Not your parents library

Yours better not be!

We can't just be busy, we have to be significant. A quote from Jennifer La Garde

http://www.librarygirl.net/2013/12/joyces-l

Take stock

• Look around your space• Has it changed in the last 10 years?• Is it set up for new ways of learning?

Look at yourself• What has changed about your practice in the

last 10 years?

• Anything?

Daniel Pink says

The future belongs to creators and emphathizers, pattern recognizers and meaning makers. These people-artists, inventors, designers, storytellers, caregivers, consolers, big picture thinkers will reap society’s richest rewards and share in its greatest joys.”

From: A whole new mind (2005)

What does your library feel like• Fusty?• Dated?• Muted?• 1990 revisited?• Or are you really really luck with a shiny new one?• Do you know how the priorities for updating work

in your school?

Odds are - • You are way down the list on the property

managers list for a re-do• And even then you might just get a paint job

and some new carpet!!!• No shiny MLE for you then

• Its going to be all about you!

I’m not here to teach you to suck eggs

It is in our mandate!• The NZ curriculum asks that learners are:• Confident• Connected• Actively involved• Lifelong learners

Our

Daily

Job

Lets think about the main differences between the older and the modern

• Fewer non-fiction resources – BYOD changes everything

• Spaces for students to work collaboratively• Breakout spaces for quiet work• Technology friendly – a knowledgeable librarian

on tap

So can you turn your existing space into a MLE?

• Shift your furniture to encourage groups• Low tables for laptops and devices• Learn what students need help with• Be amenable to change

Encourage your staffMake this your mantra• How can I help?• What do you need?• What other resources do you need?• Can I help you plan this lesson?• Have you checked what resources are in the library?• Have lots and lots of conversations• Get them to show you how to do things• Show them how to do things

And Stop being obstructive • Get the hell out of your workroom, engage with the clients!• Talk to the kids about what they are doing?• Connect and talk library with your teachers every day• Stop it with the unnecessary rules• Give your users some credit• Relax the unnecessary rules• Does it really matter if they drink water in the library

Connect again• Talk to your students about what they need• Find out which devices they find most useful

for their studies• Find out what they find hard about using

devices – then get good at it• Make resources to help them

Outreach• Reach out to your staff – ask them (don’t

survey them, its too easy not to answer)• Find out what they actually want from the

library• Find out which of your resources they value• Find out which classes they are most likely to

bring to the library and what for• Ask them how they see the library changing

A manifesto

I will recognise that the universe of information culture is changing fast and that libraries need to respond positively to these changes and provide resources and services that users need and want

I will let go of previous practices if there is a better way to do things now, even if these practices once

seemed so great.

I will educate myself about the information culture of my users and look for ways to incorporate what I learn into library services I

provide

I will not be defensive about my library, but will look clearly at its situation and

make an honest assessment about what can be accomplished.

I will become an active participant in moving my library forward

I will be courageous about proposing new services and new ways of

providing services, even though some of my colleagues will be resistant

I will enjoy the excitement and fun of positive change and will convey

this to colleagues and users

I will take an experimental approach to change and be

willing to make mistakes

I will not wait until something is perfect before I release it, and I’ll modify it based on user feedback

I will not fear Google or related services but rather will take

advantage of these services to benefit users while also providing

excellent library services that users need.

I will avoid requiring users to see things in librarians terms but rather will shape services to reflect users

preferences and expectations

I will be willing to go where users are, both online and in physical spaces, to

practice my profession

I will create open web sites that allow users to join with librarians to contribute content in order to

enhance their learning experience and provide assistance to their peers

I will validate, through my actions, a librarians vital and relevant

professional role in any type of information culture that evolves.

Wise words from Doug• Recognize one’s need to change. Don’t just do

old stuff but with new tools.

• “Don’t be the first out the door at the end of the day. If the staff won’t miss you, you’re expendable.”

• http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2014/1/28/and-the-survey-says-librarians-speak-out-on-11byod.html

Doug and Jennifer did a survey• Your role is going to change. • You need to learn how to adapt quickly• You are going to need a support network of

people to help – thanks SLANZA communities!

Don’t worry Don’t worry. Our jobs are not about book collections; they are about information sharing and dissemination. If our focus remains on information and students, we’ll be fine” A voice from the trenches

• http://www.librarygirl.net/2014/02/voices-from-trenches-teacher-librarians.html

Seems like more work right?

No! WrongIt’s just different work

No more• Laminating for staff – fully self service• Photocopying for anybody – teach a kid to

photocopy and he will teach 3 more.• Information files – seriously it is all online!!!!

You’ll need to learn where to find it.• Saying no to staff PD – you need to be there• Worrying about book repair

And no more• Accessioning – just stop that …..• Worrying about supervising students, you are out

in the library anyway, they will be better• Being meek – grow strong with knowledge• Covering anything that isn’t a book which will be

used a lot• Whining! • Taking the easy way out. Know your collection

SLANZA is there for you!

S