Library Lowdown
One challenge of modern librarianship is making information about the expanding role of the public library readily available to the community. To help accomplish this, our library creates a video each week discussing upcoming events at the library. These videos are created to help build excitement about library programs and the library as a community space. These videos also help dispel the myth that public libraries are simply an repository for books. When I moved from teen librarian to deputy director I adapted the concept of the weekly videos I'd been making for teens to apply to all members of our community.
Often these videos include myself and another staff member from our library. We now have several staff members who are able to appear in these videos in my stead should I be unavailable. This serves to demonstrate my ability as a supervisor to encourage and support growth among my staff.
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These videos are now filmed with the help of our city's communications department. This demonstrates my ability to form working partnerships with other city departments.
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After filming, I edit the videos adding our branded logo and any other necessary images or disclaimers. For example, whenever grant funded activities are discussed the granting agencies and must be recognized according to the grant contract. In addition, I now add subtitles to each video. This helps ensure the videos are accessible to those who unable to hear the audio for any reason.
Seeing Our Veterans Flag Ceremony
One project outside the realm of teen programming and services I organized at the Enid Public Library is the Seeing Our Veterans display. We have more than 100 items on display that were loaned by community members to highlight the veterans in our lives.
As part of the unveiling of the display, I organized a flag ceremony at the library.
What's Up for Teens!
As the teen librarian, each week I created a video for teens about what is coming up in regards to library programming. This video is posted on YouTube, Facebook, and shared in the Library Teens GoogleClassroom. Additionally, it is sent to local school librarians, ELA teachers, and others who have expressed interest in receiving updates about teen programming at the library.
Theri at the Library TikTok- currently inactive
While serving as the teen librarian, I created TikTok videos each day to reach teens and others who are interested in young adult literature. The account currently has more than 1500 followers, including local teens who frequent the library and several who do not currently use the library. The majority of the content is 1 minute (or less) book talks. After moving out of the youth services department time has not been available to continue making these videos.
In response to library board objections, this account is currently inactive and marked as private. In the future I would like to create more videos promoting librarianship.