Computers in Libraries conference
I see comments on my Scion story and I want to reply to them because - YAY feedback! - but I've only got a 20 min break so replies have to wait as I want to get this down.
I'm supposed to be at the Computers In Libraries conference this week. I understand budget cuts and the fact that I was the unlucky one who missed out on their conference of choice but it's disappointing. Still I'm trying to keep up using Twitter (twitter acct: celticlibrarian if anyone wants to follow my innane ramblings, I don't expect anyone to jump on for it though) & by checking out the posted slide shows from the presentations.
There's so many ideas, so many trends and useful tools the conference go-ers are talking about and I'm brimming with ideas on how we can use these tools to improve our services and keep people coming back to the library. One of the most frequent ReTweets I've seen this morning is "No one tells you that they don't feel empowered by Dewey or they want a cafe. They just don't show up/come to the library" from @infowidget.
It made me think about our policies and what we do and don't offer. Amusingly (or maybe it's sadly) our renovation had plans to include a cafe/coffee shop but that portion of the renovation was shot down. The space is still there and it'll house vending machines instead. I just find it interesting that one of the things we actually wanted to do but were told no at the highest of budgetary levels (which means not my director's fault) is one of the things that movers and shakers within the library field point out draws people into the library.
Of course there a lot of stuff out there that draw people in that we'll probably never do because of the way our system is set up. All tech changes have to go through the city and they're pretty stubborn on what's allowed and what's not. I've been here a while now and I still can't get used to this. My last system was very open to change and even the school system I worked for had a WIDE open point of view on tech. She drove me crazy sometimes, but I have a lot of fond fond memories of my boss in TCS. There are times I wish I was still in that school system - I didn't put forth the right amount of effort there, I really feel like I let them down in the level of service I provided, but I've learned a lot since then. I don't think I'd ever go back because I wouldn't be in a library but I do think I'd do a much better job now than I did that first year. But I'm getting off track and running out of break time.
So many ideas, so many things I would LOVE to implement and I just don't think I'll be able to work with most of them. I have to start small I guess. I badgered long enough that we opened up social networks, so it's truly possible to gain a victory and see your ideas come to fruition. I'm still working on my plans and ideas. But I really wish I were at that conference this week. Maybe next year, though I have a feeling I'll have to pay for it myself - might be worth it.
I'm supposed to be at the Computers In Libraries conference this week. I understand budget cuts and the fact that I was the unlucky one who missed out on their conference of choice but it's disappointing. Still I'm trying to keep up using Twitter (twitter acct: celticlibrarian if anyone wants to follow my innane ramblings, I don't expect anyone to jump on for it though) & by checking out the posted slide shows from the presentations.
There's so many ideas, so many trends and useful tools the conference go-ers are talking about and I'm brimming with ideas on how we can use these tools to improve our services and keep people coming back to the library. One of the most frequent ReTweets I've seen this morning is "No one tells you that they don't feel empowered by Dewey or they want a cafe. They just don't show up/come to the library" from @infowidget.
It made me think about our policies and what we do and don't offer. Amusingly (or maybe it's sadly) our renovation had plans to include a cafe/coffee shop but that portion of the renovation was shot down. The space is still there and it'll house vending machines instead. I just find it interesting that one of the things we actually wanted to do but were told no at the highest of budgetary levels (which means not my director's fault) is one of the things that movers and shakers within the library field point out draws people into the library.
Of course there a lot of stuff out there that draw people in that we'll probably never do because of the way our system is set up. All tech changes have to go through the city and they're pretty stubborn on what's allowed and what's not. I've been here a while now and I still can't get used to this. My last system was very open to change and even the school system I worked for had a WIDE open point of view on tech. She drove me crazy sometimes, but I have a lot of fond fond memories of my boss in TCS. There are times I wish I was still in that school system - I didn't put forth the right amount of effort there, I really feel like I let them down in the level of service I provided, but I've learned a lot since then. I don't think I'd ever go back because I wouldn't be in a library but I do think I'd do a much better job now than I did that first year. But I'm getting off track and running out of break time.
So many ideas, so many things I would LOVE to implement and I just don't think I'll be able to work with most of them. I have to start small I guess. I badgered long enough that we opened up social networks, so it's truly possible to gain a victory and see your ideas come to fruition. I'm still working on my plans and ideas. But I really wish I were at that conference this week. Maybe next year, though I have a feeling I'll have to pay for it myself - might be worth it.