June 27, 2007

So many exhibits, so little time

I had only six hours to visit the 4000+ exhibits at the trade show of the American Library Association (ALA) last weekend, so I had to use my time wisely. I glanced wistfully at the book exhibits as we headed for the booths that were showcasing things we need for the new library. We will have self-check machines and a materials handling system, so we looked at the new versions of this equipment.

We want to digitize our back files of the local newspapers, and other local, historical documents (in cooperation with the Darien Historical Society), so stops at the vendors with high tech scanners was a must.

We are really, really looking for a solution for displaying and securing our DVD and CD collections; one that allows easy browsing and prevents theft. No one has quite what we're looking for yet.

We'll have digital and conventional signs in the new library, and it's fun to visit these booths.

And new furniture. Fred Eustis is one of my favorite people to visit at ALA. His chairs are beautiful and comfortable.

It was exciting to see the Encore catalog being demonstrated. Innovative Interfaces, our integrated library system, has developed a new online catalog, that is the closest thing to Google in the library field. We will begin testing this catalog this summer. I can't wait!

And what a treat to see Elizabeth Anderson at the Economist Intelligence Unit! A Darien High School ( and Columbia University) graduate, she clearly has the "intelligence" part down pat.

Posted by louise at 10:38 AM | Comments (0)

April 24, 2007

Once in a lifetime...

Kim Huffard's editorial in last week's papers officially launched the public Campaign for the New Darien Library. We are off to a great start in raising the last $3 million we need to build the new library. In today's mail we received $15,170 in checks and pledges from 24 donors. I loved reading the comments on the pledge cards.

"We love libraries and look forward to our wonderful new Darien Library."
"It's sure to be a terrific improvement for Darien's most-beloved institution."
"Wherever it's located physically--the Darien Library is the heart of this town."
"The Library, including the people who work there, are TOPS. I love when you say that you returned a book, they believe you! :-) Also love the children's room and great selection."
"Libraries rock!!!"

Only $2,984,830 to go!

Posted by louise at 03:18 PM | Comments (3)

April 06, 2007

A Day with Nora Rawlinson

Nora Rawlinson conducts a workshop on buying fiction

We certainly learned a lot from Nora Rawlinson! Currently the VP of Library Services, Hachette Book Group, Nora has an illustrious career in both publishing and libraries, and generously shared her expertise on buying fiction with our book buyers this week. In the new library, self check machines will allow our staff to spend more time as Readers Advisors, out on the floor we're calling Main Street, talking about their favorite books with our readers. Some of the familiar faces you see behind the circulation desk now, checking out books, are becoming our fiction book buyers and are honing their skills. Nora's workshop was informative, practical and extremely useful as our staff learned how to use publishers catalogs as a selection tool to help them predict an upcoming book's popularity, the strengths of various publishing houses, and how to get the most circulation per dollar spent.

Posted by louise at 01:01 PM | Comments (0)

March 02, 2007

Breaking ground

Groundbreaking for the new library will be March 11. We expect Harold W. McGraw, Jr. to be there to take the first shovel full of dirt, as he did in 1956 for the current building and in 1972 for the first expansion. George Wyper, our immediate Past President, has often been quoted as saying that Harold is the giant on whose shoulders we all stand. Certainly, no one has done more for the Darien Library than Harold. I've had fun this week looking through our archives to find photos of the 1956 and 1972 groundbreakings.

1956 1972

Visit the Darien Library Flickr account for more photos of Darien Library's history.

Posted by louise at 01:39 PM | Comments (0)

February 23, 2007

Branding

I'm really excited about a branding exercise we're doing to develop an identity system for the new library. We are working with Steff Geissbuhler and Leslie Sherr of C & G Partners.

We've been thinking about our brand identity and brand promise for several years, but wanted to coordinate this exercise with the transition to the new library, where we will need a new graphic image, signage and logo. Our kick-off meeting with Leslie and Steff challenged some of our assumptions about the Library and its role in the community and encouraged us to think deeper about who we are, what we do and why it matters. We will developing a core ideology and an envisioned future to guide the graphic design.

And of course we know, as Marty Neumeier says in his book The Brand Gap, that our brand is not what we say it is, but what you, our users, say it is. If you have thoughts you'd like to share with us, I encourage you to comment on this blog, or contact any of our task force members: Kim Huffard, Peggy Hersam, Ann Mandel, Melissa Yurechko, Alan Gray or me.

In the meanwhile, I've been looking at taglines from other libraries that have obviously thought about branding: "Delivering the Future" ( Westerville,OH), "Browsing is just the beginning" (Cuyahoga County Library System), "An Oasis of Knowledge" (West Palm Beach Public Library), "A city with a great library is a great city" (Nashville), and "for a little library, we do a lot" (Rocky River, OH).

Posted by louise at 04:18 PM | Comments (0)

October 17, 2006

Model of the New Library

The model was so popular at the Art Auction on Saturday that I got several offers to bid on it.

Posted by louise at 03:34 PM | Comments (0)

September 29, 2006

A Week of Good Ideas

slide from Chris Anderson's talk and discussion during Library Camp

I attended two thought-provoking events this week and I'm still trying to sort out what they mean for the Darien Library. On Monday, we hosted Library Camp East, a technology unconference where librarians from Connecticut and the east coast gathered to discuss topics like how to make our online catalogs more like Google and Amazon, and our online services more useful to our customers. And last night, I heard Chris Anderson, author of The Long Tail, lecture at the New York Public Library. I also heard Chris speak at the American Library Association meeting in June, and I am certain that the long tail has implications for library services. I am just not sure what they are yet. Certainly we are going to be thinking more about niches in our collections and services. Are we buying what you want to read, listen to, and view? Although we are delighted when you tell us what you like about the Darien Library, we are even more interested in knowing where we need to improve. As we plan for the new library building, we are thinking a lot about library services of the future, and would love to hear your thoughts. What would make this library even more amazing?

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September 06, 2006

P & Z discusses new library

Last night, the Planning and Zoning Commission discussed the Library's application for a new building and instructed Town Planner Jeremy Ginsberg to prepare a resolution approving the application. The final vote is expected to take place next Tuesday, September 12.

Posted by louise at 10:57 AM | Comments (0)

August 09, 2006

Plus ca change

Technology planned for the new Library, such as self check out and automated material handling, will allow our friendly staff to spend more time with our customers, talking about books. "Readers Advisory", a staple of public libraries in the past, is making a comeback across the country, as more libraries free their staff from standing behind desks and get them out on the floor talking books with readers. In preparation for an expanded role in the new library, our own staff of insatiable readers recently honed their readers advisory skills at a workshop in Middletown, and returned with lots of enthusiam and ideas. Watch for new booklists from Lois, Jen, Priscella, Alison, Ruth, Marianne and Emily!

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August 02, 2006

Great Good Place

I recently had the good fortune (as Dennis Weatherstone's guest) to attend "The Future Public Library Conference" which the Stavros S. Niarchos Foundation sponsored at New York Public Library. Rolf Hapel's animated discussion of his library in Aarhus, Denmark and Maija Berndtson's description of Library 10 in Helsinki validated our thinking about how public libraries will serve their communities in the future, especially with the idea of positioning a public library as the "third place" in the community. I've had Ray Oldenburg's book, The Great Good Place on my desk for the past year, and turn to it often.

Although Darien Library is already a place where much of the community gathers, we envision the new library as even more of a "great good place" for Darien. An expanded library will allow us to schedule more lectures, cultural programs and recitals, improving our ability to provide resources for intellectual pursuit and collaborative learning for all ages. We specially intend that our cafe will give users an experience similar to that of the coffee houses in Victorian London, a focal point for informal discussion of thoughtful ideas in an intellectually stimulating environment. The retail feel of our "Main Street" area, which will showcase new materials and technology, is likely a first for public libraries. And of course we will have many contemplative spaces for what Jesse Shera, former Dean of the Library School at Western Reserve University, called the "quiet stir of thought".... fulfilling the library's traditional role as the beacon of life-long learning.

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August 01, 2006

Meet me at the Library cafe

I saw these cafe tables and chairs in the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University last weekend. The chairs were very comfortable. Definitely worth considering for the Library cafe.

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Things I like

As I travel around, I am always seeing things that might be of interest for the New Library. Melissa, Alan and I really like the new book display at Micawber Book Store in Princeton, N.J. We chatted with one of the owners who said that she wanted a streetscape in the store. We want one in the new library!

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July 31, 2006

New Library Building committee on the road

Frank Penn and Peter Hovell, members of the Darien Library New Building Committee travel to Princeton New Jersey to visit the new Princeton Public Library. It was a worthwhile road trip to see a new library serving a community similar in size to Darien with many of the internal features that we are considering for the new Darien Library.

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July 22, 2006

New Library

Susan Chaves, we love you! Great article about the new library.

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P & Z

What do Bob Harrel, Enid Oresman, Brian Peoples, Mary Bennett, Parker Buckles and Jeff Annecchino have in common? They were all in the audience at the P & Z hearing last week. An enthusiastic crowd of 30 friends, staff and trustees supported Bruce Hill's presentation for the New Darien Library. Thank you to everyone who attended! Bruce would like you to come to all his presentations.....

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