News Archive for 2010    

PA Broadband Summit notes

Carrie Cleary and two staff members from CCLS attended the PA Broadband Summit.

If you’re interested, you can see handouts and presentation slides from many of the sessions right here: PA Broadband Summit presentation slides

Here are a few of the notes I took that generated questions and ideas that could be applicable to your public library:

There is a critical issue: How can we deliver public library resources and services that meet community needs most effectively? If we choose to deliver services via technology, people need access to technology (even the last mile) and desire to use and trust technology.

Libraries help to deliver improved communications through the internet: how can we harness the needs of nonprofits, civic, and community clubs to help meet our mission?

What triggers the adoption of technology? Check out the Pew studies and learn about the nation and your community: Link to Pew study.

Now that 30% of your users don’t have a landline phone, how does that change your operations?

Factors effecting broadband internet adoption:
-Education level
-Income
-Age
-Rural/non-rural (it is mostly rural people who want access and don’t always have opportunity, but PA is ahead of other states in this area)

How will you handle customers who don’t want to use technology?
Can we deny premium services (like some companies don’t accept job applications) unless patrons use a preferred (effective for us) method of contact?

22% of people simply don’t use the internet directly because they don’t see a need to. How will that change with the next generation?

If people don’t know what they don’t have, they won’t have a reason to use it. Libraries can be a big part of the push to get users online and to streamline the cost of delivering services; we can be effective partners with local government in delivering e-government services effectively.

How does your library support digital literacy?

How do YOU define broadband? What is the national plan? Broadband.gov

Does the debate on net neutrality effect the services your customers want? YES.

Fact: U.S. Broadband prices are higher than in many other countries.

IMLS is developing protocols for libraries. What they are and when they will be announced is being decided: imls.gov

Why should your library support greater broadband adoption?

*A key problem with computer use in public libraries is how to deliver sound that accompanies the videos and tools online. Does your library use headphones so users can access the sound that goes with their video while they learn and browse on public access machines?

Libraries can help to make e-government, e-learning, and information and resource delivery better and faster. With consolidation of efforts, it can be cheaper too.

Have you ever visited savetheinternet.com or read about Net Neutrality? Net neutrality article, one of many

Openness is important to success but we need to reward innovations and let the end user have quality of service choice.

What effect does net neutrality have on your users who must buy devices and subscription services to best meet their needs?

How does your organization aim to deliver content, resources, and information that work on all devices and all connections equally and let the consumer choice drive?

What is “reasonable network management”? How would you define it in a technology plan to allow your users to access the most valuable resources most effectively?

How can we write policies that will stimulate effective use of technology?

What should a framework look like?
-there is a presumption against discrimination. We won’t harm users or get in the way of private competition/innovation.
-broadband providers and services need the freedom to innovate
-customers should be able to understand your network management practices. There should be transparency as to your priorities for speed and reliability of service.

Is a case by case decision made by the FCC better than a set of standards that are difficult to enforce and may cramp innovation?

How does your technology plan address network management? What is restricted and what is advertised as uses of the productive uses of technology?
To ensure quality of service, you have to have some level of discrimination. Which services do you offer expedited or always available access to and which are less important? How can we set clear guidelines for use of limited resources? Align your priorities.

How can public libraries set “priorities” for use of limited technology resources? Does your internet policy officially meet the standards of CIPA? Did “The authority with responsibility for administration of the school or library provide reasonable public notice and hold at least one public hearing to address a proposed Technology Protection Measure and Internet Safety Policy.” from CIPA filtering requirements found here: see CIPA filtering requirements. When was it last reviewed?

What is your library’s role as a consumer protection advocate? Is there an up to date customer bill of rights for your library? Should there be a district or regional bill of rights or should it be localized?

If $1 of technology investment gives $10 of return, how can we capitalize on that?

The critical issues in broadband adoption include:
-People need to use and trust technology to meet information ad service needs, even in rural communities. This means that reliability, security, and speed are important.
-Libraries can become stronger government and community partners by assisting in helping people to take advantage of community betterment through technology services.
-Local government, state and federal government already communicate via technology. The library enable consumers to get that information through the best (cheapest/fastest) method possible.
-Libraries can partner better with schools if they are delivering services via technology.

The One Book, Every Young Child committee is excited for the opportunity to once again offer author visits to libraries across the state. Here are a few things that will help you with the application process:

• It is easier to schedule the visits if libraries work together to plan for a morning, afternoon or full day visit. We will consider worthy applications that come from Districts or Regions first.
•Please plan for a full visit. Work with community groups to include as many preschool children as possible. We hope to have as many of the visits take place in libraries but we also feel taking the author to local schools or other community sites is beneficial.
•We don’t have much flexibility with dates. We are limited by the authors availability and the best traveling schedule. If there are dates that will NOT work for your library please let us know that in your application. The Kick off is March 29. Visits will be scheduled during the month of April and probably into the first week of May. We will not schedule visit during Easter vacation.
•Let us know of any community groups that you plan to work with, how many you anticipate for attendance, how you plan to promote the visit, and any other special events you may host.
•If your application is accepted you will need to complete the Author Visit Agreement form. You will agree to submit statistics no less than 10 days after your visit.
•If you have any questions please feel free to email me.

Find application at: Author Visit application
Applications are due by October 29th. You will be notified if your library is selected to host a One Book, Every Young Child visit.

Margie Stern
Delaware County Library System
Coordinator, Youth Services
340 N. Middletown Rd.
Media, PA 19342
mstern@delcolibraries.org

What follows is a transcript of things I wrote down during the Pat Wagner workshop. It’s good to review the ideas that matter sometimes when you are planning projects and taking next steps rapidly.

It hurts your library when your public expects more than you can deliver on half the budget.

What is the core of your business?

We are forced to innovate. What innovative policy can we place into Resource Sharing to make it most effective?

Truths I believe:
Local district loan is cheap collection sharing.
When time isn’t a factor, we can get most things customers want.
Format shouldn’t matter as much as content
When libraries share all clients benefit.

Stick with the choices you make.

Have the guts to enforce the plan or you let them steal money and time.

Perfectionism is like standing outside your building ripping up $100 bills.

What should the ratio be between items loaned and items borrowed?

Local library loans + district loans + Interlibrary Loans from Access + Interlibrary loans from OCLC = Items borrowed?

Total Items loaned outside our library cannot exceed : ________ (insert number here: what would you base it on?)

People procrastinate on stuff they don’t have to do or stuff without immediate consequences. Who stops you from procrastinating? How does knowledge of fear, policy, evaluation, and humanity help those consequences?

Tip: If you’re trying to explain something, make a graphic equation. Examples:
customer needs + library resouces = better community
Library Resources – Community Needs = Remaining Community Needs
Hours open (Physical Space) / Staff Hours or Staff Costs (How does that look by county or by circulation?)

Who makes the decision so we can get the work done?

How do you know you were successful?

Statistics are the perfect picture of whatever you counted yesterday.

What are the signs you see in a community that show it is prosperous? Be specific about things you see…

Try this exercise: Write a press release or an essay. What 5 things do you give your community?
Try to use concrete evidence, think Law & Order.

Libraries say: Even if we can’t fill your request, we treat you with respect and might offer an alternative.

What are the steps in triage? While we’re not in a critical care unit, how could these help us think about doing effective public library work?

Agreed: Humans misunderstand, make mistakes, and disagree.

Should everybody learn to think like a manager? (depend on who your managers are…)

Keep staff informed of major checkpoints on the way to benchmarks. How do they know they are getting there…?

Scenario for Staff:
1000 people are standing at the desk waving a piece of paper with a request. What do you do?

If you could only fill 100 of them, how would you decide? (With the economy, this reminds me of the scene from It’s a Wonderful Life where George Bailey uses his honeymoon money to help everyone get by until the bank reopened, saving the Bailey Building & Loan. What would happen today?)

How do you communicate to those with needs you cannot meet? (Side story: I was offered money this week to do a job for a patron when I was helping out a customer in a district library while the director answered the phone during our meeting regarding grant funding…Did I want to help the man, yes, but I couldn’t take the time to help him forever, I could only do so much. See, he’d bought a service to make money through a website and he didn’t have an email address. He wanted me to find a way to make his money making scheme work, and to be honest, the sales person who sent him the Priority Mail envelop about his service should have been ashamed of taking someone’s money who couldn’t use the service really, but that’s a whole other story. I couldn’t do it for him, and I didn’t have a friend I could recommend to help, except, well, there’s self education online, programs in community centers, and the director printed contact info on where to register a business complaint because the company was no longer returning phone calls. The one-on0one customer interaction is a difficulty for reference librarians to limit.)

Best tip of the Day for Time Management: Figure out how much time you have before you decide what you will do. (align your expectations!)

For project managers, bad news is good information. It’s GREAT if staff tell you what doesn’t look good, what doesn’t work, and what bumps they hit along the way. This means you are a trusted project manager and that you’re working well together.

Beware of project drift…

There’s no room for grammar in project management, however, you need to DEFINE concrete expectations and milestones.

What’s the ratio between Fast, speed of service; Cheap/Cost/Commodities used or traded ; and Quality/Effectiveness at meeting goals
Quality Metric / Cost = Effective Service Delivery to meet need
Quality + Time = 10
Quality (aka Impact) / cost (aka Resources) = 10 (but 9 is okay too)

What “timing” matters in District Loan/ILL?

How can employees gauge how much time they should spend on a customer request?
Can we write a procedure to enforce common sense?

If your library got a bequest of $1,000,000 and offered to split the ownership of the results of an investment between all the staff and board, how many of your staff would support that idea?
Now…think this: Which programs or services would staff rather sell and split the profits from rather than continue? You’ll see which ones aren’t making an impact.

Something has to be more important than something else. Will you flip a coin to make your decision?

If you can hold a gun to someone’s head and they can complete a task, it is not a training issue.

Define Goals and constraints. Explain the how. (Page 23 of Pat Wagner handouts see here: Project Management and Priorities Sheets by Pat Wagner 2010will be a structure for a few district project outlines I am working on)

Truths of the Capital Resource Sharing Team:
-Local district loan is effective collection sharing.
-When time isn’t a factor, we can get most things customers want through sharing with other library collections through ILL processes.
-Format shouldn’t matter as much as content when considering the value of filling a request.
-When libraries share all clients benefit.
-There must be limits to what requests we will fill for customers. Libraries do not have time to waste.

Which of these statements do you agree with?
Which do you disagree with?
What truths would you add?
Suggestions?

This week I attended a workshop with Pat Wagner offered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries.
Posted here, find the handouts with many brilliant tips for good Project Management and Setting Priorities: Project Management and Priorities Sheets by Pat Wagner 2010

Library workshops are sometimes especially valuable for the networking opportunities brought by in person communication and time given to reflect on library ideals in the presence of others.
Below are some random musings I had at and just after the workshop.

What Do Libraries have in Common?:
-Library staff want people to use our organizations and valuable information resources to improve their lives and communities.
-Libraries think that literacy and good citizenship is important.
-Libraries value education for everyone who is interested.
-Libraries are asked to meet minimum service standards to receive funding.
-Libraries receive some combination of funding from government and donations. Most are not-for-profit, or are not charged sales tax.
-Libraries employ human beings and use technology to some level.
-Libraries all have collections of things we loan to people who want to borrow them.

What’s Different?
-Programs we choose to do
-Populations we choose to prioritize
-Items we decide to buy
-Marketing messages we send
-The politics of our local operation
-Local community needs we choose to meet
-How much money we spend
-Who pays for the services
-How long you have to wait in line
-How much space we have available and how well we maintain our facilities
-How we plan

In summary, librarians want people to use our organizations and valuable information resources to improve their lives and communities. We all have different specific ways we do it, but we believe in basic service standards that we aim to meet.

Don’t let money get in the way of serving people with a genuine need for library services. Focus on the positive, instead of on the budget changes. What can you try to reinvent? (See this handout from the DLC Leadership Workshop–Jonelle and Linda attended from our district): Destroy and Rebuild Your Business Model

Together we can demonstrate the value of resource sharing and collaboration in our library community, at the local library, system, district, region, state, and national level. Cooperation often trumps competition when we share the same core mission ideals of meeting literacy needs.

Feel free to continue the conversation below. What are your thoughts on libraries, cooperation, and resource sharing?

8 Common Marketing Communications Mistakes and How to Avoid Them with Gail S. Bower, President, Bower & Co. Consulting LLC will be presented in Harrisburg on Thursday, October 14, 2010 from 1:00-4:00 PM at the PANO Building, 777 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17111.

How much do your marketing communications mistakes cost??

Unrestricted income for your operating expenses, such as marketing communications, is harder to come by these days. Can you afford to waste those dollars?
Wasting is exactly what you’re doing if your efforts don’t yield the results you expect, results such as:
• more constituents
• more donors
• more event attendees
• new members
• greater influence with your stakeholders
• greater visibility
• enhanced repute
• persuasion that your cause is worth funding or supporting in a particular way.

Marketing, event, and sponsorship specialist Gail Bower will offer a workshop next month, entitled 8 Marketing Communications Mistakes & How to Avoid Them, in Harrisburg to help you and your staff improve your marketing communications efforts so instead of draining your resources, your efforts generate new resources.

“The amount of information we each process every day is overwhelming,” said Bower. “Getting a clear, compelling message across to the right audiences to generate the kinds of responses we need can be a challenge, but one every organization must face.”

In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn more about common mistakes Gail sees, how to steer clear of them, and what you can do to create a more powerful communications effort. Attendees who want to get the most out of their investments and time with Gail will bring samples of their marketing materials – collateral materials, invitations, newsletters, ads, promotions, press releases, annual reports, web pages, eblasts, Facebook pages, Tweets, and other sample social media messages – to critique with colleagues. You’ll leave with new ideas, new tools, and a new understanding about ways to improve your organization’s communications efforts.

To register for this workshop, go to:
DynamicPage.aspx?Site=PANO&WebCode=EventDetail&evt_key=a75f638c-97e5-4aca-a931-54dd028bdba6&msm=3a4cb83d-ab2a-4ed7-ae05-7756bb753600&cst=c37f1646-47c2-4da8-b5a2-a320168267ae&ent=3be055f7-ab08-45c4-a8e9-af82294898b9

The Board of the Butler County Federated Library System is seeking candidates for the position of Library System Administrator. In order to fill the position quickly, the Board will be accepting resumes and references by e-mail through September 20,2010. The work involves a flexible schedule of 4-5 days per week, 37.5 hours per week. The starting salary is $35,000 – $40,000.

BCFLS Administrator reports to Butler County Federated Library System Board of Trustees. Under the direction of the BCFLS Board, this position is directly responsible for the administration and management of the Butler County Federated Library System. For more information about the library system go to: www.butlerlibrary.info

Qualifications: Masters Degree in Library Science from an American Library Association-accredited program, with at least 3 years experience in a public library in an administrative or supervisory capacity.

Supervises: All BCFLS Staff (sometimes through other supervisory personnel)

Essential Functions and Responsibilities include:

Oversees and evaluates the operation of the multi-site library system
Develops library policies, procedures, and practices, and implements and administers them upon approval of the BCFLS Board.
Formulates library goals and objectives in conjunction with the BCFLS Board and plans library services designed to meet them.
Prepares an annual budget for approval by the BCFLS Board and administers and monitors the expenditure of funds.
Leads, directs, and supervises the staff of the Butler County Federated Library System, directly and through other supervisory personnel.
Develops and implements effective administrative programs and procedures in collaboration with the Library Directors, District and State Library personnel.
Promotes staff development at all levels.
Implements Board personnel policies, including recruiting, interviewing, hiring, orienting, and overseeing training of new employees, reviewing, evaluating performance, and termination decisions.
Maintains confidentiality of all patron records and transactions.
Solicits quotes for services and purchases, presenting all contracts and recommendations to the BCFLS Board.
Oversees the preparation of timely reports on usage, financials, circulation, services and programs for the BCFLS Board, state library, and other governmental units.
Responsible for professional collection development and maintenance.
Develops and oversees library technology and automation while balancing new and traditional formats and services.
Serves as a spokesperson and advocate for the library system throughout the county.
Oversees fundraising activities for the library system.
Represents and maintains active involvement by BCFLS within the New Castle District and Commonwealth Libraries.
Coordinates system services with those of the district, state library, school districts, and other nearby systems.
Represents the Library at meetings and conferences of professional library associations.
Insures that all member libraries are aware of and adhere to state mandated requirements of service.
Approves all purchases for payment.
Implements regular library staff meetings.
Attends all BCFLS Board of Trustees meetings and is available for Board meeting for each member library if needed.
Additional duties/responsibilities as required or assigned by the BCFLS Board

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Extensive knowledge of current principles, methods, and practices of a public library.
Knowledge of community needs and interest levels.
Knowledge of print, electronic, audiovisual and information formats, technologies, and resources.
Ability to plan, analyze, evaluate, supervise, and direct library needs and services.
Interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills necessary to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community leaders, public officials, professional groups, library employees, and the general public.
Knowledge of hardware and software systems necessary for the operation of the library and management of its resources.
Ability to use electronic means of communication and information transfer.
Ability to make decisions and take appropriate action to assure implementation.
Proven ability in public relations and marketing library service to the community.
Experience with capital fundraising campaigns and grant writing.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Ability to meet certain physical requirements successfully to perform the essential functions of the job. Functions include (but are not necessarily limited to):
Occasional lifting or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds for short distances.
Reaching, including overhead reaching.
Mobility.
Ability to use a computer keyboard and mouse.
Ability to exchange information in person or on the telephone.
For distribution to the search committee, resumes with references should be sent to:
sbrown@dcfls.org

ALA Washington Office Webinar: Libraries and the Elections, How You Can be Involved and Make a Difference

You may have heard that there’s a midterm election coming up in November. In this ALA Washington office webinar we’ll look at what library supporters can legally, ethically and effectively do to get involved. Ensuring that candidates understand the importance of libraries is one of the most important ways to have our voices heard, whether at the local, state or federal level. Join us to learn 10 specific techniques for being engaged in democracy at its most basic level — through the electoral process!

Date: Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT
Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:843991994

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

Library Daze at MVL is Awesome. Stop by to see what it’s all about.

It includes…
*A Big Yard Sale
*The Best Book Sale ever
*Games for Kids
*Crafts for Kids
*A car wash (run by Jake our karate guru)
*Face Painting (done by a library director with artistic flair)
*AND Lots of Yummy Food!

Preservation Workshop (Harrisburg) FREE
September 16, 2010
Hear from a panel of world renowned experts in preservation and learn about new environmental standards for the preservation of paper based collections. You will also learn about the energy efficiencies within the Rare Collections Library design that your library can replicate at a surprisingly affordable cost. These energy saving measures are applicable beyond special collections and can save energy throughout the library. This is a workshop you can’t afford to miss as there is so much rich Pennsylvania history in our libraries we can’t afford to lose. A tour of the Rare Collections Library is included.
For additional information and registration, contact Tom Clareson, LYRASIS, 800.999.8558 or fill out the registration form you can download from this site and FAX it to 404.892.7879.

Do you think your library will not meet one or more of the Standards for being a library that receives state aid? See the current Standards in an easy-to-checklist format here: State Aid Standards Tables Revised 02-2010

Below are some tips for writing a “Request for Waiver of Standards”:

TIPS TO WRITING A GOOD REQUEST for a Waiver of Standards:
-Seek input and guidance from the district library consultant in your district and the Office of Commonwealth Libraries advisors.
-Involve the Library Board. According to Section 103 of the Library Code, “The application for a waiver shall be adopted by a resolution of the board of directors at a regularly scheduled meeting of the board. Prior to the board of directors adopting policies or procedures for which a waiver is being sought, approval of the department (i.e. Office of Commonwealth Libraries) shall be required.”
-Clearly state what standard(s) the request is for.
-Include as much data and documentation as possible to support your request.
-Date your letter.
-Allow sufficient time for your request to be received, processed and responded to by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries.
-Each library’s situation is unique and is taken into account when requests are reviewed.

Here is an example of Waiver Documentation. You can do anything you want in your letter, but the headings suggested in this listing are good to keep your request organized and clear so it can be reviewed effectively.

________ (Library Name applying for Waiver)

Waiver(s) needed:
1. Weekly hours open
2. Collection Expenditures
3. Director’s education level
4. Decrease in LFE

Measures taken to produce needed revenue:
1 . A board member attends meeting of municipality to outline the services
provided by the library and the funds needed.
2 . Have held 3 fund raising events in 2009 and will probably do more in 2010.
3.

Financial distress:
1 . Income from ______ was cut by ____ (amount or percent) on _____ (effective date.)
2 . State Aid for 2010 dropped by ______ (percent) for total loss of _________ (amount).
3 . Income from Endowment fund has dropped noticeably plus gifts & donations are about _____% less than 2008.
4.
5.

Reduction in proportion to financial deficit:
1. Financial losses are over $______ while the budget was cut $_______
2.

Steps to meet library needs of community with reduced services:
1. Hours cut were based on documented library usage
2. Library continues to be open evenings and weekends for students and those who work.
3.

Reduction of library support by county, school district or local municipality is proportional over all programs and/or departments funded by that source:
1. All departments funded by ____ Borough/County were cut by 10%.

Check out the full posting here: I Love My Librarian 2010

Here’s a clip of some text from the page:
“Nominate your librarian for the third year of the Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award!
Nominations for 2010 stay open through September 20.
Nominate a librarian in a:
School Library
Public Library
College, Community College, University Library

There are nearly 123,000 libraries nationwide, and librarians touch the lives of the people they serve every day. The award encourages library users like you to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional public, school, college, community college, or university librarians. We want to hear how you think your librarian is improving the lives of the people in your school, campus or community.
Up to ten winners will be selected this year and receive a $5,000 cash award, a plaque and $500 travel stipend to attend an awards reception in New York hosted by The New York Times. In addition, a plaque will be given to each award winner’s library.
The award is administered by the American Library Association with support from Carnegie Corporation of New York and The New York Times.”

Share the word with the public and other library staff!
Let’s recognize all the great library impact work happening in our district!

The County of Berks is seeking an experienced professional for the position of Library System Administrator. This position is responsible for directing, supervising, and coordinating the various components of the Library System to ensure that quality and equitable library service is provided throughout the County. This position works in consultation with the County Commissioners and the Library System Board to advise member libraries on issues related to library development and improvement, and provides recommendations regarding countywide library strategies, policies and funding. This position is responsible for planning, developing and implementing a comprehensive annual budget, directing the development of grant applications, and making recommendations for allocation of state and county funds to member libraries. Qualified candidates will possess MS degree in Library Science from a program accredited by the American Library Association and 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the public library system, including 3 years management experience. Candidate must possess certification as a Professional Librarian from the PA Dept of Education. Salary based on qualifications/experience & is accompanied by an excellent benefits package including retirement plans and tuition reimbursement. Interested candidates should submit an application and confidential resume w/ salary requirement to: County of Berks HR Dept, 633 Court St., 8th Floor, Reading, PA 19601, ATTN: Library System Administrator.
Applications are available at: default.asp Resumes submitted without an application will be considered incomplete and will be returned for resubmission with an application. E.O.E. M/F/D/V

Title: Library Director
Employer: Coatesville Area Public Library
Location: Coatesville, Chester County, PA

Hours: Fulltime 37.5 hours per week
Salary: Starting salary of $40,000-$43,000 depending upon experience, plus benefits.
Requirements: MLS Degree from an ALA accredited library school

Duties: Coatesville Area Public Library, a member of the Chester County Library System (CCLS), seeks an energetic, innovative and visionary leader who can partner with an experienced staff, a dynamic county library system and a diverse community to reach our goals while fulfilling our mission. The director will be responsible for continuing the excellent service to our community while promoting and implementing a forward-looking vision as we progress and grow in our vital role as a community resource center.

The director will partner with the Board of Trustees and lead a dedicated, experienced staff and core of volunteers. As we grow and evolve to meet the 21st century needs of those we serve, the director must be able to work well with a multi-cultural and economically diverse population living within and around this small city in scenic Chester County, PA, located in the western suburbs of Philadelphia.

The Coatesville Area Public Library functions as an independent community resource. However, as a member of the Chester County Library System, we are also a strong link in this federated system composed of a District Center Library and 17 member libraries. The federation offers strength and support to each individual library as they work to meet their unique goals. As the director, you will be expected to partner with CCLS and also function as a leader of our community library. Additional information about CCLS is available at www.ccls.org.

In addition, the director will need to possess excellent oral and written communication skills. The ability to speak Spanish is a plus. Grant writing, application and administration, along with knowledge of the latest trends and innovations as they pertain to library growth and change are desired, as is experience developing and implementing short and long-term strategic plans. Computer literacy in the following areas is critical to this position: E-mail, database, spreadsheet, word processing, Internet and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

•Responsible for all day to day operations of the library, including supervision of staff, staff meetings, recruitment of volunteers, physical maintenance of the building, programs, activities, and more.
•Provide staff evaluation, establish work schedules, monitor and maintain daily finances, report monthly finances each month to board treasurer prior to the monthly board meeting.
•Provide expertise and insight to the library newsletter and website.
•Maintain and manage the library budget.
•Fundraising, including annual mailing etc.
•Improving, growing and overseeing database of donors, volunteers et al.
•Attend Board, Friends, and CCLS meetings.
•Represent the library in the community – officially and on an informal basis.
•Attend workshops and conferences, seeking out continuing education opportunities for personal and staff growth.

Successful applicant must obtain professional certification from Commonwealth Libraries of Pennsylvania, a criminal background check, and the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance.

Send cover letter, resume and three professional references to:

John LeVan. President
Board of Trustees
Coatesville Area Public Library
501 East Lincoln Highway
Coatesville, PA 19320

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

George Pike, Director of the Barco Law Library and Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and Hank Leone of the PA Legal Aid Network, will present a workshop on September 29, 2010 at Pittsburgh PaTTAN, 3190 William Pitt Way, Pittsburgh

This workshop is funded in part by an “Access to Justice” Bill and Melinda Gates mini-grant and in part by IMLS.

The attached agenda:Law Resources Workshop Agendawill give you more information including the start time and schedule. Computers will be available, but some participants may have to share. If you have your own laptop, please take it along.

You can register at:
2010&df=calendar&EventType=ALL&Lib=&AgeGroup=ALL&LangType=0&WindowMode=&noheader=&lad=&pub=1&nopub=&page=&pgdisp

A hands-on workshop on Law Resources on Web Junction-PA has been planned for librarians.

Mark Podvia, Associate Law Librarian at the Dickenson School of Law, Penn State University, will present a workshop on September 24, 2010 at the King of Prussia PATTAN, 200 Anderson Road, King of Prussia

This workshop is funded in part by an “Access to Justice” Bill and Melinda Gates mini-grant and in part by IMLS.

An attached agenda:Law Resources Workshop Agenda will give you more information including the start time and schedule. Computers will be available, but some participants may have to share. If you have your own laptop, please take it along.

You can register at:

>2010&df=calendar&EventType=ALL&Lib=&AgeGroup=ALL&LangType=0&WindowMode=&noheader=&lad=&pub=1&nopub=&page=&pgdisp

A hands-on workshop on Law Resources on Web Junction-PA has been planned for librarians.

Mark Podvia, Associate Law Librarian at the Dickenson School of Law, Penn State University, will present the workshop on September 17, 2010 at Harrisburg PaTTAN, 6340 Flank Drive in Harrisburg

This workshop is funded in part by an “Access to Justice” Bill and Melinda Gates mini-grant and in part by IMLS.

The attached agenda:Law Resources Workshop Agenda will give you more information including the start time and schedule. Computers will be available, but some participants may have to share. If you have your own laptop, please take it along.

You can register at:
2010&df=calendar&EventType=ALL&Lib=&AgeGroup=ALL&LangType=0&WindowMode=&noheader=&lad=&pub=1&nopub=&page=&pgdisp

If you missed the advocacy webinar, check out an archived copy of it here: http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/community/sirsidynix-institute/overview

There’s a supplementary handout with lots of information: Some of the text is posted below.

Advocacy Resources for Libraries
Selected Resources for Libraries and Advocacy
Prepared by Stephen Abram
for the August 18, 2010 SirsiDynix Cengage Webinar
These resources are not in any particular order (heresy!).
Summary: My Blog Postings on the Value of Libraries
Here are the links to the value and impact of libraries postings that I wrote in 2010 to put my
links all in one place. Each posting contains dozens of links. Please feel free to share:
The Value of Public Libraries

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/04/06/the-value-of-public-libraries/

The Value of School Libraries

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/04/06/the-value-of-school-libraries/

The Value of Academic and College Libraries

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/04/07/value-of-academic-and-college-libraries/

The Value of Special Libraries

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/04/07/value-of-special-libraries/

Library Advocacy: Save the Library Campaigns

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/04/01/save-the-library-campaigns/

Having the Value Conversation: Springboard Stories

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/04/07/having-the-value-conversation-springboardstories

The State of America’s Libraries

http://tinyurl.com/State2010.

The Seattle Public Library Community Survey

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/08/05/the-seattle-public-library-community-survey/

http://www.spl.org/pdfs/about/community_survey_summary.pdf

How Libraries Stack Up 2010
OCLC has updated the venerable and cool 2 page PDF

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/07/29/how-libraries-stack-up-2010-2/

Losing Libraries

http://www.losinglibraries.org/

A library union speaks up for libraries!

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/07/07/a-library-union-speaks-up-for-libraries/

Gale Supports ALA Rally on Capitol Hill

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/06/26/gale-supports-ala-rally-on-capitol-hill/

My ALA DC PR Forum slides (ALA2010)

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/06/27/ala-pr-forum-slides-ala2010/

Value of Academic Research Libraries

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/issues/value/futures.cfm

Change across all facets of society—including demographic, technological, and economic
change—has the potential to greatly impact higher education and the academic library. As
we move further into the 21st century, it is important to pay attention to the trends around us
to inform our thinking about where institutions of higher education and their libraries are
headed.
Value of Academic Libraries
The Board of Directors of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) has
been working to determine how best to help members demonstrate the value of academic
libraries to the academy (see April 2009 ACRL Board Document Return on Investment in
Academic Libraries Research Memo). ACRL is interested in developing research that will
support advocacy efforts for libraries with decision-makers and funders in higher education.
After an invitational meeting in July 2009 (see ACRL Board document Report on ACRL
Value of Academic Libraries Research Meeting held Chicago, July 8-9, 2009 ) ACRL took
the first step of issuing a request for proposals for a comprehensive review of the
quantitative and qualitative literature, methodologies and best practices currently in place for
demonstrating the value of academic libraries. Subsequently, Dr. Megan Oakleaf was
selected to carry out this work. Her completed report is expected later in the summer of
2010.
Futures Thinking for Academic Librarians: Higher Education in 2025 (June 2010)
(PDF)
For academic librarians seeking to demonstrate the value of their libraries to their parent
institutions, it is important to understand not only the current climate. We must also know
what will be valued in the future so that we can begin to take appropriate action now. This
document presents 26 possible scenarios based on an implications assessment of current
trends, which may have an impact on all types of academic and research libraries over the
next 15 years. They are organized in a “scenario space” visualization tool, reflecting the
expert judgment of ACRL members as to their expectations and perceptions about the
probability, impact, speed of change, and threat/opportunity potential of each scenario. The
study draws out implications for academic libraries and includes an appendix with a
suggested activity, also available as an editable document so that you may customize this
activity for use in your library. Additionally, listen to a discussion with the report’s authors
about how to stretch your imagination and why considering possible futures is worthwhile.
Press coverage: Inside Higher Ed, Library Journal: Academic Newswire, and American
Libraries.
Confronting the Business Lens for Accountability of General Education, presentation
at the 2009 ACRL National Conference (.mov file)
Marilee Bresciani, Associate Professor, Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary
Education, San Diego State University
On the Research Library: A Comment (PDF)
John V. Lombardi, Professor of History and Chancellor, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, USA
A plenary address from the 2006 ARL Assessment Conference
Articles and Studies Related to Library Value (Return on Investment)
Developed by the ALA Office for Research & Statistics
ACRL 2009 Strategic Thinking Guide for Academic Librarians in the New Economy
Distinguished panellists will discuss the questions presented in this document at the ACRL
14th National Conference in Seattle, March 13, 2009, during a program session “Brother
Can You Spare a Dime? ACRL 2009 Strategic Thinking Guide for Academic Librarians in the
New Economy.” It is intended to spur strategic conversation, planning, and action in
academic libraries.
21st Century Academic Libraries in Higher Education
This document was prepared by Julie Todaro, ACRL President, 2007-2008, for a presentation at the American Association of State Colleges & Universities (AASCU)
Academic Affairs Winter Meeting, February 8, 2008, Tempe, Arizona.
What Chief Academic Officers Want from Their Libraries: Findings from interviews
with Provosts and Chief Academic Officers (PDF)(October 2007)
This is the central finding from a recent survey of Provosts and Chief Academic Officers
conducted on behalf of the Association for College and Research Libraries by Leigh S.
Estabrook and the University of Illinois
Changing Roles of Academic and Research Libraries
Essay derived from a Roundtable on Technology and Change in Academic Libraries,
convened by ACRL on November 2-3, 2006 in Chicago
The Future of Higher Education: A View from CHEMA (PDF)
A report presented by Council of Higher Education Management Association (CHEMA) and
Educause Center for Applied Research (ECAR), with generous sponsorship from Carter &
Burgess, Inc., and produced for CHEMA by APPA.
Campus of the Future Poster session (PDF)
Poster session presented by ACRL President Pamela Snelson and ACRL Executive
Director Mary Ellen K. Davis, July 8-11, 2006, at The Campus of the Future, a joint
conference sponsored by AAPA (Serving Educational Facilities Professionals), NACUBO
(National Association of College and University Business Officers), and SCUP (Society for
College and University Planning).
Top Issues Facing Academic Libraries for the Future of Academic Libraries and
Librarians
ACRL unveiled its Top Ten Assumptions for the future of academic and research libraries
March 31, 2007, during its 13th National Conference in Baltimore. The ACRL Research
Committee developed the top ten assumptions after surveying member leaders and
conducting a literature review. Listen to ACRL leaders discuss the top ten assumptions in a
podcast interview.
Do We Need Academic Libraries? (January 2000)
This position paper, written by Larry Hardesty, addresses the necessity of requiring
accredited transregional and virtual institutions to maintain a physical library space.
New Gates Foundation Libraries Report

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/06/22/new-gates-foundation-libraries-report/

Toward Equality of Access: The Role of Public Libraries in Addressing the Digital
Divide

http://www.gatesfoundation.org/topics/Documents/TowardEqualityofAccess.pdf

Totally Digital Library Annual Reports

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/05/25/a-totally-digital-library-annual-report/

School Libraries and Student Achievement

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/05/13/school-libraries-and-student-achievement/

Why school libraries are more important than ever!

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/05/13/why-school-libraries-are-more-important-thanever/

Cutting Libraries in a Recession is like cutting Hospitals in a Plague . . .

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/04/24/cutting-libraries-in-a-recession-is-like/

Study: A Third of Americans Use Library Computers

http://stephenslighthouse.com/2010/03/29/study-a-third-of-americans-use-library-computers/

The use of library technology had significant impact in four critical areas: employment,
education, health, and making community connections. In the last 12 months:
• 40 percent of library computer users (an estimated 30 million people) received help
with career needs. Among these users, 75 percent reported they searched for a job
online. Half of these users filled out an online application or submitted a resume.
• 37 percent focused on health issues. The vast majority of these users (82 percent)
logged on to learn about a disease, illness, or medical condition. One-third of these
users sought out doctors or health care providers. Of these, about half followed up by
making appointments for care.
• 42 percent received help with educational needs. Among these users, 37 percent (an
estimated 12 million students) used their local library computer to do homework for a
class.
• Library computers linked patrons to their government, communities, and civic
organizations. Sixty-percent of users – 43.3 million people – used a library’s computer
resources to connect with others.
Additional Readings and Resources:
I prepared this summary list in August 2010. These readings on trends in libraries are ones
which I consider very good and useful. I could easily have missed many great resources
and would be delighted to hear more about more. They have all been very influential in
library land and serve as important pieces of information for senior level decision-making in
libraries and consortia. They form the foundation for informed debates and strategies.
I expect that you are already aware of many of these. Many have come out and been
regularly updated. Being mindful of budgetary considerations, all of these are free and
available through the web. Feel free to add these to your bookmarks and download the
PDF’s and reports for reading.
I do try to keep up-to-date on advocacy developments in libraries and add links regularly
through my blog, Stephen’s Lighthouse. You can visit it here (or add it to your reader, RSS
feeds.

http://stephenslighthouse.com

Feel free to follow me on Twitter (sabram) or friend me on Facebook or LinkedIn and Plaxo
(Stephen Abram). Most new blog postings are copied to Facebook and Twitter too.
I am always available to chat or visit clients as my schedule permits. Feel free to contact me
anytime:
Stephen Abram, MLS, FSLA
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Markets
Cengage Learning (Gale)
412-120 Perth Ave.
Toronto, ON
CANADA M6P 4E1

If your library is looking for a small grant to assist in funding minor renovations, try this one. Deadline is Oct. 1, so get busy!

You will need your municipality to support and write parts of the application. Please see these attachments for the details and ask your district consultant if you have questions or ideas:
-KEYSTONE APP Packet
-Keystone Application E – Form_8_9_2010
-PHMC Clearance Application1

Please use the links below to access LSTA grant application documents:
Main 2011 LSTA page: http://pa.webjunction.org/pa-2011lsta

Digitization Grant Application Guidelines : http://pa.webjunction.org/pa-2011lstadigitization

K-12 Collection Development Grant Application Guidelines : http://pa.webjunction.org/pa-2011lstak12collectiondev

Major Innovation Grant Application Guidelines : http://pa.webjunction.org/pa-2011lstamajorinnovation

Mini (Try It) Innovation Grant Application Guidelines: http://pa.webjunction.org/pa-lsta2011tryit

Public Library Collection Development Grant Application Guidelines : http://pa.webjunction.org/pa-2011lstapublibcollectiondev

Technology Component Grant Application Guidelines : http://pa.webjunction.org/pa-2011lstatech

LSTA 2011 Grant Program Timeline : http://pa.webjunction.org/pa-lsta2011timeline

LSTA Five Year Plan: http://pa.webjunction.org/pa-5yearplanlsta

Reminder: If you plan to consider an LSTA grant, please notify the district consultant with a request for a letter of support and the justification for what you are applying for and what the outcomes of the project will be. This is an opportunity to apply for some funding for the thing you always wanted to be able to do to help your community. If you need any assistance or extra help to get your project to succeed, just ask and the district will do what it can with available resources. Take action on that great idea today.