Friday, May 29, 2009

Happy Birthday WebJunction

"When I was One,
I had just begun.

When I was Two,
I was hardly new.

When I was Three,
I was barely me.

When I was Four,
I was not much more.

When I was Five,
I was just alive.

But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever.
So I think I'll be Six now forever and ever."

-A. A. Milne, "Now We Are Six" (via Sharon)

If you have not been to WebJunction lately, please visit, sign in, and add your avatar to your profile in preparation for our big splash about web-based tools for connecting next month.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Could your library be an artistic space?

In reading the NYT's article on Tight Times Loosen Creativity, it made me want to be able to have libraries assist in the creative efforts somehow. Whether it be a gallery space for local artists to display their work (probably already happening in a lot of places already?), or a space to work and give tutorials for people (the basics of oil painting, how to get started with clay modeling, etc.), or perhaps simply a quiet space to renew personal creative juices...

The library can surely be a part of the creative solution for everyone, as we soldier on through the economic recession.

Yes we have career information and yes, we can help job-seekers find resources for resumes. But the greater good is the hope You as the Librarian bring to people. The Library is a Place to Go where people are welcomed and encouraged to learn, branch out and become more of the idealized people they see themselves as.

The Library can be a part of that creative growth.
For artists. For students. For people. Are there activities your library is already doing?

Friday, May 15, 2009

Should libraries have ebooks?

There's an interesting debate on "eReport: Digital Publishing Downunder" about whether or not New Zealand libraries should be stocking ebooks. Does this new technology cut into an author's royalties? Why should taxpayers be subsidizing a personal habit? Aren't there plenty of commercial alternatives to libraries?

Those of us who are older than dirt know that these arguments have been trotted out every time ANY new item was introduced to libraries. I'll bet Gutenberg had this argument when the first Bible rolled off his press. OK, maybe the author wasn't worried about royalties, but still...

Monday, May 04, 2009

Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute

I stumbled upon this Edy's Ice cream promotion--the Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute. It's about helping neighbors meet each other and neighborhoods come together. I LOVE the way they have done this--with the emphasis on the people. The ice cream is simply the backdrop of what brings them together. Plus I am all into video these days and especially like the idea you can enter a video submission.

I wonder if there might be a few branch libraries that would want to host a Neighborhood salute similar to this with a local ice cream shop?

Here in New Hampshire, it might be with Annabelle's.
In Columbus, it might be with Jeni's.

What's your local ice cream shop? Would they want to partner with you for a library promotion? Recent reports show that more and more people are showing up at the library every day. It would make their business look as socially responsible and neighborhood-friendly as I'm sure they already are. And it gives people a nice reminder that the library is a great place to meet your neighbors--and potentially cool off in the A/C inside.

All hail to neighbors coming together over ice cream at the library!