In Defense Of Decorating For Every Holiday

Perhaps it's just me, but between taking down the bats and pumpkins and putting up the turkeys and other pumpkins, I sometimes take a moment to consider: do I really have to decorate for EVERY holiday? But then I get back to work and tack up another cornucopia because: yes. You might not find it necessary, but I think it's worthwhile to decorate for everything. I've compiled a list of my thoughts on the subject, which I will share with you today. This does not only include wall art and decorations, but also displays and bulletin boards. (Please note that, while I believe this about the entire library, I am - to be fair - a children's librarian.)

We Want To Be Relevant

When many people think of libraries, they think of buildings full of dusty, old books. Of course, these people are incorrect, but what better way to prove that we are currently relevant than to be as current as this very week? Yes, we care about being up to date! Take away that Halloween candy, it's old news - it's Thanksgiving season now!

We Want To Be Friendly

It's hard to be angry when you're surrounded by happy things, and creating an environment full of cheer is helpful for those who tend to lean toward the grumpy side of life. Of course, some people will be stressed and unhappy no matter what you do, but for the majority of people, a cheerful, welcoming environment helps relieve some of life's tensions. According to scientists, "the nostalgia associated with festive decorations reminds people of when they were children with no responsibilities."

This same study mentions that people who decorate the outside of their homes for the holidays are seen as "more friendly and cohesive" than their neighbors who do not decorate. Our goal as librarians is to create an environment that people want to visit and use, and if sticking a pilgrim hat on the turtle tank will make that happen, I am all for it. As I tell patrons who are overly worried about a 25 cent fine, "this is a happy place."

We Want To Be Inclusive

Halloween is the most popular holiday in October in my part of the world, but it's not the only one. I had up a small display of books about Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, and every single book was checked out! Several parents were surprised we had any books about Diwali at all, and more than one family expressed gratitude that their holiday was represented.

Of course, it's impossible to celebrate every single holiday, but we can do our best to make sure that all of the most important celebrations are noted. The choice is yours: would you rather celebrate absolutely everything, or nothing at all?

We Want To Be The Third Place 

American sociologist Ray Oldenberg wrote in his book The Great Good Place that people in productive societies need to have a third place - not work, not home - "where you relax in public, where you encounter familiar faces and make new acquaintances." Whether this is the neighborhood coffee shop, the barber shop, the local park -- or, perhaps, the library! -- this place can be integral for people's mental well-being. The idea is that people have no obligation to be here, but they want to be. What better way than to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere?

What Do You Think?

Do you agree with Kat? Let us know here in the comments, on our Facebook page, or on Twitter.

Library Services for Veterans

Veteran's Day is this weekend, and we would like to take this opportunity to note that, while we will all be making a point to thank our veterans for a day, there are services that libraries can provide that will be helping veterans and military families all year long.

Veterans Connect @ the Library

The State of California has created a very helpful website for librarians as part of their Veterans Connect @ the Library initiative, which has links to resources, programming ideas, training for staff and volunteers, and statistics about veterans services. They have compiled a "digital duffel bag" of programming ideas, arranged by degree of difficulty for library staff. This ranges from writing letters to veterans and servicemen and making paracord bracelets, to having a full-on spa day for female veterans.

They also have links to many other associations that may inspire or possibly host a program, including War Comes Home, a California-specific initiative to help veterans reconnect with their communities after military service, and WarInk, an organization that tells veterans' stories through their tattoos.

Following the Examples of Others

The American Library association published an article in 2016 about how "Libraries Help and Honor our Veterans" across the country, which includes some wonderful programming ideas that have been hosted at libraries across the country. The Portland [Maine] Public Library has hosted monthly legal advice clinics for veterans, while the library at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa has two classes per semester about making the transition from being in the military to returning to education.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services has a guide for librarians, archivists, and museum employees about providing services to veterans, as well, which can be found on their website.

What Else Can We Do?

In addition to any of the above programs, libraries can always be sure to have information on hand, or be able to easily find it. We can provide:

• Help with forms - The Veteran's Administration provides help with housing, insurance, and many other things, and they all need complicated forms to be filled out.
• Information about support groups - Many veterans suffer from PTSD and other mental health problems, alcoholism, and depression. The suicide rate among veterans is tragic; having a support system may make all the difference in the world.
• Information from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (www.va.gov) - this government organization offers a crisis line, health services, benefits for veterans, employment services, education and training, and pensions for many veterans
• Information about memorial services and how to have a loved one interred at a military cemetery, if that is their wish

We can also help by collecting American flags for disposal. Because they are symbols of the country, one is not supposed to just throw away an old flag. Instead, organizations such as the American Legion, the Boy and Girl Scouts of America, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars will properly retire and dispose of flags (which is usually by burning, burying, shredding, or recycling). Libraries can have collection bins for people to donate flags which are no longer able to be used, which can then be picked up by or sent to one of the above organizations for proper disposal.

In some libraries, fines for military families are automatically waived when the materials are returned. 

Many veterans have written books. Even if they are self-published, hosting local veterans to do an author talk can help them share their stories.

Many towns have Veterans of Foreign Wars halls, or some kind of Veterans Services office. You can do some outreach and see if they are interested in hosting a library program, or having a staff member come to the library to present a program on veterans' services.

If you have any other ideas for services for current and former military members, please let us know here in the comments, on Twitter, or on our Facebook page. We'd love to hear from you!

8 Lessons Learned from the 2017 Eclipse

Last August, the hottest topic of discussion in the library world revolved around the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse. For many librarians, this was the first time that they held a library program connected to it and handed out special glasses to safely view the natural phenomenon. Now that we have survived this experience, it is time to take a step back and see how it went.

Mostly because, if you are in North America, another one is coming on April 8, 2024. Right in the middle of tax time, yippee! And for our international librarians, partial Solar Eclipses are coming in 2018 for South America, Antarctica, and Australia. The next total solar eclipse is coming July 2, 2019 for southern North America and South America.

So, what do we know now that we didn't know before that we can share with future librarians?

1. It Was Wildly Popular

When word got out that libraries had free solar glasses, libraries were inundated with phone calls and visits. (And, unfortunately, this was inaccurate information. Not all libraries had solar glasses.) Hundreds of people turned up at viewing parties. People were lining up HOURS early for the viewing program. It didn't matter to people if they were in an area with full coverage or partial coverage, this was a popular program all across the U.S. Many libraries were caught off guard when a surge of interest in the glasses appeared two weeks before the event. (However, it might be important to note that this year's solar eclipse was during summer vacation for most students. Many families made a special day of it and parents/care givers took off work to experience this special event together. If school was in session, I wonder how many parents would have kept their kids home.)

2. Desperation for the Glasses

It wasn't uncommon for libraries to receive over 100 phone calls in one hour asking about the glasses. Some patrons got ugly when libraries ran out or wouldn't hand out glasses earlier than the viewing event. There were bangs on windows trying to get staff attention when libraries weren't open to the public just to double check they were out. Some libraries asked for a $1 donation if they had paid for the glasses and people were willing to do that. This may have also worked as a Friends fundraiser for the libraries who can't charge or ask for donations.

3. Where did the glasses come from?

Some libraries were able to get grants for the glasses and bought their own from these reputable dealers. (Be wary about Amazon -- a few libraries were told the glasses they ordered couldn't be verified to be legitimate so their order was automatically cancelled.) Star_Net also gave out 2 million free glasses (and 4,000 educational kits) to over 7,000 libraries.

4. Might be a Great Way to Get People Back to Libraries

Some libraries required registration to participate to the viewing event and receive solar glasses. Others only handed out glasses to those with a library card. Many didn't require anything at all... So many pros and cons to each one. One county with four branches had 1,000 glasses. They only handed them out to card holders, so they issued 70 new cards, 7 reissued cards, and brought in $200 in fines. This event could have been played as a great registration drive the month up to the big day... Of course, if you only have a small amount of glasses, it may not be worth all the effort of requiring registration. Some libraries held an eclipse event/presentation a week or two early and handed out the glasses then to avoid the mad rush of people at once.

5. Sharing Worked Well

People were happy to share glasses! In fact, most people didn't stare at the eclipse the whole time, so it makes sense to stretch your glasses supply and only give out 1-2 per family (more if the family is larger), etc. And many people did share at the viewing parties, so don't feel like you need to limit attendance to how many glasses you have.

6. Lots of Waiting

While the whole event happened over a few hours, there wasn't a lot of exciting things going on. You might want to encourage your patrons to bring chairs, blankets, and picnic lunches to help pass the time. This is also a great time for patrons to make pinhole projects, use a colander, wrapping paper tube viewer, and hear a presentation on eclipses. Some libraries tried to show live streams of the event on the NASA website which worked well for some, kept buffering for others, and, for a small amount, it didn't work at all. Some have found NASA's Facebook page supported the traffic much better than their website. One library gave out moon pies and Sunny D. Another library collaborated with the local Boy Scout troop who came to the library viewing event with their telescopes with special solar filters so patrons could look directly at the sun.

7. What to do with the old glasses?

There were so many things libraries could do with the old glasses. According to NASA, the ISO 12312-2 safety standard compliant glasses last forever if they aren't scratched, punctured, or torn. So, libraries could have collected the glasses back and saved them for a future eclipse. Or, they could have donated them to the Astronomers Without Borders who would send them to another country to be reused. For the ones that were damaged, the filters can be popped out and the frames recycled. Filters can be recycled as camera film, so you can contact a local camera shop.

8. What changes would librarians make for future events?

A) The clear response across the board was buying a whole lot more solar eclipse glasses - double to 5x the amount you expect. Again, this might not be wise if your solar eclipse is held during school hours, but this could also be a great opportunity to collaborate with schools.

B) People also talked about limiting glasses to only a few per family since it was easy for everyone to share. Others planned to keep more glasses on hand for their event since many people were willing to come to the viewing event.

C) There were also suggestions of getting porta-potties, offering food, telling patrons to bring their own chairs/blankets, and planning more events during the program.

D) The media also didn't always give out the correct information, so make sure to keep them updated with how your library is participating. If you are part of a library network, it might lessen confusion if you all agree to start handing out glasses on the same day, etc.

E) There are disagreements about whether or not a library card should be required to get the solar glasses. This will have to be for each individual library to decide. Some people felt it was a success just getting new people to walk into the library but others felt that it was a missed opportunity to get people to become patrons. (Some libraries were dismayed to learn people had driven long distances to visit them and get glasses because their own library was out or never had any.) One library not only made it a requirement to have a library card, but required that they checked out at least 5 items to earn their free pair of glasses.

F) Lastly, while the weeks leading up to the event might be insane, the day of the event has been very rewarding to many librarians. Coming together as a community to learn and witness a natural phenomenon was an amazing experience.

Please note: 

Many of the specific situations cited in the post above came from Facebook Discussions here and here last August. If your library participated, what did you learn from the experience?

3 Amazing Ways Libraries Have Helped Their Communities

Libraries are doing amazing work for their communities and we wanted to highlight a few today that makes us proud to be a librarian. Keep up the great work, everyone!

Mental Health First Aid Training for California Public Library Staff

http://www.library.ca.gov/grants/lsta/mentalhealthtraining.html

Due to a mental health initiative by the state of California, librarians from across the state are being trained to on how to work effectively and compassionately with people living with mental health issues. This new initiative isn't intended to replace professionals, but designed to connect people to the help they need, either it is finding a book or finding a professional to speak to.

Prisoners Video Chat With Relatives After Expansion of Library Program

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20161130/east-harlem/harlem-inmate-video-chat-visitation

Prison visits are in the midst of a big change. Instead of in-person visits, they are now installing technology for video chat visits. This is great for relatives who live far away but it comes with lots of costs, including the fees families have to pay to use the service and leaves out those who don't have the technology to connect online. To solve this problem, New York Public Library collaborated with the city's Department of Correction, putting the technology in every library where anyone can book an hour to talk with a loved one incarcerated at Rikers Island.

Assisting micro-enterprise businesses in success in Kings Mountain

http://statelibrarync.org/ldblog/2016/03/09/3588/

Back in 2012, small businesses in Kings Mountain, NC were closing as fast as they were opening. The city investigated the problem and realized that new business owners weren't equipped with the knowledge and experience to run a successful business. So, Kings Mountain Library applied and won the LSTA grant, hired a Business Librarian who ran classes for these small businesses on topics like using door counters, having secret shoppers and learning from their experiences, having the police do a free safety and security audit (which they already do), technology access and education (especially all the great tools offered at the library), graphic designers to develop logos and helping them update their basic info on Google Maps. The program was a success!

Bonus Story:
Shelter dogs feel lonely and abandoned, so children practice reading books to them

http://shareably.net/children-read-to-shelter-dogs/

Ok, this isn't a library story, but we think this is so cool and a great idea for libraries to adopt! In Missouri, children volunteer to read to shelter dogs. This encourages the dogs to hang out at the front of their kennel, which helps them to get adopted quicker. It also helps children improve their reading and public speaking skills.

Do you have any great library stories to share? We'd love to hear about them in the comments!

3 Unbiased Election Websites to Recommend to Patrons

Are you or your patrons struggling with locating neutral information about election candidates? This was a question posed on Facebook recently, and the librarian community stepped up with three great suggestions. We thought we'd cover them here today so this information isn't lost in the black hole of the internet.

Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia call themselves the Encyclopedia of American Politics. We found them really easy to navigate and learn of general information about the candidates on your ballot. If you click on their names, you'll be redirected to a very comprehensive report on where they stand on the major issues, their campaign trail, and the polls. You won't find quick answers here on where they stand, but they are unbiased. 

They also provide all of the local measures and if you click on them, you'll be redirected to a page which provides an overview, background, who supports and who oppose and their reasoning why, campaign finance and more.

Vote Smart

Vote Smart's website is a little bit confusing in the beginning. You must type in a candidate's name or your zip code BEFORE you can click on the category folders. And the zip code might have too many district. Even when I provided my exact address, the list of candidates included people who weren't on the ballot. So, it is better to search for specific people on this website.

The categories are really helpful. They include the bio info, their votes, their positions, ratings, speeches, and funding. Vote Smart is a supporter of the Political Courage Test, which asks candidates to provide voters with their positions on key issues. Most candidates refuse to take this test, so Project Vote Smart has taken the time to research the presidential and congressional candidates' likely responses, based on their public statements and voting records. For those who don't want a comprehensive read, this section provides a simple yes or no to each key issue.

Vote 411

Vote 411 provides full election information from the League of Women Voters. Not only can you learn about your candidates, but they also provide the answers to all aspects of the voting process:

• Absentee ballot information
• Ballot measure information (where applicable)
• Early voting options (where applicable)
• Election dates
• Factual data on candidates in various federal, state and local races
• General information on such topics as how to watch debates with a critical eye
• ID requirements
• Polling place locations
• Registration deadlines
• Voter qualifications
• Voter registration forms
• Voting machines

While they do provide a personalized ballot, showing you who are the candidates that are running for office and where they stand on issues, we have found that they don't always provide more info than people's names. So, double check for your district before you recommend this website. Editor Note: We are unable to find any personalized ballots at this time, so we're now thinking that perhaps this part of the website is currently down. Hopefully, it'll be back up soon and provides more information than candidate names.

And there you have it -- in less than 5 minutes, three great and neutral websites that'll arm your patrons with the knowledge they're seeking. Happy voting, everyone!

Disruptive Teen Patrons: 7 Strategies to Regain Order, Authority, and Your Sanity

One topic that I wish was taught in grad school was how to handle disruptive teens. I didn't encounter many situations at my previous library, but when it did happen, I sometimes was at a loss for how to handle it correctly. If your library is within walking distance of a school, you might find more instances of disruption.

These disruptions could vary from a loud group at the computers to a teen overtaking a program. To find answers to these questions, we had invited Pete Smith, Whole Children Lead Teacher/School Librarian, to our YA Collaborative Group meeting. He had discussed six common dilemmas and provided great suggestions on how to de-escalate any situation.

He was amazing!  Below are some of his strategies, shared with his permission:

Group Too Rowdy?

• Pull out a chair and sit down.
• Talk slowly and calmly. They will find it unnerving and stop what they are doing.
• Once they disengage, you can talk to them about their behavior and how it affects the space and people around them.
•  Don’t focus on who did what – you can’t change what did happen, so let’s focus on this point forward.

Teen Breaking the Rules?

• Have them sit and seriously think about it. Have them come up with reasons for why they shouldn’t be doing it. Many of them may need the time to really think things through to understand the importance of the rules.

Teens are Ignoring You?

• Be honest! Tell them how you feel. Connect to them as a fellow human being. “Listen, the way you are treating me makes me feel frustrated. When you focus on your phone, it is telling me that you are not paying attention to what I am saying. These rules were created for you because…”

Issues Between Two Teens?

• Talk to their parents first. (Get their parents contact info and the best times to call. Parents tend to get defensive for their kids, so contacting them first about what you are noticing and what you want to discuss to their kids about may save you a lot of work. Ask the parents for tips or advice on how to best connect with their kid.)
• Then talk with the teens.

Suspect It Is a Special Needs Issue?

• Talk to them one-on-one.
• Tell them what behavior you’ve been noticing and ask how you can help. They’ll most likely know what you are talking about and can tell you what they need help with.
• Focus on the behavior, not on a label! Identify person first, the disability they are diagnosed with second.
• Never make assumptions. They will know how to best help them.
• “Here is what I’m noticing…. Is that true? Do you need help with…?”
• “Is there a system you and I can setup so I can alert you that you’re doing this without alerting the group?”
• Using their name and a gesture, like pointing to your face
• Using a code word like banana and working it into a sentence.
• If that doesn’t work, ask them for their parents’ contact info. Make sure to also find out what is the best way to reach them and the best times to call.

Suggestions to Avoid Future Behavioral Problems

• Every meeting, review the rules.
• Keep track of time, give them a heads up on transitions (it reduces stress for some teens). “In 10 minutes, we’re going…”
• Create a cool down kit (fidget toys)
• Stress balls
• Notebooks with markers/pens
• Noise cancelling headphones
• Bubbles
• Include on your flyer, “Need accommodations – RSVP to….”
• Give them an opportunity to step out to cool down, take a walk, and come back later.
• Find ways to connect them to their motivation.
• Sometimes, the library is not the place where teens need to be. If they are unable to follow the rules, you can send them home for the day and invite them back the next day.
• Fair means everyone gets what they NEED, not that everyone gets the SAME thing.

How to De-Escalate Any Situation

Do:

• Use a gentle, soft voice.
• Speak slowly and confidently.
• Allow the person to tell you what is bothering them.
• Praise any movement in the right direction.
• Stay calm and paraphrase your understanding of the person's experiences. Set aside your own thoughts and responses and focus on what you are hearing,
• Validate the person's possible emotions and what is upsetting to them.
• Be specific and gentle, but firmly directive about the behavior that you will accept.
• Explain your intent before making any moves ("I'm going to cross the room and open the door.").
• Take deep breaths, slowing down your breathing so that you can remain calm.
• Ask the person what would be helpful from you. Ask for permission to problem-solve the issue. The person may just be venting and may not want you to problem-solve with them.
• Summarize what the person has said, and summarize any agreed upon resolutions.

Do NOT:

• Do not argue. When a person is already agitated or angry, he/she may escalate if they do not feel heard. It is more helpful to show that you heard them and to de-escalate than to be correct.
• Do not describe the person creating the disturbance, or assign them emotions ("You're frustrated because...").
• Do not touch the person or make sudden moves.
• Do not threaten the person. Threatening could increase someone's fear, which could prompt defense or aggression. 
• Do not take the person's behavior or remarks personally. Disruptive or aggressive behavior generally results from other life problems.

Thank you, Pete Smith, for allowing me to share your great info! And thanks to Amanda Maclure for her awesome notes taken during this meeting.

Three to Go Library Card: The Benefits of a Limited Access Card

Today, I am going to talk about a different kind of library card that I didn't know could be an option until someone mentioned it on social media last fall.

It is called the "Three to Go" Library Card and it offers limited access to the library. It was created for patrons who may be missing a piece of paperwork (or a guardian) which would normally prevent them from getting a library card.

It was a brilliant idea and I brought it to my previous library. Being a Teen Librarian, I thought it would be perfect for my teens who might not have parents with them. (Or, if we wanted to work with schools to give teens library cards.) However, after we instituted it, we learned that ADULTS loved this option. We didn't realize how many times a week we turn patrons away because they didn't have a piece of mail to confirm their address and get a library card. Suddenly, we had a way to turn those negative interactions into a positive experience!

How It Worked:

1. Patrons filled out the same library card form everyone else did.

2. We put it in a special envelope so we could keep track of these "incomplete" applications.

3.  We created a library card for them and noted on their account that this patron can only have 3 items checked out on this card at all times, until they upgraded. (So, staff needed to remember to check their "Check out" list before they checked out any items.)

4. We upgraded them to full status when they brought in the missing pieces for the application, and moved the applications to the completed box.

Usage Statistics:

After six months, we ran a statistics report to see how this program was faring. We were surprised to see that they fell almost equally into three parts:

• 1/3 of these patrons later upgraded their cards.
• 1/3 of these patrons had no fines and were using it appropriately.
• 1/3 of these patrons had late or billed items.

What We Learned:

1. Patrons loved this option! Before, we had to turn new patrons away because they were missing a piece of the application, and so many of them were disappointed because they really wanted to check something out during this visit. Now we could say yes, you can use the library.

2. Not all patrons came back to upgrade their card. We realized this could be due to many reasons, such as:
   a. They only intended to use the library once.
   b. They were temporary residents, so they only needed a temporary card.
   c. They wanted access to our online collection which this card granted.
   d. They were content with only checking out three items at a time.
   e.  They weren't able (or wanted) to get their parents to come to the library.

3. We realized that #2 is a segment of our population we were not serving when we didn't have this limited library card. Before, we were turning these patrons away, and, for many of them, this could have been their one and only negative interaction with the library.

4. We did realize that it was important to get all Circulation Staff on board with this program. They were the ones who had to offer it to people who couldn't complete an application AND they needed to remind patrons at each checkout that they can upgrade their card when they complete the application. (We did have a patron who forgot and thought he would always be limited to three items.)

5. While it is disappointing to not have items returned, we were pleased that the library AND two thirds of participants were benefiting from this program.

Perhaps this limited card may also work for you and your library.

10 Insider Secrets Librarians Only Tell Their Friends

Today's post is about 10 insider tips that librarians share with their friends. Not that we don't want to tell patrons about these options, but they're more useful when discussed at a time when it is appropriate to know.

These tips all work for the libraries in my region; I don't know if they work at every library. However, it might be worth your time to call and find out. If you know of other great tips, please share in the comments!

1. Yes, you probably DID return that book

We're checking in and out a million books a day, so your book could be missed due to human or machine error. It happens more often than you know, so we're all very nice about this. If it happens to you, just let us know. We always double check the shelf and return carts. If they are there, we'll clear it off your account. If not, it is probably lost in your car. ;-)

2. Never pay a fine!

Check to see if your library or surrounding libraries offer fine free days. In my area, we have fine free Wednesdays at one library and fine free Fridays at another. Depending on how many items are late, it might be worth the longer drive. Many libraries also offer Fine Amnesty weeks, usually around the holidays (like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Library Appreciation Week, and around Summer Reading). In our area, you bring in can goods to clear the fines off your account any time during that week.

3. Order online, pick-up at any library

Everyone has time for the library! We are open nights and weekends, more hours than your pharmacy and banks. You can "order" (we call them requests) in the comfort of your home and have the materials delivered to any library of your choice. (Want to use the library near your work? Sure!) You'll get an email when they are ready and have seven days to come and pick them up. If you are taking care of small children and find it overwhelming to browse our shelves while keeping an eye on the kids, use this handy feature! Do your browsing at home, come for the programs and toys, and then visit the Circulation Desk to find your books waiting for you.

4.  Keep e-books for longer than 2 weeks

The worst part about our e-books is that, if they are popular, you have to go on the holds list. When it finally arrives, you might not have time to actually read it. One trick, though, is to download the book and turn off your wi-fi. It won't be deleted until you connect to the internet again, so it is yours until then! (No guilt, too! Since it is an ebook, the next person will still get their copy on time.) Granted, many people read on their phones and internet is a necessity, but it works great if you have another device that you can sacrifice the internet for a few days, or however long you need.

5. Get a museum* pass from any library near you

Your library's museum pass is checked out for the day you want it? Call your surrounding libraries and see what their policies are with museum passes. Some may allow anyone (not just residents) to put a hold on them. Others may allow you to check it out the day you want it, if it is still available. * Librarians also tell their friends that "Museum Passes" is the catchphrase for lots of fun places around the area, not just museums. Think aquariums, zoos, parks, farms, and more!

6. Donations may not be added to library's shelves

Many people assume their book donations are automatically added to the library's collection. Librarians look at a lot of factors when adding to the collection and for one reason or another (duplicates, condition, patron interest, etc.), they may decide to not add the book. For libraries with a very limited book budget, donations may be very vital to their operation. But if they have a healthy book budget, chances are, they already purchased a copy of most donations. If that is the case, many libraries automatically put donations into their annual book sale. You're still supporting the library since the library or Friends of the Library benefit from the profits, but if you want your children or teen books to get a lot of use, you might want to first offer them to schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, or daycare centers.

7. Every library has a different collection.

Every library is different. Some have special collections -- board games, Wi-Fi hotspots, seed exchanges, cake pans, etc. Some have special technologies you can use like 3D Printers, sewing machines, video equipment, and more. And some specialize in a specific genre or type, like graphic novels, video games or audio books, providing you with a larger selection to browse. So, get to know all of your libraries you are willing to drive to and see what they have to offer. If your library is on the same network, your current library card will work for check out. If not, they may allow you to make another card there, for free or a small fee.

8. Every library offers free programming, open to the public. (edit: most events are open to the public within 24 hours of the start time.)

You do not need to be a resident of that library to be able to attend a library's programs. So, when you are looking for something to do, check out their online calendars. Sure, every library may offer story time, but if your library offers it on the day you are working, your neighboring library may not! Adult programming can vary widely, and who doesn't like a free movie night?  If you are a caregiver, check out the Macaroni Kid website which pulls all regional kid programming into one calendar for you. Edit: Some libraries do reserve their programs for their residents, but many of them will allow outside patrons to attend if there are open seats within 24 hours of the program start time. Thanks, Peggy, for pointing this out! 

9. If you can't find it on Google, ask your Reference Librarian

These information professionals know how to find anything, especially answers to tough questions. If you want to know something and Google isn't giving you the answer (or, maybe, too many answers and you're now confused), come see a Reference Librarian. It doesn't matter if you are trying to find the name of a toy you played with in the 1950s, looking for scholarships, getting started on your genealogy, or trying to find the perfect cheesecake recipe -- they can get the answer for you. Personally, I think they are better than Google since you know whatever they come back with is *THE* answer you needed. Think of them as your personal information assistants.

10. Can't find what you want? Ask for it.

Libraries are now connected together and share their collections via interlibrary loans. Chances are very high that if your library doesn't have it, you can request it from another library. But if you can't find it anywhere, you may ask your library if they would be willing to purchase it. Many librarians are happy to do so because it is a guaranteed circulation. We like when our materials circulate and we like happy patrons!

Patrons Under the Influence of Drugs: What Libraries Can Do About It

One topic you don't hear too often is what to do about patrons who come in under the influence of drugs. At our recent YA Collaborative Group meeting, we invited two Community Police Officers to talk to a room full of teen and youth librarians about this important topic. They shared some great tips that I'd like to share with all of you, too.

1. No matter how small your library, you are not immune from the drug epidemic

• Across the United States, we have an opioid crisis. So much so that Marijuana isn't even much of a concern anymore. 

"Prescription opioid overdoses now kill more people in the United States every year than all other drugs combined, including illicit drugs. Collectively, drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death in the majority of states and kill more Americans every year than car crashes." (ncsl.org, 11/24/2015)

• With these scary statistics, we all need to work together to end this crisis. Ignoring this problem won't make it go away.
• Does your library policy cover drug use? Our presenters recommended including something that states: that if a person is suspected of drug or alcohol use, library staff will activate the EMS system (basically calling 911).
• Update: since this article has been published, many more overdoses have happened in libraries. The question isn't "if", but "when" will this happen at your library, too.
• Norfolk man dies after heroin overdose inside Slover Library
• Medical examiner: Man died of heroin overdose at Oak Park library
• Man overdoses in Cambria County library bathroom
• Life-Saving Librarian, Narcan Prevent Overdose Death
• Children Discover Couple Passed Out From Drug Overdose In Local Library

2. Partner with your community officers or school resource officers.

• You can ask your local law enforcement for regular walk-throughs to your library to see what's going on and to get to know patrons and staff.
• If they unable to visit frequently, at least get their contact information. If you suspect a patron is using drugs but have no proof, you can still call and ask them to have a chat with the patron, especially if they are a teen/child. Chances are, they are already on the police's radar.
• Due to this crisis, thirty states have passed drug overdose immunity and good Samaritan laws. Basically, law enforcement is shifting their focus from arresting people for drug crimes to getting them the help they need. So now, if you call 911 for a drug overdose (for you or someone you are with), you won't be charged for low level drug possession and use offenses. They are hoping this change will encourage more people to seek help when they need it. (ncsl.org, 11/24/2015) 
• So in these states, don't worry about getting someone "in trouble". That isn't the focus anymore.
• Feel comfortable in trusting your gut -- if something feels off, you are most likely right. Asking for police to come in for a chat isn't going to hurt anything, and that's what community police officers do. (Please call the main office line and not 911 for non-emergency matters.)
• People under the influence of drugs will often try to refuse medical attention because they don’t want to be arrested for possession.  It’s important that they know about the drug overdose immunity and get the medical help they need.

Image from http://www.ncsl.org/research/civil-and-criminal-justice/drug-overdose-immunity-good-samaritan-laws.aspx

3. Know what to look for:

Symptoms of opioid use/overdose:

• Pupils are like pin-points.
• Person is lethargic.
• Person may collapse (people suffering from an overdose usually die from respiratory failure – they may have a pulse, but they're not breathing).
• Excessive scratching.
• Keep in mind that people with certain medical conditions might display similar symptoms when they are experiencing an issue related to their condition (such as diabetic shock, so you should check for an insulin pump or medic alert bracelet).
• Recognizing Opioid Overdose
• Prescription Painkiller Addiction Effects, Signs & Symptoms

Synthetic marijuana is also becoming an issue:

• It’s technically legal.
• It can be purchased at some convenience stores.
• It can produce really bad effects.
• People under its influence tend to exhibit very bizarre behavior.
• Synthetic Marijuana

4. What to do if someone in the library is experiencing (or appearing to experience) an overdose:

• Call 911 immediately.
• If their heart is still beating but they are not breathing, you can use a Narcan (a nasal spray that is used to reverse the effects of opioids).
• Narcan can be purchased over the counter at stores such as CVS and Walgreens.
• It costs about $30.
• It’s safe to use even if turns out the person is not experiencing a drug overdose. (There are no ill effects)
• The effects are only temporary!  It lasts about 30 minutes so the person would still need immediate medical attention.
• After administered, the person will most likely be combative when they first revive because they will be confused as to what’s happened.
• There is some concern that towns might be sued if they administer this to a person without their consent, but the officers said that the Good Samaritans Law should protect from any lawsuits. 

5. Behavior you should look for if you suspect someone is dealing or hiding drugs:

• They keep hold of their stuff at all times.
• They walk around a lot (in and out of rooms, going into the bathroom frequently, etc.).
• They use their cell phones a lot.
• They’re scratching themselves a lot.
• If you suspect that a patron has a drug problem, don’t hesitate to contact officers (especially Community Officers and School Resource officers) so that they can privately talk with them to try to help them.

6. Did You Also Know...?

• You can order professional brochures on drugs and other topics from samhsa.gov for just the cost of shipping. They also provide free downloads, too.
• Tips for Teens: The Truth About Heroin/Club Drugs -- (Free Downloads)
• Alcohol and Drug Addiction Happens in the Best of Families -- (Free Downloads!)
• Some schools have allowed Teen, Children, and Youth Librarians to participate with teachers during their professional development days to learn more about these kinds of topics. Free training! And possibly, a chance to network with more people in your community.
• Reach out to drug rehabilitation centers for any possible trainings. Our local center is actually offering a free Narcan training next week and giving out two free doses of Narcan to all participants. That's a $60 value!
• Please consider keeping a Narcan on hand. They last a long time, and you could possibly save a life.
• This is a great chart about the different types of drugs and their indicators: Cumulative Drug Symptomatology Matrix

Special thanks to Amanda Maclure for taking such great notes at our YA Collaborative Group Meeting and letting me use them here. Also, thank you to our local police department for coming out and talking to us about this.

50+ Ideas for Summer Reading Swag That Will Make Your Patrons Dance

It's almost time for Summer Reading! If you're like me, you've had the programs and projects booked and planned for months (who can wait?), but you're just now thinking about prizes. Of course, there are as many ways to award prizes as there are prizes to choose from. Do you do raffle prizes, weekly picks from the Treasure Chest, or a combination of both? Here are some favorite items that have been given out in libraries around the country.

Trinkets

I'm not talking about the Children's Room Treasure Chest (that's later); these toys are more popular with teens or adults. Any of these items can be personalized with your library name or logo, and given out as weekly incentives or door prizes at programs.

• Books of sticky notes; some nicer ones, like these, have a notepad, sticky notes, and sticky flags in a plastic cover.
• Note pads - always useful, especially if they come with a pen
• Flash drives (perhaps in bracelet form, though those are a bit more expensive)
• Screen cleaners that stick to the back of your device (genius!)
• Flashlight keychains
• Travel mugs
• Tumblers or other drinking glasses
• Water bottles - many options available! I used to prefer the aluminum ones to the plastic ones, but lately I'm a bigger fan of these neat collapsible types that take up almost no room at all.
• Tote bags. Never under-estimate the appeal of a good-quality reusable tote bag. I personally can't resist them, and neither can most teens and adults. And you can always go with the theme.
• Laptop bags or tablet cases
• Can koozies
• Headphones or ear buds
• Lip balm. One library reports having great success with this, to the point that people would come in asking for the lip balm and ultimately end up getting a library card.
• Stress balls, especially in unique shapes
• Electronics chargers, like this multi-charger or this portable Power Bank
• These amazing book-themed buttons, sold on Etsy

Treasure Chest Loot

But speaking of the kids, the Treasure Chest is great for the kids who want a prize now. In my library, kids can earn either a Treasure or a raffle ticket to use for a chance at a larger prize. These treasures include:

• Finger puppets
• Super bouncy balls
• Small plastic toys or characters
• Keychains
• Plastic sunglasses
• Bubbles (especially the ones that smell like ice cream)
• Stickers or temporary tattoos
• PEZ dispensers are a big hit, and come in both DC and Marvel
• Art supplies, like crayons or colored pencils

When you want something a bit more substantial as a prize, maybe as a raffle prize, you might want to go a bit bigger. (In some cases, a lot bigger.) You can put together a Bag O' Swag, filled with any of the above items, or you can get something different entirely. There are a few different genres of prizes to choose from.

Unique Items

For the "where did you get that?!" factor, try something a little bit different.

• Giant candy, like this 5 lb. gummy bear
• Or this 1 lb. York Peppermint Patty
• Or this huge Snickers bar
• Or this gigantic Box of Nerds
• One library we spoke with makes their own 3D printed awards - how cool is that?!
• These Water Dancing Speakers are a big hit with teens
• The Create Your Own Superhero Kit is perfect for this year's theme
• Board or card games, like Superfight!, the superhero card game
• Posters, like this awesome one, featuring minimalist superheroes
• Again going with the theme, try action figures, like the ones by FunKo - good for all ages!
• LEGO sets are always popular, and come in countless designs
• For the kids, try something to get them outdoors, like this Plasma Car
• Groups of smaller things work well, too. Try a stuffed Curious George and a couple board books for the smallest library patrons, or some coloring books and Super Heroic Crayons. For some reason, getting a bag of prizes - even if it's all little things - makes it seem more special.
• Signed books
• Cosplay items, such as this Link hat from the Legend of Zelda (bonus points if you get the shield, too!)
• Jewelry from popular manga or anime series
• Anything to do with Minecraft will have a following, like this foam pick-axe

Gift Cards

Money is always good! Local businesses will often donate gift certificate for a prize or two if you ask them nicely. We have gotten coupons for free ice cream cones, free rounds of Mini-Golf, etc. Last year, Chipotle gave us coupons for free burritos! Or you can always go with:

• Amazon.com
• iTunes
• Toys R Us
• Simon Malls (or your local mall)
• Comic book or music stores, like Newbury Comics

Gadgets

Because everyone wants the latest toys. 

• Kindle Fire or other e-reader (why the Fire? Because it's also a tablet, so it's an e-reader, but it's also so much more!)
• Samsung Galaxy or iPad
• One library is raffling off an Apple Watch! That's one way to get noticed.

Experiences

Things are nice, but it's nicer sometimes to have an experience than an item. Whether it's a trip somewhere or a party at your library, these prizes make memories that will last far longer than plastic finger puppets ever will.

• Tickets to movies, aquariums, museums
• Tickets to amusement parks, like Six Flags or Cedar Point
• Games at local arcades, mini-golf courses or bowling alleys
• A pizza party at the library
• An all-night lock-in at the library
• Moving to #1 on the hold list for a book or movie of their choice

Thanks to ALATT, Programming Librarians and Teen Librarians Facebook Groups for your insight and experiences!

What prizes can your library patrons win? Tell us in the comments!

Scratch Tickets for the Win!

This week on YA-YAAC, there was a discussion about the different ways to run Summer Reading. The focus was on a Summer Reading Bingo card, which I have tried at my library and it bombed. I think it was too complicated for our patrons and Circulation Staff, though I know other libraries have had great success with it. However, I mentioned to the group that I use homemade scratch tickets for my Summer Reading and the interest it garnered prompted me to write this post.

The beauty of this idea is that any librarian can do it, for any age group. It is a fun activity for patrons and it makes a small prize budget go very far. (Our teens were happy to scratch a losing ticket because it meant they got into the Grand Prize Raffle.)

When we did the Bingo card program, I had 46 participants. The year afterwards, I decided to revamp my Summer Reading and take a very simple approach with scratch tickets. It paid off with 269 teens participating. Last year, we beat that number and had 321 teens in the program.

This is how we did it:

Our Goals

• Make Summer Reading easy!
• Increase participation.
• Focus on fun.
• Eliminate the barrier of registering to participate.
• Encourage teens to return to the library all summer.
• Make teens aware of all the library has to offer, most especially reaching those who only come in for their school’s Summer Reading books.

Benefits of Scratch Tickets

• No registration needed—statistics were gathered on the back of losing tickets or the prize sign-in sheet. (I do have a registration form, which if they fill out, they'll get 3 extra tickets into the Grand Prize Raffle.)
• It is simple to implement. Staff ask if teens are going into grades 6-12 and automatically hand them a ticket.
• Teens instantly participated.
• Staff were excited to have a winner.
• Prizes were collected right away, eliminating hassle of hunting down winners later.

Challenges

New 2015 Design!

• It is time consuming to make so many tickets! But volunteers can easily do it.
• Circulation staff participation are important since they are the ones handing out the tickets.
• This program only rewarded those who came to the library often. 
• Prizes may be a challenge for some libraries, depending on what your budget is. If this is the case, you can adapt this program where instead of having each library item have a certain prize, they can pick a scratch ticket for whatever prize they are hoping to win. I know of another library who holds an auction at the end of Summer Reading and these scratch tickets will award different amounts of book bucks to the patron. So, there are many different ways to use this!

How It Works:

• You can buy Scratch Ticket Stickers on Amazon. I used to paint them, but when I learned of this in June of 2015, I completely redesigned our tickets to use them -- it worked out great! (If you prefer to make your own, we had used this tutorial: http://www.thedaintysquid.com/2012/03/diy-scratch-off-tickets.html. To save on time, we just painted a square over the words instead of painting the whole bottom like they did in the tutorial and we didn't use tape for clean edges.) 
• 7 categories, 7 major prizes. Fiction and Nonfiction each had 2 midlevel prizes and free books.
• All categories had lots of small winners, just candy and Summer Reading trinkets.
• We started off with 2/3rds losing tickets and 1/3rd winning tickets and made more when needed (usually more losing tickets, but I was ready to buy more candy if needed).
• ALL losing tickets qualified for the GRAND PRIZE RAFFLE, not listed on the Prize Board above.
• One ticket per day, handed out by Circulation Staff. If they checked out multiple categories, they picked what ticket they wanted.
• If they lost, they wrote their contact info on the back and the losing ticket would go into the grand prize raffle.
• If they won, they had to sign a sheet before claiming their prize. (Helped with keeping stats on winners)
• We made a Prize Board on the wall next to the Circulation Desk and entrance that clearly stated each category and the prizes. As teens won them, we taped "Claim" over the prize. This greatly influenced teens try check out different items based on what was available. 
• I tallied our participant numbers based on the names on the losing tickets and prize sheets.

NOTE: We only put one major prize in the raffle per week, right on top of the pile so we could control when the big prizes were claimed and could spread it out throughout the whole summer.

What We Learned:

• There were some teens who were disappointed that they couldn’t log their hours, but as one said, “I loved that [logging hours] when I was younger because I would constantly read in hopes of doing well in the program, but with my job and the crazy amount of summer work we have to do for APs, I didn’t get to read as much as I would have liked.”
• To accommodate those who are big readers but cannot come to the library often, next year, we are creating a category for book reviews.  One ticket per review.
• Despite the fact that we give out prizes for non-books, books by far were the top checkouts. In 2014, 82.6% were book/audiobook checkouts. Of course, we didn’t release the major prize in these categories until towards the end of Summer Reading to encourage reading.
• In 2014,  41% won at least once. All major and midlevel prizes were won by a different person.
• We used to add the Summer Reading theme to the tickets, but decided to go generic so we can reuse the leftovers the following year!

Template:

You can double click and copy our free template to get started! We just ask that you comment on this blog that you're using it. The circles on the left fit the 1 inch Scratch Ticket Stickers from Amazon. Just add your text and you're ready to go!

Follow Up Information:

I have been getting a lot of similar questions, so here's additional information:

1. How did you stagger your winning tickets?  Was there a rhyme or reason?

Did you ever find you had a bunch of unclaimed prizes?

I staggered the small prizes with the losing tickets (this was candy, Summer Reading swag, and free books). However, my $25 gift cards and the bigger prizes, I kept out of the pile. I had enough so that I only gave away one gift card each week and then sporadically added the other prizes in.

To ensure these big prizes were claimed, I laid them on top of the pile so the next person would win it (I didn't want to worry about people never reaching the prize. I guess you can say the random part was for me -- I never knew which teen was going to walk through the door and win it). Everyone walked away with their prize, so I didn't have any prizes leftover... except for candy and the other small prizes, since I never could be sure how many people would participate and I wanted to give them choices.

2. Did you base how many winning tickets you had on the number of teens

participating or was it random?

I had no idea that first year how many people would participate, so I counted up my summer reading swag and looked at the candy piece amount listed on the bags and made that many winning small prizes. I doubled that number and made the rest for losing tickets. So, basically, every third person should win something. I ended up having to make more halfway during summer reading, but you'll know how many more to make when you check the piles. Once you complete one year, you'll have a good idea of how many tickets to make the next time. (And, honestly, halfway through the summer, I just add in more losing tickets since I figured by this point, teens don't have to win so often. They should be hooked!)

If you enjoyed this article, check out our other posts on Summer Reading!

17 Ways to Accomplish Summer Reading
50+ Ideas for Summer Reading Swag that Make Your Patrons Dance
Ready to Go Book Display: Villains, Superheroes, and Everyday Heroes

Floating Library Collection

Yesterday, I had the honor to present on a panel at the Massachusetts Library System's 6th Annual Teen Summit. If you are near the Worcester, MA area and work with teens, I highly recommend that you check out their website and stay tuned for their summits in October. (See below about the other sessions.) The positive feedback I received on my presentation encouraged me to post about it here.

MLS asked me to talk about my Floating Fiction collection, which I do with the local high school, but really, it works everywhere for any population. Want to check out book club reads to commuters at the train station? Done. Want to check out books to the kids stuck at the military base? Sure can. Want to check out materials to the homeless living at the local hotel? Not a problem.

It does not take a lot of time and it is free to do!

1. Make a Google Account.
2. Make a copy of my Google Form and update it.
3. Make a generic "Floating Collection" library card and then check your books out on it.
4. List these books on the Google Form for checkout.
5. Save the form URL on your laptop.
6. Go to the new location and start checking in/out books on this form to your patrons!

For more information and details, check out my handout.

                         ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The topic of the summit was the New Basics and there were great presentations about:

* Stating from Scratch: My 18: Month Quest to Fill the Library with Teens, Convert my Colleagues, and Keep My Sanity
* Capturing the Elusive Teenager: The Teen Artists Coalition of Cape Cod
* Teen Career Fair in the Library
* Connecting through Clubs: Nerdfighters at the Library
* Teen Study Week

The handouts are posted on the left.  People are doing great things with teens, a population that seems to be regularly be under-served.