Libraries = Education - the importance of our language

I attended a *GREAT* session called -

Libraries + Education: Reclaiming Our purpose for the 21st Century

Presented by: Valerie Gross, Howard County (Md.) Library System

The bottom line of this presentation was about how libraries are perceived and our role in it (which is not to sit passively by).

The view of libraries by some (we've heard those comments) - it must be nice to sit and read all day, it must be so quiet working in a library, why do we need libraries when there is the internet.

None of things are true!

Libraries (as we all know) are a necessity! They are providing and ensuring that there is free and equal access to information for all. We are the lifeline for children and parents 0-5 for early literacy, those struggling with poverty, homelessness, and providing a space for the community to connect.

Right now, our language (thanks to Michelle - not our library - but libraries in general) is not communicating that and especially not to the people in charge of funding.

The session began with a lesson in perceived value. We took a look at two bottles of water one generic store brand and the other a bottle of Evian. 

1) Packaging

2) Language on the bottle

Evian described the water's journey from snowy alps, how clean, and beautiful, etc.

3) Taste

She said in a blind taste test, she preferred the generic.

Some other examples -

- prunes vs. dried plums (which sounds more tasty?)

- liquor vs. spirits

- gambling vs.gaming

- drilling fro oil vs. exploring natural energy

The point was that you would never even get to taste the water if you couldn't make it past the packing and and language.

Libraries need to face that fact we need to take control of our own perception and the language that describes who we are and what we do. 

We need to stop referring to ourselves as "supporters of" "in assistance to education" - it diminishes our role.

Libraries were created to provide people who could not afford universities and schooling access to information.

We *ARE* an educational institution and we are educators.

By changing our language, we gain respect, perceived value in what we do, funding.

We deliver equal opportunity to education to everyone in our community

Pillar 1 - provide access to educational resources (check out books)
Pillar 2 - offer classes (instead of storytimes and programs) in early literacy, math science, technology.
Pillar 3 - partnerships / community

We looked at comparisons to schools doing the exact same thing as libraries and the difference in language.

A school offering a "Class" teaching early literacy through themed book reading, songs, and activities. The difference - they called it a class and there was a fee. We should say instead of storytimes = classes teaching social skills, vocabulary, numbers, etc.

In a focus group discussion, when participants were asked, no one knew what program meant. Some responded with what is on the slide below - it makes me think of a radio program or worst of all - NOTHING!

Again, looking at a community college offering the same (no credit) classes we offer - home brewing, hair styling, gardening. The only difference ....

Instead of program = classes  / seminars / workshops taught by instructors.

The language continues, again in a focus group when asked, what does reference mean ....

Instead of reference use research. Research conveys what we mean by reference.

Again more suggestions in language - instead of circulation = customer service, instead of patron = students of all ages or customers / guests ...

Staff should think about changing their titles. When people see "librarian" they think - shhhh, reading books all day.

Instead, research specialist and instructor / educator.

The program ended with results / impact from libraries that have already begun making these changes. In Baltimore there capitol funding went from $0 to $116 million. My favorite part was a recording shared with politicians.

This group was called together to discuss educational funding. The group was sent questions (which included our new language) ahead of time.

The question asked politicians (who all support education) -

(See slide 4 for exact language) Libraries are pillars of education in your administration, how would you enhance public libraries and how do you plan to incorporate libraries as you further educational goals for the state?

What was amazing is that all of the decision makers in the room adopted this language presented and had a real understanding of what libraries did and all agreed that libraries were indispensable and absolutely included in a part of the educational funding,

What's really amazing is that our leadership is ahead of the curve and has already has a seat at the table on a special task force for education.