After lunch and a lovely stroll on the beach, I went to the DLDS update. This was a whirlwind overview of all the Division of Library Development & Services did for Maryland libraries during 2008. I wrote copious little notes to myself but then was able to pick up the MAPLA Year End Update May 2009 which covered everything that my chicken scratch missed.
The website is http://www.maplaonline.org/DLDS/ and the file is found here http://www.maplaonline.org/DLDS/adobe/Update09.pdf
This was useful and informative and kept me thinking beyond my own library.
Monday, June 1, 2009
MLA 2009 Day 1 Legislative Challenge
After the opening session, I tried to go to Moving Reference Beyond the Desk but it was SRO out the door. Reexamining my conference program and seeing what was around, I walked into The Legislative Challenge: Library Advocacy in 2009 and Beyond. I had looked at this session originally and also recognized Natalie Edington inside so this session was it.
Most of the session was spent in discussing the MLA Legislative Panel and I learned a lot more about what our organization is doing to represent library interests. The panel includes representatives from MLA and various libraries throughout the state. They monitor legislation, give testimony, build relationships with elected officials, let the membership know what's going on and help coordinate advocacy efforts.
Denise Davis (Legislative Officer, MLA Legislative Panel) and Natalie (Assistant Legislative, Office MLA Legislative Panel) highlighted some of the items they addressed during the past legislative session most of which focused on budget cuts.
Next, Kristin Murphy and Lynne Bradley of the ALA Washington Office gave a brief overview of advocacy efforts on the national level. There wasn't a lot of time left in the session but they gave us a Checklist for Library Advocates:
Most of the session was spent in discussing the MLA Legislative Panel and I learned a lot more about what our organization is doing to represent library interests. The panel includes representatives from MLA and various libraries throughout the state. They monitor legislation, give testimony, build relationships with elected officials, let the membership know what's going on and help coordinate advocacy efforts.
Denise Davis (Legislative Officer, MLA Legislative Panel) and Natalie (Assistant Legislative, Office MLA Legislative Panel) highlighted some of the items they addressed during the past legislative session most of which focused on budget cuts.
Next, Kristin Murphy and Lynne Bradley of the ALA Washington Office gave a brief overview of advocacy efforts on the national level. There wasn't a lot of time left in the session but they gave us a Checklist for Library Advocates:
- Talk, talk, talk - keep saying it, don't hound/annoy but it takes time for messages sink in and mean something
- Keep informed
- Get to know your legislators & staff
- Work on handouts, newsletters, etc.
- Attend or host town hall meetings
- Use in-library events - real & virtual tours
- Lobby
- Press events
- Work with all types of libraries & supporters
- Build your network - before you need it
Not always a choice of funding this or that but how to fund both
Libraries are the most efficient use of taxpayer funds $1=$3.8return (didn't write down where this study was conducted but think is was in the Midwest).
MLA 2009 - Opening
The weather was much better this year and my conference began with a breakfast for the Maryland Library Leadership Institute. It was a wonderful way to start the day, Mimosa's, conversation and watching the dolphins swim! I wished more of my MLLI class was there but I did run into several more throughout the two days.
The opening session was captivating, with Paul Holdengraber from NYPL in a discussion with Elizabeth Cromwell and Darell Batson about the successes of the "Live from the NYPL" program. Although, everyone was quite intimidated by the sheer volume of NYPL's program and that we might not be able to even come close, there were lessons that we took away.
Here's my list:
The opening session was captivating, with Paul Holdengraber from NYPL in a discussion with Elizabeth Cromwell and Darell Batson about the successes of the "Live from the NYPL" program. Although, everyone was quite intimidated by the sheer volume of NYPL's program and that we might not be able to even come close, there were lessons that we took away.
Here's my list:
- Always look for ways to innovate and attract customers
- Don't be afraid to try
- Shoot for the moon and you'll at least fall in the stars (a wording from a previous experience but one that I needed to be reminded of)
- Do the unexpected
- A successful program is a bit of a chemistry experiment
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