Social Media and Libraries

What do all of the images above have in common? They are all social media site symbols (they also all happen to be blue.... which is interesting, but not quite the point). Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Linked In are just a sampling of social media sites that people use to either connect with friends, catch up on news and events, and advertise. 

It may not seem like it, but libraries are businesses as well. Sure they do not make a profit, but they provide materials and services to wide communities. In order to secure funding (from all levels of government) and other sources to continue to provide these services, libraries must prove that they are being utilized and are serving a large populace. 

Because of this, marketing libraries and library services is growing more and more important. Normal marketing strategies have worked well in the past, but with the reliance on the internet today and the popularity of social media sites, many businesses have created pages or feeds using these tools that have attracted a large following on social media. This in turn, has increased their reputation, sales and popularity. Due to these successes - many libraries and similar institutions have now entered the world of social media to appeal to a wider public. 

The key to social media is constant updates, posts on special events, and quick responses to questions asked about the library online. This should also be advertised using traditional means in order to get the word out and get people sharing about the new social media. 

The library at my college has a Facebook page, a Twitter feed, and a library news blog. They are also actively exploring using other sites as well. Do any libraries that you use have pages on social media sites to advertise? If so, how do they use it and is it effective? 

The Changes in Librarians

If I asked you to picture a librarian in your head, what would be the image that you saw first? Would the person be male or female? Young or old? Glasses or no? Most people, if asked this question, would think of an image such as this:

Add some 'shhh-ing' to the image above, and you have the stereotypical librarian. Which was the norm in the old days when libraries needed to be quiet places for studying and research to take place - as the old saying goes "Silence is Golden". But, as libraries have evolved, so have the people who work in them. 

Now, instead of people just being 'librarians' there are a number of different positions in a library - ranging from full on Librarians (with a Master's Degree in Library Information Science) to Library Technicians (with a Diploma), Library Assistants, Pages and so many more. And most have a good education and have been trained in modern library trends, management and are usually computer savvy as well as book savvy. 

Library workers are still prominently woman, but more and more men are making their way into libraries as the field becomes more important and more viable in terms of a career. More personality types are now working in libraries, not just introverted quiet people anymore. The increasing number of libraries, as well as library types is also helping with this movement. The age of library workers is also lowering, due to many of the baby-boomers and other folk reaching retirement age and the popularity of libraries continuing to rise. 

Why do you think that the faces of librarians are changing? Is it just because of the changes in libraries themselves? Or is there another factor? Tell me what you think in the comments below! 

Learning Commons - What are they?

"A Learning Commons is a flexible and responsive approach to helping schools focus on learning collaboratively. It expands the learning experience, taking students and educators into virtual spaces beyond the walls of a school." 

Learning Commons are bringing libraries into the 21st century by transforming libraries from quiet places to study into hubs of collaboration, creativity, communication and learning. There is still printed books, and still a librarian - but an increased emphasis on communicating with others and using technology to create and discuss information. These have become more popular in schools and academic institutions due to a higher focus on team and group work then there was in the past. 

Learning Commons are not just a place to study, these places become the heart of the institutions that they are apart of - providing a venue for group work, events, as well as just hanging out. It creates a community where everyone feels welcome, and while there are still books on the shelves, focuses on the social environment where no shush-ing is allowed! 

The inside second floor of the Taylor Family Digital Library at the University of Calgary. 

This is a fantastic example of a learning commons that promotes group work.

A huge part of what makes Learning Commons successful in their goal is the way that they are laid out. Instead of the entire space being filled with shelve upon shelve of books, the paper collection is stored either in one area, or is amassed along the outside perimeter - opening the space. Doors and dividers are also removed to make the space more welcoming - and all furniture is comfortable and movable. This is key so that users can move the furniture into an arrangement that works best for them, be it a small table for a quick game of cards or a large area for group work.

Food is also allowed in most Learning Commons as long as it is away from the books and not spilled. This encourages patrons to come in at lunch to chat with friends, as well as giving some people more motivation to stay and work on homework. This also adds to the possible events that can be held here.

Personally, I think Learning Commons are a great way to bring people back into libraries. Keeping the foundation and services the same - but adding in more freedom and adaptability will keep libraries alive far into the future. 

 

Why Are Books Banned?

We've all seen books that have been banned and wondered, "What could be so bad that someone would have the book banned from being read?" on the other hand, we have all read books and been surprised that they haven't been banned. In this post, I'm going to list five books that have been banned for various reasons and include why they were banned, as well as my own opinions.

Banned Books 

Title: And Tango Makes Three 

Author: Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson  
Release Date: 2005
Format/Age:  Picture Book - Elementary Age

Plot Summary: This is a true story of two male chinstrap penguins at the Central Park Zoo named Roy and Silo. The two penguins were the best of friends, and did everything together. They ended up making a nest and tried to hatch a rock, so the zookeepers gave them an egg from another penguin couple who had two and couldn't take care of both. Roy and Silo took turns sitting on the egg and it eventually hatched, and the little female penguin was named Tango - because, it takes two to tango.
Why was it banned? Parents at elementary schools complained about the book because it featured homosexuality in animals and the concept of homosexual parenting and the book was removed from many schools on these grounds.

Ok, so I don't really see the problem with this one. It is a true story after all, and would be helpful to show to kids living with same-sex parents to show them a similar situation. This book has won many awards and is well written, with beautiful illustrations. While I understand the concern of very religious and anti-homosexual adults I think this is a bit extreme for an animal story.


Title:  Forever...
Author:  Judy Blume
Release Date: 1975
Format/Age:  Chapter Book - Young Adult (Senior High)

Plot Summary: This story is about two high school seniors, Katherine and Micheal, who fall in love at a New Year's Eve party. As they move forward in their relationship, they understand that physical intimacy is common and complicated - Micheal has been sexually active, Katherine has not. After their first time, the couple is convinced that their love will be forever. Later that summer, when they go to different states for summer jobs, they learn of the limitations of their relationship and move on.
Why was it banned?  This book has been banned from many senior high schools because of the subject matter, basically: detailed descriptions of intercourse, the use of a birth control pill by Katherine, and the hinted homosexuality of another character. Parents were concerned over the effect that reading this book would have upon their children.

Ok, I understand the concern for this one due to the time when it was produced - as this was a time when sex before marriage was considered very taboo. The parents did not want their kids acting in the same way. Although I must say, I did not find the descriptions of intercourse very graphic, and the hinted homosexuality could be interpreted in many ways. This book has a very good story, and is a good lesson to those thinking that love will last forever. So, the ban makes sense for it's time, but is less relevant today.

For a comparison, these are some books that were banned, but the bans have since been lifted:

Title: Green Eggs and Ham
Author: Dr. Seuss
Release Date: 1960
Format/Age:  Children's Picture Book - Early Elementary

Plot Summary: A character named Sam-I-Am wants his friend to try a plate of green eggs and ham in many different locations. His friend refuses until he actually tries them, where he learns that he really likes them and will eat them in all of the different locations mentioned.
Why was it banned? It was banned for a while in the USA for homosexual themes (apparently green eggs and ham could be a naughty reference) and in China because of it's portrayal of 'early Marxism'.

Ok, in all honesty, I think this one is a bit ridiculous. The book had a grand total of 50 unique words, and no child could have possibly caught any homosexual or Marxist references - or if they did, they wouldn't understand them anyways. It's a cute little book about trying new things, end of story.

Title: Where's Waldo?
Author: Martin Handford
Release Date: 1987
Format/Age: Children's Picture Book - Elementary

Plot Summary: This book has no plot, it contains a series of scenes where readers must find Waldo - a fellow dressed in a stylish red and white striped shirt, puff ball hat and glasses.
Why was it banned? In the original version, many people have found inappropriate hidden imagery inside the scenes, the most famous being the topless sunbather, but also: gay lovers, people holding up the 'rocker sign' (aka the 'Hail Satan'), children opening a tent while a man inside is changing (in the image he is nude), and many more. There are other controversial scenes in the other books as well.

Ok, considering the whole goal of these books is to find Waldo, it's amazing that other people were able to find all of these things. They must have literally been taking a magnifying glass to the book in order to locate these - the breast in the beach image in question is 1/16th of an inch large. The images were later censored so that they were more appropriate and people could go and find Waldo with less distractions.

Title: Dictionary
Edition: Most have been banned or challenged at some point - no matter the author or title.

Why was it banned? Many parents at various schools have complained about the definitions of sexual terms being 'too explicit' and have had the books removed from shelves. One of the main terms that resulted in the most recent challenge was the definition for 'oral sex'.

Are you kidding me? The dictionary? Honestly, if kids are actively looking for these terms, I think we have a larger problem. This is probably the safest way for them to explore this topic, by getting correct definitions without slang and from an approved source. I don't even know how to respond to this one.

Want to find more banned or challenged books? Check out the links below!

These are the top 100 challenged/banned books between 2000 and 2009, provided by the American Library Association. This site also has links to past top 100 lists as well as other lists as well - such as banned/challenged classics, and statistics.
http://www.ala.org/bbooks/top-100-bannedchallenged-books-2000-2009

This is a selection of banned books on GoodReads.com. Including the most controversial books of all time and past years banned books lists. This site also includes lists of books banned only in certain states, books that shouldn't have been banned and many more.
 http://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/banned

E-books vs. Regular Books - Which Is Really Better?

This is a debate which has gone on since e-books were introduced to the mass market. Original thoughts on this introduction went something like this:

 "E-books are totally going to be the new norm!"
 "Paperbacks won't be produced anymore! I gotta go and get an e-reader!"
 "Why would I still need to visit the library to get books? I can get everything from home!"
 "All hail the power of the almighty internet! I won't ever have to leave my house again!" 

Ok, so maybe not that last comment.......But it was certainly a thought in many people's minds after the unveiling of e-books. You wouldn't have to make a special trip to the library to get an e-book, you could just download it off of the internet or onto the system directly. People thought that libraries would turn into something like this:

However, paperback books are still just as common as e-books, with no real change in how we enjoy materials other then a new medium to enjoy them in. Why is this? Everyone thought libraries were going to go the way of the Dodo, why are they still running to this day?

There are a number of reasons as to why this is the case.

1) People need assistance with e-readers and online books, so they head to the library to ask for assistance
2) Some people have problems learning how to use the e-readers, and revert back to books
3) Some people enjoy the sensory experience of a paper book - the feel of the pages, the smell....
4) Libraries are not just full of books, but also have other materials that you can't get online
5) Libraries lend out e-books and e-readers and offer courses in how different systems work, as well as answer questions about how to download books from the library and other sources

Basically, libraries are helping people to adapt to this new technology while still providing an alternative way of enjoying it in the form of paperback books. Many libraries now purchase books in both formats (if available) to provide both kinds of readers with the information that they need.

In my personal opinion, I don't see why someone has to choose a side - there are positive and negative aspects to each. I love to read in general, and love the sensory experience that comes with reading a paperback. Although, I have found that if I am going on a long trip - I have to bring so many books that my suitcase weighs a ton! My Kobo is a good way to avoid bringing the extra weight while still bringing enough books. However, the big downside to e-readers is that they require electricity (sometimes wifi) and need charging - so you have to bring a power cord, or a paper book as backup if you can't find somewhere to charge it. Something that lots of people don't take into consideration is reading speed, I read incredibly fast and sometimes find that I passed over an important paragraph or something in my excitement and need to go back and re-read it. Paperback books are easier to re-read or to open up at your favorite part to read it again, while e-readers vary in how easy it is to do this - although most require a lot of extra clicking and navigating to do so.

In closing, I leave you with this question: Which side are you on in the ongoing battle of books vs e-books? Are you all for paperbacks? Love the new technology? Or do you enjoy both for different reasons? Let me know in the comments!  

Libraries - Not Just Books Anymore

When someone asks you to think about the word 'library' what is the first image that pops into your head? For most people, they imagine a large room filled with bookshelves and tables, people sitting quietly reading or studying, and an older lady sitting at the front desk shush-ing people as they come in. Libraries have struggled with this old stereotype for years, and while they have moved beyond the times where this is accurate, the new challenge that they face is communicating this to the people that use or don't currently use library resources.

Libraries are no longer just places to be quiet and study, most now offer programs on using the internet, and using new devices such as tablets and smartphones. There are also services for children (storytime, crafts, etc.), teens (homework help, book clubs,etc.) and even adults and seniors (adult book club, book discussions, tea time,etc.) that are offered. While there still are study spaces and physical books, lots of library materials are now online and easily accessible. Libraries are evolving past the stereotypes of the past, it's just a question about passing this information on to potential patrons to entice them to return to the library once again.


Some other opinions on this issue:

16 Reasons That Librarians Are Still Extremely Important
 This site gives 16 reasons why libraries and librarians are still important even with the introduction of the internet, a good defense as to why someone should go to the library with a query instead of just searching. I like the internet as much as the next person, but being a library technician myself, I agree with all of these.
Check the full article out here: http://www.collegeonline.org/library/adult-continued-education/librarians-needed.html 

In Modern Libraries - What A Shame That We No Longer Hear Shhhhh
This is a good article highlighting the large change that libraries are continuing to experience in terms of noise levels as well as the constant battle between paperback books and e-books. But, it still shows that in some places, the old stereotype of a 'library' is still holding strong in some places.
Check out the full article here: http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2013/05/05/in_modern_libraries_what_a_shame_we_no_longer_hear_shhhh.html