Doing More with Less Andrea Berstler, Executive Director Wicomico Public Library Marilyn Pontius, Branch Manager Washington County Free Library MLA/DLA Conference, May 2014
Jun 15, 2015
Doing More with Less
Andrea Berstler, Executive DirectorWicomico Public Library
Marilyn Pontius, Branch ManagerWashington County Free Library
MLA/DLA Conference, May 2014
Scholarship from WMRL to attend ARSL Conference
About ARSL
• History
– 1982 - part of Clarion University
– 2007 – First Board meeting
– 2008 – First independent Conference
– 2013 – First Sold Out Conference
About ARSL
ARSL Vision
As the premier organization representing rural and small libraries, ARSL recognizes the uniqueness of small and rural libraries and is committed to providing an environment that encourages excellence within this community of practice, supporting their goals of service and speaking on behalf of this important constituency.
ARSL Mission
The Association for Rural & Small Libraries provides resources and support that empower those in small and rural libraries to deliver excellent service for their communities.
About ARSL• To organize a network of members
• To provide opportunities for the continuing education
• To provide mechanisms for members to exchange ideas and to meet on a regular basis;
• To cultivate the practice of librarianship and to foster a spirit of cooperation
• To serve as a source of current information
• To partner with other library and non-library groups
• To collect and disseminate information and resources that are critical to this network
• To advocate for rural and small libraries
The eight highlighted leaves in the tree of our logo represent the eight central objectives of our association. In order to grow, thrive and be who our members need us to be, we strive to accomplish these objectives.
Geek the Library
Community awareness campaign developed through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, administered though OCLC
Highlights the vital role of public libraries
Educates the community about the challenging funding issues many public libraries face
Helps start important local library funding conversations
Jenny Powell, Field Marketing Manager, OCLC Geek the Library Campaign
Geek the Library Campaign phases: Before Launch; Phase 1
Create Awareness; Phase 2 Generate Engagement; Phase 3 Encourage Action
Campaign Management Center Support
Materials, Blog, Webinars, Handouts, Presentations, Samples
Free professional materials
Posters, handouts, T-Shirts, table cloth, bumper stickers, book marks, bags
Must enroll by June 30, 2014 and implement campaign by June 30, 2015
Geek the Library Before Launch
Marketing plan development
Steakholder bye-in
Geek the Library Phase 1 Create Awareness
Educate the public to the vocabulary
Launch
Geek the Library Phase 2 Generate Engagement
Take the message to the community
Involve staff
Geek the Library Phase 3 Encourage Action
Funding focus
Geek the Library Week
Dazzling Displays
Leah Krotz, Director
Belleville Public Library Belleville, KS
schoollibrarydisplays.blogspot.com
Dazzling Displays
Content:Attractive Library MaterialsBasic StructureBackgroundSignageProps
Toolkit:HammerTape measurePoster puttyUtility knifeScissorsFishlineMagnets (hooks and flat)
Tips for Dazzling Displays
• Book Bubbles
• Book of the Day
• Keep an eye out for Props
• Change displays to correspond with length of check out
dclibrary.org
Makers, Mentors, and More
Timothy OwensSenior Program Officer, IMLSTravis PorterLibrarian/Branch Manager, Ada Victory Branch, Boise, ID Kieran HixonTechnology & Digital Initiatives ConsultantColorado State Library
Makers, Mentors, and More
Importance of developing creative problem solving skills
Rethink what constitutes Maker spaces and Maker programs
EXCEL at Rearranging Your LibraryChris Ripple, Central Kansas Library System, Great Bend, KS
EXCEL at Rearranging Your LibraryGrocery store model :
• Customers enter at front of store
• Essential items on the perimeter-require customers to walk through entire store
• Large signs tell people what is in isles
• Sale items on the end of the isles
EXCEL at Rearranging Your Library
• Wide power paths that lead patrons around library (everyone)
• Secondary traffic zones (most people)
• Tertiary traffic zones (few people)
• Merchandizing hot spots – displays everyone will see
EXCEL at Rearranging Your Library
Tips• Consider patron comfort
• Use large signage for large areas (Adult Fiction, Childrens, etc)
• Don’t use Dewey on signs
• Put everything you can on wheels for flexibility
The Future is Now
Follow the Rules
Make the Rules
Innovation is necessaryHow much time do you
spend thinking about your library’s future?
How much is 1% of your time?
A 35 hour work week is 2100 minutes
1% of 2100 minutes is 21 minutes
Is your future worth
the investment of
21 minutes a week?
There is no box. . .
http://noboxbook.com/blog/
Tasha Turner
“No book is ever perfectNo piece of art is ever perfectNo meal I cook is ever perfect But at some point we have to eat...”
Perfection is a myth. . .
Thomas A Edison
Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.
Join us for the 2014 Conference
Tacoma, WashingtonSeptember 4-6, 2014
Hotel Murano - $99 per night