The new Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library has been open now for nearly a year-and-a-half - it is scary how time flies. Our success during the first year has been widely chronicled: a 121% increase in attendance; a 74% increase in circulation; dozens of additional programs for all ages - the list goes on.
A couple of months ago I blogged about "what" we are, which is, quite simply, "a lot." The numbers, diversity of services, and overflowing programs reinforce the fact that we fill many needs within the community; however, it is time for us to start asking a new set of questions. Even though our popularity has met, and in some cases exceeded expectations, are we doing all that we can to serve the community? Are there areas in which we are lacking? Are we offering unnecessary services? If so, how do we determine what we need to do to maximize our resources?
For the Crawford Library, the answer to this question lies in the Long Range Planning (LRP) process, which will help give us direction in the years ahead. Nearly a decade has passed since we last launched a plan, and the changes in the library between then and now have been astronomical. The new LRP will help us set goals, formulate objectives in relation to those goals, and devise a plan of action on how to reach them. Planning will also assist us in determining if we are, in fact, fulfilling the needs of residents, as well as offer steps to take if we are not.
Community input with this project will be critical to its success. Library staff, and individuals who are close to the library, have a vision of what the library is and needs to be. But that is only part of the story, and to ensure that your voice is heard we will be reaching out to you in the upcoming months. Very soon a survey will be constructed to solicit community input. Your responses to this survey will be a major step in helping the library formulate just "what" we are going to be in the years ahead.
While it is impossible to be all things to all people, this process will give the community the opportunity to help us plot our future course. An announcement about the survey will be forthcoming, so please give us your feedback when the time comes!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
What is the Role of the Library?
The Mission of the Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library is to provide members of our diverse community with equal access to traditional and electronic media, programs, and exhibits that will encourage life-long learning, expand cultural horizons, facilitate research, and inspire curiosity.
I am fond of saying that while a town may have a community center, the library is the center of the community. When the Library Trustees and I created the above mission statement, it was this philosphy that we had in mind. Looking back on the first year of operations, in many ways we were the focal point in Dudley, as evidenced by the vast array of programs and services residents accessed at the library.
By now, most people know that the library is more than "just books;" however, that is an understatement to say the least. What is the library anyway?
We are a computer center with 26 high speed Internet access PCs.
We are a wireless hub.
We are a classroom, where you can learn how to use computers and search the Internet.
We are a research center, where you have access to millions of magazine and journal articles, conference proceedings, images, and countless other formats.
We are a career center, where you can research job opportunities, create resumes, and explore new fields.
We are a meeting space, where local groups and organizations gather to conduct business.
We are a music hall, where you can experience performances as diverse as Native American music to choral ensembles to folk singers, and for all ages.
We are a historical center, where many artifacts, books, and other ephemera covering the rich history of Dudley and the surrounding area are stored.
We are an auditorium, where you can hear lectures ranging from academic to historical to social to the purely whimisical in nature.
We are a stage, where magicians, clowns, and storytellers entertain children and the child inside all of us.
We are a community information center, where you can discover what is going on in the area.
We are a destination for teens, where they can study and relax in a room designed especially for them.
We are an arts and crafts center, where you can learn how to decorate cupcakes, build gingerbread houses, learn calligraphy, and so much more.
We are an art gallery, where local artists can display their creations.
And, yes, we are still a place where you can go on a cold or rainy day and curl up with a good book, and then you can go as far as your imagination will take you.
The Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library is a number of things, serving many functions and fulfilling many roles within the community. There is something here for everyone. If you haven't visited us yet, please do. You will be very excited by what you discover!
I am fond of saying that while a town may have a community center, the library is the center of the community. When the Library Trustees and I created the above mission statement, it was this philosphy that we had in mind. Looking back on the first year of operations, in many ways we were the focal point in Dudley, as evidenced by the vast array of programs and services residents accessed at the library.
By now, most people know that the library is more than "just books;" however, that is an understatement to say the least. What is the library anyway?
We are a computer center with 26 high speed Internet access PCs.
We are a wireless hub.
We are a classroom, where you can learn how to use computers and search the Internet.
We are a research center, where you have access to millions of magazine and journal articles, conference proceedings, images, and countless other formats.
We are a career center, where you can research job opportunities, create resumes, and explore new fields.
We are a meeting space, where local groups and organizations gather to conduct business.
We are a music hall, where you can experience performances as diverse as Native American music to choral ensembles to folk singers, and for all ages.
We are a historical center, where many artifacts, books, and other ephemera covering the rich history of Dudley and the surrounding area are stored.
We are an auditorium, where you can hear lectures ranging from academic to historical to social to the purely whimisical in nature.
We are a stage, where magicians, clowns, and storytellers entertain children and the child inside all of us.
We are a community information center, where you can discover what is going on in the area.
We are a destination for teens, where they can study and relax in a room designed especially for them.
We are an arts and crafts center, where you can learn how to decorate cupcakes, build gingerbread houses, learn calligraphy, and so much more.
We are an art gallery, where local artists can display their creations.
And, yes, we are still a place where you can go on a cold or rainy day and curl up with a good book, and then you can go as far as your imagination will take you.
The Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library is a number of things, serving many functions and fulfilling many roles within the community. There is something here for everyone. If you haven't visited us yet, please do. You will be very excited by what you discover!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Print is dead. Long live Print!
For about 15 years now pundits, futurists, writers, and a whole host of alarmists have predicted the end of the printed word. In the digital age, books, they say, are as relevant today as scrolls, stone tablets, and other "media" whose time, usability, and practicality have long since passed.
While statistics prove that more and more books are being published in digital/electronic format each year (and some are being published only digitally), it is hard to fathom a world without books. While a discussion on the pros and cons of print vs. digital far exceeds a practical blog post, two factors stand out to me, as a librarian and lover of the printed word, that will ensure the survival of print into the near and distant future.
The Book as a Physical Object. Walk into any home whose inhabitants enjoy reading and look around. You may see elaborately photographed coffee table books, rows of a favorite author arranged neatly on a shelf, or a well-loved dog-eared paperback on a side table or perhaps sticking out of the corner of a briefcase/backpack/handbag, etc. The presence of the book as an object has symbolic significance to some. The book has been or will be read, the reader takes pride in showing the book has been read, and the book is being kept close in case he or she would like to peruse it again. This all begs the question, does the physical presence of the book add value to the information contained inside? Book lovers, who consider colorfully arranged dust jackets of bestsellers and gilded lettering of timeless classics as art on par with paintings and photographs, would agree.
Economics. Publishers, authors, and other beneficiaries in the book industry like to make a profit, and rightfully so. Interestingly enough, economics and the book-as-physical-object example go hand-in-hand. If you forgo the printed word and only purchase a digital copy, how much is that new copy worth to you? You paid $25 for the printed version. Are you willing to pay $25 for the e-version? Digital advocates look to the music industry for a successful business model. One doesn't see the large libraries of CDs in a home or dorm room like they would have 10 years ago. The once mighty CD library is now a series of play lists on an iPod or other digital music player. While the book publishing industry has not yet conquered the price point question, it is not completely fair to compare books to music. Songs, in general, do well in lists, mixed and matched at the downloaders discretion. Books, on the other hand, do not lend themselves to the same kind of reconstruction. Dropping Holden Caulfield in the middle of a Michener novel just wouldn't flow. So the .99 cent iTune model, while useful in one industry, is still not the solution in all.
Libraries have been doing a good job responding to digital media. In the area, many libraries have started purchasing Nooks and other electronic reading devices to circulate with ebooks already downloaded on them. The C/WMARS catalog contains thousands of electronic titles, which you can reach by clicking here. The question for libraries will become - "Do we purchase the print or the digital?" The question for publishers - "How do we charge libraries for digital copies that could potentially be shared by thousands of readers?"
The answers will come, eventually, as societal preferences and tastes for a particular format will determine the direction future generations of readers will take. While the world may be trending digital, and libraries are responding to meet those needs, print will remain the choice for many until the reality of economics, and the aesthetics of ownership, become non-issues in the current debate.
While statistics prove that more and more books are being published in digital/electronic format each year (and some are being published only digitally), it is hard to fathom a world without books. While a discussion on the pros and cons of print vs. digital far exceeds a practical blog post, two factors stand out to me, as a librarian and lover of the printed word, that will ensure the survival of print into the near and distant future.
The Book as a Physical Object. Walk into any home whose inhabitants enjoy reading and look around. You may see elaborately photographed coffee table books, rows of a favorite author arranged neatly on a shelf, or a well-loved dog-eared paperback on a side table or perhaps sticking out of the corner of a briefcase/backpack/handbag, etc. The presence of the book as an object has symbolic significance to some. The book has been or will be read, the reader takes pride in showing the book has been read, and the book is being kept close in case he or she would like to peruse it again. This all begs the question, does the physical presence of the book add value to the information contained inside? Book lovers, who consider colorfully arranged dust jackets of bestsellers and gilded lettering of timeless classics as art on par with paintings and photographs, would agree.
Economics. Publishers, authors, and other beneficiaries in the book industry like to make a profit, and rightfully so. Interestingly enough, economics and the book-as-physical-object example go hand-in-hand. If you forgo the printed word and only purchase a digital copy, how much is that new copy worth to you? You paid $25 for the printed version. Are you willing to pay $25 for the e-version? Digital advocates look to the music industry for a successful business model. One doesn't see the large libraries of CDs in a home or dorm room like they would have 10 years ago. The once mighty CD library is now a series of play lists on an iPod or other digital music player. While the book publishing industry has not yet conquered the price point question, it is not completely fair to compare books to music. Songs, in general, do well in lists, mixed and matched at the downloaders discretion. Books, on the other hand, do not lend themselves to the same kind of reconstruction. Dropping Holden Caulfield in the middle of a Michener novel just wouldn't flow. So the .99 cent iTune model, while useful in one industry, is still not the solution in all.
Libraries have been doing a good job responding to digital media. In the area, many libraries have started purchasing Nooks and other electronic reading devices to circulate with ebooks already downloaded on them. The C/WMARS catalog contains thousands of electronic titles, which you can reach by clicking here. The question for libraries will become - "Do we purchase the print or the digital?" The question for publishers - "How do we charge libraries for digital copies that could potentially be shared by thousands of readers?"
The answers will come, eventually, as societal preferences and tastes for a particular format will determine the direction future generations of readers will take. While the world may be trending digital, and libraries are responding to meet those needs, print will remain the choice for many until the reality of economics, and the aesthetics of ownership, become non-issues in the current debate.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Madam, Im Adam
Actually, no, I am not Adam, but that is beside the point.
"Madam Im Adam" is one of the most famous palindromes in the English language. A palindrome is a word or phrase that can be read the same way in either direction. They have been used for various reasons for nearly two thousand years, and they have been found in cultures throughout the world. Today, palindromes are popular with names of songs and other titles that lend themselves to one or two words.
My favorite palindrome? It has to be: "Go hang a salami. Im a lasagna hog." Its not something you can drop into everyday conversation, but it just also happens to be the title of a book of palindromes, which is available in the library's online catalog. Check it out!
"Madam Im Adam" is one of the most famous palindromes in the English language. A palindrome is a word or phrase that can be read the same way in either direction. They have been used for various reasons for nearly two thousand years, and they have been found in cultures throughout the world. Today, palindromes are popular with names of songs and other titles that lend themselves to one or two words.
My favorite palindrome? It has to be: "Go hang a salami. Im a lasagna hog." Its not something you can drop into everyday conversation, but it just also happens to be the title of a book of palindromes, which is available in the library's online catalog. Check it out!
Friday, April 15, 2011
In Praise of the Paraprosdokian
A paraprosdokian is a very underutilized rhetorical device. What is it? Basically it is a phrase where the ending makes you rethink the beginning. For example:
"If I am reading this graph correctly—I'd be very surprised." - Stephen Colbert
"On the other hand, we have different fingers." - Jack Handey
While a paraprosdokian lends itself well to comedians and humorists, there have been world leaders who utilized the potential for biting sarcasm. Sir Winston Churchill was a master as this. Consider:
"You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else."
"A modest man, who has much to be modest about."
Librarians don't get to throw out too many paraprosdokians. There is one, however, that I like to use when I can. It is probably from the "king" of paraprosdokians, Groucho Marx.
“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.”
Want to see more? Examples are all over the web!
"If I am reading this graph correctly—I'd be very surprised." - Stephen Colbert
"On the other hand, we have different fingers." - Jack Handey
While a paraprosdokian lends itself well to comedians and humorists, there have been world leaders who utilized the potential for biting sarcasm. Sir Winston Churchill was a master as this. Consider:
"You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else."
"A modest man, who has much to be modest about."
Librarians don't get to throw out too many paraprosdokians. There is one, however, that I like to use when I can. It is probably from the "king" of paraprosdokians, Groucho Marx.
“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.”
Want to see more? Examples are all over the web!
Friday, March 25, 2011
The New Blog...
Sometime within the next week we are going to launch our new website. The new site, coupled with the fact that we launched a Facebook page last fall, will change the focus of the Blog. Instead of being strictly informational, the Library Director's Blog will be a combination of thoughts, facts, trivia, etc. Something a little more whimsical and a little less formal.
Stay tuned!
Stay tuned!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Upcoming January Library Events
Nook Classes
Monday, January 10, 10:30 a.m. and Thursday, January 13, 6:00 p.m.
Did you get a Nook for Christmas? Or thinking about gettting a Nook? We will have a representative from Barnes & Noble at the library teaching you everything you'll need to know about this eBook. You can bring your own Nook or use one that will be on site.
Barnes & Noble Book Fair: Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, Millbury, MA
Monday, January 17, starting at 9:00 a.m.
The library will receive a percentage of the money you spend in the store if you mention the library when checking out. This is a great event to raise money to purchase materials. Author Ralph Masiello will be at the store between 10:00 a.m. and noon. He does amazing presentations for the kids on "How to draw..." Tell your family and friends! See you there.
Book Swap
Monday, January 24, 6:00 p.m.
How it works: Bring books to the library and swap them with someone else. Please limit the number of books you bring to 20. Childrens books in good condition only. Children must come with an adult. Remaining books will be donated to the Friends of the Library book sale.
Monday, January 10, 10:30 a.m. and Thursday, January 13, 6:00 p.m.
Did you get a Nook for Christmas? Or thinking about gettting a Nook? We will have a representative from Barnes & Noble at the library teaching you everything you'll need to know about this eBook. You can bring your own Nook or use one that will be on site.
Barnes & Noble Book Fair: Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, Millbury, MA
Monday, January 17, starting at 9:00 a.m.
The library will receive a percentage of the money you spend in the store if you mention the library when checking out. This is a great event to raise money to purchase materials. Author Ralph Masiello will be at the store between 10:00 a.m. and noon. He does amazing presentations for the kids on "How to draw..." Tell your family and friends! See you there.
Book Swap
Monday, January 24, 6:00 p.m.
How it works: Bring books to the library and swap them with someone else. Please limit the number of books you bring to 20. Childrens books in good condition only. Children must come with an adult. Remaining books will be donated to the Friends of the Library book sale.
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