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One staff-person libraries?
9:37 AM EDT 6/2/05
Somewhere along the line I thought I saw a forum/thread/topic where people were discussing the situation of being a "one-person" library, though I may be confusing it with the small are rural librarians thread in "Greetings and Saluations." Is there a specific forum, thread, or topic on All Aboard on which one-person libraries are conversing? I have some interest from folks in the about-to-be community partner state of VT and before I look into setting up a forum for the Vermont library community I want to make sure that there is not already a larger community discussion that we could join. I've tried a bit of searching in the forums, but have not have much success in finding what I am looking for.
thanks,
Sheila
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
1:50 PM EDT 6/2/05
as a reply to Sheila Kearns.
Sheila, hey, long time no 'see'!
We don't yet have this on the central site. It's a great idea and I think would such a discussion space would have wide appeal to solo librarians across states.
One way to get things going is to simply start a *topic* in Greetings & Salutations (much like the rural & small libraries topic) and see if it gets some interest.
Then, if the discussions really take off and people are interested in having their own space (a larger one than just one topic can hold), perhaps a whole forum would be best? If you're already thinking of moving in this direction, do you have a moderator in VT you could recommend?
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
2:41 PM EDT 6/2/05
as a reply to Chrystie Hill.
Good to "see" you again too Chrystie. I have a moderator who expressed interest in taking on this topic for Vermont librarians--we already have a small group of folks who communicate regularly, but I am not sure that he is ready to moderate for the whole WJ Community. I will suggest he try "Greetings and Salutations" route just to see what might turn up and will communicate with you directly about a Vermont community forum.
all the best,
Sheila
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
2:43 PM EDT 6/2/05
as a reply to Sheila Kearns.
excellent. I'll look forward to hearing from him. we could always start with a smaller group, just for VT, and then see if it makes sense to take it out to a larger community later on ... if the moderator is interested, of course!
thanks for mentioning this. i hope your preparations for WJ-VT are going well!!!
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
2:36 PM EDT 6/14/05
as a reply to Sheila Kearns.
I think a one-person library topic is a great idea! Each of us is "out there" on our own. Sometimes it gets a bit lonely. I met several other tiny library librarians at PLA in Seattle last year. The consenus seemed to be that the information available at library conventions and conferences tended to assume a libary staff and that most of it just didn't apply to us. It seemed our libraries were so small that they were below the radar. It was even suggested that we form our own organization but we're all so overwhelmed that I'm not sure how that will happen. I know one other one-person librarian in my county who says she doesn't even have time to read these forums.
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
2:51 PM EDT 6/14/05
as a reply to Vicki Selander.
The Special Library Association (SLA), which includes many librarians who work in corporate settings, has a whole division for the "[url http://www.sla.org/division/dsol/ ]Solo Librarian[/url] (an isolated librarian or information collector/provider who has no professional peers within the immediate organization)."
One of the major challenges of the Solo Librarian is to achieve some visibility --to get on the radar-- and to assert their value to the larger organization. I guess another major challenge is to find the time to connect with other solos. Making those connections just might save time (and stress) in the long run.
It's always empowering to know that you are not alone!
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
6:32 PM EDT 6/14/05
as a reply to Betha Gutsche.
> The Special Library Association (SLA), which includes
> many librarians who work in corporate settings, has a
> whole division for the "[url
> http://www.sla.org/division/dsol/ ]Solo
> Librarian[/url] (an isolated librarian or information
> collector/provider who has no professional peers
> within the immediate organization)."
>
> One of the major challenges of the Solo Librarian is
> to achieve some visibility --to get on the radar--
> and to assert their value to the larger organization.
> I guess another major challenge is to find the time
> to connect with other solos. Making those connections
> just might save time (and stress) in the long run.
>
> It's always empowering to know that you are not alone!
Great! I'll have to check that group out.
Yes, it is empowering to know you're not alone. Thanks.
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
8:23 PM EDT 6/21/05
as a reply to Sheila Kearns.
Hello All-
It's great to hear so many voices showing interest in the
one staff-person library. My immediate plan is to promote
the forum to as many libraries in my area of the state as
possible. Many of the public libraries in the northeast section
of VT are small and staffed by only one or two people. I
think its' important to get them talking to one another helping
each other with problems and situations they know quite well
and can offer go solid practical advice.
This is not to say that answers can't come from other
sources, but I believe this is a good starting place.
I think Sheila's idea of talking to NH about sharing the forum is a good
one.
Michael
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
3:31 PM EDT 6/29/05
as a reply to Vicki Selander.
> The consenus seemed to be that the information available at
> library conventions and conferences tended to assume
> a libary staff and that most of it just didn't apply
> to us.
That's always been a problem for me. I'm the only full-time person, but I do have one part-timer on staff. But she does most of the children's programming, so a lot of her time is devoted to prepping and doing the program.
We do go to workshops provided by our library system, but many times we feel like we're in over our heads. People from large libraries just don't get it when one of our big issues is how you can take a break to go to the bathroom. ;)
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
3:09 PM EDT 7/5/05
as a reply to Michael Roche.
Hi Michael-
NH is interested in sharing. Lets talk.
Tom Ladd, NHSL
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
3:53 PM EDT 7/5/05
as a reply to Thomas Ladd.
Hi Tom-
Glad to hear that you are interested in sharing a WJ discussion board. Here is my schedule for the rest of the week.
Tues-At NERL until 5:00
Wed-At NERL 1:00 to 5:00
Thurs-Gone most of the day
Fri-At NERL all day
Give me a call when you have a chance and we can discuss this idea some more.
Michael Roche
Northeast Regional Library
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
802-748-3428
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
6:31 PM EDT 7/6/05
as a reply to Chris Ely.
Chris: Oh, yes, the elusive bathroom break... I work seven hours solo, unless there happens to be a volunteer on hand for an hour or two. I have to eat on-the-fly also. My assistant works the weekends. So we are only here at the same time for two hours a week.
It works out well for some things, not so well for others.
Vicki
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Greetings-Saludos to "One-Staff Person Library" Forum
1:42 PM EDT 7/8/05
as a reply to Sheila Kearns.
Hello everyone-
I would like to welcome all to the "one-staff person library" forum. Although all are welcome, I hope that this will become "the place" where issue, and concerns of working in the small rural library get discussed
As I see it my job as facilitator will be to encourage, promote and participate in the conversation, but recognize that success will depend on your input and participation. So, if you have a question that needs an answer or just want to say hello, please do.
Michael Roche
Northeast Regional Library
St. Johnsbury, Vt
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
4:24 PM EDT 7/8/05
as a reply to Archived Member.
Hi Michael-
Your phone line has been busy all afternoon. Boy, do you keep busy!
As I am on the road Monday, I will try to reach you again on Tuesday.
Tom Ladd
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
12:44 PM EDT 7/10/05
as a reply to Sheila Kearns.
I'd like a thread on that topic, being in the "if the shoe fits" category. Something on the lines of how to juggle it all & make your desk look like you've been doing absolutely nothing at the same time. ;)
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
7:34 PM EDT 7/12/05
as a reply to Vicki Selander.
I can relate to eating and doing everything personal on the fly. I operate 2 9-hr days solo most of the time, unless we have children's program, then someone else come over to do this from the main library. I am a branch library and the main library takes care of everything, overdues, interloans, etc...
I don't mind it as it gives me time for other things, like reading and writing to WJ.
Lan
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Best Small Rural Library Award
2:16 PM EST 1/24/07
as a reply to Sheila Kearns.
Hello all-
This was a post from the folks at Brooks Memorial Library about the "Best Small
and Rural Library Award." If you need additional information you can go to the "Library Journal"
web page at:
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA606273.html
Michael Roche
**********************************************************
Here is the Brooks Memorial email........
The deadline is swiftly approaching for the second annual Best Small Library in America Award, given by Library Journal and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. (Haines Borough Public Library, Alaska, took the prize last
year.) You'll find the guidelines below. Please disseminate them to the libraries in your state as soon as possible, so they have time to submit. The deadline this year is November 1, 2005.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Regards,
Rebecca
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
2:32 PM EDT 7/20/05
as a reply to Sheila Kearns.
Michael asked the small libraries in the NEK to respond. I am trying it out. I do have people working here, one through the National Able Network and one who was placed by the VT DET. I have been able to hire her on for 13 hours/week. I also will be hiring a Youth Services/Assistant Librarian soon. We completed our fundraising of $7,500 to match a grant we got from The Turrell Fund.
Lisa
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
3:58 PM EDT 7/20/05
as a reply to Sheila Kearns.
I guess my biggest problem is finding the time to do all the things that need to be done. Time management (or is there really more here to do than can be done by one person?) Any short cuts or time saving ideas for an unautomated library would be appreciated.
Irene
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Re: One staff-person libraries?
9:30 AM EDT 7/21/05
as a reply to Archived Member.
Hi Irene-
Did you know that DOL is offering a workshop in September on time management.
Below is the basic information on the where and when. You can call Mara at Central
to see if there is still space available. Of course you will have to find the time to attend the workshop, but it will be well worth it.
Michael
A MATTER OF TIME
Time Management for Information Professionals
A one-day workshop 9:30 am - 3:00 pm (coffee at 9:15)
DOL certification credits: 5
Friday, September 9, 2005 at the Aldrich Public Library, Barre
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