CuriousKind

QandANJ: Brief Update on NJLA Reference Section Meeting of May 13th

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Mon, 16 May 2011 10:57:00 +0000

On Friday, May 13th, approximately 60 people turned out at the Princeton Public Library to participate in the NJLA Reference Section meeting convened to discuss the future of QandANJ. Many people drove lotsa miles to be there, and represented all types of libraries and library organizations; publics, academics, association, consortia. It was wonderful to hear so many independent voices from all over the state speak overwhelmingly and passionately in support of keeping QandANJ alive.

The two big pieces of news:

LibraryLinkNJ Executive Director Cheryl O'Connor announced that her Board had voted unanimously to accept an extra $50,000 from the State Library and continue to run QandANJ through early September. A big thanks to LibraryLinkNJ Board members and Cheryl O'Connor!
The NJLA Executive Board will appoint a Task Force to chart out a path forward for QandANJ

Cheryl, along with QandANJ Project Coordinator Beth Cackowski, had already done a good deal of analysis on how far $50,000 takes us, and they presented a number of spending scenarios and sought input from the attendees on how the money should be spent. I would like to again thank Cheryl and Beth not only for the time they've invested -- which was not insignificant -- but also for the their their transparency in sharing their budget numbers, presenting possible spending scenarios, and proactively seeking the input and feedback of the library community.

If there was a recurring theme of the day I'd say it was transparency. A good part of the afternoon was spent in small group discussions aimed, ostensibly, at providing guidance for the as-yet-unnamed Task Force. During report-backs from the groups the issue of transparency came up repeatedly. Whatever happens to QandANJ -- or any other shared service -- in the future, we want to be part of an informed discussion and offer input into how our limited shared resources are used.

Again, progress was made on Friday. But there is also a lot of work ahead. The as-yet-unnamed Task Force will have its work cut out for it, and a fairly short timeline in which to operate. The clock is ticking. Stay tuned... (or follow along on Facebook.)

Note added 5/16, 10:45 AM: A HUGE if belated public thank you to Michael Maziekien, NJLA Reference Section Chair, and the NJLA Reference Section for calling this meeting in spite of pushbacks from those who thought an open discussion was either unnecessary or otherwise politically problematic. I am greatly appreciative of Michael's leadership, sense of professional responsibility, and the amazing integrity and fairness he has displayed throughout this process.

See Also:

Andy Woodworth's take on the day

My quick-n-dirty handout on QandANJ

Workplace Leadership and Learning

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Sat, 14 May 2011 12:19:00 +0000

Workplace Learning & Leadership: A Handbook for Library and Nonprofit Trainers
By Lori Reed and Paul Signorelli

Congratulations to my good friends Lori Reed and Paul Signorelli on the publication of their new book: Workplace Learning & Leadership: A Handbook for Library and Nonprofit Trainers, published by ALA Editions.

I am honored to have been interviewed for the book, and humbled to be in the company of the other distinguished interviewees including:

Helene Blowers, Director of Digital Strategy, Columbus Metropolitan Library
Char Booth, Instruction Services Manager & E-Learning Librarian, Claremont Colleges Library
Maurice Coleman, Technical Trainer, Harford County Library
Janet Hildebrand, Library Human Resources Manager, Contra Costa County Library
Jason Puckett, Communication Librarian at Georgia State University Library
Sandra Smith, Learning and Development Manager at Denver Public Library
Jay Turner, Director of Continuing Education for the Georgia Public Library Service
Catherine Vaughn, Continuing Education Coordinator, Lee County Library System
Pat Wagner, Pattern Research, Inc, Denver, CO
Louise Whitaker, Coordinator Training & Staff Development, Pioneer Library System

I've read through the book twice, and I'm sure I'll be going back to it again and again. The book is a must have for anyone doing training and staff development. But at heart I think the book is a primer on leadership, which happens to overlay neatly with the skills and mindset required to be an effective teacher/facilitator. Strategic thinking, listening, big-picture thinking, partnering, engaging and empowering others-- these are the themes that emerge and re-emerge in conversations throughout the book. I highly recommend it!

Reprieve for QandANJ: A response to Library Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Wed, 04 May 2011 23:57:00 +0000

Note added 5/5: AL Direct gets it right.

AL Direct, 5/4/2011

I appreciate that LJ has chosen to cover the story of Norma Blake's unilateral decision to defund QandANJ, and her more recent decision --in response to a great outcry -- to temporarily extend funding. However, I think the LJ article largely fails to convey the level of anger and protest going on in our state library community. Yes, many are angry about the possibility of losing QandANJ. But more importantly, we are angry about the way the decision was made; without input, consultation, or sound basis. The article reports Norma Blake's position and highly disputed "facts" at length, but without balancing them very well with opposing opinions or fact-checking.

I encourage everyone to look at the original reasons given for cutting QandANJ in the April 4th notice (which LJ doesn't reference) and note that over the next month the reasons shift until finally settling on a false forced choice between funding QandANJ or funding a pair of beloved databases (For more analysis, see: http://blog.peterbromberg.com/2011/04/qandanj-fact-sheets-and-forced-choices.html).

To be clear, the “new plan” that Norma unveiled is one that I proposed days earlier here and here. I'm happy that she sees sees value in the proposal, and I'm happy that she put it forth. It's good for NJ libraries and it's good for the tens of thousands of library customers who use QandANJ. But it's not unimportant to the story to note that her decision to announce this plan 24 days after she unilaterally decided to end QandANJ was made in a climate of great pressure; pressure from QandANJ customers, librarians, and probably more than a few state legislators who have been contacted. Am I pleased she is extending some extra funding for QandANJ and permitting the library community in NJ a little time to work together to find a constructive solution and possibly save the service? Absolutely. Do I think it was a choice made willingly or happily? Notsomuch. But for those of us who are trying to at least have an open, fact-based discussion about the merits of saving the service, a win is a win.

NO MENTION OF NJLA STATEMENT REBUKING STATE LIBRARY
Perhaps the most egregious omission in this article is the failure to mention NJLA's "Statement on NJ State Library/QandANJ". It is my understanding that the NJLA Executive Board and Executive Director Pat Tumulty actually invoked emergency procedures to issue this reprimand a day before our annual conference. It's hard to understate just how serious and unprecedented this kind of rebuke is, and I commend the NJLA Executive Board and Director for their leadership and courage in issuing their statement. It would have been easy to hold the release of the statement until after the NJLA conference, so the timing of the statement's publication-- the day before our statewide conference -- says as much about the seriousness of the offense as the words themselves.

As I have stated to Norma Blake on numerous occasions, I am happy to work with her in every way to help libraries and improve library services for the people of NJ. That is our common ground as librarians and as colleagues. But we still have a long, long, long way to go in many areas. There is a poisonous culture of fear and intimidation in the state right now. So many people are afraid to make critical comments or question State Library decisions for fear of losing their jobs or becoming unemployable. Many people told me that it has become easier to speak up this week in light of the NJLA rebuke, but many more are telling me their opinions and stories and asking not be quoted--even if their story is highly anonymized. The climate is that bad.

I understand that few want to risk their job or career, and they perceive that such is the risk of speaking freely. This, in a profession that prides itself on intellectual freedom and the value of open discourse. Frankly, I'm sick about it, not that I blame anyone for wanting to put food on the table and make their next mortgage payment.

It's going to take some real change to fix the problems in the NJ Library community. We made progress this week and I'm optimistic. But I'm not naive. The devil of this new plan to extend funding for QandANJ will be in the details. Will LibraryLinkNJ actually agree to a contract extension? (No, Norma didn't run the contract extension plan by the contractee first-- part of the pattern of not acknowledging partners or seeking input when appropriate.) Who will be the key players in assessing QandANJ and recommending whether it should continue? Will the State Library ever share usable budget numbers that will allow those in the NJ Library community to grasp what money we have and where it's being spent so we can make informed recommendation about how to prioritize?

There will be common ground ahead. But until people feel like they can openly criticize State Library decisions without suffering consequence to their livelihood, and until the State Library opens its books, shares its budget with its constituents, and generally becomes a whole lot more transparent and collaborative, there's going to be a whole lot of work to do.

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I agree with Norma Blake: Common ground and possible steps forward

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Mon, 02 May 2011 02:41:00 +0000

On April 7th, New Jersey State Librarian Norma Blake held a webinar to discuss, among other topics, the decision to end QandANJ.org effective June 30, 2011. I was unable to attend the live webinar (I was off that week due to a death in the family), but I recently sat down and listened to the entire recording.

COMMON GROUND
I was pleased to find that there might some area of common ground regarding the future of QandANJ-- at least a place we could build from. For instance, one webinar attendee asked, "If the public demanded it, would QandANJ be resurrected?" Norma answered in the negative, but I heartily agree with her comment:

"Once a program is gone it’s very difficult to start it back up again"

I also agree with her comment that we should "go through a lot of collecting ideas from people throughout the state, as to exactly what they want and what would work best." Norma was suggesting we do this after QandANJ ends. I'm simply suggesting that we have discussions prior to implementing a decision that would eliminate a popular and cost effective library service since, as Norma says, it would be extremely difficult to start it back up again..

It was clearly a mistake to announce the ending of QandANJ without "collecting ideas from people throughout the state", (as recently noted in an official statement by NJLA) but it is a mistake that we can still rectify. Together as a library community, we have invested ten years, millions of dollars, and hundreds of thousands of hours of library staff time in creating a well known, highly successful library brand. Isn't it sensible, prudent, and fiscally responsible with regard to the huge investment we've already made to look at all of the facts, all of the options, and then make an informed, inclusive decision about the future of QandANJ based on reasoned analysis?

A MODEST PROPOSAL
To that end, I propose a six month period (July 1 - Dec. 31) during which time QandANJ funding is continued at a minimal level -- enough to "keep the lights on" and services flowing. Norma stated in her webinar that there is enough money to pay the Program Coordinator through the summer. Surely a little bit of money can be found to keep QandANJ live through Dec 31st. We can use that time to put together a task force of librarians from various libraries across the state to evaluate whether or not it makes sense to continue the service. The task force can work with the State Library, LibraryLinkNJ and other stakeholders (including QandANJ customers, a natural and passionate base of support) to identify funding options and the best path forward for management and sustainability. If it is determined that it is not worthwhile to continue QandANJ, then we will have time to properly wind down the service, giving customers ample notice and libraries an opportunity to plan accordingly.

MAY 13TH NJLA MEETING: A TIME FOR CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSION
I look forward to hearing from Norma Blake, as well as from Cheryl O'Connor and Beth Cackowski (LibraryLinkNJ) at the May 13th NJLA meeting at Princeton Public Library, and discussing how we can work together constructively to find a creative solution that benefits our library customers and leverages the enormous investment we've made in this groundbreaking service.

NJLA Statement on NJ State Library/QandANJ

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:58:00 +0000

Thank you to the NJLA Executive Board and Executive Director Pat Tumulty for issuing the following statement. (Note added 5/6: Statement now available on NJLA Blog)

THE USE OF STATE AND FEDERAL LIBRARY FUNDS

THE ELIMINATION OF QandANJ

NJLA believes the library community must have a voice in determining the programs and services provided by state and federal dollars to the residents of New Jersey. Currently, the NJ State Librarian has two committees with statutory responsibilities in providing direction for the use of state/or federal funds. These committees are the LSTA Advisory Committee and the Library Network Review Board. In order to provide transparency to the library community, the New Jersey State Library must consult with its proper advisory board when budgetary or programmatic changes are to be made. This will give the library community the opportunity to provide input to these critical decisions.

NJLA believes that the decision to eliminate QandANJ should have been presented to the proper advisory board for discussion and input by the library community. The loss of this service has serious implications for the residents of New Jersey and a thoughtful deliberative discussion by the library community would have been beneficial to the library community and the state library. In these days of declining resources NJLA understands that the State Library has the difficult task of balancing the needs of the New Jersey library community and determining how best to utilize these scarce resources. But we also believe the library community’s representatives to the LSTA Advisory Committee and the Library Network Review Board have much to contribute. As the voice of the library community, their advice should be sought and carefully considered.

The recently posted QandANJ fact sheet references an NJLA survey conducted last year. The NJLA Public Policy Committee did do a survey that identified Databases, ILL/Delivery and State Aid as top priorities among statewide services but that survey was conducted in December 2008, not last year. The survey was discussed extensively during the forums NJLA conducted in early 2009 but it has not been updated since that time and NJLA does not know if this is an accurate representation of how the library community would prioritize services today. Again, NJLA believes the advice and counsel of the LSTA Advisory Committee and the Library Network Review Board as well as the QandANJ providers should have been sought in this matter prior to announcement of a final decision on de-funding this service.

The NJLA Reference Section will be holding a discussion on May 13 regarding the options for QandANJ. Everyone is welcome.

The New Jersey Library Association expects the NJ State Library to hold an open meeting with the entire library community as soon possible to discuss the allocation of all state and federal funding. Transparency in the use of library funding is critical for all.

Issued by the New Jersey Library Association April 29, 2011

QandANJ "Fact" Sheets and Forced Choices: A response

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 03:04:00 +0000

In reading through the State Library's "Fact Sheet" on QandANJ today my first thought was of President Obama, using his precious time -- time which could clearly be used for some productive purpose -- calling a press conference to refute the "facts" being presented that he was not born in Hawaii.

I breathe deeply and repeat to myself: "I will not get sucked into refuting each and every mis-statement, falsehood, and twisting of the truth. It would not be a good use of my energy." I will only hit on a few (and then try to stick to the big picture.)

So let's start with a look at this quote from the Fact Sheet:

"When we realized there wasn't enough federal funding to continue the program we couldn't immediately discuss this with the library community because LibraryLinkNJ requested a three-month block of time starting April 1 to confidentially speak to program participants and conduct an orderly shut down of the program. Had we heard from the federal government sooner there would have been a larger window of time and we could have held discussions, but that was not the case."

On it's face, and without comment, this statement is at best, nonsense. At worst it's an untrue declaration. Which is it? Nonsense or Untruth?? Nonsense or Untruth? Now that is an unpleasant choice isn't it? But ask yourself seriously, does the statement above get within a mile of passing the smell test?

Speaking of unpleasant choices, boy has the State Library layed a doozie on us! And to make sure we didn't miss it, they even put it in bold!

"So the choice had to be between RefUSA/EBSCO or QandANJ."

Not for nothing, but when the State Library announced on April 4th that QandANJ was ending on June 30th and offered no decent reason I turned to a coworker and said, "If anyone questions it they'll just say it was a choice between databases and QandANJ." I'm not a brilliant prognosticator, but really, where else could they go? And now here we are a full 24 days later and all of a sudden there's a reason, an actual reason, that QandANJ has to got to go. All of a sudden we're told that there's no money next year, so it was either databases (a benefit for libraries, and something we won't live without), or QandANJ (a benefit for our customers, and something we could clearly live without.) Tough choice!

FORCED CHOICES: I'LL TAKE THE ICE CREAM!
Let's have another smell test shall we? If in fact this is THE NEW REAL REASON for the death of QandANJ, isn't it a rather significant reason, and one that would have been mentioned in the original email notice? Or wouldn't it at least be mentioned the day after the original notice? Or the 2nd day after that? Or the 3rd day after that? Nope. But now suddenly 24 days later, someone at the State Library realized that--oops! we forgot to mention the REAL reason we're killing QandANJ, and they trot out this silly forced choice between QandANJ and databases; this forced choice between ice cream and going to our rooms without dinner. We'll take ice cream thank you!

More forced choices: The State Library has repeatedly referenced a survey from last year wherein librarians ranked QandANJ as a low priority. Ladies and Gentlemen I was there at the time, pointing out the it made no sense to include QandANJ (a service to customers, staffed by librarians) in a forced ranking with services TO librarians (databases, delivery, etc.) It made no sense then to compare apples to oranges, and it makes no sense now. It tells us nothing that we rated a service that beneifits someone else as a lower priority than services that benefit us -- especially when we were all looking down the barrel of some seriously scary budget cuts at the time.

In fact, there WAS a legitimate apples to apples survey in 2007 (reported in "New Jersey State Library – Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Five-Year Plan – October 1, 2007 – September 30, 2012 ") that asked NJ librarians to "indicate how well a variety of services met the needs of New Jersey residents. The results?

Respondents gave JerseyCat a 4.16 rating (Again with 5 meaning that the service meets the needs of New Jersey residents “very well.”) While ratings for a variety of other statewide services were a bit lower, most were still well above the mid-point of the scale, indicating that respondents believe the services are meeting the needs of library users. For example, the Q&A NJ program rated 3.88; technology support services was rated at 3.85; the New Jersey Trustee Institute at 3.75; and the portal aspect of the JerseyClicks program garnered a 3.40 rating.

Goodbye technology support services, goodbye Trustee Institute, Goodbye JerseyClicks!! QandANJ was ranked ahead of all y'all.

Presenting limited forced choices like this is how adults speak to children, not how adults speak with adults. It's not how colleagues speak with colleagues. I find it more than a bit insulting to be presented with such a ridiculously manufactured "choice". There are clearly more than two choices in any adult conversation about spending priorities. There are a variety of choices, with upsides and downsides. But I will acknowledge that we in the library community are not well positioned to discuss and evaluate those choices for one very obvious and disturbing reason: The State Library does not share their actual budget information with us.

SHARE THE BUDGET, AND THEN WE CAN TALK

Budgets are tricky things, and can be hard to understand and interpret. But we as a professional community can't begin to have an informed discussion about difficult choices when we only have cherry picked budget information fed to us. There's a certain amount of deja vu all over again happening because for years the State Library has been repeatedly asked to share copies of the State Library, Library Network and LSTA budgets and has failed to do so. I'll ask again. Show us the budgets so we can answer some questions for ourselves. Questions such as:

Four Regions were consolidated into one, but there has been no cut to the Network line. How much money was saved? Where has that money gone?
How much Network money is being sat on?
QandANJ has always been paid out of last year’s federal money. How much federal money are you currently sitting on?
How much state money do you have, how much are you sitting on?
How is all this money being allocated? Why do databases need to come out of federal money?

I repeat, without answers to these questions we cannot have an informed discussion. Since Norma Blake has raised the issue of budgetary constraints, I call on her to share all of the budget number in an open and honest fashion. This is public information after all, and I suppose it’s accessible through an Open Public Records Act request, but should that be necessary?

Is it unreasonable to ask that our State Library share basic, factual, public data that we can use to create informed opinions about library service spending priorities? Let us see the whole budget. Short of that, these “fact sheet” numbers lack any credibility and cannot serve as the basis of a constructive dialogue.

[paragraph deleted 4/29, 6:23 AM]
"Fact Sheets" do not change the fact that prior to issuing their decree, the State Library utterly failed to inform or seek input from the Library Network Review Board (LNRB), LibraryLinkNJ, or any of the participating libraries that have invested hundreds of thousands of hours of their time in developing, improving, and providing this service. Fact Sheets do not change the fact that the State Library went far beyond their proper purview (declining to fund a project), and assumed the right to declare it, simply, dead. Fact sheets do not change the fact that the State Library did not seek out the counsel of their library partners and say, "what can we put together here?" by way of trimming costs or finding alternate funding models for a valued library service-- a valued brand that took years to create. There was no discussion, no creative attempt to save, only to end the service.

Together ("All Together Now", right?) let's talk about whether QandANJ is worth saving. Let's extend its life a few months (surely there is a little money for that), put a task force together to evaluate the facts, and make a recommendation. If it is worth saving, let's find a way to save it. If not, let's give it an honorable ending. But we MUST have an open and honest discussion about it, free from intimidation, and deceit, and decide as a community what our priorities are for library services in New Jersey. And let's not forget or take lightly that there are real people, real customers who are going to be directly affected by the choices we make.

QandANJ: My three (and half) cents

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:41:00 +0000

On April 4, 2011 the New Jersey State Librarian announced that QandANJ.org, New Jersey's ground-breaking, award-winning 24/7 virtual reference service, would cease. I think this is a terrible decision for New Jersey libraries -- "a huge step backward" is the phrase I keep hearing from others -- and it would be a huge loss for the tens of thousands of NJ students, teachers, jobseekers, businesspeople, and other customers who use QandANJ each year.

LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, LACK OF RESPECT
Beyond the what I see as the sheer wrongness of the decision I have two major concerns:

1) The decision was made with absolutely zero input from or consultation with the 51 libraries that actually staff the service, having easily given over 50,000 hours of their time (as opposed to writing the funding check -- which has been the state library's only contribution.). The State Library's unilateral decision, made with no input or discussion, shows a total disregard for the fact that this service is a partnership, not a dictatorship.

LibraryLinkNJ, the grantee organization that actually manages QandANJ since the demise of the NJ Regional Library Cooperatives, was not consulted, nor was the Library Network Review Board (LNRB) which has a regulatory responsibility (N.J.A.C.15:22-1.16.) to "advise the State Librarian with respect to:...[n]ecessary or desirable Statewide and inter-regional programs or services". The LNRB met shortly before the State Library announcement but the State Library -- far from seeking the consultation and advice of a Board that exists to advise them on programs such as QandANJ -- told LNRB members that an RFP was in the works for 2012.

2) The State Library has failed to provide anything resembling an actual reason to dismantle this highly successful and cost effective service. Go ahead, read the announcement, I'll wait. OK, let's look at the reasons:

"The program still has the fixed costs for a coordinator, public relations and
marketing and software licenses to name a few." In other words, we're cutting this service because it costs something.
"With local libraries experiencing budget cuts it has become more difficult to allow staff the work time to participate." While it's true that local budget cuts have affected a few libraries ability to fully staff the service, the question in this partnership is: Are the participating libraries able to provide enough staff to cover service hours? And the answer to that is clearly yes. QandANJ began with 10 libraries, then 12, then 15, then 18, etc, building up to 51 libraries over the course of 10 years. There are still PLENTY of people to staff the service, period. So a few libraries dropping out is immaterial. The service still has many more libraries and librarians on board than it has had historically.

If anything, libraries dealing with harsh budget realities is a pretty good reason for why we need to fund QandANJ now more than ever. If indeed libraries are facing budget problems and laying off staff and closing for more hours than don't we in fact need a 24/7 point of service for NJ library customers even more? Doesn't QandANJ provide some relief to libraries under the gun, and offer their customers another convenient service point?

In short, the State Library's decision and the manner in which it was made and communicated reflects a disturbing lack of transparency and a lack respect for their partners, the library community, and the people of NJ who use and value QandANJ.

If you want to see how customers feel about QandANJ, check out this twitter feed of archived comments: http://twitter.com/#!/QandANJComments. If the spirit moves you, please also leave a comment of support at: http://tinyurl.com/saveqandanj.

TWO MEETINGS TO DISCUSS QANDANJ'S FUTURE
There are two meetings coming up which will the NJ library community to have an open, fact-based discussion about the future of QandANJ. Those of you who will be at NJLA, a group will be getting together in the hotel lounge at 8:00 on Tuesday, May 3rd. On May 13th the NJLA Reference Section is hosting a discussion at the Princeton Public Library at 1:00. Please RSVP for that meeting to Section President Michael Maziekien, I am beyond pleased that our members of our professional association have stepped into the void and provided some leadership and an opportunity for a discussion!

I hope to see many NJ library staff at NJLA and at the Princeton Public Library on the 13th. There is much more to say, but I will leave you with a few questions to ponder:

Did the State Library sustain a funding cut that led them to cut QandANJ? (It seems not.)
Are there other priorities that require this funding? (Not so's they've said.)
What led to this decision?
Why is funding being stripped?
Why the short notice?
Why the lack of consultation with anyone?
Would the State Library mind terribly if LibraryLinkNJ, as grantee and QandANJ project manager, worked with others to identify funding sources and work to keep the service alive -- even if the State Library doesn't want to fund it (I've been told "on background" yes, they'd mind terribly.)

More to come..

Added 5/4/11: For full story see:

P.S. QandANJ, a service available to every resident in New Jersey 24/7, a service which provides over 35,000 hours of service to tens of thousands of users costs... wait for it... a mere 3 1/2 cents/citizen to fund. Not a bad value... I'm happy to offer my 3 1/2 cents! Do you agree? http://tinyurl.com/saveqandanj.

PPS, A big thanks to Andy Woodworth for getting the conversation going over on his blog, Agnostic Maybe. The post, and the many insightful comments, are well worth reading.

Allen County Public Library's "Conversation Series" Video

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:04:00 +0000

I am honored to have been included in Allen County Public Library's Conversation Series, "a collection of interviews about the future of libraries, technology and the role we play in shaping the libraries of tomorrow." Thank you to ACPL's Sean Robinson and Kay Gregg for inviting me to participate in the series and for creating such a beautifully produced video.

Common Sense Librarianship

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 12:54:00 +0000

David Rothman has written* a beautiful, concise "Manifesto of Common Sense Librarianship". I’m not much for manifestos, but I dig this one not only for its content, but for the way it actually walks its own talk. It is clear, concise, and written in a simple yet engaging voice. It’s got style AND substance. For example,

"If you can find something that your library is regarding as more important than user needs, something is very wrong."

Bravo! Head on over to David's blog to read the rest: Common Sense Librarianship: An Ordered List Manifesto.

* David notes that the manifesto resulted "from conversations with really smart and insightful people like Amy Buckland, Kathryn Greenhill, Jenica Rogers, and Maurice Coleman." Tip o' the hat to all y'all.

Is a Boycott of HarperCollins the Right Course of Action at This Time? A response

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:59:00 +0000

Bobbi Newman asks: Is a boycott of HarperCollins the Right Course of Action at This Time?

Below is my response; a slightly edited version of an email I sent to a friend a few days ago.

Dear xxxxxx,

Of course I've been reading about the HarperCollins/Overdrive situation, and it is certainly of concern. However, at this point I am not aligned with the idea that a boycott is the best response.

The larger issue of how digital content is going to be produced and where authors, publishers, and libraries fit into that picture is complex, and I suspect a great big scary unknown for all parties. While I don't agree with HarperCollins' choice, and I don't think it will ultimately be a sustainable choice for them, I am still able to put myself in their shoes and see their point. Libraries want publishers to make econtent available in the same way, and under the same rules as print content. But econtent is fundamentally different in that it does not deteriorate, and thus does not need to be replaced. From the publisher's perspective, what we used to pay for multiple times (as copies wore out) we now want to pay for once.

Again, I don't agree with HarperCollins choice (it's inelegant, clumsy, and I doubt if it will increase their bottom line in the way that they hope) but it is a rational decision. As the owner of the publishing rights, they are free to lay out the terms of any licensing or purchasing agreement, and we are free to say, "yes please, or "no thank you." Thus, I fully support libraries choosing not to by any HarperCollins content through Overdrive, and vote with their dollars in that way. I also support libraries who choose to buy HarperCollins content because it meets the needs of their customers and they find the licensing terms acceptable.

My main concern with a full on boycott is this: I think a boycott is an extremely serious response and should be used very sparingly, and when there are large moral issues at stake, and/or there is an immediate harm (possibly of a long term nature) that needs to be addressed. Boycotts come at the end of talks/negotiations, not as the opening salvo, and not in response to honest disagreements, and only when there is some chance of having a real economic impact-- which I don't see as a possibility in this case.

Publishers are scared because they see that their profit model -- a model based on scarcity and the high cost of distributing physical items-- doesn't make sense any more. Their economic model, their bottom line, is threatened. At the same time libraries are scared and trying to figure out how we can apply the old rules -- rules also based on scarcity, and the cost/labor involved in maintaining/distributing physical items -- to a new digital reality. There has always been a tension between publishers and libraries, as publishers want to sell multiple copies and it's easy (if shortsighted) to perceive libraries as cutting into sales. But most publishers are also enlightened enough to see that libraries help them by cultivating readers, thereby supporting and enlarging their consumer base (as pointed out here http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/2011/02/25/on-eating-your-seed-corn among other places.)

I would prefer that before getting into talk of a boycott we acknowledge that publishers have legitimate concerns, and ask them to acknowledge that libraries are -- above all other institutions -- well-positioned to HELP their bottom line. So let's talk about how we can develop sales/licensing agreements that make sense for all of us. Let's not demonize each other. Let's get the authors (many of who want nothing more than to be read widely, and are huge library supporters) into the conversation, and get them advocating for us with publishers. (See Eric Flint and Marilyn Johnson's posts, among many others.)

So that's where I'm at with things in the moment. I hope that HarperCollins comes back to the table and renegotiates with Overdrive putting more reasonable options on the table. I hope that I'm wrong and calls to boycott them bring about some positive development. But as I'm not in alignment with this choice I cannot offer my support at this time.

See also: Posts that have resonated strongly with me

Artificial Scarcity: I attempt to identify the root cause of the #HCOD debacle - Nicholas Schiller
The Bain Free Library: Comment by Eric Flint, Bain Books
HCOD, eBook User Bill of Rights and Math - Sarah Glassmeyer
Boycott? Bad Idea - Reverse Snowglobe blog
A message from OverDrive on HarperCollins’ new eBook licensing terms (see discussion in comments section too) - Steve Potash, et al.

Future-Minded

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:45:00 +0000

CC 2.0 Flickr User griraffes

I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for any blog post that starts with a Rumi quote... ( “Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.”) And it just keeps getting better from there.

So get thee over to Sharon Morris' wonderful guest post on SLA's FutureReady 365 blog. Check it out: Ten Strategies For Being Future-Minded

PALA Presentation: TEDx and Libraries: A Partnership for Community Engagement

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:28:00 +0000

Here is the slide deck for our talk: TEDx and Libraries: A Partnership for Community Engagement, Presented by Peter Bromberg, Janie Hermann and John LeMasney for the Pennsylvania Library Association Conference, October 27, 2010. (Download the powerpoint deck and look in speaker’s notes for content.)

TEDx and Libraries: A Partnership for Community Engagement

View more presentations from Peter Bromberg.

Video/Slides from Adult Services Forum Keynote: All Together Now

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 19:03:00 +0000

All Together Now
Keynote at the NJLA Adult Services Forum, October 18, 2010
Slides/Text available at SlideShare

All Together Now: Keynote at the NJLA Adult Services Forum, October 18, 2010

Thank you to Kelly Garwood for creating and sharing this video! Slidedeck (with full text of talk in the notes field if you download the ppt) available at: http://slideshare.net/pbromberg/all-together-now-keynote-for-njla-adult-services-forum-2010

New ALALearning Post: Cultures of Curiosity

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 17:54:00 +0000

NEW ALALEARNING POST

This month ALALearning bloggers are focusing on how learning is done in our organizations. Having started at the MPOW just a few short months ago I am still learning how learning happens– formally and informally — in the organization. So rather than address the question narrowly, I’d like to look more broadly at the topic and suggest that the foundation for learning in any organization is having a culture of curiosity.

See the whole article over at ALALearning.

Making time to tell you...

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:06:00 +0000

CC 2.0. Flickr User: Bogenfreund

I have not blogged much since I started my new and wonderful job just over two months ago, and I've told myself it's because I didn't have time. But having just read Julie Strange's latest wonderful blog post. I'm owning up: It's not that I didn't have time, it's that I didn't make the time.

So now I'm making the time, if only this very little bit before I zip out the door, to invite you to read "10 tips for finding your groove and getting sh*t done". I'm so glad I did--you rock Jules!

New ALALearning Post: Learn More, Do Nothing

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:09:00 +0000

Would you like to be more creative? Learn faster? Super, all you need to do is... Nothing.

Interested? Read the complete post over at ALA Learning

October 9, 2010 update: Check out Bobbi Newman's post on the connection between innovation and working less.

Congratulations, I'm Sorry.

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:10:00 +0000

After four wonderful years blogging at Library Garden I will now be doing the majority of my writing in this space (while still contributing regularly to the ALALearning blog.)

I used my final post at Library Garden to say goodbye and begin a dialogue on cooperative library services. Here is an excerpt:

[T]his was my final week of employment at the South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative (SJRLC), where I have enjoyed working for the past nine years...and this is my final post at the Library Garden blog, where I have had the pleasure of writing for the past four years. Both departures are bittersweet, filled with sadness and loss, but also mixed with excitement for the what lies ahead. On Monday, August 2nd I will begin as Assistant Director at the Princeton Public Library,

CONGRATULATIONS, I’M SORRY
Those of you in NJ know that we have just emerged from a partially successful four-month advocacy campaign to restore state funding for library services. In March we received devastating news that the Governor had slashed library funding 74% in his proposed budget, effectively putting an end to vital library services including delivery, interlibrary loan, shared full-text databases, and the New Jersey Library Network including the four Regional Library Cooperatives. In late June, after an advocacy campaign that generated tens of thousands of letters of support, we learned that much of the funding was restored, and many services would be saved. Unfortunately, as in other states (including Colorado, Massachusetts and Illinois), the Cooperative system — a system in place for nearly 25 years — is being downsized, as the State Librarian has made a decision to consolidate the four Cooperatives into one.

For the complete post, see: http://librarygarden.net/2010/07/31/so-long-farewell-amen/. Thanks for joining me at the new blog! -Peter

Be an agent for the customer: Hospitality Revisited

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:15:00 +0000

Originally posted to Library Garden

It’s been a while since I blogged about the difference between Agents and Gatekeepers, wherein I quoted one of my favorite passages from Danny Meyer’s book, Setting the Table (the book is also a favorite of the Darien Library, according to John Blyberg; Char Booth has also expressed her appreciation for Meyer’s ideas.)

An agent makes things happen for others. A gatekeeper sets up barriers to keep people out. We’re looking for agents, and our staff members are responsible for monitoring their own performance: In that transaction, did I present myself as an agent or a gatekeeper? In the world of hospitality, there’s rarely anything in between.

I was recently reminded of the power of the “agent” concept while reading an article by Dan Pink on theories of motivation. The following quote caught my attention (It is from Maury Weinstein, founder of System Source, explaining to his sales staff why he did away with sales commissions):

We want you to be an agent for the customer rather than a salesperson.

Agent for the customer… Yes, yes, yes! I love this concept! Meyer says that hospitality exists when the customer believes the employee is on their side. He suggests that hospitality is present when something happens for you and is absent when something happens to you. I’m sure we can all quickly think of experiences where we felt that the person helping us was on our side, (was doing for us), and we can reflect on how that translated directly into a positive customer experience for us– even if the the interaction began because of a problem…

HOME DEPOT: CUSTOMER SERVICE TURNAROUND

I’m coming to the end of an 18 month renovation to my house, which means I’ve spent an awful lot of time (and money) at The Home Depot over the past year and a half. During the last few months I’ve noticed a marked improvement in the customer service at the store. There are more employees available to help, there are always one or two greeters at the door, and employees who are just walking by smile and greet me.

The most noticeable (and appreciated) phenomena though is how Home Depot has handled some recent problems with a damaged sink, and the return of a few (expensive) items that we did not need. On three different occasions, three different customer service agents took care of me, ensuring that the returns were taken, restocking fees were waived, and the stockroom was manually checked for a replacement part even though the computer said it wasn’t in stock (and the correct item was found saving me a trip to another store.)

This is some turnaround in customer service ethic for The Depot and apparently I’m not the only person who’s noticed. I can sum up my recent experiences by saying that in each interaction I felt that the Home Depot representative was on my side. They were friendly, patient (at times exceedingly patient), and consistent in their desire to meet my needs. I was not quoted policy, I was offered apologies. I was not told to wait in another line, I was brought over to the service desk where I could be more comfortable and given quicker service. I was not asked for receipts, I was asked for my address so they could look up my account and review my purchases. In other words, I was consistently served by agents rather than gatekeepers.

As I make my transition back to the world of public libraries, I will strive to keep this experience, and the ideas of hospitality and agency –of being on the side of my customers (both internal and external) – uppermost in my mind. Being on the side of the customer is a simple idea, but one that offers powerful guidance. And, I hope, powerful results.

Team TEDxNJLibraries

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Mon, 10 May 2010 14:07:00 +0000

Originally posted to Library Garden

Team TEDxNJLibrarires
Originally uploaded by Khürt

It was an honor to be a part of TEDxNJLibraries.
Thank you Janie for inviting us to come along for this great ride. Thanks also to our amazing speakers, sponsors and attendees who came together to create a day of inspiration and conversation.
For more pictures from the event, see: http://www.flickr.com/groups/tedxnjlibraries/.

To follow the Twitter stream, see: http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23tedxnjlibs.

Professional pix and video, (courtesy of Girl + Camera and Shining Star Interactive) coming soon.

New ALA Learning Post: Reflections on Co-presenting

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:03:00 +0000

Originally posted at Library Garden

Hey, check out my new post at ALAlearning.org on the benefits of co-presenting:
http://alalearning.org/2010/04/27/9-reflections-on-co-presenting/

New ALALearning Post: Finding Your Voices

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:44:00 +0000

I have a new post up at the ALALearning blog (the official blog of the LearnRT: The Learning Round Table of ALA. Formerly CLENE. Say that three times fast!)

Check it out: Finding Your Voice(s)

New name, new blog. CLENE is now LearnRT

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:57:00 +0000

Happily sharing this press release from Lori Reed, Board Member and Communications & Marketing Chair of the Learning Round Table of ALA

ALA Learning Round Table Chooses New Name, Retains Mission

by Lori Reed

The name may be changing, but the mission of the “Learning Round Table of ALA” remains the same. The American Library Association’s round table dedicated to quality continuing education for library workers has changed its name from CLENERT to LearnRT.

Under its new name:

LearnRT will continue to promote quality continuing education for all library personnel, helping you network with other continuing education providers for the exchange of ideas, concerns and solutions.
LearnRT will serve as your source for continuing education assistance, publications, materials, training and activities.
LearnRT is your advocate for quality library continuing education at both the local and national levels.

NEW BLOG--ADD US TO YOUR FEED READER!

In addition to the name change the Round Table is sponsoring a new blog/website, “ALA Learning” (http://alalearning.org), which will feature training and learning news, information, best practices and thoughtful discussion from leading trainers and staff development practitioners in the library field.

Contributing authors include:

JOIN AND BENEFIT FROM OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

Membership in LearnRT is only $20, in addition to ALA membership dues. Among the many membership benefits, LearnRT members enjoy, through a unique agreement with the American Management Association, the following valuable AMA benefits:

Preferred pricing on all AMA seminars-least a 10-percent discount.
Unlimited access to AMA’s Members-only Web site – an ever-growing library of both timely and timeless information on practical issues of management.
Access to case studies, how-to articles, trend pieces, best practices, profiles of leading executives and companies, best-selling book excerpts, author interviews and recent research results.
Interactive self-assessments that reflect the abilities and knowledge of today’s high-value managers.
Exclusive discounts and special offers on AMA products and services.
Thirty-percent discounts on “Last-Minute Seats” at numerous selected AMA seminars announced each month.

To become a member of ALA’s Learning Round Table complete the ALA membership application: http://www.ala.org/ala/membership/joinrejoinrenewadd/default.cfm.

(Please note that we may be listed as either CLENERT or LearnRT in various places until the name change has fully circulated throughout ALA.)

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about LearnRT contact Pat Carterette, president of LearnRT, at (404) 235-7124 or by e-mail at pcarterette[at]georgialibraries.org.

For more information about ALALearning.org contact Lori Reed, managing editor, at (704) 350-5421 or by email at webmaster[at]alalearning.org.

Its all about the experience

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:29:00 +0000

In July 2008, I posted on authenticity and what it means for libraries. Essentially explaining that we are in an experience economy and that we need to be aware of the expectations that exist regarding libraries, services and technology.

It is easy to find examples of other businesses trying to create an experience, from fitness instructors and personal trainers to pet spas and resorts. Keith Goodrum writes in his post, Are You Creating an Experience instead of a Transaction? about the delight he and his wife experienced after leaving their dog at a pet resort while they were on vacation. The experience wasn't just about the novelty but about the way the pet resort made Keith and his wife feel.

Is this what libraries are doing? How do library users feel after being in the library or using their library's website? Are they experiencing your library or are they merely conducting transactions?

My renewed interest and changed perspective on the experience economy is based on my new job as the Virtual Branch Manager at a public library. When looking for library websites to get ideas and inspiration for a website redesign or overhaul, I have to admit that in many places, that "experience" feel is missing. And its not just the libraries' websites either; it is the vendors and databases libraries subscribe to or use, as well. For example, there is no reason why any digital media download site should be convoluted. If you have to click more than 2 or 3 times to actually start a download, how frustrated are you getting? Now imagine a library patron, with a slower internet connection, who isn't sure if they really want to use these digital resources and what will their response be? My money would be on a few quick clicks, then give up and move on to a place that literally takes one click to download, purchase, etc. (think iTunes or Amazon.com).

While there is a plethora of information out there about how to design an experience that will excite and satisfy library users, consider two great resources as a place to start:

David Lee King, in his new book, Designing the Digital Experience and on his blog, discusses libraries, websites, marketing and emerging technologies. He has experience from which to draw (he is the Digital Branch and Services Manager at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library)and lots of great tips and insights to help get your started.
Kathy Dempsey, blogger at the M-Word and author of The Accidental Library Marketer, talks about marketing your library (and its website) and making it more relevant. Her book mainly focuses on marketing and promotion of library services. However, she does say that most libraries, unfortunately, do not try to create an experience. Part of creating an experience is to find out what people want and need (all part of the marketing process) and then to give it to them.

In my authenticity post from a year ago I wrote: "It may take lots of work to make the vision and missions of our institutions match and exceed positive expectations that people have about libraries of all types." This does not just relate to your physical building but also to your web presence and the resources and services you offer. As libraries and librarians move towards creating experiences for users, it is important to remember that those experiences have to be true to the library's mission and vision. Remember advice from authors James H. Gilmore and B. Joseph Pine II in Authenticity: What Consumers Really Want: “Be what you say you are by finding your very own original way for customers to experience your offering in the places you establish” (p.152).

Make ALA Connect Work For You: An appeal for Notifications ON!

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:00:00 +0000

UPDATE 7/28/09, 3:00 PM: Check out Jenny Levine's post on changes coming to ALA Connect--esp. regarding improvements in notifications!
------------------------------------------

I'm excited, hopeful, and joyously optimistic about ALA Connect, ALA's hybrid social network, bulletin board, listserv, calendar, project management tool.

Like all networks ALA Connect is only as useful and powerful as the number people that use it; and in fact it is getting exponentially more useful and powerful with each new user.

The more I use the ALA Connect, the more I realize that selectively turning on Email Notifications is key (for me) to integrating Connect into my professional life. This ensures that updates (the ones I want anyway) are pushed out to me, which is important as I only tend to pay attention to whatever wanders into my field of vision...

I'm appealing to you, dear reader; help ALA Connect thrive and grow by logging in and turning on your notifications too--and help spread the word by posting this attractively designed and competitively-priced banner ad (in both border and non-border stylings you'll notice) on your blog, homepage, or social network of choice. Extra points for tattooing directly upon your body. No pictures please, I'll take your word for it.

Another feature I've found useful for keeping up in Connect is the ability to view my unread messages through the "My Unread" page and feed. Links to your "My Unread" content can be found on the lower right of the ALA Connect page under "Community Notifications". (These links will work for you if you're logged in to ALA Connect--otherwise you're seeing "access denied" messages.)

To learn more about ALA Connect, check out the these great video tutorials created by Emerging Leaders Group I (aka Melissa Dessent, Ahniwa Ferrari, Jaime Hammond, Jennifer Jarson, Jason Kucsma). The videos are in the process of being uploaded to ALA Connect proper.

Thanks everyone, see you on ALA Connect!

Research confirms Library Garden Reporting: Goofing off at work makes you a better employee

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Bromberg) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:12:00 +0000

A new study by a bunch of Australians with too much time on their hands confirms what Library Garden has previously reported: Not working makes you a better worker.

That's right folks! Employees who surf the net, check Facebook, send some tweets, or regularly check on the latest Brangelina update (are they pregnant? are they adopting again? does Jennifer Aniston always have to be mentioned in these articles?) are actually MORE PRODUCTIVE. Don't believe me? Here's what Wired reported:

The University of Melbourne study showed that people who use the Internet for personal reasons at work are about 9 percent more productive that those who do not.

Isn't that great? But wait, it gets better. There's even a new pseudoscientfic euphamistic acronym:

Study author Brent Coker, from the department of management and marketing, said "workplace Internet leisure browsing," or WILB, helped to sharpened (sic) workers' concentration.

So the next time you're caught watching the sneezing baby panda video you can confidently look your supervisor in the eye and say, "Goofing off? Why no boss, I was WILBing. Scientific research has proven that a good Wilb makes me 9% more productive."

If your boss still has a problem with your wilbful behavior, you can claim, "I just have a bursty style, not a busy style, which means that although it might appear to the untrained eye that I'm never actually working, you'll notice that all my work actually gets done."

If this line is delivered correctly, it will create a moment of confusion as your boss ponders the busy/bursty conundrum, giving you a small window of opportunity to slip away for a donut break.

Happy WILBing!