2018-11-02 SPLAT Curiosity Report: Volume 2, Issue 1

Featured Story

Get Yourselves Organized

I’m the sort of person who likes lists. Especially when I’ve got a lot on my plate! I’ve tried a couple digital to-do list tools, but none of them became habit. So, I’ve been sticking to paper, but have kept searching for a solution that is better than an unorganized list of things.

I accepted my current position at ICfL in late August, and found myself with a plate full of loose ends to tie up before I left Boise State. It felt overwhelming at first, but then I happened upon this post about a “burner list.” This person was speaking my language, and it was what I’d been searching for! Paper based – check. Simple – check. Better than unorganized list – check. Based on a metaphor – bonus!

The gist of it is you’ve got 4 areas you’re working with. Think of a kitchen. You’ve got stuff going on the front burner that’s the most important. You’ve got stuff on the counter that relates to the front burner. The back burner is a little less important. And the kitchen sink is where all the extra stuff gets chucked.

I used this system to transition from one position to another, and have continued to use it at ICfL. I love it! I have found it to be so useful, I’ve created generic blank sheets I can use to keep on cooking. I added graphics to make them a little more fun, and help reinforce the kitchen metaphor. Feel free to use and remix as works for you!

– Deana Brown

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.

Mobile MakerSpace Mayhem

The original plan for our maker space and maker program at our library was to have a mobile program that could reside in two different locations. We have our main library in Victor and our branch is 8 miles away in Driggs. We have limited space so we need to manipulate our open meeting spaces to house a variety of programs. This has its own set of issues as many of you might understand from your own experiences. However, having a tech time, open build and maker space that is mobile has presented us with challenges that we have forced us to reconsider this model. A mobile makerspace is very, very, hard to manage. The logistics of moving computers, tools, totes filled with projects and other necessities is a nightmare. So we have decided to pick one location and move the majority of maker programs to Driggs. We will see if this is a more successful approach. But maybe not as some have already complained that they do not like going to the next town for maker activities. Have I just written the next Fail Forward? Time will tell.

– Rasheil Stanger

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!

Soda Springs Library

Over the course of the summer I had the opportunity to visit the Soda Springs Public Library. They are a small library that is doing a great job of utilizing their space in unique ways in order to best serve their community. I loved their children’s book series displays as a way to draw attention of young readers. I also loved that they have a split level building where they can give teens their own space, a place where they can browse the collection or just hang out with friends and feel comfortable and safe in the library. Check them out on their website: http://soda.lili.org/

– Jackie Wood

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-00-18-0013-18). The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.