Joe Yersavich and Dewitt Harrell watching Chris Korenowsky and Jodi Lee present. Click for more random pics including the Recruiting Booth, Staff Shots, and Jodi & Chris's presentation.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Random Pics
Joe Yersavich and Dewitt Harrell watching Chris Korenowsky and Jodi Lee present. Click for more random pics including the Recruiting Booth, Staff Shots, and Jodi & Chris's presentation.
Goodbye Minneapolis
Before I left yesterday, I visited the central library. Lots of WOW factor! I actually went on a tour and had a phenomenal tour guide. Before I left I added CML's autograph and a hello to the teen graffiti wall! More pictures here
A few tidbits from my Friday afternoon sessions…
From Raising Media-wise Kids:
Whoever tells the stories defines the culture –the presenter, David Walsh, from the National Institute on MEDIA and the FAMILY, repeated this phrase a lot. His point was that we need to look at what some of our digital habits will say about us. Something to think about…and although this presentation did not talk much about solutions or how libraries can affect the stories being told, it made me think about it. How can libraries do something about this?
A steady diet of violent images does not lead to violent behavior, it creates a culture of disrespect. What do you think about this? He also presented many scary statistics about our kids today and how much 'screen time' they get (TV and video games). It's big: 34 hours per week for the average child, compared to only 1/2 hour of alone time with dad or 1/2 hour reading for pleasure...I’d heard some version of this before, but it is still a huge societal issue. What can libraries do about this?
Since we did not discuss SOLUTIONS in this program, I am left feeling: "OK, what now? Let's do something!"
From The Need To Lead
This was a panel discussion on leadership. The panel members were all a part of the Urban Libraries Council, Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) program. The discussion focused also on leadership and how one can develop as a leader. Even though all the participants were a part of the ELI program and were leaders at the executive level, the discussion also focused on leadership in general and about different types of leadership and how one can grow as a leader.
One participant said there are 3 key attributes in one with leadership potential: Passion, Good Judgement and Courage.
Since this was a discussion, it is hard to summarize, especially 24 hours later. Looking at my notes right now they seem very general. The participants talked a lot about challenges they faced and how they grew from them. I'd heard some of what they said before, but it was the kind of thing where hearing it again at this particular place and time left me feeling energized!
Whoever tells the stories defines the culture –the presenter, David Walsh, from the National Institute on MEDIA and the FAMILY, repeated this phrase a lot. His point was that we need to look at what some of our digital habits will say about us. Something to think about…and although this presentation did not talk much about solutions or how libraries can affect the stories being told, it made me think about it. How can libraries do something about this?
A steady diet of violent images does not lead to violent behavior, it creates a culture of disrespect. What do you think about this? He also presented many scary statistics about our kids today and how much 'screen time' they get (TV and video games). It's big: 34 hours per week for the average child, compared to only 1/2 hour of alone time with dad or 1/2 hour reading for pleasure...I’d heard some version of this before, but it is still a huge societal issue. What can libraries do about this?
Since we did not discuss SOLUTIONS in this program, I am left feeling: "OK, what now? Let's do something!"
From The Need To Lead
This was a panel discussion on leadership. The panel members were all a part of the Urban Libraries Council, Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) program. The discussion focused also on leadership and how one can develop as a leader. Even though all the participants were a part of the ELI program and were leaders at the executive level, the discussion also focused on leadership in general and about different types of leadership and how one can grow as a leader.
One participant said there are 3 key attributes in one with leadership potential: Passion, Good Judgement and Courage.
Since this was a discussion, it is hard to summarize, especially 24 hours later. Looking at my notes right now they seem very general. The participants talked a lot about challenges they faced and how they grew from them. I'd heard some of what they said before, but it was the kind of thing where hearing it again at this particular place and time left me feeling energized!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
information 911
Wow, this week has flown by and this is the first chance I have had to get on a computer! Programs have been great and the ideas have been priceless. Yesterday I attended a session called "Information 911" that talked about diversity and the roadblocks that individuals sometimes face when seeking information or services from the library. Tracie Hall from Dominican University talked about the different facets of diversity--not just race and language, but things like education, age, gender, accents, and limitations based on lifestyle. All of these things affect how we are able to find information, and all of these things need to be taken into consideration when we think about our services.
What we at the library need to do is examine ourselves on a regular basis and determine whether we are looking at our services through different lenses so that we are not inadverdently creating more roadblocks for people. If an individual is illiterate, how do we expect them to read our signs to find out where things are? If an individual has been excluded from services in the past based on race or age or gender, how can expect them to feel safe coming to us for information if our staff does not reflect any bit of the diversity that we see in our customers? Awareness of these roadblocks is the first step, but not the only step. It is an ongoing process to constantly evaluate our services and how we are presenting them to different individuals.
Lots to consider. Thanks to Tracie Hall for bringing up some issues that make lots of library people uncomfortable but are necessary to wrestle with if we want to survive and thrive as libraries.
( and for making her presentation so wonderfully interactive!)
What we at the library need to do is examine ourselves on a regular basis and determine whether we are looking at our services through different lenses so that we are not inadverdently creating more roadblocks for people. If an individual is illiterate, how do we expect them to read our signs to find out where things are? If an individual has been excluded from services in the past based on race or age or gender, how can expect them to feel safe coming to us for information if our staff does not reflect any bit of the diversity that we see in our customers? Awareness of these roadblocks is the first step, but not the only step. It is an ongoing process to constantly evaluate our services and how we are presenting them to different individuals.
Lots to consider. Thanks to Tracie Hall for bringing up some issues that make lots of library people uncomfortable but are necessary to wrestle with if we want to survive and thrive as libraries.
( and for making her presentation so wonderfully interactive!)
IMAGINE IT, DREAM IT .... AT CML
Wendy Turner is networking with candidate from San Diego who just happens to have good friends in "OHIO". He definitely is inspired by CML and our story!
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