Kirjahaku

Collaboration involves a fusion of individual talents and skills through outreach and cooperation. And it is one of the key ingredients of a vibrant, successful library that is also relevant to the community it serves. But it doesn't just happen magically, and it's a challenge to kindle those original sparks of inspiration into a sustainable effort. Written by a team of librarians and community partners who themselves learned how to collaborate successfully, this uplifting book takes a fresh look at the essentials of how to nurture the best within ourselves and our colleagues in order to create lasting partnerships that will continue to thrive. Its breezy tone encourages reflection and discovery while giving practical suggestions on how to plan for short-term gains and long-term results. Questions and points to ponder included at the end of each chapter will facilitate discussion and planning. Helping you harness creative thinking and channel it into everyday work, this book: discusses why collaboration is so important and provides numerous tips for cultivating it; examines what to do when things go wrong, including techniques for generating patience and perseverance to help produce positive results;offers new ways to plan and implement, featuring guidance on how to establish a core group; explores ways to prioritize by starting with clear goals; describes the fundamentals of engaging with fellow staff and the wider community; and highlights ideas to spark curiosity that benefit everyone.An array of appendices with worksheets, examples, suggested readings, and other tools complete this celebration of collaboration, a book that will inspire effective communication and accountability within your organization and among community allies.

Successful libraries are those that continuously learn to listen and respond, prioritizing an organizational approach that encourages library staff to work with each other as well as the community to create opportunities to thrive. That may sound airy and abstract, but in this book the authors demonstrate how it boils down to applying a handful of straightforward principles, which include intelligent risk-taking;learning the right things;respect and goodwill;fulfilling the vision of library director; andactivating creative thinking.With practical applications for hiring staff, coordinating an author event, creating a community partnership, and designing a building, this book walks readers through how toidentify the community’s motivating factors and use them to guide priorities;create a culture of learning at the library;apply courage, curiosity, and creativity to cope with challenges;ask the right questions in order to get the right answers;draw out creative ideas from both staff and the community; andimplement creativity exercises for problem solving that can be used by individuals and groupsIllustrated with stories from across the country, this book provides a complete strategy that will help libraries of any size or funding level amplify the skills and enthusiasm of library staff, getting everyone on the right page and thus leading to better service for their communities.

The topic of early literacy continues to gain momentum in educational circles. But early literacy storytimes are only one way libraries can contribute. The authors of this innovative training handbook offer many more. Reflecting the combined expertise of a reading specialist, an outreach librarian, and an early literacy trainer, Every Child Ready for School keeps libraries at the forefront of early literacy and school readiness information delivery. Focusing on training the caregiver, this handbook Explains how to help day-care providers, homeschoolers, and others who care for young children foster school-readiness skills among their chargesArms librarians with a step-by-step workshop model, with tips on implementing and evaluating the program Provides guidance for coordinating workshops with other library early literacy initiatives Includes resources and activities to share with participants Presenting models which can be easily adapted to state-mandated school-readiness requirements, Every Child Ready for School helps libraries fashion their own innovative community early literacy outreach programs.

Don’t simply accommodate families with young children - draw them in and make your library a destination! In this hands-on guide, an early childhood specialist, a designer, and an outreach librarian take you step-by-step through the process of designing an early learning space that fits your space limitations and budget. With a strong focus on making play spaces welcoming for parents, caregivers, and children while reducing stress for library staff, the authors:Use current research to explain the importance of play in regard to early literacy and learningShow how underutilized spaces of any size can be transformed into play spaces, with planning secrets for small, mid-size, and large play environmentsOffer tips for reinventing reading nooks as “playscapes” that encourage fun and playPresent models of successful early learning spaces from across the country, with illustrations and floor plansSuggest ways to motivate adults to help young children develop a sense of discovery, energizing adults and children alike to pursue the lifelong enjoyment of learningInclude sample guidelines, surveys, and plans to help you adapt your play spaces to the needs of your communityPresent a vendor list, tips for cleaning toys, worksheets, and other tools for pulling it all together, from engaging library staff and community partners to hiring architects and contractorsWith the help of this book, you can transform neglected spaces into joyful places that help parents inspire their children to learn.