Social Library, Volume 145
Jennifer Peterson
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19 November 2019
This edition of the Social Library proves that libraries are keeping pace with current events, subculture trends and community interests. We’re highlighting five libraries we follow on Facebook who are covering everything from elections to impeachments, and from death to VSCO girls. If you'd like to see your library featured in an upcoming edition of the Social Library, let us know via [email protected] or find us on Facebook.
- Ridgefield Library in Connecticut hosted a Children's Library Mascot Election November 1-16, with an octopus, a tiger, and a unicorn on the ballot, helping their younger patrons learn about the election process. We learned about the election, thanks to a post in the Library Think Tank group by Ridgefield staffer Kristina. And the local Ridgefield Press even covered the highly contested election! Children’s Librarian Shay Glass, shared that the candidates even had platforms. "Octopus wants to bring her many legs to the mascot office; Tiger wants to increase snuggling; Unicorn wants to make the Library more majestic." We check out even more photos on the library's Instagram account, and were pleased to learn that the new mascot is....Tiger!
- Forest Grove City Library in Oregon hosted a Death Cafe recently. "Death cafes provide safe, supportive, and confidential spaces for people, often strangers, to come together, eat cake, drink tea, and share their understanding, thoughts, dreams, and fears about all aspects of death and dying. These facilitated discussions do not provide grief support or group counseling; rather, they are meant to increase awareness of death with a view of helping people make the most of their (finite) lives. Join us...for a welcoming, directed discussion about death with no agenda, objectives, or ideology. The program is presented in partnership with Washington County Disability, Aging & Veteran Services." Kudos to Bob Abbey for sharing news of the library's Death Cafe in the Library Think Tank group, where we first learned about it. There's some great discussion and additional information shared on his post there. Also, the origins of the approach are detailed on the Death Cafe website, where they share a guide to hosting your own Death Cafe. Also check out the Death Cafe page on Facebook.
- Brown County Library in Wisconsin shows they've got their finger on the pulse of current subculture trends with the awesome VSCO/WISCO post! If you don't know what a VSCO is, ask your favorite Gen Zer and they'll likely concur with the Urban Dictionary definition: "VSCO GIRL- Wears oversized t-shirts or sweatshirt with Nike shorts. Has Vans, Crocs, Birks, and wears a shell necklace. She also wears tube tops and Jean shorts. She always has a hydroflask. She can't leave home without a scrunchie and her favorite car is a jeep." The library generated loads of comments, likes and shares for their brilliant parody, the WISCO Girl, and we love their use of gifs in responses to comments. Bravo!
- Penn Yan Public Library in New York hosted a presentation, Civics 101: The Facts on Impeachment with a local professor and author. "Every American citizen should seek to inform themselves about the fundamental mechanisms of government, and draw conclusions about their use free from bias and misinformation. To that end, we are proud to host Dr. Christopher Leahy from Keuka College, who will offer insights on impeachment, including its historical basis, constitutional significance, and the process it entails. Along the way he will share details from his forthcoming book on John Tyler who, in a little-known episode of our history, was the first American president to contend with the threat of impeachment. Join us and be informed!" The library posted a photo showing the wonderful turnout!
- Charlevoix Public Library in Michigan shared a post about being a space for a community input session related to a decision about local boat dock locations. "As a place for public discussion and the exchange of ideas, the library is pleased to offer space for this community input session. This Wednesday at 6 pm in the community room."