SLK News

Please mark your calendar, if at all possible, for the first webinar in our new series “The Library as Community Center.” “The Conversation Business” is going to be “conversing” about fascinating library trends.  However, it has been necessary to change the date from March 13 to WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21. It is still from 2:00 to 4:00, but please make a note of the new date.

Brenda Hough and Heather Braum, both of the Northeast System, describe the first webinar this way:

“Have you ever had a neighbor or relative ask, “Why will we need the library when everything is digital?” Do you have a good answer for this question? Join this session for an opportunity to talk to others about the future of libraries and the importance of conversation. This talk is inspired by ideas from The Atlas of New Librarianship, a book by KLA Conference keynote speaker R. David Lankes. In the book, Lankes encourages us to view libraries as “workshops of the mind,” with conversation as the catalyst for knowledge. The popularity of digital media in our rapidly changing world is sparking new possibilities for libraries and requires us to better articulate the roles we already play.

Libraries are so much more than storehouses for print materials! Hear stories from libraries around the state of Kansas, featuring examples of the lifelong learning activities  that can play an increasingly important role in the future of libraries. There will also be discussion about Kansas libraries that are developing the welcoming environments in the buildings and on the websites that will truly make them the community centers of our future.”

The Collaborate link to join this program is:

https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.02F1614803C0CAF3815AAAB74EC78A&sid=2011591

You are welcome to enter the room after 1:30 to check your equipment. Please call Shannon Roy at 785-296-2148 if you need assistance.

The other programs in the “Library as Community Center” series will also be very thought-provoking and solidly useful. There will be articles on each of these programs as the webinar date approaches. But, in brief, they are:

Going Social to Get Local: Engaging Your Community via Social Media
Susan Brown, Rachel Smalter Hall, and Jennifer Cook, Lawrence Public Library
Wednesday, March 28, 10:00 – 12:00
The Lawrence librarians will build on the central idea that constant conversation and shared information need to take place between the library and the community.These librarians have worked hard to build the social community that supports the Lawrence Public Library.

Engaging the Library in Community Planning
Eric Gustafson, Derby Public Library
Tuesday, May 8, 10:00 – 12:00
Eric will draw on experiences in both Hiawatha and Derby for a presentation on being involved with community planning. It not only makes the library more visible, but wins respect for the library as an important agency, vitally involved with community issues.

Collections and the Community
Marcia Allen, Manhattan Public Library and Diana Weaver, Basehor Community Library
Thursday, May 24, 10:00 – 12:00
Marcia will talk about interacting with the community while collections are being developed. Diana will talk about helping community residents become comfortable with ebooks and familiar with what they have to offer.

This spring, the State Library of Kansas will work with several Kansas librarians to present a new online program series called “The Library as Community Center.”

This series addresses several questions:

- How can a library become absolutely necessary to high quality of life in the community?
- How can a library develop an active, interactive, mutually rewarding relationship with the community?
- How can a library be regarded as an essential agency by the community leadership?

There are many topics that could address these concerns, but a long list was refined to four selected programs. There will be a longer article on each of these programs closer to its date. A link to join the session will be sent at that time. Registration is not required and all sessions will be archived.

The Conversation Business
Brenda Hough, Northeast System and Shannon Roy, State Library
Tuesday, March 13, 2:00 – 4:00
Brenda will be building on David Lankes’ ideas on “new librarianship.” He develops the concept that knowledge is created through conversation. Libraries are in the knowledge business therefore libraries are in the conversation business. “New librarians” approach all aspects of their work as facilitators of conversation. Librarians seek to enrich, capture, store and disseminate the conversations of their communities. Shannon will relate these ideas to the development of welcoming library environments.

Going Social to Get Local: Engaging Your Community via Social Media
Susan Brown and Rachel Smalter Hall, Lawrence Public Library
Wednesday, March 28, 10:00 – 12:00
The Lawrence librarians will build on the central idea that constant conversation and shared information need to take place between the library and the community. Both librarians have worked hard to build the social community that supports the Lawrence Public Library.

Engaging the Library in Community Planning
Eric Gustafson, Derby Public Library
Tuesday, May 8, 10:00 – 12:00
Eric will draw on experiences in both Hiawatha and Derby for a presentation on being involved with community planning. It not only makes the library more visible, but wins respect for the library as an important agency, vitally involved with community issues.

Collections and the Community
Marcia Allen, Manhattan Public Library and Diana Weaver, Basehor Community Library
Thursday, May 24, 10:00 – 12:00
Marcia will talk about interacting with the community while collections are being developed. Diana will talk about helping community residents become comfortable with ebooks and familiar with what they have to offer.

If you have any questions about this program series, please send email to Shannon.Roy@library.ks.gov
or call 785-296-2148.