One of the traits of a really great librarian is the ability to listen well. From “reference interview 101”, we know that end users often do not ask for what they need, but rather, by listening carefully, and leading them through a series of questions, we discover what they want. So, it is key for our communication skills to be great!
Did you know that there are things we do as we speak to children that may increase or lessen the likelihood that they will be active listeners? We include a great blog post here for you to evaluate how good your skills are in this area. Not only does it tell you what NOT to do, it also includes suggestions for improvement too! Six ways you are telling kids not to listen
First the passing of Robin Williams, then Joan Rivers, two comedians whom I loved. I know plenty of people who did not love Joan Rivers because of her catty, usually sarcastic humor. I say she came into comedy at a time when it wasn’t easy for women, and she had to create her “brand” to rise to fame. She was bold enough to say what others only wished they could! And she seemed to always be doing her comedy on the fly, almost ad libbing at a glance. Well folks, she was far from casual or “shoot from the hip” with her jokes. In fact, her treasured gray card catalog contained 30 years of jokes, arranged quite precisely by subject! Stand-up librarian Meredith Myers wrote a great piece about Joan and she says, “She approached comedy like a librarian. She was prepared, organized, and willing to say yes to every opportunity that came her way.”
I was even more teary-eyed to hear this….her memory and my admiration for her only deepened when I realized that underneath the bravado, she was one of us. RIP Joan Rivers!
Tattoo World Day3! Photo by gnikoner and retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons license.
Just for fun, do you want to witness more librarian passion, as demonstrated by their tattoos? We did a post last year on 11 works of tattoo art, but take a look at these. I have no idea why any self respecting librarian would want the ssshhhhhhiiiinnng or quiet theme incorporated into their tattoo, but that is just me. I enjoy a library that is virtually buzzing!
Image retrieved online 12/4/13 at Blue Skunk Blog.
Adding to Doug Johnson’s long list of career achievements, this author-librarian-director’s blog landed on the list of the top 50 blogs for school libraries/librarians. Blue Skunk came in first place, ranked according to the site’s popularity and social media engagement.
Walk alongside another librarian for a day to see how alike or different your worlds are!
Image by Pings and Needles. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.
The CMLE shadowing service is relatively new, but promises lots of potential in Central Minnesota. CMLE staff pay attention to the details of academic, public, school and special libraries in 319 locations in 12 counties. Through our work in the field, our communications to library staff, and our use of tools like our Quick Question Polls, we strive to have a good grasp on the library landscape in Central MN. Then, by using that knowledge, our staff can play matchmaker and connect you to a library setting other than your own. We call this activity shadowing.
Who could benefit from a CMLE shadowing experience?
Many librarians wonder wistfully whether they made the right decision back in library school about what type of librarian they wanted to become. Maybe shadowing can provide clarity without the professional risk of changing jobs!
Are you a para running a school media center, wondering if you should pursue a degree? Particularly in K-12 schools, the experience of media specialists can be quite different, depending on whether the school is moving into Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or One-to-One Initiatives (1:1). CMLE staff know which schools are in these stages of transition and can provide you with the right fit.
Are you an academic librarian trying to anticipate how the high school student coming out of a BYOD or 1:1 school might approach a college experience differently? Will there be impact on how you provide an academic library or teaching experience?
Are you a high school media specialist feeling beyond stretched as you single handedly run the media center and teach classes? Are you wondering if a public or academic library might be a better fit for you?
Are you a special librarian, working fairly solo (often not feeling so special), and wondering if it might be time for a larger setting and a team of people with whom you can work?
If any of these scenarios sound like you, our shadowing program may be a good option for you. Or, maybe you are simply a curious person, willing and anxious to understand a bigger library world….that is ok too.
If you are interested in setting up a shadowing experience, please make contact with me to sort out the details. I will help you with connections and logistics.
Partnering with libraries for visioning, advocating, and educating
One of the traits of a really great librarian is the ability to listen well. From “reference interview 101”, we know that end users often do not ask for what they need, but rather, by listening carefully, and leading them through a series of questions, we discover what they want. So, it is key for our communication skills to be great!
