistent in con- Conclusion =80&articleid=587. necting with on-post organiza- We want to note some limitations to our 4. American Library Association, tions. The military is actually quite data collection. The majority of our mili- “Transforming Libraries . . . Continued: progressive and dedicated to tary spouses were wives of active-duty ser- The Next Chapter in the Evolution addressing the needs of military vice members and their service members of Libraries—and ALA,” American families. On-post organizations tended to be officers. A few interviewees Libraries 43, no. 5/6 (May/June 2012), are aware that military families from military-serving organizations were accessed Nov. 11, 2014, www .americanlibrariesmagazine.org live mostly off-post and seek veterans or worked with veterans, but /article/transforming-libraries locations to provide resources and they still talked mainly about the needs of -continued. host events in the communities active-duty military families. We found it 5. “Sanctuary (fact sheet),” overview

32 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 Library Services for the “New Normal” of Military Families | FEATURE

of the Army’s Army and World’s First National Public Radio, Mar. 21, 13. Sesame Street Workshop, “Arming Sanctuary for Soldiers, Sanctuary 2009, accessed June 23, 2014, Military Families with Love, Laughter, Press Room, accessed June 17, 2014, www.npr.org/templates/story/story and Practical Tools for Deployment,” http://fayettevillewantsyou.com .php?storyId=102211294. accessed June 23, 2014, www.sesame /pressroom/content/factsheets 10. Office of the Deputy Under Secretary workshop.org/what-we-do/our /sanctuaryfactsheet.pdf. of Defense, “Overview, Military -initiatives/military-families. 6. “Frequently Asked Questions,” Housing,” accessed June 17, 2014, 14. Alyson Hurt, Erica Ryan, and JoElla Fayetteville Community Blueprint, www.acq.osd.mil/housing/housing101 Straley, “By the Numbers: Today’s Give an Hour, accessed June 17, 2014, .htm. Military,” National Public Radio, July 3, http://connected.giveanhour.org/show 11. U.S. Army, “Fort Bragg Family 2011, accessed June 17, 2014, www /community-blueprint-in-fayetteville. Readiness Group,” accessed June 17, .npr.org/2011/07/03/137536111/by-the 7. Mark Thompson, “The Disappearing 2014, www.bragg.army.mil/82nd/1bct -numbers-todays-military. ‘Disorder’: Why PTSD is becoming /Pages/frg.aspx. 15. Karl W. Eikenberry and David M. PTS,” Time (June 05, 2011), accessed 12. Jaclyn Shambaugh, “Library Marks Kennedy, “Americans and Their July 24, 2014, http://nation.time.com Army’s 239th Birthday with Family Military, Drifting Apart,” New York /2011/06/05/the-disappearing-disorder Program,” Fayetteville Observer (June Times (May 26, 2013), accessed -why-ptsd-is-becoming-pts. 15, 2014), accessed June 24, 2014, June 23, 2014, www.nytimes.com 8. Cozza and Lerner, “Military Children www.fayobserver.com/news/local /2013/05/27/opinion/americans and Families.” /article_e5c5bf79-fdef-5d5a-903c -and-their-military-drifting-apart .html?pagewanted=all&_r=0. 9. Jackie Lyden, “Military Families Learn -5274ec85cbfa.html. to Live with the ‘New Normal,’”

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PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 33 FEATURE Mental Health Training in Public Libraries

By Josh Berk

hen I was a kid, one of my favorite “dad at To back up slightly, I’d like to point out that I have worked in work” stories was about the time a homeless public libraries for long enough to have seen a little of everything. guy tried to kick him. My dad was a library However, my first job as a library director was in the small town of director, a job that required a lot of manage- Nazareth, Pennsylvania (population 5,746). It’s a beautiful library ment and administration—two words that in what was formerly an old mansion. I loved coming to work ev- Wmeant nothing to me a child. What exactly did he do all day? But ery day in such a lovely place. It wasn’t just the library that was the homeless guy story—that I could understand. This man was charming—the town itself seems to exist outside of the twenty- washing his socks in the library’s bathroom sink despite having first century. I was repeatedly told by residents and staff and been told repeatedly to stop. Dad was called and the guy lost it. board members alike that “Nazareth is Mayberry.” He tried to kick him, so my dad, like any sensible person, fled. The The real town and the fictional TV Mayberry have their simi- guy gave chase and dad was able to outrun him and duck behind larities (Mayberry’s population was listed at 5,360 on the sign by a steel door. (In my mind the guy was always barefoot because the train depot), though of course I witnessed plenty to dispel the his socks were in the sink, though I was never able to confirm this notion that any real-life place can be crime-free and relentlessly detail.) Regardless, the guy kept kicking the steel door until the friendly. Still, it was a peaceful and amiable place to work. I was police hauled him away. there for two years when I was given the opportunity to move a Everything about this story cracked me up. It made being a li- few towns over to become library director in a much bigger library brary director sound a little like being Batman. As I said, I was a kid. in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It’s not a giant megalopolis by any Now, years later, I have the same exact job as my dad. It’s not means, but Bethlehem is approximately thirteen times bigger just that I’m a library director—I literally sit in his chair at the Beth- than Nazareth (population 74,982). lehem (Pa.) Area Public Library (BAPL). Does it still make me laugh That means that while Bethlehem is certainly charming in its to consider dad running from a person trying to kick him? Sure, I’m own right, it is also a city. That means city opportunities and also only human. But also I realize that the issues of homelessness and city problems. One of the first things I heard whispered before mental illness in public libraries are serious business. This article is even taking the job was that BAPL, located downtown, had a about how I sort of inadvertently became somewhat of an expert problem. Well it had several problems—funding problems, politi- on the topic and what we’re trying to do about it here in my little cal problems, building problems, leaky roofs, and busted chairs— corner of southeastern Pennsylvania. but the same can be said in I’m guessing 100 percent of public libraries. The problem I heard whispered about in Bethlehem was the homeless problem. About the Author “No one wants to go there anymore—it’s creepy.” “Don’t go down to the bathrooms alone.” JOSH BERK is Executive Director at Bethlehem (Pa.) Area Public “There are long lines of homeless waiting outside every morn- Library. ing.” I heard about drug deals and public drunkenness, about hor- Contact Josh at [email protected]. rible smells and, yes, that people were still doing their laundry

in the sinks. It wasn’t just local librarian scuttlebutt; it was (kind

of) big news. Numerous articles in local papers were written and Salon.com even mentioned BAPL in a March 2013 article, “Public Josh is currently reading Laughing at My Nightmare Libraries: The New Homeless Shelters.”1 by Shane Burcaw. I wondered if it was as bad as I was hearing. I knew Bethlehem well, having lived there most of my life and visited the library many times. I knew Bethlehem had never really recovered from

34 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 Mental Health Training in Public Libraries | FEATURE

the closing of the steel plant many years Medical College, and the National Net- ers including librarians, doctors, medical ago. Like most American cities of all sizes, work of Libraries of Medicine and there librarians, and a speaker from the Pennsyl- there are large concentrations of poverty was a great list of speakers. vania Behavioral Health and Aging Coali- and a shortage of resources. But it has a I must pause here to note that I am well tion. I gathered a great deal of interesting charming Main Street and many flourish- aware that the “homeless issue” is not the data and tips. (When dealing with an emo- ing businesses and dozens of successful same thing as the “mental health issue,” tional patient: Stop, Breathe, and Reflect festivals. but they are certainly interconnected. Re- before speaking. MedLine Plus has great When I began as library director, I be- search shows that between 15 and 40 per- mental health resources.) gan talking to staff and patrons alike. I was cent of homeless individuals have some But the most important piece of infor- asked several times in newspaper inter- form of mental illness.2 The lower numbers mation I ended up going home with was a views what my priorities were. Each time I include homeless children and families phone number. answered that it wasn’t about my priorities, whereas the higher end numbers focus on As Matt and I talked on the way home, it was about the priorities of the communi- single adults. And the homeless individu- we discussed what we had heard. We also ty. It wasn’t just a line—I meant it. I wanted als who were making the library “scary” talked a lot about baseball and rock ‘n’ to see what the community wanted out of probably weren’t the down-on-their luck roll and poetry and baseball again (there its library and how I could make that hap- guys passing time reading magazines. I was a lot of traffic) but mostly we talked pen. What they wanted, in no small mea- decided fairly quickly that they weren’t “a about what we had heard. We agreed that sure, was to feel safe in the library. problem.” If people were in fact uncom- the library was already pretty good at re- I maintained my opinion that it wasn’t fortable seeing them, well, there wasn’t sources. Great, actually. If an individual as bad as it was perceived. But perception all that much I could do about it. I’d love came into the library asking for informa- has a way of becoming reality. If people to solve the homeless problem in the city tion on any disorder or condition under felt unsafe in the library, maybe the li- (and the world!) but it’s a fact of a society. the sun, we’d find some information on it. brary would become more unsafe. And if Criminal activity, such as drug deals or If an individual came into the library ask- the perception was that it was a place no public intoxication, are dealt with quickly ing to find out about medication or- doc one wanted to go, no one would want to by a call to the police. It is certainly some- tors or therapists or clinics or any related go there! I had a pretty lengthy to-do list thing for which we should have no toler- question, I was quite confident that our before I even sat in Dad’s old chair, but I ance. But complaints about the homeless Information Department would make sure decided that making efforts to address the started to bother me more than the home- they didn’t leave empty-handed. “homeless issue” needed to be at the top less did. How did these “regular patrons” But what about those who weren’t of the list. know that these people were home- asking for help? What about the mentally Like any librarian might, I began with less—the fact that they were unshaven, ill man talking to himself in the stacks? some research. I discovered first of all, un- unshowered, and maybe wearing dirty What about the paranoid woman in a like many cities of similar size, that there clothes? You should see me on my days off. panic about how Microsoft is stealing her is no year-round homeless shelter. There It’s a wonder I haven’t gotten kicked out of emails? What about all the people who are emergency winter shelters, veteran’s Lowe’s. Life in a city, and life in a public need help but don’t know they need help housing, and some facilities providing library—there are going to be people you or who might be refusing help for any housing for youth and/or families, but don’t like looking at. There may even be number of reasons? I reflected on the nothing like the rescue missions or other people you don’t like smelling. (Again: see fact that we were not very good at deal- facilities for single homeless individuals. me on my days off.) In truly outrageous ing with these types of patrons. I became The city became home to several home- cases where a public health risk was ob- a little embarrassed—at my own behavior less camps, many people literally living served, our staff would politely ask them and the behavior of my colleagues—when under the bridges. A nearby church served to leave. Otherwise, the segment of the I reflected on how library staff dealt with free lunches, making the library an ideal population I decided to focus on were the these patrons. We joke, we give them place to spend the day. mentally ill. nicknames, we shoo them out the door, I had been trying hard to limit my “out It certainly seemed like an event worth we call the police. Mostly we just ignore of the library” days for the first few months attending and I hoped I would come away them and hope they’ll go away. at least in order to learn the operations with some information to help me slay (or More and more, we need to accept that (and try to remember everyone’s names). at least scare off) the large dragon on my they aren’t going anywhere. But when I saw an announced workshop to-do list. I made the drive from Bethle- The phone number that came in so titled “Out of the Shadows: The Library hem to Hershey with Matt, one of our in- handy was the number for the county as a Center of Mental Health Literacy” I formation technicians, and we met one of mental health office. I recommend that knew I needed to attend. This event was our branch librarians there as well. every public library make the call that I cosponsored by the Lackawanna County The presentation was interesting and did. I didn’t have an agenda in mind when (Pa.) Library System, The Commonwealth enlightening. There was a range of speak- I called. I just wanted to learn more. I just

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 35 FEATURE | Mental Health Training in Public Libraries

said “I’m from the public library and I’d like terms like “schizophrenic” as nouns. The them better while also making our librar- to know if our organizations can work to- person is not the disorder. The person is ies safe and welcoming to the entire com- gether.” From there, a number of interest- a person. That person has schizophrenia, munity? ing things happened. just as other individuals have arthritis and I talked to one of the attendees at our The helpful staff of the county mental don’t have to deal with the stigma of be- session a few weeks after hearing Gross- health office put me in touch with a group ing dismissed as “an arthritic.” man’s presentation. She was obviously called Recovery Partnership, “a safe, cul- We received many requests for Gross- still fired up about it and reported that her turally sensitive environment for individu- man’s contact information in the days and colleagues were as well. This was Audrey als in Northampton County who are coping weeks following the presentation. Librar- Kantner, coordinator of youth services at with or recovering from mental illness.”3 In ies all over wanted to host him, leading me the Easton Area Public Library. addition to these services, they host free to believe that a program on understand- “We see people with obvious mental mental health sensitivity trainings. I im- ing mental illness is a field of study that health needs every day,” Kantner said. mediately signed myself up for the next should be offered to all public librarians. “It just touched on the iceberg. I felt like training that coincidentally was scheduled My own education continued when [Grossman] had a lot of knowledge that just days after I called. This training was far I had on opportunity to attend a hear- was difficult to sum up. As someone who different from the one focused on the li- ing at City Hall seeking input on the city’s really needs tips on helping people that I brary. I was the only “library person” there. strategic plan, specifically on the section know absolutely nothing about, I felt like I I was, in fact, the only library person ever to dealing with issues of affordable housing needed more training.”5 sign up for the training. (Each of the speak- and homelessness. There I met Pamela Asked for some specific areas that ers noted this fact and I felt kind of proud Lewis, a case manager for Restoration would make her task easier, Kantner of- each time.) House Apartments at New Bethany Minis- fered several suggestions: The speakers discussed various diagno- tries. She’s a passionate advocate for the 1. Better coordination with the ses, stigmas, and the process of involun- homeless and someone who has worked agencies that serve the mentally tary commitment known as 302. I did not “in the trenches” for twenty years. Sadly, ill population. Contact the library leave there an expert on mental health from her view the situation is only getting with information about specific by any means, but I did feel as though I worse. clients if possible. Leave a contact had a better understanding of how some- “Basically, supportive services money on who to call if needed. “I don’t one with schizophrenia experiences the that used to go into mental health to help want to be the person who kicks world, for example, and what resources people through mental health treatment someone out for swearing to are available to the library. I learned that on a consistent basis is no longer there,” themselves when there could Crisis Intervention can be called instead of Lewis said. “The supportive services mon- have been a strategy or method— the police if an individual seems in need of ey has gone to the jails.”4 something better that I could mental health services but is not a threat. In other words, the case workers and have done,” Kantner said. I learned that it is unreasonable to try to other public health officials who were 2. More education. “I’ve had train- reason with someone in the midst of a available to work at clinics and shelters ing in dealing with children with paranoid delusion and that a person with and otherwise make sure that mentally special needs, but not specifically schizophrenia is not dangerous the vast ill individuals were taking their medica- with mental health,” she said. majority of the time. I also learned that tion, seeing a doctor, having access to ser- “It is a realm of education that is their delusions are as real to them as the vice—those jobs have been eliminated. “It lacking in public librarians and I physical world we observe is to us. is now looked at as criminal to have men- know that there is a great desire I decided I needed to offer this train- tal health issues,” Lewis said. “Same with among public librarians to learn ing to my entire staff and contacted one homelessness. It’s viewed as a criminal is- more. It’s not that our library staff of the speakers for a continuing education sue. All the money has been put into the doesn’t have the desire to learn, session to be held at my library. I decided criminal system. If you’re on the street, it’s that they don’t know where to to open it up to other public libraries in the you’ll be arrested. If you’re mentally ill and learn or how to learn.” area and the response was overwhelm- act out, you don’t go to a clinic, you go to “I’ve worked in three different public ing. Clearly this was a topic that struck a jail. While you’re in jail you get treatment, libraries. Library staff—and patrons—are chord! We had more than fifty librarians but when you get released, what hap- afraid of people exhibiting these behav- and other library staff attend from- ap pens?” iors. And as librarians we want to help but proximately a dozen area libraries. The “You have a lot of untreated, unstable, we don’t know how to help everybody. It speaker was Andrew Grossman from NHS unmedicated individuals walking around just goes to show that librarians need to Human Services. Grossman is a passion- our society, and our streets,” Lewis said. know everything and, well, we’re working ate defender of the rights of the mentally And we have them walking around our on it,” Kantner added. ill and constantly reminded us not to use libraries as well. What can we do to serve

36 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 Mental Health Training in Public Libraries | FEATURE

Quick Facts about Mental Illness Conclusion Since the day we were all trained, there • Affects approximately one in five o This is the individual’s have been instances of mentally ill patrons American families reality. Help them try to at my library and I do believe that the staff • Signs and symptoms of thought navigate it, do not neces- handled these situations better than they disorders: sarily try to change it. would have previously. They were able to o Bizarre dress • Signs and symptoms of mood recognize a patron who was devolving into o Easily agitated disorders: a paranoid state and know that the County o Social isolation/not easily o Profound sadness Crisis social workers were just a phone call engaged in conversation o Inappropriate affect, or no away. They knew that, if necessary, they o Delusions affect at all could call the police and a person could be o Repetitions of a certain o Changes in eating and 302’d for his or her own good. I knew that behavior sleeping habits I could call the county to ask for informa- o Disorganized/illogical think- o Feelings of helplessness tion on individuals whom I felt could use. ing and/or hopelessness Caseworkers have offered to come meet o Paranoia o Suicidal ideation or suicide these individuals in the field, to try to con- o Inappropriate affect attempts nect them to the services they may need. o Hallucinations o Hyperactivity Library staff may also be a little more • If an individual is experiencing o Agitation/ restlessness relaxed around patrons exhibiting signs of hallucinations: o Grandiosity/delusions of mental illness. They recognize, as Gross- o Do not dismiss them as grandeur man taught us, that most people with “not real”; to the individual o Impulsiveness; engagement schizophrenia are not dangerous and pose experiencing them, they are in reckless activities no threat to themselves or others. They very real. o Poor judgment have every right to be in the library as any- o Rapid, ramping speech one else. If they seem odd or somewhat o Sense of being invincible disruptive, well, that’s part of life in a public library. Patrons as well as staff would do well to accept that. Sidebar information from a 2014 handout presented by Andrew Grossman, administrator, Northampton County (Pa.) Mental Health. Used with permission. Finally, remember that it is important to move away from identifying a person by his or her illness. Instead of “here comes that schizophrenic,” try thinking References “Five Myths about America’s Homeless,” Washington Post, July 11, 2010, accessed “here comes a library patron who needs 1. Evelyn Nieves, “Public Libraries: The Dec. 14, 2014, www.washingtonpost.com my help.” New Homeless Shelters,” Salon.com, /wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/09/AR Mar. 7, 2003, accessed July 9, 2014, 2010070902357.html. www.salon.com/2013/03/07/public 3. Recovery Partnership website, “Who _libraries_the_new_homeless_shelters We Are,” accessed Dec. 14, 2014, _partner. www.recoverypartnership.org. 2. National Alliance on Mental Health, 4. Pamela Lewis, personal interview with “Mental Illness Facts and Numbers,” the author, Aug. 18, 2014. Mar. 2013, accessed Dec. 14, 2014, 5. Audrey Kantner, phone interview with www.nami.org/factsheets/mental the author, Aug. 15, 2014. illness_factsheet.pdf; Dennis Culhane,

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PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 37 FEATURE

Innovation Expo Create and Collaborate in Maryland

By Liz Sundermann

he second annual Innovation Expo was held in May ed her of Gershenfeld’s challenge; inspired, she began to explore 2014 on a spring Saturday in Baltimore. The pub- ways that DLDS could help Maryland libraries use the maker lic day-long event featured a keynote speaker from movement to further their community-building work. Beegan the inspiring Chattanooga (Tenn.) Public Library met with local makers to explore potential library partnerships. (CPL), a library-staff-only training opportunity, and a This conversation marked the beginning of DLDS’s partnership T5,000-square-foot exhibit hall full of hands-on learning opportu- with makers in support of Maryland’s public libraries. Later, when nities from museums, academic institutions, makerspaces, public PLA’s 2012 Virtual Conference included a session about making libraries, and more. The event, subtitled “Create and Collaborate,” and public libraries, DLDS knew that it was time to act. was a creative collaboration in and of itself. DLDS decided to host a Maker Meet-up in fall 2012 to be fol- lowed by a hybrid event for library staff and the public in the Developing an Idea spring of 2013. Beegan conducted an Internet search for maker- The state library agency in Maryland is housed in the State De- spaces and hacker spaces to find more local contacts. She quickly partment of Education as the Division of Library Development discovered Michael Smith-Welch, an Artist-in-Residence at the and Services (DLDS). In 2012 DLDS staff began laying the ground- American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore; Smith-Welch was work to help bring the spirit of the maker movement to public li- using his background in education and art to set up a makerspace braries statewide. in Takoma Park (Md.). He introduced DLDS to Matt Barinholtz, Nini Beegan, DLDS’s project coordinator, first came across this director of then-fledgling FutureMakers, a mobile maker and ed- concept during a 2005 Library of Congress episode on C-SPAN. ucation lab that uses children’s innate love of tinkering to teach During the episode, Neil Gershenfeld, director of the Center for youth of all ages the core values of traditional crafting, contem- Bits and Atoms at MIT, challenged librarians to consider fabri- porary design, and futuristic digital fabrication. As the newly hired cation in public libraries as a means to bring people together to youth services coordinator at DLDS, I helped keep our team’s ef- solve community problems. In 2010, Beegan attended BetaScape, forts aligned with STEM education initiatives. DLDS reached out a tech offshoot of the popular Baltimore art festival ArtScape. to other makers and do-it-yourselfers, and we established a group She talked with people who had built 3D printers using materials that included academics, tool librarians, video game designers, they had ordered from MAKE magazine while her children eagerly and others. In the fall of 2012, we hosted a Maker Meet-up. One launched handmade rockets into the sky. This experience remind- hundred library administrators, public service staff, systems staff, and others met with our group of makers at the West County Area Library of the Anne Arundel County public library system. The day About the Author included a keynote, lightning presentations, hands-on maker fun, and plenty of time for questions and answers. The packed meet- LIZ SUNDERMANN is Youth Services Coordinator at the ing room buzzed with energy, and great ideas were developed as Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Library library colleagues and makers conversed. DLDS set up a Maker Development and Services. Meet-up electronic mailing list for interested library staff to continue their conversations. Contact Liz at [email protected]. We returned to the idea of sharing these great learning op-

portunities with the public; we wanted to provide a venue for

library staff and the public to interact within the context of the maker movement. We knew that in order for maker events, mak- Liz is currently reading Mind in the Making: The erspaces, or even isolated programs and classes to be truly suc- Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs by cessful, we would need buy-in from library administrators, public Ellen Galinsky. service staff, and technical services staff. But what kind of event

38 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 Innovation Expo | FEATURE

could generate this buy-in? In the fall of 2012 there had been a few libraries nationwide that had held Mini-Maker Faires, which are maker events officially endorsed and branded by MAKE magazine. The brand is very successful, and we thought that the caché it carried for individuals in the maker community might help us find quality exhibitors, as well as giving the event some instant legitimacy in the eyes of the public. We postulated that it would be more efficient to work with an- exist ing template that was known to produce successful results. We filled out the- ap plication, entered into negotiations with MAKE, and began to consider options for Librarians learn how to solder at the Code in the Schools station. a suitable venue. (Photo by Jessica Brown) Planning and Logistics We were determined to hold the event in a Barinholtz from FutureMakers worked the generosity and the organic collabora- library. We wanted public libraries to prog- closely with me to craft a preliminary ex- tive process that went into developing this ress in their role as physical, collaborative, planation of the event to share with the event that is largely about collaboration hands-on learning spaces, and holding library’s administrative team. We had no in- and the free exchange of ideas. the event in a library would allow both the terest in just “using the space,” but instead After we ended our partnership with public and the librarians to witness this in wanted to work in full partnership with the MAKE, we began to explore the possi- action. Our first choice was the Maryland library. We hoped to ensure that the event bilities for our event in terms of physical State Library Resource Center (SLRC). was something that would be a success for space. MAKE had been very concerned SLRC provides cooperative, cost-effective their regular customers and staff as well that we didn’t have a large outside space resources and services for Maryland li- as for the people who would be travelling to work with; we contacted the city and braries and their customers—they are the across the state. As we worked with the discovered that it wasn’t terribly difficult resource arm of the state library. SLRC is administrative team of EPFL/SLRC, it be- or expensive to shut down the block of physically located at the Central Library of came clear that the partnership with MAKE street behind the library. Although this the Enoch Pratt Free Library (EPFL) system was not in our best interest. The primary would have undoubtedly added to the fes- of Baltimore, and has a collection and cus- reasons were financial—MAKE charges a tival atmosphere and to the types of ex- tomer base typical of any large urban public fee to use their brand, a cost that is often hibits we could offer, we decided to forego library. SLRC’s presence means that EPFL’s defrayed through ticket sales and vendor the outdoor space. It would have cost Central Library also has deeper research license fees. Events sponsored by DLDS, quite a bit to rent the tables and tents, resources and statewide and national cus- SLRC, and EPFL are always free to library and the city charges extra if the event re- tomers who utilize them. The library is staff and members of the public, and we quires electricity. In the spirit of equality of housed in a beautiful block-long building didn’t want to charge the exhibitors since access we would still not have been able with neoclassical influences. Built in the we wouldn’t be allowing them to sell any- to sell anything, including food or bever- 1930s, the library features large display thing at the event. Additionally, the more ages. We probably would have needed to windows and a street-level entrance to en- we dug into the details of the planning hire additional security. We also thought tice passersby. It also has a large central hall process, the more our event deviated from about holding exhibits throughout the li- that houses a computer commons, a grand a Mini-Maker Faire both in scope and in- brary rather than only in the central hall. piano, several book displays, an informa- tent. We let our contact at MAKE know that This idea, too, was eventually dismissed. tion station, a laptop lounge, and the circu- we were backing out, and parted on good Wesley Wilson, chief of SLRC and EPFL’s lation desk. It is a wonderful place to hold terms. There have been very successful Central Library, and DLDS agreed that we events and it is regularly used for concerts, Mini-Maker Faires held at public libraries wanted to keep the event manageable— weddings, graduation ceremonies, speaker before and since, but we have never re- we thought it would be far better to plan events, and fundraising galas. In addition to gretted this decision. Our event was being a smaller, more predictably successful day. the library having advantageous architec- carefully crafted to fit a variety of needs If the event was a hit and we decided to ture, it is located in central Maryland, mak- and expectations, and it needed to be cus- hold it annually, there would be time to ing it an ideal spot for a statewide event. tom-built. I continue to be astounded by expand later.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 39 FEATURE | Innovation Expo

large public library had some hidden benefits. The library already owned all of the display tables and chairs for exhibitors that we needed, so we didn’t have to rent furniture. They have a full-time professional security staff which, along with the exhibitor waivers, allowed us to keep our focus on the event itself rather than security logistics. The library has a large auditorium, as well as more intimate meeting rooms. These physical amenities made it possible to hold library staff trainings and host a keynote speaker presentation as parts of the event. Barinholtz suggested that we ask Corey Fleischer if he would The Digital Harbor Foundation taught library customers how to make their be interested in giving the keynote ad- own video game controllers, play with alternate keyboards, and design and dress. Fleisher was a thirty-year-old senior print their own iPhone cases. (Photo by Jessica Brown) mechanical engineer at Lockheed Martin and a contestant on (and later winner of) the Discovery Channel’s Big Brain Theory. Fleisher was also an avid supporter of Ensuring that event attendance was emitted smoke or particulates, weapons makerspaces. He was excited about the appropriate for the venue size was a ma- that could cause injury, and anything that event and agreed to both present the jor concern. We didn’t want 6,000 people could be considered dangerous in a large keynote and run an exhibit showcasing an waiting in line outside the building caus- room full of people. We welcomed ques- adult-sized working go-kart that is con- ing security issues and general mayhem, tions. We set up a Google form for regis- trolled by a Wii remote. but we also wanted to be sure that peo- tration. In addition to the usual contact Beegan facilitated the library staff train- ple showed up. We didn’t want to spend information we asked for the age-range ing portion of the day, which featured a months planning only to have an enlight- of the intended audience, the number panel discussion with Michael Smith-Walsh; ened individual with a 3D printer sitting in of power outlets they’d need access to, Barinholtz of FutureMakers; Jan Baum, the a corner of the exhibit hall making whistles and the type of interactive elements that director of Towson University’s Object Lab; for a handful of random passers-by. We would be included in their exhibit. Ben Walsh, director of Pure Bang Games needed to send out a call to makers and After we came up with the perfect and the founder of BetaScape; John Shea, figure out what kind of publicity we want- name, Innovation Expo, we had a personal director of the Station North Tool Library; ed. Barinholtz and I looked at the security contact who is a design graduate student Gary Mauler, founder of Maryland’s Robot- waiver from MAKE and consulted with the create a logo. We used this logo on all Fest, which is held annually at the National library administrators about what kind of promotional items for the expo, includ- Electronics Museum in Linthincum, Mary- exhibits they were comfortable having in ing the one-inch buttons worn by all the land; and Mary Murphy from the Center this historic library space. We worked with exhibitors. We created a Facebook event For the New American Dream. Library staff the library to find out how much electricity page, and EPFL hosted a dedicated infor- who had been motivated by the Maker and Wi-Fi bandwidth would be available. mation page for the event which included Meet-up and kept their excitement stoked We came up with a list of requirements links to the exhibitor application and the by participating in the resulting electronic that we sent out along with the call for Facebook page. The library’s design de- mailing list were excited to have their well- makers, so that potential exhibitors would partment used the logo to create a large formulated questions answered by the di- be able to make an informed decision window banner that was displayed promi- verse panel. Together they planned their about whether or not this event would be nently on the front of the building. DLDS own maker events, programs, and classes. a good fit for them. We also let them know spread the word through statewide library Fleischer’s keynote was well attended, up front that they would not be able to sell communications, and the panelists shared and the expo was deemed to be a success anything at the event. In order to partici- event details with the maker and educa- by the library staff and customers who pate, exhibitors had to agree not to utilize tion communities. I spent some time do- attended, the exhibitors, and the staff at items that emitted noxious or danger- ing Internet searches and setting up face- SLRC who had worked during the extra- ous fumes, open flames (circuit soldering to-face meetings with local makers. busy Saturday. Everyone agreed that it was permitted), fuel-powered projectiles, As these preparations were underway, would be held again the following year. large power tools or machines, items that it became clear that holding the expo in a

40 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 Innovation Expo | FEATURE

The Second Annual Innovation Expo Because we had already worked out the logistical challenges we focused our time on fine-tuning the event in 2013–2014. The public and library staff had largely been introduced to the concepts of the maker movement. Bre Pettis, founder of Mak- erBot, one of the most popular brands of consumer 3D printers, was interviewed by Martha Stewart. Dale Dougherty, the founder of MAKE magazine and the inven- tor of the Maker Faire, spoke at the Ameri- can Library Association’s 2013 Midwinter Conference. Maryland public libraries had Maryland Science Center employees ran an electro-etching station. embraced the movement and hosted cre- (Photo by Jessica Brown) ative maker programs, hired FutureMak- ers to provide hundreds of classes across the state, held their own public maker school provides the same level of oppor- to their roster of curricula. New technical events, and, in some cases, had even tunity or that there isn’t valuable learning education organizations in Maryland were drawn up plans to build their own maker- that takes place elsewhere. In fall 2013, I forming at this time, too. I met Gretch- spaces. People were definitely still inter- read an article in WIRED magazine about en LeGrand, the director of Code in the ested in experiencing the movement, but a teacher in Mexico who got astounding Schools at the Maryland Out of School they no longer necessarily had to come results from his students by letting them Time (MOST) network’s STEM Sympo- to the Innovation Expo to do that. We felt study what they wanted to learn.1 I do sium. Her nonprofit is helping Maryland that the tagline from the first Expo, “DIY in not think that public schools in the United schools offer fun and interactive computer Maryland,” wasn’t exactly the message we States will ever fully embrace this method, coding classes to elementary and middle wanted to convey. The DIY movement is nor do I think that it would necessarily be school students. I asked if they’d work definitely something that libraries should appropriate for them to do so. However, with public libraries, and the response was be involved in, but we wanted the name the kind of learning that was discussed in a definitive, “yes.” I discovered that CPL of the Expo to encompass more than that. that article, and that I subsequently read had held a citywide coding camp in 2013. We felt that “Create and Collaborate” was about in a variety of studies, is precisely I started to think about the possibility of a better fit. what public libraries can offer. As I spoke doing something similar at the state level While the county library systems with state leaders in other out-of-school in Maryland. plunged forward with the maker move- time educational enterprises and contin- ment, DLDS began deeply investigating ued to follow the latest education trends, Education Is a Key Focus public libraries’ relationship with educa- I discovered that this kind of learning is This new idea helped us to develop a fresh tion. The 2013-14 school year saw the particularly valuable and hard to find in strategy for the 2014 Innovation Expo. rollout of Maryland’s new Career and Col- the STEM sector. Students are, for exam- Instead of focusing purely on maker cul- lege Readiness standards in all public K-12 ple, rarely given the opportunity to take ture, we focused this year’s event on ser- schools. Citizens, librarians, and educators computer programming courses until high endipitous STEM learning for all ages. In- were all new to the standards, and strug- school. This is a gap that public libraries stead of adding exhibitors, we narrowed gled to figure out how best to implement can fill. FutureMakers had already been of- the field. Some of the organizations we them and discern what that implementa- fering digital classes and workshops along invited included: The Maryland Science tion meant to communities. As I met with with their traditional crafting experiences. Center, The Baltimore Underground Sci- colleagues at the State Department of Why not add another degree of complex- ence Space (BUGSS), The Prototyping and Education and traveled to various library ity without taking away the joy of tinker- Design Lab from the University of Mary- systems throughout Maryland, I began to ing? Why not offer our youth the opportu- land, FutureMakers, Code in the Schools, think about the education that children re- nities to create their own video games in The Baltimore Robotics Center, and The ceive in public school. Maryland has been our libraries instead of just playing them? Digital Harbor Foundation. In 2013, each rated as having the best public schools in Barinholtz arrived at this same conclusion exhibitor had one table; this year, each the country for several years in a row, but independently and FutureMakers began exhibitor had several tables where they that doesn’t mean that each individual adding more computer science programs offered unique but thematically similar

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 41 FEATURE | Innovation Expo

projects. Some of the activities included: Hoenke also provided the keynote, “Cre- programming ideas they walked away learning how to solder circuits, playing a ate and Collaborate and Be an Awesome with, and were excited to see how much fruit keyboard, designing and 3D printing Person for Your Community,” in which he energy the customers exhibited while an iPhone case, electro-etching your own discussed the importance of forming eq- working on the various learning projects. drawings into dog tag necklaces, design- uitable community alliances and how to Library customers had fun engaging with ing levels of a video game, extracting DNA leverage library programming as a posi- new ideas and technologies, and parents from strawberries, bio-painting, operating tive change-agent for communities. This were enthusiastic about the level of fam- robots, and more. Because we have been year we added an after event called After ily engagement engendered by the event. rolling out statewide Minecraft programs the Expo, which was held at the Baltimore The exhibitors had fun engaging with cus- in public libraries, we also set up a Mine- Robotics Center. At the event, state library tomers in new ways, and were glad to have craft Zone where people could play the staff, the exhibitors, and other out-of- the opportunity to learn more about part- game in a world designed specifically for school time and STEM education organi- nering with public libraries. In his exhibitor the Expo. Carroll County Public Library zations were invited to discuss future li- evaluation, Tom Burkett of BUGSS wrote, provided a Minecraft Craft table that al- brary and community involvement in tech “I really liked the way the public engaged lowed participants to make a variety of education. in all of the activities, not just ours. I think Minecraft-themed jewelry, artwork, and The second annual Innovation Expo was the Innovation Expo is a great forum for other analog objects. also a success. The exhibitors, library staff, makerspaces and educational programs in Teen and youth services librarians from and members of the public all commented general.” all corners of the state came to participate that it was inspiring to see so many diverse in a library-staff-only workshop presented people enjoy learning together. Through- by Justin Hoenke from CPL. He told them out the day exhibit stations were per- Reference that youth services is often the driving petually populated by people of different 1. Joshua Davis, “How a Radical New force behind library innovation, and of- ages, cultural, and economic backgrounds Teaching Method Could Unleash a fered them some practical ideas for en- working together. We were all delighted Generation of Geniuses,” WIRED (Oct. gaging young people. The reviews of the by the exceptionally high ratio of entire 13, 2013), accessed Dec. 4, 2014, www workshop were overwhelmingly positive, families who engaged in the projects as .wired.com/2013/10/free-thinkers. and he stayed in the auditorium for a long teams. The visiting library staff members time chatting and answering questions. were pleased with the number of concrete

Graphic Novels Reading List—2014 Update Available

In 2011, the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Quicklists Consulting Committee created a list of core titles that can be used when starting or maintaining a children’s graphic novel collection. The intended audience is librarians selecting books for inclusion in public libraries serving elementary school-age children. Updated in November 2014,www.ala.org/alsc these Graphic The Graphic Novels Reading List was created by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). Titles on this list were selected and annotated by Novel Reading Lists are available for students kindergarten tomembers second of ALSC’s Quicklists Consulting grade, Committee. For more third booklists, please to visit www.ala.org/booklists. fifth grade, and sixth to eighth grade. PDFs of the book lists are available online in full color and

cates to New York City, she Trickster: Native bitten by a radioactive spi- black and white and are free to download, copy, and distribute. has to start over. As she fills American Tales: A der. Can he live up to the re- up a sketchbook, she finds Graphic Collection sponsibility and become the the courage to become ex- edited by Matt Dembicki new Spider-Man in the wake “Graphic novel” here is defined as a full-length story told in paneled,actly who she wants to be.sequential,Fulcrum, 2010. ISBN: graphicof Peter Parker’s for demise?- 9781555917241 (PB). First in the Ultimate Comics Primates: The Fearless This collaborative effort by Spider-Man series. Science of Jane more than 40 writers and mat. The list does not include book-length collections of comic strips,Goodall, Dian wordless Fossey, artists presentspicture 21 Native books,A Wrinkle in Time: or The and Biruté Galdikas American trickster tales in Graphic Novel by Jim Ottaviani, illustrated graphic-novel format. by Madeleine L’Engle, by Maris Wicks adapted and illustrated by hybrid books that are a mixture of traditional text and comics/graphics.Roaring Brook/First Second, The listTwin Spica includes Hope classics Larson 2013. ISBN: 9781596438651. by Kou Yaginuma Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2012. The stories of three scien- Vertical, 2010. ISBN: ISBN: 9780374386153. tists and their groundbreak- 9781934287842 (PB). Three children, with the help as well as new titles that have been widely recommended and ingwell-reviewed, work in the field with Asumi wants and to be part ofbooks of some unusual that guardians, chimpanzees, gorillas, and Japan’s first manned space travel across time and space orangutans. mission. Does she to save their father and our have what it takes? universe. have popular appeal as well as critical acclaim. The Quicklists ConsultingSave Yourself CommitteeFirst in the Twin identified by Jeremy Whitley, Spica series Zebrafish illustrated by M. Goodwin by Sharon Emerson, the best books currently available, and updates the list annuallyAction to Lab addEntertainment, great 2012. Ultimate new Comics releasesillustrated by and Renée Kurilla ISBN: 9781450798945 (PB). Spider-Man Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, Princess Adrienne is no by Brian Michael Bendis, 2010. ISBN: 9781416995258. damsel in distress. Along illustrated by Sara Pichelli Vita and the members of her remove titles that have gone out of print. with Sparky, her dragon, Marvel, 2012. ISBN: rock band, Zebrafish, raise she will rescue herself and 9780785157137 (PB). money to help the children’s have a few adventures in Miles Morales is just a hospital where one band the meantime. First in the regular high-school student member is receiving cancer Visit www.ala.org/alsc/graphicnovels2014 for more informationPrinceless and series. to seein Brooklyn the . . . until lists. he gets treatments.

42 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 By the Book

By the Book reviews professional development Contributing Editor materials of potential interest to public librarians, CATHERINE HAKALA- AUSPERK is Executive trustees, and others involved in library service. Director of the Northeast Ohio Regional Library System and the owner of Libraries Thrive Consulting. Books in Motion: Connecting Preschoolers with Books through Art, Games, Movement, Music, Playacting and Props

If you’d like to write a review By Julie Dietzel-Glair / Chicago: ALA Neal Schuman, 2013 / 216p. / $55 or if there’s a new book you’d ISBN-13: 978-1-5570-810-8 / LC: 2012040993 like to see reviewed here, please contact Catherine at chakala Most children’s librarians who provide storytimes for preschoolers recognize the impor- [email protected]. tance of changing things up by putting songs and action rhymes between stories. But the approach Dietzel-Glair is advocating is a bit different; she demonstrates the ability Catherine is currently reading all to move during the story itself. Many librarians provide a craft after storytime, but this of J. A. Jance’s Joanna Brady approach incorporates a movement activity while reading the story. Dietzel-Glair de- mysteries. scribes six types of motion: art, games, movement, music, playacting, and props. Many options included for each type of movement make these suggestions prac- Editor’s note: Public Library Association policy tical to incorporate into everyday practice. Following a description of the type of mo- dictates that PLA publications not be reviewed tion, an annotated bibliography gives instructions for a related movement activity. in this column. Notice of new publications from Five hundred picture books published since 2000 are included. Many of these books PLA will generally be found in the PLA News will be familiar, making it easy to incorporate this approach into existing storytime section of Public Libraries. plans. For example, children color parts of the body (provided on an art outline) as “I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More!” is read aloud, they search for mittens with “The Missing Mitten Mystery,” and rub their tummies to “Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!” Dietzel-Glair also includes great tips for introducing this approach, which will be new to many audiences, such as practicing the motions ahead of time, using a bell or signal when it is time to listen to the story or return from a game, and other management hints. As the author notes, this approach is not meant for every book read during a storytime, but a really innovative idea to energize storytimes. Additionally, this method naturally incorporates Every Child Ready to Read 2 principles such as talking, singing, writing, and playing. Listening for a certain cue to play an instrument or do a motion also helps to capture a child’s attention. Indexes by title, author, and subject make Books in Motion an easy to use tool once you understand the approach. Twenty-four art outlines for use in adding art movement are also included. This book is a valuable addition to children’s librarians wanting to try new things or looking to reinvigorate their storytimes.—Robin L. Gib- son, Youth Librarian, Westerville (Ohio) Public Library

Beyond Book Sales: The Complete Guide to Raising Real Money for Your Library

Edited By Susan Dowd / Chicago: ALA Neal-Schuman, 2013 / 304p. / $75 ISBN-13: 978-1-55570-912-9 / LC: 2013017139

According to Beyond Books Sales: The Complete Guide to Raising Real Money for Your Library, the days of random book sales and baked goods drives are over. This book claims to have resources for any size library and at all levels of fundraising experience. The book covers a plethora of topics, but each chapter has a similar format: a definition of the topic being discussed, how one goes about organizing or achieving it, the pitfalls and potential rewards, and how various types of libraries can accom- plish this topic or activity.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 43 By the Book

One characteristic that make this text large complex Friends groups to smaller Library Planner is a high-quality resource user friendly are the “Words to Know” ones doing minimal fundraising. There is that any library contemplating major reno- sections that are pulled off to the side of something for everyone in this book. It is vations or even complete replacement will the main body of text. These explain im- a valuable resource for any Library Friends want to read first. The ideas and checklists portant buzzwords or concepts that the Group or Foundation and a recommend- will be invaluable to making your building author has used. For example, there is an ed purchase. Even I learned a few new of the future one that will sit easy in the lo- explanation of the difference between a tricks!—Lacy Ellinwood, Library Consul- cal environment.—W. Keith McCoy, Assis- restricted and an unrestricted monetary tant, Mississippi Library Commission tant Director, Somerset County (N.J.) Library gift. This feature allows for a broader use System of this resource. It’s not only for librarians and library staff, but for the average- pa The Green Library Planner tron that often ends up in Friends of the Li- Planning Our Future Libraries: brary groups. Much of this book is written By Mary H. Carr / Lanham,Md.: Blueprints for 2025 for people that aren’t librarians and have Scarecrow Pr., 2013 / 136p. / $75 never worked in a public library, which ex- ISBN 13: 978-0-8108-8736-7 Edited by Kim Leeder and Eric Frierson plains why Beyond Book Sales brings up LC unavailable Chicago: ALA Editions, 2014 seemingly obvious points about library 144p. / $48 / ISBN-13: 9780838912072 fundraising; like the effect a personalized While there are many books already about LC: 2013028246 or handwritten letter can have on your po- designing the library beautiful, there is tential donors. precious little on how to create (or re- In the library of 2025, some readers will This publication not only touts the create) an energy efficient, low environ- see a reflection of their libraries and oth- benefits of Friends’ activities and various mental impact library. This book is an ex- ers a draft for their aspirations. A minority types of fundraising, but it also presents cellent guide to how to build or renovate a will resist the necessity of sharing control the challenges that certain types of activi- library with a green philosophy. of library collections, services, building de- ties can come with. Chapter 11 discusses Carr, an experienced library manager, sign, and purpose. While the fundamental the process of membership programs, leads the reader through a thought process principles of libraries may not change, the where the author lays out the pros and about the human impact on the remain- way they are expressed in a successful fu- cons of such a fundraising activity. It is this ing resources the world has to offer, and ture will require librarians to be relational, objective stance that makes Beyond Book how our public buildings suck up so much nimble, outward-focused, collaborative, Sales one that should be acquired at state energy and nonrenewable materials. The supportive of innovation, convenient, and library agencies and larger public libraries. author then gets us to consider the major deliberate about trusting their patrons in Though it focuses on public libraries, there parts of a building: lighting, water, the ma- designing the libraries’ future. are tools that would be useful to other terials used in construction, and so on. She This book is thoughtfully divided into nonprofit groups. For example the confus- is also good about pointing out the options, four sections. In the first, “Embracing Par- ing world of online giving that has begun such as siting a building facing this way ticipation,” Brett Bonfield and Dave - Har to take root for most nonprofits is made rather than that makes a difference. meyer encourage librarians to form con- manageable with the tips and suggestions Each chapter ends with discussion nections with users, related agencies, and provided by this text. questions, and many include checklists to individuals based on mutual customers One of the most valuable aspects of help the reader decide among the options and goals. Future-minded librarians will this resource is the “Fund-Raising Tool- available. While technical in many parts, partner to plan services without regard kit,” which includes, but is not limited to, it is not difficult to read, nor is it preachy to the physical, technological, political, templates and samples of policies, letters, about the need to build more thoughtfully. financial, and philosophical barriers that and worksheets. The examples of materi- Two items that would have added to currently exist. It will be as vital for librar- als reproduced are beneficial to the read- the value of this title would have been a ies to help users create solutions to life’s ers, though they would be more useful in glossary of all the organizations and key puzzles as it is to give them access to col- color. One point that is hammered home terms that pepper the text. A second ben- lected resources. throughout the text is the final senti- efit would have been a chapter on politick- “Reimagining Spaces” begins with ment in the afterword: “If you finish this ing for a green library. In the face of those an intriguing psychological assessment book with just one thought, it should be who just want the cheapest library, or who about the connection between space, that successful fund-raising stems from believe that “green” is only a liberal scam, what fills space, and identity (personal healthy, mutually valued relationships” some suggestions for countering those ar- and institutional). In response to the (p.163). The book breaks fundraising down guments would have been helpful. feared loss of tangibles, Ben Malczewski to step-by-step processes and often tries While expensive (as most limited mar- assures us that books and other symbols to cover multiple types of libraries, from ket library science titles are), The Green are actually experiences that can be repli-

44 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 By the Book

cated as content is reformatted and space vision, and essays are well-cited for those youth, development, and intellectual free- is repurposed. Krisellen Maloney’s faculty who want more ideas. I recommend it dom issues. commons is already reality in progressive for librarians who are dissatisfied with in- The recognition of “adolescence” as academic libraries. Park rangers are the ertia.—Jenifer Grady, Executive Director, a specific time in an individual’s life is a model for Hugh Rundle’s free range librari- Tenn-Share, Nashville, Tenn. concept that emerged approximately 150 anship, practical extensions of outreach years ago. One of the issues facing libraries that are embedded in unexpected places. and library educators is the notion of young “Building New Infrastructure” is a call Transforming Young adulthood. Many librarians serving this age to action for advocates, administrators, Adult Services group realize that the term “young adult” and governing bodies. Megan Hodge em- is a misnomer that teen and tween differ- phasizes another thread in the book—that Anthony Bernier, Editor / Chicago: entiate between childhood and adulthood. librarians and libraries must be active par- ALA Neal-Schuman, 2013 / 280p. / $65 The essays stress the need for more teen ticipants in their future, creating and de- ISBN-13: 978-1555709075 input and focus on the development and signing solutions rather than reacting and LC: 2013014651 delivery of services, programming, and lit- accepting. John Chrastka outlines new erature for them. Shifts in the dynamics of funding models and how a National Li- The field of library and information sci- how teens are served have been observed brary Card might be implemented. ence has long struggled with the defi- and the authors recommend strategies and Finally, “The Global Future” reminds us nition of young adults and how to best best practices for libraries to increase their of the disparities and challenges in staff- serve their needs in libraries. Transforming relevance to teens. ing school libraries in developing nations, Young Adult Services advocates for a redef- Public libraries and librarians serving which are familiar even in parts of devel- inition of youth and how libraries can posi- teens will find this a valuable tool -to re oped countries with similar struggles. tively respond to the challenges of serving evaluate current services and attitudes to- Ten years from now is near, not re- teens. A series of essays by library school ward young adult services and implement mote. Specific scenarios are transferable academics, practitioners, and others en- necessary changes needed to make the across library types, inspiration to think gaged in serving youth discuss the histori- transformation.—Rhonda Puntney Gould, outside of library walls. The book will pro- cal background of the field of young adult Owner/Library Consultant, Gould Library vide some clarity for libraries with blurry services, marginalization and inclusion of Consulting

Start a Revolution: Stop Acting Like a Library—New from ALA Editions

“But this is how we’ve always done it!” Objections to taking a fresh tack are about as common as budget shortfalls, and the two are more closely related than you might think. At the Craighead County (Ark.) Jonesboro Public Library (CCJPL), Ben Bizzle and his colleagues defied common practices by using creative risk-taking in marketing and outreach to transform their library into a dynamic institution that continues to grow and thrive. In Start a Revolution: Stop Acting Like a Library, published by ALA Editions, Bizzle and co-author Maria Flora share techniques for success alongside a provocative marketing philosophy that will spur libraries to move beyond their comfort zone. Focusing on creative ways to pull patrons in rather than just push the library out, this book: • steers libraries towards defining their brand, explaining why it is crucial to meeting the needs of their users and potential users; • offers strategies for getting stakeholders on board and engaged, including how to address budgeting concerns; and • demonstrates the importance of the library’s website as the digital “main branch” of the library, with guidance for creating and promoting it. Bizzle is the director of technology at CCJPL. He is a 2013 Library Journal Marketing Mover & Shaker and part of CCJPL’s 2013 John Cotton Dana Award-winning creative team. He is also a national speaker, library marketing consultant, and the founder of Library Market. Prior to joining the library team, he spent seven years as a technologist in the health care industry, eventually becoming the director of information technology, responsible for the technology infrastructure for four hospitals in Arkansas, Alabama, and Geor- gia. Flora is an award-winning journalist and writer who resides in Brookland (Ark.). Visit the ALA Online Store (www.alastore.ala.org) for more information.

FOLLOW PL ON TWITTER @PUBLIBONLINE

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 45 New Product News

New Product News delves into the world of library Contributing Editor vendors and products to find the standouts that HEATHER TEYSKO is Assistant Director combine innovation and quality. of Innovation and Development and Contributing Editor TANYA NOVAK is Member RefTracker Express For Small and Medium-Sized Libraries Services and Outreach Manager for Califa, a RefTracker Express is a pared down version of Altarama’s RefTracker. It is designed nonprofit membership for small to medium-sized libraries that want a way to manage and track their in- cooperative serving formation request services whether it is via in person, phone, email, Internet, chat, libraries in California. or text. After completing a short planning guide, Altarama will provide you with a ready-to-use system that requires minimal staff setup time and training and no IT involvement. It is a cloud-based (no software to download) product. It is hosted and administered by Altarama so library staff members do not have to worry about upgrades or periodic system tuning. It comes with three preconfigured forms: (1) a customized Contact Heather at hteysko@ request form for a variety of request types that can be adjusted to your needs at no califa.org. Contact Tanya at additional cost; (2) a comments and suggestions form: and (3) a standard simple [email protected]. request form that can be inserted into library webpages. A built-in report writer helps analyze the statistics. More than a hundred different reports can be created based on the requests submitted to the system, and the Heather is currently reading The reports can be broadcast to screen or exported. Lost Art of Dress: The Women Who One license allows for an unlimited number of staff login accounts with 1-5 con- Once Made America Stylish by current users for one institution. Staff can access RefTracker Express at their desk, Linda Przybyszewski. Tanya is at a service point, on a mobile phone, or with a tablet. The entry level cost for set currently reading Wabi-Sabi: for up and one license is $2,500. If you find you need additional features Altarama can Artists, Designers, Poets & Philoso- upgrade the system to meet your needs. phers by Leonard Koren. To learn more, visit www.altarama.com/RefTracker-Express.

More Self-Publishing Options for Libraries

In our last column, we talked about some of the new self-publishing tools for libraries; including SELF-e from Bibliolabs and Library Journal, and the new partnership between FastPencil and Recorded Books. There is another option that we chose to go with for the enki Library, our own hosted e-book platform built in partnership with Contra Costa (Calif.) County Li- brary. California-based self-publishing platform leader, Smashwords, will set up free, branded publishing portal sites for any library that wants one. Patrons will be prompted to create a free Smashwords account and upload their book with cover art. Items that come through the branded link may be tagged as originating from your library. The titles may then become available through the distributors with whom Smashwords has partnerships such as OverDrive, 3M, and Baker & Taylor, so if you use any of those, you are able to make the titles available via those platforms. You simply need to send Smashwords some text and cover art/logo for the portal page. See how Los Gatos (Calif.) Library publicizes its partnership with Smashwords at www.losgatosca.gov/1968/eBook-Self-Publishing-Partnership and see the library’s branded portal page at www.smashwords.com/signup?lgpl=yes. Contact Jim Azevedo of Smashwords at [email protected] to get the setup information.

46 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6 New Product News

Foreign Films and Kurosawa, and Orson Welles. In addition to and Houston (Tex.) Public Library. Documentaries feature films, the collection includes docu- “So far this year thousands of graphic mentaries and popular subgenres such as novels, manga, and comic books have been If you are looking for foreign language French New Wave, Italian Neorealism, and checked out via Comics Plus: Library Edi- films and documentaries, or providing New German Cinema. Some films include tion,” said Josh Elder, account director at access to classic films, there are two new audio commentaries by filmmakers and Comics Plus: Library Edition and founder streaming video services, Digitalia and Cri- scholars, restored director’s cuts, deleted of Reading With Pictures. “Boopsie is the terion Films, from Alexander Street Press. scenes, documentaries, shooting scripts, perfect partner to help expand this even early shorts, and storyboards. further, and we couldn’t be more excited to Digitalia Film Library The collection is available in full or in be partnering with them.”1 Digitalia, a provider of Hispanic e-books, the following micro-collections: American Library-branded mobile apps from Bo- journals, and educational multimedia pro- Documentaries, American Independents, opsie work on all major mobile operating grams, has introduced a film library of Span- American Mid-Century, Art Cinema of the systems and are used by more than 2,500 ish and other European language films. 1980s and 1990s, The British Collection, Cult libraries worldwide. Boopsie will be selling The library currently includes more Classics, The Eastern European and Russian subscriptions to Comics Plus: Library Edi- than 500 films and documentaries from Collection, The Films of Ingmar Bergman, tion to all libraries, regardless of whether 1919 to 2013 with more titles to be add- French New Wave Collection, the German they have a Boopsie app since the sub- ed as they become available. There are a Collection, the Golden Age of French Cin- scription can be delivered through desk- number of award-winning feature films ema: Volumes 1 and 2, Italian Cinema, Inter- top browsers as well. such as Zona Sur (2009) from Bolivia and nal Silent Cinema, The Japanese Collection: Libraries purchase 2,500 credits that are Todos Tus Muertos (2011) from Columbia Volumes 1 and 2, Modern French Cinema, metered out to library users uniformly over and films that are difficult to obtain in the Silent Films from Charlie Chaplin and Harold a twelve-month period. One credit allows United States. Lloyd, World Documentaries. patrons to check out a comic, and two cred- The film library is divided into seven col- This is a subscription-based service its enable access to a graphic novel. These lections: (1) Argentine Cinema, (2) Europe- with 24/7 access to unlimited users wheth- digital items are available on an easy-to- an Cinema, (3) History, (4) Latin American, er in the library or not, so your patrons access digital bookshelf and automatically (5) Nature and Wildlife, (6) North American always have access to the content. A li- returned after seven days. Most libraries Classic Cinema, and (7) Travel Documenta- brary’s authentication options are via IP, buy multiple blocks of credits and add addi- ry. The collections are subscription-based; referrer URL, username/password, library tional blocks as demand for digital comics a library may subscribe to the full collection card, or Shibboleth, and they are offering and graphic novels grows. or to individual or multiple collections. a thirty-day trial if you’d like to test it out. “Libraries are excited about being able There is unlimited access to content To learn more, visit http://alexander to meet the needs of the Kids, Teens, and and unlimited concurrent users. The films street.com/products/criterion-collection. Young Adult markets in innovative, easy- can be accessed remotely and can be to-use ways with content that generates viewed on mobile devices. The subscrip- excitement about the library,” said Bryan tion also includes Public Performance Comics Plus: Library Edition Murray, director of accounts at Boopsie. Rights (PPR). “Our team will be helping libraries market To learn more, visit www.digitaliafilm Mobile app creator Boopsie is entering this new service directly to library patrons library.com. into new territory with a digital comics and in order to further help libraries reach new graphic books products in partnership with users and get the word out to their commu- Criterion Films Comics Plus: Library Edition. Comics Plus nities about digital comics.”2 Alexander Street Press is offering the Cri- offers more than 10,000 digital comics to terion Collection, an online streaming col- libraries, accessible via the Boopsie mobile lection of 300 of Criterion’s most impor- app or the traditional library website. References tant and influential films. Comics Plus: Library Edition is an online 1. “Comics Plus: Library Edition,” The Criterion Collection covers the his- streaming service that provides libraries accessed Dec. 19, 2014, www.boopsie tory of cinema throughout the twentieth with access to thousands of digital graphic .com/boopsie-stars/comics-plus. century, from early silent films such as novels, comic books, and manga at a per- 2. “Boopsie Partners with Comics Plus: Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush (1925) to re- checkout price with simultaneous circula- Library Edition to Provide Enhanced leases from contemporary filmmakers such tion to virtually any mobile device, tablet, Access to Digital Comics and Graphic Novels to Libraries,” accessed Dec. 19, as Gus Van Sant and Guillermo del Toro. It or PC. They currently have a number of ac- 2014, www.boopsie.com/comics-plus also includes films from directors such as tive libraries, including Kitchener (Ontario) -library-edition-digital-graphic-novels Federico Fellini, Alfred Hitchcock, Akira Public Library, York County (Pa.) Libraries, -for-libraries.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 47 Under the Radar

Under the Radar is where you’ll find books, movies, and other media of note that might not be getting tons of publicity, but your patrons are sure to be interested in. New York State of Mind

This month, it’s Kaite’s turn to shill the pop culture of her home state Want to get to know New York City in under two hours without of New York. leaving Kansas City? Pick up A History of New York in 101 Objects (2014). From bagels to mastodon tusks to a Checker cab, it’s al- s far as Jessica is concerned, New York City is where Law most like being there. & Order (1990–2010) takes place and upstate New York is New York always plays a role in every A home to J. R. Ward’s vampire warriors, The Black Dagger movie in which it is cast. The city falls Brotherhood. But New York is home to more characters than just under the spell of a giant moon, and an sardonic detectives and tortured vampires. These are their stories. extended family of passionate Italians Before Disney and Mayor Giuliani gentrified Manhattan’s in Brooklyn are Moonstruck (1987) in this Times Square, Damon Runyon glorified the golden-hearted gang- romantic comedy classic. In true, “only in ster and marriage-minded chorus girl in his short story collection New York” fashion, a cop without cash tips Guys and Dolls (1929). Runyon’s ear for the tone and phrasings of his diner waitress half of his lottery ticket if the gentlemen bootleggers of Broadway paved the way for the it pays out. It Could Happen to You (1994)— staccato rhythms of Winter Santiago and her peeps in The Coldest how every New Yorker starts a shaggy dog Winter Ever (1990), set in Brooklyn’s projects. story—is a sunny, blue-collar fairytale. A There’s plenty of drama outside the bright lights of the big funny “cause it’s not you” tale is computer programmer Paul’s ex- city. Head east to Long Island and meet the young teen lovers, citing, frightening, life-threatening romp through the After Hours Rick and Sheryl, who play out angst on a 1960s Shakespearean- (1985) streets of the city’s edgy side. suburban split-level in Alice McDermott’s That Night (1987). A pas- The soundtrack of the city will always include Billy Joel, one sionate hood bellows his undying love for a naïve bobbysoxer and of Long Island’s favorite musical sons. Start with his Grammy- a well-manicured front lawn becomes a battlefield for a genera- winning album, 52nd Street (1978). Or rock out to The Ramones tional culture clash. (anything for that New York street punk feel) or feel the melan- Head upstate to Cold Falls and meet the cholia drip through Don Henley’s “New York Minute” (1989) and seven gay men who gather at the Engine understand that you don’t have to be in a New York state of mind Room, the only gay bar for miles. John, for everything to change in a New York minute. Russell, Mike, Greg, Stephen, Simon, and Thomas trade tales of woe and bemuse- ment about love lives, family ties, religion, and gay marriage in Looking for It (2004). There’s horror in them thar Catskills, too. Contributing Editor Anthony Izzo’s Evil Harvest (2007) popu- KAITE MEDIATORE lates the bucolic town of Lincoln with evil STOVER (left) is Director monsters masquerading as law abiding citi- of Readers’ Services at zens, including the town’s police chief. Kansas City (Mo.) Library. Not quite as evil, but equally terrifying, is New York City’s iconic Contributing Editor subterranean transit system, the subway. Randy Kennedy has col- JESSICA MOYER (right) lected stories about the underground regulars and their fascinat- is Assistant Professor, ing experiences in Subwayland: Adventures in the World Beneath School of Information Studies, at the University of Wisconsin- New York (2004). Meet the Mercury Men, the first two guys to Milwaukee. paint themselves silver and stand silently in the midst of all the city’s chaos. The fare-hopping pigeons who take the A train to Contact Kaite at [email protected]; contact Beach 25th Street station. The woman who spent her four-train Jessica at [email protected]. ride listening to a litany of differences her lawyer boyfriend recited as if giving state’s evidence. As the train pulled into the City Hall station, she realized they were no longer a couple.

48 PUBLIC LIBRARIES VOLUME 53, NUMBER 6

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