[OPLINLIST] Why Ask Why?

[SWON Info]

Part of planning a project is answering the question, */Why/ are we 
doing this?* You think about who it’s going to help and how it will help 
them. You might have specific users in mind, especially if the project 
developed out of individual requests.

That’s a good question to answer. Here’s another: *Why are are we doing 
/this/ project?* How did we decide that this project has priority over 
other projects? Is it because of the person who asked for it? Is it 
because we just discovered the problem or like the solution? Is it 
because it will make a difficult task easier for a large number of 
patrons? To answer that last question especially, you have to know about 
what your users need and do.


      It’s Time for Research

When we think about research, it’s easy to imagine a large-scale study 
with a big budget, long time-frame and consultants. Those aren’t 
requirements. You don’t need a statistically significant sample size, 
but you do want to hear from different perspectives. You don’t need to 
prove a theory, but you do want to justify your work to your boss (or 
your board) and your patrons.

That’s what I like about the book, /Just Enough Research/ 
<http://www.abookapart.com/products/just-enough-research>, by Erika 
Hall. She debunks myths about research (it’s not asking people what they 
like) and talks frankly about its challenges and benefits. She tells 
readers about different types of research and how to choose research 
methods that fit a given project and practical steps to conduct that 
research. At just 154 pages, it’s also a quick book to read.

  * Nathan Swartzendruber, SWON Technology Educator


      Data Driven

At SWON’s Spring Luncheon, we’re bringing in two speakers from Tim 
Diamond and Anastasia Diamond-Ortiz from Cleveland Public Library to 
talk about Data-Driven Innovation. *Why are we hosting /this/ talk?* 
Because you have a seat at the table–you’re part of the decision-making 
progress. When you’re advocating for your students or faculty or staff 
or patrons, data helps you choose which projects to pursue and support 
why /your project/ deserves attention and resources.

They’re coming from a public library, but Tim and Anastasia are adapting 
their work for academic, private and school libraries too. Hear their 
take at SWON’s Spring Luncheon and Membership Meeting, May 20: 
http://bit.ly/data-driven-mtg.

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Calendar excerpts from the next two weeks. (Please register for online 
classes at least two days before they take place.)

  * *Academic Librarian (SIG) Meeting
    <http://swon.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=888>* -
    (4/24/2014) - Art Institute of Ohio
  * *Improving Your Organizational Skills – Learning Your “Space
    Personality”
    <http://swon.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=901>* -
    (4/24/2014) - Online
  * *Library Director/Personnel Director (SIG) Meeting
    <http://swon.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=926>* -
    (4/24/2014) - SWON Meeting Room
  * *Simple Storytelling: A How-To for Children’s Librarian
    <http://swon.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=904>* -
    (4/29/2014) - Online
  * */Level-Up Lab: Introducing Cloud Services
    <http://swon.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=1925>/* -
    (4/29/2014) - SWON Meeting Room
  * *Improving Your Organizational Skills – Dealing with Your Desk,
    Calendar and Files
    <http://swon.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=917>* -
    (5/1/2014) - Online
  * *Instruction Librarians (SIG) Meeting
    <http://swon.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=897>* -
    (5/5/2014) - Southern State Community College, Wilmington
  * *Collection Management Policies
    <http://swon.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=919>* -
    (5/6/2014) - Online
  * *ROYAL Book Review (SIG) Meeting
    <http://swon.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=732>* -
    (5/9/2014) - Kenton County PL, Covington Branch

SWON Libraries - http://www.swonlibraries.org<http://www.swonlibraries.org>
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Blue Ash, OH 45242
phone (513) 751-4422 - fax (513) 751-0463
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