Library science is an enormous field, home to every interest you could imagine! This means that there are many organizations out there for you to join, in order to connect with other people who share your professional interests.
So even if you work alone in your library, there are other people out there doing work similar to yours! Each week we will highlight a different library association for you to learn more about, and depending on your work, potentially join! You can also check out our page dedicated to Library Associations.
This week we will learn about the New England Library Association (NELA). NELA’s objectives are to “initiate, plan and support regional activities; to encourage the exchange of ideas; and to cooperate with regional and national agencies having related interests.” Their mission is to “provide educational and leadership opportunities for library staff in support of improved library services for the people of New England.” The organization is also a chapter of the ALA. Learn more about NELA’s Strategic Vision here.
Whatever tool you use, we hope you enjoy it! Thanks for listening, and sharing ideas on libraries!
Introduction
Welcome back to Season Three of Linking Our Libraries! We are Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange, and we are here to share information with all types of libraries, archives, and other nonprofits working to build their skills. This season, we are working on building a toolbox of leadership skills and ideas. By the end of this season, you will have fifteen specific skills that will make you a stronger leader and manager in your organization.
This week we are looking at strategies for networking.
Joining us is Guest Host Maria Burnham, from Sauk Rapids- Rice High School.
The Basics
Building your professional network is always going to be helpful to you – and to them. Networking does not mean going to high-energy parties and shaking lots of hands. Okay, it CAN mean that; but it usually involves just making connections with people. Remember when we talked about advocacy last week? It was all about making connections. Networking is that same thing – but you think about connecting with people across your profession, instead of stakeholders. They are the ones who can help you with questions about your daily work, can point you toward solutions to problems, and who will celebrate with you when things are great. You will do the same for them.
We have talked in prior weeks about libraries having a lot of introverts – and many of us struggle to reach out and make connections with people we do not know. But that is exactly the reason networking works: a lot of us are uncertain about our next steps, and not always sure who to talk with about library situations. Who knows better than your colleagues how hard you are working? What a hassle it is to deal with an annoying patron? How fantastic it was to have that one great thing happen today?
As library people, we truly are stronger and better when we work together. Whether you are at a conference, new in a school, alone in your library, or just looking to build up a network of people who do what you do at work – networking can make you stronger. Your contributions back to the network will make them stronger too.
Here are a few general tips to make networking easier:
Introduce yourself. When you meet new people, be first to shake hands and say hello. Are you feeling weird and awkward? So are they. It’s okay to be the one who breaks the ice.
Plan ahead. Have a few standard questions you ask, to help conversations get started. Asking people about their job is fine, but you may make faster connections by asking specific questions such as how they handed a challenging patron, or if they are using social media at work, or how they get glitter up off the carpet. Everyone is good at something, and asking questions to find out about people’s skills will help a conversation – and help build a network.
Practice listening. This is not a skill many people really excel at; so people who are good listeners are always welcome in a conversation. This is particularly important when you are trying to build a network by asking people what they need. Listen, nod, ask short questions, take notes – whatever it takes to help move that conversation forward.
Set some goals. If you are at a conference, decide you will talk with at least five new people. If you are working to network in your organization, decide you will connect with at least one person each day – emailing an article, asking a question, or talking about movies at the water cooler.
Manage your own expectations. You do not have to meet everyone. You do not have to become a social extravert if that is not your own style. Just keep building up your network of people who are interesting, and who can answer questions for you. Not every network contact will work out, and that’s fine.
Share information. When you know someone in your network would like an article, is waiting on a book, or loves to quilt – you will be a help to them if you share the things you find that will be interesting or useful to them. It’s an easy way to contribute to your web of contacts; and they will be inspired to share with you in return.
Follow up. Once you have met a new person, keep up the relationship. You do not need to be best friends; but you want to keep in touch. Look through your contact list and if it has been a while since you talked with someone there, send a quick email or text just to see how they are doing. People appreciate these gestures, and your network grows stronger.
Library science is an enormous field, home to every interest you could imagine! This means that there are many organizations out there for you to join, in order to connect with other people who share your professional interests.
So even if you work alone in your library, there are other people out there doing work similar to yours! Each week we will highlight a different library association for you to learn more about, and depending on your work, potentially join! You can also check out our page dedicated to Library Associations.
This week we will take a look at the Urban Libraries Council. This organization “has spent more than 40 years enriching communities by strengthening and promoting the value of libraries as essential public assets.
ULC provides a forum for library leaders to share best practices and innovative ideas that inspire programs that support 21st century learning, a strong economy, and an active democracy. ULC programs are recognized for creating new frameworks that invigorate public libraries and their communities.”
Take a look at their member libraries (there are tons across the country!), as well as their list of state and associate members. Do you or your library want to join ULC? You can find more information about membership on their page.
Is your library making plans for the 2020 Census?? It’s not too early to be thinking about it! Check out this article from ALA, by Larra Clark, the deputy director of both the Public Library Association and Washington Office’s public policy team, and start thinking about how you can help your community members.
We need an accurate Census! This is a tool used in funding schools, repairing roads, building hospitals, and planning all sorts of infrastructure for us. Undercounting is a serious problem, and can result in communities losing out on vital services. You can read through the Statement on the Value and Importance of the U.S. Census from the Society of American Archivists.
“In the warp speed of politics, 2020 can seem light years away. But current policy discussions and outreach planning for the United States 2020 Census could have significant impacts for libraries. ALA is working to ensure that libraries are informed and represented in the process.
The decennial count of all U.S. residents is a long tradition: required by the U.S. Constitution to determine representation in Congress and the Electoral College, the Census also is key to the allocation of billions of dollars in federal funding to states and localities and to the production of widely-used datasets. However, each decade brings new innovations and challenges. In 2020, the Census will be conducted primarily online for the first time. Like past e-government efforts, this likely will place additional demands on library staff and technology resources to assist people in participating in the Census online or via another method of their choosing. It also presents an opportunity to increase public awareness and use of Census data.
To best position libraries to support our communities in the 2020 Census, ALA has begun engaging with the Census Bureau and other stakeholders, which to date has included:
Exploring a relationship with the U.S. Census Bureau to support education and information sharing with libraries nationwide;
Joining coalition efforts led by the Leadership Council on Civil and Human Rights to advocate for a fair and accurate Census; and
Engaging member leaders at the 2018 ALA Midwinter Meeting and Public Library Association conference to gather questions and recommendations for future action, as well as make connections to support Census activities like the current test of operations underway in Providence County, Rhode Island.
These activities also have included advocacy in support of a fair and accurate Census. In January, ALA joined a coalition letter opposing proposals to add a new and untested question to the 2020 Census asking about the respondent’s citizenship. The letter noted concerns that adding such a question would “disrupt preparations” and “jeopardize the accuracy of the 2020 Census.” Unfortunately, on March 26 Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced that he was directing the Census Bureau to add a citizenship question despite these concerns. ALA will continue to work with coalition partners to address this issue, including advocacy with Congress to call for oversight hearings.
Regardless of how the issue is resolved, however, the Census will take place in 2020 – and libraries will be impacted. ALA will work to provide library staff with timely information and resources to help them meet these demands, in line with ALA’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
We invite you to share your experiences with past Censuses and thoughts for the future in comments here or directly to Gavin Baker (gbaker@alawash.org) and Larra Clark (lclark@alawash.org).”
Library science is an enormous field, home to every interest you could imagine! This means that there are many organizations out there for you to join, in order to connect with other people who share your professional interests.
So even if you work alone in your library, there are other people out there doing work similar to yours! Each week we will highlight a different library association for you to learn more about, and depending on your work, potentially join! You can also check out our page dedicated to Library Associations.
Let’s check out the Southeastern Library Association (SELA) this week! “For over sixty years, the Southeastern Library Association has been a unifying force strong enough to influence legislation and to attract foundation and federal funds for regional library projects.”
SELA has several accomplishments to their name, including two regional library surveys; the adoption of school library standards; establishing state library agencies; founding library schools; a professional journal, plus more!
SELA offers a great variety of scholarships and awards. They have awards for librarians, authors, books, and even individuals outside the library profession who have made contributions to the promotion of libraries in the Southeast.
The organization offers about two conferences a year. This year the SELA summer conference will take place in August in Birmingham and the South Carolina Library Association / SELA Joint Conference will happen at the end of October in Greenville, SC. Find more information here.
Is your library making plans for the 2020 Census?? It’s not too early to be thinking about it! Check out 