Libraries Rock in Indiana!

"Libraries Rock" was the theme of this year's 2010 Indiana Library Federation Annual Conference held this week in Indianapolis, IN. Rob and I were glad to be a part of it (and to be home)!

We presented our 21 Ideas for 21st Century Libraries CE session on Monday for over 50 people. We were pleased to see so many there to hear about new ideas and best practices--covering facilities, marketing, staffing, community collaborations, customer service, and technology--that will help libraries thrive in the 21st century. Our focus was on helping people learn how to manage and be a success in good times and in bad and how to incorporate innovative ideas in libraries of all sizes and budgets.

On Tuesday afternoon I did a mini session called What's Your Sign: Signage & Wayfinding in Libraries. I was amazed that we had a packed house -- over 65 people. Now, that's dedication, especially when it's late in the afternoon and we're talking about signage--typically, not the most exciting of topics ;-).

Just a quick reminder to everyone to download my Signage Planning Worksheet and to try out the "Beautiful>Ugly" graph developed by Aaron Schmidt. Read more on his blog Walking Paper. You can also print out a copy of the graph from the What's Your Sign presentation.

Also, here are some other helpful signage and wayfinding resources including some vendor information that was requested during the sessions:

Vinyl lettering resources (there are so many out there, but here are a few): Try Demco, Highsmith, Brodart. Also, FastSigns, Right on the Walls, Signazon, and many, many more...

Indiana-based pop-up banner companies: CustomBannerLab.com, Indy Displays, Matrix Imaging, and, once again, many, many more...

Libris Design's Wayfinding and Signage Document

San Jose Public Library's Signage Design Guidelines

Demco's Signage Planning

Don't forget to call if you need anything or have questions. Thanks everyone!

New York in Fall, More 21 Ideas, and Lawler Kang

Well, it proved to be another great New York Library Association (NYLA) conference this year. Saratoga Springs was beautiful (even with the rain). Rob and I were happy to see so many of our friends and colleagues at the exhibits and were extremely enthused by the turnout at our 21+ Ideas for 21st Century Libraries presentation.

We also had the pleasure to hear Lawler Kang speak at the Library Administration and Management Section luncheon. Check out his book Passion at Work: How to Find Work You Love and Live the Time of Your Life. Very inspirational.

Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award

I'm very excited! It was just recently announced that one of my projects, The Queens Library for Teens, part of Queens Library (NY), won the Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award.

In Spring 2008, Queens Library presented me with the challenge of converting an empty storefront (located two blocks away from the full-service branch)into a 3,500 square foot teen library. Together with and Queens Library administration and Demco Library Interiors, we worked over the course of 6 months to create a vibrant and positive environment enhanced with a slew of technology and programmatic offerings for the kids in the Far Rockaway community. The teen library was opened in December 2008 and was met with tremendous enthusiasm.

I'm very proud to have been a part of this project and the work done for teens in this community. Congratulations to Queens on this fine award and thanks for asking me to be part of it.

For more information see my article Just for Them in Library Journal that discusses the project. The Queens Courier also has a nice article.

New Library Technologies

In case you missed it, you need to check out the October 25 article in Wall Street Journal titled New Library Technologies Dispense With Librarians. The article discusses new options for "express" libraries such as automated materials vending, locker systems, etc.

The article has an unfortunate title. I've been following the development of these products for quite some time and haven't viewed these solutions as options for "dispensing with" people. The overall idea has revolved around enhancing and extending library service and giving library customers options. And sure, sometimes it's about coming up with an economical and customer-oriented solution for those libraries who face cuts, closings, and losing staff. Why wouldn't this be a great idea? Automated service or no service?

Ultimately, my vision for technologies such as automated materials vending (e.g., Evanced's BranchAnywhere) is a full service station that checks out materials as well as connects people with other library services. For example, it would enable customers to view program offerings and happenings at various library locations and sign up online right then and there. It would also include real time interaction with a person (i.e., a librarian / library staff) via video, etc. The possibilities are endless, not to mention cost effective, convenient, and customer-service oriented.

For additional commentary, take a look at the Annoyed Librarian.