Longshots: Library-Related Commentary and Interviews

Longshots #173 ALA President Reflects on Engaging Membership and the Library Ecosystem

Tue Jul 07 00:00:03 -0500 2009

Sarah talks with Jim Rettig, University Librarian, University of Richmond, and outgoing president of the American Library Association. Jim discusses the many projects launched during his presidency, including the launch of ALAConnect and other online membership ventures, and the Library Ecosystem website.

Longshots #172 Tracking Trends to Support Better Library Service

Tue Jul 07 00:00:00 -0500 2009

Sarah speaks with Kitty Pope, executive director of the Alliance Library System (ALS). Kitty discusses the release of the sixth annual ALS Trends Report, which highlights the main socioeconomic and demographic trends that impact library service in central Illinois and beyond. Kitty also discusses the connection between being a good listener and providing good service.

Longshots #171 - New ALA President Ready to Build an Army of Advocates

Thu Jul 02 00:00:02 -0500 2009

Sarah talks with Dr. Camila Alire, Dean Emeritus of University of New Mexico and Colorado State University, and incoming president of the American Library Association. Dr. Alire shares the foci of her presidential year: advocacy tools for frontline staff; advocacy for literacy in minority communities; and a fundraising initiative for the Spectrum scholarship program.

Longshots #170 - Time to Honor a Leader from the Intellectual Freedom Frontlines

Thu Jul 02 00:00:00 -0500 2009

Sarah speaks with Robert P. Doyle, executive director of the Illinois Library Association and recipient of the 2009 Freedom to Read Foundation Roll of Honor Award. Bob shares the motivation for his longstanding involvement in intellectual freedom activities, including his ground-breaking work for Banned Books Week.

Longshots #169 Shattering Stereotypes About Librarians

Fri Jun 26 00:00:00 -0500 2009

Sarah talks with Ruth Kneale, Systems Librarian for the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope project of the National Solar Observatory, about her new book, "You Don't Look Like a Librarian." They also discuss stereotypes about librarians in the Internet Age and how the mistaken perceptions of library patrons can be changed.

Longshots #168 - Effective Leadership in Tough Economic Times

Fri Jun 19 00:00:00 -0500 2009

Sarah talks with Susan Kent, consultant for libraries and non-profits, about effective leadership development in the library world in times of economic turmoil. They also discuss ways to stimulate creativity and inspire current staff to re-imagine the future of libraries, including ways to stimulate community support for the library.

#167 Kathy Dempsey Discusses the New Face of Library Marketing

Fri Jun 12 00:00:00 -0500 2009

Sarah talks with Kathy Dempsey, author, blogger, editor of the Marketing Library Services newsletter and founder of the "Libraries are Essential" consultancy. Kathy talks about her new book, The Accidental Library Marketer, which includes marketing advice for all types of libraries and features the "Hallmarks of True Marketing." They also discuss the irksome question: "In the age of the Internet, why bother going to the library?"

Longshots #166 - Nancy Pearl Discusses Her Summer Reading

Tue Jun 02 00:00:00 -0500 2009

Sarah talks with Nancy Pearl, noted librarian, author, consultant and action figure! Always happy to recommend good books, Nancy shares some of her suggestions for summer reading by some of her favorite authors in fiction, light non-fiction, spy novels, historical mystery novels, and the male version of "chick lit." They also discuss this year's winner of the Pulitzer Prize in literature, for which Nancy was a judge. See Nancy's recommendations.

Longshots #165: Caribbean Libraries in the 21st Century

Wed May 27 00:00:00 -0500 2009

Sarah talks with librarians Cheryl Peltier-Davis and Shamin Renwick about the process of assembling their essay collection Caribbean Libraries in the 21st Century: Changes, Challenges, and Choices. Ms. Peltier-Davis and Ms. Renwick talk about the unique challenges they see facing Caribbean libraries, and how an increasingly electronic environment will affect them. They also discuss how libraries have come to fit into Caribbean society.

Longshots #164 - School Libraries Help More Than Just Students in Tough Times

Fri May 22 00:00:00 -0500 2009

Sarah talks with Lou Ann Jacobs, Legislative Function Representative for the Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA), about how school libraries can help ordinary people with jobs, how they can prepare students to keep up with the latest in technology, and the greater role that Illinois school libraries are playing in their communities. They also discuss the way school libraries are leading and providing resources for homework help.