The Board's Role in Staffing Transitions

The next Boardroom webinar, scheduled for May 25^th (6:00-7:30PM) takes up the topic of staffing transitions.  Having successfully hired a new library director, does the board have another role to play in helping with orientation?  We say yes! 

Like any other organization, libraries need to plan for staffing transitions, whether expected or unexpected.  This program suggests practical approaches that help pave the way for new directors and ease the learning curve. 

We’ll consider questions like: What are the library's annual routines? Likely budget prepping, policy review, job evaluations, and more.  Those tasks have accompanying documents, where are those docs found?  Is the library accredited or meeting standards at any Tier level?  What’s the cycle for that?  When does the library renew its participation in the Bridges eBook Service?  When is the Public Library Annual Survey due?

With an annual calendar showing program participation and deadlines in hand, with needed documents and passwords easily retrievable, with a listing of people willing to help, library boards can play a part in lighting the path for the new directors they’ve hired.  Plus boards should work on their own brand of transition planning.  We have ideas for that, too!

Register: The Boardroom May 25th 

April 23-29, 2023

Turning the calendar to April means that National Library Week is very nearly here—coming up April 23-29.  Sponsored since 1958 by the American Library Association, the theme for this year’s celebration of libraries is “There’s More to the Story.”

Here’s more about the 2023 theme from ALA’s website: “Libraries are full of stories in a variety of formats, from picture books to large print, audiobooks to eBooks, and more. But there's so much more to the story.  Libraries of Things lend items like museum passes, games, musical instruments, and tools.  Library programming brings communities together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, storytimes, movie nights, crafting classes, and lectures.  Library infrastructure provides Internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for businesses, job seekers, and entrepreneurs. National Library Week 2023 will be a great time to tell your library’s multi-faceted story.”

Holding Open Houses, distributing bookmarks, offering giveaways and prizes are all great ways to acknowledge National Library Week.  In addition, ALA has designated these days for special recognition during the week: 

Monday April 24: State of America's Libraries Report released, including Top Ten Frequently Challenged Books of 2022.

Tuesday April 25: National Library Workers Day, a day for library staff, users, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers

Wednesday April 26: National Library Outreach Day (formerly National Bookmobile Day) a day to celebrate library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are

Thursday April 27: Take Action for Libraries Day, a day to rally advocates to support libraries.

About National Library Week 

NWL is an annual celebration of the valuable role that libraries play in transforming lives and strengthening communities.  In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more time with radio and television.  Concerned that Americans were reading less, ALA and the American Book Publishers formed a study committee in 1957 to develop a plan for a national week devoted to the importance of libraries.  The premise: once people were motivated to read more, they would support and use libraries more. With the cooperation of ALA and with help from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme "Wake Up and Read." 

Click the button below to find today's NLW graphics, posters, bookmarks, social media messages, T-shirts and more.  And be sure to share your plans for NLW 2023 with each other on Library Talk!

National Library Week Promo Materials

Unreasonable Hospitality May 19th

The next Big Ideas Book Discussion is scheduled for May 19 (9:30-11:00AM)  And the book up for discussion is Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect (c2022) by Will Guidara.  First time author, but long-time restaurant owner, Will Guidara was twenty-six when he took over a struggling two-star bistro in New York City.  Eleven years later, the restaurant had received many awards, most notably being named one of the best restaurants in the world.

Since customer service is always top-of-mind in public libraries, this book about transforming customer experiences is sure to connect with library service in ways large and small.  From Amazon: “Today, every business can choose to be a hospitality business.  And we can all transform ordinary transactions into extraordinary experiences.  Guidara urges us all to find the magic in what we do—for ourselves, the people we work with, and the people we serve.”

In Big Ideas Book Discussions, State Library staff and partners facilitate discussions using books outside of library management, but with plenty of application to library management. Choosing books on leadership, customer service, presentation skills, etc. we connect those ideas with public library service.

Participants are encouraged to purchase books used throughout the Big Ideas series for local collections.  Join us for the next good read: Unreasonable Hospitality.

Register Today

Digital Services Town Hall Meetings This Week ... 

 Specific Addresses At The Button Below
6:00PM At Each Location

April 3 @ Lied Public Library in Clarinda

April 3 @ Fairfield Public Library

April 4 @ Washington Public Library

April 5 @ Marion Public Library

April 5 @ Keokuk Public Library

April 6 @ UNI Campus in Cedar Falls

April 6 @ Burlington Public Library

Town Hall Meetings on Digital Services