Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki - User contributions [en]

Annual Reports

2009-09-12T19:16:45Z

Rebekkah:

This [http://www.lib.neu.edu/libraries_and_collections/mission/documents/2005annualreport.pdf annual report from Northeastern University] PDF (Boston, MA) won an award from ALA.

[http://midhudson.org/trustee/report.htm Annual Report to the Community Resources] from the Mid-Hudson Library System

[[Category:Management and Leadership]]

User:Rebekkah

2009-09-12T19:14:12Z

Rebekkah: New page: Rebekkah is the Coordinator of Member Information at the Mid-Hudson Library System. She works with 66 public libraries in the Hudson Valley Region of New York on issues related to Governan...

Rebekkah is the Coordinator of Member Information at the Mid-Hudson Library System. She works with 66 public libraries in the Hudson Valley Region of New York on issues related to Governance, Management, Funding and Facilities. She is a LEED AP and certified Sustainable Building Advisor.

Wiki User List

2009-09-12T19:10:14Z

Rebekkah:

Wiki User List

2009-09-12T19:09:11Z

Rebekkah:

Programs for Kids & Teens

2007-04-17T12:51:48Z

Rebekkah:

= Blogs/Websites to Watch =
*[http://support.midhudson.org/ezprogram/ezprogram.htm EZ Library Program Database] from the Mid-Hudson Library System.

Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki

2007-04-17T12:50:37Z

Rebekkah: /* Programming */

= Introduction =

Welcome to Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki. This wiki was created to be a one-stop-shop for great ideas and information for all types of librarians. All over the world, librarians are developing successful programs and doing innovative things with technology that no one outside of their library knows about. There are lots of great blogs out there sharing information about the profession, but there is no one place where all of this information is collected and organized.

If you've done something at your library that you consider a success, please write about it in the wiki or provide a link to outside coverage. If you have materials that would be helpful to other librarians, add them to the wiki. And if you know of a librarian or a library that is doing something great, feel free to include information about it or links to it. Basically, if you know of anything that might be useful to other librarians (including useful websites), this is the place to put it. I hope this wiki will be a venue where people can share ideas with one another and where librarians can learn to replicate the successes of other libraries.

This wiki is not run by any commercial entity and does not represent any commercial interests. For those wishing to use content in the wiki the wiki itself (and all the content contained herein) is licensed under the [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike] Creative Commons License. Please familiarize yourself with the license before using any of the content on your own site.

'''Anyone''' who wants to add to or edit topics on the wiki can do it. You don't need to ask before making a change -- this wiki belongs to the community of librarians who use it. If you have any technical questions about the wiki, please contact its creator, [http://meredith.wolfwater.com/contact.php Meredith Farkas]. Questions about specific content in the wiki should be directed to that individual author.

If you are going to link to this wiki, please use the following URL:

[http://www.libsuccess.org/ http://www.libsuccess.org]

= Join the Community =

When you register for this wiki, you can then add to your own user profile page. Please add your profile to the [[Wiki User List]] so we can all get to know each other!

'''Note:''' If you are going to add to the list of recommended vendors or software, please put your name on your recommendation so we know that it's not from a vendor. From here on in (7/8/05), we will have to delete any '''new''' vendor/software recommendations that do not have the author identified.

If you want to see recent changes made to the wiki, visit [http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Special:Recentchanges Recent Changes]. There is also an [http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Special:Recentchanges&amp;amp;amp;feed=rss RSS Feed] for the Recent Changes page...

= Categories =
Check out the [[Categories|alphabetized list of categories]] with alphabetized lists of articles in each category.

If you add a new category, please add it to this list on the main page so people can easily find it. You can also add new pages off of the pages in each category (subpages). For example, if you want to go into depth with a "success story" about gaming, you can create another page for the details on the success story and just put a little teaser or title on the gaming page (with a link).

''You can easily add a new page by putting the title of the new page inside double brackets on the front page (you can see the formatting when you go to edit this page). Then, when you click on that link, you will be taken to a new page that you can add to.''

== Community ==
*[[Special:Recentchanges | Recent Changes Page]]
*[[Tips page]] for getting started on the right foot
*[[Guidelines|Guidelines for Wiki Use]]
*[[Wiki User List]]
*[[Librarians who IM]]

== Management and Leadership ==
*[[Communications - Internal and External]]
*[[Human Resources and Labor Management]]
*[[Leadership Development and Education]]
*[[Management Ethics]]
*[[Organizational Culture and Knowledge]]
*[[Organizational Structure]]
*[[Project Planning and Development]]
*[[Strategy, Vision, and Focus]]
*[[Team Building]]
*[[Pipeline: Future Professionals]]

== Materials Selection and Collection Maintenance ==
*[[Selecting Materials for Libraries]]
*[[Organizing Library Collections]]
*[[Weeding Library Collections]]

== Professional ==
*[[Conferences and Continuing Education Opportunities]]
*[[Keeping Up With the Profession]]
*[[Looking for a Job]]
*[[Publishing and Speaking]]
*[[Self-Promotion Tips for New Librarians]]
*[[Workplace Organizing]]

== Programming ==
*[[Programs for Adults]]
*[[Programs for Kids & Teens]]

== Readers' Advisory ==
*[[Definition]]
*[[Leading book groups]]
*[[Recommending books]]
*[[Writing Reviews for Open WorldCat]]

== Reference Services and Information Literacy ==
*[[Online Reference]] (IM, Web-based, etc.)
*[[Free Online Reference Resources]]
*[[Information Literacy]]
*[[Online Tutorials]]
*[[Radical Reference]]
*[[Subject Guides]]
*[[Traditional Reference Services]]

== Selling Your Library ==
*[[Branding]]
*[[Demonstrating Impact, Value and ROI]]
*[[Fundraising]]
*[[Marketing]]
*[[Promotions]]
*[[Annual Reports]]

== Services to Specific Groups ==
*[[Library Services in Academic Institutions]]
*[[Library Services in Schools]]
*[[Services for Distance Learners]]
*[[Services for the Disabled]]
*[[Services for the Elderly]]
*[[Services for First Year Students]]
*[[Services in a Multi-lingual Environment]]
*[[Services for the Poor and Homeless]]
*[[Services for Teens]]
*[[Libraries Services in Rural, Native, and Tribal Libraries]]
*[[Library services to prisoners]]

== Training and Development for Librarians ==
*[[Staff Training]]
*[[Online Training Resources for Librarians]]
*[[Resources for Library & Information Technology students]]

== Technology ==

=== Access ===
*[[Cataloging]]
*[[Digitization]]
*[[Electronic Databases]]
*[[Institutional Repositories]]
*[[Improving Access]] (open_url, metasearch, metadata harvesting, etc.)
*[[Library Systems]] (integrated systems, automated systems, circulation systems]
*[[Online Library Card Registration and e-Card Services]]
*[[OPACs]]
*[[Web Browser Extensions]]
*[[Web Services]]
*[[Widgets]] (desktop tools, usually based on JavaScript)
*[[:Category:PC Management | Public Access PC Management]]

=== Implementing Tech in the Library ===
*[[Grants for Technology Projects]]
*[[Open Source Software|Free/Open Source Software]]
*[[PLA TechNotes]]
*[[Providing Technology to Patrons]] (computers, wifi, iPods, etc.)
*[[Virtual Worlds]]
*[[Self Checkout]]
*[[Technology Planning]]
*[[web4lib Manager's Reference Center]]
*[[Website Design]]
*[[Web Tips and Tricks]]

=== Information Sharing and Education ===
*[[Collaborative Tools in Libraries]] (Blogs, Wikis, etc.)
*[[Social Networking Software]]
*[[Courseware]] (Blackboard, WebCT, Angel, etc.)
*[[Online Communities]]
*[[Podcasting]]
*[[Search Engines]]
*[[Management of the WSF Information]]

== Working Together ==
*[[Successful Collaborations]]

= Need help? =

Please visit the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Editing#Basic_text_formatting Wikipedia Style Guide] for instructions on how to format text in the wiki. Another great way to figure out how to do things in the wiki is to click edit on a certain page and see how things are formatted. Check this [[tips page]] if you're new to wikis and just want a quick intro on how to get started.

'''Not seeing the stuff you added?''' Try this [[caching problem|fix]].

Any questions? Contact [http://meredith.wolfwater.com/contact.php Meredith Farkas].

[[Category:Community]]

Human Resources and Labor Management

2007-04-17T12:49:45Z

Rebekkah:

= Blogs/Websites to Watch =
*[http://midhudson.org/admin/main.php Administration & Management Resources] from the Mid-Hudson Library System.
[[Category:Management and Leadership]]

Please see discussion page. Comments and opinions wanted!

Fundraising

2007-04-17T12:46:53Z

Rebekkah: /* Blogs/Websites to Watch */

= Success Stories =
*[http://www.librariesmatter.com/ Libraries Matter] - Check out their inspiring success stories and their successful wristband sales program.

= Fundraising Tips =

*Check out [http://www.inmybook.com/ IN MY BOOK ®], a unique combination of greeting card and bookmark in one. For resale by FOL groups, at booksales, at the library shop or at the circulation desk, these bookmark/cards make a great little fundraiser, and offer a bit of a change from all those tee-shirts, mugs and bookbags! Buy wholesale for $2.00 per card, sell them for $3.95, and enjoy the profits. Please visit : [http://www.inmybook.com/libraries.htm the libraries page] and : [http://www.inmybook.com/inmybook.htm our gallery of styles].

Here's another nice fundraising idea... [http://www.lightuproses.com/ Light up roses]!

= Blogs/Websites to Watch =

*[http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=392 Funding] by WebJunction
*[http://www.folusa.com/ Friends of Libraries USA]
*Check in daily for the very latest in library news with [http://www.lisnews.com/ LISNews]. Come by, read an article, add your comments, write a blog, or submit an article. LISNews needs YOU!
*[http://www.librarygrants.blogspot.com/ Librant Grants Blog]Visit the library grants blog to find out about all types of grant opportunities available for your library! Maintained by two librarians, Stephanie Gerding and Pam MacKellar.
*[http://http://midhudson.org/funding/fundraising/main.htm MHLS Fundraising Resources Page (includes in-depth section on Friends Groups)] Mid-Hudson Library System.

= Specific Blog Posts/Articles/Books to Check Out =

*[http://www.ala.org/ala/pla/plapubs/publiclibraries/publiclibraries.htm Public Libraries] "Bringing in the Money". Column, Jan. 2005-present (every issue).

*[http://www.neal-schuman.com/db/5/505.html Grants for Libraries: A How-To-Do-It Manual and CD-ROM for Librarians] Neal-Schuman Publishers. 2006.

*Gerding, S. (Feb. 2003). Small Library, Big Fundraising: Community Support Is Way Above Par. Computers in Libraries, 23(2), 14.

[[Category:Selling Your Library]]

Fundraising

2007-04-17T12:46:39Z

Rebekkah: /* Specific Blog Posts/Articles/Books to Check Out */

= Success Stories =
*[http://www.librariesmatter.com/ Libraries Matter] - Check out their inspiring success stories and their successful wristband sales program.

= Fundraising Tips =

*Check out [http://www.inmybook.com/ IN MY BOOK ®], a unique combination of greeting card and bookmark in one. For resale by FOL groups, at booksales, at the library shop or at the circulation desk, these bookmark/cards make a great little fundraiser, and offer a bit of a change from all those tee-shirts, mugs and bookbags! Buy wholesale for $2.00 per card, sell them for $3.95, and enjoy the profits. Please visit : [http://www.inmybook.com/libraries.htm the libraries page] and : [http://www.inmybook.com/inmybook.htm our gallery of styles].

Here's another nice fundraising idea... [http://www.lightuproses.com/ Light up roses]!

= Blogs/Websites to Watch =

*[http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=392 Funding] by WebJunction
*[http://www.folusa.com/ Friends of Libraries USA]
*Check in daily for the very latest in library news with [http://www.lisnews.com/ LISNews]. Come by, read an article, add your comments, write a blog, or submit an article. LISNews needs YOU!
*[http://www.librarygrants.blogspot.com/ Librant Grants Blog]Visit the library grants blog to find out about all types of grant opportunities available for your library! Maintained by two librarians, Stephanie Gerding and Pam MacKellar.

= Specific Blog Posts/Articles/Books to Check Out =

*[http://www.ala.org/ala/pla/plapubs/publiclibraries/publiclibraries.htm Public Libraries] "Bringing in the Money". Column, Jan. 2005-present (every issue).

*[http://www.neal-schuman.com/db/5/505.html Grants for Libraries: A How-To-Do-It Manual and CD-ROM for Librarians] Neal-Schuman Publishers. 2006.

*Gerding, S. (Feb. 2003). Small Library, Big Fundraising: Community Support Is Way Above Par. Computers in Libraries, 23(2), 14.

[[Category:Selling Your Library]]

Fundraising

2007-04-17T12:46:16Z

Rebekkah: /* Specific Blog Posts/Articles/Books to Check Out */

= Success Stories =
*[http://www.librariesmatter.com/ Libraries Matter] - Check out their inspiring success stories and their successful wristband sales program.

= Fundraising Tips =

*Check out [http://www.inmybook.com/ IN MY BOOK ®], a unique combination of greeting card and bookmark in one. For resale by FOL groups, at booksales, at the library shop or at the circulation desk, these bookmark/cards make a great little fundraiser, and offer a bit of a change from all those tee-shirts, mugs and bookbags! Buy wholesale for $2.00 per card, sell them for $3.95, and enjoy the profits. Please visit : [http://www.inmybook.com/libraries.htm the libraries page] and : [http://www.inmybook.com/inmybook.htm our gallery of styles].

Here's another nice fundraising idea... [http://www.lightuproses.com/ Light up roses]!

= Blogs/Websites to Watch =

*[http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=392 Funding] by WebJunction
*[http://www.folusa.com/ Friends of Libraries USA]
*Check in daily for the very latest in library news with [http://www.lisnews.com/ LISNews]. Come by, read an article, add your comments, write a blog, or submit an article. LISNews needs YOU!
*[http://www.librarygrants.blogspot.com/ Librant Grants Blog]Visit the library grants blog to find out about all types of grant opportunities available for your library! Maintained by two librarians, Stephanie Gerding and Pam MacKellar.

= Specific Blog Posts/Articles/Books to Check Out =

*[http://www.ala.org/ala/pla/plapubs/publiclibraries/publiclibraries.htm Public Libraries] "Bringing in the Money". Column, Jan. 2005-present (every issue).

*[http://www.neal-schuman.com/db/5/505.html Grants for Libraries: A How-To-Do-It Manual and CD-ROM for Librarians] Neal-Schuman Publishers. 2006.

*Gerding, S. (Feb. 2003). Small Library, Big Fundraising: Community Support Is Way Above Par. Computers in Libraries, 23(2), 14.

*[http://http://midhudson.org/funding/fundraising/main.htm MHLS Fundraising Resources Page (includes in-depth section on Friends Groups] Mid-Hudson Library System.

[[Category:Selling Your Library]]

Demonstrating Impact, Value and ROI

2006-12-11T18:11:08Z

Rebekkah: /* Tips on Demonstrating Impact */

= Success Stories =
See my Dialog Quantum case study "Return on Investment" here
http://quantum.dialog.com/q2_resources/casestudies/roi.pdf

In late 2001 the BNA Library conducted this ROI study to measure our impact on BNA's bottomline, and our research showed that for every $1.00 spent on the Library, we returned $1.26.

We will be updating the study this summer (2006) and I expect to post the update to the Quantum website in Fall 2006.

Marilyn Bromley
Library Director
BNA, Inc.
mbromley@bna.com

= Tips on Demonstrating Impact =

Mid-Hudson Library System's Return on Investment: Economic Impact Resources
[http://midhudson.org/admin/eco_impact.htm]

= Blogs/Websites to Watch =

WebJunction has totally rockin' demonstrating impact materials that we update annually:

[http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=12377 2006]

[http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=8630 2005]

[http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=1218 2004]

Also check out our section on [http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=405 Funding Strategies] that has a lot of other, more specific articles and contributions from WJ members in this area.

= Specific Blog Posts/Articles/Books to Check Out =
Dialog Quantum case study on ROI
author Marilyn Bromley, Library Director, BNA, Inc.
http://quantum.dialog.com/q2_resources/casestudies/roi.pdf

[[Category:Selling Your Library]]

Programs for Adults

2006-12-11T18:07:03Z

Rebekkah:

= Success Stories =

= Great Ideas for Adult Programming =
'''Job Interviewing & Resume Workshops'''
Contact your local community college job center. Many community colleges have outreach coordinators that will present at your library for free.

'''Bold Great Idea for Adult Programs: Altered Book Workshop'''

This is especially ideal for public libraries. At my [http://library.stillwater.org library], we receive many book donations from the public, and our [http://library.stillwater.org/friends.html Friends of the Library] accept most donations to sell. However, there are quite a few books that get tossed, but can be utilized by creative folks.

What is an altered book?

It can be as simple as painting or drawing on single book pages, or as complex as constructing furniture out of books.

Here are some examples of what an altered book can be:
*travel journal
*photo album
*memory book
*scrapbook
*gift

I held a workshop on Saturday, September 30, 2006 called "Altered Bookshop: Turn Old Books Into Art". There was a lot of community interest, and we advertised all over town; so we had a great turnout, about 10 people. (Our town, Stillwater, Oklahoma, has a population of around [http://www.city-data.com/city/Stillwater-Oklahoma.html 40,000], but our public library serves the entire county of Payne, where over [http://www.city-data.com/county/Payne_County-OK.html 68,000]people reside.)

The workshop was constructed as such:
*tables set up into work stations for each activity (book choosing, painting, gluing, cutting, material gathering)
*snacks and drinks provided by the library (snacks made by volunteers, if possible)
*Welcome and introduction to significance of altered books, show examples: using MS PowerPoint
*Have at least one volunteer or library employee at each station (we had a 1.5 hour training session to introduce techniques prior to workshop date)
*coordinator serves as troubleshooter, answers questions, oversees and supervises
*safety precautions were emphasized heavily because sharp blades were used, and hot glue. A first-aid kit was nearby.

The emphasis of this workshop was on learning the techniques, not creating a final project. That way, participants did not feel pressured to turn out products of certain artistic quality. Prior to the workshop, my fellow librarians and I gathered lots of scrap materials from library employees, personal resources, and the "library vault of things," and organized them for display for the workshop participants to take home. We provided the bags and encouraged people to take as much as they wanted, so they could work on their altered book at a later date.

Resources used for content: ''Italic The Altered Book Scrapbook'' by
Susan Ure, ''Italic Altered Art : Techniques for Creating Altered Books, Boxes, Cards & More'' by Terry Taylor, and ''Italic Altered Books Workshop : 18 Creative Techniques for Self-expression'' by Bev Brazelton. The images I used for examples were taken from [http://www.alteredbookartists.com www.alteredbookartists.com], the website for the International Society of Altered Book Artists.

As soon as the workshop was over, people were asking the date for the next workshop!

= Blogs/Websites to Watch =
EZ Library Program Database
http://midhudson.org/resources/ezprogram.htm
A searchable database of programs created by librarians for children and teens.

= Specific Blog Posts/Articles to Check Out =

[[Category:Programming]][[Category:Services to Specific Groups]]

Programs for Children

2006-12-11T18:05:23Z

Rebekkah:

= Success Stories =

= Great Ideas for Children's Programming =

Ooey Gooey Science
It's a success if more than three kids say, "Oooh, Yuck!" We set up for thirty kids to participate in the projects, and give out about 40 tickets. So far, we have reached almost maximum attendance each time over the last year. We read a yucky story on the theme, handout a paper test or quiz, have several experiments the kids can do, and add one that's a snack. Like edible vomit, or yuck cookies, jello brains etc. For ages 8 and up, this has been highly successful here with both kids and parent. (from the Philip S. Miller Library, Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock, CO)

= Storytelling =

= Blogs/Websites to Watch =

Literature For Kids
http://www.literature4kids.com

[http://www.bibliotecasalaborsa.it/ragazzi Sala Borsa Children's Library of Bologna, Italy]

EZ Library Program Database
http://midhudson.org/resources/ezprogram.htm
A searchable database of programs created by librarians for children and teens.

= Specific Blog Posts/Articles to Check Out =

[[Category:Programming]][[Category:Services to Specific Groups]]

Grants for Programming

2006-12-11T18:04:25Z

Rebekkah:

[[Category:Programming]][[Category:Professional]]
Mid-Hudson Library System's Fundraising Resources: Grants - Program [http://midhudson.org/funding/fundraising/grantmakers.htm#program]