What libraries should do better -- part 3

3> Be more digital.

Share online content. Every exhibit that draws on institutional information or resources should be made available electronically through a website for viewing and downloading. Integrate print, non-print and digital information. Share documents meant for internal use only through a secure website. Share other documents for patrons and other librarians for information and educational purposes.

4> Provide more electronic resources.

Education and recreational resources such as electronic books are available. Some libraries now offer electronic downloads of audio and video materials. The downloadable materials are checked out like books and automatically returned at the end of the load period. The reader does not have to visit the library in person. Electronic books are useful for research and recreational reading when the reader can't get to the library. The library also saves on shelf space and the time needed to return books to the shelves. Offer full text data bases saving the patron time and saving shelf space in the library. Reach out through partnering with other libraries or schools. Join the local library co-operative.

What libraries should do better -- part 2

1> Make it easier to ask questions and get answers

Provide what it is patrons, students, faculty and staff need when they need it. If it isn't fast and easy, patrons will go elsewhere. The goal should be to provide information on a timely basis. In order to provide answers the circulation, reference, or information desks must look approachable. Both the people and the physical features must look approachable.

2> Create new reasons to encourage patrons who don't come in the door to visit the library in person or electronically.

Reach out to a larger community. Members of the community are the ones who pay the bills even if this payment is indirect. Give the community reasons to want library services. Don't wait until they ask for help, offer it. In addition to electronic resources, a great building, and programs, do something outside of the box. Examples are: offer to visit classes or other places outside of the library building

Remembering Aunt Evie

Remembering Aunt Evie (Evelyn (Stuhlman) Bierman)

(My aunt, passed away on January 7. This is a version of the remarks I prepared for her funeral)

When I was growing up couples who were celebrating their 25^th or 50^th wedding anniversaries were given a bracha on Shabbat morning. After that bracha if there was a couple getting married soon, the rabbi said the veteran married couples were setting the example.

Aunt Evie set the example. She had seven sibling, including one who died before she was born. She is the last survivor of her sibling. She is the last of her generation. As I was preparing these remarks I talked to my sisters and they have totally different remembrances of Aunt Evie. He got married when I was seven years old, however, I don't remember the wedding. I know I was there because I'm in the photographs. My first vivid memories are visiting her in Moberly. MO as an eight year old. I went with Marla, who was two years younger, by train. I still find it hard to believe that my parents let us go on a three hour train ride without an adult. Marla wore white gloves and we acted like seasoned travelers. We went to Moberly once a year for several years. We got to know Aunt Evie and Uncle Ralph's neighbors, family and friends. They lived in a small house on a hill on a huge lot. We couldn't even see the street from their windows of their house. They took us swimming at their country club and shopping downtown. Downtown was close enough to walk from their house. I really don't remember much else about the visits.

Rissa remembers going on the train with cousin Lisie and once with cousin Leah. They, too, wore white gloves to go downtown. They sledded down Aunt Evie and Uncle Ralph's big hill. Rissa also remembers driving to Moberly for Thanksgiving and soon as we got there Aunt Evie would have chopped liver and crackers for us.

Aunt Evie and Uncle Ralph came to St. Louis at least two times a year that I remember-- Yom Kippur and Pesah. Aunt Evie and Uncle Ralph came to St. Louis at least two times a year that I remember-- Yom Kippur and Pesah. Aunt Evie’s job was the make the salt water for the sedar plate. The salt water needed the ratio of salt and water to be exactly right. The seder guests even complemented her on the solution.

After Uncle Ralph retired they moved to St. Louis to be closer to family. In our later years one can afford to take the time to be with people, learn, and practice the wisdom developed over the years in the “rat race.” Retirement is in some ways the Shabbat of our lives. Retirees are able to rest body and soul giving one the opportunity for growth in knowledge. Uncle Ralph liked to tell us about the community college courses that he so much enjoyed. I don't remember Aunt Evie taking or talking about courses. However, Aunt Evie wanted everything in order. Meals had to be on time and with the table exactly set. She taught us manners and derech eretz. She even visited our home in Chicago a few times. She even volunteered to take on some of my worries. Hopefully, we learned from her that fields and flowers are far more beautiful than ever before. Every holiday, every regular day we will remember that for Aunt Evie her family and community were important. She always sent a card or called on birthdays to all her nieces and nephews. She was at an age that she though long distance calls were only for special occasions or sad news. I called her a few times just to say hello.

Aunt Evie never liked to think of herself as old – and that's how Rissa remembers her, vibrant and active – walking through Cosco with Gavin before Naomi's bat mitzvah – the two of them on a search for chocolate cake.

Since she never had children we will have to be her legacy.

Web Updates

I updated the web pages with books for sale today. The updated pages are:

Judaica -- http://home.earthlink.net/~byls-press/BYLS_Book_sale1.htm
and
General -- http://home.earthlink.net/~byls-press/GenBooksForSale.htm

What libraries should do better -- part 1

1> Marketing and promotion:

The information resources and programs of the library are constantly changing. I learned a couples of nights ago on the local news that the Chicago Public Library has downloadable media for its patrons. One can download books, CDs and videos. The system allows a patron to check out the items for a period and then it can't be viewed on the local system. I have viewed e-books, but I have not found any non-print items that I care to use. The news piece probably started as a news release from the library marketing department.

Libraries must constantly market their resources to additional audiences who currently under use the resources such as: potential new patrons, distance learners, students, and faculty. The image of the library should be an atmosphere where anyone needs information thinks of the library. Market the library's expertise. This is part of the branding of the library.

I just read a comment on AUTOCAT saying that teachers need to encourage library usage. The librarian making the comments was aghast that college students studying to become teachers did not know how to use the library and there are elementary school teachers who are clueless about the role of the library in the education process.

2> Space Issues:

The library should provide spaces that have a combination of seating options and a logical arrangement of service points. The library should have hard and soft chairs; very quiet areas and conversation areas. The space should meet the diverse needs of the patrons and library programs.

The Perfect Cataloger

AUTOCAT, a listserv for catalogers, recently had a discussion what a cataloger will need to know in 5,10, or more years in the future. I was surprised when Anne Welsh quoted me in her blog: http://annewelsh.wordpress.com/2008/12/19/perfection

Daniel Stuhlman’s answer displays concision, comprehensiveness and elegance when he says “The skills of analysis, synthesis, communications, creativity, and thinking out of the box are important for catalogers and most professionals.” (Comment on AUTOCAT. Re: ACRL top 10 assumptions. 17 December 2008 18:23:51)

It's always nice when I get compliments.

Emerging Ideas in Libraries : Negative ideas

The Library is a “stepchild” – misunderstood, under supported, and unappreciated even though the institution pays lip service to the contrary. (i.e. words don't match actions)

The Library as a building – needs cleaning, repair, or renovation

The Library’s space is too small or not adequately configured for the tasks required