Friday Follow-up – A Week of Exploration

It seems a bit unfair to only label one week of the year as a time for exploration. Libraries naturally lend themselves to daily exploration. It begins from the moment a patron, librarian or trustee walks through the front doors.

Nevertheless, this week I observed member libraries explore ideas and concepts that can help leverage their immeasurable potential.

You may recall I discuss this concept of getting out the library, or for trustees, getting out of the board room. This is exactly what board members of the Southeast Steuben County Library (SSCL) did on Tuesday evening.

STLS Consultant Margo Gustina, who works with trustees on developing strategic plans, spent 2 hours with Corning’s library board discussing the steps their library can take to gage their community’s needs, and build library services to meet those needs.

The focus of this week’s session was to assist trustees with the Ask Exercise, which is part of an ALA and Harwood Institute for Public Innovation model. Trustees practiced with each other on how to hit the streets to ask residents about what they would like from their community. Once practice was over, trustees were then put on the spot to start walking around their library to implement what they had learned.

At the end of the night, SSCL trustees agreed to move forward with the strategic planning process. Their exploration will soon begin, but quite honestly, just watching their engagement with patrons this week was inspiring all by itself.

Southeast Steuben County Library board members role play the Ask Exercise. Moments after this drill, STLS Consultant Margo Gustina informed them they would do the same work with their library patrons on the library’s very busy floor.

Trustee Pro Bardhan (left) and Board President Sarah Collins (center) demonstrate how to engage with library patrons using the Ask Exercise.

All library directors can relate to this one. The first day, week, month and year of directorship is the most memorable exploration of all. The number of mistakes is many, and the successes can sometimes be few and far between. Regardless, each day gets a little better. And, small victories can be found in the smiles of library patrons, staff and board members.

Michelle Hill is the new library director of the Friendship Free Library in Allegany County. I had a chance to meet with her Wednesday morning. It was comforting to learn she is community minded with plans to build upon the library’s strengthening portfolio of programs. You know someone is going to be good when they say one of their first programs will have something to do with culinary arts.

STLS has a proud tradition of making new library directors feel welcome. So, I know our membership will put its best foot forward to welcome Michelle to the great Southern Tier Library System.

Library Director Michelle Hill (left) stands proudly with Library Clerk Shauna Comes (right). These two member librarians will make a fantastic team at the Friendship Free Library in Allegany County.

Not everyone knows it, but three STLS member librarians were working with NASA this week. Candy Wilson of Savona Free Library, Melanie Miller of Alfred Box of Books Library and Jessie Arnone of Cohocton Public Library attended a NASA-driven STEM workshop at Waterville Public Library outside of Utica.

The two day continuing education class focused on working with rural librarians to deliver community programs tied to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). All three participants were accepted into the program and provided full scholarships through STLS and the State Library-Division of Library Development. We are extremely proud these STLS astrolibrarians could represent our system at the state level and beyond.

As part of their scholarships, they will share their lessons learned with other member librarians. I look forward to shedding light on their exploration and seeing their programs put into action.

Jessie Arnone (right) Melanie Miller (center) and Candy Wilson (left) stand with one of their instructors this week during the NASA STEM workshop at Waterville Public Library.

Have a great weekend, STLS. Lets keep exploring, learning, innovating and moving public library services forward. Thank you for all you do. I am truly inspired!