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Out with the old, in with the old. October 26, 2009

Posted by k3nd in Staff.
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dinosaurI was recently speaking to a colleague of mine during a most non-rewarding session of shelf-checking. A jovial and most thought provoking chap, he relayed the story of his visit to a newly refurbished library.

Rebuilt from the bottom up, sparkling new computers, new furniture, and shiny glass and metal welcomed the eager borrower, promising a library experience never before encountered. A “library of the future” in every sense of the word. The visit was going along very well. He had struck up conversation with a friendly staff member. The young man showed my colleague around and told him of the services provided by the library.

Then disaster struck. A crusty old librarian type broke up the conversation. You know the type. “Get back to work..what are you doing??” Then as my colleague went to venture further on, he was impeded by another crusty old librarian type: “Get out, get out, it’s 4.00 o’clock!!”

His visit to this new and exciting library was made all the less enjoyable due to the rudeness of a few old dinosaurs. The moral to the story? It’s not necessarily the physical nature of a library which denotes it’s stature, but the actions and personality of it’s staff.

The Dewey Medal…Library of the Future Style October 14, 2009

Posted by k3nd in Dewey Medal.
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medalThe dewey medal,  undoubtedly the hottest prize in world librarianship, is reaching it’s climax. Into it’s second year, we have a fabulous group of  candidates who are  causing headaches for the judging panel. It’s great to see how competitive some staffers are. The “Dewey” as many now fondly call it, has achieved a significant niche in the library psyche. It has brought out many positive qualities which would otherwise be buried underneath a furrowed brow or look of disdain.

My view of the medal, like many, is that it rewards areas  such as innovation, attention to detail, character and customer service. Staffers who whine, complain, are tardy, with no imagination should not bother getting their snuggy out for awards night.

Past winners have been those who are not afraid to get their hands dirty, warmly greet the public when the doors are opened, and regularly go the extra mile in the name of customer service. Do not think that because you have worked in libraries for 30 years or so that you automatically qualify for the medal. Things are not done that way in the “library of the future.” Length of the line of satisfied customers, not tenure is the measure of this rule. These people are the oil which keep the wheels of customer service moving, they never rest till the job is done, are never satified with second best, and will certainly not die wondering. Who will be your Dewey Medalist for 2009?

You can follow the medal’s progress at www.twitter.com/deweymedal