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Eleanor Roosevelt and the Importance of Libraries

December 14, 2019

On April 1st, 1939 in Washington D.C., Eleanor Roosevelt gave a compelling speech on the importance of libraries. The content of that speech still rings true today. In fact, this speech was given in the years following the Great Depression and libraries played an important role in the lives of millions of Americans during those troubled years just in much the same way that libraries have played an important role in the years following the Great Recession.  

First Steps to Jump-Starting Your Curiosity

December 07, 2019

Curiosity is a trait the brings us closer to the world. When we wonder, we invent new connections in our brain, connections that give meaning to our inner lives. It is Albert Einstein who, in Life magazine, wrote that “The important thing is not to stop questioning; curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when contemplating the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of the mystery every day. The important thing is not to stop questioning; never lose a holy curiosity.” And yet, despite the importance of curiosity, many ply their everyday routines with little to no impetus to explore. Some of these people are merely comfortable as human trains rolling along their tracks, while others haven’t the know-how to veer off the common road. As a librarian, one of my goals is to encourage people to engage in curiosity. It’s also a topic of personal interest — I like to be surrounded by people who exist in a world that’s incomplete. That being the case, I’ve put a bit of thought into how to encourage curiosity in others. To that end, here are some ways to get going:

AudioFile Magazine’s Annual Best Listening for Kids and Families

December 05, 2019

Wanting to find the best children’s audiobooks is a goal many libraries and families share. Excellent audiobooks for kids can open new storybook awareness, of course. They can also introduce young listeners to the sounds of voices beyond the ones they find familiar, pronouncing words that rarely enter everyday conversations, and providing diversions while stuck in the back seat of a car or alone in bed after lights out.  

Want to Raise a Reader? Libraries Can Make It Easier

December 01, 2019

“With great power comes great responsibility.” Uncle Ben may have been cautioning Peter Parker about the moral obligations that go along with stepping into the role of a web-slinging vigilante, but it’s easy to see how these words could also resonate with new and expecting parents. It’s never too early to start reading to your baby! You are your child’s first and most important teacher. If you have fun and create positive associations around books, your child will likely feel the same way! Make your home a learning zone: Talk! Write! Read! Sing! Play! As a children’s librarian, I’ve been delivering messages like these for years at storytimes, family workshops, and community outreach events. But as a person preparing for her first child, I’ve started to hear these words in a new way.

The Only Free Place in Town

November 17, 2019

Does your club need a meeting space? Would you love access to free, local resources to support the needs and interests of your group? Your local librarian has the answer! Years of experience as a public librarian taught me that while many people in the community are aware that their library provides free programs, fewer people realize that their library can usually provide space and resources for their own programs and activities. Many groups use libraries as meeting places and have awesome experiences! Though libraries generally have plenty of meeting space, you should communicate your needs to your library before you plan a meeting there to make sure.

Report: The Connection Between Crime and Illiteracy is Clear!

November 12, 2019

It is a common refrain that a lack of access to education is one of the major contributing factors to incarceration in the United States. What is not as commonly discussed is the direct impact that reading and literacy skills specifically have on levels of incarceration and crime rates and the impact that library funding has on decreasing crime rates in our communities.

Start Your Business at the Library!

November 12, 2019

Are you one of those people who spend all day at your current job dreaming about running your own business? You have a surefire product or service idea… but it’s just an idea. Normal people don’t just start a company, right? And besides, who would even know where to start? Well, did you know that thousands of Americans start very profitable businesses with the help of their local library?

What the Heck is Fake News? (Something everyone should know by now)

November 05, 2019

Sigh. It’s been years and people still don’t understand what “fake news” is. In October 2019, this was brought to the fore by Citrus County Commissioner Scott Carnahan (video here) — who in my mind immediately became known as “Fake News” Carnahan — when he refused to sign-off on the library’s request to renew a New York Times digital subscription for the public because it was “fake news,” declaring, by way of reasoning, that he supported Trump. Sigh. It’s been years and people still don’t understand what fake news is. For example, “Fake News” Carnahan thinks that Donald Trump knows what it, which is a joke because Trump thinks it’s a term for anything with which he disagrees. Following in his mentor’s footsteps: Carnahan dislikes the NY Times so it must be fake news! Imagine all the fake news coverage of why “Fake News” Carnahan’s personal tastes shouldn’t determine what the library buys complete with fake words like ethics, censorship, and ignorance.

Teens Make a Difference as Volunteers

September 17, 2019

Teen volunteers saved summer at my library. With their help, I was able to put on large-scale messy shaving cream painting projects, sign up more families for summer reading, prepare construction vehicle felt pieces for future storytimes, gather ideas for tween programs, and so much more. Teen volunteers lend their time and abilities to the library, making our libraries and the communities we serve all the better for it. When potential volunteers come calling I am always grateful for their interest, but I am also cautious. Even before teens submit paperwork, I generally ask a few questions to get a sense of their expectations and where their interest is coming from. I’m not looking for word-perfect answers — many teens have had little to no job interview experience and I wouldn’t expect that of them. I also don’t expect teens to be super polished or experts in etiquette — different people come from different backgrounds and it takes time to learn what comes with entering a workplace environment.

The Library is Empty. Your Move! (A Thought Experiment)

August 16, 2019

This is a thought experiment. There are a lot of conversations in our culture about what a library is, what it’s becoming, and what it should be. Let’s imagine that the library is empty. Is it a room of books? No. Is it a place where the librarian provides research assistance? No. Is it a makerspace? No. Is it a co-working space? No. Does it lend out tools and toys? No. Well, maybe. But it depends on you! The library is empty and you need to fill it. What is the first thing you do? Do you envision a building? A bookmobile? Is it even a container? Maybe your library starts with a librarian on a laptop in a coffee shop. Maybe it’s a dirt circle in the park. Where do you begin?
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