RE: Pandering to the Mediocre
alice knapp (aknapp@www.biblio.org)
Mon, 21 Jul 1997 15:23:27 -0400
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 1997 15:23:27 -0400
Message-Id: <199707211934.PAA17835@www.biblio.org>
From: aknapp@www.biblio.org (alice knapp)
To: Multiple recipients of list <conntech>
Subject: RE: Pandering to the Mediocre
>It would be terrific to post a couple of them (anonymously for sure) on=20
>conntech. =20
>
>JMK
>
In response to James Kusack=92s request. I am posting some of the goals=
from
the Adult Services Department. =20
In my mind, a goal is challenging not because it is a radical new thought
or an original idea worthy of a doctoral dissertation. Rather, it is an
object that helps the library fulfill its mission. What may be mundane in
one library is a definite challenge in another one. Take for instance, the
first goal of the Adult Services Department.
"Goal: Bethel Library users have an adequate and fully accessible building
that is efficient, convenient and comfortable.=20
Objective: To make better use of the current building, a concerted effort
will be made by the Adult Services Department to complete weeding of
nonfiction, move Biographies downstairs and move 900s upstairs. XXX will
weed the rest of the nonfiction, AR, LK and RB will delete the weeded items
in a timely fashion, and SB and others will add BIOGRAPHY before the call
number in Hold Edit. Hopefully, volunteers and pages will be able to do
most of the shifting.
What I need: Library director and children's librarian to continue to check
carts of weeded books regularly. Office time."
In many public libraries, the biographies already have their own section.
Several years ago, Bethel decided to inter-file its biographies to make it
easier for a person researching a subject. All of the books would be in
one place. Library users hated this decision. They wanted a separate
biography section. Meanwhile, the 900=92s were separated from the=
non-fiction
by two floors. With this change, which does require a lot of physical work,
the non-fiction will be housed on one floor except for the biographies.
This section will be on the main level and it will be easier for people to
browse.
The second goal of the Adult Services Department is equally ambitious. This
past year, Bethel added a new professional position=97the young adult
librarian. Prior to this addition, there was no discussion of outreach
service because the reference desk did not have adequate coverage. Now we
can do outreach.=20
"Objective: Adult services librarian will attend meetings with certain
cultural organizations (such as Senior Center, Professional Woman's Club,
Art League) to talk about the Library, and the role of the Adult Services
Librarian and the Adult Services Department; with emphasis on our space
constraints.
What I need: Library director to help organize these meetings."
The Adult Services Librarian has several more goals for her department
including a survey on on-line services, rewriting the collecting development
policy to include circulating CD-ROMs, and planning an additional book
discussion series. I think that is challenging. And I have no doubt that
it is obtainable=97she always attains her goals. I also want to note that I
could have posted the goals from Children=92s, Technical Services and=
Circulation.