HBPL Director's Blog

Internet Lab upgrade underway...

2012-01-24T11:44:00.000-08:00

We are installing new PC Reservation software in our Internet labs at the Central Library this week. Parts of the Adult lab are down through Thursday, but the good news is that we will be able to offer PRINTING again! Yay!

We went through an awful 3 months where our printing went down due to a virus attack and ongoing problems with our printing software interface. I know how frustrated our library patrons were - we had this weird work around that we cobbled together where you had to save things to a flash drive, go to the Children's department, etc..

I know it was driving everyone crazy - our staff, members of the public, everyone. I know how much I hated the situation, so I can only imagine how awful it was for people who depend on our system and computers.

I am so EXCITED that we are able to get this fixed - the change took us a while, but I know that the changes we are making ARE GOOD ONES. Printing will be easier, it will be cheaper and it will be better. (Prints and copies will be 15 cents for BW, 50 cents for color) Time management on the computers will be easier, for everyone, and the new software is much more flexible and robust, so we should have greater stability in our lab. ALL GOOD.

I just want to say thank you to everyone for their patience - the wait is almost over. Just a few more days...

Bad news from Sacramento today

2011-12-13T14:05:00.000-08:00

I just heard that Governor Brown announced that the first Tier of the Trigger Bill cuts will go into effect January 1. This is REALLY bad news for libraries. This will completely defund the Public Library Fund, Cooperative Systems and Support for Literacy Services in the State. All together, Library funding was at a low point of $15 million for all of these services, across the state. The elimination of this small amount of State support puts a further $16 million in Federal funds at risk.

What does this mean for Huntington Beach? It means that we lose grant support for our active and vital Literacy programs. We have less money to buy books and to support general library operations. We have less money to support interlibrary loan. And we will have fewer grant opportunities specifically for libraries, so it will be harder to find additional support for what we do. The elimination of State funding for public libraries will make it harder for all our residents to find what they need, and to get the services they need.

Libraries are one of the best things that government does, and the loss of State support hits hard.

A Kickstarter for Libraries?

2011-12-12T16:12:00.000-08:00

This past week, I was participating in a strategic planning session for a Library Agency called Califa -

It was a great session, and we came away from the meeting with some really good ideas and a good sense of direction.

In the course of the day, one of my colleagues mentioned this interesting web site called Kickstarter. Kickstarter is a crowdsourcing, fundraising web site - you have an idea for a project, you know how much it costs, so how do you get the funding? Kickstarter gives you a platform to share your idea and ask for support. If people like your idea, they give you money within a timeframe. It is a really interesting web site - many of the projects listed are creative - documentaries or short films, interesting inventions, and lots more. (There is even a project for chocolate 20 sided dice - though I can't imagine that the dice would last very long!)

But it does get you thinking -

Fundraising can be really tough right now. There are so many worthy causes, and so many needs to be met. Where do you put your money? Kickstarter is definitely an option, that let's you see a wide range of worthy projects. As a Library that is looking to raise money and support, I really like the idea of having a service where you could test ideas for new services or products, and see if there was any support for the idea.

The idea of a Kickstarter for libraries came up at the planning session, and I think that is a terrific idea. I can see this working for all kinds of things...

EBooks, Tablets and EReaders, oh my!

2011-12-07T17:02:00.000-08:00

This week, the Library offered our first class on EBooks and EReaders for the public. With the holidays approaching and all the buzz about the IPad, the new Kindle Fire and all the other tablets and readers out there, we thought it would be a good time to offer an introduction and to let people know about our EBooks.

We thought we should probably cover the current market, just so everyone knows a bit about what is out there. Then we moved into the resources that we have available for the various gadgets. We rounded out the class with a brief demonstration of how to check out a book for a Kindle and how to check out a book on an IPad.

The NOOK is harder to demonstrate, for a variety of reasons, so we provided links and resources online for participants to review later. (We are going to explore how we can do more for our local Nook users - so stay tuned for more offerings.)

We are offering the second session of our EBook introduction on Thursday, December 8 at 5 PM in the Talbert Room at the Library, and I am looking forward to another interesting session. If you are interested in EBooks, EReaders and what the library has, stop by.

It has been awhile...

2011-11-01T16:00:00.000-07:00

I am sorry that I haven't been around for awhile - we were finishing up our fiscal year and trying to get a number of technology projects underway. Still things to do, but we have laid some important ground work so far.

We are working on replacing computers here at the library. This sounds like a simple project, but you would be surprised. We have LOTS of computers at the library. And we are depending on them more and more to help you. So when we have older machines, or machines that are experiencing trouble, it really disrupts what we can do for you, our library patrons.

The replacement will help us sustain services, and will give us a more stable platform for launching any new services. With the technology market changing at an exponential rate, we are all testing our resiliency muscles.

And how are we doing this with all the budget reductions you may ask? We are getting support from our Friends and the Information Systems Department of the City. Our Friends are absolutely amazing and their support really makes a difference. And our Information Systems Department, which works behind the scenes, really does incredible things for us as well. They are dedicated professionals that understand how important technology is to the modern library, and what a difference it makes to all the residents of Huntington Beach.

So you may be seeing a few new pieces of equipment in the building over the next few months... hopefully sooner rather than later!

Kindle Books are here!

2011-09-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am pleased to report that our Kindle eBooks are here!

Check our website, www.hbpl.org for more information.

Kindle books coming soon!

2011-09-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

You have probably seen the latest articles in the LA Times and the New York Times -

Amazon's Kindle books are now available at some libraries. Don't worry - Huntington Beach Public Library will be getting Kindle books SOON. Our vendor, Overdrive, is working on rolling the Kindle books out to all of their customers. We expect to get our Kindle books within the next few days, if all goes well. So if you don't see them yet, just keep checking.

In the meantime, we still have ebooks for IPads, Sony Readers, Nooks, etc. Just check out our website, http://www.hbpl.org/, for more information on what is available.

September is Library Card Sign Up month

2011-09-15T14:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Fall, everyone!

It has been awhile since I posted here, and I am sorry that I haven't been around. The Library has been very busy, and we've had lots of projects getting started.

We had to look at solving a number of problems, as well as help finalize the budget for the new Fiscal Year which starts in October. We've been talking to vendors, meeting with staff and generally reviewing how we do a lot of things.

Our budget for next year is once again going down - we had to cut another $120,000 out of the budget, and though it was a challenge we were able to come up with reductions while still maintaining hours and our book budget.

We have been able to add a new collection - we now have E Books for IPads and other reading tablets (though we are still waiting for books for the Kindle - Kindle books are supposed to be available sometime this fall. Stay tuned Kindle users!).

In the works are a number of computer projects that should help sustain our computer services more effectively.

So even though things are tight, we are still trying to look ahead and figure out how to be more efficient and effective. I hope to be able to spend a bit more time here on the blog, and hope to have some interesting posts for you soon.

The State of America's Libraries

2011-07-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

The American Library Association has released a new report on the State of America's Libraries in 2011. The report has both good and bad news. Not a lot of surprises really - but some sobering and inspiring results.

The report contains the results of a poll conducted by Harris Interactive about library usage. Of the people polled, over 65% had visited their library in the past year, and 58% had a library card. More women than men used the library, especially working women and working mothers. Over two thirds of those surveyed said that the library was important and helped them in finding work or launching a new business.

Overall, statistics for use in the nation's libraries are up, even as budgets are down. The budget news is sobering - Everyday we hear about libraries reducing hours and considering closing locations. Funding for public libraries in California is at risk in the State Budget. In Northern California, the Oakland Public Libraries faced the possible closure of 14 out of 18 branches. San Jose Public Library has reduced hours in some branches to 3 days a week. Elsewhere, the Seattle Public Library is once again closing for a full week in August, with no services available to the public. These stories are the new normal - a grim and sobering reality.

There are some positive signs and reason for optimism - Oakland Public Library staged an impressive public awareness and advocacy campaign, and the public outcry over the closures was so great that the City Council decided not to make the cuts in the library budget. The Los Angeles Public Library was recently able to reopen on Mondays thanks to Measure L, which guaranteed a higher percentage of the City's property taxes for the library.

A recent study completed for the Philadelphia Free Library showed that the return on the public investment in the library was substantial - the City got over $30 million in return through economic benefits from the library. This study also showed that housing located near libraries had a significantly higher value, helping the real estate market in the city. San Francisco Public Library and a number of other libraries have done studies that show that for every public dollar invested in the public library, a community gets anywhere from $4 to $8 in return.

So though times are tough, and budgets continue to be a challenge, the Public Library is still one of the best investments a community can make. Here in Huntington Beach, we are working hard to maintain hours and ensure that you have access to the best deal in town - your Public Library.

Starting July 1, Huntington Beach Library has EBooks!

2011-06-30T16:47:00.001-07:00

Thanks to a generous donation from our Friends of the Library, starting on July 1, Huntington Beach Public Library will have EBooks for checkout. So all you IPad, Nook, Sony and Tablet readers, check out our website on Friday, July 1.

Kindle Readers - we will have books for you in the Fall. Stay tuned.

Summertime at the Library

2011-06-29T12:37:00.000-07:00

This time of year means two things for me -

Summer Reading and ALA.

I just got back from the American Library Association Conference in New Orleans -

Conferences are always something of a whirlwind for me. First, there is navigating your way around the conference itself. I've been to New Orleans, but things change and things have definitely changed in the Big Easy. Getting familiar with the layout of a conference takes a little while, even if you are pretty good at navigating your way around. And then there is the weather. In New Orleans, that translates into sauna outside, refrigerator on the inside. Light layers is the only way to go.

This year there was lots of conference buzz about eBooks and readers - some new players in the eBook market and maybe some good library solutions just around the corner. Lots of cool and interesting new technology, especially with mobile apps, was on display and I got the chance to talk to a variety of people about mobile services, and how we can help our smart phone patrons do things just like they use their smart phones for everything else! There were texting services, new ILS vendors, new laptop vending machines, new self service library kiosks and the list goes on... I came away exhausted, but yet somewhat excited about possibilities. We may be able to scrounge some money together to help connect people to the books and info they want through some of these new tools.

And I came back to a booming Summer Reading program - we launched our Reading program this week, and we already have 1,300 children signed up. From what I hear, it has been controlled chaos here this week so far.

Summer Reading has been shown over and over again to help kids in school, by keeping reading skills sharp. And it looks like HB's kids are off to a good start for their summer.

We are managing our huge volume with a lot less staff this year. I am constantly amazed at how much our staff get done, even when times are tough and budgets keep getting slashed. They are all truly amazing and dedicated professionals who are creative, innovative and flexible.

So here's to a great 4th of July and lots of fun with summer reading.

Going Solar at HBPL

2011-05-05T10:24:00.000-07:00

This morning, as I was arriving to work, I witnessed the transformation of our 2 parking lots into construction zones. Fencing was going up over a good portion of our parking lot, in readiness for our Solar Carport Project.

The fenced area is where the first batch of Carports will be going in. The Photovoltaic Carports will provide shade and enhance the look of our parking lot, while harnessing the power of the sun to support the power needs of the Library. We are going to be able to do our part for the environment and our budget. We expect construction to be finished by next Fall.

Libraries are by their very nature GREEN - we may not have had solar power before, but our READ, RENEW and RETURN mantra is VERY green. We circulate over 1 million items a year - That's a lot of sharing going on.

With our new Carports, we'll be that much more efficient and effective, helping our community and planet. So if you come to the Library over the next few months, just remember that the parking will get better, and this minor inconvenience will in the long run make for a better library and a nicer parking lot! Thanks for your patience.

Telling Library stories

2011-03-31T15:13:00.001-07:00

March has been a busy month - lots of budget talk, budget work, review of services, concerns about sustainability, etc. Much like the talk over the past few years - I am having serious Deja Vu moments all the time... But in talking about services, budgets and sustainability, one thing has become quite clear to me. I haven't done a very good job in telling the Library story. What do I mean by that? What is the Library story? To me, the Library story is about how amazing libraries are, and the difference they make in people's lives. Libraries feed the mind and are the collective record of our civilization. Libraries are tangible manifestations of democracy, open to all. But every time I turn around and read the latest news report or talk to someone, even family members, people are just completely unaware of what we can do for them and how we benefit the community. We are seen as a "nice, quiet place." Or we are seen as old fashioned, obsolete, a relic of a previous age. With all the new buzz about eReaders and eBooks, this image - one that implies irrelevancy - is maddening. So I am going to try and use this blog more regularly, and with any luck, maybe I can start to change the Library story a bit. At least here in Huntington Beach. So stay tuned...

Library as Sanctuary

2011-03-07T12:43:00.000-08:00

There was a wonderful editorial in the Los Angeles Times this past Sunday, March 6 -

The author, Pico Iyer, did a wonderful job detailing one of the key benefits of public libraries. Public libraries are sanctuaries, and offer something that no other place in our modern society can - The opportunity to lose or find yourself in the collective intelligence of our communities. Libraries are the collective intelligence of society - they make our communities smarter, and help people find themselves.

In these tough times, the importance of sanctuary should not be underestimated. As Pico Iyer said "to save money by reducing library services and resources is like trying to save a bleeding man by cutting out his heart. Or - if we could reach it - his soul."

Well said.

Library funding in California

2011-02-24T08:31:00.001-08:00

The State budget in CA is a mess -

Huge deficits, proposed budget cuts, taxes, etc. Nothing new here - it is the news for the past few years.

But this year the Governor has proposed ELIMINATING all support for public libraries in the State budget. The total amount comes to $30.4 million. Complete elimination will devastate our Literacy programs, Library cooperative efforts and will endanger matching funds from the Federal Government. All when libraries are more important than ever and we are making a difference everyday in people's lives.

If you get laid off and need to look for work, where can you turn? The Library. We have resources to help you with your resume, career development, training and finances.

If you are a student and need help with your homework, where do you turn? The Library. We have the resources to help with every assignment and we also have an online service that connects students to trained Tutors.

If you are an adult who is functionally illiterate, who fell through the cracks of our education system, where can you go? The Library. Our Literacy programs work one on one with adults who want to improve their skills and be better able to function and contribute to our economy and society.

All of these services are at risk by eliminating the State funding for Public Libraries.

Calls and letters are needed to the State Legislative Budget Conference Committee to urge them to support the Assembly version of the budget. The State Assembly proposed some cuts, but left some funding for these crucial services.

If you can, take a moment and contact your legislative representatives and the Budget Conference Committee, and ask them to stand up and support libraries. To learn more about the challenges to library funding and how you can help check out this link.

2011-02-02T11:55:00.000-08:00

There are some amazing new videos out on YouTube about Libraries. Here are two favorites - one from Edmonton, Canada and another from England.

The one in England starts with a grim statement "Turn the page, readers, you are about to enter a new Ice Age..."

Or you could argue, a new Dark Age, where we are confronting the prospect of no local libraries. What does this say about us and our society?

Conversely, the video from Edmonton is such a wonderful statement of library values and value, done in an engaging way. We need more of this kind of PR!

Are Libraries an endangered species?

2011-01-18T15:53:00.000-08:00

It has been a busy January so far - lots of news, and much of it bad on the library front. Budgets are tough, and they got tougher when Governor Brown announced his new budget for next year. His proposal hits public libraries in California hard, and will have a direct impact on what we can do and the services we provide.

Earlier in the month, the American Library Association Midwinter meeting was held in San Diego. Seen on the conference floor and in the ALA Store was a new T shirt showing Libraries as endangered, like the Polar Bear and the Panda. I am a bit of an optimist (or at least try to be...), so my initial thought was "Really? Isn't that a bit over the top?"

But after further thought, I think the T shirt is spot on. Here we are, in tough times, when libraries are booming and we are helping people connect to the Internet, find new careers, apply for job benefits, help their children get ready to learn, and all of the many other things we do at the library, and our funding keeps getting cut and our ability to respond to the needs in our community goes down.

If you love your library, consider joining the Friends of the Library, volunteering your time, or donating books. Talk to your elected representatives and tell them how much you love your library and what it means to you.

If you love the idea of libraries, a cornerstone of our democracy, then I invite you to come in and see what we can do for you now. I think you will find that we have something for everyone.

And if you think we don't need libraries any more, I also urge you to come in and take a look around. Or check out our website. I think we will surprise you with all the things we have and all the things we do.

I firmly believe that the public library is an anchor institution in the community - the public library is the most democratic institution in our nation. Everyone is welcome. In most communities, like Huntington Beach, the Library often predates the incorporation of the town. Creating a public library is one of the first things that a community does when it comes together as a community. It is a public manifestation of the importance of education, knowledge and opportunity for all. It reflects all that is best in our country. I believe we must do everything we can to ensure the survival of the public library.

So here's the question - how do we do that? How do we ensure that the public library is no longer an endangered species? I'd love to hear what people think.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-04T10:08:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone!

As at the beginning of every year, there are lots of articles on predictions and other musings about what the New Year holds for all of us. Some of the predictions are interesting, some not so much. For a short while I considered trying to craft some sort of prediction post for us here at the Huntington Beach Public Library, but then my thoughts went off in a different direction as I thought about what libraries do and where we are headed in the new decade.

American Libraries recently published a list of 12 reasons why Libraries are good for the Country and as I considered the list, the more I liked it. It is a good advocacy starting point.

Here's the list -
Libraries sustain democracy
Libraries break down boundaries
Libraries level the playing field
Libraries value the individual
Libraries nourish creativity
Libraries open young minds
Libraries return high dividends
Libraries build communities
Libraries support families
Libraries build technology skills
Libraries offer sanctuary
Libraries preserve the past

(if you'd like to read more, check out the rest of the article)

More and more, especially as we work through the current economic conditions, Library advocacy is crucial. We have to get the message out about all the things we do - how we foster democracy, inspire creativity, function as economic engines for our communities, helping our residents learn, achieve and grow.

So how best to get the message out about libraries? This is something I need to work on for our Library in the coming year.

Library Spirit?

2010-12-16T13:26:00.000-08:00

Brian Mathews, the Ubiquitous Librarian, had a very interesting post today, about Library pride and Library spirit. I find Brian's take on the User experience in libraries to be spot on, even though we work in different library realms - his academic environment vs. mine in public libraries.

He was talking about what he wants to accomplish by engaging his students and what his marketing and outreach efforts are really about - generating a brand and inspiring a sense of pride in the library. (And I have to admit that his reference to college football and bowl season resonated with me, avid football fan that I am.)

In many ways, that is what I want for the Huntington Beach Public Library too. I want everyone in our community to be proud of their library - proud that they live in this amazing place, with a fabulous library.

So how do you generate library spirit? How do you generate pride? These are some very interesting questions to ponder as we look ahead into the new year.

The Holidays, Ebooks and Google Books

2010-12-06T16:20:00.000-08:00

The Holiday season is here, and I feel like I am suffering from a strange form of attention deficit disorder. My thoughts and energy are all over the place, as I am sure it is with most people. So I apologize for any strange tangents or jumps of subject matter in this post.

This holiday season, I expected that there would be a lot of buzz and talk about Ebooks and Ebook readers, and there is. As you know, I have a Kindle and I do take it with me out in the community - it is often my reading choice for lunch time. This is garnering more and more interest - it used to be that I'd get odd looks and the occasional "Excuse me" inquiry. Now, it is an attention magnet. People come up (sometimes more than 1 or 2) and immediately ask how I like it, what I think about it, etc. And like Kathy Gould, the Director at the Palos Verdes Library, I am asked what do I think about Ebooks and is the book going away?

I have developed a kind of standard response - I like my Kindle, especially for travel, where it is much easier carrying the one device that gives me access to a bookstore anywhere I am, that I think there are still things that can be improved with the reading experience and that sometimes I still like the feel of a real hardback. And how I don't think paper books are going away anytime soon.

Since interest is growing, I thought it would be important for all of my staff to know more about the hot new reading devices, so we've done a couple of mini "crash courses" on the iPad and the Kindle. This gives our staff the opportunity to look at the devices, learn the basics and ask questions about the gadgets - so they can answer more questions from the public.

Just to make things more interesting, Google Books opened this week. Google has scanned LOTS of titles and you can now buy this e-content for a variety of devices. Google's bookstore is different than Amazon and iTunes, and they are actually working with Independent booksellers, like Powells Books of Portland OR. So it is another interesting addition to the whole Ereader/Ebook landscape.

Still no discernible library model out there - though I did read about an idea for "ungluing" ebooks and creating a kind of open ebook collection at the Go to Hellman blog. The more I think about the idea of "unglueing" digital content, the more I like it. Sooo... how do we get this started?

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-22T14:48:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and as we all gear up for the holiday, I thought this was a good moment to pause and consider what I am thankful for here at the Huntington Beach Public Library.

As a librarian, I am thankful for all my colleagues that inspire, challenge, encourage and engage me. If it wasn't for the greater library community, I would not be nearly as good a library director as I (hope) I am. I find new ideas, think about things differently and find new solutions from conversations and ideas that my peers and colleagues share.

As a Library Director, there are so many things to be thankful for that I could go on for quite some time. I am thankful for my staff who continue to amaze me with their resilience, creativity and dedication. We've gone through some major changes this past year, really in just the past few months, and everyone keeps surprising me. Their willingness to look at things differently, talk about what we do and how we can do it differently but efficiently and still maintain our service standards is remarkable. Each and everyone of my staff make a difference everyday in what we can do for the community.

I am also immensely thankful for our amazing community supporters. Without the strong interest and support of our library patrons, Friends and volunteers, the library would be a much less vibrant and exciting place. Thank you all for making it possible for me to work with you to make the Huntington Beach Public Library a truly transformational place.

I hope everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving!

E Readers - is it the Kindle?

2010-11-08T11:20:00.000-08:00

Wired magazine reported that out of all the e book reading devices, it looks like the winner is... The Amazon Kindle.

As a Kindle owner, this makes me feel good about the decision to buy the device. The Kindle is the most popular device for reading e books right now. HOWEVER only 7-8% of Adults are actually reading e books.

Whenever I see another Kindle reader out in public I do feel like I'm a member of an interesting club. I've had more conversations with strangers because of my Kindle than I can count, so there is definitely buzz and interest.

Even though I really enjoy my Kindle, as a librarian, I keep coming back to what does the Kindle mean for libraries and the profession?

I think some of my online colleagues, like Kathy Gould and Genesis Hansen, have it right. We have to start really looking at things differently. Start blowing things up, as it were. :)

The big thing for me with e books, especially with the Kindle is the essential problem of the economic model. The book and the device are conjoined - BN does allow very limited borrowing on their Nook, and it looks like Amazon plans to follow suit, but again, 1 loan per title, and only some titles will be available? And why the restrictions? Because someone could lose money?

I do feel like I'm sitting on my hands, waiting for everything to shake out, but by then it may be too late - we will be on the outside looking in.

Why is it so hard for us to make our case to the industry about the value of what we do? Do we need the American Library Association or IMLS to have a publishing summit, where libraries have a seat at the table and can make some contribution to the development of the digital publishing market?

Maybe we need to find someone close to Jeff Bezos...

Simplicity, service and libraries

2010-10-13T15:56:00.001-07:00

October marks the beginning of a new Fiscal Year here in the City of Huntington Beach, and this new budget year has brought LOTS of changes to the Library.

We have completely rearranged our public desk schedules, to adjust to new staffing levels (8 full time staff members retired on September 30. A BIG change!). When you are dealing with big changes like this (a 22% decrease in full time staff) questions come up tied to what you do, how you do it and why you do it. Maintaining the highest quality service possible is essential, but how do you do this with fewer people, in a busy library?

Simplification is important - we are trying to figure out ways to make the library simpler to use. How do we do this? Do we need to do everything we've done in the past, and do we need to do it the same way? Can we change it? What do our patrons really want anyway?

Should we try and implement self service checkout? People often think that Self Service connotes NO service. But is that really the case? I don't think so. Think about all the things that we do for ourselves - banking with ATMs, self service kiosks at the grocery store, self service ordering at Fast Food outlets, online shopping, etc. Some online businesses give better service and provide a better experience than on ground stores. Zappos is a good example of an online business that makes it easy to get what you want, when you want it and makes it easy to send things back or make changes.

Personally, I like the choice - I can choose to use the online store for some kinds of shopping and then on ground, in person for other kinds. I get to choose my experience. And isn't that really what service is all about? The experience? Sometimes you want or need more care, more time and attention. Sometimes you just want to get in and get out fast. Both are satisfying, both meet your needs, and it really just depends on your circumstances, doesn't it?

So we are grappling with some interesting and complicated issues, as we try and make things simpler and easier for our patrons. I think as long as we keep asking the questions, and working with each other, we will be headed in the right direction. It certainly will be interesting.

Institutional Knowledge and Library Snapshot Day

2010-09-30T11:19:00.000-07:00

This upcoming week, the California Library Association is sponsoring Library Snapshot Day. California Libraries are being asked to take a "snapshot", basically show a day in the life of a library. We will be gathering statistics and taking pictures, and if you come into the Huntington Beach Public Library on Tuesday, October 5, you may be asked a couple of questions about the library. We hope to give a good picture about what goes on during a regular day here at the Huntington Beach Public Library. It should be fun, and by involving all the libraries in the State, I think we will create a fascinating picture of what modern libraries are like.

All of this is happening while the HB Library is undergoing a lot of changes - today, we are losing 8 full time staff members to retirement. I am very happy for all our retirees (and all the others in the rest of the City of HB), but I got to thinking the other day about what this represents. We will be changing a lot of things, because we have to and it is a good time to look at how we do things, focusing on what our community wants and needs. But we are also losing a lot of amazing talent, skill and energy from the organization. In all, our 8 retirees represent 165 years of institutional memory and knowledge. That is pretty amazing.

Each of our retirees has made a lasting impression on the Library and the services we provide. I honor their dedication and thank them for their years of service.

Things will definitely look different starting tomorrow - the Library Adventure continues, but we will miss our outgoing colleagues.

September is National Library Card Sign-up month - why everyone needs a library card

2010-09-15T13:32:00.001-07:00

September is National Library Card Sign-up month. An important part of the start of any school year is coming into the Library and getting your library card.

Why a library card? Your library card is a passport to all kinds of adventures. You can read the latest bestseller, catch up with a favorite author, learn a new language (both in the library, by book or our online Mango Languages program), find online job resources, learn about new cultures, get help with homework, and the list just keeps on going.

Studies have shown that students do better when they use the library - libraries provide resources for homework, introduce children to new ideas and concepts and make learning fun. A library card is your gateway into this expanded world of knowledge.

Libraries provide high speed Internet access, so if you need to look for information, keep up with friends on Facebook or look for a job, we can help you. We have computer coaches available and trained professional staff that can help you find out about new careers, new places, new hobbies. We have what you need.

All of this is available with your Library Card. Come on and in and start your adventure.

Celebrate International Literacy Day!

2010-09-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

Today is International Literacy Day -

Literacy is something so many of us take for granted. Honestly, I cannot remember when I couldn't read. I have memories of my mom reading to me from the earliest age, and reading all kinds of things too. There are family pictures showing how she would tape large word signs on and above things, like the light switch on the wall. Obviously this early instruction paid off - though I wish I had more TIME to read all the great things out there.

The Unesco site has a great statement about Literacy that crystalized my thoughts on the importance of this essential life skill -

Literacy is a basic human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social and human development. Educational opportunities depend on literacy.

Here in Huntington Beach, our Literacy and Families for Literacy programs are making a difference every day, helping people develop and improve their literacy skills. The many staff and volunteers who dedicate themselves to help others through our literacy programs and activities really make a difference.

Imagine what you life would be like without the ability to read.

I'm glad that there are people and programs that are working to ensure that this basic human right is open to all.

Do Ebook readers encourage reading?

2010-08-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

This past week, the Wall Street Journal pulled together information from a variety of sources on Ebook readers, and they found that people who purchased an Ereader (like a Kindle or Nook) said they were reading more than before they bought the device.

And Ereader owners were saying that they were reading A LOT more. Men in particular said they were reading more.

Amazon claims that Kindle owners buy 3.3 more books per person than non Kindle owners.

I have to wonder is this because it is so easy to buy a book for a Kindle? Shoot, all you have to do is a quick search and then push a button, and the book is yours. Right here, right now. Can't really get much easier than that. No schlepping into the car or heading out to the shopping center. Talk about impulse buying - you see something, you think it looks interesting, you push a button. Voila. Easy.

But do you really read more?

And if you do read more, does this mean that Ereaders will lead to a reading renaissance?

And I am still trying figure out what this will mean for libraries...

I'd love to hear what other Ereader owners think.

One Book, One Community programs

2010-08-19T16:53:00.001-07:00

Over the past few years, HB Reads, a group of dedicated volunteers has sponsored annual One Book, One Community reading programs here in Huntington Beach. Last year's title, They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky, was an eye opening reading experience, connecting us to the horrors of genocide in Sudan.

HB Reads is already hard at work planning their next city-wide reading experience, and to get things going, they are sponsoring a Bookfair at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at Bella Terra. From August 27 - 29, if you tell the cashier that you are participating in the Huntington Beach Reads One Book Bookfair when making a purchase HB Reads will get a percentage of the sales. The money raised through the Bookfair will help the committee purchase books for our local high schools, arrange for author visits and generally help get the reading program underway.

The title for the next HB Reads will be announced in September.

The Library is looking forward to another exciting and thought provoking community reading experience in Huntington Beach, with HB Reads.

Milkshake Mistakes?

2010-08-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

As an owner of a Kindle, one of the features about the service from Amazon that I like is the opportunity to test or "sample" a book before I commit to buy it.

I was looking around on the Kindle site the other day and was looking at Clay Shirky's new book, Cognitive Surplus. I read parts of his earlier book, Here Comes Everybody, about social networking and the impact of social networking tools on how we organize. I had also heard his TED Talk awhile back and everything he said just seemed to make sense.

So I downloaded the first chapter of Cognitive Surplus, to give it a test drive. The chapter was just like his TED talk - interesting, enlightening and generally thought provoking. My favorite part was in his discussion about "Milkshake Mistakes".

He relates how McDonald's wanted to figure out how to improve sales of their milkshakes. They hired researchers to figure out how to do this. Most focused on the Milkshake - Did the Milkshakes need to be richer, creamier, etc.? Were they cold enough? Was the packaging needing an update or change? Only one researcher approached the subject in a different way - the researcher ignored the milkshakes, and focused on the customers who were buying them. He looked at when milkshakes were being purchased, who was purchasing them, etc. Instead of looking at just the milkshake, they looked at how people were using the milkshake. And they discovered something quite interesting when looking at the problem in this way - a lot of people were buying milkshakes early in the day, well before lunch time.

Why were they doing this? The people who were buying the milkshakes were commuters, they needed something quick, portable and something that could be handled with one hand, without making much of a mess. Low and behold, the Milkshake was meeting all of those needs. So, in essence, the commuters were "hiring" the milkshake to fill a particular job. A job that McDonalds hadn't really considered for the milkshake. So the question wasn't "how can we make the milkshake better?", it was "what job do people 'hire' the milkshake for?".

Shirky then talked about how these were essentially "milkshake mistakes" - we spend too much time looking at the "thing" aka the milkshake, without looking at what job the "thing" is being hired to do.

Libraries and librarians as a profession have spent a lot of time thinking about what we do and who we are. With all the recent talk on E-books, the death of print and the possible end of the physical book , I was wondering if perhaps we are focused too much on our "milkshake mistakes". We spend a lot of time looking at the library and the profession, but do we spend enough time asking "what job are we being "hired" to do"? What job is the library doing for people? Any thoughts? I'd love to hear what you think.

Thoughts on community, asset development and Library collections

2010-08-06T09:58:00.000-07:00

Today, I was listening to a radio station podcast from the San Francisco Bay Area - the talk show host was asking "Do we need Libraries?" The response on the program was strongly in favor of libraries, which is always reassuring. But there were enough people calling in and saying things like "No, we don't really need libraries - they have obscure books," to make a professional librarian pause, and get just a tad worried.

Do we need libraries? I think the use of libraries across the country proves that we do. Libraries everywhere are seeing their use skyrocket, even when hours are reduced. The Huntington Beach Public Library just cleared the 1 million circulation mark this past year, showing a steady increase in use. And this is with reductions in hours.

Libraries are in the business of community asset development - I would argue that the greatest asset in any community is it's people. A community library helps build the capacity of the people in the community to participate in society and to make a difference. We help people learn, grown and succeed. Pretty important function if you ask me.

How do we do this asset development? Through programming, collections and service. We have educational programs for all ages. For example, our story time programs are amazing, filled to the max and each child in story time is learning the skills that will make a difference in their future success. Parents that bring their children to story time have the opportunity to connect with other parents, learn story telling skills and help foster the intellectual development of their children.

We also help encourage lifelong learning by creating library collections of materials that inform, educate, entertain and engage our library patrons. A good library collection encourages exploration, and can open your imagination to a whole new set of possibilities. In tough times, this is a vital function.

So the challenge for the profession becomes how do we keep providing the services that are needed, the way that our patrons need them, when times are tough and money is short? When things are tight, feelings get high, and conflicts emerge. Asking tough questions is part of this, and we all have to talk to each other. If we don't talk and engage, if we don't try and find common ground, then we do run the risk of not doing what needs to be done.

This turned into a much heavier and philosophical post than I originally intended, but hey that happens sometimes. I think we do need to have conversations about the library, why we need them, how we make a difference and how we can continue to do so when the economic situation looks so bleak.

I'd love to hear what you think...

More ramblings on change and paradigm shifts

2010-07-27T15:39:00.000-07:00

It is almost August and things are booming here at the Library in Huntington Beach -

We have over 4,000 children signed up for Summer Reading, and our Teen and Adult Reading programs are doing well. Staff have launched their own reading program, to join in the fun. So things are busy, with lots of good reading going on.

We are also once again in the middle of the budget process, gearing up for presentation to the City Council. There have been so many changes through the budget over the past 2 years, that it is hard to deal with more. But more changes are coming. Things just keep getting tighter and tougher.

So how do you deal with all this change? I've taken to asking key questions - what is a library? What do we do? What is most important for us to do here in HB?

Some other questions have come up recently due to changes in the outside world - what does the rise of the Ebook mean for libraries? New services, like Freegal, are a different model for libraries. (Freegal is a really exciting new service from Library Ideas, where the Library subscribes and then library patrons can download songs from the Sony Music catalog. The downloads are free of DRM). Libraries are founded on the idea of "fair use" and "first sale" - in layman's terms, if you buy the item, you own it and you can lend it out. This allows us to lend books, DVDs, CDs, etc. We own the item, but we can lend it out to anyone in the community.

The new Digital environment doesn't handle this idea of First Sale very well - the DMCA has built in DRM and protection elements that make it VERY hard and in many cases nearly IMPOSSIBLE to use the item/piece of intelletual property in the way you want to. Amazon clearly doesn't see a role or place for the library model with E books. The Kindle and content for the Kindle are tied to the device, and the device belongs to someone. You can't loan the device or the items on it. Barnes and Noble's Nook lets you loan an E book a few times to someone else that has a Nook, but again, it is more tied to the device.

Anyone out there looking at Device Agnostic content that allows for loaning? Maybe the Library paradigm has to shift. Maybe we have to become aggregators for the community, and then individuals can access or download items, and they get to keep them, like with Freegal. Community resources again being pooled for the greater good - not too far removed from our original idea. This time we are dealing with digital content rather than physical items.

What I'm saying here isn't new - others in the field have posed these questions and are taking a hard look at what we do and how we do it. Maybe it is just the sense of urgency that seems to be associated with all the changes right now, or maybe it is because as all of these changes are coming together, libraries are in the news, showing up on YouTube (as part of the Old Spice Man campaign) and on Facebook.

NPR thinks we are about to have our Pop culture moment, like cupcakes. Maybe they are right. Shoot, Libraries are better than cupcakes - we don't have as many calories. :)

I'd love to hear what you think -

Are Ebooks at the Tipping Point?

2010-07-21T08:44:00.000-07:00

This week there has been a lot of news and discussion about E books -

The Los Angeles Times had a front page article about the rise of the e reader and the increase in digital books and digital content. Amazon announced this week that they are selling 143 e books for every 100 print hardcover books. And they are predicting that this gap will grow. Last Christmas, e books were the hot seller as were the various readers. With the launch of the Ipad, there are more options. Digital content is growing all the time.

What does this mean for reading? What does this mean for libraries? As a profession, librarians have been watching the e book and e reader shift for quite a while. I personally always thought it was just a matter of time - after all, once we moved to producing the work (the intellectual product) with digital files, someone was bound to look at the cost associated with the production of the physical paper book. Digital production is much cheaper and doesn't require paper, ink, etc.

There was a recent report that reading on an electronic device is slower than reading on paper -
The biggest stumbling block to e readers has always been the reading surface. Paper is easy - our eyes like it. Computer screens don't work as well - how many of us have had tension, eye strain headaches from our computers? But the new E ink technology is making the computer screen more and more like our traditional paper.

So what does this all mean? For libraries, we need to tackle the question of what we do and how we do it yet again.

I'd love to hear what you think - E book or Hardcover? What kind of reading experience do you want?

The Old Spice Man likes libraries!

2010-07-14T17:06:00.000-07:00

Library Advocacy can take many forms - here's the Old Spice Man talking about how valuable libraries are. What fun!

Musings on Conferences, Washington DC and comfortable shoes

2010-07-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

I just got back from the American Library Association Conference in Washington DC. The Conference was a busy one for me - I am a member of a few ALA Division Committees, and I had lots of meetings while I was there. I was moving from Hotel to Convention Center to Hotel to meeting all weekend. I was lucky this year - I had learned my lesson and brought a variety of shoe choices - all comfortable and field tested. (I still managed to get a blister on the top of both feet. In Danskos no less. Even good shoes have trouble staying comfortable in DC weather!)

I enjoy conferences for the new ideas and inspiration that are always part of the conference buzz. The exhibit halls are full of new products and services - I saw everything from a new mechanized library kiosk called Branch Everywhere to traditional book trucks and library furniture. I saw new Self Service Check out systems and complicated library sorting systems, that automate and streamline some basic functions. I spoke with lots of vendors about what they do and how they can help us.

One of the newer vendors is a company called Library Ideas, and they have a new music service called Freegal. Freegal lets library patrons download songs from the Sony music catalog. For free. The Library subscribes and sets up the number of downloads everyone is allowed during a week. A few California libraries have already signed up for the service. I think it is worth watching - we buy music CDs, but with the IPods and the IPads out there, downloading music is the way things are going. So why not provide library patrons an opportunity to download content?

This summer there was lots of commiseration at Conference - about the weather (HOT and muggy. DC was built on a swamp) and about the economy. All libraries, of all kinds, are tightening budgets and really taking a hard look at what we do, how we do it and how to move forward to better support our communities. Not all the news was grim - people love their libraries and they are using us more and more. On Tuesday, I was wearing a bright red t shirt urging people to VOTE FOR LIBRARIES as I was visiting legislators in the Capital, and a number of people asked me about the T shirt. They all expressed their appreciation of libraries and wanted to know where they could get the shirt! Tax measures specifically to support libraries have passed in Marin County, San Rafael, Ohio and in many other parts of the country. Some budget cuts have been put off in places like Boston and New Jersey. So there are some signs of hope.

One thing I know for sure, we have to keep on doing what we do because we do make a difference and our communities are enriched by our efforts. Libraries all across the country are making a difference everyday thanks to the efforts of my peers and colleagues in the profession.

WiFi, Internet access and Starbucks?

2010-06-14T15:13:00.000-07:00

The Huntington Beach Public Library has offered free WiFi access to our patrons for quite some time now. Our WiFi is heavily used - you can see laptop users all over the library and even outside on the grass, using this service everyday. Most libraries are the only source for free WiFi in their communities. We are always working on sustaining and maintaining our WiFi and Internet access, so everyone has the opportunity to access these vital resources.

Today I heard that Starbucks has announced that they will be launching free unlimited WiFi in all of their stores in the US on July 1. I applaud Starbucks for making this available - I'm all for more and expanded access.

Starbucks has also announced another new service coming this Fall - the Starbucks Digital Network, developed in partnership with Yahoo. The announcement was made at the Wired Business Conference, and information was posted on the Starbucks site - Starbucks wants their clientele to have a great digital experience while getting a cup of coffee.

This got me thinking about digital experience. What is a digital experience? What makes for a great digital experience? Is it the ability to be on your smartphone or laptop while getting a latte? Is it being able to multitask while getting your caffeine? Apparently, Starbucks feels that the quality of your digital experience is important to the success of their business.

So for libraries, what is the quality of the digital experience that we give our patrons? Do we give people a GREAT digital experience? What can we do to provide a better experience, digitally? What do you think makes for a great digital experience? We've done some surveys here about how our web site works and other kinds of digital services, but how do you really define this "great digital experience"?

I do feel that libraries have gotten better at providing digital experiences, but I know we have a lot of work to do. It will be interesting to see what these changes mean for our local coffee shops.

Summer time, and the reading is easy...

2010-06-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

Today I definitely had the sense that Summer is coming - today our "June Gloom" seemed to be letting up a bit and there are hints of sunshine in the Park. The birds are out and there seems to be a lot of activity in the Park, and everyone seems to be attending graduations and talking about summer plans and summer time activities.

This time of year always means that things are about to get REALLY busy at the Library. Our Summer Reading programs are already gearing up - the Festival of Folktales is our official launch on June 29, when the library turns into a amazing story telling arena. Summer Reading always marked the real beginning of summer for me when I was young. It does so even more now, as a librarian.

Our Summer Reading programs are looking really good this year - the theme is Water and we plan all kinds of educational programs on water conservation and the oceans. It couldn't be more timely with the Gulf Oil spill and the ongoing water issues in California. As a beach city, water plays a central role in our lives. Come on in and make a splash and a few waves with us!

Everyone can participate - we have reading programs for children, Teens and Adults.

On the subject of volunteers

2010-05-17T10:25:00.000-07:00

Today, the Huntington Beach Public Library is celebrating our volunteers with a recognition lunch and event. We are bringing together our most dedicated volunteers to recognize their commitment to the library and to celebrate all they do for us throughout the year.

Volunteers help the library in so many ways. They help raise money to provide additional support for library programs and materials. They run a bustling used bookstore and an amazing gift shop. Volunteers help people in the community learn to read, by becoming Literacy tutors. Some of our volunteers help with Children's programming, some help with the Taste of Huntington Beach. Some help with our Homework Clubs and some help with other events or programs. Many of our new volunteers are helping us as computer coaches, but many volunteers have been helping us for many years, and their enthusiasm for the Library continues unabated. They are all truly remarkable.

Over the past year, the Library has had great success expanding our volunteer programs and providing new volunteer opportunities for members of the community to give back and to help make the library that much better. We introduced our new Computer Coach Volunteer program and we now have regularly scheduled computer coaches available to help people with e-mail, Internet searches, printing questions, etc. We have launched our new Computer training classes, pairing librarians and trained volunteer computer coaches to provide hands on instruction on a variety of computer skills. We hope to further expand our volunteer opportunities, adding more computer coaches in our Children's and Media departments, and we will be starting a Library Docent program, to help people navigate all the resources available at the library.

Our volunteers have consistently given over 40,000 hours of service a year over the past five years, and their support and energy continues to grow.

So I would like to take this opportunity to say a very public Thank You to every volunteer that has worked for the Library - we appreciate everything you do! Thank you and Enjoy your celebration.

Languages, Mangoes and Awesomeness

2010-04-20T08:14:00.000-07:00

I'm sure anyone reading this blog right now is going "What on earth do Mangoes and languages have in common?" No, I haven't lost my mind - these are just some things that have helped me recently as we look at what we do in the Library and how we make a difference.

I have been writing a lot lately about the budget and the challenges we face, and I'm getting tired. I have been working on things to help my staff handle their jobs better and to stay focused on what they can do, and how to keep thinking about the good things and how they make a difference.

It is harder sometimes to keep oneself on track this way, so I have been trying a number of other things to keep ME focused on what we can do and the good things that libraries do all the time.

I have started following a couple of new blogs for inspiration and I have to say that both of them are great. 1000 Awesome Things is my current optimism favorite. Everyday this great blog points out yet another Awesome thing. Today it had to do with words, and how when you learn a new word you start seeing it everywhere. I love learning new words (I have actually enjoyed reading sections of the Oxford English Dictionary. I know - I am a geek and a real library geek at that!) And it is Awesome when you start seeing and hearing the new word.

On the subject of words lets talk a little about Languages. How we learn them and how libraries can help people learn languages. There is a great company that is working with libraries to provide online language learning tools - Mango Languages. I was sure that there would be no way that we could afford anything like this at our library, but our Mango Rep came out and talked to us, demoed the product and offered us a free trial. The pricing is EXTREMELY reasonable for a city the size of HB, so we are going to use the free trial to see if this is something that the community wants. We will be covering the library in "Try Mango" signs, to encourage everyone to try it and let us know if they like it.

Mango offers 36 languages, including ESL. If we get positive feedback, we will look at our budget and see how we can afford the subscription cost. If we can help people learn languages, that is pretty AWESOME.

Back to blogs and inspiration - The other blog that I've been following is the Art of Nonconformity. The founder of the blog writes about "unconventional strategies for life, work and travel". Definitely inspirational; definitely challenging; definitely different and encourages you to look at things differently. And that is important.

The Art of Nonconformity builds on a book that I've used over the years - the Art of Possibility by Ben and Rosamund Zander. The Art of Possibility is also about training yourself to think differently. Just remembering that it is ALL INVENTED can really help you reset your perspective. And that is important.

So there it is - I need to remember all the Awesome things I get to do as a Librarian, like Mango Languages and helping people learn a new language. I need to stretch and look at things differently, and revel in nonconformity.

A much better perspective, don't you think?

Freeze-n-Read for Libraries 4-17-10 @ 4 PM

2010-04-14T16:17:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun and cool way to show your support for all libraries - the Gulf Middle School Media Center in Cape Coral Florida is challenging EVERYONE to FREEZE and read for libraries on April 17 at 4 PM.

Here's how it works - on Saturday, April 17 at 4 PM, stop whatever you are doing and wherever you are FREEZE and read. You can do it in public or in private, and the Fabrarians at Gulf Middle School are actively encouraging classrooms to stage a Freeze-n-Read.

What a fun and cool way to celebrate National Library Week and raise awareness of libraries and their value.

So, where will you be when you FREEZE?

Libraries and frayed lifelines

2010-04-13T16:21:00.000-07:00

As we celebrate National Library Week, I am finding it hard not to dwell on the challenges that Libraries face. No one can deny that libraries across the country are dealing with challenging situations - the news is full of examples. The San Jose Public Library is confronting major cuts that could lead to libraries being open only 3 days a week; The Phoenix Public Library just avoided closing 15 branch locations but will be eliminating over 28 positions. Boston Public Library was talking about closing up to 25 branches before the public outcry forced a reconsideration of the budget. And the list goes on, all across the United States, even as we celebrate everything that libraries do and the contributions they make to their community and our society.

On Sunday, April 11, Art Brodsky published a long and impassioned article about libraries on the Huffington Post, about how the Public Library lifeline is fraying under the stress and strain of budget cuts and the economy. Mr. Brodsky highlights even more examples of the stress and strain on our public libraries, and he makes some very good points about the challenges that libraries face.

The American Library Association also released a report on the State of American Libraries, and the news isn't surprising: Libraries are more popular than ever, helping job seekers, career changers, students of all ages, families, seniors, etc. We honestly could be open every day, all day and people would be here using our services. We are the community lifeline for so many services, especially when times are tough.

While demand is high, libraries all over are dealing with budget cuts and hours reductions because of the economy. We have had to reduce hours here in Huntington Beach and we are being stretched thin in terms of resources. Without the support of the Friends and the Children's Friends, we would definitely have fewer books, fewer DVDs, fewer CDs, and less of ALL things that make up a library.

So this week, my challenge is to stay focused on what we can do and all the wonderful things that the Huntington Beach Library does already.

We really do a lot - there is always something going on and I was looking over our Calendar and there are story times, meetings, programs, homework clubs, etc. Something great is happening every day.

Our staff make all of this happen - they help people find what they need, get on the computer, keep the computers functioning, check out things, tell stories, help with homework, and come up with new and creative ways to make a difference in people's lives.

If you look at our budget, we really are a great deal. We have about 200,000 people in Huntington Beach. Our budget, before the last round of budget reductions was about $4.65 million. That works out to just about $23 per person, per year. For $23 per year, less than the cost of one hardcover book, you get access to all our books, services and resources. I'd say that is an amazing bargain.

Libraries are important. Libraries make a difference. Librarians and Library staff are amazing.

Happy National Library Week!

National Library Week, April 11 - 17

2010-04-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

This week is National Library Week, a time to celebrate libraries and the many services we provide.

Libraries are increasingly essential in today's world - we provide access to the Internet, we have information and resources for job seekers and career changers, we support families and provide all kinds of enrichment programming for children to help ensure their success in school. We have amazing staff members who are all here to help you.

If you haven't come into your library recently, I urge you to do so. You will be surprised and amazed at all the wonderful things you can find here.

Libraries across the country will be showcasing programs, training, resources and all kinds of activities and services this week.

We look forward to seeing you here and joining in with the celebration of Libraries, literacy and learning!

Libraries and the Internet, take 2

2010-03-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

On March 25, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, released a new report on Internet use in public libraries.

The report, Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Public Libraries, looked at who is using public computers and how they are using them in public libraries. The study found that some 77 million or about 1/3 of all Americans use the public library to access the Internet.

This mirrors our experience here at the Huntington Beach Public Library - the demand for our public computers continues to grow and is only limited by the number of computers that we have available. At peak times, all of our public computers along with 65 - 85 WiFi connections will be in use at the Library.

As society becomes more and more reliant on electronic information, services and resources, the Library is more and more essential. Your library is an anchor institution in the community, connecting people to information, services and resources that they need in their daily lives.

We will continue to work hard to maintain these essential services.

Public Libraries across the country

2010-03-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

This past week, as we were dealing with pending reductions in our hours and looking at our overall budget situation, I received an invitation from a colleague in New Jersey to join SAVE NJ Libraries on Facebook. Both state and local tax support for library services is in jeopardy.

Just about a week before that I received an invitation to join a group to SAVE the Los Angeles Public Library - L.A.'s enormous budget shortfall looks like it will result in severe cuts to the Public Library system.

I have also joined a group to support the San Rafael Library in their efforts to pass a parcel tax to support library services.

When the economy takes a downturn, libraries see an increase in use. We are seeing big increases right now. With a downturn, we also see a decrease in our budgets. And this time the decreases are significant. And it is happening EVERYWHERE.

I'm trying to keep us focused on what we CAN do for our residents and library users. We will work hard to meet the needs in our community even in these difficult times.

Libraries and access to the Internet

2010-03-09T12:56:00.001-08:00

Here's a good question - Is access to the Internet a fundamental right?

Public Libraries have been grappling with this question ever since our first public access computers were connected out to Internet in the 1990s. Libraries are often the only place in a community where you can get free public internet access.

Here in HB, we have made an organizational commitment to providing online access. We have over 60 public computers with high speed connections that allow you to go online and do what you need to do. We have WiFi access, so if you have a laptop, you can login and have access to all the online resources and tools that you need. We have been working on a strategic plan for the library, and our community focus groups identified public internet access as one of the most important things that we do.

Recently, the BBC conducted a Global poll on Internet accesss. In the poll, they asked individuals if they thought Internet access was a "fundamental right".

The results: 4 in 5 people do see Internet access as a fundamental right.

If Internet access is a fundamental right, how do we protect this right and provide access?

This is the challenge - the European union has come out with a strong internet freedom provision, that states that any measures taken that could limit access to the net "must respect the indivdual rights and freedom of citizens."

In most areas, the only source of free internet access is the public library. With recent budget cuts, how do we maintain access for our community? How can we support and protect the rights of our citizens?

So, the question is - Is Internet access a fundamental right in our modern world?

I'd love to hear what you think.

Libraries and Business

2010-03-08T17:03:00.000-08:00

I have written before about how libraries help their communities by supporting job seekers.

Libraries also help their communities through business development and support. A recent article in the Kiplinger Report highlights how libraries are being transformed and can foster redevelopment and economic growth. See the Kiplinger Report for March 7.

The example cited in the article is the Seattle Public Library - the downtown Seattle Library has played an important role in revitalizing Seattle's Downtown. The Library is an architectural landmark - designed by Rem Koolhass, the structure is a striking glass building that is a buzz with activity. It is a destination for Seattle and has helped draw traffic to the downtown. People come downtown and then they do other things, helping other businesses and generating more activity. Seattle's downtown has benefited significantly from its new library.

Other libraries in other cities all over the world have done similar things - locating libraries in shopping districts, combining the library with other organizations or services and creating multimedia environments that draw people in and serve as community magnets, helping to recharge and revitalize communities, helping the local economy.

Libraries attract people into town, people that visit libraries will also visit other businesses in the area or in the community. Money will be spent. This helps the overall business environment.

Libraries can also serve as entrepreneurial training grounds - local business owners can do research, craft new business ideas, learn about business trends and issues all at the library.
We also offer services that local businesses can use - meeting rooms, video conferencing, databases, etc.

Once again, the Library is a pretty amazing place, isn't it?

Libraries, budgets and hours of service

2010-03-03T13:54:00.001-08:00

This past week, the City of Huntington Beach approved recommendations from all city departments for additional budget cuts this year. We found ourselves looking to cut expenditures again, because revenues aren't keeping up with projections.

This wasn't a real surprise and we aren't alone. This is happening all over. I've heard from colleagues throughout California about hiring freezes, budget cuts, reductions in hours and service. We heard similar stories from all over the country, where libraries were facing layoffs, closures and serious overall reductions. And the budget cuts keep coming.

Libraries in general are used to operating with lean budgets - We have done a good job stretching staffing, supplies and all our resources to maintain hours and service. Here in Huntingon Beach, we have done a really good job maximizing the return on investment in staffing, materials and programs.

This time, the revenue shortfall is forcing us to make hard choices. There are no easy decisions when it comes to cutting the budget. Working as a team, our Library managers pulled together a list of recommendations that would balance the reductions throughout our system.

We decided to reduce hours at 3 locations - Central Library will be closed on Sundays. The Sunday closure means a loss of 4 hours of service at Central Library. Helen Murphy, our smallest location will close 2 additional days, for a reduction of 14 hours and the Banning Branch Library will be closed one additional day, for a 9 hour reduction.

I know that these changes will have an impact. Sundays are a popular day and I know that closing will be inconvenient for some. We had to make some tough choices - closing on Sundays allowed us to maintain our others hours at Central Library and minimized our reduction of hours as much as possible. It isn't ideal. But then these are not ideal times.

Budget cuts and reduced hours are difficult for any library, but these changes force us to be creative, to try new approaches to service and to continue providing the City with the best possible library service.

Libraries and the economy

2010-02-01T16:58:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows that our economy is slowly getting back on track - there have been some positive signs, but jobs and job creation is on everyone's mind.

Did you know that the Library is one of the best resources in the community for job seekers? More and more employers are only posting job openings online. Many require and will only accept online job applications. So if you are currently unemployed and can't afford Internet access, how do you find work?

YOU COME TO THE LIBRARY. We have free Internet computers, free Wifi access, information on resume writing, how to interview effectively, career information, etc. We are your own local job center, with friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Just this past weekend, we had a patron who had been out of work for two years come in to the library to let us know that she had found a job. She had used our computers, worked with our librarians and found resources that helped her.

Libraries do this all the time. But our legislators and our governing agencies don't know about it. When a Jobs Bill comes up, are libraries remembered as supporting our economy? No. This needs to change.

How do we do a better job sharing our stories and letting our Senators, Representatives, City Council members, and other governing bodies know what we do and why we are ESSENTIAL services?

I'd love to hear what you think.

And if you care about your library, take a moment to call or e-mail your Senators and Representatives and urge them to support libraries and library jobs, so we can help our economy!

Thanks, I will now get down off my soap box.

Boston and ALA Midwinter

2010-01-19T14:12:00.001-08:00

I just returned from the ALA Midwinter Conference in Boston - I left an icy and wet Boston to come home to a chilly, wet and windy California. Currently, we are on Tornado Watch here in HB and the County EOC has been activated. I have a new appreciation for Sandbags.

But back to Library topics - Midwinter seemed to be fairly well attended, even with the cold weather. (Cold for me that is. I am a native Californian, so I am a temperature wimp.) I toured the exhibits, found some new things, went to committee meetings and saw old friends. Unfortunately, what I heard everywhere was how we are all dealing with budget cuts...

ALA published a study on the condition of libraries just before Mid Winter and it affirms what we were all talking about at the Conference - Library use is up, with more people coming in and using our services, but our budgets are suffering. We are all looking at reductions in hours and spending in general. Here's a good summary of what all public libraries are facing.

What does this mean for our library clientele? When times are tough, people turn to their libraries for books, programs, help with finding a job, homework support, etc. Every hour we have to pull back means that many more people don't have access to what they need.

So what do more budget cuts mean? It means longer lines, fewer resources available, fewer computers, or at least fewer computers that work. It means fewer people to help fill requests, shelve books, fewer books on the shelf, fewer programs, etc.

As a library director, my challenge is to figure out how we can still provide our essential services with less money. What is most essential? Is it our computers? Is it our books? Is it the building? Is it the programs?

I'd love to hear what you think it is absolutely essential in the modern library.

Libraries, reading and E Readers

2010-01-12T11:45:00.000-08:00

As we start 2010, there is a lot of discussion and talk about the future of reading and the future of libraries. There is a lot of media buzz right now about E Readers - Amazon's Kindle did booming business over the holidays, and Barnes & Noble's new Nook reader essentially sold out after it was introduced.

More E readers are on the way, with new ones from a wide range of companies. Some of the new readers are bigger, some are thinner, some look a bit like a book, some are very modern and streamlined. From the sound of things, this is just the beginning.

So what does this mean for libraries? In a recent post I talked about what makes a library a library - well, what makes a book a book? What is the reading experience? I think we are beginning to see some real changes in the reading experience and the new E Readers are a manifestation of this change. People are getting used to viewing content in all sorts of ways.

What do the new E Readers mean for the library? We are already getting inquiries about E Books and content for E Readers. We are being asked which reader we support and which ones we might recommend.

Recently the Go to Hellman blog talked about a new future for libraries where we facilitate access to content. The forecast is for more library consolidation to provide greater access to a wider range of content, while at the same time more outlets opened to facilitate that access. So are we looking at "Super" library systems, but with lots of small outlets with computer access and pickup facilities? It is an interesting question.

As the owner of a Kindle, I do enjoy the device and use it regularly. I now read the newspaper on my Kindle, and I really enjoy the convenience when I travel. But I still read "old style" books.

So the New Year looks like the year of the E Reader - the buzz is hot and it gives us lots to think about, while we all grapple with maintaining service and budgets.

I'd love to hear what you think about all the E Reader buzz and what it means for reading and libraries. Is this just gadget enthusiasm? Or are we seeing a fundamental shift in how we read? What does this mean for libraries?

I'd love to hear what you think.

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-23T15:26:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone all the best of the season.

I look forward to our conversations in 2010.

Happy New Year!

What makes a library a library?

2009-12-09T17:12:00.000-08:00

What comes to mind when you think of a library?

This question came to mind after I read an article about a new Library Express outlet in Redmond Ridge, Washington. The King County Public Library in Washington State opened a Library Express in the master planned community of Redmond Ridge. The Express outlet is unstaffed, and library patrons can enter the building by scanning or typing in their library card number. Holds/Reserve pickup, a small collection of paperbacks, a library catalog computer and a dedicated phone line to staff at the nearby Regional Library are the services available.

I've heard of other libraries installing automated Library Kiosks in transit stations or having hold pickup outlets, taking some library services out where people are. But is the library just "commodity" distribution? What about all the other things we do? What about story time? What about the book clubs? What about the library staff?

So what goes into the library experience? Is it the books? Is it the programming? Is it the computers? Is it the people?
What is your library experience and what makes a library a library?

I'd love to hear what you think.

Netflix for Libraries?

2009-11-10T11:47:00.000-08:00

The Hayward Public Library in Northern California is launching an interesting new service for library patrons. For a fee, library patrons can have a set number of books out indefinitely, without incurring additional fines and fees. Here is the article about the Hayward Library service. (I have to thank Kathy Gould of Palos Verdes Public Library - I saw this in her blog and I had to go see what Hayward was up to. Thanks Kathy!)

Hayward has chosen not to mail materials – so patrons come into the library, but they don’t have to worry about due dates or renewals.

I would love to hear what you think about this idea – Would you be willing to pay the library a monthly fee so you wouldn’t have to worry about due dates and fines? Would this work in Huntington Beach?

Reading at the Beach...

2009-11-05T14:55:00.000-08:00

Here’s an interesting idea –

In the Netherlands, a number of public libraries set up Beach Branch Libraries. The Beach library was set up right on the sand, during the summer for 6 weeks. There were no fines, no fees, no library cards. To borrow something you just sign your name and address.

They have averaged 15,000 circulations during the 6 week period with only 1% of borrowed items not being returned. About 25,000 people visit the beach branches during the same period. The Beach libraries have circulated everything from books to IPods, audiobooks to Ebooks. The Beach libraries have also offered yoga classes and creative writing workshops for beachgoers.

Some preliminary research shows that the beach branches don’t bring new patrons to the regular library. But it is one way to take the library to the people.

I’d love to hear what people think about Libraries on the Sand…

Talking with people

2009-09-14T16:23:00.000-07:00

As a leader, and as the Director of a large Library, I am regularly confronted with the challenge of communication.

What is the best way to communicate with my staff?
What is the best way to communicate with Library customers/patrons/clients?

How can I be sure that the community knows all the great things we do here at the Library and the services we provide?

Well, on Tuesday, September 15, at 2 PM, I’m having my first “coffee with the director” discussion. I will be here at the Central Library in our Balboa Room downstairs, with the door open. If you are interested in talking about the Huntington Beach Library, what you like about the library and what you’d like to see us do in the future, drop in and chat for awhile.

There will be coffee and there will be cookies to go along with the conversation.

I’d love to hear what you think about our Library.

I’m planning 2 other Coffee discussions – another one in the Balboa Room at Central Library at 2 PM on September 22 and then another session at our Main Street Library on September 23 at 2 PM.

I look forward to our conversation.

Summer Reading

2009-08-19T15:57:00.000-07:00

I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite summer activities is reading – and it appears that I am not alone -

Summer is winding down and I am thrilled to report that it has been a TERRIFIC summer for reading in Huntington Beach. Over 5,314 children and over 400 Teens all participated in our summer reading programs. Not to be left out, we had 580 adults reading through the summer.

We averaged 1,700 children’s books checked out EVERYDAY during summer reading. That’s pretty amazing.

Congratulations to all the participants – you are all winners because of your reading!

Get your Geek on!

2009-08-04T17:28:00.000-07:00

What do you Geek?

I love the new Library Advocacy/Public Awareness campaign that was just launched this summer in Georgia and Iowa – the website is http://www.geekthelibrary.org/

People can log on and tell others what they “Geek” and find out how the Library can help them “Get their Geek on”.

Sponsored by OCLC (the Online Computer Library Center), the new Geek the Library campaign is partially supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to help develop an effective public awareness campaign for all libraries.

Libraries are amazing places, where your Inner Geek can break free and shine – we just need to get the word out about the wonderful things @ your library.

So, what do you Geek? I'd love to hear...

The American Library Association Conference

2009-07-20T17:14:00.000-07:00

Things I brought back from Chicago…

I attended the American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago, running from July 10 – 14. I am serving on 3 committees, so my time was taken up with lots of meetings, but I did manage to see some of the Conference exhibits and to hear some of the library buzz out in the halls. And of course, there was the Book Cart Drill Team Championships. (See this year’s winners at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106561675 )

I was so engrossed in meetings that I didn’t get to see many programs. But I did get to hear how other libraries are coping with the current economic crisis – how things are going, how busy we all are, how libraries are more important than ever.

I got to see and test some really interesting and exciting new automated library machines – the Go Library and the Lending Library. These machines are like an ATM or Vending machine for library books. The Go Library is really like an ATM – it is a kiosk and you do everything on screen and then the machine releases your item to you. Or lets you return it.

The Lending Library by Brodart is more like a Red Box Video machine or a regular vending machine. You can see the books and select them, checking them out with a sweep of your library card.

Both machines present interesting possibilities for expanding the library’s reach out into the community. The Go Library is being tested in Northern California at BART stations.

And then there is the unexpected take away from the Conference -

I brought back a pretty inspirational Customer Service mantra courtesy of a famous Deli – Zingerman’s of Ann Arbor. Zingerman's Ari Weinzweig was at ALA, making a presentation on his newest book Zingerman's Guide to Better Bacon. (After all, everything is better with bacon)

Apparently, Zingerman’s has an amazing customer service creed that they live by – Here’s the link to the Zingerman web site http://www.zingermans.com/CustService.aspx#guarantee

Good food and happy customers – Zingerman’s is doing it right.

I love that we can learn something from a Deli on how to treat our customers/patrons/clients.

READ, RENEW, RETURN

2009-06-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

We don't often think about it, but Libraries are by their very nature GREEN –

We buy the books and then the community shares them. Any of our items can be checked out and returned MANY, MANY times. We save you money and we save resources.

The Environmental Protection Agency is promoting libraries as a great way to help save the Planet. Check out this link - http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2009/06/23/climate-for-action-save-some-money%E2%80%A6and-the-planet/

Thanks to our Friends of the Library for sharing this link with me!

If you are looking for other ways to be kind to the planet, come into the Library. We have lots of guides and information about how to live Green. We can all make a difference.

How do you take care of the planet?

The new Kindle DX from Amazon

2009-06-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

My new Kindle DX -

Recently I purchased a Kindle DX from Amazon. I wanted to see what the new electronic readers were like and the new DX had a good sized reading area and seemed to have more features that I could use.

Well, I have to say after having the little white device for over 2 weeks I find that I like it.

It is definitely growing on me...

The best thing about the DX is the “whispernet” wireless connection to Amazon. The instant gratification of downloading a book that I want wherever I am is pretty amazing. But it is easy to be tempted – you have this new device with all this space on it. I have to BUY something, just so I have things on the DX.

I also like the size and weight – it is easy to read, easy to change type font, easy to navigate around. And it certainly reduces the weight of my tote bag coming into work! These are all good things.

What I don’t like about it is the price of books – it is better than purchasing hardcovers (even the ones at Costco that are steeply discounted.). But it is still $10 per book, more or less. So this takes the place of a paperback habit.

I’m going to be taking my Kindle with me on a business trip in July, and I will see how it does as my reading device. I can use it on the airplane – but like all electronic equipment I’ll have to turn in off on takeoff and landing.

So, what does the Kindle mean for libraries? A few libraries are starting to experiment with checking out Kindles so people can try them. I’m wondering about Ebooks in PDF – there’s another source for content. And if the Textbooks on the Kindle tests work, I can see this happening soon.

Do you have a Kindle? Do you want one? Would you want the Library to have books you could "borrow" on the Kindle?

I’d love to hear what people think about the new readers.

Our Main Street Library

2009-06-24T14:45:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of wild talk recently about the Main Street Library –

People have been signing petitions, staging rallies and talking about needing to SAVE the Main Street Library.

I am pleased that the Main Street Library has such strong support .

I would like to put everyone’s mind at rest. The Main Street Library isn’t going anywhere. It isn’t about to be torn down.

The City is updating the Downtown Specific Plan and the Library and the Library site are included in the plan area. The plan mentions a possible concept for the Main Street location, that would create a cultural overlay district in this section of Downtown where art and culture would come together.

The concept that is mentioned in the plan is just that – it is one concept. It isn’t an actual plan or project.

Before any project could even be considered there would be meetings to gather public input and lots of public discussions about how to create a cultural district or commons area at Main Street that would meet the needs of residents and enhance the Downtown environment.

We have just started to talk about what it would take to provide a real 21st century library at our Main Street location. The Library and Library Board of Trustees will be involved in any discussion about the Main Street Library and we will want to hear from everyone in the neighborhood about what they want and need.

I believe that Libraries are amazing places of transformation and growth, and my job is to ensure that all of the Huntington Beach Public Library locations provide the kinds of services that make that happen. I want to make Main Street the best possible library it can be – this may eventually mean some changes will have to be made, but the Main Street Library isn’t going anywhere.

I am happy to talk to anyone about Main Street and how we can make the library better.

Libraries, Books & Gadgets

2009-06-23T16:11:00.000-07:00

The Apple Iphone 3 Gs is a big hit, with lines of people waiting to pick up the new smart phone. Blackberry and Palm have both introduced their new touch screen smart phones and more applications are being developed for these new phones.

The appeal of a smart phone is clear – you have one device that acts almost as your own personal manager/laptop. You can check e-mail, look at Facebook, text message friends and family as well as find out where you are with GPS information. One small device can carry your calendar, your contacts, serve as your phone and e-mail/text device. You can even read a book on the IPhone, with a special application developed by Amazon.com.

Libraries are watching the new technology and looking for ways to make it easier for smart phone users to access library services. Library catalogs, like the Huntington Beach Library catalog are available online and can be searched on a smart phone.

Some libraries are introducing IPhone applications for their catalogs and looking at additional ways to make it easier for smart phone users to connect to their library.

We are looking at ways to get the Huntington Beach Library out where our library patrons are – we will continue to look at adding new features and technology that can help people find what they want and need.

Even with budget cuts, we are looking at more Ebooks, both audio and text – both of which work on smart phones. We hope to figure out how we can provide whatever form of content that our library patrons want. If you have an IPhone, a Pre or a Blackberry, it shouldn’t matter – our library services should be “device agnostic”.

But don’t worry - a “device agnostic” library also means a book friendly library, where you can still find that old friend the Book.

The Value of Libraries

2009-06-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

Libraries are incredible returns on investment -

This month we launched our new HBPL website with a whole new look. I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight an important new feature - our Library Value Calculator.

The Library Value Calculator shows you the value of the various services that we provide.

Just go to the calculator and enter the number of books, cds, DVDs, etc. that you check out each month, and the calculator will show you how much that is worth if you were to purchase the same items from any retailer.

You’ll be amazed at how much you save just by coming to the Library and taking advantage of our services.

Across the country, libraries are doing studies on the return on investment for library services. A Community Library gives back at least $4 for every dollar invested in the Library. You can’t beat that.

So come on in and visit your Library. The best deal in Huntington Beach.
We hope to see you soon.

New! Take our Library Survey

2009-06-08T16:58:00.000-07:00

We need your help! We are trying to find out what you think about the Huntington Beach Public Library.

We have designed a few short surveys on different services that we offer here at the Library. These are online surveys and they are short and sweet.

Please take the time to go to our website, www.hbpl.org and click on the survey buttons. If you fill out the survey and give us your contact information, your name will be entered into a random drawing for a free DVD rental at the Library.

Your feedback will be incorporated into our strategic planning process, to help us determine the direction for the Library over the next few years.

This is your library. Let us know what you think.

2009-06-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

My first “official” blog post

Hi, I am Stephanie Beverage, the Director of the Huntington Beach Public Library and this is my first official blog post here!

I’ve been working in public libraries for quite a while and one of the most interesting new trends I’ve seen is the increase in communication between libraries and their supporters. Blogs, Wikis and other Web 2.0 technologies really let us hear from you, our library patrons and customers.

We have a really terrific library here in Huntington Beach and I want to make sure that the library just keeps getting better and better. To do that, I know I need to hear from everyone in the community, to find out what you want, what you need and how we might be able to make your lives better and easier.

I also see this blog as a way for me to let you know about the new things we are doing or trying and to talk about trends and developments in libraries that we might want to explore.

One of my most important roles as a Library Director is to serve as a Change Agent and futurist for the Library. What will libraries look like in 3, 5, 10 years from now? What kinds of services will we offer? Are there new ways to connect people to reading and information that can make things easier and faster? What can we do to improve and better meet your needs?

These and other topics will be some of the themes in my discussions in this blog. But I nothing is written in stone. That is one of the great things about blogging – we can talk about whatever is hot, whatever is of the moment. We can talk about details or we can talk about philosophy.

All in all, it should be fun!