Eating at the library?

Of course. Everyone does it. Walk through the library on any given day and you will see patrons snacking on packaged things like a candy bar or peanut butter crackers. Often, library staff will have an event in their breakroom or a celebration, like our volunteer luncheon, in the auditorium. Food is part of the library. Heck, we even had a coffee bar in here for many years that served cookies, muffins, and sandwiches!

So why not take two of the typical functions of a library - book clubs and food and combine them? This article from the Columbus Dispatch talks about an Ohio library that has done just that. They have a cookbook club that taste-tests recipes from the library's cookbook collection!

What do you think?

Sign up for a library card...

...get access to lynda.com! Ordinarily this tool would require an individual to pay for access to the amazing database of self-paced video tutorials. But because the Hutchinson Public Library has signed up for a site subscription, HPL card holders get access for free! All you need is a current card to get started and you can start learning something new from home, on the go, or at the library.



That isn't what you are looking for? What about free access to powerful business and investing tools? Among our offerings for the independent investor is the powerful Standard & Poor's NetAdvantage - an entire suite of up-to-the-minute tracking and research tools.

Maybe you're interested in learning a new language for that upcoming (or buck-listed) big adventure? The Hutchinson Public Library subscribes to Transparent Languages. Learn 90 different languages, from Afrikaans to Zulu and be ready to travel!

Lynda.com Online Learning at Hutchinson Public Library

My youngest son has been working on Java programming so I thought I would look to see what kind of tools the Hutchinson Public Library has for helping him along. Turns out we have four books of varying "ages" - from 2004 (yikes!) to 2015. Those might help, so I sent him the list.

Then I went to look in one of our new self-paced education tools, lynda.com and found this:

Turns out that lynda.com has 16 different tutorials on Java, 5 beginner, 10 intermediate, and one advanced. Since these are all self-paced and lynda keeps track of your progress, he'll be able to do them as he has time. Also, since the tutorials are indexed and searchable, he can use them to find answers to particular questions if he is stuck somewhere in the process!

As he progresses (he wants to create games with Java), there are more than two dozen video courses in the "Web Developer" section of lynda dealing specifically with games and game design.

This amazing tool is available to him and to you for FREE. All you need is a valid Hutchinson Public Library card.

Kansas Election Information

The reference librarians at the Kansas State Library KGI blog have provided us with a nice series of links to Kansas elections-related information provided by the Kansas Secretary of State's office among others.  This is non-partisan information about our election process in Kansas.  Please note:  this information is in no way intended to promote anything beyond greater public knowledge of the election process in our state!

The librarians that run the KGI blog are awesome!  I encourage you to browse their archive of posts, there is a wealth of information to be found.

2012 Kansas Library Association meeting

Go check out this ad campaign - it will open your eyes!

Every once in a while, it's good to get together with a group of people who do the same general things you do and talk about it.  You find out new things, get new perspectives on old problems, and sometimes you find that the things you are doing are ahead of every one else!

I spent a couple of days last week in Wichita at just such an event, the 2012 KLA conference.  This is a gathering of Kansas librarians from all walks of the profession - public to college to special libraries.  Of course, the best thing about these events is the time you get to spend talking with colleagues.  Sure, the sessions impart information, the keynote speakers inspire you to new heights, etc.  But the real value in putting forth all the work necessary to hold a professional conference is the face-to-face communication.

I will say that the keynote speaker, R. David Lankes was quite interesting.  His whole talk was about how libraries have slowly shifted focus over the centuries and how we need to look back and consider reviving some ancient practices.  Take for example the great library at Alexandria.  Over two thousand years ago, some very wise people started collecting not "things" per se, but thinkers - people.  They invited great scholars to come there and create.  The knowledge created was then cataloged and stored in the library there.  Wouldn't that be a cool thing for modern libraries to do?  We could make it easier, more conducive, and desirable to come to the library to collaborate, think and create.  And here's a crazy idea:  We could tell people that's what we're doing!  It made me feel very good about the future directions of the Hutchinson Public Library and what we are planning with our re-imagined library technology center.

Well, off I go, back to my daily routine.  But I have some new ideas to work into the regular flow of "stuff" that happens every day.  I think that if some of my HPL colleagues were as inspired to make changes as I was, you'll see some cool new stuff here soon!

The Hunt for New Ideas

Mediasurfer iPad self-check

Laptop self-check

I went to the ALA Midwinter meeting Exhibits Hall in Dallas over the weekend with a long wish list.  Big meetings such as that are great for networking and learning new things, but they are also GREAT for finding out about how to meet patron needs through new products and services.

Are there really any new ideas out there?  Has everything already been done?  Maybe.  But some people are taking ideas and running with them in pretty cool ways.  Take the idea of checking out laptops or other devices to library patrons.  HPL has checked out laptops for 3 years now.  They are used in-house only and circulate from the adult circulation desk.  But what if you could automate this process?  Sort of a Redbox for electronics?  Two companies have done just that - Mediasurfer and LaptopsAnytime.  The Mediasurfer kiosk dispenses tablets (iPads, specifically) only, while the LaptopsAnytime device can be customized to dispense laptops and netbooks.

Imagine being able to just walk up to the machine, scan your card, and go sit down and start computing with a clean, fully-charged device.  When it comes to return time, no waiting in lines, no fuss, just put the device back in whichever empty slot is available.

I'm looking for new ways to serve our patrons as we work to re-imagine the library technology center.  Another HUGE time drain we struggle with here at HPL is assigning public computers and dealing with printing.  I spent a lot of time looking for solutions there and I think I found at least one good option.  Something that will allow us to provide wireless printing, print control and login/registration on public computers.  This will help us to free up key staff members who can then share their expertise and help patrons solve their technology problems.

It is somewhat hard to describe, but the kernel at the core of our re-imagining is not to provide new technology, but to help people interface with the library and its resources.  As I sift through the information I gathered at ALA, I will share more and continue to write about where we're headed with technology and which new/old ideas we are going to implement.

Are you prepared... for the END?

The craziness of the holiday season has begun to ebb and the reality of the new year has set in.  Our last year if you believe some folks!  While I'm more inclined to believe these folks, it hasn't stopped us here at HPL from creating a bunch of fun programs to get you prepared.  You know, "just in case".  We've already had one successful program, "Are you prepared...for Winter Driving?" put on in collaboration with the nice folks at Midwest Superstore's service department.  Coming up are 2 lunch and learn programs:

• January 18 - Home fire safety (how to safely heat your home) presenter L.D. Peevyhouse
• January 25 - Winter storm preparedness with presenter Bill Guy
• February 1 - Gary Warner - Kansas Highway Patrol safe winter driving

All the lunch and learn programs will be from 12:10 to 12:50 to give you time to get back and forth from work!  We will have many more programs to follow on a variety of topics.  Topics we are working on include:  Getting your affairs in order (estate planning); Safe summer travel; and Gardening and preserving.

You can find more details about these programs on the library's calender here.

Used by permission of artist Dan Piraro

Preserving the past with today's technology

A new technology program!  HPL is hosting a collaborative program designed and organized by Kristine, our fantastic technology trainer.  Kristine has drawn together the expertise of the Reno County Genealogical Society, HPL staff, the Kansas Cosmosphere, a professional writer, and more to create this course.  Here's what it is all about:

Four and a half months of programs, classes and help days beginning June 30th and running through November 11th.  The program is divided into 3 modules; Researching Family History, Preserving Family History, and Family Food Traditions.  Each module will have an introductory lecture, training lab classes, online content, and 1:1 assistance through lab workdays and email support.

The best part about this program is that participants can pick and choose what to attend.  One can attend all of the events, some of the events, or do the program completely online.

One of the goals for the project is to provide the opportunity to create a one of a kind family "product".  Some ideas include; a self-published family history book, a DVD with family photos and videos, a family blog or website, or a family cookbook with stories and photos.

I said before that the "best part" about the program is that you can pick and choose what to do.  Actually, the best part might be that the program is free to participate.  All you have to do is sign up at www.preservingthepast.org to attend the kick-off lecture OR email tossieconsulting@gmail.com if you want to participate but can't attend that first session.

Continuing Education

I've just returned from attending the annual conference of the Kansas Library Association.  This is an opportunity to get some new ideas and keep abreast of what is happening in the profession.  Perhaps the most valuable part of the experience is the opportunity to meet face-to-face with colleagues to trade stories and advice.  In fact, I know this is the most important part part of the experience.

One of the most interesting sessions was the keynote address by Jamie LaRue, the head of the Douglas County (CO) Libraries.  He has developed an advocacy program aimed at changing mid-sets.  The impetus for the creation of this program was a pair of defeats for library bond issues.  Despite thorough and successful awareness and use campaigns for the Douglas County Libraries, Mr. LaRue found that library use DOES NOT equal library support.  In fact, a study by OCLC and the Gates Foundation showed the same thing.  Based on this study, Mr. LaRue's approach was to create a script and recruit passionate library supporters who were NOT library staff or board members to deliver the speech to groups each of those people are involved with.  The main goal is to change the mindset from "tax burden requires tax relief" to value of services for money spent.  Show the value of libraries with real-world stories.  It's really great and I'm already thinking about who I might approach to try this in Hutchinson.

More HPL 2010 Project Goodness

While the project's initial run-through may be over, if you missed out the opportunity is now here to see what it was all about.  Also, even if you did go through the 10-week project but didn't do all the exercises, you can now go back to any week you wish and try something you skipped.  The modified site will remain active through the end of 2010.

The link to the 2010 Project website is here.

Things to note about the re-vamped site:

1)  There are no more "Report your progress" links.  This is because the reporting feature was our way of keeping track of who was eligible for the contest.

2)  Speaking of contests, they are over.  The real reward though, is the knowledge contained in the project, right?

3)  No one will be monitoring links listed in the "Related Resources" sections (or the main activities for that matter).  If something becomes unavailable, we are sorry but you will just have to move on.  The Internet is littered with good ideas that just couldn't sustain themselves.

4)  The HPL 2010 Project is now truly self-starting and self-paced.  No more gently encouraging emails but also no more deadlines.

Finally, a HUGE "Thank You!" to everyone who participated in the project.  This includes library patrons, library staff, and especially Kristine, the creator and driving force behind the Project.  We learned so much from the participants that will be useful in designing classes, services, and special activities, I can't even begin to describe it.

2010 Project Wrap-up

The 2010 Project is finally [sot of] finished!  I included the "sort of" because the part that is complete is the initial 10-week roll-out of the program.  The initial group of patrons and library staff who signed up to start in late January / early February had the opportunity to go through the program as it was revealed week-by-week and participate in the contests and receive completion prizes.  Now, however, the 2010 Project website is getting a minor re-vamp and will be made available as a link off of our library website in early May.  This link will remain active through the end of the year.  This will allow participants to go back and explore related resources or try activities they may have skipped the first time through.

Most importantly, opening up the 2010 Project site for the rest of the year will allow people who weren't able to start in the first place a chance to try the program.  Of the 300+ people who initially signed up, 150 (give or take a couple) finished.  The participants generated over 100 pages of comments and suggestions!  Here are a few examples:


"Thanks to the HPL Project Teacher and those who support and sponsor these programs it gives old dogs new tricks…" 

"Thanks for the various topics covered. I would not have known about them otherwise."

"This has been a great resource for the HPL to offer. No where else in Hutchinson would you be able to find such a wealth of knowledge for everyone at no cost. This is especially helpful to us technology challenged senior citizens!"

"The truth is, I have been opened to so many new things that I enjoyed each week for a different reason. Taking this class shows me that although I resist the technology forms of "socializing", I am curious about it and want to join in (on my own terms). What a shame it would be to be left behind in this era of technology.  A great project. thanks, HPL."

"This is a great project and I hope you have more of them in the future. Keeping up with technology is a never-ending process and you're helping us get up to speed on the Information Superhighway - thanks!"


"I would be interested in any other online educational projects you might have in the future. This was quick, fun, and easy and I picked up some information I wouldn't have known about. Learning something new just keeps you that much sharper, and you have to be in this technological world."

"Please keep me on your database list if you do another! Thanks!"

That last comment really gets me to thinking.  When we set out to do this we had NO idea how many people would be interested, nor did we have any way to contact and advertise the project cheaply once we decided to do it.  As it turned out, we were overwhelmed by the response.  So I wonder how people feel about signing up for events with a contact and then having the library, from time-to-time, use those contacts to send out alerts for upcoming events?  Hmm...another new project to work on.

Learning Day - [UPDATE]

I am spending two days in Wichita at the Kansas Library Association annual conference.  It's nice to take a day or two every once in a while and learn what is going on with other people who do what you do.  It is also nice (sometimes) to sit in a session and think, "Hey, we already do that!"  Other times though, while it might sting a bit, it's nice to hear about a better way of doing something you thought you were doing well.

One thing in that latter category applies to HPL for sure.  It is that HPL has some major work to do on its website.  This is something I have been conscious of for a long, long time.  It's also something for which we haven't had the time / skill set / money to complete.  But those excuses are going by the wayside.  We have a happy confluence of opportunities coming over the next 2-3 months and we are starting the planning phase of a re-vamp.

I am looking forward to this afternoon when I will be learning more about graphic novel collecting and also about the Kansas Library Express which is a state-wide system for sharing books and other material. [UPDATE] - I have looked through the information from the KLE courier system discussion and feel somewhat more confident now about joining the network and receiving real value from it.  They presented a nice map which I will post here as soon as I can get it scanned.  The 200 or so libraries already participating are distributed rather nicely throughout the state.  Some of the larger libraries with which we regularly exchange lots of books are not yet on the system.  However, enough of our lighter-volume "regular" borrowers are on it to warrant a serious look.  Time to start thinking about Monday and putting all these good ideas into practice...