Lori Reed | 2009

Congratulations Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

December 7, 2009 By Lori Reed Leave a Comment

Congratulations to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library staff and the community!

From a November 24, 2009 press release:

Just nine months after it was first recognized among the top libraries in the country in a national index of public library service from the Library Journal, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has once again been designated a “Five-Star” library.

The Library Journal Index of Public Library Service is a “star” rating system similar to the Michelin and Mobile guides used for restaurants and hotels. First in February 2009, then again in November 2009, they have given the Library a Five-Star rating, the highest possible. The inclusion of the Library in this select grouping is a credit not only to the organization and its employees, but also to the community that it serves.

In addition to its Five-Star rating, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is the only library system in NC that earned a star rating on the LJ Index. Among 15 libraries in comparable budget categories, the Library ranked #5 in overall score and was one of only 3 library systems in the Southeast to receive a Five-Star rating (there were two in Florida). In addition, in its budget category, the Library ranked #1 in program attendance per capita.

The current LJ Index is based on 2007 data reported by local libraries to their state library agencies and compiled by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This is an index of public library service, determined equally by four output indicators: visits, circulation, program attendance, and public Internet computer use. The LJ Index rated a total of 7,268 public libraries from across the nation. For Fact Sheet and more information about the LJ Index, visit libraryjournal.com/ljindex2009.

Filed under: News

Introducing…Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

December 3, 2009 By Lori Reed 4 Comments

David Lee King and I once bantered about whose library has the longest name…

Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County

Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library

I think I won.

Many of us have commented that PLCMC is the longest library name in the country. It is a mouthful to say! Just watch this video!

So I am happy to share that we have a new name…Charlotte Mecklenburg Library…or CMLibrary for short.

According to the Library’s November 30th press release:

Very few visible signs of the change have been seen yet, due to a gradual rollout process geared toward saving resources in a tight budget year.

The Library has gone by several names over the years. Past names include Charlotte Public School Library (1901-1903), Charlotte Carnegie Public Library (1903-1925), Charlotte Public Library (1925-1945), and most recently, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (1945-2009).

The most recent decision to change the name was made in 2007 as part of a larger initiative to better communicate the impact of the Library. The library’s long name had become an acronym – PLCMC – that was meaningless to most customers. This was documented in “person on the street” interviews with average citizens, many of whom did not know the Library’s name or what PLCMC meant. The Library also did a visual assessment of its 24 locations and discovered that many identifying signs were either non-existent, invisible from the road, or so inconsistent that someone would have no idea that their local library was part of a larger system.

The name change represents but one part of a much larger plan which includes better identification of library locations and services, a new visual “look” that will tie everything together, more customer-focused communications, and a unified approach to customer service in all locations. These changes will help make our libraries easier to find and use, and will help customers understand that they can choose between 24 convenient locations. The implementation of this plan is designed to be as cost neutral as possible.

Next steps will include using the new name on printed materials as supplies run out, beginning in December; and switching the look and URL of our Web site (www.cmlibrary.org) in January 2010. The old URL and email addresses at plcmc.org will continue to work for the foreseeable future, so that old printed items can still be used. Also, a new design for exterior signage will debut with the Hickory Grove branch opening in February. This will be the template for all exterior signs in new construction projects going forward. There are no current plans to replace signs at existing locations.

In addition to the new name we have a new logo.

The logo symbol is an “L” shape consisting of two opposing shapes – one straight and reserved, the other curvy and venturesome – symbolizing that the library system comprises the best of its historic traditions and the most creative of contemporary trends.

The new logo will be part of new signs for our libraries. Developing consistent signage inside and outside our libraries will help people find our libraries. New exterior signage will debut at the new Hickory Grove branch when it opens in February 2010, and at other locations as funding permits.

I think the most exciting thing about the whole plan is the opportunity to remind the community that each individual branch is part of a much larger system of resources. It also helps people understand that their Charlotte Mecklenburg Library card can be used at any location.

Filed under: News

Tech Training Made Simple with Online Videos

November 13, 2009 By Lori Reed Leave a Comment

From TechSoup:

Wouldn’t it be great if complicated technology concepts were explained in a simple way that’s easy to understand? Imagine how something like this could assist you in training sessions for patrons or staff. Well look no further, Common Craft creates explanatory videos “In Plain English” that cover topics like green, money, society and technology.

In this free webinar, Stephanie Gerding from TechSoup will interview Lee LeFever, from Common Craft to learn more about their videos and how they are created. We will also hear how librarians are using these videos to support the needs of their community.

Wednesday, November 18 from 2-3pm EST

Filed under: Training for Trainers

IL2009: Trying Not to Filter: Internet Filtering Technologies Update

November 8, 2009 By Lori Reed Leave a Comment

Tuesday morning I headed to a presentation in the Internet @ Schools West track given by Sarah Houghton-Jan on Internet filtering.

Some of the key points from this session:

Filters do not work because the current definition of obscenity does not work on the Internet.
Accuracy of filters is still an issue–in both directions–filters both over block some good material and under block objectionable material.
Sarah spent months testing filters and found that among the four she tested, the accuracy for filtering text-based Web pages was 81%, accuracy for image searches 44%, and accuracy for e-mail attachments 25%.
81% was the best rating out of all the filters tested for any category.
When patrons hit a blocked site they will most likely be too embarrassed to ask for legitimate sites to be unblocked.
Examples of legitimate sites that were blocked: WebMD, wikipedia entry about Hustler, WWII history site, National Geographic site about beavers.
It’s not only commercial Web sites that were blocked. The library’s own online resources were blocked.
It’s also easy to get around filters with portal sites or sites that allow you to click through via a thumbnail image. Adult images on Web pages that did not have sexual text were not blocked. Sites that contained misspelled words such as pron or pr0n instead of porn were not blocked.
Sarah cited other studies conducted between 2001-2008 showed about the same ratings as SJPL.
In sum, “All filters block a wide range of constitutionally protected content in attempt to block other content.”
Filters falsely block many valuable web pages and other online resources such as war, genocide, safe sex, public health.
If you have filters in place advise your customers what their experience is going to be like and that good sites WILL BE BLOCKED.
Do not send the message to parents and patrons that filters will protect children.
To combat filters: use stats from other studies, do good research, collect anecdotal stories.
Final result for SJPL: Filtering was not put in place. Now there is a resolution to NEVER filter so it can’t come up again.
Price makes a difference. The more you pay the more flexible the filter is. You really get what you pay for.
“ERATE isn’t worth it” for filtering according to Houghton-Jan. Have to figure in other costs…staff time for research, install, maintenance.

One of the key take aways from this session is that if you are living with filters in your library, education for the community is key. If you want to fight filters take a look at the work already done by San Jose Public Library.

You can find a copy of Sarah’s slides and links to more resources at her site librarianinblack.net.

Filed under: Conferences

IL2009: Sneaking the Social Web Into Your Library & Going Beyond 23 Things

November 8, 2009 By Lori Reed Leave a Comment

I presented this session Monday afternoon with Bobbi Newman and Erin Downey-Howerton. My portion of the session, 23 Things & Beyond, reviewed Learning 2.0 and 23 Things. There were people in the audience who still had not heard of this great program. I introduced the key principles of 23 Things programs connection, collaboration, play, and prizes. Then I presented some ideas for what to do after a 23 Things program.

The challenge here is how to continue the momentum when the prizes are given out and the official program is over. When does learning become its own reward for staff? I shared the Learning 2.1 site which is where PLCMC continued its Web 2.0 learning. I also shared Learn Chat a twitter based discussion group for trainers that takes place on Twitter on Thursday nights.

One of the keys to engaging learners online is to reach out to them in their native environments. Many of our staff are already on Facebook so that has become a natural place for me to reach them. I’ve begun posting status updates during the day to let staff know where I am and how they can reach me. A few staff contact me regularly through Facebook chat to ask questions about training and registration. I foresee some research in my future about demonstrating the value of allowing staff to use social networking sites while at work.

I ended the presentation with the steps to creating a marketing/learning/really any plan.

Identify a need.
Research.
Identify the audience.
Identify objectives. Output or outcome?
Craft your message.
Find the right platform/tools.
Develop a plan.
Evaluate. How will you know what worked?

Notice that you don’t even consider whether to use Facebook, Twitter, or blogs until step 6. It’s crucial to first identify a need, your audience, and objectives before thinking about how to get your message out. That’s not to say that you can’t play. Play is essential for learning! But when you are creating a strategic, long-term plan it’s important to lay the groundwork for success.

23 Things and Beyond: Using the Social Web for Learning

View more presentations from Lori Reed.