[OPLINLIST] Change agents...the staff and patrons make their case

[Ed Rossman]

Jimmie,

Thanks for sending the article about Sacramento to the
OPLIN list:

Library workers lay into bosses: Patrons chime in, and
board's chief vows a response  Sacramento (CA) Bee.
May 25, 2007
http://www.sacbee.com/302/story/193347.html

The situation mentioned is probably reflective of many
situations in the country. Libraries are awash in
non-traditional library patrons these days, thanks
mainly due to the Internet. They are also besieged by
economic problems. As such, unless the library staff
and administration take firm stances regarding
troublemakers, collection development research and
preservation of classic collections, I see major
problems down the road. 

My book, "Castles Against Ignorance: How to make
libraries great educational environments" addresses
these problems and more. I argue that librarians have
to have a more proactive approach. We need to take
responsibility for our own environment, which includes
the internal environmental conditions (noise,
confrontation skills, roving reference) as well as the
external environment (forming community partnerships,
promoting the library as more of a haven for research
and study as opposed to a free video center).

The web page for the book is at
http://www.castles411.com

If you're involved with professional development for
Kentucky, let me know if you'd be interested in my
conducting a workshop based around the books themes.
I've done one already for the Ohio Library Council and
have a few library staff days lined up as well.
Needless to say, I enjoy spreading the word and
helping librarians become more motivated to fighting
the good fight. 

Best regards,
Ed Rossman
Adult Services
Shaker Heights Public Library
(P)(216)991-2030
www.shakerlibrary.org



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