The Future is Coming!What Does That Mean for Public Libraries?

February 27, 2012

Best Practices

1. Send questions or comments to Laura Warren, Libraries Thriving Coordinator- laura.warren@credoreference.com

2. Share comments and questions throughout the session via the chat box.

When the Archives Get Social: The Joe McDonald and Leola Lewis Project

March 13th at 1:00 PM EST / 10:00 AM PST / 6:00 PM UTCMarch 15th at 3:00 PM EST / 12:00 PM PST / 8:00 PM UTC

Information Literacy and E-Resources: Moving Beyond the Chalkboard

April 17th at 10:00 AM EST / 7:00 AM PST / 3:00 PM UTCApril 19th at 1:00 PM EST / 10:00 AM PST / 6:00 PM UTC

Find, Point, Scan: Using QR Codes in your LibraryMay 14th at 10:00 AM EST / 7:00 AM PST / 3:00 PM UTCMay 16th at 1:00 PM EST / 10:00 AM PST / 6:00 PM UTC

Credo Reference Online Seminar Series—Spring 2012

Agenda

1. Public Library Month Recap: -Laura Warren, Coordinator, Libraries Thriving

2. Featured Speakers on the Future of Public Libraries:-Mary Weiss, Director of Sales—Public and School Libraries, Credo Reference

-Renee DiPilato, Central Library Manager, Alexandria Library,and Lynda Rudd, Technical Services Manager, Alexandria Library

3. Questions/Comments for Speakers and Discussion: -What is your vision of the future of public libraries?

The Public Library of Today

In the Year 2012…

  

In the Year 2012…

Open 57 hours

59% open seven days per week;

78% of those closed on Sundays

In the Year 2012…

Full-Time Staff

Photo courtesy of Cehwiedel

Degree-holding (MLIS/MS/MLS) Staff

Director 1

Assistant Director 1

Manager 1

Assistant Manager 2

Reference Librarian 3

Youth Services Librarian 2

Technical Services Librarian 1

Paraprofessional/Clerical Staff

Technical Services Assistant 2

Reference Assistant 2

Circulation Assistant 5

In the Year 2012…

Part-Time Staff

Photo courtesy of ceridwen

Degree-holding (MLIS/MS/MLS) Staff

Assistant Manager 1

Reference Librarian 3

Youth Services Librarian 2

Paraprofessional/Clerical Staff

Technical Services Assistant 1

Reference Assistant 2

Circulation Assistant 6

(Part-Time: 10 – 20 hours)

In the Year 2012…67% employ

interns;75% are unpaid.

Interns work 8-12

hours on average.

75% have a volunteer program

Number of volunteers ranges from

2-70Interns and Volunteers

Photo courtesy of Newburyport Public Library

In the Year 2012…

Information Literacy Instruction

“Information literacy is pretty much done on a one on

one basis. With e-Readers and Overdrive, the teachable

opportunities have greatlyincreased.”

“…senior surfer and new to computer

sessions.”

“We provide what we are asked to provide. LA1s that work here help with computer training, taxes finding resources… Whatever the patron asks us to do and if we can’t, we find someone who can…that’s what you do in a small town.”

The Public Library of Today

The Public Library of the Future

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Cea

It's the year 2022. The public library of today differs from the public library of 2012 in these three ways...

In the Year 2022…

The Future is Coming!What Does That Mean for Public Libraries?

Mary WeissDirector Public Libraries

mary.weiss@credoreference.com

Libraries Thriving

Intro to Mary WeissDirector of Public and K-12 LibrariesCredo Reference

OCLC 2008 Study

“From Awareness to Funding; a study in Library Support”

Among the findings from the report:•Library funding support is only marginally related to library visitation•Perceptions of librarians are an important predictor of library funding support•Voters who see the library as a 'transformational' force as opposed to an 'informational' source are more likely to increase taxes in its support•The report suggests that targeting marketing messages to the right segments of the voting public is key to driving increased support for U.S. public libraries.

OCLC REPORT CONCLUSIONS

Circulation and Visits are UP !!!

• They are managing a long list of important public services that are in need of financial support and many face strong pressure by their constituencies to limit local tax increases.

• Elevating the financial needs of the library by positioning it as vital community infrastructure, rather than a ‘nice to have’ service, is required. As local officials weigh the costs and benefits of increasing taxes or allocating funds, the profile and valueof the library relative to other services must be increased.

• Engaging community support from the most likely library financial supporters can be an important factorin elevating this discussion.

• Engaging the support of Super Supporters and Probable Supporters to increase the attention of their elected officials on tax support for libraries is essential.

TRANSFORMATIONAL

• The research indicated a need to appeal to both the heart and mind of the potential voter, positioning the library as an important part of the community’s infrastructure that plays a key role in providing equal access to resources vital for thriving in today’s digital world.

Where do Public Libraries Fall ?

Passionate Librarians !

Probable Supporters and Super Supporters felt that support for libraries can be improved by increasing the public’s attention to four essential community benefits that the public library uniquely delivers:

•Equal access •Shared community values (or teaches values) •A sacred place •Community stature.

Messages that Drive Library Funding

Brand Communications Objectives

•Make the library relevant for the 21st century.

•Instill a sense of urgency by putting the library in the consideration

set for local funding with other public services, like police, parks and

fire.

•Activate a conversation about how the library is a vital part of the

community’s infrastructure and future.

The Library Needs to be positioned as a vital part of the community infrastructure

Messages that Drive Funding:• Access to information was expressed as

fundamental to American democracy. • the library plays a unique role in teaching

important community values and responsibilities. (sharing community assets, respect for community and self reliance)

• the library is seen as a ‘sacred place’ that has distinct and unique qualities that make it worthy of increased financial support. Focus group members described the ‘transformational’ qualities

• The library is a community symbol of freedom of thought and progress; the library creates status for its community.

Awakening and reinforcing the transformational value of the library is

the most important factor in increasing library funding support.

Thank you

Mary Weissmary.weiss@credoreference.com

Renee DiPilato,Central Library

Manager,Alexandria Library

Lynda Rudd,Technical Services

Manager,Alexandria Library

RENEE DIPILATO & LYNDA RUDDALEXANDRIA LIBRARY

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

FEBRUARY 27, 2012

The Future is Coming!What does that mean for

public libraries?

Introduction

BackgroundThe Alexandria LibraryA note of caution

Today’s Goal

Focus on the positive

Different Meanings!

These are challenging times, but…we can shape our future!

Change is Constant

We are in a state of “permanent white water” (Peter Vaill, 1996)

Continuous learning is keyA new skill set for the profession is

imperative

Community

Engage your customersSeek out your non-usersLeave your facility for a different perspective

Collaboration

New opportunities aboundBuild partnerships that make senseLook for local resources

Communication

Spread the wordRaise awarenessFocus on the positive

Competition

E-Books & TechnologyGoogleNetflixAmazon

How do we compare? What strengths do libraries have?

Librarians as Connectors

“They are defending library as warehouse as opposed to fighting for the future, which is librarian as producer, concierge, connector, teacher and impresario.” Seth Godin, The Future of the Library

Resources

Research and ReportsALA, Office for Information Technology Policy—Policy BriefsOCLC—Membership ReportsUrban Libraries Council—Research Reports

Scenario PlanningScenario Planning for Libraries edited by Joan Giesecke

Let’s continue the conversation

Renee DiPilatordipilato@alexandria.lib.va.us703.746.1728

RENEE DIPILATO & LYNDA RUDDALEXANDRIA LIBRARY

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

FEBRUARY 27, 2012

The Future is Coming!What does that mean for procurement in public

libraries?

Consumer Demand

Library resources meet community demandResource availabilityInformation formats

Can We Buy That?

Library budgets and spendingVendor availabilityPublisher ownership

Do We Own It?

Ownership versus RentalDigital Millennium Copyright Act and the

Digital Media Consumer Rights Act(DMCA prohibits bypassing of embedded technology

that restricts access or copying of digital media. DMCRA requires copyright protected labeling on material to restore legal usage of digital content made illegal by DMCA.)

Public Libraries and Publishers

Intellectual content securityPublisher solvency and profitabilityWhere does the public library fit into the

picture?

Resources

Public Knowledge whitepapers on spectrum reform: Breaking the Logjam: Creating Sustainable Spectrum Access Through Federal Secondary Markets and Breaking the Logjam: Some Modest Proposals for Enhancing Transparency, Efficiency and Innovation in Public Spectrum Management.

Bills regarding FCC and Network Neutrality (Thomas.gov) ALA resolution on publishers and practices that discriminate against

library users (American Libraries, January 31, 2012) “Ebook Publishers Want Library Borrowing to Be Difficult” (Jared

Newman, PCWorld.com, February 13, 2012) “Penguin Severs Ties with OverDrive” (Calvin Reid, Publisher’s

Weekly Online, February 9, 2012)

What is your vision of the future of public libraries?