It's been a few weeks since I said I'd report back about the Vermont Library Association Conference!
We were busy from 9:00-5:00, but learned a lot all day long. The Keynote Speaker was Barbara Stripling president of the American Library Association. Barbara reminded us to be innovative. Libraries are boundary spanning organizations and we should focus on our aspirations rather than our needs. She challenged us to seek out diverse perspectives in our communities so that we may know how to continually redefine our services.
In a Digital Literacy workshop, a panel of experts reminded us that when it comes to any kind of literacy we cannot take a "one size fits all" approach. We learned about some ways we can continue to support beginner computer users (Did you know the Lanpher Library does provide individualized Beginner Computer Classes???), and ways we can expand our own digital knowledge too so that the library can provide more than just access to computers.
"Dewey or Don't We?" Is the Dewey Decimal System a thing of the past? Do our patrons just want to go to a section and know where the books they want are? Sure you can ask a librarian for help, but what if you just want to find it!? On library in Connecticut has done this. With a system of signs and color codes, their children's section is sorted into 9 areas. The adult collection is also sorted by topic. We learned of the benefits and the downfalls of creating a similar system.
Using QR Codes in the Library. Look for Lanpher Library QR codes soon. We learned about how we can promote services, offer free books, collaborate with businesses and organizations....all with a strange little square...
Outreach to Under-Served Populations: We heard from representatives from the Agency on Aging, COTS, The Howard Center and Outright Vermont about strategies for making libraries safe, comfortable and welcoming to the populations served by these organizations.
We were busy from 9:00-5:00, but learned a lot all day long. The Keynote Speaker was Barbara Stripling president of the American Library Association. Barbara reminded us to be innovative. Libraries are boundary spanning organizations and we should focus on our aspirations rather than our needs. She challenged us to seek out diverse perspectives in our communities so that we may know how to continually redefine our services.
In a Digital Literacy workshop, a panel of experts reminded us that when it comes to any kind of literacy we cannot take a "one size fits all" approach. We learned about some ways we can continue to support beginner computer users (Did you know the Lanpher Library does provide individualized Beginner Computer Classes???), and ways we can expand our own digital knowledge too so that the library can provide more than just access to computers.
"Dewey or Don't We?" Is the Dewey Decimal System a thing of the past? Do our patrons just want to go to a section and know where the books they want are? Sure you can ask a librarian for help, but what if you just want to find it!? On library in Connecticut has done this. With a system of signs and color codes, their children's section is sorted into 9 areas. The adult collection is also sorted by topic. We learned of the benefits and the downfalls of creating a similar system.
Using QR Codes in the Library. Look for Lanpher Library QR codes soon. We learned about how we can promote services, offer free books, collaborate with businesses and organizations....all with a strange little square...
Outreach to Under-Served Populations: We heard from representatives from the Agency on Aging, COTS, The Howard Center and Outright Vermont about strategies for making libraries safe, comfortable and welcoming to the populations served by these organizations.
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