Hi Terri,
Thanks for sharing! I totally know what you mean about change being uncomfortable — I’ve always struggled with adapting to change too. Especially when some of our experiences with change have not been so good. The example you brought up around COVID is a great example. It definitely forced a lot of people, and definitely libraries, to assess access and embrace change. I’m also heartened to hear at the end that you were able to make that adjustment in the workflow to better you and patrons. Maybe if we start with small changes, it’ll make the bigger changes easier to adapt to over time for you and me both!
Thanks again for sharing!

Hi Terri!
What an inspiring story. Change can definitely be uncomfortable and need I say, scary. I agree that we need to embrace change and become versatile ourselves for whatever may come our way. Libraries have shown so much resilience–especially after reintegrating themselves after the pandemic. Funny enough, I thought of another good song that talks about change–Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel.

This is a really cute presentation! Super cozy.
I really want to focus on the “appreciating libraries” slide. One of the biggest things that users say to me after attending a program is… “I didn’t know you guys offered this”. It is always astounding to me but also something that I brought up in my class with Professor Tunon. I think that users get information overload and find it hard to understand how much a library truly offers. I have users who just visit to say hello and I love that for them. They find it is a safe space where they feel connected. Of course I help with book requests but often find myself talking about their accomplishments, families, and other unrelated to library topics in order to bond on a deeper level.

Hi Michelle,

First off, your slides are absolutely exquisite. They’re so beautifully colorful and engaging. If you don’t mind me asking but which presentation tool did you use? It’s a must have.

Also, I had never heard of #hygge before; but even after searching it, I don’t quite understand it other than a Danish quaint or cozy lifestyle, but regardless, I learned something new today 🙂

Anyway, I wholeheartedly agree with you regarding shifting library’s focus from books to nurturing relationships and community. But that definitely begins with a happy staff and “staff orientation and guidance” as you mentioned. When a library system focuses on contented staff members, then that will naturally translate to satisfied users. Honestly, a “happy staff = happy patrons = happy library” mindset is true for almost every facet there is in life, including private businesses.

Hi Claire,

Great post! I agree with a lot of what you’ve written here. The library I work in has gone through many phases of late fee practices. We generally don’t charge late fees for our own books, but because we’re an academic library we have high interlibrary loan use. That’s usually when we get into sticky territory, because other libraries will charge us for late or lost books. We used to eat the cost, but it became a big strain on our budget. It’s tough to navigate!

With some libraries in our consortium, we’ve reach an agreement that if users are willing to replace a book they’ve lost, then there is no fee charged. It’s not perfect, but we’ve found many users are happy with the alternative. It’s often cheaper to simply replace a book than pay fees (which can really add up!).

Thanks again for posting! I really enjoyed reading what you shared, and the fun follow-along photos.

Claire, great topic to post about (and some great thoughts!) Like Diamond’s consortium, the public library cooperative I work in has gotten rid of all fees, except for damaged and lost items. In your conclusion, you mention incentives and rewards, instead of fines, for those who turn materials on time. What do you think that would look like? I was thinking maybe a sort of automated punch card system at book returns. You get a card punch for each trip that you return materials on time and, after so many pumches, you get a prize. Maybe a coupon(s) to local businesses?

@claireburke I love this post! I also love the idea of giving rewards for returning books early or on time, instead of punishing for being late. There should also be rewards for those who may not have returned the book, but rechecked it out in the proper way and in timely fashion – because not everyone reads at the same speed. I love many of the e-book library apps, as they automatically return for you and also give you several warnings when it’s about to be returned.

Hi @pfulumirani,

I found your post to be really informative regarding greater library participation for the future. And I strongly agree with your assessment of many libraries’ lack of social media presence and prowess.

From my experience (similar to yours), most library accounts are simply used as a means for marketing, which I’m automatically inclined to ignore. As such they truly lack that human touch and appeal that younger generations really gravitate towards.

Your suggestion of a designated social media team is definitely a vital start. In response to your inquiry regarding how libraries can gain a better grasp on their patrons’ mindsets, I would actually love if libraries utilized more of social media’s polling features to actually gauge their users’ interests and act accordingly with new and better services. Through simple and short online surveys, more than enough information and insight can be gained.

Anyway, Great post!
Kiana

Hi @pfulumirani,

As a “very online” person (ha), I’ve taken note of communities like “booktube” and “bookstagram”, and of how younger people are taking an interest in libraries these days – it’s so great. And I think you’re right that, unless libraries are taking full advantage of engaging with this group of people in their meeting grounds, they’re really dropping the ball. I’m very proud of the library where I work. We hired a student to run our Instagram account, and she is AMAZING. She did a Barbie meme series recently, that introduced what each of our staff members does at the library, and she does other fun memes and polls and things. And we get a decent amount of interaction too! Check it out if you want: https://www.instagram.com/ithacalibrary/

@claireburke. Great pics! 🧛‍♀️ I am enjoying a run on horror films right now… Monday night was Longlegs and last night I started Oddity. Boith are very well done. Thanks for your sharing here. Welcome to #hyperlib!

@claireburke I am giving The Blackcoat’s Daughter a try — from the director of Longlegs (which I can’t get out of my head).

I also love Halloween. My wife and I have been sneaking out the decorations earlier and earlier every year. She’s was more of a horror kid than I was, I was too scared, but I’ve come to really love the genre. Mostly movies, mostly older moodier ones. I’m currently finishing up a set of folk horror movies. I have started trying to read at least one or two horror novels or collections during the Halloween season too though. Last year I got through some Thomas Ligotti and finally read some Clive Barker. I’d love to read more contemprary or lesser known writers too though, but it’s hard to know where to start So, if you have any recommedations!

Your work also sounds really interesting. Thought it can be challenging at times, for a variety of reasons often unrelated to the individuals or groups you’re direclty assisting, I’ve found working with special needs communities to be the most rewarding and interesting.

Hey @louis
what folk horror movies have you been watching? That’s one of my fave genres, I really enjoy the original Wicker Man with Christopher Lee and The Witch. I’ve never read Thomas Ligotti and have only seen Hellraiser by Clive Barker, but liked it a lot.
The main horror writer I enjoy is Stephen King, but if you dabble in manga, Junji Ito creates some amazing stories and visuals. The book Hell House by Richard Matheson had me keeping the lights on at night when I’d read it.
Yeah, for sure I enjoy my job and have seen the kids I work with grow so much over the years I’ve known them; I definitely am clocked out by the end of the day, but in a good way, if that makes sense.

Hi Terri Beth,
nice to meet you and Lillian! Thanks for sharing about your professional background and I am looking forward to this semester as well!

@terribeth I heart Lilian!

Thanks for your kind words about 200 and this class!

Yay for being a film major. I did the film minor in my undergrad and it was a good background for when I started in the public library AV department.

Welcome to #hyperlib!

@michael Awww! Thank you! She’s my baby.

Film degrees are so great! I tend to think they really give you a good background in critical thinking, too.

Very hyped for this class! : )

Hi Terri Beth! Thanks for visiting my blog and for your comment. Lillian looks like such a sweetie! I love how she is holding your hand in the picture – my dog does that too! ❤️

Hi Kyle,
the photos you posted are absolutely incredible! Thanks for sharing them! Also, that’s amazing that you just wrapped up your internship with Lucasfilm; that must have been an awesome experience! Nice to meet you and have a great semester!

Hi, Kyle. The Lucasfilm internship must have been amazing! Also, your photo gallery is stunning — thank you for sharing.

@kylehanson I am all about your internship. That must have been amazing to be in the film archives. Your website is AMAZING. I browsed around…so many cool images. I heart the Chicago photos!

And the Queen Mary! WOW!