Training with new technology is an ever ongoing process in the library. OC Public Libraries has a new website designed to allow each branch some control over the content. So I will be learning to manage a webpage. It is a little daunting, but I'll rise to the challenge. At this point I'm not sure what I'm doing, but this will pass and I look forward to the new creative venue to promote the library.
Over the next few months we will also be learning to use Training Partners. This is a means for registering and recording trainings, classes, seminars and even webinars. It not only allows us to register for County training, but also allows us to record continuing education from all resources, including college classes and seminars, workshops, and webinars both those we in which we participated or viewed.
Also on my training schedule is learning PowerPoint. Over the last year we have had several presentations at the library. I've taken two classes and really like the creativity of PowerPoint. I plan to use it for all the general staff meetings. We will be have more community service programs like selling on eBay and online job searching. With PowerPoint we can do more in house programs. Now we need to get a new laptop and projector for those upcoming presentations and programs.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The Economy and Libraries
It has been extremely busy since the first of the year. Libraries across the nation have reported a sharp rise in library attendance and use of library services. Many coreelate the hard economic times and the rise in the unemployment figures to the increased demand for library services. Why rent movies when you can check them out from the library for free. Why buy books that you are unlikely to read again, when you can borrow them from the library at no or little cost. Looking for something free to do with the kids, check out what is going on at the library. Library managers are stretching their budgets and staff to cover this increased demand.
While all this is happening inside library buildings, city, county and state administrators are facing large budget deficits and demand to cut spending. This usually translate into cutting services and costing jobs. Yet in the library, we are witnessing much higher attendance, circulation and demand for services. It is hard to find a better value for our tax dollars.
Librarians are very creative, we rise to the challenge and we will weather this, too. It is time for evaluating our resources, deciding what services are important for this current situation, and making some long range plans for the coming years. All the economic indicators say this crises will not be passing by quickly. This is time to trim away the dead limbs, the outdated services and practices and really step into the 21st century. I look at this hard time as a time for transitions, a time to get fit and trim and into peak running condition.
Over the next few weeks I'm planning to spend quite a bit of time thinking. Thinking about what is really important to the people using the El Toro Library. Thinking about where we should be in five or ten years. Thinking about how this can be accomplished. Thinking about engaging the community into greater support for library services. This is the challenge.
While all this is happening inside library buildings, city, county and state administrators are facing large budget deficits and demand to cut spending. This usually translate into cutting services and costing jobs. Yet in the library, we are witnessing much higher attendance, circulation and demand for services. It is hard to find a better value for our tax dollars.
Librarians are very creative, we rise to the challenge and we will weather this, too. It is time for evaluating our resources, deciding what services are important for this current situation, and making some long range plans for the coming years. All the economic indicators say this crises will not be passing by quickly. This is time to trim away the dead limbs, the outdated services and practices and really step into the 21st century. I look at this hard time as a time for transitions, a time to get fit and trim and into peak running condition.
Over the next few weeks I'm planning to spend quite a bit of time thinking. Thinking about what is really important to the people using the El Toro Library. Thinking about where we should be in five or ten years. Thinking about how this can be accomplished. Thinking about engaging the community into greater support for library services. This is the challenge.
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