http://www.growmap.com/knowem

Libraries and Library Blogs: Are You Visible Enough?

September 28, 2011 · 51 comments

Click here to see all the Regional and
National Book Days, Weeks and Months

Communities Need Libraries to Thrive

Image Credit: Libraryman Click Image for Info on Library Renewal

Even though I love the Internet that does NOT mean we should allow physical books and libraries to go the way of the DoDo bird.

We NEED libraries and some people need to have a physical connection with mentors and peers.

HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR LIBRARY:

Libraries are no different than businesses or events – they must be promoted and have visibility or people won’t even know they still exist.

We have some serious work to do because today’s college students don’t know librarians are research resources. Some can’t even FIND the library!

Librarians in the northeast U.S. have been using a unique method of promoting summer reading programs that I believe would work just as well for promoting how to use the library for research during the school year.

Sixty-two libraries have hired the Comedy Magician and Educational Entertainer for Kids Domino the Great who uses humor, magic tricks, and audience participation to get kids excited about books, reading, and their local library.

Will that work? Watch this short (42 second) video review of Herkimer County Librarian Jacque Empey of the Jordanville Library in Jordanville, NY:

Did you catch this important point in that video?:

Domino “did a tremendous job promoting reading, the importance of books, the importance of the library, in a way that was fun, everybody had a good time, everybody checked out a whole lot of books, so if you want to promote your library, I would highly recommend Domino to come and do a show at YOUR library.”

This is the kind of promotion that is necessary to bring young people into libraries at a young age to show them how books and librarians can benefit them.

Few children will seek you out themselves – you MUST bring them in – and hiring someone like Domino (@DominotheGreat on Twitter) is one way to do it.

Do YOU have other ideas? Strategies that have worked for your library? Please do share them in the comments of this post and I will move them up into this section. Relevant links are ALWAYS welcome here so do please include links to blog posts, media and any other additional information.

LIBRARIES IN NEED:

  • HURRICANE IRENE DAMAGE: Several libraries have lost their entire children’s book collections in Hurricane Irene. They are seeking donations of cash and new hardcover children’s books – especially picture books. See Upstate New York Library Needs Our Help and After Irene: A small town Adirondack Library Needs Your Help.

To get added to this section leave a comment with link(s) to additional information in the comments of this post.

LIBRARIAN BLOGGERS:

Many librarians have been blogging for years now and just as I encourage collaborations of bloggers by niche and location, librarians can seek out bloggers geographically close to them.

To that end I offer these lists of Library blogs. Where possible I have included a location. Librarians who blog either officially or personally are invited to add links to their blogs with a description and their location in the comments to be added to this list.

Lists of Library Blogs:

LIBRARY BLOGS:

LIBRARY BLOGS in ALPHABETICAL ORDER:

This is the BlogwithoutaLibrary.net list of public library blogs as of Oct. 6, 2011 edited to remove dead links and inactive blogs. Visit their site for the most current list of public library blogs.

If you know of a public library blog that is not on this list, you can add it to their site and leave a comment in this post to have it added here.

21st Century

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

LIBRARY LISTS:

FIND YOUR LIBRARY:

LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS:

LIBRARY ORGANIZATIONS and RESOURCES:

Library Positions Available:

Librarians wanted and job postings added here as I come across them or on request:

  • St. Charles, IL Public Library – Positions Available
  • Part-time Reference Librarian, Freel Library, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams, MA (Sep 12, 2011)
  • Associate Librarian/Branch Manager Central Square, Cambridge (MA) Public Library (Deadline to apply Sep 29, 2011 5 p.m.)

Library Challenges:

Literacy Programs:

Tagged as: libraries, library blogs


Advertise Here

Enjoyed this post?

Please use the social buttons below to share it on your favorite social sites or send it via email. Be sure to see our new posts by subscribing via RSS or by email to get our unique insights into what really works to increase your income. Also, check out more posts from the Best of GrowMap.

{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }

Lee Belcher April 5, 2013 at 7:25 am

I am so glad there are other people who feel the same ways about librarys, for me it’s the relationship with the mentor but purely the basis of being able to read without staring at a screen.

When ever i purchase an e-book or course online I always print it off so I can sit on my bean bag comfortably and read it through.

Fantastic list of librarys by the way.

Reply

Greg Holbert
Twitter:
March 4, 2013 at 9:05 am

As a child before the internet became the source of information, the library was always the place to go to satiate the thirst for knowledge. I wish more people would keep fighting to give kids these days the thrill of going to a library to download information directly into their brains(read books).

Most libraries will allow you to volunteer to read to children or host events. Use your talents and time to bring others to your local libraries! It may just save these monuments of scholasticism. Thanks for the great post and blog.

Reply

Md Hasan February 20, 2013 at 3:15 am

SciFi can be so diversified I have found so many good books

Reply

Lee February 8, 2013 at 8:26 am

Hi
The library near us closed ages ago and now they just have a mobile library come round once a week unfortunately people don’t even seem to use that either so it looks like the days of the library are nearly gone.

Lee
Lee would love you to read ..Stainless Vacuum flaskMy Profile

Reply

Akshay who writes about Download pokemon x and y February 1, 2013 at 9:02 pm

This is a Huge list of the Library blogs. Thank you sir.
Akshay would love you to read ..How to Right Click on touch Screen laptop-tablets (Windows 8)My Profile

Reply

mini speaker January 15, 2013 at 5:53 pm

I think quality content will definitely pay off even if Google updates its algorithm. Do a legal online work and you have nothing to worry.

Reply

danial who writes about huntington beach taxi January 15, 2013 at 4:46 pm

I think the only motive to go to the library now these is for It’s atmosphere , and the reason I’m saying that is because all kind of information is accessible from everywhere either smart phone or tablet or computers at home , so in order to promote your local library I would highly convince the library management to add tablets specialized for reading and that way you can provide the library visitors easy and instant access to any information they’re looking for .
danial would love you to read ..Comment on Taxi Newport Beach by online pokiesMy Profile

Reply

GrowMap
Twitter:
January 15, 2013 at 5:18 pm

Hi Daniel,

The main reason to go to a library is because they still have books and back issues of magazines and newspapers printed that are not online. Some people can not afford a computer or tablet and they use PCs in the library itself.

The challenge with providing tablets is how would you keep them from walking out the door? They would have to be equipped with some kind of theft prevention that was hard to defeat.
GrowMap would love you to read ..3 Marketing Deals to Make 2013 Your Best Year YetMy Profile

Reply

Joe Thompson July 12, 2012 at 9:58 pm

Going to the library so far is the best for me right know even if the onset of the internet.
Joe Thompson would love you to read ..Sharpen Your Listening Skills to Boost ProductivityMy Profile

Reply

Chelsea Cobber
Twitter:
June 7, 2012 at 3:43 am

Libraries are very essential and important educational resource. I’m sure that online resources aren’t providing such as feelings as like as libraries. I love to go library not only books or notes but also interesting and informative caution. Thanks!

Reply

bijuterii online December 28, 2011 at 6:52 am

There are many educational resources available online but libraries should not die, and will not disappear because not all of the materials we get from internet are reliable and going in a library creates a special feeling that the online will never replace.

Reply

graphic artist buffalo
Twitter:
December 12, 2011 at 12:29 am

before the internet..libraries are the best source of information..i a fortunate to have experience that life.

Reply

Noel Addison who writes about Web Development Ventura
Twitter:
December 7, 2011 at 3:53 am

As the internet grow its popularity in our society people forgot that there is a place named LIBRARY. I know that there are many educational resources available online but libraries should not die because not all of the materials we get from internet are reliable. Some information are not accurate.
Noel Addison would love you to read ..5 Things to Look for in a Web Dev CompanyMy Profile

Reply

crina who writes about casete de bijuterii October 5, 2011 at 3:42 am

a show in my library? I have never thought about it… but I will try it and hope to best results…

Reply

Domino The Great who writes about Comedy Magician 4 Kids
Twitter:
October 7, 2011 at 3:42 pm

Hello Crina,

Yea having someone like me (Comedy Magician 4 Kids) to entertainer your kids during your summer reading program helps get them excited about reading. When they watch the magic show and then see how I incorporate reading into my shows, the kids can’t wait to check out books afterwards!!

Just check out this past summer’s library reading show.

Reply

crina who writes about casete de bijuterii October 19, 2011 at 3:31 am

thanks a lot! I realy admire people working with children and maybe the most important, people who trust their qualities and imagination. I will check it out…

Reply

donah who writes about Wisconsin Car Defect October 4, 2011 at 9:17 pm

It’s great to hear that Librarians are finding ways to promote reading books. It’s kinda tough to encourage teens to read printed books because they mostly prefer to read them online. Thanks for sharing the list. I’ll visit them, swear!
donah would love you to read ..Wisconsin woman killed after motorcycle crashMy Profile

Reply

Lionel who writes about Bachmann Trains October 3, 2011 at 2:25 pm

I’m glad you posted this. With the rise of the number of people, many have access to the internet and don’t see a need for the library. However, there are still lots of people who don’t have access to a computer to get on the internet. Also there are a lot of books and information that you can’t find on the internet, and there is also a lot of misinformation and non-credible sources on the internet. Libraries are great, and should stay around for a very long time. They provide more services than just being a place that has books.

Reply

Hugh Kimura
Twitter:
October 1, 2011 at 10:27 pm

With the availability so many online resources, do you think that the library will die, or will is just move online? Libraries are great resources, but how can we progress them and make them available to more people?
Hugh Kimura would love you to read ..Do You Make These 5 Mistakes When Trying To Make Money?My Profile

Reply

Joe
Twitter:
October 3, 2011 at 7:53 pm

I don’t think libraries will die; they’ll simply evolve and incorporate all these new online resources and e-reader devices. A lot of libraries throughout the US will now lend to your Kindle, Nook or Sony eReader. Libraries, in some form or the other, will always be here to stay.

Reply

Kristina L. October 1, 2011 at 2:02 pm

There is nothing that can offer so much knowledge than libraries can, and yet, they tend to be the most underestimated source for learning.
Thanks for reminding us all (and me in particular) that there are good library blogs out there, as well as organizations and other resources regarding them.
Kristina L. would love you to read ..The BBC Shop Coupon CodeMy Profile

Reply

Azhar who writes about medical billing services October 1, 2011 at 10:22 am

It is appreciable step that Sixty two libraries has hired Comedy Magician and Educational Entertainer for the kids. I think this step will develop sense in the kids to use the library.

Reply

Rakesh Kumar
Twitter:
October 1, 2011 at 6:59 am

I do managed lots of files in my PC regarding to my blogging aspects. I always try to save something which i can use later.
Rakesh Kumar would love you to read ..LG Beacon Price – 2.8-inch Touchscreen CDMA Mobile PhoneMy Profile

Reply

Jess October 1, 2011 at 12:31 am

It’s a great idea to make libraries a little more “fun”. Let’s face it, most people are more concerned about feeling good than almost anything else. Let’s appeal to that side of people while keeping the atmosphere as productive as possible (perhaps by separating the noisy situation from the studious folks) and see what happens.
Jess would love you to read ..Black Spiderman Costume For KidsMy Profile

Reply

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv badge
This blog uses premium CommentLuv which allows you to put your keywords with your name if you have had 1 approved comments. Use your real name and then @ your keywords (maximum of 5) WARNING: Comments that contain ONLY keywords are likely to be deleted. Please use a name followed by @ your keywords.

{ 4 trackbacks }

Previous post:

Next post: