Trends Driving Change

1
Trends Driving Change
2
Introduction
Many societal and library trends, developments,
and issues are already affecting PA public
libraries. Trustees need to track them and
respond.
3
Overview

• Our changing society
• New education and literacy challenges
• Impact of technology
• Who lives in your community
• Partnerships

4
Lesson Objective
By the end of this lesson you will be able to

• Identify key trends affecting public libraries
• Determine how your library is responding

5
Ten Major Trends

• Cultural Diversity
• Reading Controversies
• Information Literacy/Illiteracy
• Early Learning Literacy
• Lifelong learning

• 6. Media in library collections
• 7. Technology in libraries
• 8. Senior citizens
• 9. Community partnerships
• 10. Privacy and Patriot Act

6
Cultural Diversity

• Dramatic changes in ethnic populations
• Housing, education, job training
• Language, culture, religion
• Barriers to using the library

7
Libraries respond by

• Establishing foreign language collections
• Providing ESL materials
• Presenting targeted programs and services
• Developing partnerships with community groups

8
Questions for Discussion

• What ethnic populations are growing in your
  librarys service area?
• What challenges does your library face in serving
  these populations?

9
Reading Controversies

• Trends pertaining to reading are controversial
• More use of recreational media
• Leveling off of book circulation figures in PA
• Increase in audio and video circulation

10
Libraries respond by

• Marketing and promoting reading
• Merchandising materials
• Displays
• Book clubs
• Discussion groups
• Summer reading

11
Libraries respond by

• Forming partnerships with schools
• Working with literacy organizations
• Creating family-oriented reading promotions

12
Questions for Discussion

• How is your library promoting reading to children
  and families?
• What community partnerships can you form to help
  promote reading?

13
Information Literacy/Illiteracy

• Challenge to find accurate/timely information
• Information overload
• World Wide Web increasingly complex
• Lack of searching and critiquing ability
• Unable to evaluate and use information

14
Libraries respond by

• Librarians becoming Internet Research
  Assistants
• Providing reference via online methods
• Presenting public instruction classes
• Informing public that libraries enhance the
  Internet

15
Questions for Discussion

• How is your library addressing information
  literacy?
• How can library staff improve customers use of
  the Internet?

16
Early Learning and Literacy

• Preschool learning/literacy very important
• Libraries play critical role in early childhood
  education
• Underestimated by educators, elected official,
  public

17
Libraries Respond by

• Access to print, media, story times
• Learning Starts Here project
• Annual forum
• Best Practice awards program
• Outreach into community, partnerships
• Resources available at www.statelibrary.state.pa.u
  s

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Questions for Discussion

• What early childhood services does your library
  provide?
• Do public/local elected officials know and
  understand your librarys role?

19
Lifelong Learning

• Doesnt begin or end with formal education
• At any age and at different institutions
• Self-education through reading or craft/hobby
  skills
• Growing professionally

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Libraries Respond by

• Providing opportunities for all ages
• Giving open access
• Marketing for Lifelong Learning (State Award)
• Presenting lectures and programs
• Seeking LSTA grants for lifelong learning concepts

21
Questions for Discussion

• Does your library provide programs for children,
  teens and adults?
• What gaps in community education can the library
  fill?
• Are there partners that can assist?

22
Media in Library Collections

• Media use increasing
• DVDs replacing VHS tapes
• Audio books migrating to MP3 format
• Digitization of materials
• Movies, books, music on computer
• Portable (cell phones, PDAs) devices

23
Libraries respond by

• Tracking collection use
• Selecting media in response to need
• Adding bandwidth and memory to computer systems
• Allowing digital download

24
Questions for Discussion

• How are your library collections reflecting your
  communitys use of media?
• Are library staff and trustees aware of the
  latest developments in media?

25
Technology in Libraries

• Changes rapidly
• Newer and better equipment and connectivity
• Customers expect and demand more

26
Libraries respond by

• Increasing technology budget
• Planning strategically and long term for
  technology
• Providing technology to customers without access

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New Library Technologies

• Self checkout machines
• RFID circulation and inventory control
• Wireless connectivity

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Questions for Discussion

• Do your budget and strategic plan include short
  and long-term plans for funding technology?
• What new technologies would best suit the needs
  of your librarys community?
• Is your library applying for E-rate funds?

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Senior Citizens

• PA senior population 2nd highest in nation
• Longer life spans
• Extended careers
• Improved health

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Libraries respond by

• Providing large print
• Supplying homebound delivery
• Presenting programming
• Creating partnerships and outreach to senior
  centers
• Commonwealth Libraries Task Force for Older
  Adults

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Questions for Discussion

• How many seniors are in your librarys service
  area?
• What services does your library now provide that
  are of special interest to seniors?
• What additional services can be provided to
  seniors?

32
Community Partnerships and Collaborations

• Libraries subject to funding pressures
• Instability of government funding
• Donor unpredictability
• Need to stretch dollars
• Partnerships gain library visibility and
  credibility
• Grant applications require partnerships

33
Libraries respond by

• Partnering or collaborating with
• Health agencies
• Consumer health information
• Head Start and early childhood programs
• Storytimes and family programs
• Local service organizations
• Volunteers for tutoring or homework help

34
Questions for Discussion

• Does your library make an effort to regularly
  communicate with current or potential service
  partners?
• Which groups are the most influential in your
  community?

35
Privacy and the Patriot Act

• Library Trustees Need To
• Educate themselves concerning the Patriot Act
• Keep abreast of the latest information
• Seek advice when needed

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Questions for Discussion

• Has law enforcement requested customer records
  from your library?
• Do you have policies and procedures in place for
  such requests?

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Other Societal and Business Trends

• Customer service expectations
• Globalization and outsourcing
• Political and religious conservatism

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Questions for Discussion

• What kind of customer service training is
  provided to library staff?
• Are there opportunities to save money by
  outsourcing or partnering on library tasks such
  as cataloging, processing or virtual reference?
• How conservative is your community?

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The Ten Major Trends

• Cultural Diversity
• Reading Controversies
• Information Literacy/Illiteracy
• Early Learning Literacy
• Lifelong learning

• 6. Media in library collections
• 7. Technology in libraries
• 8. Senior citizens
• 9. Community partnerships
• 10. Privacy and Patriot Act

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Resources

• Your Professional Library Staff
• The best resource, place to start
• They are obligated to keep current
• Reading Adversity
• Kaiser Family Foundation www.kff.org/entmedia/ind
  ex.cfm

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Resources

• Lifelong Learning
• Commonwealth Libraries LSTA Five Year Plan
  www.statelibrary.state.pa.us/libraries/cwp/view.as
  p?a5q37803

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Resources

• Early Learning and Literacy
• The Role of Public Libraries in Childrens
  Literacy Development - a report
  www.palibraries.org
• RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)
• www.rfidjournal.com

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Resources

• Wi-Fi (Wireless Hotspots)
• www.wi-fiplanet.com
• www.vicomsoft.com/knowledge/reference/wireless1.ht
  ml
• Library Hotline weekly newsletter
• Available by subscription
• Email version can be received by enrolling at
  www.libraryjournal.com/index.asp

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Resources

• Patriot Act
• www.aclu.org
• www.ala.org - under Issues and Advocacy
• Issues and Advocacy All types
• American Library Association www.ala.org -
  under Issues and Advocacy
• A list of recommended books is in your toolkit.

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Review

• Ten sets of trends affecting libraries
• Outline of subjects for board discussion
• Identified areas for action
• Advantages of partnerships
• List of helpful resources