Stephen Abram presented on trends affecting public libraries, including technology trends like increased use of mobile devices and online learning, demographic trends like aging populations, and programming trends like makerspaces and e-learning. He discussed how libraries are becoming community hubs and destinations through placemaking and partnerships. Abram emphasized the importance of measuring impact and community engagement to demonstrate the value of libraries.
1. Having a Positive Impact:
Libraries & Community Needs
Stephen Abram, MLS
Lighthouse Consulting Inc.
Federation of Ontario Public Libraries
Caledon Public Library Sept. 23, 2016
2.
3. Agenda
ï” About me
ï” 1.0 Library Trends and Best Practices
ï” 1.1 Lifestyle and Societal Trends
ï” 1.2 Technology Trends
ï” 1.3 Library Facility and Service Trends
ï” 1.4 Public Perceptions of the Library
ï” 1.5 Comparative Survey Results - Ontario Peer Libraries
ï” 1.6 Alternative Visions for Public Libraries of the Future
ï” 1.7 Management & Planning Trends
ï” 1.8 Programming Trends
ï” 1.9 Community and Downtown Revitalization Trends
4. Guest Speaker:
Stephen Abram
Experienced library and
information industry leader
Expert in:
âą Strategic & master planning
âą Forecasting
âą Program development
âą Technology
âą Training and marketing
5. The Public Library value proposition is strong
and includes (but isnât limited to):
ï” Return on Investment: many studies show that public investment in libraries delivers a measurable, positive return on investment
economically, socially and for the capacity of communities to attract businesses and residents.
ï” Economic Development: supporting small business and entrepreneurs who will drive local economic recovery, growth, and job creation by
providing them with resources such as databases on market trends and information on regulatory obligations;
ï” Employment Support: providing services and resources for career planning, job search, education, and upgrading skills;
ï” Welcoming New Canadians: helping newcomers to Canada succeed through settlement support; language acquisition including ESL
programs, accreditation and employment support and maintaining cultural connections;
ï” Early Literacy Development: supporting success in life and reading and school readiness through a vast array of pre-school and childrenâs
literacy programs;
ï” Support for Formal Education and Homework Help: professional help and collections to support learners of all ages to develop advanced
information fluency competencies, do research and complete projects. Open longer hours than school libraries, public libraries are also
critical support systems for adult distance education and home schooling. Across the province, libraries are busier than ever with students
at all ages and stages;
ï” Serving the whole community: public libraries ensure that the whole community of Ontarians â including those with visual or physical
limitations, from any cultural or language community, natives, and more â receive equitable access to the resources of our society for
success.
ï” Equitable access to community resources: public libraries are often the only place where all residents can access free computing
resources, the internet, peripherals, training, and assistance to accomplish their goals as citizens, workers, and more.
ï” Access to Government Services: providing professional support services, accessible locations, and technology infrastructure to serve as a
major access point for e-government. Public Libraries provide cost-effective opportunities to reach Ontarians to deliver government
services for everything from forms and information to advice;
ï” Questions Deserve Quality Answers: Ontarians have important information needs and deserve quality answers regardless of their economic
status or location. On issues of health, parenting, finance, life choices, and more, libraries go beyond Google to improve the quality of
questions and answers.
ï” Cultural Vitality: a critical piece of a communityâs cultural framework, public libraries are essential to a healthy and sustainable society as
social equity, environmental responsibility and economic viability; and local history heritage.
ï” Affordable Leisure Activities: offering free borrowing of books, music and movies and exciting library programs for children, families,
seniors, and people of all ages and tied directly to community needs and demand.
6. What is the real role and value of libraries
and librarians?
ï” Lewis Carroll wrote in Alice in Wonderland that, âIf you donât know where you
are going then any road will get you there.â Two things help you make the
choice to make changes or evolve: your core values and what distinct value
you deliver better than anyone else in your role in the context of your
environment â whether thatâs a community, an institution, as an individual
professional, or as an educator.
7. Drivers of Evolution
Technology (social media, learning systems)
Demographics (the generations matrix)
Learning systems and policy (LMSâs, MOOCs, etc.)
Policy frameworks (e.g. OA, DRM, copyright, etc.)
8. Lifestyle and Societal Trends
Technology Trends
Library Facility and Service Trends
Public Perceptions of the Library
9. Trends
ï” (Fairly) New K-12 Curricula
ï” Accessibility â Intellectual access vs. physical access
ï” Digital Divide â access, literacy, fluency
ï” Demographic changes â Seniors, First Nations, ethnicity, etc.
ï” Family structure and dynamics â Nuclear family?
ï” Discretionary time deficit
ï” Desired use of Leisure time
ï” Health & Wellness Concerns â chronic vs. emergency conditions
ï” Environmental and âGreenâ issues
10. Trends
ï” Immigration
ï” Information literacy and fluency
ï” Labour trends â Knowledge jobs . . . vs. âlabourâ
ï” Partnership and collaboration
ï” Private Schools, Alternative Schools and Home-Schooling
ï” Smart device expectations
ï” Web-Savvy Library Users
ï” Zoomers & GenX
ï” Millennials
ï” Post Millennials
11. Technology Trends
ï” Online Learning
ï” In-Library Wireless Expectations
ï” Digital Download Kiosks
ï” Mobile Device Arena
ï” Beacons
ï” Web Content for Hand-Held Devices
ï” Increasing Demand for Audio & Video Live-streaming
ï” End of the web, Internet of Things IoT
12. Technology Trends
ï” E-Book Readership & Sales
ï” Publishers, Libraries & e-books
ï” Next Generation e-Book Readers
ï” User Contributions to Content â self publishing
ï” âCloudâ Computing
ï” Hardware Size Shrinking but Space Needs Growing
ï” Computer Training Space and Equipment
ï” Making: Latest Technology Tools
ï” Libraries as Centres for Technology and Innovation
13. Library Facility and Service Trends
ï” Libraries are Destinations: Placemaking
ï” Libraries as Multi-Service Providers: Culture, Art, History, Museums,
Archives, Social work
ï” Libraries Fostering Community Engagement
ï” Libraries with Maker Spaces
ï” Libraries with a Customer-First Focus
14. Public Perceptions of the Library
ï” Market Probe 2015 Report
ï” OCLC Reports and Studies
ï” FOPL Marketing and Tagline research
18. Programming Trends
ï” Maker
ï” Photography
ï” Film
ï” 3D Printing
ï” Laser cutting
ï” Knitting, sewing, tools, crafts, etc.
ï” Experience based programs aligned with collections and community interest/need
ï” Technology
ï” Training programs aligned with collections and community interest/need
ï” Technology applications (social networks and social media, business and student
applications, eBay/Kijiji, Photoshop, Adobe, etc.)
ï” Photography (Taking, sorting and organizing, editing photos)
ï” Film (editing, green screen, stop motion, etc.)
ï” 3D Printing and other 21st Century skills
ï” Laser cutting (teens and business)
ï” Knitting, sewing, tools, crafts, etc.
19. Programming Trends
ï” Online Programs
ï” Many programs are available online and can be delivered inn an asymmetrical/asynchronous
fashion. Some include certificates.
ï” Examples include Lynda.com or Gale courses
ï” MOOCs
ï” Certification
ï” Many courses are accredited by IACET and the library can also offer certificates to show
accomplishment.
ï” Business
ï” Focusing on small and medium sized enterprises
ï” Job hunting and professional development
ï” Seniors
ï” Goal is to focus on personal interests and social isolation
ï” Knit and Natter
ï” Sometimes connected multi-generational activities and teen/senior alliances.
ï” Topics include personal finance, personal investing, chronic health issues, travel, cooking and
other topics that are adult learning oriented, or grandparent alignment, technology, etc.
20. Programming Trends
ï” Teens
ï” Attract more
ï” Drones, games, app development, coding (Minecraft), weekend destination programming, Music lending, dance,
hip hop, lyrics, poetry slams, and performance.
ï” Adult Learning
ï” Advanced, introductory and levelled programs
ï” Starts with âlow hanging fruitâ and extends to certification
ï” Some is recreational
ï” Supports technology and business skills
ï” Pre-School and Kids
ï” Invest strategically in outreach to P&R and Daycares
ï” Move more programs to attract working parents
ï” Reading
ï” Book Clubs
ï” Community Reads
ï” Summer Reading
ï” Forest of Trees
ï” Author events
21. Programming Trends
ï” Pop-Ups
ï” Libraries have Pop-Ups that show up and engage the community at events, fairs,
malls, and everywhere. Mobile systems allow for cardholder sign-up and lending.
ï” Hobbies
ï” Cooking
ï” Travel
ï” Anything â can be led by staff or patrons
ï” Culture
ï” Performances
ï” Music
ï” Readings and Panels
ï” Local experts (stars, ants, geology, trails)
ï” Galleries and displays
22. Programming Trends
ï” Integrated Programming
ï” Partnerships with other local or government programs.
ï” Outreach
ï” Homebound (volunteers?)
ï” Schools
ï” Day Cares
ï” Social Services, Anti-poverty
ï” Community organizations
ï” At risk populations
23. Community Revitalization Trends
ï” Library as the community living room
ï” Neighbourhood and community centres
ï” Anchor institutions
ï” Cultural Centres
ï” Libraries as foot and tourism traffic generators
ï” Small and Medium-sized business incubators
ï” Social institutions free of barriers and anxiety
ï” Wellness centres
ï” Trails Lending â fishing rods, binoculars, telescopes, etc.
24. Staff Development
ï” Upping your game
ï” Learn HQ
ï” Education Institute
ï” Territorial programs, Library-centric programs, etc,
ï” Reading widely
ï” Finding inspirations
ï” Stephenslighthouse.com, Feedly, RSS
25. Major Trends Relevant to Yukon
ï” Co-working spaces
ï” Study Spaces
ï” Flexible Program Spaces
ï” Technology training and experience spaces
ï” SME Support and partnerships
ï” Social Spaces, Learning Spaces, Clubs
ï” Culture Space (Art, Gallery, Performance)
ï” Demonstration Spaces (Kitchens, Technology, Crafts, etc.)
ï” Short Term Tech: Social media engagement, Smartboards, Presentation Tech, BYOD,
Gaming/Coding, Mobile, etc.
ï” Medium Term Tech: Smart Rooms, Makerspaces, etc.
ï” Long Term: Internet of Things, Augmented Reality, Beacons, etc.
ï” Partnerships and MOUs (Social Services and Parks & Recreation)
Phil
We are privileged to have Stephen Abram with us today; Stephen is a very experienced library and information industry leader, and he has many insights that apply to the world of special librarians and special library sustainability â itâs important to recognize challenges to the profession (what Stephen calls âthe difficult stuffâ) â but even more important is the imperative to create a path to âtake action;â to proactively get out in front and âFuture-Proof Your Library.â Welcome Stephen, and thank you for being here.
Stephen
Thanks.
Letâs define the difficult stuff. This is so important. If it wasnât difficult our employer / hosts wouldnât need a professional to manage their information interfaces â human and tech! Sometimes we make what we do look so easy and disguise the thought, intelligence, learning, relationships and professionalism thatâs needed for our strategies to be a success. Itâs important that we make it easy for the end-user/client. Itâs also important that we spend some time making user that our âbossesâ are aware of the effort and though and education required to do this difficult stuff right. One key point is that in this information age â weâre inventors. They is no fully developed map to what weâre doing and no atlas for us to point to show us the way. Itâs our education and experience coming together to âinventâ the new path for our organizations to be in using and adapting information to the decisions our clients make â and doing it productively at a higher quality of decision making.