Creative Management of Small Public Libraries in the 21st Century
Published on 23. December 2014
Book
Hardback
316 pages
978-1-4422-4355-2 (ISBN)
Description
Creative Management of Small Public Libraries in the 21st Century isan anthology on small public libraries as centers of communities serving populations under 25,000 that make up most of the public library systems in the United States. A wide selection of topics was sought from contributors with varied backgrounds reflecting the diversity of small public libraries. The thirty-two chapters are arranged: Staff; Programming; Management; Technology; Networking; Fundraising; User Services and provide tools to lead a local public library with relevant and successful services. This volume shares a common sense approach to providing a small (in staff size or budget) but mighty (in impact and outcome) public library service. The contributors demonstrate that by turning the service delivery team outward to the community with enthusiasm and positive energy, it is possible to achieve significant results. Many chapters summarize best practices that can serve as checklists for the novice library director or as a review for the more seasoned manager working through new responsibilities. Chapters are tactical, focusing on specific issues for managers such as performance evaluations, effective programming, or e-reader services. Time management is crucial in a small or rural public library as well as the challenges associated with managing Friends and volunteers.
While most public libraries do not have the resources to satisfy customer expectations for instant gratification, ultra-convenience and state-of-the-art technologies, The authors of this book details strategies and methods for providing top-notch customer service while moving beyond customer service to the creation of meaningful customer relationships. This volume makes an important contribution to the literature by reminding us that public libraries transform communities of every size. In fact, never before has the role of the public library been a more critical thread in the fabric of community life.
While most public libraries do not have the resources to satisfy customer expectations for instant gratification, ultra-convenience and state-of-the-art technologies, The authors of this book details strategies and methods for providing top-notch customer service while moving beyond customer service to the creation of meaningful customer relationships. This volume makes an important contribution to the literature by reminding us that public libraries transform communities of every size. In fact, never before has the role of the public library been a more critical thread in the fabric of community life.
Reviews / Votes
This anthology offers helpful examples and advice every small library director can replicate from improving management skills to implementing current technologies, to better serve their constituents. -- Donna Brice, VP/President Elect of Association for Rural & Small Libraries, Inc. and Library Director of the Eastern Lancaster County Library, New Holland, Pennsylvania This collection addresses the needs well beyond the scope of a small library. Library professionals will find the wealth of essential information for planning, management, and implementation of a variety of services and everyday operations. -- Vera Gubnitskaia, Youth Services Manager, Orange County (Florida) Library System This anthology speaks to the challenges and triumphs of working in small public libraries, providing tested tools and techniques that yield proven results. -- Kerol Harrod, librarian, Denton Public Library, Denton, Texas A go-to resource that supports the unique role of small public libraries in serving their local communities. -- Lisa Fraser, Services Implementation Coordinator, King County Library System, Washington Management in libraries matters and this resource details how to do it creatively, practically. -- Vandella Brown, contributor: Mentoring in Librarianship (McFarland)More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
666 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4422-4355-2 (9781442243552)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
12/2014
1st Edition
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
€65.99
Available for download
Person
Carol Smallwood received a MLS from Western Michigan University, MA in History from Eastern Michigan University. Librarians as Community Partners: an Outreach Handbook; Bringing the Arts into the Library are recent ALA anthologies. Others are: Women on Poetry: Writing, Revising, Publishing and Teaching (McFarland, 2012); Marketing Your Library (McFarland, 2012); Library Services for Multicultural Patrons: Strategies to Encourage Library Use (Scarecrow Press, 2013). Her library experience includes school, public, academic, special, as well as administration and being a library systems consultant. In 2019, Carol Smallwood was awarded the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who's Who.
Content
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part I Staff
Chapter 1 Attitudes
Padma Polepeddi
Chapter 2 Employee Energy=Motivate Connect 2 Empower (E=MC2)
Amanda D. McKay Biarkis and Johnna Schultz
Chapter 3 Staff Evaluations
Padma Polepeddi
Chapter 4 Succession Planning Strategies for Small Public Libraries
Karen Harrison Dyck
Part II Programming
Chapter 5 Cultivating Conversation, Memory & Self-Awareness: Women & Libraries Post-Retirement
Joanna Kluever, Wayne Finley
Chapter 6 Patron Facilitated Programming
Shawn D. Walsh and Melanie A. Lyttle
Chapter 7 Programming: Helping the Community Learn More About Itself
Judith Wines
Chapter 8 Successful Adult Programming Using Local Resources
Diana Stirling
Part III Management
Chapter 9 Building a Dynamic System for Relevant Statistical Analysis
Joshua K. Johnson
Chapter 10 Collection Management in Small Public Libraries
Brady A. Clemens
Chapter 11 Establishing an Inviting Atmosphere Through Library Displays
Cynthia Harbeson
Chapter 12 The Helping Hands of Boomers in Friends of the Library Groups
Kim Becnel and LouAnn Morehouse
Chapter 13 Making an Inviting Library Atmosphere
Jan Burns
Chapter 14 When Small Means Really Small
Joy Worland
Part IV Technology
Chapter 15 E-reading in Rural Libraries: A Guide to Effective Support
David Robinson
Chapter 16 Facebook Classes for Older Patrons
Sarah Kaufman
Chapter 17 Preserving Your Community's Memories: Developing Librarians for Digital Preservation
Vanessa Neblett and Shane Roopnarine
Chapter 18 Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Library Web Content
Lauren Magnuson
Chapter 19 Seniors in Cyberspace
RoseAleta Laurell
Part V Networking
Chapter 20 Celebrating Creative Achievements: Facilitating Networking, Learning, and Camaraderie
Sharon Miller
Chapter 21 Supporting Success: Thinking Outside the Box via In-State Sister Libraries
April Ritchie
Part VI Fundraising
Chapter 22 Beyond the Book Sale: Creative Fundraising for Your Small Public Library
Portia Kapraun
Chapter 23 Fundraising: Filling the Gap Without Grants
Judith Wines
Chapter 24 Grantsmanship Methods and Strategies for Rural and Small-Town Librarians
Dwight McInvaill
Chapter 25 Programming Turned Fundraisers from a Library Board Trustee Member/Librarian Perspective
Linda Burkey Wade
Part VII User Services
Chapter 26 The After School Cafe
Amy White
Chapter 27 Instructional Design and the Public Librarian
Melissa Cornwell
Chapter 28 Library Services for Users in their 20s & 30s
Samantha C. Helmick
Chapter 29 Market Research: a Vital Tool for the Survival of Public Libraries
Brian A. Reynolds
Chapter 30 Simple Strategies for Improving the User Experience with the Library Website
Teri Oaks Gallaway and James B. Hobbs
Chapter 31 A Tree Without Roots Cannot Grow: Creative Outreach to African-American Genealogical Patrons
Nancy Richey
Chapter 32 We Started a Festival: The Halloween Costume Collection
Amy White
Index
About the Contributors
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part I Staff
Chapter 1 Attitudes
Padma Polepeddi
Chapter 2 Employee Energy=Motivate Connect 2 Empower (E=MC2)
Amanda D. McKay Biarkis and Johnna Schultz
Chapter 3 Staff Evaluations
Padma Polepeddi
Chapter 4 Succession Planning Strategies for Small Public Libraries
Karen Harrison Dyck
Part II Programming
Chapter 5 Cultivating Conversation, Memory & Self-Awareness: Women & Libraries Post-Retirement
Joanna Kluever, Wayne Finley
Chapter 6 Patron Facilitated Programming
Shawn D. Walsh and Melanie A. Lyttle
Chapter 7 Programming: Helping the Community Learn More About Itself
Judith Wines
Chapter 8 Successful Adult Programming Using Local Resources
Diana Stirling
Part III Management
Chapter 9 Building a Dynamic System for Relevant Statistical Analysis
Joshua K. Johnson
Chapter 10 Collection Management in Small Public Libraries
Brady A. Clemens
Chapter 11 Establishing an Inviting Atmosphere Through Library Displays
Cynthia Harbeson
Chapter 12 The Helping Hands of Boomers in Friends of the Library Groups
Kim Becnel and LouAnn Morehouse
Chapter 13 Making an Inviting Library Atmosphere
Jan Burns
Chapter 14 When Small Means Really Small
Joy Worland
Part IV Technology
Chapter 15 E-reading in Rural Libraries: A Guide to Effective Support
David Robinson
Chapter 16 Facebook Classes for Older Patrons
Sarah Kaufman
Chapter 17 Preserving Your Community's Memories: Developing Librarians for Digital Preservation
Vanessa Neblett and Shane Roopnarine
Chapter 18 Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Library Web Content
Lauren Magnuson
Chapter 19 Seniors in Cyberspace
RoseAleta Laurell
Part V Networking
Chapter 20 Celebrating Creative Achievements: Facilitating Networking, Learning, and Camaraderie
Sharon Miller
Chapter 21 Supporting Success: Thinking Outside the Box via In-State Sister Libraries
April Ritchie
Part VI Fundraising
Chapter 22 Beyond the Book Sale: Creative Fundraising for Your Small Public Library
Portia Kapraun
Chapter 23 Fundraising: Filling the Gap Without Grants
Judith Wines
Chapter 24 Grantsmanship Methods and Strategies for Rural and Small-Town Librarians
Dwight McInvaill
Chapter 25 Programming Turned Fundraisers from a Library Board Trustee Member/Librarian Perspective
Linda Burkey Wade
Part VII User Services
Chapter 26 The After School Cafe
Amy White
Chapter 27 Instructional Design and the Public Librarian
Melissa Cornwell
Chapter 28 Library Services for Users in their 20s & 30s
Samantha C. Helmick
Chapter 29 Market Research: a Vital Tool for the Survival of Public Libraries
Brian A. Reynolds
Chapter 30 Simple Strategies for Improving the User Experience with the Library Website
Teri Oaks Gallaway and James B. Hobbs
Chapter 31 A Tree Without Roots Cannot Grow: Creative Outreach to African-American Genealogical Patrons
Nancy Richey
Chapter 32 We Started a Festival: The Halloween Costume Collection
Amy White
Index
About the Contributors