Joint Libraries: Models That Work, by Claire B. Gunnels, Susan E. Green, and Patricia M. Butler

Joint Libraries: Models That Work.

By Claire B. Gunnels, Susan E. Green, and Patricia M. Butler. American Library Association, 2012, 220 pp., ISBN 978-0-8389-1138-9, (paper).

Collaborations and partnerships are ways that libraries have traditionally dealt with challenging economic circumstances. In Joint Libraries: Models That Work, authors Gunnels, Green and Butler discuss joint libraries, a collaborative model that has worked for many communities. They define joint libraries as “collaborations between different types of libraries: public libraries and schools; universities and public libraries; community college and public; city and county, and more.” (p. 2). With many years of experience working in joint libraries, the authors are uniquely positioned to write about them in this book.

Organized into ten chapters, this book provides a thorough introduction to the issues that need to be explored when considering or planning a joint library project. After an introduction to and a history of joint libraries, the cultural differences between academic and public libraries are addressed. The authors delve into management and human resource issues, legal considerations, and technological challenges. Of particular interest are the  many case studies that are presented in Chapter 9. The many configurations of joint libraries described here will provide readers who are considering a joint library approach with many models to explore.

This is a well-written book that explores a topic that has not been widely covered. It includes an index and bibliography, as well as two appendices that present actual joint library agreements, in both cases between a college and a public library. It would be useful for professional libraries where there is interest in the joint library model. 

Previously published:Mugridge, R. L. (2012) [Review of the book Joint Libraries: Models That Work, by Claire B. Gunnels, Susan E. Green, & Patricia M. Butler]. Catholic Library World, 83(2), 146.

Staff Development: A Practical Guide, edited by Andrea W. Stewart, Carlette Washington-Hoagland, and Carol T. Zsulya

Staff Development: A Practical Guide, 4^th ed.

Edited by Andrea Wigbels Stewart, Carlette Washington-Hoagland, and Carol T. Zsulya. ALA Editions, 2013, 219 pp., ISBN 978-0-8389-1149-5, (paper).

Faced with frequent and rapid change in the workplace, library employees must continue to adapt and grow professionally. In this excellent fourth edition of Staff Development, editors Stewart, Washington-Hoagland, and Zsulya have brought together sixteen papers from leaders in the library field that provide the reader with the tools needed to implement a staff development program.  In the introduction readers are encouraged to think of staff development as incremental change, rather than large sweeping change. Staff members develop most effectively over time, by making small adjustments in their behavior, or learning new skills.

Chapters are arranged in a logical order, in four parts. The first section starts with an introduction to the concept of staff development, and is followed by chapters on conducting a needs assessment, setting goals, and the questions to be considered when starting a staff development program. The second section addresses the development process itself, with chapters on developing orientation programs for new staff, achieving consensus on core competencies for library employees, coaching staff, cross-training, customer service, leadership, and succession planning. The third collection of chapters addresses practical considerations, such as how to plan and implement a staff development program, the application of instructional design concepts to staff training, and the use of online videos to support training. Finally, the book concludes with a thoughtful discussion on assessment.

Overall, Staff Development is a well-written and thoughtful collection of chapters that address all aspects of staff development in libraries. It includes references at the end of each chapter as well as an index. It would be an excellent addition to any professional library.

Previously published:

Mugridge, Rebecca L. Review of the book Staff Development: A Practical Guide, 4th ed. Edited by Andrea Wigbels Stewart, Carlette Washington-Hoagland, and Carol T. Zsulya. Catholic Library World 84:1 (2013): 60.

Being a Teen Library Services Advocate, by Linda W. Braun

Being a Teen Library Services Advocate

By Linda W. Braun. Neal-Schuman, 2012, 108 pp., ISBN 978-1-55570-795-8, (paper).

While library services to children and adults have long been established, teens occupy a middle ground that is often neglected. Being a Teen Library Services Advocate offers librarians compelling reasons why teens deserve special attention in the library, and provides guidance to librarians who serve young adults. Author Linda Braun has published widely on teen issues and is a former President of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), so she is well-qualified to write on this topic.

Braun begins by differentiating between marketing and advocacy. Marketing consists of informing others about library services, whereas advocacy entails not only providing information, but also explaining why library services are beneficial to teens and the community. She describes the goals of advocacy efforts and provides a list of questions to help librarians evaluate advocacy efforts.

In subsequent chapters Braun explains how librarians can use collaboration to strengthen their advocacy efforts. She encourages librarians to incorporate advocacy in their everyday activities, and provides advice on leading a formal advocacy campaign. Braun suggests incorporating teens into advocacy efforts, and provides a number of examples of projects in which young adults could participate, such as writing opinion pieces for the local newspaper or posting on social media sites. Braun also shares her insights into advocacy in the state, regional, and national arenas, and explores the differences between advocacy and lobbying, which many librarians are prohibited from doing.

This book is written in a clear and concise style. It includes references at the end of each chapter as well as an index. It would be a very useful resource for any librarian interested in beginning or improving advocacy efforts for teen services and programs. 

Published previously: Mugridge, R. L. (2012). [Review of the book Being a Teen Library Services Advocate, by Linda W. Braun]. Catholic Library World, 83(2), 142-144.

 

Evaluating Teen Services and Programs, by Sarah Flowers

Evaluating Teen Services and Programs.

By Sarah Flowers. Neal-Schuman, 2012, 119 pp., ISBN 978-1-55570-793-4, (paper).

Evaluation is a critical part of any library program, especially when budgets are tight and librarians must compete for resources. Evaluating Teen Services and Programs provides librarians with the resources to evaluate and improve teen services. Author Sarah Flowers has published many articles on this topic, and was the 2011-2012 President of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), making her well-qualified to write on this subject.

The book includes six chapters, and begins with a chapter on the background of services to young adults. It includes information on adolescence, diversity in the teen population and how teens search for information. Chapter 2 explores planning for assessment, and stresses that it is important to know what is being assessed and why. Evaluation should be conducted with a goal of improving services, and increasing the effectiveness of services offered. Chapter 3 addresses the data that are collected in an assessment project. It is important to ensure that the data collected are accurate, and to understand what the data represents. Flowers provides a useful table of potential input measures along with their definitions to help librarians decide what to measure and for what purpose.

Chapter 4 focuses on how librarians can take the data gleaned from assessment activities and use it to make decisions about services and programs. The author provides many useful examples of how an evaluation of a program, an event, or staff might be conducted. The application of YALSA competencies as well as a YALSA Teen Services Evaluation Tool are recommended in Chapter 5. Finally, Flowers provides a wealth of references and resources in Chapter 6, including many sample evaluation tools and surveys.

This book is well-written and concise, and includes useful references at the end of each chapter as well as an index. Teen services librarians will find this book very useful as a resource in any effort to assess young adult services or programs. 

Published previously: Mugridge, R. L. (2012). [Review of the book Evaluating Teen Services and Programs, by Sarah Flowers]. Catholic Library World, 83(2), 144-145.