Grants for Libraries: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians

Gerding, Stephanie K., and Pamela H. MacKellar. Grants for Libraries: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians. New York, NY: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2006. isbn 1-55570-535-9, 025.11 Gerdi

The authors of this book take the reader through every phase of the grant-writing cycle, offering details, examples, and relevant tools. Dividing the process into 10 steps, each covered in a separate chapter, the book offers practical advice and easy-to-follow suggestions appropriate for every type of library. Highlights include a detailed strategic planning procedure, a process for selecting the right grant, writing the RFP and parts of a typical grant application, and implementing the project once it is funded (many manuals stop with the application process). There is a section of two-page spreads featuring real success stories. The accompanying CD-ROM contains these success stories and all of the book's checklists, worksheets, and templates, which can be downloaded and adapted to a specific situation. The glossary, bibliography, and index enhance its usefulness. This book should be at the side of every grant-writing librarian. Rochelle Glantz

Creating Your Library Brand : Communicating Your Relevance and Value to Your Patrons

Doucett, Elisabeth. Creating Your Library Brand : Communicating Your Relevance and Value to Your Patrons. Chicago, IL: ALA, 2008. isbn 978-0-8389-0962-1 659.1902 Douce

In the new media mix, libraries need to stand up and effectively communicate their benefits as preferred providers of information and entertainment resources. By following the step-by-step guidance of Doucett, branding pro turned librarian, libraries can begin to develop branding that makes a difference and is tailored to the nonprofit public library arena.

Tell the world: Storytelling across language barriers (book)

MacDonald, M. (2008). Tell the world: Storytelling across language barriers. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

This is an indispensable guide for those wanting to share stories with audiences who speak another language. The author's advice, along with that of other experienced tellers, covers myriad facets of this special and relevant method of connecting with members of our greater yet smaller world community. MacDonald says, "…the human heart finds ways to connect across language barriers." Interest in and respect for other cultures, histories, languages, and mores are prerequisites for storytelling in general, and, in this specialty, are absolutely essential. She also presents the pluses and minuses of various ways of translating (line by line; in tandem; summarizing; bilingual). Equally important to words are the rhythms, gestures, intonations, and facial expressions that are vital to the audience watching and listening to the teller. The book includes priceless advice about glitches that others have faced and surmounted. Preparation time with a translator is ideal. Suggestions for programs for hearing-impaired audience members and those who know no translatable languages are included. A clear, complete, practical, and readable treasure trove from a master teacher.

--Review from School Library Journal by Judy Sokoll, Florida Storytelling Association

Across cultures (book)

East, K. & Thomas, R.L. (2007). Across cultures: A guide to multicultural literature for children. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

Easy to use, well organized guide to multicultural resources for preschool through 6^th grade. Chapters are arranged thematically, there are two chapters on parent-child discussion groups and literature circles. The content chapters are followed by almost every kind of index you could want: author, title, illustrator, subject, grade level, and award winners. The authors also include information needed for purchasing these titles.

Quality Library: A Guide to Staff-Driven Improvement, Better Efficiency, and Happier Customers

Laughlin, Sara and Ray. W. Wilson. The Quality Library: A Guide to Staff-Driven Improvement, Better Efficiency, and Happier Customers. Chicago: American Library Association, 2008. 025.1 LaughQ isbn: 0-8389-0952-3

In an environment of budget cuts and freezes, libraries must keep a tight rein on costs and inefficiencies. The efficiency of systems and processes goes hand-in-hand with excellent customer service. Managers, however, often find themselves far enough removed from the day-to-day activities in the library that they don't know where inefficiencies, mistakes, and poor customer service may occur. Based on more than 50 years of author expertise in organizational improvement, The Quality Library offers a methodology to pinpoint trouble areas and improve processes. By developing a customer-focused system outlining library processes and networks, administrators and managers can quickly determine areas for improvement that directly apply to the library's goals and missions. Staff will also learn how to statistically document the new process's performance, giving the library a means to quantify its effects. • Gives administrators a clear understanding of their suppliers and customers • Empowers front-line staff to make improvements and better decisions• Boosts employee and team morale as they work together to bring about change• Offers real-life success examples showing how process improvement works• Includes figures, appendices, worksheets, and a glossaryBy continuously evaluating processes based on the guidelines and worksheets provided here, public and academic library administrators and managers will improve the quality and efficiency of service for patrons and staff alike.