Establishing Routines- Part 2- Desk Time

  At my new position of library manager, I am still trying to figure out routines and schedules.  I still struggle with using my time wisely.  As a school librarian, I had one large room and multiple classes, and the regular library duties.

  As library manager, I have  regular library duties , and then I also am the manager of a three story building.  So this is a learning curve for me, and I am slowly figuring out the routines and changing them.

  So I am dividing my time into two parts : library duties and building duties.   The library duties are also  a little different in that I actually have a book budget in which I can purchase books each month and I can get the latest best sellers that patrons want.

  So in establishing my routines I am deciding  between ' desk time" and 'floor time'.  During my desk time, I  do the following activities at designated times: First thing in the Am ( before opening) check emails,  track wireless, check answering machine .

  Also I have Desk time  during coverage of lunches: Again I check emails, work on purchasing lists, reading reviews,  printing out calendars, flyer's,  making phone calls.

  At the end of the day, I also do a little desk time: again check emails, make phone calls,  file papers,  clean up my desk,  make plans for the rest of the day, and check my calendar and planning books.
I might also during  any of these times, write down questions I may need to ask my Director or Assistant Director.

Library Signage

  Library Signs are important to both students and patrons  in that they help them find sections and areas needed. Even more so in a Public library or a large school library.signage is important because  it will save you and your staff time  in answering continuous questions about where things are located.

  So think about  several things before making signs.   What sections do you have and do they need to be noted ?   What areas are you always directing patrons to?   The most obvious are of course , fiction, non-fiction, children's room, Ya room, or reference section.

 Depending on your library , you may also have  a computer lab/area,  over sized book shelf, large print books, archives ( local history) or  reading or study area.  

  Having signs for these will allow you  to define areas of the library where many patrons / students  want and need to be.   So now for the signs: what kind will you have? 

  If you have a large budget, then check out the library suppy catalogs or find a local person that can design and make signs for you.  The advantage of this is that these will be lasting signs.  Hang them carefully and you will use them for many years.

 If your budget is not large, then do what I do. I made colorful signs on a power point program or a publisher program.  I then cover them with contact  paper.
 These signs  will be placed where needed.  In a few years if I need to make new ones I will. The advantage of this is if I move areas around , the signs are easy to move around also.

Promote with new technologies

 Use the newest technology to promote your library. We have already discussed blogs, podcasts, and other printed promotions  But what about  the really new stuff?? How about twitter,  wikis, you-tube,  Facebook, texting,  and   Apps?

  The teens and young 20's know all this stuff and if you want to reach them, then try to get some of these Social Media and let them help you get the attention  of the younger generation.   At our library we have just hired two young  people on our staff for children's and adult programming. I am hoping they can show / teach us which of these are the most powerful to attract teens and 20- 30 somethings into using the library and all its resources.

  What are you doing in your library to attract the younger set?  Can you share with us what you do to get the teens and young adults into the library??

Your Circulation Desk

   Start at your circulation desk is a good way to organize and begin to be more efficient.    This is the one place where everyone spends a lot of time, the circulation desk!
   Take 15 minutes the first day you can , and see where you can be better organized and more efficient.

    Do you have pencils/ pens handy both for your use ,  your assistant and even your patrons / students.   Get some sharpened and ready. Make a can that people can grab if they need too.

    Look at your calendar. Do you have one? Is it up to date? Clean it off so you can see and write or pencil important dates/ tasks for you to remember. The calendar is one of the most important things for you to use in your quest in being organized and efficient!

  Other  tools that you need at the circulation desk:    Information on programs ( if at a public library) cards to sign up for a public library card,  phone books,   paper clips, paper, staples,  tape, and glue.

  Most importantly keep your items needed for circulation: date due stamps, stamper, re-inker, slips or  slip printer,    and  slip printer paper.  Also keep a supply of pockets if you use them and  other items related to the check out of books and materials.

Establishing Routines

   Where ever you are in your  life's work , trying routine of regular  tasks is worth thinking about and establishing .  Determine   what routine tasks you normally do .

   One idea is to take 3 by 5 cards and write down some of your regular tasks.  I would do a daily card and list the items that I do on a daily basis. ( Circ stats,  checking emails,  ect)

   Then I would do a weekly one - figuring out what needs to be done on a weekly basis. ( magazine check in / straighten, 

    Lastly I would do a monthly list ( on a card if it was big enough)  and list the tasks / jobs needed to be done.  ( reports,  calendars,

    When looking at all the cards , I can then figure out which items should be done when I am fresh and  ready. Morning  happens to be my best time for important tasks, typing, reports. and financials. .

.   This I placed up on my board with a card file  I can glance at that and see what tasks I need to complete.    I can figure out when to do certain tasks, at times that are convenient.It seems to work for me. Try it you might like it.

Successful strategies for PR

   Library's and their staff strive to develop promotions that catch the attention of patrons and future patrons. We want to draw both types of patrons  to our programs and events.

  So what can we do? With a little thought we can develop strategies that work for our communities. Here are a few:

 1) Eye catching book displays, add to that a poster to emphasize and clarify what the display is about.

2) Well designed flyers and newsletters. They should have details about programs , events, and resources.

3) Your website for the library. Make it interactive, interesting and information, Add a blog, podcast, photos,- anything to attract and hold patrons attention.

4) Advertising?  If you can afford it ,use local papers and radio stations, Promote the library, programs , events and resources,  Some local media welcome library information in press releases. They may also provide  a space or time for a library column or library spot.

5) Friends Groups- This group may host programs,. collect funds, and and help promote the library.

6)  Staff members  are a gold mine! Make sure they are knowledgeable and enthusiastic and can discuss and promote programs, resources, events and exhibits,

Early Word. com

   EarlyWord.com is a site for librarians  that will help in collection development and  will also assist them in the Readers Advisory capacity.  Almost each day there are posts on new books coming out, or book reviews  of some of the newest books.  Also included in many post are related video clips.

  I just discovered this  and I am liking what I have found!   The site looks like it will be very helpful in keeping up with the newest and best books for libraries and patrons.

  On Fridays , there is a New Title Radar which alerts librarians to titles that will be coming out the next week.  Books that are recommended are the one that are going to grab the headlines.  Also there is an email newsletter ( I have not signed up for that yet) and book / author news.

  Each week there are hold alerts - which show titles that have long wait list s, titles that are sought after and also information on Media attention to certain titles.

  Of course, there are many lists included in this site.   Just to name a few: best seller lists, list of books made ( or being made) into movies, past best sellers, and awards lists.

  There are lots of features in Early Word.   I really want you to check it out because I think you will find a lot of substantial information here for you to use.

   Other Features:  book previews, major book award lists, publisher contacts, media coverage, and galley chat ( once a month discussion and hot-list- not yet published books)

  Once you get  on there, let me know what you think.

Library Publicity - Part 2

   Before publicizing your library, find out what products and services your patrons want. Do research on this through surveys, questionnaires , and informal discussions.  While you are in this stage, you also want to find out how your patrons perceive the library.

   Develop goals and objectives bases on your mission, and on the results of research on what patrons want and expect.  Select strateg9es that will help promote  the products and services . You want to find strategies that work best, are affordable, and reach your patrons.

  Create a plan of action that outlines each step needed to carry out the publicity plan.  Publicity and marketing can help you establish a positive image for the library in the community. along with the improved image, Pr and marketing will help patrons to feel a part of the library community and therefore they will become more involved in the library's resources, programs, and events, and special exhibits.

Library Publicity

  Help your library's image by using PR ( Public Relations) to establish the library's position in the community.  Public Libraries provide services and programs that support the community in many ways.

   PR  encompasses communication  and helps  establish a clear identity.  this sends a clear message about the library's mission and goals.

  As a school librarian I always  believed in having a library mission.  As part of a library system in a public library, I believe the mission statement is even more important.!

  Review you library's mission statement, library values, and philosophy of service. And if you dona;t have  a mission, work on this first and foremost.  This will serve to guide you in your public relation's   goal of getting the word out about  your library.

   When doing PR, keep in mind the unique contribution that the library makes to the community, Your patrons ( and how they use the library)  and the many sources of information  that you have available .

  Your PR depends on theses items to five it focus and form.  Keeping this information in mind when determining how you will precede and carry out your PR and marketing plan.l

Organizing your work! Organizing your office space!

I am a big fan of using three ring binders for organizing papers and materials needed on a day to day basis.  Every years I devised a plan book that goes along with y schedule for the year.. It is put in my main notebook which I use every day/ In this same notebook I keep a variety of papers and other items that I refer to on a daily basis.

    Another note book has records for ILL ( Inter library loans) and magazine/periodical records.  A large note book - which will soon be divided into two notebooks- is the common core standards.  In another note book I have my library curriculum for the different grade levels that I teach. A project I would like to do is put all lessons and worksheets for each grade level into a three ring binder, probably by grade level

    A current  large project is the yearly budget and the work  that goes with it.  This is in another labeled  binder. I keep handy the last years binder  to refer to.

     All my binders are labeled on the spine and of course on the front. I use tab dividers when I need too to keep all papers in the proper subject/ topic area. My binders are next to my work/circulation desk.  They can be pulled out and items found at a moments notice.  This binder system keeps me organized and my desk neat!

Blogging For libraries- Part 3

   Use your blog to inform patrons about library news, library events and programs, and exciting new books, magazines, and ebooks.

  The reason to use a blog  is that blogs are different because patrons can respond to  your posts and add their insights and opinions.  They can tell you what they think about what they are reading, what they like to read, what they would like to see at the library, and how they use their personal technology to read and obtain information.

  The key to getting responses to your posts is to have engaging , inviting, and inspiring posts that lead to patrons comments and responses. 

  Blogs can be a very good way for both libraries, librarians, and patrons to connect.  A blog can  lead to a great community feeling and more conversations about books, reading, and events.  Libraries can spread the news about everything that goes on. With a blog , there can be great ability to bridge the conversation gap, get to know the [patrons, and showcase all that happens at your library.

Blogging for Libraries- Factors

   When you are beginning a library blog, there are a few factors to consider before starting .  Doing this first planning session will make your blogging easier. Your blog will be tighter and more interesting.

   First of all , determine the purpose of your blog.  What is your focus or main reason for writing and promotion   your blog.

  Secondly, decide who will write the posts, and who will monitor and proof read the entries,  It is a great idea to have several staffers who will contribute to the information and post. That way there is not just one person responsible and  burn out will be greatly reduced.

    Determine which blogging platform you will use. Using a free platform will virtually  eliminate the cost of  to the library.

  Also consider the amount of time that the  staffers will need to write their posts. You might want them to have a specific time to work, or possible just use downtime during the slow parts of the workday.  Determine how many posts per week will be published.  It is a great  idea to have posts waiting ('in the wings') and just have someone go in and publish  on the determined day. ( This is what I like to do- have  a bunch all written and I just publish them on a regular day)

   Finally , begin with a list of specific topics, themes, or article ideas. Any of the staff can recommend  ideas to throw in the "post " pile of ideas.

We Read/ Revish Reviews,

 WEREAD is a website that has been produced to assist adults ( Parents, teachers and Librarians)  to encourage youth and children to find the joy of reading and writing.  
   This site is free and one of its goals is to make reading more fun , stimulating, and enjoyable.On the left hand side of the page are links related  articles on reading, links to free  reading sites, book ideas for planning reading sessions, reading skills that students need. a parents group, and a link to reading groups.  
    One of the most helpful links is literacy and parenting resources. This leads to many links that will educate parents  about the importance of reading and writing.
   The best link , I think, is the 'Free Kids Books' .  This leads to sites where student can  actually read books online.

   Revish Review is another site that has great content . On Revish ,users can read and write book reviews, keep a list of books they are reading  Users can also participate in book discussions with other readers and reviewers.  Guidelines to writing reviews are green.  They look for meaningful reviews that help others decide if they will read and like the book reviewed.