Other Duties as Assigned

Professional Learning Experiences

As a graduate student and the employee of a library that takes professional development seriously, I spend a lot of time thinking about professional learning experiences. This program is, by far, the biggest commitment of my professional learning so far. I had been out of college for just over 20 years before I began the MLIS program at SJSU. I was never a terribly motivated student unless I really liked a class and online learning wasn’t a part of my undergrad experience. Needless to say, I was more than a little bit apprehensive about this program. In the past two years, I have learned a few things: 

1. I like learning, especially about a subject that matters to me.
2. It’s hard to work in a library all day and come home to do library-related schoolwork.
3. I find it really, really hard to focus. This is largely managed by “brown noise” in my headphones, caffeine, and sugar. 

One of the best values of my workplace is its commitment to ongoing learning. This takes the form of regular staff training meetings where management or staff members will present something– training on new technology, a tour of a newly expanded collection, or sometimes a reminder about a process that needs refreshing. The one thing they all have in common is a casual tone and a congenial attitude. The best of these are presented with a sense of play. While learning through play makes sense at an organization like LEGO, the idea is applicable to any organization (The LEGO Foundation, 2016). In the video, you see the participants trying to make their little device write with a pen. If approached in a serious way, this might be a frustrating experience, but with a playful attitude, the participants try, fail, then pick it up and try again. Having the safety to learn and experiment in a playful way can take a learning experience from neutral (or even negative) to positive. This style is illustrated by the playful and positive style of Ted Lasso. 

These lessons have shaped who I am becoming as an information professional because I want to create a sense of teamwork, warmth, and connection among staff and carry that attitude into my interactions with patrons. 

The LEGO Foundation. (July 5, 2016). What do we mean by learning through play? [Video]. Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/173458519

Watching this lecture, I thought about the ways that a public library is made up of everyone’s stories. Sometimes people volunteer their stories and let everyone in on their inner life. Sometimes, staff have to piece together clues to figure out what someone needs and discern the best way to help them. 

I was especially interested in the article about StoryCorps’ efforts to collect people’s stories. My library’s archivist recently began an initiative with the local community’s Puerto Rican historical organization to collect people’s photos, documents, and stories. This is a wonderful way to document the underreported history of this group. The plan is to eventually expand the project and include any of the town’s residents and former residents to build an archive of their stories and create a rich collection of first-person narratives and photos. 

I especially love the idea of pairing the interviewee with a family member or loved one in order to best capture the relationships (Eberhart, 2018). It’s amazing how much you can learn from a family conversation, even about topics that you have been discussing for years. For instance, one of my aunts visited my library this week. As I walked her to the car afterward, she told me how their family had lived in the town when she was very young. She then she directed me to their old house, just a few streets from the library. I had no idea they’d lived so close, as my father was just a toddler when they moved and didn’t really remember. As we drove by, she reminisced about their neighbors and the candy store that had been on their street. The store is long gone but she remembered the kind owner who let her and her brothers fill their pockets for free because he knew that things were difficult as their eldest brother was very ill with cystic fibrosis. 

What I expected to be a quick visit became an experience I’ll treasure, as it connected me to my family, especially my father who passed away not long ago. It also connected me to the history of the community where I work. (She also pointed out a few other landmarks, including a haunted former convent. Another story for another time.) Stories like these are part of the fabric of the community and helping people remember and document them for future generations is just one way that libraries can support them.

References

Eberhart, G.M. (2018, February 10. Sharing people’s stories. American Libraries. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/sharing-peoples-stories/

In considering the New Models module, I naturally compared some of the ideas to my current library and the ways we engage with patrons. Our layout is in need of some adjustments–for instance, the teen space is very close to the “quiet study” section, which itself houses public computers–not necessarily conducive to silent work. This means that there are often people with conflicting needs who are not doing anything wrong but still affect each other’s experience of the library. We hosted a program on hygge last winter but we could be doing much more to create a sense of comfort, starting with creating spaces that allow for the different kinds of work, study, and play people want to do. 

Silence in the library is not the goal–-making the library comfortable for everyone is. As Pam Sandlian Smith said in her Ted Talk (2013), you never know who is going to come through the door. When that person comes through, we need to be prepared to meet them where they are and to provide the best user-focused experience possible. 

A model of library innovation, Anythink created this list of core competencies for its staff:

• I am customer focused. 
• I am cooperative and a collaborator. 
• I am understanding and compassionate. 
• I am a self-starter and have a strong work ethic. 
• I am flexible and embrace change. 
• I am an effective communicator. 
• I am a problem solver. 
• I am responsible and honest. 
• I am emotionally mature. 
• I am a continuous learner. 
• I am an innovator. 
• I am a leader. 
• I am an Anythinker.

I was struck by the way these competencies encompass emotional intelligence and intrinsic motivation. If an organization truly values and cultivates these traits, they can be positioned to create change and move the library industry forward. Anythink’s Staff Manifesto similarly celebrates soft skills and empowers staff to create experiences for its patrons. One of the main things I’ve gotten from this class so far is the knowledge that there’s still so much for me to learn and so many ways my library can try to meet our users’ needs, especially if we are open to the inspiration available to us. 

References

Anythink. (n.d.). Anythink staff competencies. https://www.anythinklibraries.org/sites/default/files/imce_uploads/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Core%20Competencies%20Cover%20Letter.pdf

Anythink. (n.d.). Staff manifesto. https://www.anythinklibraries.org/sites/default/files/imce_uploads/Anythink_Staff_Manifesto.pdf

Tedx Talks. (December 16, 2013). What to expect from libraries in the 21st century: Pam Sandlian Smith at TEDxMileHigh [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa6ERdxyYdo

 

In this module, the reading that really stood out to me was Moving Beyond the “Third Place”. The article describes a forum held at the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions 2016 World Library and Information Congress. The forum was led by Marie Ostergaard, head of community engagement at Dokk1, a large cultural center in Aarhus, Denmark, that includes the Aarhus Public Library, Ostergaard described Dokk1 as being much more than just a library but instead the “living room of the city” (Morehart, 2016). Three other panelists presented their libraries, all of which were said to focus less on collections and more on the library as a space in which to work, perform, and congregate. 

I find this idea compelling and slightly intimidating for a couple of reasons. The libraries in which I have worked are already gathering places, workspaces, and activity centers but I am concerned by the idea of deprioritizing collections. Focusing on the community’s needs and providing opportunities to learn and congregate are central to what we do, but providing access to information through physical and digital materials shouldn’t get lost in the rush to meet other needs.

I am impressed by the beautiful, spacious libraries that are being shown in articles like this but one of my library’s current issues is our layout and the need for quiet space versus areas to collaborate and socialize. The single-floor, open concept layout means that the children’s area, cafe space (the only space in which patrons are allowed to eat), the teen space, and the quiet area all flow from one to the next, with no sound barriers or buffers. If we were able to add on to the building and create distinct spaces, we could better serve everyone’s needs. This isn’t to say that I am resistant to these kinds of changes; furthering the third space idea and making libraries true community hubs is inspiring. But for a small space like mine, it will take some really thoughtful and innovative planning to move to the next level.

References

Moreheart, P. (2016, August 17). Moving beyond the “third place”. American Libraries. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/library-design-moving-beyond-third-place/

 

I found several ideas in this module’s lecture inspiring. At my library, all librarians are part of the Community Services team, as such, outreach is a regular part of the job. This is different from my previous library, where only the children’s librarians went out into the community on a regular basis. I didn’t expect to find a position where my outreach skills would be valued, so I appreciate this.

The community my library serves is a small, walkable town, so it’s easy to get out and talk to the shop owners and residents, whether we’re running a table at a community festival, standing out front with our book bike handing out calendars and flyers, or even stopping in to meet the owners of the new gelato shop. (What started as a lunchtime treat turned into scouting a location for a future book discussion–a win-win!) 

Talking with patrons inside of the library is a great way to find out how we can “serve the whole person.” The more we learn about their interests, needs, and struggles, the more closely we can align our programs and materials to best support them. I love the idea of a community closet filled with supplies that patrons can take as they need them. The “soup day” idea is inspiring as well. We already run a program called “Cook the Book” where patrons choose recipes out of a particular cookbook and bring a dish to share with the group. One of our regular patrons, who is insecurely housed, loves the program and always participates by bringing what she can–a pack of string cheese or something similar. I’ve already suggested a coffee and conversation group at which people can meet representatives from our county’s support services (which I learned about in another class I am taking this semester–Serving Homeless Patrons in Public Libraries.) Maybe the answer is a larger event where we don’t differentiate between people’s need level–everyone can just come and participate.

I am grateful to be part of a library that values its community and is open to new ways of connecting with patrons and finding better ways to serve them. I’ve included a picture of the book bike I referenced in this post. I will admit up front that I really dislike riding the bike but using it as an outreach tool is effective and a great way to start conversations.

 

My name is Sue Ritchie and I am, among other things:

• A librarian at a small library in Bucks County, PA that is part of a larger public library system
• A parent of two kids, one of whom is finishing her freshman year of college and the other, his junior year of high school
• Living in a three-cat household
• Slightly overwhelmed and usually better at juggling things

I’m happy to be taking this class and look forward to getting to know everyone!