Arrowhead Library System (ALS) has a long-standing commitment to maintaining a collection of current publication titles of interest to librarians, library staff and library trustees. The collection is housed at the ALS Headquarters in Mountain Iron, but all titles can be requested via the online catalog (if you have a borrower’s card from an ALS library) or via the statewide MnLINK catalog (if you have a borrower’s card from Duluth Public Library). If you have questions about borrowing titles from the ALS Professional Collection, feel free to call ALS staff! Here are the latest additions to the ALS collection:
Beyond Reality: Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality in the Library
Edited by Kenneth J. Varnum
ALA Editions, 2019
006.8 VAR 2019
The current price of virtual reality headsets may seem out of economic reach for most libraries, but the potential of “assisted reality” tools goes well beyond merely inviting patrons to strap on a pair of goggles. Ranging from enhanced training to using third-party apps to enrich digital collections, there is a kaleidoscope of library uses for augmented, virtual, or mixed reality. In this collection, Varnum and his hand-picked team of contributors share exciting, surprising, and inspiring case studies from a mix of institution types, spotlighting such topics as:
- collaborative virtual reality for improved library instruction, education, and learning and teaching;
- 3D modeling using virtual reality;
- virtual reality as collaboration space, from gaming to teleconferencing;
- balancing access with security, and other privacy issues;
- future possibilities for augmented reality in public libraries; and
- augmented reality for museums and special collection libraries.
A perfect introduction to the topic, this book will encourage libraries to look beyond their own reality and adapt the ideas inside.
Incubating Creativity at Your Library: A Sourcebook for Connecting with Communities
Erinn Batykefer and Laura Damon-Moore
ALA Editions, 2019
021.2 BAT 2019
Creativity needs a platform. As technology consultant David Weinberger puts it, “A platform provides resources that lets other people build things.” The library is an ideal platform, and in this book Batykefer and Damon-Moore, creators of the Library as Incubator Project, share the experiences of numerous creative library workers and artists who are making it happen. Their stories will show you how to move beyond merely responding to community needs towards actively building a platform with your community. And best of all, you don’t need to start from scratch—rather, you amplify what’s already working. Filled with ideas and initiatives that can be customized to suit your library and its community, this book
- discusses the four elements (Resources, Invitations, Partnerships & Engagement, and Staff) and the two lenses (Community-Led and Evaluation) of the Creative Library platform;
- outlines six steps for surveying your community’s artistic landscape;
- gives methods for expanding partnerships and connections with individuals and organizations through exploration, hands-on learning, and engagement with the community;
- shares perspectives on the “ideal library” from several artists, with three examples of artist-in-residence programs;
- offers examples of community invitations in action, such as the Pittsburgh Fiberarts Guild workshops on creating flowers using recycled materials;
- shows how to use “orphan photos” from your archives for creative inspiration;
- advises on using qualitative evaluations to effectively “weed” your initiatives; and
- shares tips for encouraging library staff to express their creativity, turning avocations into library initiatives like Handmade Crafternoons, the Yahara Music Library, or BOOKLESS.
By building on existing elements at your library and filling in the gaps with community-driven additions, your library can be a space that cultivates creativity in both its users and staff.
Marketing Plans in Action: A Step-by-Step Guide for Libraries, Archives, and Cultural Organizations
Amanda L. Goodman
ALA Editions, 2019
021.7 GOO 2019
You know you need to get the word out. But where do you start? How do you keep track of everything? Don’t work harder—work smarter. The key is to stay organized and focused through solid project management skills, and at the heart of it all lies an efficient workflow. Goodman’s invaluable resource is here to smooth the way with 72 time-saving guides that will streamline your processes. Addressing myriad marketing, publicity, and promotion activities, this book is packed with tried and true best practices and useful tips on such topics as
- efficiently reviewing and tracking task requests from colleagues around your organization;
- keeping people informed through project management tools and formal reporting;
- developing and sustaining a network of media contacts in the community who will publicize your events;
- crafting a consistent brand identity across the organization through language, logo, and colors;
- creating and maintaining a public calendar for content;
- designing mobile-friendly email messages and web pages;
- segmenting email campaigns for maximum impact and engagement;
- collecting user information while respecting privacy;
- employing simple surveys for quick and useful feedback; and
- handling complaints with grace.
With the help of Goodman’s step-by-step advice, you’ll be able to establish and maintain marketing communication strategies and workflows no matter your organization’s size.
Library Space Planning: A PLA Guide
David Vinjamuri
Public Library Association, 2019
022.3 VIN 2019
The interior design language of the 21st century is the language of retail, and libraries must be fluent to be successful. Most patrons are unaware of the variety of services and offerings that their local library can provide. Rightly or wrongly, library patrons expect robust merchandising, easily accessible spaces, and self-directed way finding. This brief and to-the-point guide will help you to understand these ideals and recreate them in your library. In addition, the you will see how to improve the functionality of your space in the short, medium, and long-term, and also how libraries can use the ideas herein to aid patrons in discovery, discernment, and delivery.
The Library Workplace Idea Book: Proactive Steps for Positive Change
Edited by Heather L. Seibert, Amanda Vinogradov, and Amanda H. McLellan
ALA Editions, 2020
023.223 SEI 2020
Every day you strive to ensure that the library is working for its users—but how is it working for you? And what can we all do to make the library an inclusive and positive workplace? Offering both case studies and personal narratives, this idea book draws on contributions from librarians and library workers at a variety of institutions across the country. Ready to inspire self-advocacy and action for a better library workplace, this collection’s real-world examples include
- a model library code of conduct;
- practical steps for gender inclusion, from ILS usernames and job ad language to signage for gender-neutral restrooms;
- how library workers navigated oversight committees and adapted spaces to create lactation accommodations;
- methods for encouraging conversations around diversity;
- using dialog to address conflict in white employees’ conversations about race, including insights from a librarian of color who recounts his library’s diversity training day;
- ways to make ergonomic changes to your workplace to ease chronic pain or discomfort;
- favorite yoga YouTube channels and websites for lunch-break yoga;
- brightening up the library with low-maintenance plants identified by NASA for their air-purifying characteristics;
- guidance on identify bullying in the workplace, with advice on how to handle it; and
- positive changes in the recruitment and interview process that can reduce turnover of student library employees.
The antidote to low morale and high turnover starts with mindfulness and self-care, and this resource presents myriad proactive and positive ideas for making libraries a fulfilling workplace.
The No-Nonsense Guide to Leadership, Management, and Teamwork
Barbara Allan
Facet Publishing, 2019
025.1 ALL 2019
Contemporary managers and leaders in library and information services are working in a challenging context; dealing with multiple demands on their time, expertise and resources. This book translates theories in teamwork, management, and leadership into practical guidance backed up with examples and case studies from current library and information workers globally. There is a focus on attitudes, values, and practices that make for good leadership and management. The book covers:
- analyzing your environment, understanding culture, and developing strategies;
- working in the senior team and making an impact;
- confident leadership and management, decision making, problem solving, and managing crises;
- leading, managing, and supervising your team;
- establishing working practices and handling conflict management;
- delegation, dealing with overload, and evaluating outcomes;
- managing large and small projects and the people side of projects;
- innovation and management of the change process;
- communications, managing e-mails and text messages, and effective use of social media;
- recruitment and selection and performance management;
- managing and leading complex teams including collaborative, multi-professional, partnership, and virtual teams;
- budgeting, managing finances, tendering, crowdfunding, and taking part in audits; and
- managing work/life balance, coaching and mentoring, emotional intelligence, resilience, and mindfulness.
Before the Ballot: Building Political Support for Library Funding
John Chrastka and Patrick “PC” Sweeney
Neal-Schuman, 2019
025.11 CHR 2019
Let’s be blunt: library funding is political. And the struggle to secure funding is ongoing; the work that librarians need to do to influence local politics doesn’t just pop up in the few months before Election Day. It should span the years before or between elections. The authors’ previous book Winning Elections and Influencing Politicians for Library Funding targeted library ballot committees and advocacy organizations. But their new book speaks directly to librarians, library staff, and boards. It is designed to help library leaders understand and navigate the political nature of their work in the years leading up to a ballot measure or political initiative. Sharing the tools and tactics developed by their organization EveryLibrary, the nation’s first and only Political Action Committee for Libraries, in this book they
- discuss how the day-to-day work of librarians, their communications with the public, and their roles and responsibilities in the community can help increase the willingness of public and local elected officials to support funding libraries through taxes;
- guide readers through the practical side of running a public-facing Informational Communications Campaign for their library before Election Day;
- explain the concept of surfacing, the important groundwork of occupying a strong and positive space in the community during the years before and between ballot measures;
- demonstrate why surfacing is one of the most crucial steps a library can take to build and maintain support;
- share the most recent data insights into voter attitudes about libraries and librarians;
- show how libraries can coordinate internally to build new external partners;
- offer advice on finding, activating, and holding onto supporters; and
- discuss the path to the ballot with practical insights about how to get onto the ballot.
This essential resource is filled with concrete steps that librarians, library staff, and boards can take to ensure that political support is there when they need it the most.
Gather ‘Round the Table: Food Literacy Programs, Resources, and Ideas for Libraries
Hillary Dodge
ALA Editions, 2020
025.5 DOD 2020
Food is more than just a basic human need—learning about it and enjoying it can be important social activities. With ties to information needs, social justice, and the maker movement, food literacy initiatives are a natural fit for libraries. And, as this book demonstrates, efforts can extend far beyond a hearty collection of cookbooks in the stacks. Food programming such as cooking can be an important tool in helping English language learners discover a practical use for a new language, as well as providing opportunities for socialization and conversation. It can be used to help GED seekers practice basic math. And, playing with food can be a sensory-integrative way to help new parents and their babies learn about healthy food choices. Featuring a multi-pronged approach to incorporating food literacy in public, school, and special libraries, this all-in-one resource
- presents a definition of food literacy that shows how the concept touches upon important topics such as culinary skills, food security, nutrition and dieting, food allergies, health literacy, and food ethics;
- discusses the community impacts of food-related issues;
- walks readers through planning and undertaking a community food assessment, a process that can be used to identify a need, justify a service response, build buy-in and engagement, and plan for the allocation of resources;
- shares a variety of innovative food literacy programs drawn from libraries across the country, from cookbook and recipe clubs to an edible education garden, teen cooking classes, and offsite cooking demos; and
- provides information about additional resources and reference sources relating to the culinary world, including advice on collection development.
Serving up a wholesome combination of food literacy information and ideas, this book will encourage members of your community to gather ‘round the table at the library.
Lessons Inspired by Picture Books for Primary Grades (AASL Standards-Based Learning Series)
Maureen Schlosser and Rebecca Granatini
ALA Editions, 2019
025.5 SCH 2019
Drawing on compelling picture books that can be used to directly support the AASL National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries, this ready-to-go toolkit of lessons, worksheets, anchor charts, assessments, and rubrics is specifically designed to build learner competencies while examining big ideas inspired by picture books. An invaluable timesaver, this resource provides
- 21 lesson units that cover the six Shared Foundations, each utilizing a formatted template that’s easy to follow and incorporates the four Domains (Think, Create, Share, Grow);
- a picture book synopsis for each unit, followed by lesson objectives, essential questions, materials, and duration;
- worksheets, anchor charts, and exit slips tailored for each picture book and lesson;
- “Quick Tips” that offer helpful ideas and suggestions to consider during the lesson; and
- an appendix that includes rubrics to facilitate assessment in all six foundations.
With this resource in hand, learners and educators alike will think, create, share, and grow as they work together to meet the AASL Standards.
Transforming Young Adult Services, 2nd Edition
Written and Edited by Anthony Bernier
ALA Neal-Schuman, 2020
027.62 BER 2020
How should LIS envision its young adult users? Now showcasing an even more rigorous debate about the theory and practice of YA librarianship than its first edition, this “provocative presentation of diverse viewpoints by leaders in the field” (Catholic Library World) has been updated and expanded to incorporate recent advances in critical youth studies. A comprehensive, evidence-based treatment that offers LIS instructors, students, and practitioners a valuable tool for aligning YA services to more fully reflect our diverse populations of young people, this collection delves deeply into such topics as
- the historical roots for current theories and practice;
- how intellectual freedom, storytelling, library collections, and other service topics can connect with the library’s notion and vision of young adults;
- diverse YA identities, including critical race theory;
- competing perspectives on young adults’ rights in libraries;
- envisaging YA librarianship from a teen-centered perspective;
- youth identities and the school library; and
- moving beyond coaching to copilot with young adults.
The broad range of topics and arguments in this volume invites and challenges readers to see critical theory as a means to effect true transformations in young adult services.
Creative Commons for Educators and Librarians
Creative Commons
ALA Editions, 2020
346.7304 CRE 2020
The figures are eye-opening: more than 1.6 billion works on 9 million websites are licensed under Creative Commons (CC). These materials constitute an extraordinarily rich repository for teaching, learning, sharing, and creative reuse. Knowing your way around CC will help you make the most of the Open Access (OA) and open educational resources (OER) movements. This book represents the first-ever print complement to the CC Certificate program, providing in-depth coverage of CC licenses, open practices, and the ethos of the Commons. Inside readers will find guidance on
- the layers and elements of CC licenses, with clear explanations on how they interact;
- reusing, revising, and remixing;
- how to acknowledge the underlying work in a remix;
- techniques for locating works in the public domain and communicating their value;
- supporting learners’ access to a wide array of open knowledge resources in primary, secondary, and higher education;
- assessing institutional policies for open education, plus advice on revising these policies;
- ways to adapt existing openly licensed materials in order to keep your institution’s knowledge base relevant and up to date;
- how to meet the open licensing requirements increasingly present in government and foundation grants and contracts; and
- hundreds of authoritative resources for additional learning.
