perceptions

The Community Planning Committee was very interested in current trends in library service, and will be receiving copies of a summary of OCLC's report: Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources (2005). Take a look if you haven't had a chance. Ever wondered who OCLC is? Find out more here.

The big six

So how did our utopian vision translate into Library Service Responses? Well, the Community Planning Committee believes our Library System can make important contributions in the following six service areas: Commons (provide space for civil discourse); Cultural Awareness (understanding culture of self and others); Current Topics and Titles (popular materials, current trends); General Information (fast facts, homework support); Information Literacy (finding, evaluating, using information); and Lifelong Learning (personal growth and development).The next step? We'll be coming to you for your imput!

A community vision...

We began the first meeting of the Community Planning Committee by brainstorming and sharing our ideas of an "ultimate living experience". Our utopian community included affordable housing, accessible health care, and quality educational opportunities for everyone. We visualized a well trained, well compensated, and financially literate workforce. Our neighborhoods were free of crime, drugs, and violence, and all members of our community were safe and healthy. We also addressed environmental issues in our utopia, including a plan for sustainable growth, clean air, and water. Finally, the community we envisioned was also concerned about civic dialog, and valued cultural, religious and political diversity. I know, I know, a teensy bit unrealistic, but remember, it's supposed to be utopia...

What not to wear...

Today was the first meeting of the Community Planning Committee! Fashion tip: movers and shakers wear suits. And black. Did I mention that they wear black? Yep. Lots of black.

You say goodbye.

Thanks to everyone at West Jordan.

move along little dogie

I spent the afternoon packing for my move to Kearns. I’m both enchanted and appalled by the amount of stuff I’ve managed to accumulate. Ten Little Dinosaur finger puppets: fearsome. Starbucks cups I’ve saved for the quotes: cool. Janell’s Owl storytime: amazing. Notes from every meeting I've attended since 2001: hmmm.

On blogging

What is a blog anyway? Well, blogs are basically journals that are available on the web. The process of updating a blog is called "blogging" and someone who keeps a blog is a "blogger." Blogs are updated regularly with a "posting" or new message. Blogs discuss a wide range of topics. Some blogs include commentary on current events in a specific arena, while others carry on a political discussion. Others are a series of personal musings. Dan Gilmour, author of We the Media notes: "What the best blogs tend to have in common is voice -- they are clearly written by human beings with genuine human passion." Interested in library or librarian blogs? Take a look at some of these found at Internet Public Library.

curiouser and curiouser...

That mischevous little monkey, Curious George, visted the West Jordan Library today for a birthday celebration! One hundred and seventy smiling happy faces: a few worn out staff members. Excellent work Miss Mindy.

Me and my shadow

Today I had a shadow at the library... a job shadow that is. The remarkable Becca, an aspiring information professional (maybe) and avid reader, joined me to experience a day in the life of a kid's librarian. We prepared a storytime, answered reference questions, laughed a lot, and compared notes on teen lit. Becca loves Ann M. Martin's A Corner of the Universe. So read it. And listen to ol' blue eyes.

Zusak

Markus Zusak, the award winning author of several young adult titles including I am the messenger, was on National Public Radio's Diane Rehm show this morning. It was a great discussion of his new book The Book Thief, which has received starred reveiws from SLJ, Booklist, Publishers Weekly and Kirkus. He also spoke about his writing process, and the concept of young adult books. And he has an awesome Australian accent. Sigh. You can listen to it on Real Audio or Windows Media. Enjoy!

dining in

From the lovely Carol Ormond: "I will also be arranging lunch for the meeting. You’ll have a choice of sandwiches: turkey, garden (lettuce, tomato, cucumber and sprouts) or chicken salad on white or wheat bread, or a chef salad." I'll be having the chef salad. Hold the anchovies.

Where and When

The first meeting of the planning committee will be held on Thursday, March 30th at South Jordan Library. I received the informational packet sent to each of the committee members. Wondering who the committee members are? I'll post more information once I have permission from the group. The very impressive informational packet includes demographic information about Salt Lake County as well as a wide variety of info about our services and staffing. I'm excited to get started!

Who am I?

My name is Susan Spicer and I'm honored to represent each of you on the planning committee. I've been working in our system as a Youth Services Librarian since December of 2001. I started at Riverton, then worked at Sandy and Draper libraries simultaneously before settling at West Jordan for the last few of years. I've recently accepted an opportunity to move yet again (I have a slightly restless spirit): I begin at Kearns on April 1st. I received my MLS from Emporia State University in August of 2002, and my Bachelor of Science in Anthropology and Sociology from the University of Utah in 1999. Go Lady Utes! My passions are teen novels, Emergent Literacy, and cowboy boots. I love being a kid's librarian and talking "library" so please call or e-mail me with any questions or concerns.

Planning for Results

As you know, our library system is begining the process of developing a service plan that will guide Salt Lake County Library System in the future. June Garcia and Sandra Nelson are facilitating the process using the planning model developed for the Public Library Association. If you are interested in finding out more details Sandra Nelson's book: The New Planning for Results: A Streamlined Approach offers a step by step outline.