Category Archives: Communication

CMLE, Communication

Our final Season One podcast: Information Literacy!

It has been so much fun to make these podcasts!

First, we had to figure out how to actually make a podcast. This was surprisingly tricky! There was no one single set of directions that told us everything we needed; so we spent time improvising, trying things, and learning from our failures. Learning new skills is a constant part of the profession, and it was (luckily!) always more exciting than frustrating to figure this stuff out.

We developed our own areas of specialization: Angie became the Chief Sound Engineer, in charge of figuring out all the technology; Mary provided the library content. Our assorted guest hosts provided energy and subject-matter expertise. It grew and built, and things got better as we went along.

And now we come to the end of Season One! Our final episode this season looks at a topic all libraries need to address with their patrons: Information Literacy.

You can find that podcast, and all of the others, on our podcast page. Or you can subscribe to us using iTunes, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, or any other podcast app you like.

Is this the end of the Linking Our Libraries podcast? Heck no!

Thursday, June 29 we will drop our bonus episode of Season One: The LOL Award Show. You can vote here for awards in an assortment of categories. Don’t like the categories? There is space for you to add in your own award! (Feel free to choose a winner too!) We will announce these on our podcast, so get out there and get going!

We are already planning out Season Two! Our first episode will drop Thursday August 10, focusing on Community Engagement. We look forward to all kinds of podcast excitement as we work through fifteen more topics of importance to our libraries!

CMLE, Communication, Visits

It’s Summer Time – Let’s Hang Out!

Summer FlowersAh, summer! We all live for the relaxing, slower pace of the hot weather. (Okay, fewer mosquitoes would be good; but that’s a small quibble!)

And eventually everyone gets tired of hanging out, and wishes for some good library discussion. We are here to help with that!

We really enjoyed having our social events in the winter and spring; and are looking forward to hearing from you guys about your summer work, any plans you are making for upcoming programs, and any other interesting library things you want to share! (And it’s ALL interesting when it comes to library stuff!!)

So let’s set up some times and places we can meet up to talk. Vote below for some general days and times that will work out for you. We anticipate setting up multiple events, at different times and places, so everyone who wants to do so can come visit, chat, and have some unstructured time to hang out with your library colleagues from across the system! (It’s possible that I’m just biased; but I think we have the most interesting discussions and people! Come check it out for yourself!)

We are putting together plans for a September “Welcome To Fall” event; so feel free to share any ideas you might have for that. More details will be available as we get closer to September.

Now go enjoy yourself, listen to some back episodes of our “Linking Our Libraries” podcast, and follow along with our Summer Fun Library Tour posts each day to get a quick, fun library story!

What day is generally best for you over the summer? (check as many as you want)

What general time would work best for you? (again, check all that work)

What general geographic area would be good for you to meet us? (still: pick all that work for you)

Would you rather have meals/snacks, or rather have a focused activity (again: choose any that sound fun!)

Communication, Policies

User/Patron, Community Health Issues and Librarian Roles and Responsibilities

From ALA President Julie Todaro

“This past year I have had ongoing questions about public health crises including the opiate crises and the public library role in these difficult times. The issue has been looked at by a number of groups for several years (for example librarians being trained to provide information/educate in NY state since 2013) Interviews for me (obviously) began a year ago and q and a included:

 –specific articles on Illinois and public library deaths
–libraries partnering with health services for professionals to regularly visit the library to assess clientele
–libraries hiring health professionals to assist community members directly and identify health services for them
–libraries ramping up training on best practices for managing elements of the opiate crises in libraries such as identifying distress signals, notifying appropriate community support, etc.
–libraries accessing furniture, layout, signage, etc. re: changing clientele
and the latest
–libraries stepping up to stock Narcan (Denver, Philly already…SFP considering, Mass. considering, NY considering and so on)
–librarians storing and some storing and administering Narcan (one story you might have seen this past week is about the librarian who has saved 7-8 lives by administering Narcan to patrons AND to people in the park next to the library)
Obviously, this is a very serious issue and the last interview (two discussions with CNN) was particularly eye-opening as to the q and a on the role of the librarian. So – based on this past month and my beginning-level research on this issue I am going to having a Board discussion in Chicago on how best for ALA to proceed. It may be a simple as tasking an office to pull together reps from Committees, Divisions, Round Tables, etc. but the products I think we need include – at the very least – a guide on what questions to ask as all issues – especially in this area (much like sanctuary issues) begin with local definitions. At the most I see the profession needing:
–aspects of a best practice or guide for this growing situation (From the list above you see where some libraries are significantly involved while we can say “all libraries have been in the education role” regarding this.)
–questions to ask (I have been told library leaders are already talking to each other to find out what levels and roles there are)
–questions for insurance/risk issues (ex. Good Samaritan states/locations vs. non Good Samaritan states/locations and are these the overarching guidelines, laws, rules that apply)
–lists of issues behind training for use (should a library choose to get involved….spray only? spray and CPR? certification required? if so, where? etc. again – focusing on what happens locally and I can assure you this debate is national as well – but we won’t “recommend” national, rather focus on local)
–cost issues – who pays (upwards of 75$ per use)
–tracking related medical situations (the nasal spray unit recall in 2016, etc.)
If any members wish to share examples or links to these issues, please send to me. Thank you all for the service you provide every day on the front lines…this issue illustrates the changing roles and responsibilities we have and their magnitude!
Julie
Dr. Julie Beth Todaro
2016-2017 President
American Library Association
Dean, Library Services
Austin Community College

 

CMLE, Communication, Podcast, Programs

Day Fourteen of the CMLE Summer Fun Library Tour!

Peregrine Falcon (3938274380)

Libraries do all kinds of interesting things. And the Evanston Public Library has a very unique service for their community: a live camera on a pair of nesting peregrine falcons!

“Peregrine falcons have been nesting at the library since 2004. They occupy the nest (scrape) from March until June each year. There is an Evanston Peregrine Falcon Watch group for posting and sharing news and observations of the Evanston Peregrine Falcons.  Scientists from the Field Museum’s Chicago Peregrine Program band the young falcons each year.”

There are two newly-hatched baby falcons in the scrape right now, being sat on by the parents alternately. Pretty soon they will be big enough to stay warm on their own, and the parents will sit on the edge of the ledge where they are nested. Then you will see the parents bring assorted delicacies, including tasty pigeon parts (yum!).

The camera is inside the library’s third floor, and if patrons get too loud you might see the parents flapping and sending threatening looks in the window to shush them! Librarians may not focus on shushing people anymore (and good riddance to that antiquated practice!), but raising baby falcons gives these parents a different perspective.

Evanston is a wonderful library – I’ve visited it several times and even went to the very first falcon banding day! (Baby falcons are banded and given a quick check by staff of Chicago’s Field Museum; it’s so fun!) You can hear about some of their great programs in our podcast episode number four (available on iTunes or other podcast app; or on our website!), where they were our Spotlight Library of the week!

CMLE, Communication, Training

Summer is great for Continuing Education!

It can be hard to find the time for growing your professional skills and connections, but CMLE is here to help! We maintain this calendar full of many opportunities for Continuing Education classes, webinars, and conferences.

Remember, we also offer scholarships to make it possible for you to take advantage of these learning opportunities!

Take a look at the calendar which is located on our Continuing Education page and is updated often with new learning opportunities. We include a variety of events like webinars, online courses, in-person conferences, workshops, and yes, even free opportunities!

The page also has links to organizations like Library Juice, TIES, and the AASL’s eAcademy that offer their own training and development opportunities.

Make Continuing Education a priority this summer, and you will have some great new knowledge and skills to bring to your library in the fall! (Of course, if you are a year-round library person, you can put your new skills to work right away! 🙂 )