Below are listed some highlights from the Professional Collection housed at the Four County Library System. Links go to the catalog records for each book, and holds can be placed through Workflows or through the online catalog. If you can't find what you are looking for here or in the catalog, or you have a suggestion for a title or a topic, please contact Circe at cmckenney@4cls.org.
Beyond Books by
This book will enable librarians to prepare effective programs that already have proven results, decreasing stress, prep time, and the feeling of being overwhelmed that can result from trying to come up with new ideas on a deadline.
The Librarian's Guide to Bibliotherapy by
Bibliotherapy can be defined as the use of guided reading for therapeutic ends. And though you might not be a licensed mental health professional, you can--and do, even without knowing it--support mental health and personal growth by connecting patrons to books that heal. Regardless of your previous experience or existing skills, this guide will empower you to make "shelf help" a part of your library's relationship with its community. Drawing on Reading for Recovery, the authors' own Carnegie-Whitney grant-funded project, this guide begins with an overview of bibliotherapy, including its concepts and history, and sketches out how its various approaches can be adapted for library settings; explores the potential of bibliotherapy as an add-on to existing skills, services, practices, and collections; demonstrates how bibliotherapy-inspired initiatives can address the needs of diverse communities, thus advancing libraries' commitment to EDISJ; offers techniques for selecting reading material for your audience with bibliotherapy in mind; provides a range of possible programs, from group discussions and public events to book displays and reading lists, along with a step-by-step approach to planning and implementing them; shares outreach tips, tools, and branding ideas to make the most of your resources and effectively reach your audience; demonstrates how to use assessment tools to test and tweak your program at every stage to achieve the results you want; and inspires you to take your offerings into new directions, such as creative writing and visual art programs, that fit your library and community.
The Library's Guide to Sexual and Reproductive Health Information by
The need to find accurate information about sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion, has never felt more urgent. At the same time, mis- and disinformation proliferates as never before. Libraries are uniquely positioned community organizations that can cut through the miasma and provide facts about sensitive health topics like contraception, fertility, pregnancy options, and sexually transmitted infections. Geared towards public libraries but applicable to other settings, this book from reference expert Alvarez introduces the basic concept of sexual and reproductive health as a human right and the framework of reproductive justice, incorporating discussion of relevant legislation and historical concepts; presents practical collection development and reference strategies, highlighting a wide variety of books, websites, databases, and other resources that provide evidence-based sexual and reproductive health information; shares key facts and guidance on how to provide inclusive, non-judgmental services to all communities, including LGBTQIA+ and underrepresented populations; ideas for addressing community health needs through educational programs, services, and collaborations with local health centers and organizations; and includes suggestions for continued reading and education, with an appendix of recommended resources.
Serving Patrons with Disabilities by
Ensuring accessibility is more important than ever; however, answering questions of what needs to be done and why to make a library accessible can be an uncomfortable and daunting hurdle to true inclusion. This book is a safe, nonjudgmental tool for overcoming this awkwardness, offering readers practical, to-the-point information and guidance that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Its contributors showcase real-world stories and viewpoints that illustrate ways to provide excellent customer service and a safe environment to all patrons regardless of ability. Readers will learn about bridging the gap between people with disabilities and those without, through empathy, patience, and understanding; techniques for training staff and overcoming discomfort; making your library accessible for people with mobility issues; how to interact with and assist a person with limited sight or hearing; guidance for interacting with a service animal handler; advice on library programming for people with learning differences; and best practices for effective service to patrons who use a speech assistance device.
For professional collection titles related to adult services, please visit the Adult Services LibGuide.
For professional collection titles related to adult services, please visit the Collection Development: Print Resources page.
Library Management 101 by
Just because a set of responsibilities isn't formally called management doesn't mean that it isn't management. And this vital text speaks to a reality that all current professionals already know: that is, everyone studying to enter the profession needs an introduction to the topic of management. Because no matter what one's role in an academic or public library context, it will involve decision-making, planning, and organization skills. Newly revised and updated, this book pulls together management best practices from library management experts teaching in LIS programs across the U.S. and Canada. Among the many topics discussed are classic and contemporary theories of management, and how they apply to the library; human resource planning; marketing and public relations; negotiations, mediation, and financial management of the library; facilities management; information technology management and future trends; change management, organizational culture; and ethics and confidentiality.
Management Basics for Information Professionals by
The recipient of rave reviews from far and wide (Journal of Hospital Librarianship deemed it "a librarian's dream ... very forward-thinking"), since its initial publication this text has served as an essential resource for both LIS students and practitioners. The new fourth edition offers an updated, comprehensive examination of the myriad basic skills effective library managers must exercise throughout their careers. Throughout, Evans and new co-author Greenwell pay close attention to management in "new normal" straitened economic conditions and the pervasive impact of technology on a library manager's role. This book's coverage includes a new focus on how being in the public/nonprofit sector influences the application of management basics such as planning, accountability, trust and delegation, decision making, principles of effective organizational communication, fostering change and innovation, quality control, and marketing; the managerial environment, organizational skill sets, the importance of a people-friendly organization, and legal issues; key points on leadership, team-building, and human resource management; budget, resource, and technology management; management ethics, with a lengthy discussion of why ethics matter; and tips for planning a library career, with a look at the work/life debate. This book, to quote Australian Library Journal, is "a recommended text for library science students, but is also an excellent source of information for career librarians wanting to refresh their knowledge of library management in a fast-moving information services environment."
The Public Library Director's Toolkit by
New public library directors quickly learn what seasoned directors already know: running a library means you've always got your hands full--balancing the needs of staff, patrons, facilities, library boards, and other stakeholders with professional responsibilities like community interactions, legal and financial requirements, and whole lot else that wasn't exactly in the job description. Whether you are considering becoming a public library director, are brand new to the role, or have settled in but find yourself thinking "there's got to be a better way," authors Hall and Parker are here to help. This book walks you through the core components of getting up to speed and then provides templates, sample documents, checklists, and other resources that will make your job easier. Gleaned from their own decades of experience in library leadership positions, in this toolkit they cover such key topics as employees, trustees, finances, legal issues, library policies, emergency planning, and technology; discuss strategic planning and share advice on keeping up with trends; offer nearly two dozen ready-to-use resources, including a Director's Report Template, a Social Media Policy, an Employee Exit Questionnaire, a Library Cleaning Checklist, a Vision Statement worksheet, and more; and suggest additional learning opportunities in each chapter to help you continue your learning journey.
Library Marketing and Communications by
Effectively marketing libraries by persuasively communicating their relevance is key to ensuring their future. Speaking directly to those in senior leadership positions, Anderson lays out the structural and organizational changes needed to help libraries answer the relevance question and maximize their marketing and communications efforts. Focusing on big-picture strategies, she shares lessons learned from her 20+ year career in library marketing and communications. No matter what type or size of library you help to lead, by reading this book you will gain insight into why libraries need to tell their stories more effectively than they are today; be able to craft a strategic roadmap for marketing your library and communicating its value in a variety of ways that resonate with key audiences; see why improvements to the structure of your marketing and communications team can lead to better results; learn practical methods for incorporating audience research into your planning; know how to remove customer barriers and discontinue practices that are thwarting your marketing efforts; receive guidance on preparing for potential crises; understand how to be more community-focused by forming and sustaining partnerships; and feel confident in engaging with stakeholders so that they become your library's best ambassadors.
Marketing with Social Media by
This all-new edition gathers a range of contributors to explore real-world uses of library marketing technology, perfect for novices ready to dive in as well as practitioners on the lookout for ways to improve existing efforts. Inside, librarians share insights on how they use their favorite social media tools to promote their library and build community. Applicable to all types of institutions, this guide covers popular tools such as Snapchat, Tumblr, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter; shares four easy-to-use tools for creating memes, tips for creating short videos, and ways to integrate blogs into social media; demonstrates how to use reaction GIFs and tagging to boost your Tumblr posts; shows how to tailor messages to communicate effectively with different generations and audiences; and includes screen shots, illustrations, sample social media policies to help you navigate controversies, and free online training resources.
For more resources on marketing and social media, check out the Social Media & Marketing LibGuide!
Compact Copyright by
Included in Choice's Top 75 Titles and Resources for Community College Libraries Faculty, students, and colleagues come to you with copyright questions, both simple and complex. And they all want reliable answers--as fast as you can get them. With this guide, designed for ready access, you'll be prepared to deliver. Lawyer, copyright librarian, and iSchool instructor Benson presents succinct explanations ideal for both on-the-fly reference and staff training. Copyright specialists will appreciate excerpts from the law itself alongside tools and resources for digging deeper. Practical discussions of key legal concepts, illustrated using 52 scenarios, will lead you to fast, accurate answers on a range of topics, such as barriers to using the TEACH Act provisions in content for online teaching; showing a full-length movie in a university class; public domain and the 1998 Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act; your legal options when receiving a DMCA take-down notice; court interpretations of fair use in three key recent cases; Creative Commons licenses, complete with a quick reference chart; library rights to license photographs in a digital collection; using letters under copyright in a special collections display case; a grad student's right to use in a thesis writing published in their professor's journal article; applying the implied license option to post historical student dissertations in institutional repositories; the Marrakesh Treaty provision supporting transfer of accessible works internationally; and limiting factors for interlibrary loan.
Fundamentals of Planning and Assessment for Libraries by
The concepts of planning and assessment are intrinsically linked--and understanding them is essential for raising the library's profile and strengthening its position among stakeholders and the community. Even if you're an LIS student or are new to the profession, or if planning or assessment are not your primary areas of responsibility, you still have a role to play in the success of organizational efforts. Fleming-May has more than a decade of experience in planning and assessment initiatives and instruction, and Mays was her institution's first assessment librarian; their primer draws from theory, research, and their first-hand observations to illuminate such topics as characteristics of bad planning strategy that can help to illustrate a better approach; reasons why using economic models, like ROI, fall short; how to mix the three types of planning; guidelines to ensure that assessment is meaningful and actionable; tips for creating effective surveys; emphasizing users' needs with a critical assessment framework; data analysis for surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observation; four questions to ask about audience level before you develop a report; a sample 3-year assessment plan that can be customized; and seven steps for developing a culture of ongoing assessment.
A Trauma-Informed Approach to Library Services by
We are only now coming to terms with how common trauma really is; a landmark Kaiser study that surveyed patients receiving physicals found that almost two-thirds had experienced at least one form of abuse, neglect, or other trauma as a child. Though originating in the fields of health and social services, trauma-informed care is a framework that holds great promise for application to library work. Empathetic service, positive patron encounters, and a more trusting workplace are only a few of the benefits that this approach offers. In this important book Tolley, experienced in both academic and public libraries, brings these ideas into the library context. Library administrators, directors, and reference and user services staff will all benefit from learning the six key principles of trauma-informed care; characteristics of a trusting and transparent library organization, plus discussion questions to promote a sense of psychological safety among library workers; how certain language and labels can undermine mutuality, with suggested phrases that will help library staff demonstrate neutrality to patron ideas and views during information requests; delivery models that empower patrons; advice on balancing free speech on campus with students' need for safety; how appropriate furniture arrangement can help people suffering from PTSD feel safe; guidance on creating safe zones for LGBTQIA+ children, teens, and adults; and self-assessment tools to support change toward trauma-responsive library services.
209 Big Programming Ideas for Small Budgets by
Published in partnership with the Association for Rural & Small Libraries When you're a solo librarian or only have a few volunteers to rely on (with a tiny budget to match) you've got to make the most of everything. With creativity, flexibility, and heart, you can be the anchor your community needs, offering programming that engages people of all ages and backgrounds. In this book Price, whose library serves a town with a population of less than 300, shares dozens of ideas that have helped to triple attendance numbers in a three-year period, alongside many more suggestions from other libraries across the country. You'll learn how fun and easy DIY programming can be, inspiring you to use passive programming like scavenger hunts and Lego towers to engage your patrons no matter when they visit your library; adapt one of the dozens of low- or no-cost programs included, from library decorating parties and teen taste-tests to a local history night and a mini-golf tournament; celebrate the different seasons of the year with ideas tied to a variety of holidays; jump-start your outreach efforts by partnering with health clinics, museums, restaurants, local businesses, and other organizations and individuals in your community; collaborate with your school district through initiatives like reading challenges and information literacy field trips; get the word out using fliers, advertising, word of mouth marketing, your library's website, and social media; avoid burnout and deal with stress, with suggestions for self-care and reinvigoration; and host a benefit, launch a fundraising drive, or apply for grants using the tips and information provided in the book. No matter their size, libraries are the lifeblood of their communities. Armed with this book's ideas and guidance, yours will be sure to connect successfully with the people you serve.
Get Your Community Moving by
By helping patrons view the library in a new way, movement-based programs bring new people into libraries, help promote community health, and stimulate literacy for children and adults alike. And the data show that they work: nearly 90% of public libraries said their movement-based programs had brought new users into their libraries, according to a recent study, while 80% said the programs contributed to community building. Carson, a professional yoga teacher who has been leading movement-based programs in schools, libraries, and museums for over a decade, presents a guidebook for serving library patrons of all ages, both mind and the body together. Filled with detailed strategies, proven program models, and real-life case studies, her book describes the concept of physical literacy and explains why it matters, using both research and library testimonials; shares tips for building enthusiasm among library staff, training, marketing, partnering with community organizations, and handling patron feedback; shows how to get started regardless of staffing or budget limitations, with hints for sneaking physical literacy into existing spaces and initiatives; includes programs for children and families, such as ABC Boom!, storytime fun runs, and a healthy nutrition lecture and tasting; outlines a Water Wars! party, a Quidditch match, an earth walk, and other programs that convert teens' energy into healthy movement; demonstrates ways that adults can also get moving, from gym passes and walk/run clubs to ballroom dancing; guides libraries on involving special populations through outreach and inreach; and provides checklists for prep, teardown, tie-ins, and followup. This book is essential reading for any programming librarian, administrator, or community coordinator looking to boost circulation stats, program numbers, literacy rates, and foster joy and wellness in their community.
Great Library Events by
Libraries and library staff are constantly in the process of expanding and adapting services in order to remain responsive to their varied user communities. As part of this trend, there is an increasing emphasis on providing a wide variety of programs and events; this service expansion has been met with broad enthusiasm by library users everywhere. Great Library Events: From Planning to Promotion to Evaluation, with its holistic approach to program provision, serves as an indispensable companion for anyone responsible for event or program planning in their organization. The guide moves through a program's lifecycle, beginning with the initial steps of defining an event's scope, ensuring inclusivity, and constructing measurable objectives. It follows with practical considerations such as finding funding, publicizing, assessing outcomes, reporting, and using data to keep the program cycle going. To support each of these steps, and to help ensure successful initiatives, practical examples, templates, and tools are provided throughout. While this book is aimed at library managers and programming staff, it will be helpful for anyone responsible for event or program planning in their organization, whether they are new to the task or seasoned professionals.
The Passive Programming Playbook by
This book offers 101 passive programming ideas that are extendable, adaptable, customizable, and above all, stealable--so your passive programming never runs dry. Passive programming is a cheap, quick, fun way to make all library customers feel like part of the community. It can support reading initiatives, foster family engagement, encourage visit frequency, and coax interaction out of library lurkers--while barely making a dent in your programming budget. Passive programming can be targeted at children, teens, adults, or seniors; used to augment existing programs; and executed in places where staff-led programming can't reach. It can be light-footed, spontaneous, and easily deployed to reflect and respond to current news, media, library events, and even the weather. But even passive programming pros run out of ideas sometimes, and when that happens, they want a fresh, funny source of inspiration.
Conducting the Reference Interview by
Based on the latest research in communication theory but tailored specifically for real-world application, this updated manual speaks equally to the needs of students preparing to enter the profession and those who are already fielding reference inquiries. The authors, working in consultation with a stellar advisory board of scholars and practitioners, present a convenient and comprehensive resource that will teach you how to understand the needs of public, academic, and special library users across any virtual setting--including email, text messaging, and social media--as well as in traditional and face-to-face models of communication. Packed with exercises and examples to help you practice effective reference transactions and avoid common pitfalls, this book tackles the fundamentals of the reference interview, from why it's important in the first place to methods for setting the stage for a successful interview and techniques for finding out what the library user really wants to know; covers the ins and outs of the readers' advisory interview; examines a wide range of contexts, such as children, young adults, parents, seniors, adults from diverse communities, and those with disabilities; presents case studies of innovative reference and user encounters at a variety of libraries; offers updated coverage of virtual reference, including new research, virtual reality transcripts, and a look at crowd-sourcing reference via social media; features new content on common microaggressions, with guidance on how to use awareness of emotion as a factor in reference interactions to ensure better outcomes; discusses topics such as respecting/protecting privacy, overcoming assumptions, implicit judgment, the importance of context, determining the real information need, and many other lessons learned from challenging reference encounters; and thoroughly addresses policy and training procedures, as well as the unique challenges faced by paraprofessionals and non-degreed staff. Find your bearings in the continually evolving hybrid reference environment through proven strategies, advice, exercises, and research from three experts in the field.
Helping Patrons Find Their Roots by
Public libraries have many valuable resources for diving into a patron's lineage and family history, yet librarians themselves are sometimes not fully acquainted with all the tools available. The good news is that you don't have to be a genealogist to help patrons find the research information they need to get in touch with their roots. In this book Schultz, an experienced genealogy librarian, guides librarians through the process, providing an overview of heritage research, with an explanation of the differences between genealogy and family history; step-by-step instructions for finding genealogy records; a discussion of useful databases such as Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest as well as print sources of information; key websites to help patrons continue their search; and advice on collection development and training. Not just for reference librarians, this book will help all library staff connect patrons searching for information about their forebears.
Online Searching by
Online Searching prepares students in library and information science programs to assist information seekers at all levels, from university faculty to elementary school students. Included in the third edition are interviews with librarians and other information professionals whose words of wisdom broaden graduate students' perspectives regarding online searching in a variety of work settings serving different kinds of information seekers. The book's chapters are organized according to the steps in the search process: 1. Conducting a reference interview to determine what the seeker wants 2. Identifying sources that are likely to produce relevant information for the seeker's query 3. Determining whether the user seeks a known item or information about a subject 4. Dividing the query into main ideas and combining them logically 5. Representing the query as input to the search system 6. Conducting the search and responding strategically 7. Displaying retrievals, assessing them, and responding tactically A new chapter on web search engines builds on students' existing experience with keyword searching and relevance ranking by introducing them to more sophisticated techniques to use in the search box and on the results page. A completely revised chapter on assessing research impact discusses the widespread use of author and article iMetrics, a trend that has developed rapidly since the publication of the second edition. More than 100 figures and tables provide readers with visualizations of concepts and examples of real searches and actual results. Textboxes offer additional topical details and professional insights. New videos supplement the text by delving more deeply into topics such as database types, information organization, specialized search techniques, results filtering, and the role of browsing in the information seeking process. An updated glossary makes it easy to find definitions of terms used throughout the book. With new and updated material, this edition of Online Searching gives students knowledge and skills for success when intermediating between information seekers and the sources they need.
For professional collection titles related to youth services, please visit the Youth Services: Professional Books page.