Tuesday, November 27, 2007

about refusal, and saying yes!

Last week, I read a Jenny Levine post quoting a YA librarian, who said: "I refuse to say NO". Brilliant!
Then, I read in HBR (the hard copy, still one of my favorite things at my public library) an article where psychologist John M. Gottman, a relationship specialist revealed the secret to great relationships was to "sprinkle yeses throughout your interactions" Brilliant2.
I say YES! I love this idea, "yes, I can help you", "yes we can try this", "yes it matters to us if it's important to you"...

I RESOLVE TO SAY YES.

One of the things I struggle with a lot is that I feel there continues to be a disconnect between great strides forward in library science and service, with staff being smart, innovative, fresh; and managing and funding bodies who tend to think their organizations should be "2.0" but their management and governance practices should not change.

It is the most important next step I see. Help them understand that innovation on their part is essential to innovation in the field. That "old fashion" management often brings the biggest barriers to true transformation. We have brilliant minds in the field who are producing some of the best technical improvements to library services, we have staff who keeps up. We have developed a culture of excellence in service that honors our roots and embraces new missions for us...

But we need management to PARTICIPATE in the transformation, not just watch it, applaud it and return to their office. Accept transparency as a way of life, decide that your user's participation will be worth your adjusting to the lack of control you have over it. Don't have a staff person WRITE YOUR BLOG! Be willing to defend myspace, gaming teens and food and drinks to your funding bodies. Be ready for imperfections, mistakes and great triumph. Resolve to say yes too.

ENTER YOUR BUILDINGS THRU THE FRONT DOOR, you may discover, understand and even become part of a great story.





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Tuesday, November 20, 2007

GENIUS

genius is, after all, my favorite word.





found this thru a nice new blog form the UK. cute, 025.04...
(the geek flickrs too.)



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Tuesday, November 13, 2007

my turn


this will be my "outing" the AL post (''cause I am the AL after all, don't let imitators fool you...) Here is the undeniable proof:

below find my dream sign, posted at the door of MPOW, it would be most appropriate and state my expectations of the 'patrons' unequivocally...


  • NO talking
  • NO drinking or eating
  • NO unattended children
  • NO cell phones
  • NO gaming
  • NO chatting
  • NO IM
  • NO flip flops
  • NO stupid questions

If you understand all these rules, are wearing appropriate footwear and are willing to give me the respect my education entitles me to, type your clear question on the available typewriter (NO whiteout) and leave it in the 'In Box' by the door. I may get back to you within the week if you gave appropriate references.

I mean it,
The AL.






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