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Promoting Public Libraries Workshop, Boston, March 21, 2006
12:36 AM EST 3/24/06
We encourage you to join in the discussion area weve developed for those who participated in the rural library advocacy workshop and for those who would like to learn more about the ideas presented and discussed at the workshop: <a href="/do/Navigation?category=12801">Promoting Public Libraries: Using Data and Advocacy to Build Support and Funding</a>. <br> <br> Talk to other rural librarians, share your ideas, stories, and additional resources that can help build support and funding for public libraries. And for those of you who'd like a refresher, here are the <a href="/do/DisplayContent?id=13115">4 easy steps to posting</a> on WebJunctions discussion pages.
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Re: Promoting Public Libraries Workshop, Boston, March 21, 2006
11:41 AM EST 3/22/06
as a reply to Jennifer Peterson.
Wow! I'm still reeling from all the great resources and stories shared at the workshop. You were all great...presenters and participants! <br> <br> I wanted to follow-up with the New York Library Association's <a href="http://www.nyla.org/index.php?section=forms&form=testimonials">Libraries Change Lives: Tell Us Your Story</a>, the link that Beverly talked about. What a great way to collect stories for measuring impact! <br> <br> Thank you again and keep everyone posted on the ways you use your conference learning!
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Re: Promoting Public Libraries Workshop, Boston, March 21, 2006
11:19 AM EST 3/28/06
as a reply to Jennifer Peterson.
I really appreciated hearing from the mayor, county commissioner and foundation director. My notes from that part of the day are below:
Make sure funding sources know who you are and what you do
It's all about relationships
Perception is reality
Tell me anecdotes - touch my heartstrings
Let us know why you're important, what you're doing for you community
Give us a compelling vision for how you make a difference
Tells us your operating budget and describe what you do with the small amount of money you have
Credibility is essential - double check your figures for accuracy; do what you say you're going to do; don't exaggerate or make empty threats (such as threatening to reduce library hours and then not doing it). Once credibility is gone, it's gone.
Let us hear from members of the community, not just library employees and board members
Help us identify other funding sources
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Re: Promoting Public Libraries Workshop, Boston, March 21, 2006
1:20 PM EST 3/28/06
as a reply to Sandy Dixon.
I also really enjoyed the panel presentation. You recapped the points covered very concisely. I would love to hear follow-up thoughts, ideas and suggestions from the State Library staff who attended. In fact, it might be interesting to start our own thread related to how State Libraries will be supporting their libraries and spreading what they learned.
Sandy Newell
State Library and Archives of Florida
850-245-6624
snewell@dos.state.fl.us
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Re: Promoting Public Libraries Workshop, Boston, March 21, 2006
2:26 PM EST 3/28/06
as a reply to Jennifer Peterson.
I agree with the other postings, the workshop was beyond expectations! This could not have come at a better time for our library system. And it was good to know that we are not alone, though sometimes it does feel that way. I am working with some of the information now in preparation for my last round of budget presentations for FY2007. Thank you for the reinforcement and practical tools.
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Re: Promoting Public Libraries Workshop, Boston, March 21, 2006
7:15 PM EST 3/31/06
as a reply to Sandy Dixon.
The workshop was fantastic. It brought the rural librarians together which is sometimes hard to do because you can't or don't have the time to visit other libraries. I traveled approx. 2000 miles to meet a neighboring librarian of 30 miles! She was from one of my border states. Phone calls, email, etc. are great but that face to face smile and handshake is a whole lot better.
That brings me to the discussion with the mayor, county commissioner and foundation director. I'm so glad I got to hear from their prospective. Taking that extra time to listen to a patron can be money in the budget. Success stories are gold. Not only do they measure the library's value I believe they inspire even better customer service from us - the staff! We have monthly staff meetings so discussing success stories will be fun and recalling them to tell at an opportune time will be easy.
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Re: Promoting Public Libraries Workshop, Boston, March 21, 2006
1:29 PM EDT 4/3/06
as a reply to Sandy Dixon.
Great notes you shared! I didn't go to PLA so found your notes and everyone else's comments very helpful. We are planning our Rural Library Sustainability workshops right now here in Maine and your notes reminds me of the importance networking, advocating, and "telling your story accurately".
How you presented the notes in an easily scannable, concise form was so informative and inviting to read.
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Re: Promoting Public Libraries Workshop, Boston, March 21, 2006
9:49 PM EDT 4/3/06
as a reply to Ellen Wood.
This might be a bit off-topic, but I have to throw this question out there anyway! I did attend the Promoting Public Libraries Workshop and I wanted to ask the lunch panel (mayor and commissioner, especially) how often they use their local library and how we can improve our services to them. We ran out of time for my question at the workshop so I'm asking all of you. Do your mayor and commissioners regularly use your library? Ours are occasional users, but I feel we should be more vital to them in their decision making. Any ideas? Thanks!
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Re: Promoting Public Libraries Workshop, Boston, March 21, 2006
3:35 PM EDT 4/4/06
as a reply to Nancy Brennan.
Thanks brennan for highlighting this as a hot topic! <br> <br> I went ahead and started a new thread <a href="/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=3686&tstart=0">Telling the Story to Local Decision Makers</a> so let's collect our ideas there. <br> <br> I'd love to hear more about how our local officials interact with the library. Someone at the workshop said they had a city official come work a shift at the circ desk to see what it's like for busy front line staff and to see all that the library was doing for their constituents!
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Re: Promoting Public Libraries Workshop, first time conference goers?
1:14 PM EDT 4/14/06
as a reply to Jennifer Peterson.
I have a question for those of you who were attending their first national conference in March. WebJunction is hosting an event similar to the Promoting Public Libraries Workshop, at ALA in New Orleans and we hope to pass on some of your tips and suggestions for first time conference goers. <br> <br> Can you share some of the things you're glad you knew or wish you had known as you ventured through sessions, events, and the city? Casandra Osterloh from NM has put together this <a href="/forums/click.jspa?searchID=6257&messageID=25951">great resource</a>, but we'd love to hear from you!
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