Overview

Creative Management of Small Public Libraries in the 21st Century is an anthology on small public libraries as centers of communities serving populations under 25,000 that make up most of the public library systems in the United States. A wide selection of topics was sought from contributors with varied backgrounds reflecting the diversity of small public libraries. The thirty-two chapters are arranged: Staff; Programming; Management; Technology; Networking; Fundraising; User Services and provide tools to lead a local public library with relevant and successful services. This volume shares a common sense approach to providing a small (in staff size or budget) but mighty (in impact and outcome) public library service. The contributors demonstrate that by turning the service delivery team outward to the community with enthusiasm and positive energy, it is possible to achieve significant results. Many chapters summarize best practices that can serve as checklists for the novice library director or as a review for the more seasoned manager working through new responsibilities. Chapters are tactical, focusing on specific issues for managers such as performance evaluations, effective programming, or e-reader services. Time management is crucial in a small or rural public library as well as the challenges associated with managing Friends and volunteers. While most public libraries do not have the resources to satisfy customer expectations for instant gratification, ultra-convenience and state-of-the-art technologies, The authors of this book details strategies and methods for providing top-notch customer service while moving beyond customer service to the creation of meaningful customer relationships. This volume makes an important contribution to the literature by reminding us that public libraries transform communities of every size. In fact, never before has the role of the public library been a more critical thread in the fabric of community life.

Full Product Details

Author:   Carol Smallwood
Publisher:   Rowman & Littlefield
Imprint:   Rowman & Littlefield
Dimensions:   Width: 15.50cm , Height: 2.30cm , Length: 22.30cm
Weight:   0.472kg
ISBN:  

9781442243569

ISBN 10:   1442243562
Pages:   316
Publication Date:   23 December 2014
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
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Table of Contents

Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Part I Staff Chapter 1 Attitudes Padma Polepeddi Chapter 2 Employee Energy=Motivate Connect 2 Empower (E=MC2) Amanda D. McKay Biarkis and Johnna Schultz Chapter 3 Staff Evaluations Padma Polepeddi Chapter 4 Succession Planning Strategies for Small Public Libraries Karen Harrison Dyck Part II Programming Chapter 5 Cultivating Conversation, Memory & Self-Awareness: Women & Libraries Post-Retirement Joanna Kluever, Wayne Finley Chapter 6 Patron Facilitated Programming Shawn D. Walsh and Melanie A. Lyttle Chapter 7 Programming: Helping the Community Learn More About Itself Judith Wines Chapter 8 Successful Adult Programming Using Local Resources Diana Stirling Part III Management Chapter 9 Building a Dynamic System for Relevant Statistical Analysis Joshua K. Johnson Chapter 10 Collection Management in Small Public Libraries Brady A. Clemens Chapter 11 Establishing an Inviting Atmosphere Through Library Displays Cynthia Harbeson Chapter 12 The Helping Hands of Boomers in Friends of the Library Groups Kim Becnel and LouAnn Morehouse Chapter 13 Making an Inviting Library Atmosphere Jan Burns Chapter 14 When Small Means Really Small Joy Worland Part IV Technology Chapter 15 E-reading in Rural Libraries: A Guide to Effective Support David Robinson Chapter 16 Facebook Classes for Older Patrons Sarah Kaufman Chapter 17 Preserving Your Community's Memories: Developing Librarians for Digital Preservation Vanessa Neblett and Shane Roopnarine Chapter 18 Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Library Web Content Lauren Magnuson Chapter 19 Seniors in Cyberspace RoseAleta Laurell Part V Networking Chapter 20 Celebrating Creative Achievements: Facilitating Networking, Learning, and Camaraderie Sharon Miller Chapter 21 Supporting Success: Thinking Outside the Box via In-State Sister Libraries April Ritchie Part VI Fundraising Chapter 22 Beyond the Book Sale: Creative Fundraising for Your Small Public Library Portia Kapraun Chapter 23 Fundraising: Filling the Gap Without Grants Judith Wines Chapter 24 Grantsmanship Methods and Strategies for Rural and Small-Town Librarians Dwight McInvaill Chapter 25 Programming Turned Fundraisers from a Library Board Trustee Member/Librarian Perspective Linda Burkey Wade Part VII User Services Chapter 26 The After School Cafe Amy White Chapter 27 Instructional Design and the Public Librarian Melissa Cornwell Chapter 28 Library Services for Users in their 20s & 30s Samantha C. Helmick Chapter 29 Market Research: a Vital Tool for the Survival of Public Libraries Brian A. Reynolds Chapter 30 Simple Strategies for Improving the User Experience with the Library Website Teri Oaks Gallaway and James B. Hobbs Chapter 31 A Tree Without Roots Cannot Grow: Creative Outreach to African-American Genealogical Patrons Nancy Richey Chapter 32 We Started a Festival: The Halloween Costume Collection Amy White Index About the Contributors

Reviews

This anthology offers helpful examples and advice every small library director can replicate from improving management skills to implementing current technologies, to better serve their constituents. -- Donna Brice, VP/President Elect of Association for Rural & Small Libraries, Inc. and Library Director of the Eastern Lancaster County Library, New Holland, Pennsylvania This collection addresses the needs well beyond the scope of a small library. Library professionals will find the wealth of essential information for planning, management, and implementation of a variety of services and everyday operations. -- Vera Gubnitskaia, Youth Services Manager, Orange County (Florida) Library System This anthology speaks to the challenges and triumphs of working in small public libraries, providing tested tools and techniques that yield proven results. -- Kerol Harrod, librarian, Denton Public Library, Denton, Texas A go-to resource that supports the unique role of small public libraries in serving their local communities. -- Lisa Fraser, Services Implementation Coordinator, King County Library System, Washington Management in libraries matters and this resource details how to do it creatively, practically. -- Vandella Brown, contributor: Mentoring in Librarianship (McFarland)

This anthology offers helpful examples and advice every small library director can replicate from improving management skills to implementing current technologies, to better serve their constituents. -- Donna Brice, VP/President Elect of Association for Rural & Small Libraries, Inc. and Library Director of the Eastern Lancaster County Library, New Holland, Pennsylvania This collection addresses the needs well beyond the scope of a small library. Library professionals will find the wealth of essential information for planning, management, and implementation of a variety of services and everyday operations. -- Vera Gubnitskaia, Youth Services Manager, Orange County (Florida) Library System This anthology speaks to the challenges and triumphs of working in small public libraries, providing tested tools and techniques that yield proven results. -- Kerol Harrod, librarian, Denton Public Library, Denton, Texas A go-to resource that supports the unique role of small public libraries in serving their local communities. -- Lisa Fraser, Services Implementation Coordinator, King County Library System, Washington Management in libraries matters and this resource details how to do it creatively, practically. -- Vandella Brown, contributor: Mentoring in Librarianship (McFarland)

Author Information

Carol Smallwood received a MLS from Western Michigan University, MA in History from Eastern Michigan University. Librarians as Community Partners: an Outreach Handbook; Bringing the Arts into the Library are recent ALA anthologies. Others are: Women on Poetry: Writing, Revising, Publishing and Teaching (McFarland, 2012); Marketing Your Library (McFarland, 2012); Library Services for Multicultural Patrons: Strategies to Encourage Library Use (Scarecrow Press, 2013). Her library experience includes school, public, academic, special, as well as administration and being a library systems consultant.

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