We've named him Happy and his origins are unknown. I'm sharing in the hopes that he can bring your staff closer together in the same way. It's time he breaks containment. Does your staff room have any iconic pieces of art that have become your unofficial mascot?

I am an LTA student finishing my first semester over the summer. Before I started school, I interviewed at a ton of libraries. My very first interview was at my local library. It was for a position in Adult Services and the head department Librarian conducted my interview. I was not selected for the position but she sent me a long email to tell me it was an extremely hard decision and that I had done well.

Since then, she helped me improve my resume which resulted in a crazy amount of interviews and I got hired at another library. My program required I have a library contact and she agreed to be mine and proceeded to help me with a number of assignments. I let her know when I was hired and she was thrilled for me and has since followed up with me to see how its going. She has gone above and beyond to help me do well for no other reason than she is kind.

I am wrapping up my summer semester and I would really like to write her a thank you card and perhaps a small gift to show my appreciation for her.

Reddit librarians, what would you suggest I do? I know there are rules against accepting certain types of gifts but I'm really after a small token of appreciation type of thing.

Hi,

I genuinely don't know what to do. I had my finalist interview for a faculty librarian role today. The chair was texting through my entire presentation, and then again through the meet and greet and then AGAIN through the SEARCH COMMITTEE INTERVIEW.

I genuinely don't know what to do. What can I do? Probably nothing. But I worry I won't be evaluated fairly because he was texting through my entire proposal.

hi all! i’m a children’s librarian at a large library that is very busy with young families utilizing our toddler play space, attending storytimes, and checking out materials. we often get the question of ‘where do i check this out’, and the answer is always to go out to the lobby as we don’t check items out at our reference desk. i am wanting to float the idea of adding a self-check machine to our children’s area (either getting a new one or relocating one of the 4 that we currently have in our lobby).

i think that it would be great to have one accessible for parents who have young kids that can’t be left alone in the play area, or for parents who know their kids are prone to throwing a fit when they have to leave (our children’s area is on the same floor as our circulation area, but is not within view of any part, and the sound of screaming does drift from the lobby to the rest of the ‘quiet’ library very easily….it drifts from the kids area too but that’s expected lol). additionally, it could be a spot for kids to take their time learning how to use the machine without holding up other patrons. it would also be a station that could have a step stool, as i have noticed that many parents will set their kids on the self check table as they scan their items. i just feel that this is a safety concern.

the cons are that it would probably lead to more circulation-based questions that we would still have to send people to that department about (‘why is my card blocked’, ‘why do i have fines’ etc), but i do think that is easy enough to tell people to talk to circulation about.

all of this to say, i was hoping to get some thoughts from other librarians who may have more experience with how this could be a good or bad idea before i take it to my manager. tia!! :)

I’m currently a PT public librarian in a pretty suburban area, new to this role as it has only been 4 months. I was asked this question in a recent interview and I’m still trying to rack my brain of some ideas. I have a background in STEM, so I’m comfortable doing a STEM program series for kids/tweens so I proposed that (ofc I went into details in the interview). But I’m afraid that was too uncreative and started to realize that I should’ve answered with something that can be scalable and adaptive to the changing nature of library programming. I thought maybe make use of the new Maker Space and Creation Lab (with Cricuts, 3-D printers, sewing, etc) somehow that this new library will have. It’s also located in a pretty big park with existing afterschool clubs.  

The Question: “This new library is expected to have a considerable youth presence in our spaces. In no more than five minutes, please share with us your proposal for a program geared towards elementary school students. You may bring handouts or visual aids to help illustrate your program if you wish.”

Things to know about this particular library: 

• It's a brand new branch and is located in an ethnically, linguistically, and economically diverse neighborhood
• It's in partnership with the neighboring elementary school (K-5th) that has a big focus on innovative technology 
• Demographic is made up of a large immigrant population, with about 50% of them speaking Spanish
• It is located in a food desert, with the only chain grocery store being a Grocery Outlet 

I’m wondering what other programs could the youth in this community benefit from? What kind of innovative, youth programming has librarians/library staff done at their libraries? I am curious about what has worked and what hasn’t, though I know the outcome will not be the same everywhere. With libraries evolving and needs changing, I am having a hard time trying to be relevant and creative at the same time… 

I have recently applied for a job local to myself and been invited to an interview. It’s a bit of a pay cut from what I’m currently on but my job now doesn’t have yearly pay increases, bank holidays off or sick pay. It’s also a busy retail job but I’ve done it for a long time.

However I’m worried if I get the job what I’m getting myself into? Something in my gut is worried what’s it’s going to be and that it may not be a smart move? Particularly as it’s a public library? Lurking on here and reading back there seems to be the idea that the public sector is under threat from cuts and job security is a concern. Also discussions of abuse from patrons. I left a previous job as the abuse was getting too much (I provided NHS services). However I applied as it was a part time role and I do enjoy helping people?
My current job is very secure but I won’t be getting any pay rises until minimum wage catches up to me now. I’m a mother with a small child so am worried about rising costs.

Any advice or honesty would be appreciated?

We are evaluating ReadSquared and Beanstack for our library's reading programs and have a question about user permissions. Is it possible to create different backend roles with varying levels of access? We'd like volunteers to be able to assist patrons with registration, reading logs, and prize redemption while limiting their access to only the information necessary for those tasks (e.g., excluding reading history, email addresses, and other sensitive patron data). Staff would retain full administrative access, including reporting, program management, and system settings. We know ReadSquared can support this type of role-based access; can Beanstack? Thanks!

Any other insights into ReadSquared vs Beanstack would also be welcomed.

Hello! My local library is opening up an innovative new space with a variety rooms that will be available for public use, including a Kitchen, Maker Space, Event Room, Board Room for meetings, and more! We’re so excited about it. I’m wondering if any library staff have suggestions for room booking software that they use and like - or even a combination of tools like Google Bookings + Calendar + Wordpress (for example). We would like the public to be able to apply to use a room, have the application reviewed by staff and then added to both our internal calendar and a public facing calendar once approved.

Thanks for any suggestions!

What labor posters do you have at your libraries? I'm seeing conflicting information on which ones would be required. I know states have their own specific requirements in addition to the federal posters. I plan to print them rather than spend precious funds on the big laminated ones. Thanks for any advice offered!

Hello,

I'm new to doing storytimes and I'd love to build a list of storytime librarians on blogs/websites and social media that I can follow to learn from. When you're coming up with your storytimes and deciding on themes, books, crafts, songs, etc, who do you look to?

Could you share your favorites with me?