Your pass for adventure

You go to Macy’s, right? Look at things, maybe spend some money. Would you like it if Macy’s spent money on you? Sounds good, huh? Well read on!

If you live in Southeast Michigan, Macy’s is giving your money back to you! If you don’t know it, you need to tune in and keep an eye out for the Museum Adventure Pass program. It’s a partnership program between Macy’s and libraries in Southeast Michigan. You may have seen it if you’ve visited a public library lately. How does it work? What’s in it for you?

In short, Macy’s is connecting you with many of the premium institutions of history and learning in the area. It works like this, you walk into your public library, look at the museum passes available, grab one that interests you, take it to the desk, and then you get a pass for 2 or 4 to visit. Simple like that!

I won’t list off all of the participating organizations but do check the site for a full listing.

This program is amazing because it’s getting people into high quality places that will expand their experiences. Not everyone can afford the admission price to the Motown Museum or the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House. This program opens up access and brings down the barriers for admission that have typically existed. It’s applied the library mentality of access and information to all to a sector typically experienced with a cost for admission. This is just another case of libraries connecting one to resources that will further one’s knowledge.

Take advantage of this program if you want to save some cash or if you want to check out some place that has been out of your price range in the past. Take this opportunity to support and discover new places. You may find a new favorite in the area. It also works well to plan visits for folks out of town or friends in the area.

And I must say, it’s changed my outlook of Macy’s. I certainly didn’t consider them anything like the evil corporate empire (read: WalMart) but I didn’t go out of my way to shop there. Now I at least consider shopping there sort of as a way of saying thanks for their efforts. The program is set to expire in fall 2008. Hopefully this’ll just be the first year and it’ll be available for years to come.

Help make this program a success. Visit a library near you (click here for a list of participating libraries). Clear some time on your calendar and schedule a visit to one of the many sites available through the program. Experience Southeast Michigan’s finest!

So you want a library job in Michigan?

Are you nearing graduation with a library degree? Do you want to stay in Michigan? Such questions were being discussed on my alma mater's listerv and I thought I'd share my response (slightly modified for the blog).

1. If you're looking for a job in the state of Michigan, recognize that the economy has changed considerably within the last few years. It's in a much different spot today than just last year. This changing economy impacts the system on many levels. Graduates are having a tough time finding available positions and are becoming more desperate for work. Many libraries have suffered significant funding cuts and are working with less. Regional library cooperatives are closing their doors and reducing staff numbers.

2. You may not get a full time position immediately after graduation. Funding shortages have forced libraries to get creative in job openings. They may, for example, offer two part-time positions with reduced benefits rather than a full-time position with full benefits. You may need to work another part-time job to supplement your career dreams until something full-time surfaces.

3. Look outside of your concentration area for work. I concentrated on public library work while in the program. After graduation I worked for a library software company in their support department. I now work in the field of philanthropy as a solo librarian. Be flexible in your expectations--especially for your first position after graduation.

4. Don't ask your graduate program to tell you'll get a job. You get the skills and knowledge from the program--it's your responsibility to put that to use and find an opening. Use them as a resource to strengthen yourself as a potential candidate. Your graduate program would LOVE for all of you to find employment right after graduation--but they can make no guarantee that it's going to happen.

5. What have you done to set yourself apart from other candidates? Why should a prospective employer be interested in you when you're mixed in with 30 other candidates? Join one or several student organizations--take on a leadership position in a group. Join one or several professional associations and read what they send you. Start writing a library-focused blog (like Betsy Stoll's 'Second Life: Binary Footprints' blog). Jump into online environments (MySpace, Facebook, Second Life, blogging, YouTube) and get a feel for how they can be used--it could be helpful to at least be familiar with them.

The thoughts shared above are certainly relevant outside of the library community as well. Generally tough times in Michigan.

Dewey's not dead

The New York Times reported that an Arizona library had done away with the classic and functional Dewey Decimal System in favor of broad subject browsing groups (as seen at most retail bookstores). How would this new approach work? Instead of going to 917.74 for a travel guide on Michigan, you would go to a large subject collection of travel items and browse for the desired item. That sounds fun and easy but it really doesn't play out in a favorable way. I know I've been consistently frustrated when seeking a particular title in a bookstore--they're not super tight on organization or controlled presentation.

The library that implemented this change is led by Harry Courtright. Mr. Courtright said annual surveys indicated most library users came into the building without a specific title in mind. They just wanted to browse. What about the library users who have a specific title they're after? Wouldn't it be nice for them to be able to find what they're seeking without browsing rows of undesired titles? This isn't the best solution--there's a better way.

Willard Library's new branch has implemented a fine hybrid of old school library ways and contemporary use preferences. When you walk into the Helen Warner Branch, you feel like you're sort of in a bookstore--but not entirely. They've divided the library collection into broad subject groups (travel, cooking, etc.) and then organized books within each subject group by Dewey Decimal classification. It is an ideal combination of organization methods since a user can casually browse a subject area or find a specific title quickly using the Dewey Decimal System. The library system's director, Rick Hulsey, has set a great example by presenting a traditional library classification system in a way that is relevant to today's user.

The article states "Mr. Courtright says most people don't know what the numbers mean anyway." Why should that signal the Dewey Decimal System be deemed irrelevant? Such a revelation about the using public should lead to education about libraries, how they're organized, and what they offer. This education can be directed at all age levels from elementary students to seniors. Could a "crash course in library use" be offered to new library card holders or interested members of the community? Empower library users to get the most out of their library visits and they libraries they fund.

Libraries aren't bookstores. Libraries will be on shaky ground if they attempt to become completely like bookstores. The library community can embrace certain aspects (mainly atmosphere) of bookstores but they can't lose their identity in pursuit of the competition. Instead, libraries need to breath new life into their buildings and into the profession. They need to capitalize on what sets them apart from bookstores by highlighting the many unique and valuable services they provide.

I hope that the demise of the Dewey Decimal System is limited to Mr. Courtright's library. Dewey isn't a perfect system of classification. It has its shortcomings. But it's served library users for generations and is vital in today's quest to connect library users to desired content.