The Tech Logic Expect More Speaker Series
Date: April 28, 2015
Earlier this month Tech Logic invited EveryLibrary to participate in their Expect More speaker series in Austin, Texas.
The series features Dr. R. David Lankes as the main speaker, and is based on his book by the same name (“Expect More: Demanding Better Libraries For Today’s Complex World.”, available for free download at http://quartz.syr.edu/blog/?page_id=4598.)
EveryLibrary board member Peter Bromberg joined Lankes, along with emcee and Tech Logic President Gary Kirk, and co-facilitators, Cheryl Gould (Fully Engaged Libraries), Lori Bowen Ayre (The Galecia Group) and Gretchen Freeman, for this three hour Texas Library Association preconference.
Lankes’ key point is that libraries and librarianship are changing — shifting focus from collections and buildings, to communities and civic empowerment. Along with Lankes and his co-presenters, Peter helped the 50+ attendees explore these ideas, co-facilitated a number of experiential activities, and lead a discussion on library advocacy and the importance of libraries telling our stories.
It was wonderful to be involved in this event and offer support for the great work that David Lankes is doing as a thought leader in librarianship. A big thank you to Tech Logic and for inviting EveryLibrary to be a part of the Expect More speaker series, and for their ongoing help in promoting awareness of the work we're doing with libraries across the country.
This week’s Lib Elections News
Next week is a special election in several states and we are tracking 13 different library-related measures in Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, and Ohio. We are also supporting the campaign in New Orleans. If you live in one of those states, don't forget to VOTE YES for libraries next week. If we missed a campaign in your state let us know about it. We will provide full coverage of the results in the May 12 Rodeo.
The Natrona County (WY) Board of Commissioners approved a resolution this week to establish a committee that would look at putting together a ballot measure for a new public library building. A recent study found that over 3 million dollars would be needed to bring the current building into compliance with local ordinances. In 2008 and 2012 two measures to fund renovations were defeated by voters. County Commissioners hope that a new plan will help with some of the unanswered questions from the last measure and garner enough public support to pass a measure for a new building. The City Council will still need to vote to place a measure on the ballot.
Barberton Public Library district (OH) has a measure on the May 5 ballot to renew the current levy and increase it by .58 %. The total mill will be 1.95 if voters approve and would raise $659,000 per year. There have been declining contributions from the state to public libraries in recent years.
That is all for this week. Join us next week for another round up. Happy trails!