Adult Services Notes

Library of Virginia Training

Confidently Equipping Your Library

for Content Challenges 

Watch Carson's intro to the presentation and the learning outcomes

News from Library Development & Networking

RUSA Online Training Reports

Canva and Design for Libraries: Page Layout and Social Media Design

Athena Williams, Alexandria Library

I learned a lot in the class, but I was hoping to learn more about creating flyers as well as the social media posts used as the example. I think a longer class or series would be great.  I appreciate the opportunity to take the class. I received the recording that I can go back to for future reference.

Topics covered in the class

•  Introduction to Canva and differences/features of the two versions: Free and Pro.

• Brief description of the principles and elements of design, for example:Line, color, shape and value for elements; and balance, contrast, gradation and scale for principles.

• The class focused on creating a social media post, specifically for Instagram.

• Color theory was explored, i.e. what colors go together using the color wheel and how once chosen you could lighten/darken both the images and fonts.

• Instruction on how to find/use free images from Pixabay was discussed in creating posts and how to create a free log in. Pixabay doesn’t require attribution like some other sites. Did not recommend using Google images because of possible copyright issues.

• Fonts were discussed: how certain ones are more readable than others. For example, fonts without serifs tend to be more readable: She used Canva Sans and her favorite font Glacial Indifference.

Quiet Leadership: Foster your identity as an introverted or quiet leader to inspire beyond words

Victoria Hauser, Henrico County Public Library 

The course began by addressing stereotypes that are often associated with introverts in an extroverted world. Introverts are often told to be more assertive or outgoing, or it is thought that they lack people skills because they do not speak up. The instructor then reviewed the Myers-Briggs Personality quiz, highlighting personality types that are common to the library field, and the Clifton Strengths Finder, which identifies what people naturally do best. She provided a link to the Mind Tools Leadership Style quiz, and we were encouraged to take the short quiz and submit our results in the poll.
 
The course then moved into more specific ways that introverts process information and function in work settings. The instructor described ways of working with different personality types, including sending meeting agendas ahead of time so that employees can think about the topics, or allowing employees to give feedback outside of meetings so that they can process their responses before sharing. 
 
The instructor then posted two discussion points asking participants what type of leader are you based on the leadership style quiz and how can you apply that towards overcoming bias towards introverts. Participants could post a response in the chat or unmute to speak.  I appreciated hearing a few different scenarios and the instructor's responses. However, I felt this portion went on for too long; it was nearly thirty minutes of the ninety-minute course. It also seemed to go against the advice provided by asking participants to share without any advanced notice. I also found it difficult to toggle between people speaking and reading through the chat responses.
 
The course concluded with real world tips on ways to create successful working environments These were interesting and helpful points, though it felt that they had less to do with introvert-extrovert dynamics and more to do with having a workplace that is inclusive of different styles. There were also several slides that had exercises, but we were running low on time, so the instructor covered those briefly. I plan to explore these further and put into practice.
 
Overall, I appreciated the course. As an introvert, it gave me a lot to think about when interacting with co-workers and working with a team.

Find It VA Tips

Access Video Just for Kids

All Virginia public libraries have a link to Access Video Just for Kids on their website, making the library the go-to destination for engaging and free video content for kids. You can access useful marketing resources for Access Video Just for Kids to help you get the word out to library users of all ages. 

Recent Training

Financial Literacy Programming

Niche Academy is open to all Virginia library staff members and library associates such as trustees and Friends board members. If you do not have a Niche Academy account, please use your library email address to sign up. If you do not have a library work email, you may register with a personal email, and we will contact you to confirm that you are affiliated with a Virginia library. 

Readers' Advisory Tips and Tricks

Marketing RA Services

• Don’t treat readers’ advisory questions as secondary to reference question.

  • Always welcome a reader with interest and enthusiasm, even if it is a question about a genre you don't care for.

• Review your signage.

  • Does your library mention reading in its signage at the information/reference desk and does the signage encourage readers to ask for help?

• Turn reference queries into readers’ advisory queries.

  • When a user asks “Can I get on the list for this book?” put them on the hold list but ask if they want help finding something to take home today.

• Use the library newsletter and other communication tools, both print and digital, to promote readers’ advisory services and programs.

• Put reading lists out in the stacks where they are near appropriate books

  • Try putting a list of great mysteries set in foreign locales out with the travel books for example.

• Use displays to circulate materials that readers otherwise might not know you have. 

  • Be sure to mix fiction and nonfiction items together on displays.  

• Develop quick readalike lists for materials with high hold lists so staff can give them to readers when the place them on the holds list.

  • This lets staff who may be less comfortable with RA engage with readers in an easy way. 

• Consider offering form-based readers’ advisory service.

  • If you don't already offer some sort of form-based RA, it can be a great way to engage with users both in-person and virtually. 

Program Ideas

Beginner Sourdough Class

If you are interested in putting on a similar event at your library, you can read more about the program and download the handout and slides. 

Featured Virginia Programs

Bedford Public Library

Mushrooms: Putting the "Fun" back in Fungus

Topics  Included:

• What is a mushroom?

• What are the health benefits associated with mushrooms and fungi?

• The Different types of mushrooms

• How to safely grow your own mushrooms at home (specifically Shitake Mushrooms) and where to get supplies

• Choosing and preparing logs for growing Shitakes

• Mushroom pests

For more info, contact Veronica Terry, vterry@bpls.org

Prince William Public Libraries

Pressed Flower Mini Tea Lights

Using 6 oz jars, mod podge, pressed flowers and twine, patrons created their own handcrafted tea light in this fun craft project. 

The library ordered a set of jars online, but notes that collecting clean, recycled jars would be a good way to cut costs as well as give an upcycling twist to the program. 

For more info, contact Shannon Ball, SMBall@pwcgov.org

Pamunkey Regional Library

Seed Starting for the Adventurous Gardener

For more info, contact Joanne Jones, jjones@pamunkeylibrary.org

If you have a successful or interesting library program that we should feature here, please submit a program description and images.

In the News

Recent articles on topics of interest to Adult Services

• Tazewell County Public Library enters next phase of repairs

• Williamsburg begins the process of creating a “landmark” library replacement

• Lynchburg Public Library Awarded ALA PR Xchange Award for Marketing Efforts
• How one county is reimagining libraries, from teaching kitchens to woodworking shops
  
• ‘The Archive’ immerses Cleveland library visitors in thousands of dried flowers
• US appeals court orders return of books to Texas public library after book ban
• Library offering sensory kits for neurodivergent patrons

This newsletter is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. It is published by the Library of Virginia Library Development and Networking Division.