3D Printers, Hackerspaces & Libraries

Hackers? Hackerspaces?

When I first learned about Hackerspaces on CBC: Spark, I'll admit I was confused. When we hear of hackers in the media it's usually in reference to criminals who break into networks and access personal information, resulting in a mad dash to change all your passwords... again. Hackerspaces (also called makerspaces or fab labs) refer to meeting and making spaces where engineers, artists, computer programmers, diy-ers come together to create. Now librarians are joining their ranks and bringing hackerspaces into libraries.

What exactly is a 3D printer?

Like a computer printer, a 3D printer takes directions from your computer and prints out according to those instructions. Only, instead of ink on paper it prints in plastic, silicon, even frosting! The MakerBot is a small household 3D printer that builds objects in layers. People are using the MakerBot to make everyday objects like shower hooks, toys, puzzles and replacement parts.

So where are these library hackerspaces?

The Fayetteville Free Library, in Fayetteville New York, has opened the FFL Fab Lab where they offer diverse DIY programming ranging from creative writing, book making, 3D printing and have free access to 3D printing technology.

Killam Library at Dalhousie University, has recently acquired a MakerBot 3D printer that users can access for the affordable price of $1/hr. Students and faculty are creating an open access repository of 3D models. Instructions on the use of the printer are available on the library website.

What do you think of hackerspaces and fab labs? Do you think access to 3D printers is the next big thing for public libraries?

Coaching as a Leader

Like it or not, most library managers/librarians end up in some sort of leadership or management role.  Whether you have a small staff or a team of volunteers, you are a leader, and sometimes leaders have to face tough questions. Board members also have to play a leadership role, and often end up having to deal with difficult issues and decisions.

One of the leadership techniques I have learned a lot about is coaching.  It’s a very powerful leadership tool if used properly, but can also be very difficult to master (I’m still working on it myself).  In the most basic terms, coaching is about helping your staff find the answers for themselves, rather than giving them the answers. It’s actually a fairly simple concept, but goes against what most of us have been bred to do – that is talk. Steve Roesler, of the All Things Workplace blog, gives 6 tips for being an effective coach:

1. Stop trying to fix problems yourself. We all give advice all the time without even realizing it.  It’s habitual for most people, and it’s something that we have to stop doing if we want to become good coaches. You might have the right answer, but often we think we know better than we actually do.  If you can empower your staff to find the right answer themselves, that allows your staff to develop and gain confidence in making decisions themselves. And that is what leadership is all about.
2. Ask for more information – use LOTS of open-ended questions.  Think reference interview.  Use the 5 Ws (and an H) in your responses to a coachee's question (Who? What? When? Where? How?).  Remember – DON’T give advice!
3. Use the bonus question – “tell me more about that”.  This is a great question to use to both gather information and “buy” time.  The more the person talks about the situation, the more likely they are to come up with the answer themselves.
4. Listen – which means STOP talking! This one is especially hard for some of us (ahem … me) but is SO important. Most of us are fearful of that ‘awkward’ silence, yet it can be a very powerful tool.  After your coachee stops talking, count to 10 before you start.  They might have more to say – and often what is revealed after a silence is extremely valuable.
5. Ask more – haven’t found the answer yet? Ask more questions. Coaching is really about asking questions (which help the coachee explore the issue) and listening (which helps the coachee come to a solution). I can tell you from experience, this takes practice.
6. Support “giving it a try”.  The questioning and listening process will have generated some ideas from the coachee.  Encourage them to try the solutions they’ve suggested.  They will come away much more empowered and confident if it is clear they came up with the answer, rather than having it given to them.  The next time they have a problem, they just might try solving it BEFORE they come to you.

Give these methods a try next time someone comes to you with a problem to solve.  You can read Steven’s blog post on this topic at http://www.allthingsworkplace.com/, or there are some excellent coaching resources available: http://chinookarch.bibliocommons.com/search?q=Employees+--+Coaching+of&t=subject

There are also a number of great blogs that are both entertaining and informative in regards to leadership, management and HR issues.  These blogs can also be useful for both managers and board members.  Here are some leadership/management blogs you might want to try out (list courtesy of the Sites and Soundbytes blog - one of my favorites):
•    Ask a Manager, www.askamanager.org/
•    Coaching Tip, www.coachingtip.com
•    Evil HR Lady, http://evilhrlady.org
•    Fistful of Talent, http://fistfuloftalent.com
•    Great Leadership, www.greatleadershipbydan.com
•    Leading Blog, www.leadershipnow.com/leadingblog/
•    Three Star Leadership, http://blog.threestarleadership.com

We're Celebrating 20 Years!

Chinook Arch Regional Library System celebrated 20 years of innovation, cooperation and collaboration in southern Alberta with a celebratory dinner last evening in Lethbridge.  It was an evening to reminisce, catch up with old friends and colleagues and most importantly to celebrate the successes of the last 20 years as a regional system.  

Board members, staff, local government officials and library colleagues from
around Alberta gathered to celebrate and reminisce on the past 20 years.

Over 100 people from across Alberta came out to celebrate.
Thank you to all who joined us!

After cocktails and mingling, our Master of Ceremonies Vic Mensch
gave a warm welcome to the group and said grace before dinner was served.

Chinook Arch Board Chair Laura Ross-Giroux welcomed the guests with opening remarks on

 the history of Chinook Arch making comparisons between libraries of twenty years ago and libraries today.  

To conclude her speech, Laura noted that 

"today, the Chinook Arch Regional Library System continues to fulfill its mission statement of providing cost-effective, convenient access to information and library resources for its entire 32 member library system…and continues to explore cutting edge technology for the improvement of library services. While libraries remain the hearts of their communities, the services and spaces that they provide are very different from the libraries of just 20 years ago and Chinook Arch has transitioned along with them." 

Chinook Arch was pleased to welcome local MLA Bridget Pastoor (Lethbridge East)  who
 brought greetings from the province and offered her ongoing support and
her congratulations to Chinook Arch.

Chinook Arch was also pleased to welcome the MLA for Cardston-Taber-Warner, Mr. Gary Bikman.  Mr. Bikman shared stories of his family's love for the library and offered congratulations to Chinook Arch.

Diana Davidson, Director of the Public Library Services Branch congratulated
 Chinook Arch on many innovative and collaborative achievements over the years with a
wish for many more in the future. 

CLA Conference Highlights

Hello everyone, it’s Robin here. I’m guest blogging this week, as I’m just back from the 67th annual Canadian Library Association conference in Ottawa, and there’s a lot to report on. The conference this year was full of political “frisson” as one Twitterer put it. Some 60 delegates arrived early in Ottawa to spend a day on Parliament Hill, talking with MPs and sharing their thoughts and concerns about cuts to Library and Archives Canada (LAC) and the CAP program. As a result of these meetings, a question about CAP and rural access to high-bandwidth Internet was posed during question period the following day.

As you may have heard, government cuts to LAC will likely impact on interlibrary loan in Canada. Our National Librarian, Dr. Daniel Caron, opened the conference with a speech that carefully sidestepped much of the controversy. The speech was also the official “launch” of LAC’s foray into the social media sector, with YouTube and Twitter channels now available. Based on rumblings on Twitter and amongst delegates, Dr. Caron’s message was not very well received by delegates.

On Thursday afternoon, I was privileged to participate in The Great Debate. My debating partner Stephen Abram and I were on the pro side of the resolution: “Be it resolved that the core values of librarianship are antiquated and obsolete.” We talked about access, privacy, democracy, and the public good. The debate was a fun and thought-provoking exchange for debaters and spectators alike.
There were many interesting sessions at the conference. A highlight was “Getting your library from good to great,” wherein the CEO of a smaller Ontario public library talked about using the principles of Jim Collins’ Good to Great to take her library to the next level. If you’re interested in Good to Great, find it here: http://chinookarch.bibliocommons.com/item/show/81291040_good_to_great

On Saturday I presented on our very own Médiathèque Emma Morrier, discussing the challenges of running a French-language library in a minority environment. It was a great chance to meet colleagues from across Canada interested in French library services.


At the CLA this year, it was impossible to deny that big things are happening in libraries. Everywhere delegates were talking about copyright, ebooks, library funding, and so on. It’s clear that we are in a disruptive time in Canadian libraries. While sometimes uncomfortable, I believe that disruptive forces can present new opportunities for growth and self-evaluation, if we are up to the task! I am excited to work with Chinook Arch member libraries to confront the challenges that await us with new and innovative services!

Are you a SHHHHER?

Image credit: David Ng Soon Thong (dnstdavid@gmail.com) and http://www.smashingmagazine.com/library-signs

When I graduated from library school, I was asked multiple times how it feels to be a “Professional Shhhher.”  Fortunately, I have yet to flex my SHHHHing muscles but a recent article definitely made think about it. I came across an article last weekend by Steven Bernstein in Library Journal entitled “Embracing the Shhhhhtereotype” and it discuses the idea of libraries not shying away from requesting quiet but rather fully enforcing it and even teaching it.

The article made me laugh but it also made me think about what it means for libraries to facilitate connections through providing spaces for human interaction while simultaneously being valuable spots of quiet and solitude. 

The article generally discussed the transformations that many libraries have gone through.  From being an unconnected space before cell phones, computers, and tablets to being on connection overload.  According to Bernstein, it appears that users are now seeking out moments of quiet to escape their device heavy world.  Although libraries seem like the ideal place to run to, the library – like the user – has changed.  Libraries have become wonderful places to come and connect, have conversations, take in training sessions, have a book club meeting, or grab a coffee at the in house cafe. These are all positive changes.  However, we can’t forget to provide those nooks and crannies for silence.  Reading rooms, study rooms, and device- free zones are all quiet spaces that I have encountered at both public and academic libraries.

In his article, Bernstein offers us a few more ideas for libraries to consider.  His ideas are taken from a report by Jessie L. Mannisto from ALA’s Office of Information Technology Policy.  One of the suggestions I really like is providing a “Creative Contemplative Resource Center.”  This would be a place that offers “tools and resources for concentration and thought.”  For example, computer stations equipped with word processing programs but without Internet connection (to inhibit Facebook and web browsing opportunities).   

Another great suggestion is to provide to users training sessions on “Connection Management” and “Focus Techniques.”  Learning how to disengage from devices and concentrate on a single task is equally important as learning how to multi-task.  Learning to focus and manage one’s devices is also applicable and valuable to everyone from young adults to seniors.   

Are we all ready to kindly and strategically use our SHHHHing powers?  Let’s try not to SHHHH patrons right out the door. 

For those who missed the links within, here is Bernstein’s article from Library Journal. 

And Jessie L. Mannisto’s report from ALA's Office of Information Technology Policy.