MLA Libraries = Education

I attended a thought-provoking training called “Libraries=Education: Your Key to Success.” In it, Valerie Gross, President and CEO of the Howard County Library System, laid out a persuasive case that the key to libraries remaining relevant in the public eye, and not to mention well-funded, lies in a thorough rebranding of who we are and of the services we provide.  Her theme is relevant, particularly in the age of Google and the clamor for fiscal accountability. When pressed with the question “Libraries – what are they good for?” how do we answer that concisely and convincingly, before it’s answered for us with the refrain Absolutely Nothing (apologies to Edwin Starr)?

For Valerie Gross the solution lies in regarding libraries as an essential component of high-quality public education, hence the slogan Libraries=Education. Lifelong education is key to survival in the Information Age. The public, and the politicians they elect, sense this when put in these terms. Howard County, led by a fiscally conservative county executive, has not only fully funded but increased funding for their public libraries.

            There are three pillars to the Libraries=Education concept:

I.                   Self-Directed Education through vast collections of items in print, audio and electronic formats; and thousands of premium online research tools.

II.                Research Assistance and Instruction for individuals and groups. This pillar includes classes, seminars and workshops for all ages, taught by library instructors.

III.             Instructive and Enlightening Experiences through cultural and community concepts, events, and partnerships.

Gross advocates replacing common terms in library world with new ones that reflect the concept of library as essential educational institution delivering high-quality education for all. Patron should be replaced with customer. Programs replaced with class, seminar, or workshop. Storytime replaced with Children’s Class or Year-Round Preschool Classes. Programming with class content or curriculum. Reference Desk with Research Desk and Reference Librarian with Instructor and Research Specialist. Information literacy with Research skills. Gross also believes that less-jargony terms can be used that the public can relate to; why not call Circulation just Borrowing or the Circulation Desk the Customer Service Desk? The list goes on, and for the class Gross compiled 5 pages of common terms with their preferable substitutes.

We know libraries are relevant to the public. Do they? 

Morgan Stanton

EDM

MLA - Two great sessions

I enjoyed my time at the MLA/DLA in Conference Cambridge, MD. Two sessions stood out to me.

My first workshop was Starting with “Yes, and…”:  Improv Fundamentals for Collaboration in Libraries.  This session used physical and verbal communication to build trust and buy-in with participants as we worked in groups. Using both forms of communication allowed the team members to practice taking initiative, working as a team, and working towards their goal through improvisation. Although some people may use these activities to generate team building at their libraries the concepts covered can be introduced in a variety of ways.

The other session was Underserved Communities: Outreach and Effective Services for Immigrant and ELL Populations. This program was presented by librarians from Prince George's County Memorial Library System. The two branches represented have a high immigrant population. Many of the residents in this area don’t speak English and many of them live in poverty. The libraries serving this community wanted to have impactful outreach and services. They partnered with an area church and a Judy Center. The church’s parishioners are English language learners. A librarian from one branch teaches a 12 week program that covers multiple topics from how to fill out forms to using library resources. The library also has a satellite collection at the church and offers programs to the children of the participants so they can focus on their class. The Judy Center program is conducted by another branch. It includes a small satellite library and the library has children’s programs for the organization’s clients. 

To anyone who is thinking about going to the conference or who has not attended the MLA/ DLA Conference in a while please consider going next year. This year there were so many sessions that gave you a real-life glimpse into what is happening in libraries in Maryland and Delaware. And this year’s site was a really nice place to be for a couple of days. 

Zandra Campbell

ORL

Better Resumes for Career Advancement

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