May was a busy month for NMRLS Customer Service workshops. Take a look at some of the places and staffs we've met….
Peabody Institute Library, Peabody (at the Peabody Historic Fire Museum)
Wilmington Memorial Library
NMRLS Customer Service workshops are participatory sessions for staff. NMRLS staff does very little lecture. We begin with tips and strategies to present the best image at public service desks. We ask library staff to identify their customer service strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (a SWOT exercise). Staff prioritizes what's most important to them, and NMRLS helps to facilitate steps towards creating solutions.
For more information, or to schedule a session at your library, contact Susan Babb.
Summer Brown Bags
Book Discussions (a breakfast brown bag) -
Tuesday, August 3rd, 9:00 -11:00 AM at NMRLS
NMRLS area libraries host an assortment of book discussions - in person and online. Some are targeted to family discussion, some for teens, others for senior groups. A number of NMRLS cities/towns have been very successful with "One Book, One Community" programs.
Join us to discuss a variety of ways to generate a buzz about reading in your community. Bring stories of your programs, PR material that your library used, and questions for your colleagues about how to begin.
Bring a bagel, muffin, or donut to munch on! Coffee will be provided. Register at: www.nmrls.org/ce/ceform.shtml
The next Assistant Directors' Forum will be held on Thursday, August 12th, at Ipswich Public Library, 12:00 - 2:00 PM. Register at: www.nmrls.org/ce/ceform.shtml.
Coming This Fall!
Watch for specialized computer training topics for public library staffs. These will be funded through a Gates Training Grant awarded to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The six regions will coordinate and develop statewide and local training opportunities. Library recipients of Gates computers will have first priority, followed by other public library staff members. The goal is to train 500 staff from 250 Massachusetts public libraries
