Rural and Small Libraries

Rural and Small Libraries
Best Small Library and Professional Development
May 8th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?

The In Focus webinar series sponsored by The Association for Rural and Small Libraries has just posted the archive from last week’s webinar: The Best Small Library in America - Chelsea District Library. If you were unable to catch this 60 minute session live last Thursday, please take a look. The staff of Chelsea District Library discuss what the award has meant, as well as the numerous programs they’ve put on to help them connect with their community.

And while you’re at it, mark your calendars for our webinar next Wednesday (5/14, 11 am PST) - Professional Development: ARSL, ALA and Virtual Conferences. Join a star-studded cast of characters including George Needham, Bonnie McKewon, Patty Hector, and more, as we look at making the most of upcoming professional development opportunities. Whether it’s ALA in June, ARSL in September, or taking in a virtual conference from the comfort of your office, this session is all about development and connecting with others in your profession.
Member Spotlight, Rural and Small Libraries, Spanish Outreach
Member Spotlight: Stephanie Gerding is Living the Dream
March 27th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?

As long as we’re knee-deep in PLA, this is a good time to draw your attention to our current Member Spotlight. Stephanie Gerding presented Wednesday a PLA pre-conference Grants workshop and is participating Saturday as virtual panelist on a WebJunction-led session (”From Hype to Help: Making a Difference with New Technologies Saturday”).

Gerding is a independent consultant with deep experience in the library world, seemingly having worked everywhere—the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, two state libraries, SIRSI, as well in academic and corporate libraries.

Of course we’re a little biased here, but we think some of her best work has been done as a WebJunction supporter. In addition to all the great content she has contributed to the community, Stephanie has been a trainer and coordinator for WebJunction’s Rural Libraries Sustainability and Spanish Language Outreach programs.

She even included WebJunction in the acknowledgments in her latest book, the Accidental Technology Trainer: A Library Guide:

“WebJunction—the organization, the website, the members, and everyone working there—has been very valuable to me, not only in writing this book, but as a trainer and librarian as well.”

Stephanie subscribes to the motto: “Live the Dream.” In the member spotlight, she passionately explains her method of directing her time and energies directly toward her goals. Once you accomplish that, she says, you’ll find opportunities for achieving your personal and professional goals begin appearing.

The process is certainly working for Stephanie! There’s more good stuff in the profile, so be sure to check it out.
News, PLA2008, Rural and Small Libraries
John Wood to librarians: I don’t need to tell you
March 27th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?

…about the community-building, life-changing, essential importance of libraries, that is.

PLA kicked off with keynote speaker John Wood, founder of Room to Read and author of Leaving Microsoft to Change the World. On top of being engaging, energetic, and funny, he really is changing at least a portion of the world. In the eight years since Wood delivered the first load of books on the back of a yak (named Zach) to a remote Nepali village, his organization has established over 5,100 libraries in South/Southeast Asia and South Africa.

For a striking comparison, Wood displayed a bar chart comparing the number of stores opened by Starbucks around the world since 2000 with the number of libraries opened by Room to Read. At first, Starbucks held a strong lead over the fledgling non-profit, but in the last three years, the library effort has surged ahead. More than a frivolous comparison, it’s a challenge that Wood took on, one he dubbed the “Starbucks test.”

“If they can open Starbucks at a rapid rate, why can’t we open schools and libraries at the same rate?”

Photos of kids beaming with excitement shone from the screen; heart-warming stories were told of the priceless rewards that come from empowering kids and communities. It’s inspiring to see what can be done in so short a time. Of course, we gave him a standing ovation.
Online Collaboration, Rural and Small Libraries, Trustees, Webinar
Rural Webinar: Board Successes and Challenges
February 28th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?
By Ellen Miller

Working with library boards can be a roller coaster! Will they come prepared or tune out? Will they stick to business or swap recipes? Will they vote or once again table the budget?

On March 6, the ARSL Rural In Focus webinar “Board Successes and Challenges” will tell you how to help your board get results and to feel successful.
- This webinar starts with YOUR vote – what’s the single most important improvement your board should make?
- Find out causes, a.k.a problems, behind those needed improvements from veteran trustee Ellen Miller.
- Review a director-board division of labor that really works!
- Check out practical antidotes that can turn your board from observers to team players.
- Learn how the comeback kids at the Basehor, Kansas Community Library turned a 58% “No” vote into a 66% “Yes” vote in just two years. Get practical advice from director Carla Kaiser.
- Find URLs for board resources you can use at home.
- Ask questions, then rate this webinar’s usefulness.
Alert: These speakers may not be politically correct. And the pace moves fast, so bring some energy bars!

edit: View the archive of the Board Successes and Challenges webinar!

~~Join us for the free, hour-long webinar: Thursday, March 6, 2008, 11:00 am PT/2:00 pm ET~~
- Information on this Webinar and archives of all Rural In-Focus Webinars
- Instructions for Joining the Webinar
Library Management, Library Spotlight, Online Collaboration, Rural and Small Libraries, Sustainability, Webinar
Library of the Month: NWILS — Building a Virtual Workforce
January 22nd, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?

Our Library of the Month spotlight addresses an issue that many in the library world have faced: how can we continue to provide our services in the face of shrinking budgets? While none of us (normally) seek out organizational crises, the outcome of such pain can sometimes spark true innovation.

Bonnie McKewon, administrator of Northwest Iowa Library Services (NWILS) tells WebJunction how an ongoing slide in funding helped the organization to change how they delivered consultancy services. As budget and staffing shortfalls made clear the impossibility of their current model, they embraced an opportunity to develop an innovative, sustainable virtual-team/consulting model!

The spotlight provides insight into their successful program.

Bonnie is also presenting the WebJunction webinar this week on Thursday January 24, 2008 on the topic of Let’s Collaborate in 2008. She’ll provide suggestions on how to reinvigorate cooperation amongst libraries. Please join us for the webinar or stay tuned for the archive and associated resources.

edit: An archive of Bonnie’s webinar is now available for viewing at your convenience.
Advocacy, Rural and Small Libraries, Webinar
Everyday Library Advocacy Webinar
November 28th, 2007 | Permalink | Comment?

Just a reminder that the state of Wyoming and everyday library advocacy will be the main attraction of our Rural In-Focus Webinar tomorrow at 11 am Pacific/ 1 pm Central. Please join us for this free, one-hour session on how you can turn your customer service policy, internal and external communication plans, and networking agenda into advocacy tools that work for you everyday of the year.
Information on this Webinar and archives of all Rural In-Focus Webinars
Instructions for Joining the Webinar

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Rural and Small Libraries

Rural and Small Libraries

Best Small Library and Professional Development

Member Spotlight, Rural and Small Libraries, Spanish Outreach

Member Spotlight: Stephanie Gerding is Living the Dream

News, PLA2008, Rural and Small Libraries

John Wood to librarians: I don’t need to tell you

Online Collaboration, Rural and Small Libraries, Trustees, Webinar

Rural Webinar: Board Successes and Challenges

Library Management, Library Spotlight, Online Collaboration, Rural and Small Libraries, Sustainability, Webinar

Library of the Month: NWILS — Building a Virtual Workforce

Advocacy, Rural and Small Libraries, Webinar

Everyday Library Advocacy Webinar

Featured Guest Post, Library Services, Online Collaboration, Rural and Small Libraries, Sustainability, Webinar

Next Rural Webinar: Library as Place

Conferences, Rural and Small Libraries

Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference