BJORN THE LIBRARIAN

Salinas Public Library @ CLA 2008

November 14 - 16 the California Library Association’s Annual Conference & Exhibition was held in San José, CA. Salinas Public Library represented all weekend in booth #714.

Our goal was to connect with conference attendees as they search for the best in products, services and technologies to prepare themselves and their workplaces for the future. We spoke with many California librarians who were interested in the present condition of the Salinas Library. We had one thing to say...

We are back!

Salinas Public Library survived its nationally publicized 2005 crisis. The community of Salinas rallied to save their library. Now our library is stronger than ever and is celebrating its centennial year.

We gave everyone who dropped by our booth the chance to take their photo with John Steinbeck (Salinas is John Steinbeck's hometown). This photo opportunity was made possible using a green screen and an Apple MacBook with Photo Booth software.

We took 115 photos and sent everyone who participated a copy of their photo via email. We also posted the photos taken at CLA on our Flickr page.

Check it out!

 

Internet Librarian Conference 2008

Internet Librarian 2008 was hosted this week in beautiful Monterey, California. Monterey is a quick 20 minutes south of where I work as a Librarian in Salinas. I managed to clear my schedule on Monday, Oct. 20th and spent a day the conference.

This decision turned out to be GREAT for several reasons…

1. The Weather. It was sunny and warm. This was a perfect day to be out of the office and hanging out in downtown Monterey.


2. Nancy Dowd is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for New Jersey State Library. Her presentation was comprehensive and compelling. Nancy highlighted the importance of Library Marketing to GO GREEN, be AUTHENTIC, accept IMPERFECTIONS and use transformational STORIES. These are all uniquely important talking points worthy of their own blog articles (maybe next time).


3. The DOK boys. I spoke briefly with Erik Boekesteijn and Jaap van de Geer from DOK. In our four minute conversation we concluded that librarians are often too homogeneous. Our industry needs librarians from a wide variety of professional backgrounds in order to spark the risk-taking and innovative tendencies needed to change libraries for the future. Professional diversity is crucial to surviving (and surviving well) in our modern society.
   

The BEST idea that I received from attending the Internet Librarian 2008 Conference was from Nancy Dowd. She strongly suggested that libraries create a Story Bank. The Story Bank is a list of people whom the library has positively effected. This list includes the person’s name, an overview of the person’s story, contact information and if they are willing to share their story (a.k.a. be interviewed by a reporter).

Thanks to all the people I met and spoke with on Monday! You have inspired me...

 

Embed MP3 Audio Files Into Blogger

Always GOOD to try new things!

I wanted to figure out how to play mp3s on my Blog for FREE. Here are the steps I followed:

1) Picked a random mp3 from my iTunes.

2) Setup a Google Group of my own. I can upload 100 MB of total files to my Google group. Click on "Files" after clicking on Manage Group.

3) Went to Digital Inspiration and copied one of their audio player Flash scripts.

4) Stuck the code into the "Edit Html".

That's it!

 

Digital Arts Lab @ Salinas Public Library

Salinas Public Library has just renovated the John Steinbeck Library located in downtown Salinas, California. Changes included a NEW teen space and the addition of a Digital Arts Lab with Mac computers! This is an exciting addition to the Salinas community.


The New Digital Arts Lab includes:

• 4 Imacs (20" Display)
• 4 MacBooks (13" Display)
• 1 Mac Pro (23" Display)
• 1 Mac Server w/ 7 Tb memory

• Final Cut Studio
• Final Cut Express
  
• Adobe Photoshop CS3
• MS Office 2008
• iWork
• iLife
  

I have been give the privilege of helping the Salinas Public Library launch this NEW Digital Arts Lab. This task includes strategic planning, marketing, developing community partnerships, managing volunteers and creating, delivering and evaluating classes, events and programs.

And this is just the beginning!

As Library 2.0 advocate I will be incorporating MANY web-marketing and social networking technologies throughout my involvement with this Digital Arts Lab project.

Please Stay Tuned!

 

BJORN IS BACK (in the library)

Flickr Photo By Gullevek
I have returned form desert journeys and mountaintop discoveries... with NEW ink to display!

No really, this isn't a picture of me. However, I am serious about being back in public library service. I have accepted the exciting challenge of librarianship at Salinas Public library.

I have many responsibilities, so I'd like to sum them up HERE. This way I can easily check back and remind myself what I need to be doing.

Critical Tasks:

1) Ability to understand and successfully meet the library needs of internal (staff) and external customers (public).

2) Ability to effectively work individually and in teams to achieve organizational goals and objectives.

3) Ability to staff Information Desks (Adult & Children) as assigned.

4) Assist in the development, implementation and coordination of programs and services in areas of responsibility including children, young adult, adult or reference services.

5) Ability to understand customer needs and assist them to access popular and/or recreational reading.

6) Knowledge of library technology and Internet to perform librarian duties.

7) Knowledge of collection development's evaluation, selection, and maintenance.

8) Perform other duties as assigned, including monthly reports.

I know the tasks within these general categories will be keeping me busy over the next few months. I'll be posting periodically about specific jobs I'm working on.

So, stay tuned...

 

Prototyping New Library Services

I came across this quote from an older blog post by Helen Blowers. I love reading and applying quotes. Like pictures, quotes are truly powerful adds to your blog.

Helen writes, "In order for customers to be engaged in your development process, you need to provide them with something to react to. Focus groups are good, but prototyping feedback sessions are better!"

I support the idea of prototyping new library services. Let's face it, it's difficult to know what we want! It becomes easier once we have something solid to work with. Guy Kawasaki has a book called The Art of the Start. The premise: get your idea moving. Adapt as you go!

I've located some great quotes about getting things started. The following quotes are taken from The Cheap Revolution Blog by Skip Shuda:

1. I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work - Thomas Edison, inventor and scientist


2. The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary - Vidal Sassoon, entrepreneur


3. The best reason to start an organization is to make meaning - to create a product or service to make the world a better place - Guy Kawasaki, entrepreneur, investor, author


4. Failure defeats losers, failure inspires winners - Robert T. Kiyosaki, author, entrepreneur, investor


5. Entrepreneurs average 3.8 failures before final success. What sets the successful ones apart is their amazing persistence - Lisa M. Amos


6. Once you say you're going to settle for second, that's what happens to you in life - John F. Kennedy, U.S. President


7. The entrepreneur in us sees opportunities everywhere we look, but many people see only problems everywhere they look. The entrepreneur in us is more concerned with discriminating between opportunities than he or she is with failing to see the opportunities - Michael Gerber, author, entrepreneur


8. An entrepreneur tends to bite off a little more than he can chew hoping he'll quickly learn how to chew it - Roy Ash, co-founder of Litton Industries


9. The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It's as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer - Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese's


10. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover - Mark Twain, author
    
    

 

Online Photo Sharing

One of my passions is online photo sharing. During my Fall 2007 internship with San Jose Public Library I developed and delivered a class on this topic. Brian Herzog (The Swiss Army Librarian) is an avid Flickr user. He is even one of my Flickr Contacts. Brian has posted an outline on the topic of online photo sharing. Click HERE to check it out!

This introductory video he uses caught my eye. Beginning a technology instruction session with a simple video is a good idea. Give it a play!

From: http://www.commoncraft.com/photosharing

 

LibGuide for Modern Libraries

The goal of Library 2.0 is to use Web 2.0 technology to learn, gather, combine and organize information to better serve customers. Library 2.0 is about distributing the library content and services beyond the library website, and connecting with customers wherever they are.

LibGuide understands the goals of Library 2.0! Using this subscription based service, librarians can create content-rich guides, share knowledge and information, and easily promote library resources. The interface is user-friendly and equiped with Web 2.0 features. Customers are able to directly interact and improve the guides by leaving comments. They can also see and interact with the page-creator (that's you).

The LibGuide widgets are COOL! These widgets (example below) allow your specific content-rich guides to be shared across social networks. They also allow the library catalog to be searched from anywhere. Place the widget in a blog, facebook, myspace, or any website.

Check out LibGuide. This company is on the right track...

 

Change Congress

"Professor Lawrence Lessig, renowned expert in intellectual property, has a new mission: to combat the influence of money in American democracy. Bolstered by the recent “Draft Lessig” movement that almost convinced him to run for Congress, Lessig will further his mission by launching a new “Change Congress” project in a Sunshine Week lecture sponsored by the Sunlight Foundation and Omidyar Network" (Sunlight Foundation).


My purpose for posting this is simple. As a librarian, I am a huge fan of Lawrence Lessig. Lawrence Lessig is a Law Professor and Director of the Stanford Center for Internet and Society. His passionate message about intellectual property rings true. If you don't know about the FREE CULTURE movement watch this IMPORTANT VIDEO.


Lessig will be speaking from Washington D.C. about his CHANGE CONGRESS project at 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2008.


The event will also be Web cast: http://www.visualwebcaster.com/thepressclub-lessig-032008

 

Wordtracker Library Keywords

Wordtracker Results for "library"
Wordtracker is an online service designed to help businesses optimize their search engine ranking. The idea centers on strategically placing popular keywords in titles and content areas of your website. Knowing which keywords to use it crucial! If you are selling a product you need to know the specific words people are using to search for that product.

I jumped over to Wordtracker and conducted a quick five-minute search for terms relating to libraries. The "Count" column in this screenshot represents the number of times the term has been entered into search engines over the past 100 days. Check out a few additional results...

• librarian 338
  
• library2.0 6
• web 2.0 library 5
  
• Web 2.0 + libraries 17
• Web 2.0 libraries 15
• library marketing 5
  
• library 2.0 'rss feeds' 18
  

• flickr 7939
  
• social networking 492
  
• myspace 179136
• blog 1853
  
• blogs 1826
• Poddcasting 266
• Podcast 1050
• Podcasts 1030

Is online marketing important to public libraries? It should be!!! Finding out what library related keywords are being used can be helpful for building an online presence for libraries. Popular search terms should be used when librarians are posting to their library blogs or websites.

You can do your own Wordtracker search for FREE. A two hour trial is available if you have a name and email address... Go for it!

 

The Librarian Song

A song about the librarian 2.0 archetype... (check it out!)

 

Teen Tech Week

When: March 2-8th, 2008

What: Now in its second year, Teen Tech Week is a national initiative aimed at teens, their parents, educators and other concerned adults with a general theme of competence and ethical uses of technologies, especially those that are offered through libraries.

Why: This is your opportunity to recognize the teen customers and show them some love! YALSA’s Teen Tech Week committee has come up with a list of 25 things teens can do for Teen Tech Week... [click here to view]

YALSA's list of suggestions is not great, but can be a helpful starting point for generating ideas. I would also suggest:

1. Creating a book/video display related to the technology theme
2. Giving a brief presentation about creative commons
   
3. Presenting a hot Web 2.0 application
4. Engaging frequent conversation/questions about people's favorite technologies
   

 

Book Vending Machines

Libraries Will Soon Move Into Bay Area BART Stations By Connie Kim

This is an interesting article. The Bay Area is following the lead of the Scandinavians. Now commuters can check-out library books while they wait for their ride to work. This is a fantastic example of how libraries are going to meet the needs of their customers. The Contra Costa County Library is truly providing value and convenience. It will be very interesting to follow the roll-out of this idea!

I thought it was interesting that the article begins by saying, "It’s another sign of the future where computers and machines are taking the place of people. This time, we may be saying goodbye to our neighborhood librarian."

This quote reflects the ignorance that today's librarians must fight to overcome. Librarians are the ones taking the point on new ways to meet the needs of their community. We are responsible for implementing fantastic ideas like book vending machines!

 

Innovative Librarian Seeking Employment

Hello, I am Bjorn. Welcome to my Library 2.0 Blog!

Having recently attained a Masters degree in Library and Information Science, I am now seeking to leverage my education and professional experience within the field of public libraries.

I understand that a broad skill-set is required for successful librarians. Ideally, I am seeking a position that would allow me the opportunity to utilize a variety of skills I have acquired as a graduate student at San Jose State University. My course work and two professional-level internships with San Jose Public Library have emphasized modern public library services and the application of online communication technologies.

I have actively developed my knowledge within the following areas: (in random order)

1) Reference
2) Collection Development
3) Web Content Management
4) Team Leadership
5) Marketing
6) Community Outreach
7) Programming

Six years of customer service experience with highly successful companies in the Food Service Industry has reinforced my personal commitment to the highest levels of professionalism and personal excellence. I have strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work effectively leading teams of persons from other cultures and all walks of life.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss future employment possibilities. Please feel free to contact me via email: Bjorn Jones, Bjornthelibrarian@gmail.com

Thanks and have a great day!

 

Library Resume

Objective

Dynamically serve the needs of my community as a full-time Librarian

Education



Technology Skills


Related Experience

(2007 Semesters) Student Intern, San Jose Public Library
Rose Garden Branch (Spring) & Evergreen Branch (Fall)

• Community Outreach: Coordinated with local librarians,
guided library tours, attended community functions

• Customer Service: Instructed customers in the use of
print and electronic resources

• Innovative Programming: Developed, delivered and
evaluated technology training program for the public

• Marketing: Created visual display for Banned Books Week

• Needs Assessment: Designed and conducted surveys to
identify and analyze needs of library’s user community

• Staff Development: Assisted library staff in completing
Learning 2.0 program

Additional Experience

(2007 – Present) Internet Startup Co-founder, MOOVME.com

(2001 – 2007) Food Server, Various Restaurants

(1999 – 2001) Market Research Analyst, Benner Research Group

 

Library 2.0

Meme Map by Bonaria Biancu.

 

Gaming In Libraries?

flickr photo by mpd
Thanks to Jenny (the shifted librarian) for her continued coverage on gaming in libraries. She has posted this great article about a library that allowed their users to dance off their library fines. This idea is inspiring!

I'm not really a gamer, but I have to admit that some of today's video games are truly amazing. Establishing the presence of video games in the library could be very positive.

Can you see their faces pucker? Who's face? Just about anybody who believes in the "good old fashioned" library. You know, the traditional library that's quite and and smells like musty books... (I admit, I like that smell).

Why is the idea of video games in the library so remarkable? It could be completely normal and natural. Kids hang-out at the library and they like video games. I am very excited to see librarians taking the initiative to make libraries a fun and interactive place for teens to hang-out. Kudos!

Check out the following article about gaming and storytelling: Readers should get game-literate By Alastair Harper

 

Banned Books Resources

The Liberty Bell is a symbol of freedom. When considering intellectual freedom and our rights to free speech it is helpful to read the original text of The First Amendment:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble,and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

When I was gathering info about Banned Books Week (always last week of September) I found several quality web resources...

The ALA offers great sites on the subject of intellectual freedom and censorship.

1) ALA Banned Books Week - Discover what this event means to libraries.
2) ALA Intellectual Freedom - Get the breakdown on this important topic.
3) ALA Store - Order some Banned Books Week gear for your library.

Here are several other interesting sites on the subject of censorship and banned books:

1) Banned Books FAQs
2) Freedom to Read
3) Top 10 Banned Books Pics

 

Technology Instruction Resources

The following are helpful resources on the subject of "Technology Instruction". Teaching people about new technology is exciting! Not to mention, this is a great way for today's librarians to enrich their communities. Let's face it, there is simply too much to learn and too little time to learn it. For this reason, a helpful technology guide will always be appreciated!

1) Learn how to Create a Flexible Webclass! Web Junction offers many resources for library staff who are embracing technology in their daily work. Bookmark Web Junction and check in regularly for good ideas.

2) The Patron Training Pathfinder from Web Junction is a hub containing quality links to various sites about technology training programs.

3) 30 Things We Know For Sure About Adult Learning is a resource that covers adult motivations for learning, curriculum design and classroom management. Be sure to review this document if you are teaching adults.

4) Purdue University offers interesting Training Materials available for download. These materials can be of assistance when developing your curriculum. Check out the "Train the Trainer" series...