Me:
"Ok, Jennie, what's the deal with the MadMen Avatars in place of
actual staff photos?
Jennie: (laughs) "The staff is camera shy. They
don't like two things - having their photos taken and team building exercises.
So, the avatar creation was a compromise.
Me: "Team building?"
Jennie: "Yes, I hold team building exercises for the
staff. Those who do not participate, are punished. I make JibJab (www.jibjab.com) videos of them and they have
to sit and watch as punishment."
Me: "That's hysterical! Speaking of staff, in your Gateway II
plan, you note this library's staff as 'one of the more electronically
proficient in the area.' Why do you think so?"
Jennie: "All my staff are required to take technology
training. At the very least, each staff member has to know how to
download an eBook to any device. I am not saying that I only hired
'skilled' librarians. What I am saying is they better be willing to
learn. Navigating technology and services make information available to
all people regardless of where they live, how they get their information or
what their income is. We [library staff] can not constantly be behind everyone
[with regard to technology advances]. We should be the first ones
learning. The staff knows that 'No' or 'I can't' is not an option to tell
their patrons. Psychology has proven that once you introduce the word
'no' or 'can't,' a person will not hear what follows. I don't want anyone
to leave the library having had a negative experience. Everyone in this library
can do something. If we are unable to provide an answer right away, we
let patrons know what staff member would be able to help and when and ask that
they come back."
[Jennie did her master thesis for her MLS
on the digital divide.]
Me: "I noticed you have a Prezi account. Are all
those presentations yours?" (Prezi is an online program where you can
create presentations for instruction (or whatever) and share them. (https://prezi.com/)
Jennie: "Yes. It's a great tool for
instructional demonstrations. I use it when I teach "Technology
Tuesdays" every week at the Senior Center. I can use them over
again, update them and share them with others. I print out the slide show
presentation as a hand out before class."
Me: "Aren't you worried about copyright? You know,
getting credit?"
Jennie: "No. Not at all. I am a Librarian
first and foremost. There is a creative commons license if people are
worried. I'm not. I am happy they can be helpful instruction."
Me: (smiling because, hey, she rocks!) "Please tell
me about "Laptops for Kidz." (http://www.cotuitlibrary.org/youth/kids/laptops-for-kidz/)
Jennie: "We work with the Mason's Angel Foundation by
being a receiving place for donated computers. The foundation then
refurbishes them and through the school, distributes them to children who don't
have access to a computer outside of school. We now accept donations of
tablets as well."
Me: "Finally, a word about the Massachusetts Library
Association awards. Could you tell me a little about the 3 awards?"
Jennie: "They were for our Mobile App, the Telescope
lending program and our color bi-annual newsletter. I feel the mobile app streamlines our services to reach more patrons. Pretty much everyone has a mobile
phone and this also allows us to keep our seasonal patrons in the loop of what
is going on at the library when they are away.
The telescope lending program allows
patrons to borrow telescopes. We have a large one for our Star-gazing event
(https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10155604360965075&id=318838325074).
People bring their own telescopes too. We have a local astronomer
that helps with calibration and set up, but we [the staff] are also learning. It started off with the donation of the large telescope and morphed. Patrons have donated telescopes to the library. They can be borrowed. There is about 14 telescopes.
The newsletter is a publication we send
out 2 times a year and keep copies at our front desk for visitors. We
still mail for people who may not have internet access where they live or just
aren't online. The MLS uses criteria of design and cost as a factor in
award. I connected with a real estate agent and he distributes them with
his vacation flyers so tourists can see what is around for free."
[A copy can be downloaded from this
webpage: http://www.cotuitlibrary.org/events/newsletter/]
References:
Wiley, J. (2015, July 7). Director. (J. Remie,
Interviewer)
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