For you non-librarians out there, this may be the first you have heard of this. For those in the know, skip to the video which shows the wear-and-tear of 26+ loans.
On Friday, publisher HarperCollins announced that they would be limiting the use of their ebooks for libraries to 26 loans. This prompted outrage from throughout the public library community. With declining revenues and increasing demand, public libraries like Plainfield are struggling to provide the things our residents need and want. You may recall that demand for ebooks following Christmas resulted in the crashing of the OverDrive site, through which Plainfield provides ebooks and downloadable audiobooks.
HarperCollins responded on Tuesday with additional information about their decision. While one understands their desire to maintain their own revenue stream, 26 loans is an extremely low and arbitrary number. In the normal course of operations, libraries do purchase replacement copies of older books in order to continue making them available. What is not acknowledged is that public libraries also make use of donated books for replacement purposes, a practice that is not available with ebooks.
To demonstrate the point that 26 loans is not a realistic reflection of use before replacement, the Pioneer Library System in Oklahoma pulled few HarperCollins books that had been loaned more than 26 times to show typical wear-and-tear:
Time Magazine's online edition included another take on the issue.
The question of licensing and the limiting of ebook use isn't settled. Perhaps a tiered system, similar to the lease program for books, may come into play. As it stands now, HarperCollins decision will hamper the ability of this public library to meet the high demand for ebooks, so recently expressed by our residents.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Blatant Thievery of Blog Post
Friend and fellow librarian Jennie Cisna Mills, Director of the Shorewood-Troy Public Library District, posted to her blog yesterday about Librarian Myths. She brings up some of the persistent myths about librarians, particularly the one about getting to read all of the time at work. The opposite is more likely to be true. You wind up taking books home that aren't your choice, to prep for moderating a book discussion group or to keep up with professional journals. If you see a library staffer on Blogger or Facebook at the Plainfield Library, they are likely posting to one of our six very active blogs or responding to comments on the Library's Facebook page. Libraries do run more like small businesses than most people would think, and busy ones at that!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Tell Us What You Think!
As I posted back in December, 2011 will be a planning year for the Library. The key component that all of our planning processes have in common is YOU! We need community input and participation to guide us, so that your library service continues to fulfill your needs. With your input, the Board of Trustees, staff and I can ensure that the Library's services and priorities reflect what you want and need from your library.
The first focus group session for the Strategic Planning process included 12 participants from around the community. Their opinions and thoughts will be used in the development of a plan that will guide the service and budget decisions for the Library for the next 3-5 years. You can still participate - on Thursday, February 24 at 7:00pm or Saturday, February 26 at 1:00pm, in the Large Meeting Room. You only need to attend one session. Childcare will be offered by volunteers in the Storytime Room during the Thursday evening session only.
In reviewing and revising expansion plans to go on the ballot in 2012, the Library is seeking volunteers to participate on a committee to provide feedback on the revisions early in the process. Later this year, this committee will assist by giving opinions on expansion options, from size to location to cost, to ensure that the final expansion plan package reflects today's community need and challenges.
Your willingness to help gives your Library an invaluable resource for planning: your opinions! Join us for a focus group. Volunteer for the expansion planning committee. Give us your ideas for the future of the Library in an email, phone call, text or letter. Tell us what you think!
The first focus group session for the Strategic Planning process included 12 participants from around the community. Their opinions and thoughts will be used in the development of a plan that will guide the service and budget decisions for the Library for the next 3-5 years. You can still participate - on Thursday, February 24 at 7:00pm or Saturday, February 26 at 1:00pm, in the Large Meeting Room. You only need to attend one session. Childcare will be offered by volunteers in the Storytime Room during the Thursday evening session only.
In reviewing and revising expansion plans to go on the ballot in 2012, the Library is seeking volunteers to participate on a committee to provide feedback on the revisions early in the process. Later this year, this committee will assist by giving opinions on expansion options, from size to location to cost, to ensure that the final expansion plan package reflects today's community need and challenges.
Your willingness to help gives your Library an invaluable resource for planning: your opinions! Join us for a focus group. Volunteer for the expansion planning committee. Give us your ideas for the future of the Library in an email, phone call, text or letter. Tell us what you think!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Library Closed, Programs Cancelled through February 3
The Plainfield Public Library District is closed today, February 2 and will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, February 3. All programs are cancelled for both days, including the Strategic Plan Focus Group, which will be rescheuled.
My apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. The Library's policy is to follow the extreme weather closings of the school districts it serves. Closings are posted on the Emergency Closings Center web site, the Cancellations web site, Library web site, Library Facebook page and on the front doors of the Library building. The Library's automated phone system also includes closing information.
My apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. The Library's policy is to follow the extreme weather closings of the school districts it serves. Closings are posted on the Emergency Closings Center web site, the Cancellations web site, Library web site, Library Facebook page and on the front doors of the Library building. The Library's automated phone system also includes closing information.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Focus Groups to Help the Library Plan for the Future
The Plainfield Public Library District wants your input on the future of the Library. Using a streamlined planning process outlined in the American Library Association’s publication, “Planning for Results”, four focus groups will gather information from residents on community needs. Your opinions and ideas will help the Library Board of Trustees and staff make decisions about budgets and services for the next 3-5 years. All it takes to join the conversation is a willingness to participate and a commitment to attend one Strategic Planning session.
Focus group sessions will be held on:
• Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 7:00pm
• Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 10:00am
• Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 7:00pm
• Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 1:00pm
All sessions will take place in the Library’s Large Meeting Room with a volunteer facilitator. The focus groups are open to all residents of the Library District. Refreshments will be served. Visit our web site at www.plainfield.lib.il.us to register for one of the Strategic Plan Focus Groups. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.
Childcare will be available during the Thursday, February 3 and Thursday, February 24 focus group sessions for the Plainfield Public Library. Volunteers will supervise age-appropriate crafts, stories and games with the kids in the Storytime Room from 7-8pm to allow parents and caregivers to attend the focus group session. Childcare will not be available for the Saturday sessions.
Come share your thoughts, opinions and ideas for the future of library service in Plainfield!
Focus group sessions will be held on:
• Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 7:00pm
• Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 10:00am
• Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 7:00pm
• Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 1:00pm
All sessions will take place in the Library’s Large Meeting Room with a volunteer facilitator. The focus groups are open to all residents of the Library District. Refreshments will be served. Visit our web site at www.plainfield.lib.il.us to register for one of the Strategic Plan Focus Groups. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.
Childcare will be available during the Thursday, February 3 and Thursday, February 24 focus group sessions for the Plainfield Public Library. Volunteers will supervise age-appropriate crafts, stories and games with the kids in the Storytime Room from 7-8pm to allow parents and caregivers to attend the focus group session. Childcare will not be available for the Saturday sessions.
Come share your thoughts, opinions and ideas for the future of library service in Plainfield!
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Enterprise Asked "How Does the Library Compete?"
In case you missed it, the Enterprise newspaper's recap of 2010 issue included an editorial that asked about how the Library competes in today's technology-driven world. Below is my response, also printed in this week's newspaper:
The “Happy New Year?” editorial asked “How does the library compete in an ever increasingly [sic] technological market?”
Technology is a tool. Books may have been the first tool used by public libraries to provide access to information, but they are not the only tool. Technology has reshaped the way libraries deliver information, but the basic mission of providing access to information continues. Plainfield Public Library District uses technology to keep up with the needs of the Plainfield community in a time when demand for service is greater than ever.
In 2010, you checked out over 756,000 items from the Plainfield Public Library, an increase of 24% over 2009. Those check outs include a wide variety of formats beyond books: ebooks, downloadable audiobooks, video games, CD audiobooks, DVDs, music CDs, Blu-Ray DVDs, downloadable videos, software on CD and more. Not included in that figure is your access to dozens of databases and online services like Ancestry.com and Homework Help Now that would not be available without today’s technology.
Computers and Internet for the public are core services at your Library, never dreamt of when public libraries were invented. You can get access to your Library’s resources and collections with a Library computer or your own, in the Library or from anywhere in the world, using the Library’s wired connection, free Wi-Fi or your own Internet access to connect to the wide range of services and collections available to you from the Library’s 24/7 branch: the Library website www.plainfield.lib.il.us. At Plainfield Public Library, you can find both computers and help using them - from getting your resume printed out to a computer class for learning new skills, from a quick answer to a “how do I…” question to Book a Librarian one-on-one training. In December alone, users logged onto Library computers for over 6,200 sessions, more than 18 public computers used every minute the Plainfield Public Library was open in December. Demand for Library computers has swelled from 3,700 sessions in 2004 to nearly 50,000 in 2010. Whether you type a paper, check your email or fill out an online application for a job, this service is essential to many who cannot afford or choose not to have a computer or high-speed Internet access at home.
Beyond offering more formats than ever before and computers for public use, Plainfield Public Library is keeping up with the latest technology you want to use. E-readers were the must-have gift this Christmas. Your Library was ready with the MyMediaMall downloadable collection of ebooks and downloadable audiobooks. So many library users went on the MyMediaMall site in the first few days after Christmas, the site crashed. Upon its revival, you checked out nearly the entire Plainfield Public Library ebook collection, prompting your Library staff to make increasing the ebook and downloadable collections a priority. One of only 17 libraries selected from throughout the United States to pilot the Sony Reader Library Program, your Library is partnering with Sony and local businesses to market e-readers, downloadable collections and how to use them. Starting with e-readers donated by Sony, you can now check out e-readers, adding one more way technology is changing how you use your Library.
Today’s question is not how libraries compete, but how does your Library keep up with your needs as technology changes? Plainfield Public Library District uses technology as a tool in its mission to Educate - Captivate - Connect.
The “Happy New Year?” editorial asked “How does the library compete in an ever increasingly [sic] technological market?”
Technology is a tool. Books may have been the first tool used by public libraries to provide access to information, but they are not the only tool. Technology has reshaped the way libraries deliver information, but the basic mission of providing access to information continues. Plainfield Public Library District uses technology to keep up with the needs of the Plainfield community in a time when demand for service is greater than ever.
In 2010, you checked out over 756,000 items from the Plainfield Public Library, an increase of 24% over 2009. Those check outs include a wide variety of formats beyond books: ebooks, downloadable audiobooks, video games, CD audiobooks, DVDs, music CDs, Blu-Ray DVDs, downloadable videos, software on CD and more. Not included in that figure is your access to dozens of databases and online services like Ancestry.com and Homework Help Now that would not be available without today’s technology.
Computers and Internet for the public are core services at your Library, never dreamt of when public libraries were invented. You can get access to your Library’s resources and collections with a Library computer or your own, in the Library or from anywhere in the world, using the Library’s wired connection, free Wi-Fi or your own Internet access to connect to the wide range of services and collections available to you from the Library’s 24/7 branch: the Library website www.plainfield.lib.il.us. At Plainfield Public Library, you can find both computers and help using them - from getting your resume printed out to a computer class for learning new skills, from a quick answer to a “how do I…” question to Book a Librarian one-on-one training. In December alone, users logged onto Library computers for over 6,200 sessions, more than 18 public computers used every minute the Plainfield Public Library was open in December. Demand for Library computers has swelled from 3,700 sessions in 2004 to nearly 50,000 in 2010. Whether you type a paper, check your email or fill out an online application for a job, this service is essential to many who cannot afford or choose not to have a computer or high-speed Internet access at home.
Beyond offering more formats than ever before and computers for public use, Plainfield Public Library is keeping up with the latest technology you want to use. E-readers were the must-have gift this Christmas. Your Library was ready with the MyMediaMall downloadable collection of ebooks and downloadable audiobooks. So many library users went on the MyMediaMall site in the first few days after Christmas, the site crashed. Upon its revival, you checked out nearly the entire Plainfield Public Library ebook collection, prompting your Library staff to make increasing the ebook and downloadable collections a priority. One of only 17 libraries selected from throughout the United States to pilot the Sony Reader Library Program, your Library is partnering with Sony and local businesses to market e-readers, downloadable collections and how to use them. Starting with e-readers donated by Sony, you can now check out e-readers, adding one more way technology is changing how you use your Library.
Today’s question is not how libraries compete, but how does your Library keep up with your needs as technology changes? Plainfield Public Library District uses technology as a tool in its mission to Educate - Captivate - Connect.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Spreading Christmas Cheer at the Library
I thought this was fun and entertaining! A flash mob rang bells and sang Jingle Bells at a library in Kansas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)