tblcplanning wiki / Linda Crowe Planning Meeting Summary

TBLC PLANNING SESSION
LINDA CROWE CONVERSATION: NOTES
April 27, 2007

Participants’ describe characteristics of systems in one word:
• Open-minded • Leader • Service xx • Communicative • Flexible • Collaborative • Supportive • Tenacious • Innovative x • Nimble

Characteristics of end-users?
• Millennials (under 25): a big generation (children of Boomers); self-service library users; smarter; brain wired differently; brain scans different; sense of urgency; no focus; multi-task; want newest, greatest, easiest; non-technical; ELOI; me-focused; no organizational skills; excellent texting skills; need chaos, noise; spend money on whatever they want, like; poor communication skills (used to text messaging, IMing) • GEN X: research/technical skills are shallow; hard to convince that they need additional skills; smarter; self-service library users; don’t want in-depth answers. • Retired: want “traditional” services: computer classes, print materials; willing to practice; still need/want reference help.	Eloi people: The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

Cool new stuff being done in networks and cooperatives:
• Innovation grants to members: BALIS used an easy form for members to apply for a total of $100,000 in grant funds; winners: Book-amaton – a machine, in public locations, that “vends” books free, using library card. • Info People: LSTA funded computers and training; graduated to automation and technical training; format: all day sessions, done in a specific style using Powerpoint, contract employees; branched out into staff development of all sorts, now the training arm of the State Library of California (contract trainers develop modules that are vetted by staff and then presented at least five times). This year focus is on pre-leadership training, next year Leadership Institute. Always trying what’s new, the latest in technology. Most classes are in person though a few are virtual. • Innovative C.E.: metro consortium in New York • Metrosystem in Chicago merged academic and public libraries into system • North Suburban system in Illinois: technology, programming, newsletter, focus on training internal staff in new stuff to keep current • Social marketing • Virtual branches • Concentrated Marketing: bus tails, movie trailers	BALIS Info People NY Metro Consortium CE Chicago Metro System of Libs NSLS

Ongoing conversation/ideas/thoughts:
• Instant messaging: how could you move it into libraries? Can TBLC help? • Text messaging: Cuyahoga County in Ohio (vendor = Velti) • Teaching in-depth research skills • Services need to be easy to use, online • Library schools are teaching same old stuff? • Guerilla librarianship: need to be out there! • Hiring technical skills without MLS? What’s the pay? • What do we mean when we say “traditional services”? circ, ref, programs, cataloging, ILL, technical services. Can we toss any of these? Traditional reference? System reference is declining (as a back up to local reference). Need to break down that barrier of the reference desk. Circulation stats: circulation of print is down while media is increasing. • Books by Mail: Montana delivers materials via anything on wheels (beertrucks, for example) • Ask a Librarian: needs more promotion; people like the anonymity of virtual reference; declining in California but not tended; should be part of the “new” reference; take it to the users; works on the desktop; Millennials will use it if it’s easy and where they are. • LII: Librarian’s Internet Index • Open Source to replace ILS: Georgia’s Evergreen. So far it only has circ and ILS but it’s an alternative to the commercial vendors. • Hire consultants to develop and test stuff rather than permanent staff. • Tagging: thinking like the customer: Amazon-like connections • Biblio-commons • Library Thing • Worldcat.org/local: U. of Washington coming up this week, then Pennsylvania Library System • Googlize licensed databases	Oregon Libs Wiki on IM in libraries Cuyahoga County Velti Montana delivery LII Open Source Georgia’s Evergreen Biblio-commons Library Thing Worldcat.org

Systems need to:
• Watch for new stuff: read, tale to people, keep antennae out there • Try new things (Overdrive, ebrary) • Listen to the members • Help libraries with marketing and other needs (funding, eg) Video on YouTube, MySpace, public channels, school channels Radio In-library marketing of own URL! Promote eResources in individual libraries as well as to general public

What should TBLC take from today’s conversation?
• Do more of the same and do it better, especially marketing (press releases re electronic resources that also promote libraries) • Look into Open Source • Innovate • Watch for new stuff • Encourage school library-public library communication; also school-academic. Training at teacher staff development day Workshop at FAME Create handouts re: what kids need to know translated from Info Power; distribute in public libraries (see W. Palm public/school program) • For Academic libraries, continue innovative new stuff: CE on current topics, also products like Overdrive, video on demand. • C.E. on all topics Take it to the branches Coordinate with other presenters for virtual training (Info People, Web Junction, etc.) Could TBLC set up certified Info People or start its own similar service in conjunction with other MLC’s? • Have a presence on Second Life? • Offer teen-oriented program kit • Explore options for enhancing communications with members • Market more aggressively at VIP workshop • Go to libraries and talk to staff • Offer a “system” orientation for new staff at libraries: preceding trainings at TBLC? Online?