2021-07-02 Curiosity Report: Volume 9, Issue 1

Featured Story

Finding Your People

I recently watched the movie “Mitchells vs the Machines“.  In this fantastic cross-country romp of a movie, one of the themes explored is the idea of ‘Finding your people’.  This got me thinking about libraries, and how at times it feels like nobody does the same job that you do or has experienced the same kind of problems.  This can be true no matter what part of the library you work in… Reference/Public Services, Circulation, or Technical Services or what type of library you work at. It is easy to feel isolated at work, and this has become especially hard with all the changes throughout the last year of pandemic service.

 

Fortunately, there are many ways in which you can reach out, participate, discuss, and problem solve with other library folk throughout the state, country, or world.  There are many Facebook Groups, Sub-Reddits, email Listservs, and more out there for all types of jobs and interests.  I have compiled a list of some of the great places to join, and there are always more out there!

First up is Listservs.  Listservs are mainly email driven communities in which topics and threads are emailed directly to everyone subscribed.  You receive emails and respond via email. There are several great Listservs in Idaho.

The first one is Lib-Idaho.  Lib-Idaho is run by the Idaho Library Association, but you do not need to be a member to join the list.  Lib-Idaho is full of fantastic information from members throughout Idaho and beyond.  In fact, you may be reading the Curiosity Report using a link from Lib-Idaho right now!
Find out more, and subscribe here: http://www.idaholibraries.org/LibIdaho
Next are groups for Teen and Early Learning Services.  IdahoLibraryTeenServices is a place where Library staff can communicate, discuss, and improve library services for Teens  and IdahoLibraryEarlyLearning is a place where Idaho library folk can come together to promote early learning and school readiness.  You can find out more at the following links
The ABOS-Outreach listserv is a national group for anyone interested in Bookmobiles and/or Outreach services.  They have several different ways to receive emails – everything from Web-Only participation to digest emails with up to 25 different messages in one email, to getting one email per message.  Listserv membership is free, and you can find out more at: Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services

 

LibraryMakerspace is a listserv hosted by the University of Florida.  It is a great place to find out about new maker technology, find out what other libraries and institutions are doing, and ask questions.  Sign-up for the Listserv here: LISTSERV 16.0 – LIBRARYMAKERSPACE-L List at LISTS.UFL.EDU

 

Next up is Reddit.  Reddit is an online platform where users can post discussion topics, replies, and converse in communities built around interests.  Naturally, there are several Library themed subreddits. Because all posts and replies are kept within the subreddit, this can be an easier way to digest information rather than getting emails. Check out https://www.reddit.com/r/Libraries/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/librarians/

 

Lastly are Facebook groups.  There are Library Facebook groups based around both interests and jobs.  The 5 Minute Librarian blog made a post gathering a list of Librarian Facebook groups.  The post is from 2015, but most of the groups appear to be still available and active. There are groups for everything from the ALA Graphic Novels and Comics in Libraries group to the Elementary Librarian Exchange, for Elementary school librarians and The RDA Cafe, which is a group for anyone interested in cataloging, RDA, and bibliographic data. There are even some fun groups, such as the Library Pokemon Go Support #PokeLibrary and Tattooed Librarians!  Check out the full list at http://www.5minlib.com/2015/02/from-ala-to-zuckerberg-librarian.html     

– Mike Sloan      

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.

Complicated Craft

 

I planned a somewhat complicated craft for a teen program, only to have far more attendees than expected. While I had more than enough supplies, there were several teens needing assistance and only one of me. After reflecting, I realized it is good to have a backup plan. Even if I expected five teens, I should have had a basic plan on what to do if more arrived. I could have had an alternative craft or at least a secondary project to split the group into two to avoid boredom in the teens and stress for me!

Picture source: https://wingsofwhimsy.wordpress.com/2014/08/03/diy-old-book-crafts-no-4-accordion-organizer/

– Brooke Urbaniak

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!

Seattle Public Library

I have the biggest crush on Seattle Public Library and their business services:

First off, I love the way that their page looks for business services. I think that it is really clean and has the right mood for a business themed website, particularly the color scheme and blocky design. The website is organized into different focuses and one of my favorites is the section, “Library to Business Podcasts.” The description says, “Listen to recordings of past small business workshops and advice from business experts, and learn how to plan, launch and operate a business. Recordings are available in Spanish and English.”

Another section that I like is the Nonprofit section. Here you can find resources for grant writing, fundraising, and crowdfunding, as well as the basics of nonprofit skill and knowledge. I clicked on Nonprofit Assistance, Networking, and Educational Organizations, and within that section, I explored 501 Commons, a nonprofit support resource, whose mission is to: “serve nonprofits as experts, innovators, and partners. Our passion is to amplify the strengths of nonprofits—so ALL people and communities flourish.” Great information all around the Seattle Public Library business services, explore this great resource and see for yourself!

– Monique Gaddy

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.