2018-07-27 SPLAT Curiosity Report: Volume 1, Issue 5
Featured Story
Open Cover Letters
Are you planning on applying for a new library job or a promotion? A great resource for library cover letter and resume examples is Open Cover Letters (https://opencoverletters.com/), a website where successful candidates submit their cover letters and resumes for jobs they’ve been offered. The website creator describes it as, anonymous cover letters from hired librarians & archivists. I love this resource because applying for jobs is stressful and the requirements for what application materials should look like can be obscure. Examples of strong, library-specific cover letters can provide insight into how to address your letter, what type of language to use, and how much detail is enough. Looking through the resumes, you can see what paths library employees have taken and how they present their particular story. So the next time you have a job opportunity, take a look at this helpful, practical website.
Fail Forward
We’ve all been there. You pour your heart into a program, and no one shows up. You try something new, and you fall on your face. Sound familiar? Fail Forward is the place to share your failures, and give you the opportunity to share what you learned from them. Did you promote your program in a different way after no one showed up? Maybe you took a new approach to the new thing you were excited about? Awesome! Share your story via our online form so others can learn, and realize that failure is often part of the process.
Some Days Are Diamonds
Some days are diamonds, some days are stones
Oh, John Denver sure could tell it like it is. Even at the library some programs are diamonds, some are stones. One night my stacks are filled with rambunctious teens completing a treasure hunt. The next night, no one shows up to the finance seminar but me and I have to sit through the presentation, alone. But I am determined to learn from my library failures. One recently that is helping me to fail forward is my failed teen craft night. Such a disaster. I have three reasons why. First, graphics missed their mark. Although very cute, they didn’t convey a cool vibe. Some teens were worried about younger tweens coming to their activity or having easy crafts. Second, the time of day. Teens do not want to come to the library at night. They have sports, activities and homework that compete for their time. And third, marketing. I failed to market in the best locations. Next time I will focus on Instagram, posters at school, parent emails from the school district and quarter page flyers. I am convinced I can make this work. Stay tuned to see if my stone is pressured into a diamond
Crush Corner
Is there a library you follow on social media who is always doing new and exciting things? How about a blog you follow that inspires you in the work you do? Library Crush Corner is a place for those working in Idaho libraries to share what inspires them, and who they’re crushing on… in a professional sense. Share your story via our online form so we can publish it in a future issue!
Wilson Elementary School Library
Picking the library you have a crush on is like picking your favorite book; that is, it is almost impossible to do because you just love libraries. However, I really like the library at Wilson Elementary School in Caldwell. Melanie Farrell has done an outstanding job making her library inviting to both staff and students in the two years she has worked there. It has both a learning area with tables and a smart board, and a reading area with comfy chairs. It is brightly decorated throughout, and is entirely kid friendly. Melanie has also brought 3D printing and makerspace activities to her library! It has become an elementary school hotspot, and who wouldn’t admire that?
SPLAT explores new ways to build capacity and support library folk as they serve their communities. Library folk throughout the state of Idaho volunteer to serve on the Special Projects Library Action Team (SPLAT). Learn more about SPLAT at splat.lili.org
SPLAT is brought to you by the Idaho Commission for Libraries and is funded in part with a federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (LS-00-17-0013-17). The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.