TBLC BOARD FOCUS GROUP
March 9, 2007
Question 1: What are the biggest challenges facing libraries in the next five years? (Priority order)
· Staffing, recruitment and salaries: staff spread thin, training often “on-your-own”; public has unrealistic expectations of staff technical expertise.
· E-govt: government services shifted to libraries often without notice and usually without resources.
· Technology: rapidity of changes in technology and software upgrades; need for constant staff training to keep up; VISTA issue - impact on wireless access and bandwidth; sheer number of computers; need to connect with youth; Library 2.0; need for ever increasing bandwidth.
· Money: will there be enough, will there be decreases, will libraries be first to go in a cut?
· Community growth: need for more services; paradox of growth at same time as projected diminishing funds.
· Security issues: e.g., unruly teens: lack of respect, latch-key kids that grew up; mental health issues; staff taxed to cope effectively with social problems; issue of library liability for predators if proposed legislation passes.
· Public attitude that Google is “good enough”. Need for making reliable databases accessible to the public (and staff) given their current reluctance to use them:
o need cross-platform software that works easily and reliably – a “Google” for databases that is free, easy and universal.
o need standardized front-end on library web sites: for economy, efficiency and user-friendliness
o need better business model for databases: vendors need to change their approach.
· Library relationship to Google and Google Books.
· Staying relevant: what is library role in the world of Google, especially with kids?
· Changes in State Library: less support and resources for public libraries
· Collection development challenges with limited funding, especially in media centers
· Growing public expectation of instant gratification.
· Marketing and communication: especially to the funding bodies
· Increase in Spanish language population: how to bring folks into the library plus subsequent need to address communication issues, acquire appropriate resources, and develop services
· Electronics make the technical world small: can libraries handle it?
· Funding “trickle-down” impact on TBLC, especially on membership dues. Will libraries be able to pay? If not, what will happen?
· Need for public education regarding Internet reliability and safety, dangers for kids.
· Filtering/CIPA: impact on provision of technology in libraries.
Question 2: Knowing what you do about TBLC and its services, what things would you change in response to these challenges?
1. Staffing issues:
·Conduct more workshops out in the field – at the libraries
·Offer more regional educational opportunities for library staff
·Provide continuing marketing assistance with brochures and video clips
·Explore the possibility of libraries outsourcing more tasks to TBLC, e.g., contract cataloging
·Serve as clearing house for training in area (one stop shopping)
·Facilitate sharing of TBLC information deeper into staff at libraries
2. E-government:
·Negotiate early warning for these changes.
·Convene the conversation for a regional effort to manage the change.
·Provide staff training in preparation for change.
3. Technology:
·Establish a regional “blog” that libraries in the region could use collaboratively.
·Create a virtual library on Second Life.
·Offer outside experts on topics and bring to local level.
·Help library staff feel more comfortable participating in workshop opportunities.
·Continue to lead in technology with coordination and provision of information and convening conversations about it.
4. Money:
·Negotiate with vendors for small libraries or others who are interested.
·Guide collaboration and sharing for improved economy.
·Re-examine how TBLC costs are determined for individual libraries vs. cooperatives and systems.
Question 3: What new things should TBLC do to help its members and to succeed in the next five years?
1. Staffing:
· Offer training in areas usually provided by government, e.g. sexual harassment
· Share TBLC staff expertise with libraries: e.g., marketing consultation
· Help develop marketing plans through group collaboration
· Establish a TBLC Marketing Special Interest Group
· Create a movie theater “trailer” on library services and distribute throughout the region
· Convene conversations on key library services such as youth services
· Provide course management for library programs
2. Technology:
· Help figure out how to make “cool new stuff” into a library service
· Convene conversations to encourage collaboration
· Help libraries find cheap options for increased bandwidth
· Develop “drop-in widgets” for library websites: e.g., public reviews books on web
· Research and gather “best practices” info for libraries; a kind of consumer reports for library stuff that is easy for libraries to pick up and use.
· Offer video-on-demand
· Provide newsletter and info sent directly to members’ email addresses (like FLA, ALA newsletters)
3. E-government
· Serve as intermediary between Tallahassee and local libraries regarding issues raised by e-government (shift to online services that need to be accessed at libraries)
· Consult with the FLA or MLC lobbyist to help create relationships with Tallahassee departments
· Convene regional meetings on this topic with libraries and govt. reps
· Use group influence with legislators to help start dialog
TBLC Plan - Final.doc
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