AL Focus video: banned books week

I hope to post pictures from the banned books display I did at the branch library where I work.  But in the meantime, here’s the most recent AL Focus video, “Banned Books Week: I’d Like to Find *BLEEP*

getting into the groove…

I’ve worked in higher education since 1994, so my “new” gig at the public library is somewhat unsettling for me.  I knew what to do at the universities at which I worked…who to contact, where to go for help, etc.  It was an environment with which I was very familiar.  The public library is a new world for me.

Part of the issue at my new job is learning about the branch’s patrons.  Who they are.  What they like.  What they want.  What they need.  Etc.  It’s been difficult determining what programs will bring in participants.

So, I’ve got two programs in the planning stages.  Both of them have been done at other branches, but I figure this will at least get me started in learning the logistics (e.g., who to contact, publicity avenues, etc.).  One is a Historic Haunts program.  I’ve reached out to the Hopewell Valley Historical Society, and they are co-sponsoring the program with the branch, which is nice — both financially and for outreach purposes.  The second is an Electric Guitar Building program.  Supposedly, music-focused programs have not done well at the branch, so I’ve got to put some extra outreach efforts in.   I’m thinking I’ll look into the local high school’s curriculum for music courses, as well as local organizations that have an interest in music.

All I can do is start somewhere, learn what I can, and move on from there.

trenton public: 4 branches closing

The Trenton Public Library continues to have some real troubles along with lack of leadership and continuity, (i.e., director turnover), the city’s budget cuts are leading to the closure of the 4 neighborhood branches.  The main library on Academy Street will remain open.

According to today’s Trenton Times article, there is the tiniest bit of hope for the branches to remain open with the possibility of some funding being restored, as well as the the library board president and the Mayor’s requests for donations.

While I don’t live in Trenton any longer, I still live in Mercer County.  I think this is truly upsetting for the residents of  Trenton proper — and it will be interesting to see whether these closures will have any impact on the Mercer County Library System (of which Trenton Public is not a part).

review: 12seconds as promotional tool

Well, I took on my own “challenge” to do a 12-second promo a day using the 12seconds video platform.  12seconds is an online venue for people to share their statuses via video.  I decided to see what I could get into a 12-second clip to promote programs at the branch library where I work.

The embed code doesn’t seem to work properly, so you can see one of my examples by visiting my “channel” on 12seconds.

It wasn’t too hard to get the pertinent information into the allotted time, but I really had to ensure that I got the library’s website out of my mouth so viewers could figure out where to go “for more information.”  It would beneficial to have a function to add an annotation (e.g., the website, phone number, etc.), but that perk is not available.  And I’m not sure it ever would be, b/c the purpose of 12seconds is simple: post your “status update” via video.

Ever heard someone say, “I hate the sound of my voice”?  Well, goodness, I think I’d need to do some major make up work, b/c i didn’t like how I looked.  Of course, I was doing each one in between diaper changes, baby feedings, and making baby food…but still!  I would want to look a lot more “professional” or “welcoming” than the ones I did for these trial clips.

So, at this point, I don’t know if I’ll present the idea to my Branch Manager.  I am going to let it roll around in my head a little bit longer.  In the mean time, I’m going to continue to play with 12seconds, because while text status messages are fun — I think the video status message has a lot going for it — especially when 12seconds incorporates the ability for users to leave video comments!