June Newsletter
Content
'Fotched-On' Librarian
Newsletter June
Promoting an Eclectic Librarianship in Rural Appalachia What is Eclectic Librarianship? . . .
It's all about adapting.
An eclectic library is one which takes from different sources what seems most suitable for a particular purpose; one which combines the essentials of traditional library ideals and properties with different schools of thought; one which is not confined to one idea or one point of view. In the same manner, eclectic librarianship does not necessarily define itself traditionally in a set environment to promote the principles of library maintenance and administration. An eclectic librarian is a visionary who imagines how library services can adapt to the particular needs of individual communities. Many Appalachian communities have extremely limited library services - or none at all. Not all communities require a full service library instituted in a traditional forum. It is for this reason that 'The Settlement Library Project' was first devised and 'Fotched-On' Librarian defined as a promoter of eclectic librarianship: to address the very special individual need for customized library services, and the community information management deficits within this region. True ideals of eclectic librarianship are revered in the “Pack Horse Librarians.” These were the roving librarians such as those who serve the public in another tier of a service model: One even more focused on serving patrons as individuals rather than on the building as the primary resource. These are the circuit rider book people of rural Appalachia. A “Librarian with a Laptop” is one modern version of eclectic librarianship. These are those who go into coffee shops and other places with free wifi to raise awareness of library resources: perhaps a corner with a tabletop display promoting library services through the nearest branch or “Outpost” location. This eclectic librarian can showcase database offerings, catalog functionality and help answer reference on the fly. This is the WELCOME It is my hope that you will find the content of this newsletter helpful as you strive to serve your community and embed your library into its DNA. Please share what you like with others by sharing this newsletter with a friend. Thank you.
“Capitalize on opportunities for broader impact.”
Linda A. Christian
WHAT'S COMING UP NEXT ON THE NEWSLETTER? The New Librarian needs a makeover! Simple wins in small doses can save the day . . . A SETTLEMENT LIBRARY IS ALL ABOUT ACTION
quintessence of the modern circuit rider. An “Outpost Library” is also a modern concept of eclectic librarianship. An Outpost Library is a storefront library service centrally located in busy commercial districts or near transportation hubs. The storefront presence makes the Outpost agile and adaptable to the particular features of each community serving as a gateway to the full range of library services located in the more traditional library building. Outpost Libraries are ideal for the small, rural and individualized community. The “Outpost Library” and “Librarian with a Laptop” exemplify The Settlement Library Project‟s vision and mission for eclectic librarianship in rural Appalachia. IN THIS ISSUE The Pack Horse Librarians Community Sturm and Drang Disaster Planning Made Simple A 'Settlement Library' is a social enterprise and symbolic site of collective memory for each individual rural community it serves. A 'Settlement Library' encourages individual learning and self-mastery as a way to address change personally, socially, environmentally, and politically. A „Settlement Library‟ is a trusted neighborhood think-tank, equitable source for civic thinking, and clearinghouse for community-wide resources. MORE ABOUT ECLECTIC LIBRARIANSHIP Catch and Release Notes From an Eclectic Library WHAT IS A 'FotchedOn' Librarian? Check out this link to see if you're one! Special Libraries “It is the service the public receives that helps them perceive the value the library brings.” Anne Gervasi PRESENTATIONS FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND
Community Sturm and Drang . . .
What does Stress or Yearning have to do with Libraries?
Every community is bursting with human history. A central value of librarianship is the recognition that the past serves as a guide to the future. The library is called upon to not only provide new information, but to also protect the historical records of the past. Ground breaking; home-steading; barn raising; water divining; births, deaths, wars, and choices made which altered individual and corporate existence, all constitute the storms, stresses and yearnings of the human spirit. Library community historical archiving is a means to secure and connect the past with the present - creating a breathable space in between for those who long to know and want to remember. Every township, city and hamlet has a personality and a story. Local history is a means to define and reach a customer base with appropriate and adequate information expectations. The achievement of excellence in the delivery of information products and services requires a commitment to customer service, and customer service is only attainable when the customer is understood. Bigger is not necessarily better or required. Small, rural libraries possess the greater opportunity to tap into community individuality through personal knowledge of the community and
its historical and cultural strivings. Creating and establishing an ongoing community archival project secures a community's culture and identity for generations - serving as a connecting source. Community archiving is simply a natural product of the library ideal.
PUBLIC USE Video presentations available at 'Fotched-On' Librarian's Channel PowerPoint presentations available at The Settlement Library Project Public Profile available at 'Fotched-On' Librarian's Public Network ONLINE SEMINARS Library and Information Science OPAL Archive VISIT THE BLOG AT http://circuit-outrider.blogspot.com/ Thank you for subscribing to this newsletter. Feel free to sign up for updated content or review past newsletters through the newsletter archive. Your email is secure and you may unsubscribe at any time. THE JOKE Q: Where are there more nobles than in the royal court? A: In the library. All the books have titles. THE WORD
And Then There WAS One . . .
Even a small library needs a plan.
Disaster planning is essential for any library to provide the best possible protection for life, building, and collection. Being prepared will help to minimize or avoid confusion, injury, and damage. A written policy itemizes procedures for maintaining control during an emergency situation. Tactics for preparation are to: 1) know the law and specific state protections for library users; 2) put approved policies in place; 3) know who is in charge at all times and in all respects; and 4) work closely with key municipal officials, including the mayor or town administrator, police and fire chiefs, and public works director. Your in-house training should be considered procedural and mandatory. All staff members must be educated and trained in emergency disaster preparedness, crowd control, and American Red Cross First Aid/First Responder techniques. And annual classes updating each staff member in these skills should be provided by library management. Perform regular drills focusing on a variety of crises. Copies of check lists - detailing disaster preparedness procedures - should be provided at designated work stations throughout your library.
Housekeeping Tricks of the Trade . . .
It must be a library‟s policy to anticipate problems and avoid or minimize a crisis whenever possible. Here is a list of what you need to know and have immediate access to:
CHECK LIST:
the line of authority evacuation/floor plan list of emergency services emergency response contacts telephone tree location of library keys collection priorities possible crisis events emergency procedures actions to be taken list of and location of in-house supplies first response procedures alarm procedures
salvage procedures
You Also Need a Basic Emergency Supplies and Equipment Kit:
first aid kit emergency funds dehumidifier metal cart plastic milk crates flashlights 50-ft. extension cord (grounded) portable electric fan wet vacuum blank newsprint freezer or wax paper plastic trash bags plastic buckets and trash can paper towels sponges mop fishing line broom rubber/leather gloves rubber boots/aprons safety glasses plastic sheeting scissors/tape clipboards/paper/markers
“The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.“ Psalms 145: 18,19
COMMUNITY FOCUS=CUSTOMIZED SERVICES=CUSTOMER VALUE
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Newsletter June
Promoting an Eclectic Librarianship in Rural Appalachia What is Eclectic Librarianship? . . .
It's all about adapting.
An eclectic library is one which takes from different sources what seems most suitable for a particular purpose; one which combines the essentials of traditional library ideals and properties with different schools of thought; one which is not confined to one idea or one point of view. In the same manner, eclectic librarianship does not necessarily define itself traditionally in a set environment to promote the principles of library maintenance and administration. An eclectic librarian is a visionary who imagines how library services can adapt to the particular needs of individual communities. Many Appalachian communities have extremely limited library services - or none at all. Not all communities require a full service library instituted in a traditional forum. It is for this reason that 'The Settlement Library Project' was first devised and 'Fotched-On' Librarian defined as a promoter of eclectic librarianship: to address the very special individual need for customized library services, and the community information management deficits within this region. True ideals of eclectic librarianship are revered in the “Pack Horse Librarians.” These were the roving librarians such as those who serve the public in another tier of a service model: One even more focused on serving patrons as individuals rather than on the building as the primary resource. These are the circuit rider book people of rural Appalachia. A “Librarian with a Laptop” is one modern version of eclectic librarianship. These are those who go into coffee shops and other places with free wifi to raise awareness of library resources: perhaps a corner with a tabletop display promoting library services through the nearest branch or “Outpost” location. This eclectic librarian can showcase database offerings, catalog functionality and help answer reference on the fly. This is the WELCOME It is my hope that you will find the content of this newsletter helpful as you strive to serve your community and embed your library into its DNA. Please share what you like with others by sharing this newsletter with a friend. Thank you.
“Capitalize on opportunities for broader impact.”
Linda A. Christian
WHAT'S COMING UP NEXT ON THE NEWSLETTER? The New Librarian needs a makeover! Simple wins in small doses can save the day . . . A SETTLEMENT LIBRARY IS ALL ABOUT ACTION
quintessence of the modern circuit rider. An “Outpost Library” is also a modern concept of eclectic librarianship. An Outpost Library is a storefront library service centrally located in busy commercial districts or near transportation hubs. The storefront presence makes the Outpost agile and adaptable to the particular features of each community serving as a gateway to the full range of library services located in the more traditional library building. Outpost Libraries are ideal for the small, rural and individualized community. The “Outpost Library” and “Librarian with a Laptop” exemplify The Settlement Library Project‟s vision and mission for eclectic librarianship in rural Appalachia. IN THIS ISSUE The Pack Horse Librarians Community Sturm and Drang Disaster Planning Made Simple A 'Settlement Library' is a social enterprise and symbolic site of collective memory for each individual rural community it serves. A 'Settlement Library' encourages individual learning and self-mastery as a way to address change personally, socially, environmentally, and politically. A „Settlement Library‟ is a trusted neighborhood think-tank, equitable source for civic thinking, and clearinghouse for community-wide resources. MORE ABOUT ECLECTIC LIBRARIANSHIP Catch and Release Notes From an Eclectic Library WHAT IS A 'FotchedOn' Librarian? Check out this link to see if you're one! Special Libraries “It is the service the public receives that helps them perceive the value the library brings.” Anne Gervasi PRESENTATIONS FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND
Community Sturm and Drang . . .
What does Stress or Yearning have to do with Libraries?
Every community is bursting with human history. A central value of librarianship is the recognition that the past serves as a guide to the future. The library is called upon to not only provide new information, but to also protect the historical records of the past. Ground breaking; home-steading; barn raising; water divining; births, deaths, wars, and choices made which altered individual and corporate existence, all constitute the storms, stresses and yearnings of the human spirit. Library community historical archiving is a means to secure and connect the past with the present - creating a breathable space in between for those who long to know and want to remember. Every township, city and hamlet has a personality and a story. Local history is a means to define and reach a customer base with appropriate and adequate information expectations. The achievement of excellence in the delivery of information products and services requires a commitment to customer service, and customer service is only attainable when the customer is understood. Bigger is not necessarily better or required. Small, rural libraries possess the greater opportunity to tap into community individuality through personal knowledge of the community and
its historical and cultural strivings. Creating and establishing an ongoing community archival project secures a community's culture and identity for generations - serving as a connecting source. Community archiving is simply a natural product of the library ideal.
PUBLIC USE Video presentations available at 'Fotched-On' Librarian's Channel PowerPoint presentations available at The Settlement Library Project Public Profile available at 'Fotched-On' Librarian's Public Network ONLINE SEMINARS Library and Information Science OPAL Archive VISIT THE BLOG AT http://circuit-outrider.blogspot.com/ Thank you for subscribing to this newsletter. Feel free to sign up for updated content or review past newsletters through the newsletter archive. Your email is secure and you may unsubscribe at any time. THE JOKE Q: Where are there more nobles than in the royal court? A: In the library. All the books have titles. THE WORD
And Then There WAS One . . .
Even a small library needs a plan.
Disaster planning is essential for any library to provide the best possible protection for life, building, and collection. Being prepared will help to minimize or avoid confusion, injury, and damage. A written policy itemizes procedures for maintaining control during an emergency situation. Tactics for preparation are to: 1) know the law and specific state protections for library users; 2) put approved policies in place; 3) know who is in charge at all times and in all respects; and 4) work closely with key municipal officials, including the mayor or town administrator, police and fire chiefs, and public works director. Your in-house training should be considered procedural and mandatory. All staff members must be educated and trained in emergency disaster preparedness, crowd control, and American Red Cross First Aid/First Responder techniques. And annual classes updating each staff member in these skills should be provided by library management. Perform regular drills focusing on a variety of crises. Copies of check lists - detailing disaster preparedness procedures - should be provided at designated work stations throughout your library.
Housekeeping Tricks of the Trade . . .
It must be a library‟s policy to anticipate problems and avoid or minimize a crisis whenever possible. Here is a list of what you need to know and have immediate access to:
CHECK LIST:
the line of authority evacuation/floor plan list of emergency services emergency response contacts telephone tree location of library keys collection priorities possible crisis events emergency procedures actions to be taken list of and location of in-house supplies first response procedures alarm procedures
salvage procedures
You Also Need a Basic Emergency Supplies and Equipment Kit:
first aid kit emergency funds dehumidifier metal cart plastic milk crates flashlights 50-ft. extension cord (grounded) portable electric fan wet vacuum blank newsprint freezer or wax paper plastic trash bags plastic buckets and trash can paper towels sponges mop fishing line broom rubber/leather gloves rubber boots/aprons safety glasses plastic sheeting scissors/tape clipboards/paper/markers
“The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.“ Psalms 145: 18,19
COMMUNITY FOCUS=CUSTOMIZED SERVICES=CUSTOMER VALUE
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