Library Presentation: Recap

Much to my surprise, the presentation went off without a hitch.

There were less than 10 people who showed up, but many more asked about how the presentation went and wanted me to forward on information about what was covered, so I thought post it here as well:

I. James Bradley

-Enslaved in Africa and transported to the United States. Here, he is “purchased” and shipped to Pendleton County, KY.

-Manages to earn enough money to purchase his own freedom and crosses the Ohio River at Covington, KY. Goes on to attend Lane Theological Seminary.

-Statue in Covington symbolizes his struggles in life and his instrumental role in the Abolition movement.

II. Margaret Garner

-Escaped slave who took the life of her daughter rather than see her returned to a life of slavery.

-Story depicted in Beloved, a Nobel Prize winning novel written by Toni Morrison, adapted into a film (Beloved-1998) and into an opera (Margaret Garner).

III. Beloved (a summary)

Sethe, daughter Denver and Paul D. are living free at the home of Baby Suggs, 18 years after escaping from slavery. House becomes “haunted” after Baby Suggs’ death. Sethe, Denver and Paul D. take in a young woman, who becomes attached to Sethe.

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I have been asked to give a presentation on genealogy researching techniques and Native Americans, so I will keep you posted.

Library Presentation: Margaret Garner and James Bradley

Well, the day is finally here.

In staying with the theme of it being African American History Month, I will give a presentation about two African Americans who were instrumental in the Abolition movement in their respective times.

Most of you may not have heard of James Bradley, but can read more about him here.

Margaret Garner, on the other hand, so be a bit more recognizable. Her story spawned a Nobel Prize winning novel, a film starring Oprah Winfrey and a commissioned opera.

I will let you know how it goes.....wish me luck!

Its Been A Week....

It’s been a week since I proposed some ideas as to increase circulation and usage in my library and still now word from my supervisor. Not even an acknowledgement of receipt of the proposal, despite two email. Since we no longer have meetings, there is not way that I could bring it up in that forum.

The good news is (via pressure from my EEO and Diversity Steering Committee) I was given permission to give an African American History presentation at the end of this month. Of course, I was notified from the steering committee and not my supervisor.

i will let you know how it goes.

I Can't Give Up That Easily

I know, I know...

Going from the last post, you would think that I was about to go postal in my library.

Well...I love my library and my work too much to give up that easily.

Last Friday, I proposed 4 different ways to increase circulation and library use and asked permission to begin immediately implementing it. As of the end of the day today, I have yet to hear anything from my supervisor supporting/recognizing receipt/or acknowledgement of the ideas. It’s like pulling teeth, trying to get things done.

Maybe its my ideas. Maybe they are not conducive of my library's mission. I know that my ideas are more suitable for a public library; I still think that they will draw people into the library and maybe increase circulation. Here are my ideas.

1. Send an email out to the building announcing new items bought by the library.
2. Have an African American History Month program in the Library towards the end of February, inviting the entire building.
3. Have a quarterly book discussion meet in the Library.

What do you think? Are these ideas bad?

Is Mentoring A Good Idea?

I came across this add on the local library listserve and wondered if it would be a good idea:

The members of both organizations (special libraries and all other libraries? often express the desire to have someone outside their organization work with them as they develop professional and management skills.

In addition, many more experienced members tell us that they want to give back to the profession. The Mentor Program helps out both sides of the equation!

The Program is accepting applications from individuals wishing to become proteges as well as those who would like to mentor others. All mentors will be asked to attend a training session about the program. Every effort will be made to match mentors and proteges based on their previous experience and needs. We keep a pool of mentors at all stages of career (from director-level veterans, down to fairly recent graduates who want to assist students), so that appropriate matches can be made.

Why is this program different from "phoning a friend"? All of the mentors in the program will be trained and certified;there is a formal evaluation of the program; and, every mentor will have their own lifeline to call with larger concerns or to find additional assistance.

I know that I have been in the library system a few years, but with the recent events that have turned my library experience upside down, I think this may be a good thing for me. I will let you know how it turns out.