Rural Libraries 2.0

2007-07-10T17:46:00.000-04:00

Jo Dereske mentioned the Rural Libraries Conference 2007 in her online newsletter. Check it out at http://www.jodereske.com/newsletter.htm

Your brainstorming!

2007-06-13T11:43:00.000-04:00

During the Rural Libray Sustainability Program sessions, the group brainstormed ideas in the following categories:

Library Connections
Technology Connections
Upgrade and Maintenance
Staff and Patron Training
Funding
Outreach
Advocacy

Take a look at the WebJunction site for Michigan and you will see the compiled lists.
http://www.webjunction.org/forums/forum.jspa?forumID=332

Copy of e-mail sent to RLC attendees

2007-05-25T13:33:00.000-04:00

Greetings Everyone!

You are getting this e-mail because you were on the registration list for the Loleta Fyan Small and Rural Libraries Conference 2007. It was great to see so many people at the Grand Traverse Resort! If you were not able to join us, you can still take advantage of the information on the blog and on WebJunction (see below for details).

Here are some follow-ups:

1. If you submitted a CEU Record Sheet at the end of the conference, we will be mailing to you your CEU Certificate. We had indicated on the form that certificates would be mailed no later than June 9, 2007, so please know that we are working on them for you. If you have a level 7 certification that has expired since you attended the conference, you will be able to send in your re-certification paperwork once you receive your certificate and we will retroactively re-certify you if all is in order.

2. Those of you who attended both days of the Gates Rural Library Sustainability Program (RLSP) at the conference will receive a follow-up from WebJunction staff that will include a post-assessment link so that you can go in and complete this survey online. There is an incentive for your trouble - we will have a drawing from those who submit their post-assessment and you could win a coupon for free WebJunction courses. (Taking WebJunction courses will earn you CEUs.)

3. We received a lot of feedback from you via the evaluations! The conference evaluations are being compiled and, when complete, will be posted on the RLC area of the Library of Michigan website. We appreciate the time and consideration taken to provide your thoughts!

4. For those of you who did not receive a USB flash drive after the RLSP portion of the conference, we do have some left and would be glad to give one to you, while supplies last. Please send an e-mail to Jenn Houseman at jhouseman@michigan.gov asking for a RLC flash drive. We prefer to send them via MeLCat delivery, so please indicate if you are on the statewide delivery. If not, include your mailing address.

5. The content from the flash drives is posted on the WebJunction Michigan forum for rural and small libraries at http://www.webjunction.org/forums/forum.jspa?forumID=332. You will also find other items of interest there, so take a look! Familiarize yourself with the WebJunction All Aboard community by going to the main page at http://www.webjunction.org/forums/.

6. Finally, there are two more things to look for as follow-ups to the Rural Libraries Conference. One is that I will be posting a document of the compiled brainstorming results from the RLSP program. Remember the Post-It sheets around the room on the walls with the very colorful sticky notes? There were some great ideas captured and they will be posted both here and on the Library of Michigan RLC web site. Also, I will be mailing out to you your action plan post card(s) so you will have a reminder of your thoughts for follow-through.

If you have questions or comments, let me know! Enjoy the long weekend! -Sheryl

p.s. People are still posting to the RLC blog, so you may want to take a look there. Marian T. Librarian posted her letter to Roger. Take a look: http://rlc2007.blogspot.com/

Gen X/Y Programming, Services, and Collections

2007-05-18T17:17:00.000-04:00

Here is a link to the program that was presented at RLC by Angela Semifero and Laurie St. Laurent of Marshall District Library: http://rlcgenxy.googlepages.com/. Check it out!

Post conference follow-ups for you!

2007-05-17T17:10:00.000-04:00

Hi All,

Well, I certainly needed to catch up on my sleep after the conference! It was great to see you all there!

I thought we could continue to post information here on this blog and also begin to use the WebJunction community area to ask questions and share ideas/best practices. (Take a look at the conversation about web 2.0 at http://www.webjunction.org/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=4066&tstart=0 or post something under the Michigan section of the rural libraries area at http://webjunction.org/forums/forum.jspa?forumID=332.)

Jenny Levine wrote about her time at Rural Libraries Conference on her blog, the Shifted Librarian, at http://www.theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2007/05/08/big_library_or_small_library.html

Michael Stephens also wrote on his blog, Tame the Web: Libraries and Technology. See http://tametheweb.com/2007/05/thanks_rural_libraries_20.html

Evette Atkin blogged her comments during Jenny and Michael’s presentation. See http://theunlibrarian.net/blog/?p=52

I will add more tomorrow! Gotta go ;-) -Sheryl

Marian's letter to Roger

2007-05-16T14:58:00.000-04:00

Dear Roger:
Well another Rural conference is under our belts. I can't believe taht the first one in 1985 would start me on a journey that would involve meeting so many wonderful people.

This year I worked with Deb Bacon-Ziegler in promoting the conference. I learned to BLOG and wrote an informative column which I think might get sindicated. Deb and i also became friends sharing fashion tips, shoes and nail polish. Now she's gone, gone to Chicago to work for a cooking school library--I've always wondered if virgin oil is really virgin???

Oh well- as to the conference, it was another great experience. I learned a lot, everything from library law to how many librarians it takes to screw in a light bulb.

Speaking of maintaining the library we have redone the library director's office. I contacted Trading Spaces and that good looking carpenter Carter who is a native of Traverse City, came and installed a new desk, shelves, a computer desk for my new Apple IIe computer and anything else that would keep him working in my office..

In the library our new computer lab was installed. Some of the libraries in our coop bough Dell's--we got a better deal from WalMart. We got 10 computers, 10 flat screen monitors but only 5 keyboards. People in Lake Neverwuz are accustomed to sharing so we don't see it as a problem.

Speaking of sharing-Maureen Burns shared some important things for us to remember. We need to smile-even in the face of adversity. I tried that but have had trouble picking the bugs out of my teeth. I met Maureen several years ago, she has changed my life. I was shy and retiring, like you Roger, wearing navy and black--but not anymore. Today it's color, color, color and bling, bling, bling. I've also been working with Ann Holt. Ann's retiring in 2007 and I think I've convinced her that sequins are the secret in retirement. I also hope she will join our "Dancing with the Stars" program at Lake Neverwuz.
Our line up for the May program will include:
* Ann Holt and Brad Pitty doing the Capital Salsa
*Jim Seidl and Mindy Gates doing the Techno Tango
*Sheryl Mase and Lance Werner doing the Legal Sidestep
*Roger and June Mendel doing the Knit one, Pearl one Waltz
and finally
*Gail Powers-Schaub dancing the 50% State Aid Samba (You only need 50% of the dance couple for this one).

The programs at the conference were fantastic.
Lance Werner told us all about the law. As many times as I've heard him I am always surprised to find out something new. This time I learned that a FOIA was not a new energy drink, but was a request for information about things that happen at the library. He said the library minutes could be read by anyone- public information he called it- I think I'll call Judge Judy and verify this!

I also found out what polices we need regarding library cards for minors-with all the disclaimers, exceptions, transfer of identity from a minor to a consenting adult, I have to find a library card supplier that does 3x5 library cards.

Also with the Internet in order to get e-rate discounts, I have to have a CIPA cup, or something like that to protect children. We used bibs years ago.

Sheryl Mase did a fantastic job, especially with the awards. Charlevoix and Beulah libraries swept up many of the awards. I was hop____ing for an award this year, but I guess I'll have to wait another two years. Wait_____ing is half the fun of get___ing an award-Hey

Jo Dereske was our speaker Tuesday after the awards. She's a librarian and an author and has written a number of mystery books about a super sleuth librarian, Ms. Zuka. This reminds me of the time we found a body in the Lake Neverwuz County Village City District Public Library. After a closer look we found it was not a dead body-but was our board chair, Horace Dewey who sat too close to the library paste and the drawer that we store our Magic Markers. A little brandy from Ruth Harrison, reference librarian's drawer and he was as good as new--well as good as 98 years old good. He's been chair of the board since 1947. He's been a great board member. He bought our quanset hut library building from Army Surplus, wrote the grant for our Winnebago children's addition and helped us barcode the collection for our Horizon/Sirci/TripleI/Mercedes/Minicooper Circulation system. It's a little slow, until you go into overdrive /turbo mode.

Food at the Conference- Almost like being on a cruise- Speaking of cruises I just returned from a Holland America cruise. This is the cruise line that has the Dam ships, Westerdam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam- but now it also sales on the Great Lakes and their new ship is called the Beaverdam. The decor is deer heads, antelers, red plaid on formal nights and when say fresh catch of the day, they mean it.

But I digress:
At the conference there were a few rough moments when coop directors and interested parties discussed the cuts. At Lake Neverwuz we have done something to protect against the cuts:
1. We have joined all 13 coops. This way we'll get some service from each one.
2. I took the money I saved from registration for this conference and spent some quality time at the casino. I was losing for a time, ubt in the end I have enough to pay for delivery for the next eleven days.
3. Staff have been alerted that we may be cutting services. Patrons will be issued toilet paper one sheet at a time: additional sheets may be distributed with a written doctor's excuse.
4. Lights will be lite on a need to light basis. Patrons will be issued flashlites to locate books in the stacks and heat will be turned on at 9 a.m., Noon, 3 and 5 p.m. for a 15 minute period of time.

During the conference I talked with a number of lbirarians who read my BLOG and wanted to know more about our WIKI Wedding at the Library Program. For those who don't know this is a fund raiser that has become very popular.

1. We have a collection of wedding dresses; nine of them were donated by Elizabeth Taylor for brides to check out on their library cards.
2. Weddings take place in the library, Len the janitor got his minister's license on the internet, using the Gates Public Access computers.
3. We have a deal with the local funeral director and get all our flowers fresh from him. We do have to remove signs like "Dear Mother" "Great Dad". , but that only takes a minute or two.
4. We cater the reception using Rachel Ray's book "Wedding dinners in 15 minutes".
5. We have our own selection of toule in various colors.
6. Music from our CD collection.

Weddings cost from $150 and up. It's a very popular service. Each bride and groom get a library card, no fines for six months and if things don't work out, we have "Do It Yourself Divorce in 3 Days".

Char Ezell did a program on the look of your library. She showed examples of libraries with clutter, too many signs, too many nicknacks. She recommended having a focal point in the library, something that will make you pause when you enter. Some libraries have aquariums, some have fireplaces. Presently we have a wall painted Mary Kay pink that features our Chick Lit. I think I will propose to the board an 8 person hot tub situated near the entrance. Our board meetings could be held there and when we have visiting legislators they can join us and while we do our presentations on library financies, Len the janitor can turn up the heat.

We will also shelve our books by size and color; this should give the library a Fen Shu__ay feel and make shelving books easier then that Dewey way.

There was a program on Seniors and Technology. With the baby boomers maturing this is an open field for programs. The session at the conference gave me great ideas to serve this population.
Here are the top ten ideas for working with seniors:

1. Plug in your computer.
2. Press the Power Button to turn it on.
3. The mouse is moved on a pad not on the screen
4. Corrections are made using the keyboard, not by applying whiteout to the screen.
5. e-mail does not require stamps.
6. On-line dating works best if you post a picture of yourself when you were 27.
7. Don't contact the guy from Nigeria who needs help securing $11,000,000 from a bank in Pakistan.
8. When filing your income tax on line you can't claim your dog as a dependent.
9. Never give personal information, always lie.
10. When in doubt, go to the library for the answers.

We also recieved from Gates a thumb drive. These are wonderful, some people use them to store computer info. I have some other uses:
1. A whistle for emergencies, however only dogs can hear the whistle.
2. A GPS device to find staff that are not working.
3. Heat seeking devices to find the cold dead coop directors.
4. Press the red button and it becomes a Swiss Army Knife.
5. It also serves as a cell phone; you can talk into it, unfortunately you can't hear the responses.

The bookmobile will get an extreme makeover- The library logo, done in cerise, flamingo and charteruse with a hint of lemon will be painted on three sides. New white wall tires and the addition of a snack bar will enhance service. Our new bookmobile motto is: Food for the Body, Food for the Mind.

A new library staff outfit in the library colors is being designed by Ann Holt.

Male staff: Polka dot shirts in flamingo and white with charteruse shorts.
Female staff: Lemon yellow halters, and cerise mini skirts.
sandals, flipflops and boots for foot ware. Who said library staff were boring.

Oh, I almost forgot the baskets. What a great idea. Everyone that won a basket was thrilled, the one I like the best was the coop director basket it had:
1. A map of Michigan with lines drawn for the new coops.
2. A one page state aid report with two questions: Do you want money? and Who is designated to turn out the light?
3. A pink slip.
4. A bottle of gin and for those who don't inbibe a bottle of sparkling Traverse City Cherry juice
and 5: Resume building or 100 best places to retire.

I actually saw two coop directors fighting over the basket in the parking lot: I thought I heard them saying--No you take it, no you take it. I didn't stick around-thought things might get ugly.

Well I must go, we're getting ready for our seniors field trip to the Lake Neverwuz National Forest. Hopefully we won't lose anyone on this trip.

It's bye for now from Lake Neverwuz, where the men are strong, the kids all go to storyhour and the women have two ladies rooms for every one men's room.

Marian

food!

2007-04-26T15:39:00.001-04:00

If you plan to purchase a meal ticket for a guest to attend any of the luncheons or dinner banquets during the Rural Libraries Conference, please contact me by Monday, April 30 at 5 p.m.

I do not yet have a final price per ticket, but they will be in the $15-25 range depending on the meal.

thanks - Deb

bacon-zieglerd@michigan.gov

I'm Getting Ready are you??

2007-04-26T13:16:00.000-04:00

Well it's less then two weeks before we get to experience another Rural Libraries Conference. I am so excited. I have been packing for several weeks. I like to have the right outfit for every occasion as well as the right shoes. I do tend to pack light though this time. This year I have cut it down to nine suitcases. I won't be able to drive the bookmobile to the conference this year so I had to drastically cut down on outfits.

I am trying keep up my spirits this year what with the 50% cut in state aid looming and the drastic things it will do to my cooperative's services. Lake Neverwuz library has been draped in black for the last few months to get the message across to our patrons that services will be cut if this reduction in state aid goes through. We also have black bookmarks, which I am finding that the public has a difficult time reading our message, maybe next time I will just border them in black. We also produced some READ posters featuring the local coroner, the funeral director and 6 pall bearers standing around the library saying read here before its dead here. I doesn't rhyme very well but people have understood the message. Oh well I am still hopeful for a "miracle".

In the mean time I do have a suit case full of comfort foods and spirits. Stop by my room for macaronic and cheese, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and chip dip. One has to keep up a good front. See you all at the conference, watch for me I bought a pair of "High Heeled Sneakers" and am ready rumba.
Marian

How to Make Your Library Great

2007-04-25T09:01:00.000-04:00

Goodness, can it really be almost a month since this blog has seen any action? It has been a busy spring with the 13 state librarian town meetings and final RLC planning.

We are counting down to the conference. Please be sure to complete the Gates preassessment survey before you arrive at Grand Traverse Resort:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=140052549858

You will also want to check out How to Make Your Library Great and other articles in the April issue of the Making Places newsletter from the Project for Public Spaces.

Register, Register, Register

2007-03-28T09:29:00.000-04:00

I checked with Deb yesterday and found that there are about 300 people registered for the Rural Conference. I am happy to see so many have registered, but there is still time for you procrastinators. Send in your registration today, you can't find a better bargain anywhere, no registration costs. Even the local "1/4 dollar General" or TJMaxx can beat that price.

The agenda for the conference is great with some programs for all interests. Best of all it's time to get together with old friends and make new friends.

See you at the Casino, I am planning on doubling my state aid money for next year.

Conference Activities

2007-03-19T11:03:00.000-04:00

Rural Libraries Conference:
The deadline to register for the Rural Libraries conference is extended to April 13th. Registration is free. Be sure to complete and return a registration form so we have a chair for you to sit on and delicious meals to eat!

As you prepare to attend the conference, you may want to make sure you have some good walking shoes and your jaw is exercised. The hospitality/local arrangements committee has activities planned that will keep you walking, talking, laughing and smiling. Dress is casual and comfortable.

Passport to prizes:
To encourage networking and sharing, all conference attendants will receive a Passport. Each attendee will start off with one sticker in their passport. Throughout the conference, attendees will have numerous opportunities to earn stickers. The stickers earned will be used as currency to bid on gift baskets that will be auctioned off during the closing luncheon on Wednesday.

Dessert reception:
The conference starts will a “bang” on Monday and includes guest speakers Michael Stephens and Jenny Levine at the opening luncheon. After dinner, with keynote speaker Maureen Burns, there will be a dessert reception at which the State Librarian, Nancy Robertson, will make remarks. Then, an ice cream social, author fair, and musical entertainment will take place. The author fair will have numerous local authors who will sign and sell books.

Baskets:
Gift baskets will be given away at several events during the conference. Baskets will come from two sources: donations from libraries and donations from companies. The donated library baskets should be handed over to the committee during registration. “Special” gift baskets will be auctioned off during the closing luncheon on Wednesday.

Libraries are encouraged to donate baskets for the conference. Baskets typically follow themes. In the past, there have been scrapbooking baskets, massage item baskets, and baskets filled with local items from the town supplying the basket. If you have questions regarding the baskets, contact Holly Mercer.

Meal Mixer:
To encourage networking and sharing, the hospitality/local arrangements committee will be sponsoring a seating arrangement mixer during lunch on Tuesday. Prior to lunch, tables will be marked with a color. As conference attendees enter the banquet room, they will be handed a slip of colored paper that corresponds to a color at a table. You are encouraged to eat at the table that matches your color. Those that do will earn passport stickers.

Shop and Swap:
You are encouraged to bring material from your library to share with others. There will be 6 categories:
Promotion of Programs (Flyers, etc.)
Bookmarks
Children’s craft idea
Library newsletter or brochure
Annual report
Building project survival tips

The “Shop and Swap” items should be given to hospitality/local arrangement committee members during registration (Committee members will be sporting a Home Depot aprons during the conference). The “Shop and Swap” items will be set up on Tuesday during the morning break. All items will be made available for attendees to look at and take.

The committee will select the top ten items from each category. Conference attendees will then vote for a winner in each category on Tuesday night at 7:00. Category winners will receive a certificate.

Book discussion:
There will be a book discussion on Tuesday at 8:00. Librarians wishing to attend the book discussion are encouraged to read one of Joe Dereske’s Miss Zukas mystery books before attending the book discussion. In April, a list of discussion questions will be available to assist in the smooth flow of dialogue during the discussion. Jo herself plans to drop in for the discussion and promises that she “takes criticism well!”

Register today as you don’t want to miss this free and exciting conference!

Registration form: http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17451_18668-142226--,00.html

LibrarianSpace - Library 2.0 on Ning

2007-03-08T16:00:00.000-05:00

This is very cool - a social networking site for those of us who are into library 2.0! You can create a profile, join discussions, and "friend" others (like MySpace if you are on that).

Marian - I expect you to friend me, OK? I'm 02092DEB on Library 2.o.

-Deb

P.S. my personal call number is 020.92 DEB and yes, I know that isn't a proper application of the Cutter-Sanborn Author Table!!

Great TV Ad

2007-03-08T14:55:00.000-05:00

We at Lake Neverwuz Library are always looking for ways to advertise the library. Check out this site and see a neat TV ad for a library. http://youtube.com/watch?v=rQZk0CKgkIg

Remember to register for the Rural Libraries Conference coming this May 7,8 and 9. See you at the Grand Traverse Resort.

Marian T.

policy & practice - wifi service

2007-03-02T14:02:00.000-05:00

From John Blyberg's blog:

Headline: Alaskan Library lets down Patron

When I moved to Lansing last summer, I (gasp) cruised for wifi before Comcast could connect me at home. I now have a wireless network at home and assume that my service gets borrowed on occasion.

For those of you offering wireless service to your customers: what do you think? does your Internet policy address after hours access?

Busy Day in Libraryland

2007-03-02T13:26:00.000-05:00

Energizing and exhausting at the same time! This video was created for library staff in service day at the St. Joseph County Public Library in South Bend, Indiana.

Watch closely and you'll see one of our keynote speakers, Michael Stephens.

26 days till Spring

2007-02-23T11:20:00.000-05:00

As I look over the 25 foot snow drifts in the library parking lot here in Lake Neverwuz I am happy to hear that Spring will arrive in 26 days, which means that we will have only 7 more weeks of snow and ice. In May we usually have the last of the snow melt and that will coincide with this year's Rural Libraries Conference. Yes, May 7-9 at Grand Traverse Resort we will all be together again. Don't miss our reunion by forgetting register or reserving a room. The Gates Foundation is a paying for the registration, which includes the meals, so your library has to pay for the cost of the hotel. What a deal!!

I am anxious to get there so you can all see the results of my Extreme Makeover. You know when one gets past 30 parts of us start to go "south". Well I took some of my DDA beautification fund and used it to do a tuck here and there. It's all part of the let's bring Lake Neverwuz into the 21st century, a program sponsored by our Downtown Development Authority (DDA). I also received some grants for our staff and you just wouldn't believe the changes including the increase in male usage of the library.

I also thought we should have a cell phone at the library. Our only problem is that the cell phone reception is very poor unless you cross into the next county. VeryHorizon,ATTTT, Sprinter is working on getting a tower in town, they first tried putting a tower on the bookmobile but found that reception was only good around the bookmobile and because it changed location so often you were easily cut off during a conversation, this proved to be very problematic when the mayor was talking with the Governor concerning the 50% cut in state aid. Their conversation was cut off just when he said______.

We do get USF discount for the phone. Our schools have 98 of the 100 students qualify for the reduced lunch program so our discount is 99.99999% so the phone only costs us 39cents a month, and with the kind of service we get that's about what it's worth.

Enough about us, register for the conference so we can get together at the bar and talk about services and about the librarians who are not attending the conference.

Marian

Rural Libraries In Focus - WebJunction

2007-02-21T12:10:00.000-05:00

In Focus Webinar: Social Software and the Rural Library

Each month the Rural Library Sustainability Project is presenting an hour-long webinar focused on a particular topic of importance to the work of sustaining Rural and Small libraries. Join us next on February 28, 10:00 AM PST/1:00 PM EST for Social Software and the Rural Library: Blogs, Wikis, IM, and more! How are these tools being used in libraries? What is the potential? What might the future hold?

http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=13496 for more information and to register.

MeL ReMix is here!!!

2007-02-20T08:51:00.000-05:00

Click on the logo to check out the new look and functionality!

MeL features subject pathfinders and a new section — MeL Michigana — for images from Michigan’s past.

Brave new world!

Is Lake Neverwuz a candidate?

2007-02-15T08:54:00.000-05:00

FYI from MLA....

2007 Spring Workshop - Library Extreme Marketing Makeover: Real Stories, Real Problems, Real Solutions

The Marketing & Public Relations Roundtable Board invites libraries to apply to have their materials or toughest marketing problems receive an Extreme Makeover by our board members and other marketing professionals within the library and marketing/public relations professions. Two libraries will be chosen based on answers to the questions in the application. At the workshop, marketing experts will present the before and after results to the group. Attendees will then have an opportunity to get their own marketing questions answered and materials assessed by our expert panel.

Marian - there may be something in this for marketing your wedding services...

Fun? Anyone?

2007-02-07T14:45:00.000-05:00

Never fear, we will have fun at RLC! The web page has been updated with information on keynote speakers and hints at the activities the hospitality committee is planning for us in the evenings.

The Gates curriculum will not be a boring, Ferris Beuller "anyone? something d-o-o economics?" type lecture. I promise. You will be networking, brainstorming, and rarin' to go by the end of the conference.

I've also heard that the coop directors will be hosting a party room I mean "hospitality suite" at GTR. That crazy band of 13! Marian - are you in on this? I've never asked about Lake Neverwuz's coop affiliation...

Keep warm, everyone!

A Funny Thing Happened at the Library

2007-02-05T12:37:00.000-05:00

The general public thinks that we work in a very dull place and that nothing happens funny in libraries. Well I'm here to tell you that plenty happens and when the temperature dips as it has this week a few funny stories will get the blood flowing and help you through the cold. Here are a few jokes to lighten your day.

Chickens in Libraries A chicken walks into the library. It goes up to the circulation desk and says: "book, bok, bok, boook". The librarian hands the chicken a book. It tucks it under his wing and runs out. A while later, the chicken runs back in, throws the first book into the return bin and goes back to the librarian saying: "book, bok, bok, bok, boook". Again the librarian gives it a book, and the chicken runs out. The librarian shakes her head. Within a few minutes, the chicken is back, returns the book and starts all over again: "boook, book, bok bok boook". The librarian gives him yet a third book, but this time as the chicken is running out the door, she follows it. The chicken runs down the street, through the park and down to the riverbank. There, sitting on a lily pad is a big, green frog. The chicken holds up the book and shows it to the frog, saying: "Book, bok, bok, boook". The frog blinks, and croaks: "read-it, read-it, read-it".

Light Bulb Jokes:1. How many academic librarians does it take to change a light bulb? Just five. One changes the light bulb while the other four form a committee and write a letter of protest to the Dean, because after all, changing light bulbs IS NOT professional work!
2. How many catalogers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Just one, but they have to wait to see how LC does it first.
3. How many cataloguers does it take to change a lightbulb? Only one provided it is in AACR2.
4. How many reference librarians does it take to change a light-bulb? (with a perky smile) "Well, I don't know right off-hand, but I know where we can look it up!"
5. How many library system managers does it take to change a lightbulb? All of them as the manual was lost in the last move (or flood).
6. How many library managers does it take to change a lightbulb? At least one committee and a light bulb strategy focus meeting and plan.
7. How many library technicians does it take to change a lightbulb? Seven. One to follow approved procedure, and six to review the procedure. (8 if you count the librarian they all report to)

What happens when you cross a librarian and a lawyer?A: You get all the information you want, but you can't understand it.

Why did the librarian slip and fall on the library floor?Because she was in the non-friction section.

A young boy refused to do his homework, and his father was trying to convince him to do it. He said to his son: "When Abe Lincoln was your age, he was studying books by the light of the fireplace."
The son replied: "Well, when Lincoln was your age, he was President!"

Did you hear about the schoolgirl who was so excited about a book she found in the library called How to Hug?It turned out to be volume eight of an encyclopedia.

A kindergarten teacher asked the children just before she escorted them to the library, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in the Library?"Annie replied, "Because people are sleeping."

What did the detective do when he didn't believe the librarian's story?A. He booked her!

When a goose goes to the library, what books does she look for?A. Peoplebumps books!

If you travel to Eastern Europe, why won't you find any books in Prague's public library?A. They're all "Czech"ed out!

What building has the most stories?A. The library, of course!

Where does a librarian sleep?A. Between the covers.

Jim said, "My dog tried to eat my library book."" What did you do?" asked the librarian." I took the words right out of his mouth."

Once a blonde went to the library to get a book. A few days later, she returns and says to librarian at the counter, "This book was very boring. It had too many characters and too many numbers, so i would like to return it." The librarian says to the other librarian, "So here is the person who took our phone book!"

Fire Destroys Bush Presidential LibraryWASHINGTON (Reuters) - A tragic fire on Monday destroyed the personal library of President George W. Bush. Both of his books have been lost.

For more library humor join me at the Grand Traverse Resort May 7-9 we can share stories about library patrons and have a great time. Remember registration is taken care of with the Gates Foundation grant, we won't make fun of Bill or Melinda, so contact the Grand Traverse Resort and book your room. Don't forget to nominate a librarian or trustee from a rural library even someone who has been to every and I mean every rural conference.

Back from Seattle

2007-02-01T09:21:00.000-05:00

I recently attended the ALA Midwinter Conference in Seattle, Washington and my head is still spinning. I toured the new Seattle Public Library and was amazed at what I saw. This building is glass enclosed, with the various levels in the building kind of floating inside. The colors were vivid with the conference level painted automobile red, floor, walls and ceiling. As usual I picked up a number of ideas that I will implement at Lake Neverwuz. They have four hundred computers available for the public to use. It makes our 10 Apple IIe's and the Commodore Lab look sick. The Seattle Public Library has been so popular that the library has even been rented out for a wedding. At Lake Neverwuz we are taking that a step further. Our staff is being trained as wedding planners. We are a one stop shopping place as long as you have a library card. We help with the proposal, planning for the wedding and the food and assist with selection of gowns and tux. We've had so many pe0ple coming in to the library to find out about weddings that we came up with this new service. Jack, the maintenance man, drapes the library in toile and lights, Tussy, does the bouquets, (we get the flowers from the local funeral home and save a bunch), we have a special collection of previously owned wedding dresses. One dress was never worn, the groom ran off with the maid of honor the night before the wedding. We have made arrangements with the local churches for ministers to preside and even have our own Elvis. John from the Friends does an Elvis impersonation and this helps the Friends raise some extra cash. We have been working to get a Melville Dewey to also perform weddings but this guy has been so busy at ribbon cuttings for new libraries that it may be months before we can get him. Prior to the weddings we hold classes on etiquette, planning the honeymoon and a special "Prozac can be your friend"for our bridezillas. It's been very popular. I was hoping to do a session at the Rural Conference but Deb wasn't sure this would fly with the committee.

Oh well, I think the programs Deb has lined up for us are exceptional. Please remember to nominate deserving people for the various awards, sometimes the people you see everyday are deserving of an award, or even the people who write blogs. Make your reservation today for the Rural Libraries Conference.

Nomination deadline extended to 2/16/2007

2007-01-23T16:35:00.000-05:00

Don't miss out! Nominate a colleague, trustee or Friend for a RLC Award. Visit http://michigan.gov/ldds and scroll down a bit for full details.

The nomination deadline is now Friday, February 16, 2007.

Deb

P.S. Has anyone nominated Marian yet? You know she's a bit touchy on the subject, being the Susan Lucci of libraryland...

Happy Y2K7

2007-01-03T10:40:00.000-05:00

Remember Y2K and the disasters that were to occur when the clock struck twelve. Here it is Y2K7 and the only disasters that have occurred is a reduction in state aid, I've got more wrinkles and weigh in at 2K. Christmas in Lake Neverwuz is always a delight. The library celebrates the 12 volumes of Christmas. Each day before December 25 we feature a special book which culminates in the book entitled "The twelve step process to loose fat". Because there are so many other holidays that occur during the same time period we devote a room at the library for each celebration. It works out well except we have a difficult time celebrate "boxing day" for years we have tried to get Mike Tyson or Levander Holifield to make an appearance, but their always too busy. Maybe next year I can get our cooperative director and the director of our largest library in the cooperative to go a few rounds.

This year there was no snow so many of our decorations did not have the same festive look that they have had in the past. Our Friends group was disappointed that we couldn't get the snowmobile delivery of books going this year. No snow, No go.

Story hour at the library was great. Santa brought one of his reindeer who can play jingle bells by shaking his antelars to the music. It was fantastic. I was dressed in my Mrs. Santa outfit. I sewed it myself using the choicest of fabrics and trims. The ermine trim was one I "bagged" last year. For the craft we did gingerbread library buildings. The best one was little Frankie L. Wright's version of the Chicago Public Library. The other craft was very popular, "10 year old fruitcake and what to do with it" The oldest fruit cake brought in for the program was 37 years old and the lady had made it into the cutest bird house.

Well that's all from Lake Neverwuz for now. Remember to register for the conference May 7-9. Registration opened December 22. There is no registration fee but you must make your reservations with the Grand Traverse Resort. Please remember there are no beds allowed in the Casino. Happy New Year.

Marian T. Librarian

Registration is now open!

2006-12-22T11:07:00.000-05:00

Visit www.michigan.gov/ldds and follow the RLC link to register.

Remember, there is no registration fee for the 2007 conference. However, it is critical that you complete and return a registration form. Critical if you want to eat and have a chair to sit on, that is!

Merry Christmas, everyone! When I next post, we will be (gulp) in the conference year... four months and counting!

Deb

Top Ten Reasons to go to Lake Neverwuz

2006-12-21T08:14:00.000-05:00

Top 10 reasons to support libraries: When I saw this post on the blog I decided to compare the reasons to our beloved Lake Neverwuz District, County, Township, Village Library. Here goes:
Libraries:
Serve everyone: Our new international library card is very popular. For 100 lyre, 10,000 francs, or160 yen you can purchase a library card from Lake Neverwuz. So far we only sold 3 cards but Canada is only 175 miles away and is certainly an untapped market.
Are places of opportunity. We've had fourteen couples meet here at the library and get married. Last year our story hour attendance took a major jump.
Are great places for kids. This is farm country so don't call our youngsters kids, for obvious reasons. Our library offers youngsters a vast array of services, YouTube, DVD's, CD's, Learn a Test, Tutor.com, Tattoo World, Pimp your Ride, and comic books, day care, snowmobiles in the winter and special lake excursions in the summer.
Bring you the world. Our Commodores and Apple II e's in the computer lab give our users access to info as far away as Wisconsin.
Help us lead better lives. Our community has grown and people have told us that they moved here because of the library and the great services we offer. Our quickie divorce and remarry program has brought many a midwesterner here instead of Reno and Las Vegas. Our board chair dresses as Garrison Keilor and performs as many marriages as Elvis does in Nevada.
Build better communities. Our build a house program uses the skills of our Friends group to build houses for the needy and near needy of our community. We think this is a model program and are thinking of going national, maybe through ALA.
Promote literacy. Here's where we excell. We an't never turnd away nobody. Our goal is to educate everone so dat they can read good.
Are essential to education. When the schools close for the summer we have all the teachers come and work at the summer reading program. Its part of their contract.
Attract businesses. We've helped Neverwuz Ink (tatto parlor) get started. We helped the DDA get sidewalks into the downtown area so we no longer have to walk on pallets to get to stores downtown. This has helped business, and the old pallets will be used for a craft during the summer reading program.
Are a great value. For every dollar spent to support the library we have calculated that it adds $17.32 back into the economy of the community. How we did this calculation is a mystery, but I'm sure its accurate.

Spread the word! Tell us your stories at the upcoming Rural Libraries Conference in May of 2007. Happy Holidays.

Marian.

Small is Powerful

2006-12-19T14:32:00.000-05:00

Check out this toolkit from ALA - Winning Support for Your Rural Library. Topics include strategy, message, and tools.

Imagine what would happen if each of us said at least one of the things on this list to at least one person every day? Talk about word of mouth marketing!

10 reasons to support libraries

Libraries. . .

Serve everyone.
Are places of opportunity.
Are great places for kids.
Bring you the world.
Help us lead better lives.
Build better communities.
Promote literacy.
Are essential to education.
Attract businesses.
Are a great value.

Spread the word!

We Need more Librarians!!

2006-12-11T16:18:00.000-05:00

I am hoping that the rural conference scheduled for next spring will have sessions on PR and also on the topic of the impending shortage of librarians. The staff at Lake Neverwuz District, Village, Township, County Public Library have developed a recruiting film which I believe every library should use to entice people to become librarians. Check out this site and see what can be done with an 8 mm camera and a little acting talent. www.youtube.com/watch?v=smrrZpbvI20

See you all at the Rural Librarians Conference, where the librarians are smart, the book talks center on the books of the 50's and noise is okay, as long as we don't use our "outside voices"

Happy Holidays.

2.0 new tools from ALA & one from Deb

2006-12-11T10:37:00.000-05:00

The ALA Library announced December 5 the launch of two new web tools to aid ALA members, librarians, and library workers in accessing professional information online. The Librarian's E-Library uses tools from Google Co-Op to create a customized search engine. The ALA Professional Tips wiki provides a pathfinder to using the rich resources of ALA's website, compiles the library's responses to questions received from the field, and enables the library community to share new resources for advancing the practice of librarianship....

Any knitting librarians out there? Check out my experiment with Google Co-op at http://www.purldive.com.

Quick! Respond with your story by this Friday, 12/15

2006-12-11T10:28:00.000-05:00

Share your public access stories

The MaintainIT project, a three-year effort run by TechSoup, a technology resource for nonprofit organizations, wants to hear stories about how libraries maintain public access computers and internet services for their communities. By collecting best practices on the topic, the Share Your Story about PACs campaign will distill the information into a series of free how-to guides tailored to the technical support needs of different types of public libraries. MaintainIT would like to hear from small, rural libraries by December 15....

Great programs!!

2006-12-06T12:26:00.000-05:00

Wow is all I can say about the list of speakers that Deb posted for next year's Rural Libraries Conference. I have been a fan of Maureen Burns for years. She helped me when I first met her at the Michigan Library Association conference several years ago. What a dynamic speaker and yet someone you can relate to and one you with who you can share fashion tips. I used to be shy and retiring, always wearing navy or black clothes. After hearing Maureen I am a changed person, I wear three inch heels like Deb Ziegler, outfits with bling and have sponsored weekly karoake at the Lake Neverwuz library. By the way, when you get to the conference check out Deb's shoes. She has found a supplier in China who has changed her whole shoe wardrobe. I would say that the last shoes I saw her wear could be considered "High Heeled Sneakers". What's happening to our Deb??

I can't wait for the conference, I hope you have it marked on your calendar. Remember that the Gates Foundation, you all remember Billy, is helping to fund the conference so all you have to budget for is your hotel and transportation. What a deal! See you in May.

Exciting news....keynote speakers!!

2006-11-29T09:23:00.000-05:00

I am thrilled to announce that we will enjoy the following keynote speakers at RLC 2007:

Jenny Levine & Michael Stephens

Jenny and Michael are leaders in the library 2.0 world. Jenny blogs at The Shifted Librarian and Michael's blog is Tame the Web. Michael is particularly excited to join us as he spends the better part of his summers at his cottage near TC.

Maureen Burns

Our own ever-popular Maureen will join us on Monday evening for an inspirational and funny take on our lives in libraryland.

Jo Dereske

Jo writes the Miss Zukas mystery series and is originally from Scottville, MI. Her other books include the Ruby Crane mystery series and several books for young people. After her keynote, Jo will do a book signing.

Rural library branches

2006-11-20T12:58:00.000-05:00

I am anxious to attend the Rural Libraries Conference this spring. With the Gates grant it will be even more affordable than in the past and so I am looking at how many staff and board members will be able to also attend this year. We have a new project at Lake Neverwuz Public Library that involves expansion. One of our businesses, Carolyn's Cozy Cabins is going out of business after 57 years and is planning to donate to the library 12 one bedroom cabins. Our board has been discussing this for a long time. Each cabin is 9ft by 9ft and we thought we could have 11 branches of the Lake Neverwuz library. Since they have to be moved to allow for the new Dollar Store, we thought we could have them place every 100 feet and put the 000's in one cabin, the 100's in another cabin and so forth. The 12th cabin could be used by the Friends. The cabins all look alike and were newly painted last year a lovely shade of mauve and orange with yellow doors as accents. I'm curious if you think this project will work. Is this something I should bring to conference and get reactions there from some of the experts. Is 13 locations too many for a service area that is a half mile square and serves a population of 723?

More on 2.0

2006-11-13T11:28:00.000-05:00

By now you have all figured out that I have had my share of the 2.0 Kool Aid. I sincerely believe that libraries have everything to gain from 2.0 attitudes, approaches, and applications.

You will learn much about 2.0 at the conference. In the meantime, read what Michael Stephens has to say about getting started with 2.0:

http://tametheweb.com/2005/11/5_suggestions_for_upgrading_to.html

-Deb

A Librarian's 2.0 Manifesto

2006-11-09T11:58:00.000-05:00

This is great!
http://liblogs.albany.edu/library20/2006/11/a_librarians_20_manifesto.html

From Laura Cohen who blogs at http://liblogs.albany.edu/library20/

Dancing with the Stars

2006-11-08T14:51:00.000-05:00

I am so excited about our newest program here at Lake Neverwuz Public Library. Recently, Julie's Parisian Dance School had a record number of dance students, 7 to be exact. They came to us with an idea to have a dance contest at the library and to have some local "stars" work with their students. It was my idea to call it "Dancing with the Stars" so my staff worked quickly to get our "Stars". Here is the roster and the dances that they will do for the competition which will be held at the library in the Winnebago Ballroom on the newly renovated second level. Cooperative Director Jim Seidl will work with Mindy Gates and do the Techno Tango; Ann Holt and Brad Pitty with do the Capital Salsa; Deb Bacon-Ziegler along with Red Lion will do the Knit/Pearl/Knit Waltz plus Roger and June Mendel will do Jive. Contact me if you would like details on how we put this together. Our Friends Group, along with Ruth Dukelow and Ken Miller will be sewing the costumes for our dancers. For other ideas about good programming for rural and small libraries attend next year's Loleta Fyan Small and Rural Libraries Conference at the Grand Traverse Resort. Remember your registration and meals are taken care of by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. You need to budget for travel and hotel accommodations. See you May 7-9, 2007 and bring your dancing shoes.

Fishing for comments

2006-11-01T10:42:00.000-05:00

Hi All,

Marian emailed me yesterday. She is totally bummed that nobody is commenting on her posts. Given her recent ~~self-indulgent rant~~ thoughtful commentary on conference awards, I urge you to ~~give it right back to~~ let Marian know that you are reading her posts by offering a comment.

It is really very easy. Just click on the orange comment link at the end of the post, add your comment, enter the verification text so we know you aren't an evil robot, and click "login and publish" - that's it!

Heck, you might even invite her to a movie this Saturday night!

Deb

Grand Traverse Resort room rates

2006-11-01T10:34:00.000-05:00

Reservation information will be available soon. For now, get these numbers in your 2007 travel budget:

Tower guestroom $129.00/night
Hotel guestroom $99.00/night

EXCITING NEWS - Attendees are responsible for travel & accommodations ONLY for 2007. Grant funding from the Gates Foundation allows us to cover the conference registration fee by subsidizing attendee meals and some facility expenses.

Deb

Pat Yourselves On The Back

2006-11-01T09:46:00.000-05:00

Soon the Rural Libraries Committee will be seeking nominations for awards to be given at the Conference. This is a good time to honor those rural library people who do such a great job providing service to their communities with many times very little in the way of resources. Nominate someone from your library or maybe from another library in your cooperative. I,for example, have had some fantastic programs and services at Lake Neverwuz and no one has nominated me for an award. I thought my Pontoon bookmobile service, or the All Terrain vehicle homebound delivery service, or my Winnebago children's room addition to the library would have rated an award, but no, but I'm not BITTER. It doesn't matter to me if I'm overlooked, year after year after year ever since 1986. All that matters is that my patrons are receiving good service. No matter that I work overtime and get no additional pay and don't get as much as a daisy as an expression of thanks. It's not a problem, give the awards to others certainly more deserving, it doesn't bother me, who scrubs the library floor each Saturday evening rather than going to the movies, alone. Take care, remember, nominate someone this time, it may be the one thing in their lives that will give them hope to go on.

Programs, Programs, Programs.

2006-10-30T11:55:00.000-05:00

At every rural conference there is an opportunity to share ideas with your colleagues. Please come prepared to let others see the great things you are doing. Rural librarians are some of the most inventive program people I know. So don't be shy, bring your bookmarks, posters, scrapbooks and news articles and promote the programs you have hosted at your libraries since the last rural conference. I know I am going to bring a display about our annual Halloween parade and pumpkin roast. This is a time for all of our staff and board to dress as their favorite library personality and parade down Main Street. Last year the winners were dressed as Legal Beagle, Lance Werner; Rub-a-Dub, Three Co-op Directors in a Tub (Mendel, Seidl and Dees); Nancy, State Librarian, Robertson and of course first place went to Mel (the) Cat. This year maybe Melvil Dewey will appear dressed as Virtual Co-op Director. Enjoy the Holidays and remember to keep some bookmarks for distribution at the next Rural Libraries Conference.

Project Runway or what to wear to the Rural Conference

2006-10-24T10:00:00.000-04:00

I've been asked what to wear to the conference. Since I've attended each one I have a good idea of what to pack. The conference is two and half days, so I multiply by 5 when I pack. You can't bring along too much. Pack for every season, since this is northern Michigan. You'll need parkas, swimsuits (both winter and summer weight), something long, something short and of course plaid flannel for the casual evenings around the bonfire. Some conferences in the past have had at least three seasons during the time period so be prepared.

I usually plan a change of clothes for each session, but since my husband carries the luggage and is getting old I have decided this time to only change clothes in the a.m., p.m., and evening.

Seriously, though, dress comfortable, with good walking shoes and layer. Sometimes the rooms get too warm and if you layer you can make yourself comfortable and not include on your evaluation form that the room was too cold or too hot. Happy packing.

RLC History

2006-10-19T12:06:00.000-04:00

Here's a bit of history regarding the Rural Libraries Conference. The first conference, which was held at Hidden Valley in Gaylord was organized by the Northland Library Cooperative and was an idea of Sue Williams, Assistant Director of Northland. Sue organized the first conference and included Library of Michigan and MLA as co-sponsors. The two and a half day event brought just under 200 library staff and trustees from rural Michigan to Gaylord. Funding for the event came from an LSCA Grant and registration fees. Bernard Vavrek from Clarion College in Pennsylvania was our keynote speaker and was the leading expert on rural library service. On Thursday the evening program centered on storytelling and puppetry as part of a Lake Neverwuz program. The conference was such a success that it became a conference held every two years and later became known as the Loleta Fyan Rural conference when financial support came from the Fyan estate. It is great that our state library recognizes the need to have a conference tailored to the needs of a large segment of the library community. As one who has attended each conference I can say that the topics covered are relevant to my needs and the needs of the Lake Neverwuz Village, Township, County, District Public Library.

Lunch and Dinner Discussions

2006-10-19T12:01:00.000-04:00

When you go to the conference plan to sit with people you don't know at the dinners and luncheons. This is a great way to find new friends and also find out solutions to problems you may be having in your library. If you sit with the people you know you won't be expanding your horizons. Also you may miss meeting Antonio Banderas!! Use the conference for networking. Not all learning happens in the sessions.

Marian is back

2006-10-19T11:47:00.000-04:00

I have missed posting to the Blog for several reasons. One is that I was on a cruise. Many of you are familiar with the Holland/America lines, they have ships named that end in dam, Zuiderdam, for example. I was on a cruise of the Great Lakes on one of their newest ships, The Beaverdam. It was great, we toured ports such as Marquette, Alpena, Tawas City, as well as going through the Soo Locks, which I think rivals the Panama Canal and Caribbean cruises. It was a great tour but ended tragically when we had a bonfire on the aft deck that got out of control. But back to business and the Rural Conference. Soon I will have a list of the programs for the upcoming Rural Conference so that I will be able to give you tips on getting the most out of the conference. At the recent MLA conference in Detroit I was able to attend in several programs on safety in the library, I hope we have some at rural conference. We may not be inner city, but in rural Michigan we have some "wild turkeys" to contend with and we need to have to learn to deal with all types of customers.

Rumor has it...

2006-10-18T14:13:00.000-04:00

That Marian has been off galivanting around on a cruise ship! Doesn't she know that we are yearning for words of wisdom, wondering just what to do next as we plan for RLC 2007?

Marian! Please come back!

Hey Marian!

2006-09-07T16:29:00.000-04:00

Read this and let me know what you think!

http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6365200.html

VetTech: A new Lake Neverwuz Service

2006-09-05T14:48:00.000-04:00

Ever ask yourself "What new service can our library offer?" You'll find programs at the next Rural and Small Library Conference that will give you great ideas to take home and implement at your libraries. At one of the previous conferences one of the speakers said look at the talents of your staff and see if you have a new service or program that you could offer. I went back to Lake Neverwuz and found out that one of our staff was trained as a veternarian technician. We now offer one Saturday a month a Check your Pet at the Library. With our computer scanners we are able to offer Cat Scans and our 3M strips can be implanted in your dog so that we can scan them and find their owners and our CD cleaner doubles as a"Flea Clean". It's done wonders for library business. Go to the rural conference and find out what's new and innovative for your library.

More tips from Marian

2006-09-05T09:52:00.000-04:00

Learn about technology: I understand from Deb that there will be several sessions on technology and what programs you can offer your patrons. We’ve done programs on eBay, ordering from QVC, and the Home Shopping Channel as well as buying furniture on line and just recently we purchased a bookmobile online. It only had 1,200,000 miles on it and had complete sets of Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys and a Gold edition set of Reader’s Digest Condensed books.

Dress for Success: I am planning to have a session on dressing for success as a library director from a rural area. Bring your sewing machines, flour sacks and thread. “Marion T. and your sewing machine” is what I want to call the session, but I can’t seem to get that young Deb to agree to it. I think she has something else in mind, Watch for an announcement.

Marian

Rural Library Sustainability - In Focus

2006-08-30T10:04:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, there will be a tie-in between the Gates Rural Library Sustainability Project and the 2007 conference.

As part of the project, Gates/WebJunction is offering a free montly series of webinars on topics "of importance to the work of sustaining Rural and Small libraries. The next webinar, Upgrading and Repairing the Technology in Your Library, is scheduled for 9/28/06.

There are great resources available to you at WebJunction -- check it out!

A Tip from Marian: Programs for Board Members

2006-08-28T16:17:00.000-04:00

Encourage your board members to attend. There will be special sessions with topics of interest to board members. In the past I have found these to be very helpful that’s how I got my board to drop from 35 members to 5. It seems we didn’t know that when you appoint a new board member an old board member leaves the board, we thought only death could accomplish this.

Marian

2006-08-24T14:57:00.000-04:00

Hello all! I'm excited to be the chair for the volunteer committee. My debut at Rurals was in 2005. And frankly I'm still trying to get over the fact that it snowed! Anyway, I found the conference to be fun, educational, fun, inspiring and fun. I'm looking forward to working with my committee to create another great experience. I hope you all plan to be there.

Tips from Marian T. Librarian

2006-08-24T14:01:00.000-04:00

to get the most out of your Rural Libraries Conference

Tip #1

Dress Casual. As someone who has attended all the conferences I SAY dress casual. The first few years I wore three inch heels and almost killed myself. “Birkies” are best but any comfortable shoe will do.

Dress in Layers. This is Michigan and at most Rural conferences the weather goes from spring to fall to winter and back to winter. I wear a cute yellow polka dot bikini, then a T-shirt, then a turtleneck and a sweater and parka. I’m prepared for everything you be too.

Marian

2007 conference committee chairs

2006-08-04T10:00:00.000-04:00

Here are your 2007 conference committee chairs:

Awards - Sherry Mountney
Equipment & Internet - Trixie Wint
Hospitality/Local Arrangements - Holly Mercer
Program - Deb Bacon-Ziegler
Volunteers - Gayle Hazelbaker

There is still time to get involved with conference planning and on-site work. Let me know if you are interested bacon-zieglerd AT michigan DOT gov

For those of you who have already volunteered, you will soon be contacted by your committee chair.

Gates Rural Library Sustainability Program

2006-08-04T09:35:00.000-04:00

WebJunction, a project of the Gates Foundation and OCLC, has undertaken a three-year Rural Library Sustainability project. Michigan will receive support and money to provide training to our small & rural libraries. The topic? How to better sustain and manage public access computing. Follow this link for full details.

The reason I mention this program is that the training portion will dovetail with RLC 2007 and the grant funds will allow us to offer special conference programming and benefits. Stay tuned for further details.

-Deb

Don't Be Afraid

2006-08-02T08:54:00.000-04:00

As you consider using Web 2.0 applications in your library, you will encounter those who are nervous/afraid/opposed to social software. Read this ALA TechSource blog post for reassurance & inspiration.

Speaking of Flickr, you will enjoy Rural Library Director's jobs. Check it out and then pat yourself on the back (or go out for a really, really big margarita).

Web 2.0

2006-08-01T14:41:00.000-04:00

Library 2.0 is driven by Web 2.0 and, to be honest, wrapping your head around "2.0" is something of a challenge. At its core, 2.0 is about relationships and a rich user experience. Web 2.0 sites like Flickr, Writely, Wikipedia, Squidoo, MySpace, del.icio.us, and many, many more allow users to collaborate & share online.

What does Web 2.0 mean for libraries? How does "your library 2.0" work? Read on...

What is Web 2.0 by Tim O'Reilly
Web 2.0 from Wikipedia
Addressing the Permanence Issue at www.blyberg.net
Social Software from Wikipedia
Library 2.0 in three easy steps Squidoo lens by Steve Wilson
Library 2.0 Reading List Squidoo lens by Jenny Levine & Michael Stephens

Personally, I am most excited by the fact that Web 2.0 levels the playing field. A tiny library can create a del.icio.us account and maintain an amazing list of annotated web resources. That list can then be shared with patrons as part of the library's reference collection. Photos of a library building project can be organized and shared via a Flickr account. Bookmark Writely on your public access computers and your patrons have a web-based word processor. Use instant messaging for free, virtual reference service. Create a library blog.

What are YOU doing with Web 2.0?

The News from Lake Neverwuz

2006-07-26T14:37:00.000-04:00

Just heard from Roger Mendel who heard from Marian T. Librarian that she is already making her plans for the 2007 conference. As a proud alumna of ALL the conferences, Marian has lots (and lots) to say about getting the most out of your conference experience. She has graciously agreed to share her years of wisdom to guarantee that each and every attendee has a perfectly splendid time at RLC.

Feel free to send your burning conference questions to Marian via a comment to this or any of her upcoming posts.

You guys are great!

2006-07-17T12:26:00.000-04:00

I am thrilled to announce that I received 19 program proposals and over 20 people volunteered to help plan the 2007 conference.

Additional information will go out to both the prospective presenters and volunteers this week.

Michael Stephens on Librarianship 2.0

2006-06-26T17:16:00.000-04:00

Read Michael Stephens' article, Into the New World of Librarianship, here.

I want to be this librarian, don't you?

Librarian 2.0 also listens to staff and users when planning, tells the stories of successes and failures, learns from both, celebrates those successes, allows staff time to play and learn, and never stops dreaming about the best library services.

One of the greatest things about a small/rural library is that you can wake up, decide to be Librarian 2.0, and put your decision into action that very day. The small guys have a certain amount of flexibility and immediacy that eludes the big guys. So, order a pizza, gather your staff & volunteers, make your plan and GO!

-Deb

It Never Hurts to be Reminded....

2006-06-22T11:23:00.000-04:00

Love a Librarian by Martha Brockenbrough

The Feel-good Librarian reminds us why we do this.

Become a RLC volunteer - contact Deb to find out more!

Read this Blog!

2006-06-22T10:48:00.000-04:00

State librarian Nancy Robertson is blogging her travels around the state. Read all about Nancy in Libraryland here.

Another great resource for keeping up with the Michigan library community is Michlib-L, the statewide library listserv. If you aren't a subscriber, please take a minute to join the list.

Michigan Rocks!

2006-06-20T12:41:00.000-04:00

Look what I found in the results of my Google News search for "michigan libraries":
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/05/28/library_sheds_stuffy_image_with_rock_band/

An article in the Boston Globe that mentions our very own Bill Harmer from Chelsea District Library! Seems Bill's idea to host rock concerts at the library is catching on nationwide!

I know that all of our Michigan libraries have great programs and unique ideas to share. What's happening at your library this summer? Don't be shy -- the easiest form of advocacy is word-of-mouth. Let your patrons, your community, and your state library community know what you are doing and why you matter.

The User Is Not Broken

2006-06-15T16:02:00.000-04:00

From Karen Schneider:

The user is not "remote." You, the librarian, are remote, and it is your
job to close that gap.

Read the rest of Karen's manifesto, The User Is Not Broken, and share your comments.

Another of my favorites - The Cluetrain Manifesto - is here.

(Thanks to Sue for the reference to Karen's piece)

Mid-June Update

2006-06-14T16:27:00.000-04:00

Now that the annual Beginning Workshop is over, RLC 2007 planning is full steam ahead. Please consider volunteering, commenting on this blog, or submitting a program proposal.

Interested? Visit www.michigan.gov/ldds or email me at bacon-zieglerd AT michigan DOT gov.

The Americans for Libraries Council just released its report Long Overdue: A Fresh Look at Public Attitudes About Libraries in the 21st Century. For the full text of the report, click here. The report and supplemental materials are excellent tools for your local advocacy efforts.

Have you seen the Library Success Wik i? Have a look. Or better yet, contribute.

Speaking of small and rural, everyone is cheering the Soca Warriors on against England tomorrow, right? Go T&T!!!!!

Finally, for a bit of fun, check out Karen Schneider's latest creation over at Free Range Librarian.

-Deb

Call for Programs!

2006-05-25T10:46:00.000-04:00

Conference planning continues with the official announcement of the 2007 Call for Programs. Full details available at the all-new Library of Michigan Library Development & Data Services web page.

Proposals should reflect the conference theme "Libraries 2.0" and the future role of small & rural libraries in our communities and state.

Program proposals are due July 15, 2006.

Call for Volunteers

2006-05-15T14:10:00.000-04:00

Call for Volunteers -- Get involved in Rural Libraries 2.0!

As the RLC chair, my vision for 2007 is a conference that keeps the best of our traditions while introducing some exciting new opportunities for everyone involved.

What are those traditions and opportunities? I don't know yet -- and that is where you come in! RLC Veteran? Newbie? Somewhere in-between? Please consider becoming a 2007 RLC volunteer.

To express your interest as a volunteer, please submit the following information to bacon-zieglerd@michigan.gov.

-Name, library, contact information including email address
-Would you like to serve on a committee*, volunteer on-site, or both?
-If you are interested in a committee, which one? Why does that particular committee assignment appeal to you? What is your vision for that committee in 2007?
-Are you interested in serving as a committee chair?
-Any other information you'd like to share?

*see previous post for list of committees

2007 conference committees are...

2006-05-08T11:59:00.000-04:00

Awards - Organizes and manages the conference awards program

Equipment & Internet - Organizes and manages on-site technology including computers, LCD projectors, Internet access & stations

Volunteers - Organizes and manages on-site conference volunteers (CEU sign-off, registration table, assisting keynote speakers, etc.)

Hospitality/Local Arrangements - Organizes and manages conference hospitality and promotes/coordinates local attractions/sightseeing for attendees

Program - Executes call for programs. Peer review of program proposals, booking presenters, scheduling sessions and assigning rooms, handouts, etc.
Watch this space (and Michlib-L) for the call for conference volunteers to be issued May 15.

Welcome! to the 2007 RLC blog

2006-05-04T14:13:00.000-04:00

Planning is now underway for the 2007 Loleta Fyan Rural Libraries Conference.

The 2007 theme, Rural Libraries 2.0, reflects both our rich past and the exciting future. Why 2.0? Much more on this concept later, but the brief explanation is that we are all engaged in creating the 21st century version of the public library. What will the 2.0 version of Michigan small and rural libraries look like? That is totally up to us!

I encourage you to bookmark this blog (or subscribe to the RSS feed) and come back often. Have an idea? Want to get involved? Leave a comment or send an email to bacon-zieglerd@michigan.gov.

Best,
Deb