2021-04-09 SPLAT Curiosity Report: Volume 8, Issue 2
Featured Story
Is the future of libraries in the sky?
Drones are a fascinating technology that has improved by leaps and bounds in the last several years. Drones started out as simple remote-control aircraft, and have transformed to include autopilot controls, HD and 4k cameras, and 360° gimbal systems. Industries around the world have started to integrate them into their business practices; everything from professional photography to building safety inspections to delivering packages. Drone technology is here to stay and will become more present in everyday life. How are libraries using drones to help our patrons?
One school library in Virginia is using drones to make sure their students have access to books. Kelley Passek, who works for Montgomery County Public Schools, is located in a trial delivery service area for Wing, a drone delivery company owned by Google/Alphabet. The school district reached out to Wing to see if they would be interested in adding library book delivery as well. The company agreed, and book deliveries started. Students can order books via Google Form. The library pulls items and packages them up, and then delivers them to the Wing Facility. The books are then airlifted to the student’s homes. For more details see: Drone Delivery of Library Books
In a recent episode of Heather Monthie’s, PhD, podcast she discusses the idea of library delivery drones as both a way to get physical library items to patrons who can not get to the library as well as a convenient way to checkout books that do not have digital versions. Heather Monthie is an FAA certified flight instructor, and stem educator. In the episode of the podcast, she discusses the pro’s and cons of Library materials delivered by drones and talks about how a system might be implemented using the technology of today. Have a listen, the podcast is about 17 minutes long. A full transcript is also available.
Here are a couple of more resources about drone information and libraries:
A Drone’s-Eye View | American Libraries Magazine A great article about small drones for library programs. Smaller or indoor drones do not have to be registered with the FAA, and this article discusses a few options available.
DRONES | ALA Libraries Transform (ilovelibraries.org) The ALA Center for the Future of Libraries has Drones as one of their Trending Technologies. They have collected some excellent information and resources to help libraries keep drones on their radar.
– Mike Sloan
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.
Words we use
My fail forward is about using words that have a negative connotation and learning what is more acceptable. I have used the word weird to describe a person. The word weird does not have a negative connotation in my head, because I consider myself weird. When I use the word weird to describe somebody else, in my mind I see somebody who is unique, someone who does not follow social norms. It is a great thing to be different.
The problem is when people hear it they think I’m being negative. I am trying to be more conscious about this. So in a learning experience someone suggested I use the word “outliers” instead of weird. Thank you for helping me. Language is a funny thing. Now when I try to substitute outliers for weird, the following goes through my head. Outliers is negative to me because it is made up of “out” and “liars”. No one wants to be left out and no one wants to be a liar. I will try to say outliers instead of weird. It might take me a little time but I’m always trying to change for the best. Please be patient with those who try to change their mindset and language. Change is important but it can be uncomfortable.
– Eric Hovey
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!
I have a double crush!
April and May we are celebrating the Valley County Big Read. The Donnelly Public Library combined efforts with Cascade Public Library and McCall Public Library to bring the Big Read to Valley County. It was postponed because of COVID-19 and then Cascade had a director transition out in the middle and their staff had to pick up the pieces and run with it as they were the lead. It was a ton of work for Cascade. Cascade trustees and staff, I applaud you.
I also have a CRUSH on McCall. We had our kick off event and I did not send out the memo to dress up, but Mr. Casey knew that we dress up every chance we get in Donnelly and so without even asking he showed up as Zeus. All three libraries came together and had a great event. The grant was from the National Endowment For The Arts. We will be hosting several events until the end of May. It also afforded us the opportunity to purchase over a hundred copies of the book Circe as well as copies of children’s books for our community, in addition to multiple copies that we are sharing with our online digital community. If you have a book club at your library there are several copies of Circe on the Idaho Digital Consortium. For more information check out https://bigreadvalleycounty.lili.org/
– Guest, Sherry Scheline at Donnelly Public Library
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-246156-OLS-20). The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.