Blog Posts by Erin McCusker

Bookmobile Stickers

Erin McCusker — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:50:04 -0600

For those with bookmobiles, this page - www.ala.org/bookmobiles - has not only bookmobile stickers that you can make, but also a list of resources for bookmobile service. From the Association for Rural and Small Libraries Listserv.

The atmosphere of our libraries

Erin McCusker — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:33:20 -0600

I read a blog called "Designing Better Libraries" and one of their recent posts was very interesting about what atmosphere or state of mind is presented to our customers when they visit our libraries. http://dbl.lishost.org/blog/2009/06/11/who-is-in-charge-of-the-atmosphere/

The poster, Brian Matthews, posed several questions to think about when looking at the ambience you are creating at your libraries. There are some libraries that I walk into and I immediately want a cup of tea and a good book and the afternoon for reading. Others I walk into and I really want to check my e-mail and do some work. Others I hardly see the facility at all and it is all about the people.

Here are his questions: "...think about the “atmosphere” of your library. Who is in charge of it? What needs to be done? And what can you do to change it?"

It was a thought-provoking post - check it out.

Best Small Library Program Ideas

Erin McCusker — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:57:45 -0600

One of the presenters at the Association for Rural and Small Libraries annual conference was Bill Harmer of the Chelsea District Library – the most recent Best Small Library in America. He presented some of the great and innovative programs they have provided for their community. The ARSL list sent a message letting librarians know the details. Check them out at this link.

They include: Ghost Hunters program, Monopoly Tournament, Nintendo Wii program, Senior Health Series, Pizza Tasting Competition, Meet the Beatles and Senior Lockin.

Have fun!

New Report: "Latinos and Public Library Perceptions"

Erin McCusker — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:38:15 -0600

The "It's All Good" blog sent out information about a new WebJunction report. The report - Latinos and Public Library Perceptions - is on the WebJunction site and is part of the Spanish Language Outreach effort which WebJunction coordinates and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded.

Please check this out as a follow-up to the Idaho Commission for Library's "Reaching Out: Connecting with Your Spanish Speaking Community" training.

PNLA Preconference

Erin McCusker — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:46:05 -0600

Aaron Schmidt, Director of the North Plains Public Library in Oregon, technology and usability consultant and author of www.walkingpaper.org blog led a preconference session at PNLA entitled “The Young and the Restless: A New Breed of Library Customer.” His presentation can be found at http://www.walkingpaper.org/presentations/pnla

Darlene Hotchkiss, Teacher-Librarian at Parma School District, Tina Cherry, Digital Native Services at the Jerome Public Library and Memo Cordova, Reference Librarian at Albertson Library, Boise State University each shared their experiences and ideas for serving digital natives in their libraries.

The full group got to brainstorm new ways to think about digital natives after watching the Digital Natives Focus Groups 2007 DVD.

Reader's Advisory Brochures

Erin McCusker — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:30:26 -0600

Twin Falls Public Library has an excellent selection of reader's advisory brochures. The fabulous librarians have created fun ways to find out about books that are similar to your favorite. Loved The DaVinci Code or that latest mystery - check out a brochure with ideas for other books to try. They have created an eclectic and diverse selection. Very fun and I always find one to take home with me.

Online social networks

Erin McCusker — Thu, 18 May 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Through American Libraries Direct this morning came a link to an entry in the "Information Wants to be Free" blog. The entry is entitled "Libraries in Social Networking Software" and it discusses the recent issues with MySpace and Facebook. While several articulate points and mindful pros and cons are covered, two concepts stood out for me.

The author asks the question - "Are Facebook and MySpace bad?" The answer is that problems that are arising with social networking opportunities are problems that have been around in other online venues. She goes on to share ideas for educating parents about online social networking and being involved with their children in this arena.

The other point that resonated was about libraries being involved in social networking software – having a site. While she was talking about academic libraries, her comments hold true for all types of libraries –

"Perhaps in one community the library would be a welcome and useful addition to their patrons' online social network, where in another the patrons would think the library was invading their privacy. I think before we do anything, we should really get to know our patrons and what their attitudes are with regards to social networking software and privacy. We can't pretend that what works at one library will work at all of them."

The whole article is excellent with a nice list of resource links at the end.