The Conversation Business: Learning, Listening, and Connecting in Libraries Today (and Tomorrow)

2013 SWKLS Tech Day

Brenda Hough

There are many ways libraries can be at the center of conversation in their communities:

• by offering programs that foster discussion,
• designing spaces that encourage interaction,
• providing tools for a “workshop of the mind”,
• storing and sharing stories about local people, places, and events,
• and listening to what community members have to say.

Technology is sparking new opportunities for enhancing and extending conversations. In this session, examples from libraries around the system, the state, and the country will be shared. Participants will have a chance to share their own successes and to think about the possibilities for the future.Pew Reports:

Resources:

• Library Services in the Digital Age http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/01/22/Library-services/
• Ebook Reading Jumps; Print Book Reading Declines http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2012/12/27/e-book-reading-jumps-print-book-reading-declines/
• New York Times Do We Still Need Libraries? http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/27/do-we-still-need-libraries
• Huffington Post The Future of Libraries in a Digital Culture http://www.huffingtonpost.com/patricia-martin/libraries-digital-age_b_1942610.html
• Salon Bring Back Shushing Librarians http://www.salon.com/2013/01/31/bring_back_shushing_librarians/
• “Public libraries have long served as gathering places and offered a range of nonliterary programs. And those who predicted their demise ‘have been proved wrong,’ says historian Wayne Wiegand, emeritus professor of library and information studies at Florida State University.  Community-focused activities at libraries aren’t new developments, he says, but rather ‘repetitions of what happened in the past.’  Librarians say they are increasing the number and variety of programs they offer—and people seem to be responding.  Attendance at public library programs rose 29% from 2004 to 2010, as overall visits to libraries also rose, according to the most recent survey by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.” Wall Street Journal article Jan 8, 2013

The Atlas of New Librarianship by R. David Lankes: The Mission of Librarians Is to Improve Society through Facilitating Knowledge Creation in Their Communities.  Knowledge is Created through Conversation.

Conversations: Connecting, Learning, Creating

Workshops of the Mind.  Hubs of the community.  Inspiration factories.

Conversations:

• Liberal (KS) Memoral Library’s Adult Programs http://www.lmlibrary.org/programs.asp
• Idea Box, Oak Park (IL) Public Library http://oppl.org/events/idea-box
• Ashland (KS) Library’s art classes  http://ashland.mykansaslibrary.org/
• Stanton County (KS) Public Library’s Make it with duct tape http://stantoncounty.mykansaslibrary.org/make-it-with-duct-tape/
• Marion County (KY) Public Library’s Crafting Club at Your Library https://www.facebook.com/events/298846443460299/
• Plains (KS) Community Library wireless 24/7 http://www.plainslibrary.info/
• Lane County (KS) Computer classes via videoconferencing http://lanecounty.mykansaslibrary.org/computer-classes-via-video-conferencing/
• Poudre River (CO) Public Library District’s Tech-a-la-Carte http://www.poudrelibraries.org/classes/ and http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/blog/quota-librarian-in-the-homequot-yes-hear-the-tech-a-la-carte-story
• Morton County (KS) Library Quilt Show http://mclib.elkhart.com/Quilt%20pages/2008%20Quilts.htm
• Arlington (VA) Public Library’s Introduction to Pinterest http://library.arlingtonva.us/ai1ec_event/tech-class-introduction-pinterestshirlington/?instance_id=
• Edgewater (FL) Branch Library’s Etsy.com class http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-11-23/news/orl-jnt441107-collegepark-etsy.com-20121123_1_registration-fees-class-time-edgewater-drive
• Sew Generous (Australia) online charity quilting bee http://www.quiltsewscrap.com/p/sew-generous.html
• Knitting and Giving (CT) http://knittingandgiving.wordpress.com/
• Bucklin (KS) Public Library’s camera checkout http://www.bucklinpubliclibrary.org/
• Pima County (AZ) Library’s CreateIT http://www.library.pima.gov/teens/create-it.php and http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/blog/youth-led-tech-the-library-thank-you-jennifer-nichols
• YOUmedia Chicago http://youmediachicago.org/
• LibraryYOU Escondido (CA) http://libraryyou.escondido.org/ and http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/blog/libraries-fostering-content-creation-webinar-follow-up
• Kinsley (KS) Library’s Tractorcade oral history project http://www.kinsleylibrary.info/Tractorcade.htm and http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/blog/sowing-the-seeds-kinsley-library039s-oral-history-project
• NYPL’s What’s on the menu? Project http://menus.nypl.org/
• Stevens County (KS) Library’s book reviews by children http://www.stevenscountylibrary.com/category/bookreview/book-reviews-by-children/
• Independence (KS) Library’s Scratch club http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/blog/creations-from-scratch and http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/blog/more-scratch-and-lego-clubs
• What is a Makerspace? http://www.alatechsource.org/blog/2012/12/what-is-a-makerspace-creativity-in-the-library.html
• Public Libraries 3D Printing FabLabs and Hackerspaces http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCXlJ36x-q0 (video)

Activity:

• How are you already encouraging conversations?
• What ideas do you have for more conversations?

Being Systematic:

1. Mission
2. Strategic plan
3. Action
   1. Staffing
   2. $$
4. Partnerships
5. Outreach
6. Advocacy
7. Ongoing learning

Librarians who are masters of conversation:

1. Understand their communities
2. Have a strong vision
3. Build relationships
4. Think beyond the walls of the library
5. Move toward opportunities
6. Are willing to experiment and get feedback
7. Make time for learning and reflecting

Path to becoming a master of conversation:

1. Grit
2. Learning Community
3. Action

In conclusion:

• Keep listening.
• Keep fostering those conversations that are creating knowledge that matters in our communities.
• Look for ways to use technology to extend or enhance the conversations.
• And keep telling people about the workshop of the mind that’s right there at the heart of their community.

Thank you!