Some libraries just need our help

When I was at the Peggy Sharp workshop the other day, she was talking about how some books are *great* books, but for whatever reason (cover looks weird, etc) they don’t get checked out.  She said that these books need our help and it’s important to book talk them, put them on display, etc, so that these books are checked out.  Her putting it this way seemed to personify the books…made me feel a bit sorry for them…like I need to be their champion.  Those thoughts sat in my brain and mixed around with thoughts about libraries and out came a revelation to myself that some libraries are like these books. 

Some libraries are so off the radar that the majority of people in the community don’t see their value or have very limited knowledge of what libraries have to offer.  These libraries need our help.  Somehow we need to talk about them, generate buzz, help people recognize the gem in their town.  For the younger people, I believe that involves using technology like IM reference and fun videos on YouTube about what the library has to offer.  Yes, it takes extra effort and yes, it sometimes feels awkward to those of us who technology doesn’t come easily to, but it’s worth it. 

I think libraries are really at a crossroads.  They can continue along the same path in a changing world or they can change along with the world.  Old rotary dial phones are charming, but I’d be lost without my cellphone.  I don’t want to look back at libraries with nostalgia.  I want to help them be something that the community can’t imagine being without.

Blogging and Books

 Today I was at a Peggy Sharp seminar listening to her book talk her favorite books for children from the last year.  As I expected, I left with a lot of good ideas for readers advisory.  Peggy geared much of her program towards school librarians.  One of her ideas which caught my attention was to have kids imagine themselves as the character in a book they are reading and then blog in character about what is happening to them in the book.  I thought that was such a creative idea that could connect kids with books in a way that is relevant to them.  I suppose that students could take that one step further and comment on each other’s character blogs while still staying in character.  For example, what would Hester Prin have to say to one of the characters from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants?  Could be interesting.