AboutAnnotations is the place to read about issues, trends, and uses for new technologies for all libraries, especially public libraries. NSLS staff member Anna Yackle is a librarian with many years of experience who has worked in all types of libraries, but maintains a special fondness for public libraries. Recent Posts:Categories:Archives:BlogrollMeta: |
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AnnotationsAnnotationsApril 5, 2006 The “New” Customer ServiceThe Public Library Association Conference in Boston. was all about customer service but not the traditional “service with a smile” concepts we are all so familiar with. It was about a new generation of library users needs and expectations. For deeper background information, you can scan the handouts The conference seemed to support the OCLC Survey that library users and non-library users view ease of access and the ability to personalize data as key to what they consider their information needs to be. This translates into: The role of librarian has definitely evolved beyond the smiling gatekeeper of all the knowledge the library has to offer to being an active collaborator in the exchange and development of knowledge. Librarians can no longer be reactive and wait for individuals and new trends to come to them. They must even go beyond being proactive to what I will term “infoactive.” Librarians must ride the waves and currents of information while trying to shape it and direct it to people who need it. The constant question echoing in the back of the information professionals head must be “How can I add value to this transaction?” At this point, you may be scratching your head and asking yourself “What is she talking about?” Let me clarify, librarians need to host community blogs, join local gaming groups, create online communities of interest, and generally be where people are or could benefit from using information. Librarians need to create an authoritative role for themselves as respected information sources. This can be accomplished by actively scanning resource for information of interest to groups, be willing to answer questions that arise in a group discussion, and anticipate information needs. Most librarians tend to be “know-it-alls,” why not tap into that ability. For example, create a blog on issues and topics of interest to the small businesses in your community. Allow readers to comment and ask questions. Ask your target audience what information they need and how can you make it easier for them to get it. Then adapt your catalog and services to better meet their needs. Next, back-up the online services with in-person group meetings at your library that allow them to network. Then once a month give them something special: twenty free copies, two free faxes, thirty minutes of research provided by a librarian, a free cup of coffee from your cafe, coupons to some service or spa in town, whatever they might want. Think of all those little incentives and freebies we give to kids during summer reading and apply it to other targetted groups. Wouldn’t it be great to have 200-300 adults signed up for your libraries local business networking service or support group for new Americans? These things can be done. It would require libraries to focus on the key groups that are important to their communities. This would require a reimagining of libraries. People and resources would need to be used differently. What do you think? posted by Anna at 11:30 am | Comments (0) February 9, 2006 Trustee TrainingWhen I was on the Local School Council at my daughter’s school in Chicago, we had to file form, run for election, and go to six, 8 hour Saturday training sessions. It was tough giving up that many Saturdays but, the training was well worth it. I was really surprised when I found out library trustees didn’t really have similar structured training. NSLS is working with the Trustee Training Task Force to create a curriculum of classes and training opportunities. We are exploring many different delivery formats. The task force has already created a brochure and helped design a Web page. Take a look and let us know what you think. If you have any ideas or suggestions please share them with a task force member. The wonderful members of the task force are: Directors : Dan Armstrong, Palatine Public Library District, Carole Medal, Gail Borden Public Library District, and Lynn Stainbrook, Arlingotn Heights Memorial Library Trustees: Kathy Caudill, Ela Area Public Library District, Kim Isaacson, Fox Lake Public Library District, and Estelle Cooperman, Morton Grove Public LIbrary District. NSLS Staff: Sarah Long, Director, Anna Yackle, Public Library Liaison posted by Anna at 8:48 pm | Comments (0) The new face of virtual reference in Illinois: MyWebLibrarian and Ask?AwayIn January, 2006, the Illinois State Library did a soft launch of a dynamic new service called Ask?Away. This is one of the first multi-state virtual reference services in the country. They are inviting libraries of all types to join in this groundbreaking project. For NSLS libraries, this probably all seems very confusing. First we had Answers Unlimited and then we had MyWebLibrarian and now libraries are being asked to join yet a third incarnation of virtual reference service. Don’t give up! This project is well worth exploring. You probably have many questions about this service such as what will happen to MyWebLibrarian, and how can it benefit your library. Bill Pardue, Chair of the MyWebLibrarian Governing Committee and I have created an FAQ. Remember, the true expert and actual coordinator of this project is Debra Aggertt, at the state library. If after reading this, you have further questions, she is a good person to contact. You may also contact Bill Pardue , Bruce Brigell, or Pam Leffler. posted by Anna at 8:27 pm | Comments (0) January 31, 2006 What do you think of Wikis?Unless you have been hiding under a rock, by now you have at least heard the term ” wiki” and you have probably heard about all the controversy surrounding Wikipedia (kind of an online encyclopedia with articles submitted by the general public). Recently, some inaccurate information was added to a Wikipedia biography and the subject of the biography became very upset, questioned the validity of the entire body of work, and threatened to sue. Then in turn the Dec. 14, 2005 issue of Nature magazine ran an article stating that on scientific topics Wikipedia was as “accurate” as Encyclopedia Britannica. Wikipedia describes Wikis as follows: I personally love Wikipedia and adore the concept of individuals collaborating to create a free, easy to access body of knowledge. However, the potential for erroneous information to be disseminated to an unsuspecting public is a significant. The advent of wikis require librarians and teachers to stress the value of “information literacy.” A good article on this topic appeared in the “> “Wikipedia and other reference sites that allow users to submit and edit content themselves are creating new challenges for educators. Experts say the rise of these kinds of web sites underscores the need for educators to teach students strong information-literacy skills…” Evidently some teacher or librarian successfully instilled this idea in the heads of some young journalists in Minnesota. A 22 year-old, convicted sex offender was pretending to be a teenage member of the British nobility and wanted to enroll in their school. Even though this imposter had created a false entry for himself in Wikipedia, the student reporters unmasked him. The story appears in the Belleville News Democrat... http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/news/nation/13613746.htm Claim of royalty, a con revealed posted by Anna at 11:07 am | Comments (0)
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