Texas, Ya'll; Intellectual Freedom & Future of Libraries

General Session
(September 10, 2011)

Jerilynn Williams, Texas Library Association

Montgomery County Memorial Library System

Jeri.williams@countylibrary.org

Welcome to Texas!

·       One of our libraries in Montgomery County are in the evacuation mode because of the wildfires

·         TxLA is the largest in the nation since 1902

·         Connect, Know, Grow

·         We are adapting to changes, transforming

·         Loss of support of the regional library systems in Texas

·         We are no longer your “mother’s public library”

·         We are the “everything, information, what you need” focus place

·         You can help people by connecting them with the information they need

Intellectual Freedom

Handout will be posted to website ARSL about Collection Challenges

Censorship is an attempt to remove materials from public use, thereby restriction the access of others. It denies our rights as citizens to access information

“Not every book is appropriate for every person, but every person should have their book.” == Jerilynn Williams

·         Determine your Intellectual Freedom philosophy

·         Make sure you have a Collection Develop (board approved) Policy that is relevant and updated.

·         Develop your own sound bite.

·         Make sure you are honest and objective with challengers and with the media or those who report the activity. Do not say “no comment” say, I really don’t know at this point.

·         Remain professional and calm. Keep your act and integrity together. You have the greatest advantage to keep a win-win situation for your community.

·         Maintain the confidentiality of library records.

·         Remain available. Respond to people via phone or e-mail. Stand strong. You are standing in for all of us.

·         Discuss the selection policy and the reconsideration procedure or process.

·         Supply copies of policy and reconsideration forms available. Staff members are trained to handle the challenge objectively.

·         When interviewing potential employees, tell them about the Intellectual Freedom/Selection Policy and ask if they will be able to support it.

·         Stay informed of trends (which groups are actively pursuing censorship)

·         Keep a record and report challenges to ALA office of Intellectual Freedom, or contact your state association

·         Seek assistance as appropriate and receive it graciously, even if you think it is not necessary.

Pushing the Limits Project – Larry Grieco

·         Brings math and science education into rural communities.

·         Sponsored by National Science Foundation

·         Brings together community, libraries, science professionals to present programs to the adult population in rural communities

·         Not aimed at Trekkies or science buff, but those people who know little and care less about science and math

·         Information about how to apply for this program will be coming out shortly

·         Funding will be provided for 120 programs in 2012 and 2013. 

Karen Perry: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

·         Gates Foundation has been investing in libraries for over a decade

·         Libraries became the partner to bring computers and technology to the public

·         Free unfettered access to information

·         Trusted institutions

·         Located in all communities

·         Libraries have librarians who help people access information

·         World focus on intervention on health and fighting poverty

·         In U.S. focus on education

·         In U.S. Libraries program, make sure libraries can provide access to computers and the Internet

·         Only 2/3 of American’s households have a computer and access to the Internet at home – and in rural communities, this is less

·         1 in 3 individuals go to the library to access the computers and online information

·         37% of those went to learn about health condition

·         1/3 of those users sought out doctors and set up appointments.

·         Over 65% use the library connectivity to connect with other people (families, colleagues, friends, etc.)

·         Librarians are first responders in economic crises as people come in for job training information and workforce search. Apply for jobs online

·         Even people with broadband at home come to the library to learn more

·         Librarians are there to help patrons use the computers. Patrons like to have someone around them to help if they need it.

·         45% of libraries say their current Internet connection is inadequate to meet current and anticipated demand by patrons. – ALA survey

·         Computers need to be replaced and upgraded every few years. Patrons need faster and faster speeds to access online information

·         Gates Foundation has increased focus on building community partnerships.

PROJECTS

·         Geek the Library (OCLC) – free right now & Turning the Page (PLA) advocacy techniques are just as relevant for advocating library support (gives you the tools to help you develop an advocacy campaign.

·         Public Access Technology Project (name is confusing) --  coalition developing a set of benchmarks to measure effectiveness of their services and to provide for motivation to inspire public investment in the library. Version One Benchmarks should be available in spring of 2012.

Linda Braun

Nostalgia is Not Going to Save Libraries

·         Went to library school to be a children’s librarian in 1980

·         Professor said computers would be everywhere in 10 years

·         Telephone with couplers – attached to headphones and paid for info

·         Now connected to iPad and Laptop

·         Library school was about the physical item

·         It was a nostalgia world

·         The building is not the library

·         The interior is not the library

·         There are other spaces where people congregate

·         Starbucks is a community of people

·         24 hour Apple Store in NYC. It is always busy. Using the Internet.

·         No one ever bothers you at a Starbucks and/or Apple Store

·         College commons area – students congregate

·         Facebook and Twitter are libraries because they connect people

·         Libraries are not about library cards and date due slips. They are not about the façade. They are about the connections.

·         Connecting people to information and also to each other and also to the librarians

·         The way we connect with information and to each other is what will determine what a library will be

·         We have always been about “connections”

·         Storytimes are connecting with kids and their parents

Libraries of the Future

Libraries are about content rather or over container.

·         Container does not matter.

·         Content is important. Doesn’t matter about the container, but the content. It is not about the physical object.

Libraries are Hyper

·         Do things quickly

·         Move forward and try things out

·         Technology changes fast

Embedded everywhere

·         Library today is one in which librarian might be going out to the library. Where are the people?

·         Do we, will we have a need for additional physical space?

·         Will have fewer “content containers” (books) frees up space and staff for customer service and more computers

Libraries are about Stories

·         Do you need a library? Yes. Why? I don’t know, we just do. The responses are the feel –good stories.

·         We need to tell stories that will tell what the library does in the community. “We help people find jobs. We have the most up-to-date materials and computers.

·         It is about the head, and not the heart

Atmosphere

·         Some do not like to visit a physical public library

·         The library space can be the community center. The atmosphere is not about books

·         Take risks

·         Try things out

·         Online or eBook for Pokey Little Puppy = no more books?

Everything is a risk. We need to take risks in order to support the technology and community needs. Taking risks will save public libraries. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake.

Leave it Behind

·         What should we leave behind so we can move forward?

·         Older “containers” or technology such as vinyl, video discs, books on cassettes,

·         Complicated technology systems at the library that are difficult for patrons to use

·         Believing what other people are telling you – do your own research

·         Give up staff that refuses to move forward – deadwood. Give staff opportunity to move forward as part of their job requirements – consequence is terminating

·         Mean staff – many do not have the skills patrons need

·         Community will not want to financially support a “mean staff”

·         Outdated formats

·         Encyclopedias

·         Reference

·         Antiquated cataloging rituals, such as property marks

·         Non-effective board members

·         You need to train your board or get rid of them

·         Give up restrictive policies – policies that are in place that do not allow the patrons to use library services due to technicalities

·         If a library card is mailed to the patron – that “verifies” their address. They should not have to come back to the library to activate their card.

·         Stop being the victims of bad times and accept new realities and find strategies to move forward

·         Stop being library police. Limit the shushing, the restrictions of having drinks, etc. Let them have drinks that are lidded. You can have limitations of food and drinks at the computers.

·         Fear about writing grants or fear of talking to community about what the library does!

Linda Braun believes that nostalgia will not save libraries, but you can!

Personal thoughts of this blogger:  Although the premise of Mrs. Braun’s assertions is sound, I believe that there will always be a place for books. Actually, I think one of the responsibilities of a public library is to keep the book alive, while at the same time adopting and incorporating the new containers that hold the content, in whatever fashion that is.

I believe the physical contact of a parent holding a child on their lap with a book is vital to the literary development of the child – not to mention the physical touch and bonding with the parent or caregiver.

The human contact is vital for the development of the child.

And do not be mistaken, nostalgia in our rural community – with their original Carnegie Library, is vital to the continuation of library service. Continuation of a tradition is important to our rural community.

[Susan Pieper is the Editor of the Rural Library Services Newsletter, available via subscription via print or PDF. Contact Pieper at susanhillpieper@gmail.com or spieper@pauldingcountylibrary.org to subscribe.]