2008 MN Library Legislative Forum

I'm attending the 2008 MN Library Legislative Forum where the discussion is on developing the legislative platform planks that MLA & MEMO should support. I am very interested in is what the invited legislators have to say. They have been very supportive of libraries and right now a discussion is happening on how libraries really are an important part of some many things in a community. Libraries can assist schools in helping prepare students to be not only literate but also information literate. This is also a benefit to the workforce too as employers are looking for employees who have good information skills as our economy and the world's places more value on this type of skill. Another point that was brought up is about how public libraries in particular are many times in competition with the jails and law enforcement in their communities. It was refreshing to hear that maybe if we put more emphasis on education and literacy, maybe we could have an effect on how much more jail space or law enforcement we need. I'm no Pollyanna about this as we do need law enforcement and they could always use more money. But I do think that we have to try and devote more to education and literacy because in the long run we will be and our children will be better off.

The challenge of Twitter

As can be seen, I have added my Twitter updates to this blog. In the 23 Things on a Stick program that I'm participating in, Twitter is an optional challenge for Thing 7. I know several folks who are using Twitter here in the SELCO office so they've encouraged me to give it a try. I have and I actually kind of like it. It is easy to setup and use and doesn't require any special software except, of course, an Internet connection.

At first I thought, who the helk cares what I'm doing. I quickly moved passed that phase and really look at it as a great tool for figuring out what I do in a day. If nothing else, it is a small way of motivating me to focus on the work on I do. When I actually put it down in a Tweet (a posting to Twitter) and with the addition of sharing them with friends or colleagues, I feel like I need to keep moving forward so as not to look like a slacker. Of course, nobody may care but it certainly has that power of motivation on me. If you'd like to follow me, I'm at http://twitter.com/mscottmn. Please feel free to invite me to follow you as well!

Thing 7, Parts 1-3

Finally, I've picked up where I left off in Round 1 of 23 Things on a Stick and have worked through most of Thing 7. Actually, I've used most of the items discussed in this thing but did go through everything to see if there was anything I missed. The topics of Thing 7 included email, IM, text messaging, and Web conferencing.

Email: Use it nearly every day and can barely remember life before e-mail. Great tool for sending off a quick message but like anything else, can take over your life. My inbox is overflowing, I sometimes forget to respond to an email in a timely manner, and I still have trouble finding the perfect size for an email, either in sending one out or responding to one sent to me. I do use folders in my email system so that I have some organization of them vs. just letting them sit in my Inbox. I did check out the templates but figured that I'd probably invest too much time into them and then forget to use them.

IM: OK, I was slow to get into IM but now I'm hooked. I like that it has replaced some of my emailing as a way to get a quick answer to something. I really think that libraries could use to their advantage because it is built to be quick and, well maybe a bit dirty. Rather hunt for the phone number or dig through a library's website, a quick IM to the library to ask a question (What time do you close? Could you renew my books?) may do the trick. As a reference tool? Definitely but not for EVERY reference question. You know, sometimes it is easier to actually speak to someone to ask the question rather than TYPE IT OUT in an email or IM.

Text Messaging - Honestly, I'm a Luddite with text messaging. Or maybe just cheap. I don't use it on my cell phone at this moment nor am I paying for a package of text messaging that my cell phone provider offers. I do see, as this Thing pointed out, the possibilities of using it for notifiying a patron of something: overdues, fines, materials are ready for them, reminder about a training course, etc. I know that I certainly use my phone more and more (even as my home phone) for everything. I'll eventually embrace it (and yes, pay for a package of text messaging) but right now, I'm not ready.

I'm still working on Part 4 of Thing 7 - I've signed up for a Webinar on the EBSCO 2.0 interface in July. I've used Web Conferencing on many occasions. Still trying to figure out how to not be distracted when participating at my desk at work. That's the good and bad of being connected...

Re-registered for 23 Things On a Stick

Yes, life got very busy and I've neglected this poor blog. I've re-registered for the 23 Things on a Stick, Round 2 and this time I'm determined to finish. It isn't that I'm not interested in Web 2.0. Rather, it is remember that I need to actually devote more time to it. So, if anyone is reading this, I will do better.

Most Modern Library in the World

I came across a post on The Shifted Librarian blog about visiting the most modern library in the world, DOK in Delft, Holland. Here's a link to the post: http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/19/visiting-the-most-modern-library-in-the-world.html You'll also find a link to The Shifted Librarian's set of pictures on Flickr. These are a must if you want to see what the place looks like. Way cool.

I checked out the library's website and found that they are on a mission to become the most modern library in the world. Certainly a different mission than most libraries pursue. I think what I'm the most inspired by when I read about this library is the fact that libraries can be the cool place to be in town without losing their soul. In fact, it looks like they actually found their soul.

If the big box book retailers can borrow from libraries as the place to go to read, study, or socialize, why can't we borrow back from retail what works for them? I know, I know, money is a huge factor. And time, and... and... and... There's always something we need to wait for. Including the fact that if we wait too long, we won't need to worry about being the most modern library in the world. We'll be gone.

Be inspired.

Are you the health inspector?

This is the question I was asked this week when I visited one of the newest SELCO online member libraries. I guess the young man (I think he was in 2nd or 3rd grade) figured that a man wearing a tie and taking pictures was obviously inspecting something and taking pictures as evidence. The librarian explained that I was not the health inspector but the Assistant Director for SELCO. That seemed to satisfy his curiosity.

Health inspector. Well, that certainly was a first for this librarian and provided quite a chuckle. Of course, it makes me wonder if I dress like a health inspector. Maybe there's some health inspector attire that I've purchased and not even known about. Maybe it's a sign that I am to become a health inspector.

I think I'll just make the assumption that this was one of those opportunities to add to my list of funny stories to share at the appropriate moment.

Thing 6, Take 2

OK, so I gave the trading card thing a try. No, not that creative but I did try it. One thought that libraries might do with this is create trading cards for each of their staff members and use it as a way of marketing what I think is an important part of any library - the staff. I can see lots of uses, either fun or serious, with the trading card thing. How about a trading card for different pieces of hardware in the library? What a way to document that old reliable photocopier or that unreliable PC that continually crashes!

Well, will you look at that - a little creative thinking on a late Friday afternoon!