Friday, March 30, 2012
How much do we value our libraries?
Published 3/29/2012 Florida Times Union
Public libraries are the most important city government service after public safety.
...the people of Jacksonville will have to answer these questions:
- Do they want an outstanding library system or one that is deteriorating?
- Do the people want declining numbers of materials, which mean longer waits for them, with insufficient staff to help them and with facilities that are falling apart?
- Does Jacksonville want the library to be able to plan for the future?
Source
Thursday, March 15, 2012
2012 Library Journal Mover & Shaker Award
In March 2012, I was recognized by Library Journal as one of their "Mover and Shakers" for 2012. Click on the link below for more information.
Source
Two I Love My Librarian winners recognized as 2012 Movers & Shakers
ALA Press Release April 3, 2012
Source
Publication picks Clay’s Clark
Clay Today - Community Brief 3/22/2012
Source
Source
Two I Love My Librarian winners recognized as 2012 Movers & Shakers
ALA Press Release April 3, 2012
Source
Publication picks Clay’s Clark
Clay Today - Community Brief 3/22/2012
Source
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Ask Your U.S. Senators to Support Funding for Childhood Literacy and LSTA
It's officially appropriations season in Washington DC and it's imperative that you call your two U.S. Senators and ask them to sign two important letters that support libraries.
In the House, we still need many more Members of Congress to sign the letter supporting funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) in FY13. The deadline for signatures is this Wednesday, March 14. LSTA is the primary source of funding for libraries in the federal budget and helps many libraries provide crucial services. Source
Florida
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
Home Page
Email
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL)
Home Page
Email
In the House, we still need many more Members of Congress to sign the letter supporting funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) in FY13. The deadline for signatures is this Wednesday, March 14. LSTA is the primary source of funding for libraries in the federal budget and helps many libraries provide crucial services. Source
Florida
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
Home Page
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL)
Home Page
Other libraries seek stable funding
Published March 13, 2012 Florida Times-Union
What would it have taken to win over the public? Perhaps a more focused campaign. You have to be able to sell the community on excellence.
“You can’t win by whining,” Buthod said. “Nobody wants to join failure, they want to join a success story.”
The LA charter amendment also increased the library’s responsibility for direct and indirect costs. In Jacksonville, for instance, a consultant said the library system could save millions by handling its computer services itself. The library system also has little control over maintenance.
Source
What would it have taken to win over the public? Perhaps a more focused campaign. You have to be able to sell the community on excellence.
“You can’t win by whining,” Buthod said. “Nobody wants to join failure, they want to join a success story.”
The LA charter amendment also increased the library’s responsibility for direct and indirect costs. In Jacksonville, for instance, a consultant said the library system could save millions by handling its computer services itself. The library system also has little control over maintenance.
Source
Monday, March 12, 2012
Thank You Legislators
Thank you for funding State Aid to Libraries and the Multi-Type Library Cooperatives.
Let's set an example amongst the Representatives of being the most appreciative and thankful in all the State... Just an idea.
Photo taken 3/9/3012 by W. Pierce Schuessler from the Legislative Affairs Director, Florida Department of State.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Some Advice From the Guy Who Helped Save LA’s Libraries
Published 3/2/2012
Martín Gómez, city librarian for Los Angeles, was in charge of a library system in even worse financial trouble than Toronto's—until suddenly everything changed.
...people love libraries. Even if they don’t use them, they see them as a community asset for children, and for adults who don’t have access to computers.
...libraries have to work very, very hard to not just to give them what they want, but also to keep them (the public) engaged
Source
The Library in the City: Changing Demands and a Challenging Future
Quotes from the report:
"The Library in the City: Changing Demands and a Challenging Future" Due partly to their role as society’s default provider of computer and Internet access, today’s urban libraries help residents—including those with limited incomes and educations—find jobs, obtain health information, and connect to government services and benefits. In so doing, the institutions are fulfilling what is sometimes called their “shadow mandate,” supporting and complementing the work of other public agencies.
...City residents now see libraries, particularly neighborhood branches, as multipurpose community centers, offering business services, tax assistance, safe havens for children after school, and places where immigrants can learn English. And libraries still lend books and DVDs.
Source (PDF)
"The Library in the City: Changing Demands and a Challenging Future" Due partly to their role as society’s default provider of computer and Internet access, today’s urban libraries help residents—including those with limited incomes and educations—find jobs, obtain health information, and connect to government services and benefits. In so doing, the institutions are fulfilling what is sometimes called their “shadow mandate,” supporting and complementing the work of other public agencies.
...City residents now see libraries, particularly neighborhood branches, as multipurpose community centers, offering business services, tax assistance, safe havens for children after school, and places where immigrants can learn English. And libraries still lend books and DVDs.
Source (PDF)
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