My first boss in libraries told me how important it was to have a team that had varied backgrounds and skill sets.
“Everybody thinks it would be better to have a bunch of underlings who were just like them but that’s the worst thing you could have.”
(Of course there was some irony that two of his librarians were reservists in the military so very deferential to authority by training and the other was from a cultural background that is stereotyped for being deferential and quiet.)
Anyhow, it’s the old “Team of Rivals” thing – much harder for a manager/supervisor but much better for the overall organization in the long run.
And honestly, “Rivals” isn’t even a great word but “Team of Complementary Pieces” doesn’t have the same ring! 😉
(No, not me in the costume. These were hired performers for a kid’s birthday party in one of our program rooms that agreed to do a few photos with staff and some lucky bystanders at the library this afternoon!)
A great thread from Instagram about why teachers are walking out again on Monday, and why it is so important for teachers and folks who care about the quality of education in this province to stand up to the Sask Party. It’s too important to back down. pic.twitter.com/Uvj1QwYULN
Went to a great presentation by Edmonton Public Library CEO, Pilar Martinez and City of Edmonton Architect, Carol Belanger (Edmonton being the only city in Canada to have this position apparently) about their experiences building various branches around Edmonton, new and renovated, including the massively renovated Central library.
They also talked about value of public libraries to cities, some of the things they did right (and wrong – tank, anyone?) in the process of redoing their Central library and answering a variety of fascinating questions from the audience.
Because I heard a couple of these during the presentation, I thought I would try to list some of the most mawkish yet true sentiments you hear people say about libraries…
They’re the embodiment of democracy in society (okay, that’s one I say all the time!)
They’re the heart of their community
Libraries change lives
Libraries save lives
Libraries are the living room of the community
Readers Are Leaders (You hear this in a few places such as schools and bookstores but I’m claiming it for libraries.)
Libraries are the third place.
Libraries are triage for hurt society like hospitals are triage for hurt people.
