I am always evaluating the message I am delivering to my colleagues and always thinking, “is my message getting across AND how can the message improve”. (do my colleagues understand the library) I think it’s important to always be thinking this as it will truly help your service to evolve and get more people using the service. Many shops and other services do this, it’s why they work on moving around their goods, buying new goods, consolidating popular goods and discarding old ones.
So what do you do when you *think* you are getting your message across, to meet up with staff who are telling you they are setting up their own libraries in their own work area? Cringe ! Feel deflated ! Hellalujah, they’ll do the library now ! Yes, I always know there is room for improvement in my library but when I caluculate the number of people who are making these *confessions* to me against the amount of resourcing and timing I have, plus, the company has doubled in staff size in the time I have been here (2 1/2 years), I know start to imagine these other *smaller collections* morphing, growing in strength and being too big to actually consolidate into our traditional library.
I think I’m being cynical today, maybe it’s been too long between blogs for me? Anyway, just thought I’d have my little vent and I’ll go off and keep thinking about how to solve this business and information issue.
Thinking….thinking….thinking…till next time
Jill, that sounds damn irritating. I’m sure some of the Spesh librarians would have some tips on that – it does seem odd, if the organisation has paid a librarian, that others would decide they want to do some of it themselves. (Doh!) One for the mailing list, perhaps?
Apparently my situation is not unique !! Yes, true. I feel flabergasted sometimes and then hear other librarians saying the same, it’s hard to get your message across, staff are siloing information, so it seems to be people in general. Such is the life of a librarian ! Love it though