Category Archives: News from the Field

Book Club in a Bag

In the January/February edition of Public Libraries Tales from the Front section, the Camden County (N.J.) Library System reports about the success is has had with it’s Book Club in a Bag.  The book club bags include multiple copies of the same popular title along with discussion questions, and can be checked out by library patrons for up to eight weeks.

This is a great and inexpensive service that would be wonderful for outreach services librarians to market to their community members who have shown interest in starting book clubs, as well as to established book clubs.  In addition to the discussion questions, perhaps the book club bags could include guidelines for starting a book club and web resources relevant to the books.  ReadingGroupGuides.com has a lot of great information for book clubbers including book discussion guides for many popular titles.

Libraries Branching Out With Vending Machines

You’ve probably all seen the Red Box DVD vending machines at your local grocery store.  Well, some libraries have adapted this concept to create library vending machines.  Each machine is stocked with the most popular books and DVDs for patrons to choose from, and the selections are frequently updated.  These machines are placed outside popular stores or community centers to give the public quick and easy access to library materials.  A patron inserts their library card into into the machine, chooses an item, and the item drops down for them to retrieve, just like a regular vending machine.  Items “checked out” at the vending machines can be returned to drop boxes located next to the machines or to the library.

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Perceptions of Libraries 2010

Have you seen the newest OCLC membership report?   It is called Perceptions of Libraries 2010: Context and Community and you can download it for free.  This publication provides updated information and new insights into information consumers and their online information habits, preferences and perceptions. Particular attention is paid to how the current economic downturn has affected information-seeking behaviors and how those changes are reflected in the use and perception of libraries.
The OCLC membership report explores:
•         Technological and economic shifts since 2005
•         Lifestyle changes Americans have made during the recession, including increased use of the library and other online resources
•         How a negative change to employment status impacts use and perceptions of the library
•         How Americans use online resources and libraries in 2010
•         Perceptions of libraries and information resources based on life stage, from teens to college students, to senior Americans.
The membership report is based on U.S. data from an online survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of OCLC. OCLC analyzed and summarized the results in order to produce this report.
 
 Download the free report here or order print copies of the report for a nominal fee to cover the cost of printing and shipping.  It is recommended using legal size paper when it is printed.