I really like library conferences. I like learning whats new and where libraries are going. On that note, I don't think most conferences have programming on bookmobile service, and I am talking big conferences ALA, PLA. I wish they did because then more bookmobile staff would attend these conferences and it would educate other library staff about bookmobile services.
I do get to go to the ABOS 2008 conference being held in Columbus Ohio. I'm looking forward to the programming and meeting other bookmobile folks.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Notes and ideas from ABOS conference 2007
ABOS Conference Summary 2007
2006 ABOS website launched
New Logo
Power point lectures on website
10/8-10/11 2008 conference in Columbus Ohio, University Plaza
ABOS is separate from Association of Rural and Small Libraries – ARSL is for libraries servicing a population of 25,000 or less.
John Phillip award goes to Carol Hole. Award based on – leadership role, readily recognized, visible in community, contribution to community, look to them for information, behind the scenes, knowledge, experience, mentor, longevity, technology, publication, passion.
Braille and Talking Book Library presentation by Diana Sussman Brawley
- Starting in 2008 they will pass out new digital players, bypassing cds. They will use a flash drive. They are battery operated. They hope to have them all passed out by 2011.
- Can order materials from the website. They also include playaways.
- How to determine if this program is appropriate for someone – Can they read comfortably? Not just visual impairment, but physical too. Can they lift a LT book? Also for people who have reading disabilities.
- Librarians can sign the application for the Braille and Talking book library except in the case of learning disabilities.
- BTBL has adult and children’s materials available.
- Promoting service as “free” might deter people because people are generally suspicious of anything marked “free.” Better to promote as “no charge.”
Info eyes http://www.infoeyes.org/
OPAL! http://www.opal-online.org/
Read Please http://www.readplease.com/
Boston Braille press http://www.nbp.org/
How We Do It! Models of service – The Tulsa City County LibraryAmy Stephens and Brad Thomas
- 25 locations, Millennium III, Daily delivery service. They have their own collection.
- First Bookmobile in 1930’s, Alma Reid McGlenn
- 1960’s Ms Gerry Herdon shut in service, 11 bookmobiles
- 1970’s Mod mobile, neighborhoods, nursing homes, shut ins, show films, county jail
- 1980’s At risk, housing authority, (BK doesn’t go to schools any more) Tulsa talking book distribution center.
- 1990’s New BK
- 2000 Automated BK homebound books by mail – free matter for the blind, - merchandise return. 2 clerks, 1 manager, 3 full time associates, 1 half time associate (associate is a beginning professional) They have a night shift 4 nights a week from 3-8pm. No weekends. 16 visits/week to low income housing. Weekly rotation.5 item limit, no fines, separate patron type, no money on board, “BK card,” don’t worry about lost items, forgive fines/lenient, look for pattern of damage, when they aren’t allowed to checkout from BK anymore they use giveaways. They have a kid’s only bookmobile bag that says “my bookmobile books.” Teach responsibility. Has a clip to hold card. Comes to about $3 a bag.2 Laptops connected through Ethernet, connect real time to ILS server, sprint sierra 580 eudo card.They have a filing system for all their homebound patrons, keep book lists for them so they know what they like, already read etc. This is good because we keep so much information in our heads, when someone is out sick or whatever the other staff don’t know what to pull.
- Isolation – Get staff out there – education of system, attend all branch meetings, staff from other branches as volunteers. Advocate bookmobile.- Wrap – used real pictures of patrons. Don’t forget about a wrap guarantee if something happens to it, take it back!- Reading Road Show – Children’s librarian day care story time literacy performer
Library services to the aged and housebound by Gayle Rowden, Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Australia.
- Utilize volunteers for homebound deliver service. They have to go through background check. Volunteers liability covered by the library.
- Emphasized partnerships with other organizations, councils, learning providers, agencies. Also BBC + library, and Amazon.com + library.
- They have a grab bar in between each column of bookshelves.
- They do reminisce programs, oral history gatherings, “do you remember when”
- Customer service is very important to them. Libraries are more social work, they try to get out in the community, talk to people, make it personal. They outsource selection and cataloging to make more time for other things.
- They got the city to install “Mobile Library Parking” signs.
- Their motto is to inform, educate, inspire and connect.
- Their plans for the future – loan out laptops, book review program pass around 3 books publish the remarks.
Discussion group session – vehicle maintenance – maintenance schedule checklist – daily, weekly and annually, end of the day problem list plus weather conditions, 2 disposable cameras in case of accidents.
Got the Mobile library occupational health and safety guidelines from Bruce Meyers, Swan Hill, Victoria, Australia
Ideas:
Bookmobile open house at libraries, popcorn on a Saturday.
Bookmobile stickers like “I visited the bookmobile today!”
2006 ABOS website launched
New Logo
Power point lectures on website
10/8-10/11 2008 conference in Columbus Ohio, University Plaza
ABOS is separate from Association of Rural and Small Libraries – ARSL is for libraries servicing a population of 25,000 or less.
John Phillip award goes to Carol Hole. Award based on – leadership role, readily recognized, visible in community, contribution to community, look to them for information, behind the scenes, knowledge, experience, mentor, longevity, technology, publication, passion.
Braille and Talking Book Library presentation by Diana Sussman Brawley
- Starting in 2008 they will pass out new digital players, bypassing cds. They will use a flash drive. They are battery operated. They hope to have them all passed out by 2011.
- Can order materials from the website. They also include playaways.
- How to determine if this program is appropriate for someone – Can they read comfortably? Not just visual impairment, but physical too. Can they lift a LT book? Also for people who have reading disabilities.
- Librarians can sign the application for the Braille and Talking book library except in the case of learning disabilities.
- BTBL has adult and children’s materials available.
- Promoting service as “free” might deter people because people are generally suspicious of anything marked “free.” Better to promote as “no charge.”
Info eyes http://www.infoeyes.org/
OPAL! http://www.opal-online.org/
Read Please http://www.readplease.com/
Boston Braille press http://www.nbp.org/
How We Do It! Models of service – The Tulsa City County LibraryAmy Stephens and Brad Thomas
- 25 locations, Millennium III, Daily delivery service. They have their own collection.
- First Bookmobile in 1930’s, Alma Reid McGlenn
- 1960’s Ms Gerry Herdon shut in service, 11 bookmobiles
- 1970’s Mod mobile, neighborhoods, nursing homes, shut ins, show films, county jail
- 1980’s At risk, housing authority, (BK doesn’t go to schools any more) Tulsa talking book distribution center.
- 1990’s New BK
- 2000 Automated BK homebound books by mail – free matter for the blind, - merchandise return. 2 clerks, 1 manager, 3 full time associates, 1 half time associate (associate is a beginning professional) They have a night shift 4 nights a week from 3-8pm. No weekends. 16 visits/week to low income housing. Weekly rotation.5 item limit, no fines, separate patron type, no money on board, “BK card,” don’t worry about lost items, forgive fines/lenient, look for pattern of damage, when they aren’t allowed to checkout from BK anymore they use giveaways. They have a kid’s only bookmobile bag that says “my bookmobile books.” Teach responsibility. Has a clip to hold card. Comes to about $3 a bag.2 Laptops connected through Ethernet, connect real time to ILS server, sprint sierra 580 eudo card.They have a filing system for all their homebound patrons, keep book lists for them so they know what they like, already read etc. This is good because we keep so much information in our heads, when someone is out sick or whatever the other staff don’t know what to pull.
- Isolation – Get staff out there – education of system, attend all branch meetings, staff from other branches as volunteers. Advocate bookmobile.- Wrap – used real pictures of patrons. Don’t forget about a wrap guarantee if something happens to it, take it back!- Reading Road Show – Children’s librarian day care story time literacy performer
Library services to the aged and housebound by Gayle Rowden, Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Australia.
- Utilize volunteers for homebound deliver service. They have to go through background check. Volunteers liability covered by the library.
- Emphasized partnerships with other organizations, councils, learning providers, agencies. Also BBC + library, and Amazon.com + library.
- They have a grab bar in between each column of bookshelves.
- They do reminisce programs, oral history gatherings, “do you remember when”
- Customer service is very important to them. Libraries are more social work, they try to get out in the community, talk to people, make it personal. They outsource selection and cataloging to make more time for other things.
- They got the city to install “Mobile Library Parking” signs.
- Their motto is to inform, educate, inspire and connect.
- Their plans for the future – loan out laptops, book review program pass around 3 books publish the remarks.
Discussion group session – vehicle maintenance – maintenance schedule checklist – daily, weekly and annually, end of the day problem list plus weather conditions, 2 disposable cameras in case of accidents.
Got the Mobile library occupational health and safety guidelines from Bruce Meyers, Swan Hill, Victoria, Australia
Ideas:
Bookmobile open house at libraries, popcorn on a Saturday.
Bookmobile stickers like “I visited the bookmobile today!”
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Boston Globe Bookmobile article
I have lots to talk about. I haven't posted in a while, but with going to the ABOS Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services conference and moving/vacation/swamped at work, everything gets put on hold. But I'm working on some good stuff for this blog. You won't be disappointed once it's done.
But for now: The Boston Globe ran an article about bookmobiles in early October.
'Bookmobiles' final chapter?
A few libraries, drivers refuse to give up on relic of days gone by'
By Anna Badkhen, Globe Correspondent October 2, 2007
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/02/bookmobiles_final_chapter/
The article talks about how a bookmobile from the Beverly Public Library in Massachusetts is no longer needed because nobody goes to it and that in this day and age, with the internet and all, we don't need bookmobiles. She talks about how they are raising money to purchase a new bookmobile. And that Moroney manufacturers are not producing as many bookmobiles. She also quoted Tina (supposed to be Tena?) Wilson as saying "bookmobiles are dinosaurs and bookmobiles are fading."
I love reading about libraries and especially bookmobiles, but I have to say that I was disappointed in this article. I feel like it was poorly researched, and was just written to support the author's adgenda. But it's confusing too, because it sounds like the author is in support of the fundraising? I don't know. I do know that other bookmobile workers/librarians were upset by the article. Tena wrote:
When he quoted me saying that I hear people (i.e. library school professor) saying "bookmobiles are dinosaurs," he neglected to finish the rest of my sentence -- they aren't! When people say bookmobiles are a thing of the past, they are incorrect! Bookmobiles are as vital as they ever were -- only the target groups are evolving, adapting as societal needs change. Perhaps the only ones fading are those who are not adapting --
Bookmobiles, like libraries, have to adapt and we do. When people stop showing up at your bookmobile stops then it is time to change.
Statistics reported in the California Library Statistics:http://www.library.ca.gov/lds/librarystats.html
2003 61 Bookmobiles reported
2004 69 Bookmobiles reported
2005 63 Bookmobiles reported
2006 60 Bookmobiles reported
2007 63 Bookmobiles reported
Based on those stats bookmobiles in California have steadied. (The California Library Statistics has all sorts of good information.)
It is important to remember why we have a bookmobile and why it will still be around in the future: The patrons are evolving and most can get themselves to a library. However, there is a population of patrons that cannot get to the library; children, seniors, those with disabilities, those that don't live in an area with libraries, the low income families. Bookmobile fills in the information gap for those people. Bookmobile is ever evolving to keep up with them. Our bookmobile will never be staid or stationary. We are always on the go!
But for now: The Boston Globe ran an article about bookmobiles in early October.
'Bookmobiles' final chapter?
A few libraries, drivers refuse to give up on relic of days gone by'
By Anna Badkhen, Globe Correspondent October 2, 2007
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/02/bookmobiles_final_chapter/
The article talks about how a bookmobile from the Beverly Public Library in Massachusetts is no longer needed because nobody goes to it and that in this day and age, with the internet and all, we don't need bookmobiles. She talks about how they are raising money to purchase a new bookmobile. And that Moroney manufacturers are not producing as many bookmobiles. She also quoted Tina (supposed to be Tena?) Wilson as saying "bookmobiles are dinosaurs and bookmobiles are fading."
I love reading about libraries and especially bookmobiles, but I have to say that I was disappointed in this article. I feel like it was poorly researched, and was just written to support the author's adgenda. But it's confusing too, because it sounds like the author is in support of the fundraising? I don't know. I do know that other bookmobile workers/librarians were upset by the article. Tena wrote:
When he quoted me saying that I hear people (i.e. library school professor) saying "bookmobiles are dinosaurs," he neglected to finish the rest of my sentence -- they aren't! When people say bookmobiles are a thing of the past, they are incorrect! Bookmobiles are as vital as they ever were -- only the target groups are evolving, adapting as societal needs change. Perhaps the only ones fading are those who are not adapting --
Bookmobiles, like libraries, have to adapt and we do. When people stop showing up at your bookmobile stops then it is time to change.
Statistics reported in the California Library Statistics:http://www.library.ca.gov/lds/librarystats.html
2003 61 Bookmobiles reported
2004 69 Bookmobiles reported
2005 63 Bookmobiles reported
2006 60 Bookmobiles reported
2007 63 Bookmobiles reported
Based on those stats bookmobiles in California have steadied. (The California Library Statistics has all sorts of good information.)
It is important to remember why we have a bookmobile and why it will still be around in the future: The patrons are evolving and most can get themselves to a library. However, there is a population of patrons that cannot get to the library; children, seniors, those with disabilities, those that don't live in an area with libraries, the low income families. Bookmobile fills in the information gap for those people. Bookmobile is ever evolving to keep up with them. Our bookmobile will never be staid or stationary. We are always on the go!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Public library reading forum
This is sort of not related to bookmobile but still library relevant. (Although bookmobile patrons would be interested too.) I have people ask me a lot if I know of a book club in their area. And I work on staff picks for my library's website. And I was thinking what if you could combine, book clubs, staff picks and patrons into a public library reading forum. Everyone could sign up (international too), everyone could participate. You could even get authors to do something, start a forum about their upcoming novel.
This is what I found while searching the internet:
http://forum.bentonharborlibrary.com/index.php?sid=a4c8ee3a851b84145a9035eeb7cf4e05
http://www.wals.lib.wi.us/forum/viewforum.php?f=2
http://glen-ellyn.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/7696055172
http://www.tppl.org/Forums/library/
http://www.wals.lib.wi.us/forum/
The first one is used for reading and that looks promising although it doesn't have many posts. Some of the others are used more for library events/news.
Has anyone else come across anything like this?
This is what I found while searching the internet:
http://forum.bentonharborlibrary.com/index.php?sid=a4c8ee3a851b84145a9035eeb7cf4e05
http://www.wals.lib.wi.us/forum/viewforum.php?f=2
http://glen-ellyn.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/7696055172
http://www.tppl.org/Forums/library/
http://www.wals.lib.wi.us/forum/
The first one is used for reading and that looks promising although it doesn't have many posts. Some of the others are used more for library events/news.
Has anyone else come across anything like this?
Friday, September 21, 2007
Poison, Conspiracy Theory, and Roadkill
About twice a year a woman comes out to complain to us and one of our stops. She comes out, doesn't say hi, and yells at us from our door. She tells us the same thing that we are polluting the air and poisoning the old folks with our generator and that if we don't do anything about it she will call the environmental protection agency or something like that. I have asked if she wanted my supervisor's phone number and she declines. But this time she said she already had it and stomped away. (I doubt if she has ever called.) I have to admit that I am skeptical that we are hurting anyone. I don't think that we would be able to drive around and use the generator if it was evil. Also we were asked to come to this retirement community by the manager's office. I don't think they would have asked us if were going to harm their tenants. Sometimes our generator is a little stinky but it usually goes away or blends into the air and is hardly discernable. At this particular stop we park in a small parking lot with the buildings in the front of our vehicle and the generator to the rear. It seems that there is enough space that any smell could just go away and not affect the tenants. No one else has ever complained and the manager's office has never said anything to us. If we are harming people I would invite someone to do tests. I really don't want to be driving an evil bookmobile that kills people. That just goes against the image we are working for. Part of me wonders if she just likes to complain.
Then later in the day one of my favorite patrons came on. We both share an interest in dolls. She likes to go thrift store shopping with her sister and take home little orphans and fix them up. I have my big-eyed Blythe doll that I make clothes for. She has even brought me patterns for clothing for my doll. On this particular day she was telling me how her son gave her a book on space and planets. She said that wasn't her thing, she prefers romance novels like me. Then she told me that there might not have been a man on the moon. She has been to plenty of places in the United States that are barren and look like the moon. They could have just put a man in a fat suit and taken his photo. And she also said "that they make such a big deal about finding a rock on Mars, Big deal! I found a snail shell in my front yard!"
And then yesterday, I ran over some fresh roadkill big enough to make the Bookmobile bounce. It was rather gross.
Then later in the day one of my favorite patrons came on. We both share an interest in dolls. She likes to go thrift store shopping with her sister and take home little orphans and fix them up. I have my big-eyed Blythe doll that I make clothes for. She has even brought me patterns for clothing for my doll. On this particular day she was telling me how her son gave her a book on space and planets. She said that wasn't her thing, she prefers romance novels like me. Then she told me that there might not have been a man on the moon. She has been to plenty of places in the United States that are barren and look like the moon. They could have just put a man in a fat suit and taken his photo. And she also said "that they make such a big deal about finding a rock on Mars, Big deal! I found a snail shell in my front yard!"
And then yesterday, I ran over some fresh roadkill big enough to make the Bookmobile bounce. It was rather gross.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Gideon the hero
On wednesday we started going back to this school that we usually go to. During the summer we do not go, because school is out. It is a school associated with a religion. Usually everything goes fine, kids come on, kids get rowdy, kids get stuff and go, mostly garfield. However, on wednesday the after school program person, said that everyone should make sure they get "Christian materials." Then she started nosing in this boy's stuff to see what he checked out. This boy is about 10. He reads manga, mostly Inu-Yasha, Dragon Ball Z, Naruto. He had checked out some manga and the latest Shonen Jump. She pulls his things out and makes a big deal about how they aren't "Christian" and they are like that Pokemon stuff. Then she tried to tell him he couldn't have them and them not being "Christian." She tried to get support from another adult on board, who was a teacher or something and he just didn't respond to her. He pretty much ignored her. Then she sent a student to the office with the boy to ask if these materials were ok for him. And she went off about how there aren't any books with heroes in them and that Gideon was a hero. (Heh, Heh, I should give her the romance novel entitled "Gideon" by Jacquelyn Frank. Then she'll learn what a real hero is/can do.) The boy was allowed to keep his materials on the condition he can't read them at school. I disagree with their religious perspective on the materials, but that is not where I have the biggest problem. She embarassed the boy in front of all his peers. And if these are the materials he likes, then she shouldn't discourage him from reading. But he got to keep his materials in the end, and that is the most important part.
Yesterday was interesting, we started going to a senior facility assisted living that also has a care unit for memory loss. It was interesting signing them up the patrons for cards. Some of them could remember things and others couldn't, but they were trying. They were really happy that we were coming to them. A caretaker came on with them, and I hope she helps them remember about due dates and keeping track of their books. Sometimes doing outreach makes me sad. We see a lot of seniors. A lot of them have problems and some of them pass away. Some of them don't have anyone to take care of them.
Later on, a senior said I reminded her of her niece, but I think she thought I was her niece and she wanted a hug.
I also signed up a patron who was really pregnant and she was under 18. It seems a little strange to sign up a card and give them the status of "child" when they are pregnant.
Yesterday was interesting, we started going to a senior facility assisted living that also has a care unit for memory loss. It was interesting signing them up the patrons for cards. Some of them could remember things and others couldn't, but they were trying. They were really happy that we were coming to them. A caretaker came on with them, and I hope she helps them remember about due dates and keeping track of their books. Sometimes doing outreach makes me sad. We see a lot of seniors. A lot of them have problems and some of them pass away. Some of them don't have anyone to take care of them.
Later on, a senior said I reminded her of her niece, but I think she thought I was her niece and she wanted a hug.
I also signed up a patron who was really pregnant and she was under 18. It seems a little strange to sign up a card and give them the status of "child" when they are pregnant.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Bookmobile went to an event today!
Bookmobile went to an event this weekend. Two full days of sitting, greeting and handing out materials. We counted a total of 863 people who stopped by our booth. I handed out lots of recommended reading for kids, newsletters, and homework help fliers. We were giving away pencils and stickers. We had a quiz, if you got one right you got to pick a prize which was a toy. (We kept giving out questions until they got it right.) If they answered 3 correctly they got to pick out a pop up book. Overall it was fun, and it gets the word out about our libraries and bookmobile.
But there are a few who just want to complain to you. They want to tell you how much they don't like certain libraries in the area. It was interesting because most of them weren't ours. Go us! But this one guy came up and told us that bookmobile was a waste of taxpayers' money, to my face. He said it was 2007 everyone can get to a library. I just sort of smiled/grimaced and didn't say anything while on the inside I was Lindsay Lohan from Mean Girls where she jumps across the table and starts mauling that other girl. I was so good, I didn't yell, cuss, yell some more etc. It wasn't even worth talking to him, then he went on to complain about the overly large people at the health fair, then left. There are sooooo many people who can't get to libraries, like people with mental or physical disabilites. the elderly who are in wheelchairs or have had their license revoked, children who's parents can't or won't take them to the library, people who live in the boonies. It's great that we are able to bring them the materials that they need.
But there are a few who just want to complain to you. They want to tell you how much they don't like certain libraries in the area. It was interesting because most of them weren't ours. Go us! But this one guy came up and told us that bookmobile was a waste of taxpayers' money, to my face. He said it was 2007 everyone can get to a library. I just sort of smiled/grimaced and didn't say anything while on the inside I was Lindsay Lohan from Mean Girls where she jumps across the table and starts mauling that other girl. I was so good, I didn't yell, cuss, yell some more etc. It wasn't even worth talking to him, then he went on to complain about the overly large people at the health fair, then left. There are sooooo many people who can't get to libraries, like people with mental or physical disabilites. the elderly who are in wheelchairs or have had their license revoked, children who's parents can't or won't take them to the library, people who live in the boonies. It's great that we are able to bring them the materials that they need.
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