Pop-Up Perfection: Staging a Pop-Up Library

Aubree Burkholder

ET

Fiore, S. (2016, September). Pop-Up Perfection: Staging a Pop-Up Library. Retrieved from http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/09/pop-up-perfection-staging-a-pop-up-library/

Summary:

This article outlines the value behind community outreach and making personal connections with members of the community, especially when trying to plan new events or even pop-up libraries. The author gives a good explanation of what exactly a pop-up library is and the role that a pop-up librarian needs to have.  The article also gives great tips on how to promote the pop-up library and the ways to incorporate as many library departments as possible.

Evaluation:

I enjoyed this article because it shines a light on how important community outreach really is. It also gives great tips on how to begin setting up a pop-up library within a community that has never hosted one before. 

Very helpful starter kit for becoming a "connected educator"

Ramos, Tara

IL

Powerful Learning Practice.  (2015).  Connected educator starter kit.  Retrieved from https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/38904447/connected-educator-month-starter-kit-2015.pdf

Summary: This tool kit was designed to accompany the activities surrounding Connected Educators Month in 2015.  It provides an introduction to what a connected educator is and gives about thirty tools and ideas (one for each day os the month) that teachers can engage with to become more connected.  Examples include tips on using Twitter, building your Personal Learning Network, collaborating online, blogging, Wikis and more!  A favorite quote: "To become a connected educator, you must first become a connected learner.”

Evaluation:  I found this kit to be extremely useful as a budding teacher librarian.  It is exactly the introduction I needed to many tools and ideas that I have heard about surrounding 21st century learning and Web 2.0, but that have yet to become instrumental to my practice as an educator.  Just reading through the suggested activities and engaging with several of them, I am seeing a whole new world open to me before my eyes.  I highly recommend this kit to anyone who considers themselves to be at the beginning stages of becoming a 21st century educator.

Cultivating your inner leader

Aubree Burkholder

ET

Brautigam, F. October 2016. Cultivating Your Inner Leader. Retrieved from http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/10/cultivating-your-inner-leader/

Summary:

This article points out the fact that most librarians are too busy with their day to day activities to focus on developing supervisory, management, or leadership knowledge and skills. The author lists different blogs and websites that are great resources to help librarians garner their leadership and managerial skills.

Evaluation:

I enjoyed this article because it reminds busy librarians to take time out of their days to work on bettering themselves so that they may better serve their communities. 

Just Say No: Keeping Your Library Drug-Free and Safe

Aubree Burkholder

ET

Lambert, T. (2016, October). Just Say No: Keeping Your Library Drug-Free and Safe ... Retrieved October 21, 2016, from http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/10/just-say-no-keeping-your-library-drug-free-and-safe/

Summary:

This article addresses an all too common problem found in public libraries. It outlines some very effective steps to take in order to discourage drug use in libraries such as inviting local police departments to do routine walk-throughs, partnering with social workers, and training staff and volunteers how to recognize and report patron drug use.

Evaluation:

I enjoyed this article because I feel that it gives a plethora of valuable resources and information for library staff to take advantage of in order to recognize and report drug use. 

Don’t Forget Your Emergency Plan

Aubree Burkholder

CA

Epstein, S. (2016, October). Don’t Forget Your Emergency Plan. Retrieved from http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/10/dont-forget-your-emergency-plan/

Summary:

This article enforces the need for all libraries, and personal homes for that matter, to have an up to date and accurate emergency plan. It goes on to outline the basic key steps to creating an emergency plan and the necessity to update information such as staff contact and emergency information at least annually.

Evaluation:

I enjoyed this article because I feel that it serves as a great reminder to library staff to ensure that an emergency plan is in place and updated on a regular basis. I feel that having or not having an updated emergency plan could very well be the difference between tragedy and triumph in an emergency situation. 

Political Ethics: Keeping Your Library Neutral

Aubree Burkholder

CO

Hart, A. (2016, October). Political Ethics: Keeping Your Library Neutral. Retrieved from http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/10/political-ethics-keeping-your-library-neutral/

Summary:

Librarians like everyone else have opinions about politics and it can be very tempting to express those opinions in the workplace, but this is never a good idea.  Even if a librarian does not outright verbally express their opinions about politics, these opinions may still come through in various ways such as bias book displays. This article explains the librarians’ responsibilities to public and ethical codes that need to be followed in order to best serve the community.

Evaluation:

I very much enjoyed this article because I feel that the political frenzy that is gripping this country at the moment makes it exceptionally difficult for librarians to refrain from expressing their opinions to the public. I feel that this article gives necessary tools to librarians to help them overcome this. 

Essential Librarian Skill: Writing

Aubree Burkholder

ET

Griffin, M. (2016, September). Essential Librarian Skill: Writing » Public Libraries Online. Retrieved from http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/09/essential-librarian-skill-writing/

Summary:
Informative article about writing being the basis for all forms of communication. This article outlines the many reasons why it is essential for all librarians to possess stellar writing skills.

http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/09/essential-librarian-skill-writing/

Evaluation/Opinion:

I enjoyed this article because I have always felt that strong writing skills are something that all librarians and educators should possess, and with the continuous advent of new technologies, I feel that many of these professionals may feel that this skill is of less importance than it used to be. I think it is wonderful that there are still professionals who feel that strong writing abilities are vital to performing their roles and serving the community.