With streaming services like Netflix and Spotify, do people still check out DVDs and CDs from libraries? At the Lawrence Public Library we'd argue YES! -- but that's not to say we haven't noticed a downward trend over the past couple of years.Despite the prevalence of streaming video services, we continue to see strong patron … Continue reading Look, Play, Listen: Promoting Media Collections at LPL
Three Things I’ve Stolen from the Grocery Store
Original image was originally posted to Flickr by SeattleMunicipal Archives under the terms of the cc-by-2.0In order to make ends meet, I recently served a brief stint as a cashier at a national grocery chain. Before I could even touch a register, I had to spend six grueling, consecutive hours watching training videos and another … Continue reading Three Things I’ve Stolen from the Grocery Store
Passive Program: Coloring Pages for Adults
With the recent popularity of adult coloring books that many libraries are taking advantage of for programs, I decided to cash in at my library as well. I had considered purchasing copies of the books that are available, but then was concerned they would come back...well, colored.To see if there's actually an interest in my … Continue reading Passive Program: Coloring Pages for Adults
Prohibition & Free Beer at the Library
This past Monday we had a first for the Oskaloosa Public Library: a free beer tasting! What made it greater, though, was the fact that we paired it with a presentation on prohibition. Local author, Linda Betsinger McCann, shared about her book Prohibition in Eastern Iowa, and afterward the awesome folks from The Cellar Peanut … Continue reading Prohibition & Free Beer at the Library
Poetry & Arts in April at the Library
If you've read past blog posts, you'll know that I'm a fan of poetry and that April is National Poetry Month. I try to do at least one thing related to poetry at the library, even if it's a simple display featuring titles from our poetry collection.In the past, I've gone all out and used … Continue reading Poetry & Arts in April at the Library
Put A Bird On It!
My newest display is inspired by my favorite clip from Portlandia, Put A Bird On It! I figured birds would be a nice spring-ish topic, so I pulled pretty much anything that has a bird on the cover.I thought pulling titles from 598 and 636.6 would be a little too easy, so I also pulled … Continue reading Put A Bird On It!
Getting Shift Done
Yesterday, my staff and I completed a major re-cataloging, labeling and shifting project. A long time ago, the library had a separate biography section, and at some point, one of the directors decided to interfile them into the nonfiction. We've had a number of patrons recently request, though, that we have a separate section again. … Continue reading Getting Shift Done
Create & Innovate: Post-It Note Pixel Art
For our monthly teen crafting program, we invited teens to decorate the library with Post-It Note pixel art. You basically create giant mosaics with the Post-Its!A very simple activity, you just need various colors of Post-Its and window or wall space. We did this program a year ago, and we found out the Post-Its don't … Continue reading Create & Innovate: Post-It Note Pixel Art
Teen Tech Week: Libraries are for making…
Last year I had so much fun with Teen Tech Week, I couldn't wait to start planning this year's events at the Oskaloosa Public Library. We're still about a month out, but I've gotten everything finalized and the promo posters are off to the printer! Not wanting to do the exact same thing as last … Continue reading Teen Tech Week: Libraries are for making…
Books for Dummies
If you dug through my past posts, you'll know that another part of my job I enjoy is putting together displays. Displays are a perfect way to promote items in the library's collection that may not get attention otherwise. This week, I decided to feature our "for Dummies" books! At my previous library, we had … Continue reading Books for Dummies
William the Librarian 