2022-07-29 SPLAT Curiosity Report: Volume 12, Issue 4

Featured Story

Telehealth, Senior Services, and Outreach

Telehealth, Senior services, and Outreach, what do they all have in common? Over at Caldwell Public library, we are trying to find out as part of a new project. So far, we know that there are a lot of older adults who are struggling with technology literacy. This can cause a barrier in receiving services. We also know that we have a limited amount of public transportation options in Caldwell and its surrounding area, and that sometimes people struggle in making it to their appointments. Lastly, we know that there are areas that are more dense within our city, that we have some community organizations that can assist, and multiple services within healthcare who would also be able to help. Caldwell Public Library is trying to establish a way to meet people halfway with these services.
 
We are fortunate to have two outreach vehicles that can be utilized for assisting with telehealth. Both are wifi equipped and can carry technical equipment to help assist patrons. Perhaps we could also allow patrons to borrow some tablets or chromebooks if they do not have their own. Or maybe the solution is simple – just allow a place where people can park next to wifi and have their appointment in their car. There are a lot of options to consider!
 
While we plan out a strategy on how we want to approach this task, we will be considering factors such as our staff size, technical issues or troubleshooting, partnerships, and locations. We will also be thinking about how often we would like to run this outreach, and how long we can keep it going. Since our telehealth services will be partially grant funded, we are also working closely with the Idaho Commission for Libraries to come up with a plan that fits the needs of our community and aligns with our budget and staff size. There is so much to plan out!

By Monique Gaddy

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.

Flow Fail

With an open topic like this, I find it hard to pick from just one of my blunders. But here’s one: I was running a spool racer program aboard the Discovery Bus (our 60-foot, articulated metro bus). The program was aimed at 3rd and 4th graders at a number of elementary schools. I had laid out how the program would flow in our bus environment. But after trying it out, things had not flow well. I was running around the bus like a chicken with its head cut off.
 
After a few days of the program, I came up with a new and better way to sequence things. Everything fell into place after that. This experience showed me that sometimes our vision of how to do something is seen through a glass darkly. It may take time to realize just how to do it more efficiently.

By Chris Theilen

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!

Spark Place @ Greene County Public Library

Recently I took part in NOMCON (Nation of Makers conference) and through this I was introduced to the Greene County Public Library’s makerspace, Spark Place. The Spark Space makerspace is only a couple rooms with multiple stations, but it’s growing.

They offer everything from 3D printers, vinyl stickers and button makers to more advanced items like CNC milling machines, laser cutting/engravers, and embroidery machines. More marvelous equipment is available as well, which necessitates a visit to their webpage to learn about all their capabilities. Even with all this, the Spark Space is physically arranged to invite makers in to uncork their creative energies.

Cara Kouse, the manager, has worked to form partnerships with many organizations and her facility. For example, this space offered training and inspiration to a local high school’s special education group. From training in the Spark Place, and receiving guidance from Cara, those same special education students’ set up their own makerspace and school store.

You can take a peek at Spark Place go here: https://greenelibrary.info/sparkplace/

By Jessica Fleener

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.