In this issue:
:: From Mary Frances Cooper
:: Our Wired World
:: Special Services
:: Professional Resources
:: District Services Booklist
:: Teen Services
:: News & Reminders from Commonwealth Libraries
:: New Management for the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

From Mary Frances Cooper, President and Director, CLP and District Administrator, Pittsburgh District Library Center, CLP

 

An updated progress report on our Strategic Plan has been posted to the CLP website.  There is a lot of activity that is documented there; if you have questions or would like additional information please let us know.

 

To that end, in consultation with the Pittsburgh District Advisory Council, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is planning to host a version of an "unconference", which would involve CLP staff leading interactive sessions on a range of topics that feature some of our newest programs, services and projects.  The emphasis will be on approaches that are replicable and/or efforts that District libraries can be a part of, borrow or adopt themselves.  More information will be forthcoming; for now, mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 13, from 8 am to 1:30 pm at CLP-East Liberty.

 

We have also tentatively scheduled an event we are calling "Show Your Work: Library Edition" for Wednesday, September 23, 8 am to 1:30 pm; location to be determined.  This would include interactive sessions that feature programs, services, partnerships and projects from any library in Allegheny County with the same emphasis on practical, replicable or borrowable efforts. 

 

We know that there is so much good and interesting work taking place in libraries around the District; we want to find out more, and to create a forum for all of us to share and learn.  

Making Connections in Our Wired World  - Sarah Beasley

 

I recently had that magical experience that library patrons (and librarians) hope for - I  stumbled across several interconnected things, without really looking for any of them.  What I especially love about this particular experience is that all of the components are related in one way or another, either loosely or tightly, to the connectivity of ideas and knowledge, especially in the digital world.  Here's what happened...

 

It all came together when I read the article "The Future of the Web is 100 Years Old" on the Nautilus website (a new and happy discovery for me). It's a fascinating article that talks about competing visions for the future connectivity and organization of information from the late 19th century through today, including the very formative period during the early-mid 20th Century that laid the groundwork for the organization of the internet.

 

My immediate thoughts when I read the article's sub-title, "In the debate between structure and openness, 19th-century ideas are making a comeback," went something like this: The Internet is ever-changing and evolving. Heck, Google is futzing with its algorithm. That has the potential to make a huge difference in the information people receive.

 

The idea of iterating on established processes and creating solutions to problems reminded me of a Reply All episode I listened to in December. Reply All is a very interesting, accessible podcast about "how people shape the internet, and the internet shapes people."

 

In the intro to the episode "We Know What You Did," the host, PJ Vogt says, "When [Ethan Zuckerman] was young, he did something that made the world, and specifically the internet, a lot worse. And most of us today are living in that broken world he helped create." What did Zuckerman create? The pop-up ad. He's really sorry he did though he did have good reasons at the time.

 

After all of that went through my head I started to actually read the Nautilus article.  It mentions Douglas Engelbart, an early pioneer of the idea of the internet and, more specifically, hyperlinks. It just so happens that Engelbart was the subject of another podcast I listen to regularly, 99% Invisible.

 

This podcast is a "show about design, architecture & the 99% invisible activity that shapes our world."  The episode "Of Mice and Men" highlights Engelbart's idea for the computer mouse.

 

These kinds of interconnections, while ostensibly digital in their focus, also remind me of the serendipity of browsing. Some librarian friends over at ebrowsing.org are exploring what browsing means in the electronic environment. 

 

In the meantime, whether you are scanning the shelves or wandering through the web, I wish you luck in discovering ideas, new and old, to inspire and excite, regardless of the organizing principles at work.  

Special Services - Sheila Jackson

 

As of March 2, Wesley W. Roberts assumed the new position of Library Services Manager (LSM) of Workforce and Economic Development. Wes will continue to manage the Job & Career Education Center (JCEC) at CLP-Main and, in conjunction with Senior Librarian Peggy Domer, CLP's Nonprofit Resource Center. He will also be working more closely with CLP's Government Documents and Patents Librarian and staff at CLP's Downtown and Business branch.

 

Wes is currently focusing on creating internal service connections between the individuals and departments noted above that will allow the library to provide more integrated service in this area. Establishing consistencies in programming and branding and making the Library a more active and visible connecting point on the paths of individuals and organizations seeking resources to better themselves, their nonprofits, and their businesses are two major goals. In the long run, Wes would like to see all of our libraries and their services be part of what draws economic opportunity to our region.

 

If you'd like to talk with Wes about his current projects or long-term vision, don't hesitate to get in touch. 

Professional Resources

 

Marketing Library Services, an Information Today, Inc. publication always offers one free article from their bimonthly issues.  The January-February 2015 issue included an excellent article which discusses "Five Strategies for Promoting Databases".

Teen Services - Kelly Rottmund

 

Every day, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Teen Specialists provide teens with safe, supportive out-of-school learning environments. Through programming, readers' advisory and conversations,
we support not only teens' interests but also their aspirations. Along the way, we become trusted adults and informal mentors. The intentional design of  The Labs @ CLP encourages teens to interact with mentors in more formal ways as they participate in workshops and explore their creative interests.

 

In April, our work will be shared internationally thanks to an invitation from the U.S. Consulate General in Barcelona, Spain. Due to his work developing The Labs @ CLP, Corey Wittig, Digital Learning Librarian, will travel to Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia to speak on behalf of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh about the importance of mentoring in the public library.  

 

During Corey's trip, he will be the keynote speaker at the 6th Seminar on Public Libraries and Social Cohesion; participate in a panel and workshop on the role of mentors and makerspaces in providing youth audiences tools for the future; and visit with high school students at a Barcelona FabLab; discuss the planning and development of The Labs @ CLP and our partnerships with community professionals.

 

In preparation for this trip, Corey will be working on two video projects.  For the first, he will collaborate with Pittsburgh teens to create a "day-in-the-life" stop motion video which will be shared with teens in Spain who will be asked to create and share their own version.  The second will be a collaboration with CLP Teen Specialists on what mentorship means to them.

 

Corey will share updates throughout his trip via the CLPTeens Twitter and CLPTeens Instagram accounts, so please follow along!

    

Upcoming Events:

 

You are invited to Pittsburgh District Library Center's Teen Summer Reading Training

Wednesday, April 22 | 10 - 1 pm at CLP - East Liberty 2nd floor

 

Network with colleagues across the county!  Get tons of programming ideas to keep your teens engaged this summer.

 

Light Breakfast at 10:00 am.

Training will begin at 10:30.

No lunch will be provided.

 

Fill out this form to RSVP

Deadline to respond - April 10th  

News and Reminders from Commonwealth Libraries 

 

Have you recently visited the
Compendium: News for Pennsylvania Libraries?

 

Check out these recent items:

  • An upcoming children's literature conference at Kutztown University
  • News about Pennsylvania libraries
  • Information on how to determine direct and indirect program costs
  • New continuing education opportunities
  • Summer reading registration
  • And much more!

Discover more great information by browsing the categories to the right of the Compendium, search by keyword, bookmark the webpage or subscribe to a category RSS feed. 

 

Have news about your library or a resource to share?  Send it to dmegdad@pa.gov.

Library Services Manager of CLP's Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

 

We are pleased to announce that Mark Lee has accepted the position of Library Services Manager (LSM) of CLP's Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH). Mark was most recently the LSM for CLP - West End and was selected from an impressive field of candidates representing professionals in accessibility and inclusive services across the nation.

 

In his position at CLP - West End, Mark showed himself to be a tireless advocate and a strong builder of community support.  Under Mark's guidance, the branch (which had previously been slated for closure) increased circulation, visitors and program attendance. He maintained community engagement throughout a major renovation and reopened a newly accessible and climate controlled location. We feel certain he will bring the same commitment to building community and passion for accessible services to his new role as Manager of the Library Services of LBPH.

 

Carnegie Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH) is a free library that lends books and magazines in special formats to people who cannot see standard print, cannot hold a book or have a physically based reading disability. LBPH also offers reader advisory services, answers reference questions about disabilities and related topics, and maintains a collection of print and video materials on blindness, visual impairment and physical disabilities. LBPH is a network library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), a department of the Library of Congress.