Category Archives: Public

Public

Peep Team Information Literacy Training: Part Three (Public Library)

If you missed the first two installments of our Peep Team’s Information Literacy research work you can check them out here:

This week the Peep Team is really getting the hang of their Information Literacy work; but of course their skills constantly need to be used or they will not be strong.

This week they need to look up some information about starting a garden, and they thought they would find the best resources for their needs at the public library. They started at the Great River Regional Library System’s St. Cloud library.

 

Fortunately, the library was ready for this kind of important research, and they had a nice display up! The Peep Team knows that finding good material is easier when the library has a curated display already set up for them.

 

 

 

 

Well, this is really pretty – a very nice display! But the Peep Team is getting distracted from their mission! Get back to work, Team!

Step One: Identify Information Needs

 

Lucinda and Dan grabbed a book off the shelf. They thought it would be just what they needed for their report, but just a quick glance through it seemed to show that there was a lot more to gardening that they needed to know.

 

 

 

The Peep Team knew they wanted information on setting up a garden. They did not know much more than this. After they browsed the display of books, and other nice items, they found a flyer about an upcoming class where they could talk to a Master Gardner. This would a good idea, but they want to get more information today. So they need to take other steps.

The team assembled at the Reference Desk – knowing that asking questions of the library staff is usually the best way to narrow down their questions and to find the information they need.

Step Two: Locate and Retrieve Appropriate Sources of Information

Knowing the difficulties of going to find books they needed, Ariel The Librarian escorted them to the shelves to help them identify the best books that would meet their needs.

Having a library staff member along with you to help find books is so helpful. Locating books can be a challenge, so it’s handy to have someone who is experienced and knows where everything is located. And she was helpful about providing some suggestions on areas of gardening they had not considered when they were searching the catalog.

They got up close with some books, and spent some time discussing how different titles might meet their information needs. When starting with a pretty broad topic like “starting a garden” the Peep Team knows it is important to narrow down to a more workable thesis. They are discussing and collecting information to help them make those decisions. Some books can be easily eliminated. They are Minnesota Peeps, so they know they are unlikely to need books on tropical plans. And they know they will not be using greenhouses to garden (this time). So they pull out piles of books to look at more closely.

Step Three: Evaluate Information and Its Sources Critically

They found some potentially useful material and took it off the shelf to review.  As is true in any good library, this one has a lot of comfortable seating, and several places for people to gather to review materials, do some reading, and talk quietly with their fellow information seekers. They spent some time reviewing different books, and narrowing their topic.

 

Oh no, Peeps! They got tired doing all that work, and climbed under the blanket they brought in case it got cold in the library, and they took naps!! Peeps – this is not going to get your work done! Librarian Ariel is not pleased. They are jumping right back up from the naps, ready to start reading more books about gardening and to  make some good decisions about the materials they will need to produce a good final report.

 

Whew! Okay, they are back at work now, and they seem to have found some good books to read.

 

 

 

Step Four: Synthesize the information retrieved

They have found a variety of good resources here, and are taking notes on different ways to use it in their final presentation.

 

As they assemble the final information, they realize they have not included resources that would be appropriate for a younger audience. So they headed down to the Children’s Department to find some books they can recommend to people of all ages who may attend their presentation on gardening.

Step Five: Present newly acquired knowledge
so others can use it

They wanted to learn about some good presentation skills, so they went to the library’s Bookworm Bait Shop. While this is a static display, they gathered some ideas about strategies for presenting all kinds of information in a way that is interesting to an audience.

 

Of course the Peep Team is interested in Early Literacy! And again, this gave them some ideas on ways to present their ideas on gardening. Could they make handouts? Would a calendar, with dates for planting different items, be helpful for their audience?

Step Six: Translate these abilities and concepts to new
projects and disciplines

The Peep Team knows they want to be able to take the Information Literacy lessons they learned from this work, and to use them in other areas. Of course they are big fans of dogs in libraries. Could they work on learning more about dogs and literacy? Could they interview CMLE’s Official Office Dog, Lady Grey for her insights into the benefits dogs can bring to library work, and her important role in the workplace? There are a lot of interesting directions they could go with this, and lot of Information Literacy possibilities.

Oh no, Peeps! We want  you to take the message of Information Literacy to other groups – but this is not the right way to talk with Poppy!! An important part of good Info Literacy is remembering to read signs. And it’s important to work with new friends in a way that is comfortable for them. Poppy would not enjoy having a Peep Team parachuting down, even when they are there to discuss exciting new books they would all enjoy! (No Peeps or gerbils were damaged in this photograph. However, we strongly discourage anyone from standing on the roof of a gerbil cage! #SafetyFirst)

Over these three exciting projects the Peep Team has completed, you can see all kinds of useful ways Information Literacy skills can be used in libraries! What will they work on next?? Stay tuned to find out!

Outreach, Public

Participants for IMLS funded project, “Future Ready with the Library” announced

From the American Library Association:

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), in partnership with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL), has announced the 24 participants of its IMLS grant funded project, Future Ready with the Library. The 24 participants make up the second cohort of the project.

The participants are:

  • Bartz, Vicky. Ortonville (Minnesota) Public Library
  • Bauer, Mary. Cedaredge (Colorado) Public Library
  • Bundy, Amanda. Kaibab Paiute Tribal Library; Fredonia, AZ
  • Burley, Linda. Burley (Idaho) Public Library
  • Chalman, Kate. Charles Ralph Holland Public Library; Gainsboro, TN
  • Crawford, Claire. Geneseo (Illinois) Public Library
  • Deck, Todd. Tahama County Library; Red Bluff, CA
  • DeHoff, Lois. John R Wooden Middle School; Martinsville, ID
  • Dickerson, Heather. Lewis and Clark Library; Lincoln, MT
  • Durbin, Cynthia. Cascade (Idaho) Public Library
  • Fee, Jay. Keene (New Hampshire) Public Library
  • Gillum, Holly. Ashley Public Library; Hamburg, AR
  • Heideman, Ann. Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Library; Mount Pleasant, MI
  • Hollingsworth, Erin. Tuzzy Consortium Library; Barrow, AK
  • Hutchinson, Bailee. Bolivar- Hardeman County Library; Bolivar, TN
  • Kesseler, Nisa. Petosky (Michigan) District Library
  • Kunnerup, Carol. Mott (North Dakota) Public Library
  • Lancaster, Abby. Lincoln County Library System; Afton, WY
  • Mayfield, Pattie. Bertha Voyer Library; Honey Grove, TX
  • McCann, Robin. Perry Middle School; Perry, OH
  • Shimek, Allison. Fayette Public Library; LaGrange, TX
  • Simpson, Sherry. Dover (Arkansas) Public Library
  • Walker, Keri. St. James Parish Library; Vacherie, LA
  • Wickham, Meredith. J Elliot McMullin Public Library; Newton, MS

“I’m excited to see how the library staff in Cohort 2 partner with community organizations to transform library services for and with middle school students in their small, rural, and tribal communities,” said YALSA President Sandra Hughes-Hassell. “Enabling teens to not only explore their passions, but to develop career and college ready skills, is critical to teens’ personal growth, academic success, and career development – a key component of YALSA’s vision for 21st century public library services.” Continue reading Participants for IMLS funded project, “Future Ready with the Library” announced →

Communication, Public

Learning About Library Associations: Public Library Association (PLA)

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.

The Public Library Association (PLA) is a division of ALA “dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals.” According to their website, PLA was founded in 1944 and has a growing presence around the world. They offer opportunities like continuing education and conferences for public library workers to network and grow their skills.

Visit their site to find out about their award and grant opportunities, some of which are currently accepting nominations! You can also explore their Publications and Resources page which provides access to a number of services to help public library staff in their job tasks and challenges.

Finally, you can check out PLA’s FAQ page or read their mission and goals to learn more about the association.

 

Advocacy, Public

September is Library Card Sign-up Month!

It’s Library Card Sign-Up Month! As library people, we probably know most of the wonderful benefits of having a library card, but not everyone is aware of all the great things that become available with a library card!

Library Card Sign Up Month began in 1988. For more about the event’s history, read a thoroughly-detailed accounting in the August 24, 2015 entry at the American Library Association Archives Blog, A Library Card for Every Child: Library Card Sign-Up Month, by Cara Bertram. Then follow this link to view the American Libraries Association Council Resolution that started Library Card Sign Up Month.

ALA has some great resources you can use this month, including this press kit that has resources like this downloadable pdf containing twenty quotable facts about libraries. And I Love Libraries.org has this great list of ways to celebrate Library Card Sign Up Month!

Finally, watch and share this short video from Overdrive that details all the benefits of having a library card:

Communication, Public

2017 Gale/LJ Library of the Year: Nashville Public Library, TN

Related image

(From Library Journal, By )

“In the scope of its programs, services, and collections; the incredible reach of its efforts in cooperation with other public agencies, departments, and local businesses; and its work to identify and fulfill needs of both the mainstream and marginalized people of Nashville and Davidson County, the Nashville Public Library (NPL), the Gale/LJ 2017 Library of the Year, is a model for the nation and the world.”

“NPL is a champion of diversity and inclusiveness and a literacy gladiator,” writes award judge Gina Millsap, director of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, KS, winner of this award in 2016. “Its culturally diverse programs and centers; its openness and hospitality that welcomes everyone, especially people who are marginalized, struggling, new to the community and this country, and its fierce determination to facilitate literacy and learning throughout the community…are inspiring.”

Education partner

NPL’s broad engagement with the local school system is unique in the United States. For example, NPL’s early reading outreach program Bringing Books to Life (BBTL) aims to elevate student third grade reading skills, one of the most important predictors of student success.

NPL educators deliver pre-K reading workshops across Nashville for teachers, parents, caregivers, and families, on weekends and evenings, in English and Spanish. Participants get supplies and tips for easy activities to incorporate reading, singing, writing, talking, and playing into their classrooms and homes. Continue reading 2017 Gale/LJ Library of the Year: Nashville Public Library, TN →