Libraries as Social Hubs: Building Online Community to support the Offline Community

 By Shinichi Evans

In the offline world, libraries function as social hubs with programs and events to reach the community. While people do come together seating at tables, chairs, and cubicles to read, study, or use the WIFI, libraries bring people together more directly through story times, workshops, maker spaces, and events hosted at the library. Individuals may find out about these programs through fliers displayed at exits or a literal message board in a prominent place… or they may find out about these things through the libraries website or more so through its social media site.

Libraries and Social Media: Authenticity in Library Social Media Accounts

by Shinichi Evans

The challenges of using social media for the library is that social media is constantly changing and the user engagement can vary from platform to platform. Even the platforms themselves can change how engagement occurs, such as the limiting or pushing of posts (due to algorithm changes) while users connecting with some types of posts more than others. Also, each of these applications reach some demographics more than others (especially in age) like Instagram and Tik Tok and some even have different purposes, like how LinkedIn appeals to job searchers and those making professional connections. In any case, these applications require understanding the audiences who use them and appealing to them as the account author who is authentic.

Libraries and Student Success

 By Karen Cosmano

Libraries are known to help with student success. For elementary school aged children, the school librarian often collaborates with teachers to expand and deepen learning activities. Library time for read-alouds allows children to have repeated and diverse experiences with different topics. Library classroom activities can be set up to reinforce learning and promote stronger information recall (Betts). The California Department of education has conducted research that shows a strong relationship between student engagement in library programs and increased achievement, especially at the high school level (https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/lb/caschoollibraries.asp). There is a plethora of college and university research that concludes with similar findings.  

A question we might ask is how does social media intersect with school libraries and promote student success? There is plenty of anecdotal evidence that suggests a positive correlation. In a Publishers Weekly article from December 2022, Patricia J. Murphy reports on her discussion with four teachers and librarians about how they use social media. They each used a variety of social media platforms to highlight different library services, new books, encourage conversations, or to portray the library as a fun, educational, inspiring place to be. 

Libraries and the Homeless

By Karen Cosmano

Of people experiencing homelessness, 94% of them own a cell phone. Although this may seem surprising, many unhoused people are able to obtain a cell phone through government programs. The next challenge they face is keeping the phone charged (Hetrick). This is where a public library comes in. Some of the reasons homeless people come to the library are to charge their phones, use the restrooms, and have daytime shelter (Warth).

A tent setup in front of San Diego Central Library. (Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Public libraries are learning to respond to the needs of the homeless population and there are many great resources available to help with the specific challenges this creates. The need for social workers within the library and strong partnerships with other community organizations providing food, shelter, and medical treatment is recognized. Libraries can introduce these services and typically have programs that help with job placement. 

Social Networking and Libraries

By Karen Cosmano

Social networking has become an essential way for libraries to communicate and connect with others. Most of us inherently understand what social networking is because it’s become a way of life, but let’s break it down to discuss library usage. Social networking can have various definitions but typically involves the elements of a person or user creating a profile, generating content that is viewed and interacted with by other users, and forming a lasting connection through followings. The vehicle for social networking is social media although those words are often interchanged with each other (Wright and Yasar).

Social networking has 4 main goals according to Gavin Wright of TechTarget, a network of technology experts. These are to share information, photos, videos, and interests; to learn new information; to interact with others without being present with them; and to market services and products. 

Libraries as Social Hubs

by Karen Cosmano

Not too long ago, libraries were known to be quiet places where people went to read or check out books. More recently, and in particular as a learning experience from the COVID-19 pandemic, libraries are becoming what is called “third place.” This is a place that is “separate from home and work where we seek conversation, neutral ground, and comfort in feeling connected” (Wood). Not only can this be a physical location as we would first think of, it can be a digital community as well with the development of and reliance on social media.

Let’s look first at the library as a physical place, as a social hub. When the COVID-19 pandemic ended, many libraries were eager to resume their regular programs such as children’s story time, book clubs, or author events, and people began to slowly reconnect. Not too long after that, however, the United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy reported that there was another health crisis, and it was called “loneliness.” Research shows that loneliness is detrimental not only emotionally but physically to individuals and therefore to communities because we don’t invest in each other, understand each other, and solve problems together. Libraries, which are known to be responsive and adaptable to social issues, began to address this public health concern (Rich 12). 

Adding a Gadget for Social Media Design

Link to free design tool - by Karen Cosmano

Hi! Did you know Canva has a tool for designing Social Media content? Their tools can be used on any platform - Facebook Stories and Posts, Instagram Posts and Reels, TikTok Videos, YouTube Thumbnail and Intros, etc. I've found Canva easy to use with colorful templates for our class brochures and infographics. It's great to know they also offer free design tools for Social Media, which will come in handy as Library Techs! Check out the link on the sidebar for quick access to the Canva Social Media design page and give it a try. This will also alert our blog readers to this free tool.

Libraries and Student Success

Libraries and Student Success
By Jennifer Miranda

Libraries play a crucial role in assisting students in being successful at school.  There are many techniques that librarians use to teach literacy.  One librarian that works in a rural school district in Kansas states how important it is to build a rapport with the students.  By having this relationship, you can interact with the student about what they are reading.  When they return a book, you can ask the student if they enjoyed the book and whether they would like to read a similar type of book (Brownlee 18). This form of interaction stimulates personal interest in a student so that they know you are there to support their academic needs. The librarian also applied for grant funding that would give her the opportunity to update part of the collection that the school district could not afford to replace (Brownlee 19).  She also has students that work in the library to teach librarianship and responsibility.  Students are also given the opportunity to provide input on what books they think should be incorporated into the library collection (Brownlee 21).

In a study conducted by Missouri public schools they completed an analysis on whether standardized testing scores were higher in schools that had certified librarians.  The results showed that there were significantly higher scores in the schools that had a full-time librarian verse the schools that had no librarian or a part time librarian (Buress et al. 1).  The researchers also looked at data from other states that showed a full-time librarian translated to higher student test scores.  These librarians are successful in teaching literacy and collaborating with teachers to assist with resources needed to build a stronger curriculum.  Full-time librarians also supported teachers in incorporating technology into their lesson to enhance depth to the curriculum being taught (Buress et al. 3).  The reasoning behind the success is not only that the librarian is full-time but has also taken course work and professional classes to support students in their academic endeavors (Buress et al. 16). 

Libraries and Student Success

 

                                             (Graef, 2024)

    Libraries have many uses, but they are often thought of as centers for reading, knowledge, and education. Whether it's a school library or a public library, the resources provided for students of all levels are important. Not only do libraries provide spaces for studying, but many libraries offer tutoring, workshops, computers, printers, and many other tools a student may need to complete their schoolwork. 

    The San Diego Public Library (SDPL) branches offer various events in relation to education. Every Tuesday, multiple branches offer "Do Your Homework at the Library" where they have tutors on site to help with kindergarten through eight grade student's assignments. The La Jolla/Riford Library also offers "math and reading buddies" for children all of ages on certain days. There are also multiple STEAM programs available including a program called "Library NExT (Network of Education x Training)". This program is in partnership with UC San Diego Extended Studies and Sally Ride Science and it provides a series of workshops for elementary, middle and high school students. The SDPL even has free SAT/ACT prep classes that you can register for. 

    Students relationships with their library can be really important. According to the California Department of Education, "California public schools with strong school library programs outperform those without such programs of student engagement and academic achievement. This is true regardless of the school community's parent education and poverty levels, ethnicity, and percentage of English language learners." There are many ways for a library to ensure they are providing a space for student success. One way is to make sure your library is open before, during, and after school hours. This gives students more time throughout the day to utilize the library. The more hours the library is open, the more chances students have to use the library regardless of school or extracurricular activities. Another way libraries can aid in student success is to make sure they have enough technology and a large enough collection of materials and that these resources are up to date. 

    Staffing is also extremely important. The SDPL utilizes teen volunteers for their tutoring. This is a great way to ensure there are enough people in the library to assist students and still assist other patrons in the library. If it is a school library, you want to be sure you have at least one full time teacher librarian and one full time paraprofessional (CA Dept of Education, 2023). Building off of this, you want to be sure not only the staff in the library is up to date on the technology and resources in your collection, but also the teachers in your school. This way everyone can work together to make sure the students know what is available to them and how to access/use these resources. These elements along with proper programming can be extremely helpful to the success of students at all levels. 

 Sources:

California’s school libraries make A difference. California’s School Libraries Make a Difference - School Libraries (CA Dept of Education). (2023, July 21). https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/lb/caschoollibraries.asp#:~:text=California%20public%20schools%20with%20strong,percentage%20of%20English%20language%20learners. 

City of san diego official website. Library NExT | City of San Diego Official Website. (2024). 

          https://www.sandiego.gov/librarynext 

Graef, Renée [@reneegraef]. (2024, April 4). "It's School Librarian Day! A big thank you to our school  

          librarians. We appreciate it!" [Photograph]. Instagram.

          https://www.instagram.com/p/C5V_lnAOl0f/?

          utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D

Upcoming events. Upcoming Events | San Diego Public Library. (2024). 

         https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/?page=3 

Libraries and the Homeless

 

                                             (Skidmore, 2024)    

    Libraries have always been a safe haven for me. I was raised by a single mother who sometimes had to work late at night. This meant I spent a few days a week walking home from school. The library was on my route home. I remember the day my mom took me in to get my first library card. I started reading a book from the Magic Tree House series and couldn't pull away. My mom had to explain that I could borrow it and take it home just to get my nose out of the pages. I stopped by almost every day after school and spent hours doing homework and reading in the library until it was time to go home. If the library could provide this safe space for me with all the resources I needed to get through the 2nd grade, then you can only imagine the resources they provide for the rest of the population. 

    Libraries have always been known for their endless resources. Many libraries provide help filing tax forms, resume writing workshops, and help with job search. There's also the added benefit that libraries are one of very few places you can reside in during operating hours without having to make a purchase of any kind. This provides a safe space for any unhoused person to stay warm, use the restroom, and avoid harassment (Ryan, 2023).

    The San Diego Central Library has always provided extra resources for their unhoused community. In 2013 when the old central library was emptied and the new library opened, they provided beds for anyone who did not have a place to sleep. The library reinstated this initiative recently bringing 34 new spots in for unhoused people to stay overnight for 180 days over the course of 12 months (Nelson, 2024). 

    Other libraries have similar initiatives. In Las Vegas, there are around 30 branches that are designated Safe Place sites for homeless youth and they provide hygiene kits. In Chicago, the libraries work to connect case managers with the unhoused so they can receive health benefits and apply for housing. In Salt Lake City, there is a library that offers free clothing for those who are living in encampments. There are even libraries who have made an effort to hire social workers as part of their staff (Ryan, 2023). 

    Because the library is a safe space for all the people in its community, there is an extreme importance to train library staff on de-escalation tactics. In the article, "Why US Libraries are on the frontlines of the homelessness crisis", Mackenzie Ryan writes about an incident in Anaheim, California where an unhoused man punched one of the library staff and knocked them unconscious. Ryan spoked to Ryan Dowd who works for Homeless Training about the importance of de-escalation. Ryan writes, "He (Dowd) says that he teaches library staff to focus on the behavior they're seeing. If someone is unhoused and caused a problem, then they have to deal with it. If a multimillionaire is in the library causing a problem, they also have to deal with it." 

    Creating safe spaces in libraries takes a lot of training and patience. It is important that people of all walks of life feel like their library is a place they can go for whatever they need. Libraries are meant to build community and providing services for people who have nowhere else to go is a major part of that mission. 

Sources:

Nelson, B. (2024, January 25). San Diego’s Old Central Library reopens as a homeless shelter for the next

        several months. Tribune. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/homelessness/story/2024-01-

        24/san-diegos-old-central-library-reopens-as-a-homeless-shelter-for-the-next-several-months 

Ryan, M. (2023). Why US Libraries are on the frontlines of the homelessness crisis; Homeless people are 

        relying on public libraries as a safe haven to stay warm and avoid harassment from law enforcement, 

        advocates say. The Guardian. 

Skidmore, S. (2024). [Photograph].