2021-08-27 SPLAT Curiosity Report: Volume 9, Issue 5

Featured Story

Green Gatherings

My last Crush Corner article was geared around the idea of outdoor spaces for the libraries; more specifically giving patrons more options when it comes to internet access and library services. This topic has been kind of an obsession with me lately and I am sure others of you as well. We are all contemplating this new idea of green spaces or green gatherings as we are easing slowly out of the pandemic. Outdoor library spaces that are considered “green” are becoming more of a desirable and much needed commodity. Library Journal had an article that was on par with how I want my library to consider more outdoor spaces and programming. In the article “Inside out: Extending the Library’s Outdoor Space Footprint,” they touched on this growing need.

“Even after all the lockdowns are over, outdoor spaces will remain useful for more than preparing for the next pandemic, allowing patrons to enjoy the natural environment while having access to library amenities.”
 
Here are a few questions to ask as you move forward in considering your new green gathering space.

  • Is it an extension of the library’s indoor spaces intended for quiet reading, studying, or relaxation?
  • Is it a community resource available when the library is closed, similar to a park, or is it fenced in as a private part of the library?
  • Are there amenities that can be tied into programs that use the outdoors (trails, gardens, wilderness, etc.)?
  • If it will be used for programs, what type are they and what are their needs?
  • Will the space be rentable to raise funds for the library?

I know this is a new direction that our library will consider high importance as we move forward. Green is good!

– Rasheil Stanger

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.

Failure = Learning Experience

I’ve been training a co-worker to help me out with ILLs and I worked hard to create detailed, picture-laden documentation that walks through everything I do with Interlibrary loans.  It was beautiful… well, as far as training documentation goes.  

I handed it over to my assistant and walked her through things and she picked it up really fast.  One Friday afternoon, I was pretty confident that she knew what she was doing, so I left a few piles of work to do over the weekend.  Monday morning when I came in, there were more piles and lots of sticky notes with questions on them.  

I LOVED it!  Seriously!

It meant that there were areas that I had left out without even realizing it.  I told her to continue leaving sticky notes with questions whenever she needed help and we would go over whatever she needed.  It pointed out the “holes” in places that I didn’t realize were there.  I haven’t really trained anyone before, I’ve written training materials a thousand times, but officially training someone was new to me.   It was a great learning experience for both of us and I enjoyed learning about how my way of learning and passing on knowledge fit in with the other way people could see and retain the same information.
– Vanessa Thiele

 

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!

Henderson Libraries, NV

Like so many of us, Henderson Libraries in Henderson, NV keeps their community up to date with library happenings through their website, Facebook, and Instagram. They posted an amazing promotional video for their summer reading program on Instagram. It’s fun and engaging and shows way more video-editing skills than I could ever have! @hendersonlibraries on Instagram

– Mallory Snow
 

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.