Freedom of Information and Privatization of Libraries

A family friend in Idaho sent this newspaper clipping to me.  It's a super reminder of the convenient library services we have in the United States.
  

Thinking of kinds of libraries and how they are run makes me consider the privatization of libraries ... and makes me think of the beginning of libraries in the United States as the "subscription" libraries where members paid fees.  I worry that if libraries become wholly privatized that owners will curb and mold access to information (a la the controlling parties in Ukraine) as well as charge membership fees that will greatly and easily surpass the tax monies patrons currently pay.

Here is a Google Bookmarks link: https://www.google.com/bookmarks/l#!threadID=GIyRVPdy7Dpg%2FBDQoYZAoQ-ablvYsm where I've begun collecting information on Privatization of Libraries.

International Children's Book Day OR One World, Many Stories

Happy International Children's Book Day!

I was reminded of the following resources.  They are also good resources for those following the Collaborative Summer Library Program theme "One World, Many Stories."

Outstanding International Books from the United States Board on Books for Young People:
http://www.usbby.org/outstanding_international_books_list.htm

International Children's Book Day Activities
http://www.usbby.org/icbdideas.htm

International Children's Digital Library
http://en.childrenslibrary.org/

Conversation and Discussion Guide

I've copied the following guidelines from Harwood Institute's "Authentic Engagement" framework. Not only are they helpful during community discussions but ideal in all areas of person-to-person engagement, including interacting with youth during library programming and working with colleagues in committees.

Have a "kitchen table" conversation of no more than fifteen people so everyone can participate and no one dominates.

There are no "right answers" since we all draw on unique experiences, views, and beliefs.

Keep an open mind, and listen carefully to try and understand the views of others, especially those who are different than yours.

Keep the discussion on track by sticking to the questions and not rambling.

It is okay to disagree, but don't be disagreeable. Respond to others as you want to be responded to.

Changing a Community

Since February, I have been in conversation with a committee of individuals who represent various groups within the Youngstown area community. These individuals include several of the members of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County's Board of Trustees.

Such conversations serve not only to broaden our individual views of our community, they also will inform the Board's decisions as the institution tries to work through last year's 31% decrease in funding from the State of Ohio.

Our conversations are inspired by the Harwood Institute's philosophies and "frameworks" and never cease to give me "food for thought." A few issues that I see as crucial in effecting change in our community are the needs to:

Connect to what people believe in

Collaborate

Celebrate

Educate

Communicate

Accept Personal Responsibility

Overall, I think one needs to accept change and see the positive. While we hope that others might also value and contribute to our community, the ones who hope and act will be the ones to propel the community forward. As one committee member story-shared ... :

One day, I drove past a car that had gotten stuck on the side of the rode. Those trying to free it, were pushing behind the wheel that was stuck, and that's not the best way to free a stuck car ... You need to push behind the wheel that already has the traction.

If we see our community as the broken down car, we shouldn't waste our effort pushing the inactive or negative community member. We get behind the figurehead who's creating the change we want to see.