The Aspen Institute, an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington DC, recently published “Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries” a report detailing some strategies for public library success. In it they also give action steps for Library Leaders, Policymakers, and the Community.
Everyone has a stake in the healthy, engaged community that the public library helps to sustain. There are specific steps that individuals and organizations can take to set their communities and libraries on a path to success in the 21st century knowledge society.
TO: Public Library Staff
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: February 19, 2014
SUBJECT: Feedback on Public Library Accessibility and Improvement Grant Process
Online Meeting and Survey Available for Feedback
State Library Services is gathering information to aid in updating and revising the Public Library Accessibility and Improvement grant application and guidelines. A short survey has been posted and an online meeting/conference call is scheduled to get feedback directly from the library community. The survey will be available through March 31, 2014. The online meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 3, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Call in to 1-888-742-5095 or participate via WebEx. Pre-registration is not required; please join the conversation.
For more information about the Public Library Accessibilty and Improvement grant program, or to request a reasonable accomodation to attend the online meeting, please contact Jennifer Nelson at 651-582-8791 or jennifer.r.nelson@state.mn.us.
Libraries are repositories of information that are often quickly associated with books, journals, and other tangible resources. However, they are also conduits to preserve community/family stories-some of which have yet to be cataloged (intangible). This month @ your library, an American Library Association (ALA) campaign, provides a list of resources for libraries to assist patrons in collecting and maintaining their stories. Included are links to information on how to conduct an oral history interview, ways to research ancestry, develop a family archive and make a time capsule. In addition, in honor of military month this May, a special section has been added for military families.
Tip: Teachers, with summer approaching, this may be an excellent project for students to work on as they spend time with family on vacation; in the car, at the lake, or around the dinner table. Additionally, what creative ways does your library encourage/facilitate these conversations?
Infographic released an article (April, 2013) referring to the challenges facing many public libraries today. It starts by identifying the opening of an all digital and technologically advanced library in Texas. Using this as a discussion point, it touches on the role these facilities play in their communities, damaging budget cuts and the shift in patron demand(s) on these providers. Click here to read the full article titled, “The Changing Face of Public Libraries.”
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Currently there are several jobs available at ECRL and GRRL.
The Aspen Institute, an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington DC, recently published “Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries” a report detailing some strategies for public library success. In it they also give action steps for Library Leaders, Policymakers, and the Community.
