librarianship: strategies for sustainability and growth

Librarianship: Strategies for

Sustainability and Growth

Teresa S. Welsh, Ph.D.

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

10/20/2010

Mississippi Library Association Annual

Conference, Vicksburg 2

Background: What are Libraries?

“Libraries are the memories of mankind” –

Goethe

“Medicine for the soul” - Inscription over

the door of the Library at Thebes

“The only treasure-house open to all

comers is a library” - J. A. Langford

“Cultural repositories” – T.S. Welsh

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Why are libraries important?

Libraries are closely related to and important

for democracy:

“Dissemination of knowledge is one of the

cornerstones of civilization” - John Budd

“Perhaps no place in any community is so totally

democratic as the town library. The only entrance

requirement is interest” - Lady Bird Johnson

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Conference, Vicksburg

Libraries Provide Data, Information;

Promote Knowledge, Wisdom

Data = symbols

Information =

data + meaning

Knowledge =

useful collection of

information

Wisdom =

understandinghttp://www.systems-thinking.org/dikw/dikw.htm

http://www.systems-thinking.org/dikw/dikw.htm



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Origins of DIKW Hierarchy

In his Futurist article, Cleveland cites T.S.

Eliot as the person who suggested the DIKW

hierarchy. Cleveland names it "the T.S. Eliot

hierarchy".

In 1934 Eliot wrote in "The Rock":

Where is the Life we have lost in living?

Where is the wisdom we have lost in

knowledge?

Where is the knowledge we have lost in

information?

What is the Role/Purpose of Libraries?

To collect and

preserve information

To organize and

provide access to

information

To support mission

of the parent

organization.

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Image courtesy of the Bodleain Library

How important is planning?

Every library should have operational plan and

strategic plan

Operational plan

Short-term, a year or two

Example: annual budget

Strategic plan

Long-range

Mission Statement

Goals

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http://21stcenturylibrary.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/strategicplanmodel.jpg

http://21stcenturylibrary.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/strategicplanmodel.jpg

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What is the mission of a school

library/media center?

Supports curriculum

Promotes collaboration

with teachers

Promotes reading

Teaches information

literacy Computer literacy

Database searching

Evaluating, citing sources.

http://isarsoileau.blogspot.com/

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What is the value of a school

library/media center?

Relates to student

achievement

Increases literacy

Builds resiliency.

http://www.msad49.org/clinton/library/clinton_elementary_school_library.htm

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How Do Libraries Build Resiliency?

1. Supports and encourages education

2. Staff values teens, exhibits friendliness

3. Rules are consistent and clear

4. Rules, programs, and services are developed with input by teens

5. Promotes service to others, “required helpfulness”

6. Provides information about health, education, employment, recreation

7. Provides opportunities to develop and practice life skills such as

cooperation, leadership, decision-making, problem-solving, and

impulse control

8. Helps develop talents, hobbies, and interests

9. Provides opportunities to be sociable

10. Promotes reading.

Dr. Jami Jones (www.askdrjami.org)

http://www.askdrjami.org/

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What is the mission of a public library?

Serves community/acts

as community center

Promotes reading

Promotes resiliency

Offers training GED, ESL classes

Computer literacy

Job application

Tax filing

http://storyconnection.net/blog/category/summer-reading/

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What is the value of a public library?

Serves as community

hub, provides broad

range of services,

activities

Provides public

computers, meeting

space

Can be "economic

engines" of downtowns

or neighborhoods.

Image courtesy of Hattiesburg Public Library

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What is the mission of an academic

library?

Supports scholarship

Supports research

Teaches information

literacy Determine info need

Access info effectively

Evaluate sources

Use sources

Cite sources.

http://librarynext.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/information-literacy/

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What is the value of an academic library?

Important part of

accreditation

Increases networking,

collaboration across

campus

Related to grant

funding

Every $1 invested in

library = $4 grant

funding to university

(Tenopir, 2009).

Image courtesy of USM Cook Library

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Marketing Strategies

1. “Never waste a crisis”

a. Create zero-based budget

b. Review each program and service -

does it support library‟s mission?

c. Ask “If we were opening the library

today would we still do this?”

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2. Know you community – what are

community‟s needs… patrons‟ needs?

a. Focus PR on programs/services that

meet those needs

3. Seek sponsorships for special

events/programs

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4. Create e-mail list of patrons,

community service groups, other

interested parties

a. Save postage - email overdue notices

b. Promote library with e-newsletter

5. Create wish list; post on e-newsletter,

Web site, and in building; include

donation policy

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6. Begin fundraising for special projects

7. Establish community co-op for shared

purchasing of bulk items

8. Use Web 2.0 tools (RSS, Facebook,

blog, e-newsletter, YouTube) to

market library programs/services

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9. Write column for local newspaper

a. “What‟s new at the library” should

include Wish List

b. Donations “in honor of” and “in memory

of” and donation policy

10. Start or expand “Friends of Library”

group; market to retirees, service orgs.

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Funding Sources

Library Grants Blog

http://librarygrants.blogspot.com

Foundation Center

http://foundationcenter.org/

Sign up for grant alerts at:

http://www.grants.gov/

http://librarygrants.blogspot.com/

http://foundationcenter.org/

http://www.grants.gov/

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Some new trends, ideas…

New tools such as glogs (graphic blogs)

http://tattdlibrarian.glogster.com/supernaturally-yours?

New programs or services such as Facebook

classes for retirees, glog classes for teens

Educational gaming for children and teens

Library branch/computer lab in shopping

mall.

http://tattdlibrarian.glogster.com/supernaturally-yours



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Selected Sources

Fleming-May, R.A. and Grogg, J.E. (2010) Assessing Use and

Usage. Library Technology Reports 46(6): 5-10.

Jones, J. L. (2006) The Library Media Specialist: A Vital Link.

School Library Media Activities Monthly 22(6): 22-4.

Jones, J. L. (2003) „I build resiliency‟: The Role of the School

Media Specialist. School Libraries Worldwide 9(2): 90-99.

MacKellar, P. (2010) Six Preparedness Strategies for Librarians

in Tough Economic Times. Computers in Libraries 30(3): 12-17.

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Selected Sources

Senville, K. (2009) Libraries at the Heart of our Communities.

Planning Commission Journal 75: 12-18.

(http://www.plannersweb.com/wfiles/w412.html )

Stearns, E. (2009) Top Ten Marketing Tips for Financial

Strength and Sustainability. Illinois Library Association Reporter

27(5): 8-9.

Tenopir, C. (2009) Measuring the Value of the Academic

Library: Return on Investment and Other Value Measures.

The Serials Librarian 58(1-4): 39-48.

http://www.plannersweb.com/wfiles/w412.html

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Thank you for your attention.

What are some of your

ideas and strategies?

librarianship: strategies for sustainability and growth

Documents

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