2019-06-17 SPLAT Curiosity Report: Volume 3, Issue 7

Featured Story

Learn or die! The Hunger Games Approach to Seed Libraries

About a year ago I stumbled upon an article about Libraries starting seed exchanges and thought this would be a great addition to our library. And since the alien abductions had ceased I decided to pursue the Seed Library idea. Just one year after starting our Tool Library I thought this had to be easier than the Tool start up, right? I mean I had a place for the tiny seed packets to be filed and what is so hard about storing seeds and labeling packets?

I volunteer as tribute!

First let me say that having a seed collection in your local library is a tremendously worthwhile, and some may say important part of your community. Seed “lending,” is a process to check out seeds from the library’s collection, grow them, save the seed, and return seed from the propagated plants to the library. Local growers can help each other by collecting local and heirloom varieties that might otherwise be lost, and by collecting new local varieties. In theory, lending and returning seed libraries will also promote local agriculture over time, by growing collections of seeds locally adapted to the region. This can be extremely beneficial to your local growing environment.

Knowing how important this is, there are still some rules and guidelines that need to be followed by your library or the seed exchange can be in violation of seed laws set in place by the state to keep seeds “clean.” To keep your library with in local and state statutes, keep the following in mind:

When you are ready to get your seed library off and running I recommend 3 fun but essential events.

First! We started with a Kick-off event by Screening the movie “Seed:the untold story.” (You can find the link to the copyright here.)

Second! The library had a seed ordering event in which we provided catalogs to teach patrons on how to order seeds. This is crucial when trying to grow plants that will yield productive seeds later.

Third! You have a good ole fashion Seed SWAP! In the late fall after the seeds are harvested you have a seed swap to get the library all stocked up and ready to start exchanging for the future.

In all seriousness my Seed Library was a little more work than anticipated but so worth the effort. The community feedback has been absolutely positive and encouraging. I am leaving one more link with you here that I have found very helpful for programming.

So go for it, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

– Rasheil Stanger, Valley of the Tetons Library

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.

Untidy Email

Email organization is something that I really struggle with. Do I have enough folders? Too many? My inbox can be overwhelming and I have a tendency to let things linger for far too long in there. And then my state of disorganization and poor foldering strategies makes me feel bad because, as a librarian, I should probably be better at this. But today, I’m going to put on my favorite playlist, carve out some time, and begin a strategy that works for me. Here’s a few articles I’m reading to spark some ideas (and maybe some joy) for organizing my email:

The Only Five Email Folders Your Inbox Will Ever Need

Skip ‘Inbox Zero’: 5 Easy Organization Tips For Your Email Inbox

How the Tidiest Woman in the World Organizes Her Email

– Jessica Martinez, University of Idaho Library

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? What about a new idea, book, or resource that you want to share? Library Crush Corner is a place for those working in Idaho libraries to share what inspires them, and who or what they’re crushing on… in a professional sense. Share your story via our online form so we can publish it in a future issue!

Denmark’s Awesome “Third Place”

I’ve recently been delving into the concept of the library as a third place; the first and second place being home and work respectively. At the forefront of this type of pedagogy is the Denmark city center powerhouse Dokk1 (https://dokk1.dk/english/about-dokk1); a combination of a library and community center and museum and every other type of public place you can think of, all rolled into one. The genesis of Dokk1 created a website that I’ve been crushing on hard, called the Model Programme for Public Libraries (http://modelprogrammer.slks.dk/en/). The website provides global examples of libraries recreating their spaces and services to better fit the needs of their communities, and gives the research behind the decision to help others grow into doing the same. Check them out for inspiration of all kinds!

– Donovan Kay, Centennial High School & Meridian District Library

Cotsen Children’s Library at Princeton University

Cotsen Children’s Library at Princeton University recently hosted a Seuss Mini Golf event to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday in March. It was a build-as-you-go event and was a huge success! Idaho Deputy State Librarian, Stephanie Bailey-White says, “I have a library crush on the Princeton library and their blog posts. Pretty fun stuff they are doing and a very cool library.” Check out the blog post for a breakdown of supplies, budget, and hints to success!

– Stephanie Bailey-White, Idaho Commission for Libraries

SPLAT explores the ever-evolving library world and supports library folks as they adapt to meet the needs of 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 was made possible, in part, by 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.