The public library as a meeting-place in a multicultural and digital context

This paper was written in the early 2000s, as people’s ideas of the function of the public library was beginning to change. The traditional role of the library is one of research and a collection of books. However, the community is starting to use the public library as a meeting place and a source of multicultural exchange. The public library now offers several services of interest to new immigrants to ease the transition to the United States. Furthermore, the library is a direct link to the immigrant community to their newly chosen community.

This article is a good explanation of how libraries function more broadly within the community. With its “low-intensive” spaces, the library allows multiple groups and organizations to meet and gradual introduce themselves to their new community. Moreover, the increased collection of electronic resources has allowed both digital and physical communities to connect. The modern library functions more as a bridge between people.

Ragnar Audunson, (2005) "The public library as a meeting‐place in a multicultural and digital context: The necessity of low‐intensive meeting‐places", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 61 Issue: 3, pp.429-441, https:// doi.org/10.1108/00220410510598562

Connecting community to the school library over coffee

Van Halsema, Pamela

Citation:

Phipps-Soeiro, Liz (2015) Turning the school library into a community hub: here's how. School Library Journal April 21, 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.slj.com/2015/04/programs/turning-the-school-library-into-a-community-hub-heres-how

Summary:
The article provides and excellent case of an elementary school library reaping the benefits of opening up its doors to the community of parents and local leaders on a regular weekly basis.

Analysis:

I am totally inspired by the example of the library at Cambridgeport School as described in the blog article entitled Turning the school library into a community hub: here's how. Librarian Liz Phipps-Soeiro didn't use any fancy techniques, but instead opened the doors to community members as part of a regular weekly routine, inviting parents and civic leaders to meet in the library to talk on a range of topics over coffee.  The series, called Coffee and Conversation, cost next to nothing to get off the ground, and the benefits have been far reaching for the school, the library program and the community in general.

She provides some tips for getting this going at other school sites, including getting buy-in from administrators and the parent organizations affiliated with the school.  She notes the importance of sticking to a regular routine time for the gathering, so people can learn the habit of regular attendance.

I did this myself a couple of years ago when I served on my kids' school board.  I hosted a weekly early morning coffee time for teachers and parents to talk with their board representative (me). By keeping faithful to the regular schedule for that meet-up I discovered that people counted on me being there, took the opportunity to bring concerns and feedback to me there, and I built trust and understanding between the school board and others in the school community.  I can see how that will be a great idea for hosting a general forum in the library. I'm curious if holding a meeting like that at a junior high will still garner an audience, since parents never get out of the car to drop off kids in the morning.  Perhaps a survey to determine the best time and day would be wise before starting an event like this in my library.

Re-examining the role of public libraries

Lara, Veronica

Garmer, Amy K. (2014) Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries. Washington DC: The Aspen Institute. 66p.

The Aspen Institute is an organization that creates a platform by which groups or communities can discuss ideas regarding various programs, promote leadership, and take action for the betterment of society.

The Aspen Institute published its report, Rising to the Challenge, in 2014 in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  This report was the result of a study aimed at determining the need for public libraries to re-envision their role in the communities they serve.  It is clear that libraries are a vital information resource.  In many cases, public libraries are communities’ only opportunity to gain access to resources, especially those online.  

The first half of this report focused on the significant changes to the way information is created and gathered.  Overwhelmingly, the shift has been significantly digital.  However, many communities (ie. learning communities) find it difficult to keep up with technology literacy or find access to online tools.  According to the University of Maryland Information Policy and Access Center, “62% of public libraries are the only source of free Internet in the community” (qtd. in Garmer, 2014, p. 16).  With this in mind, what do public libraries need to do to provide resources for their community? Public libraries should be thinking about how their new technologies are helping people connect to and use the digital resources they need.  New technologies such as free video conferencing and audiovisual editing commons are being added to more and more public libraries (p. 25).  These technologies can be used to create a connected, educated, participatory community. 

The report then goes on to discuss strategies by which public libraries can meet the technological needs of its community.  The author lays out 4 guidelines the library should strive for.  First, library services should match the goals of the community.  The library should be built around the patrons’ desires and needs.  Libraries should be reaching out to these communities to assess their needs and act accordingly.  Second, libraries should be endeavoring to diversify content format.  Information searching is rarely done in print anymore.  E-books, online journals, and other digital content should be provided to users.  Broadband access is no longer a luxury; Internet connection is integral to the success of a communities citizens.  From online classes to online job searches, the people need to be connected.  Third, libraries must procure a sustainable source of funding to ensure their longevity.  The study shows that state and federal funding accounts for only about 8% of a library’s funding.  All other funding comes from various sources in the local community.  In that case, libraries should actively be seeking business partnerships to not only maintain the services they currently offer, but to plan for growing and improving resources and services.  Finally, libraries should cultivate leadership by actively collaborating with the community.  The community members should be driving content and services within the library.  To do that, they must have a voice that can demand that their needs be met. 

Thinking of a re-envisioned library like this is inspiring.  The idea that libraries will no longer be “information silos” is one that gives me hope for the future of libraries.  As a library student, I have heard many people express concern about the current landscape of information science.  This is not a “bad time” to be getting into libraries; this is the best time.

An electronic version of the report can be found here.

Engaging Community in the Weeding Process

(May 15, 2015). Campus-wide review. S15-10, University Policy, Revisions to SJSU Library Policy (7.2.2.2). Retrieved from http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S15-10.pdf

When I popped on to the SJSU King Library website this morning, I noticed an interesting post that pertains directly to our class.  Last year, SJSU Library Policy was updated to reflect a new communication method that encourages campus-wide involvement in collection management procedures.  Most recently, the Accounting and Finance department has devised a list of items set to be discarded which the Liaison Librarian has put out to the campus community for review.  Instructions are to review the Google document of titles and freely make comments where appropriate using a separate form.  This is a good example of a library policy which values the input of patrons in developing a collection of the highest quality and relevance.

Find the posting using this link.


J. Hasselberger
Spring 2016