We live in a time that is in need of inspiration. The aspirations of both individuals and society have always had a home within libraries and have traditionally found a voice through librarians.

The theme for TEDx LibrariansTO is Librarians as Thought Leaders. Come to the event and experience this incredible opportunity to hear librarians speak to the differences we make in the world and how we have, can and do lead and transform society. -TEDxLibrariansTO

Co-organizers  of the first ever TEDx event for Librarians — Shelley Archibald and Fiacre O’Duinn — are asking those  in the profession and beyond to get in on the discussion. The big event will happen in Toronto on June 25th, but you don’t have to be there to get your voice heard. Click here to find out how!

Camera shy? Not a problem. Mike Ridley, CIO and Chief Librarian at the University of Guelph submits his voice on video to meet the challenge. Send them your thoughts today and get in on the discussion! You can also join in on Twitter using the hashtag: #tedxlib

• Is your library close to a riverbank or a park? Market taking out a book and finding a bench on which to read it.
• Does your library have public access Internet terminals? Organize classes for computer training, or create a gaming night.  Ask some young adults about gaming tournaments.  Again, think of the goodwill this would generate for young library users who will be library patrons their whole lives.
• Take advantage of your staff’s passions: are they obsessed with social networking?  Gaming?  Graphic novels?  Ask them to organize a session for the public.  It could be as simple as a book talk, or a book club.
• Are seniors avid users of your library? Ask them what kinds of programs they would be interested in.  Approach local seniors’ residences and arrange some cooperative programming.  Take book talks to them.
• Make connections to community shelters to see if there are services that can be provided for the residents.  Similarly, make connections at youth centers, etc.
• Does your library have blank wallspace? Invite a community artist to paint a mural, inside and/or outside.  Have a graffiti contest.

• TV spots – cultivate regular guest spots, on noon shows, etc.  Use every opportunity, make opportunities, and have a spokesperson ready to discuss the latest library program, or special service at the library.
• Can your library arrange for a regular column in local papers, or build a relationship with the local community columnist?

• Who are logical partners in your community? Spend this year building those relationships.
• Focus on your community’s needs: relevant programming, resources, outreach, special equipment for special needs.  Some of these services and programs already exist, but more are possible.
• Non-profits are always looking for low cost or free meeting space.  Post the availability of meeting space, make it easy for them to book and use the space.  This builds goodwill, and will ensure that the community organization’s members will use the library before or after the meeting.
• Partnerships with community groups, community health or legal information groups – perhaps providing informational sessions, etc. – can build a perception of the library as central to the activities of the community.

• Put free community announcements on radio and cable TV (consider all stations that do this) as well as local weekly newspapers, websites.  These opportunities could be used for more than just announcing library programs.  In order for libraries to be visible, they must do what businesses are doing to gain the attention of potential customers.  Be creative.  Again, an entertaining announcement could catch on.
• Make contacts at local community newspapers, weeklies, websites, etc.  Don’t forget them when sending out news releases.  Make your spokespeople available.  But, more importantly, make news and have the media come to you: make some calls and investigate how they determine what is newsworthy to them, what will catch their interest, what is their news cycle.  Learn what a good community profile story would look like.

I have been finding the opposite, actually. Since our Library began offering downloadable content from Overdrive, there has been an increase in phone calls and questions from members of the public who haven’t used the Library in ages. The popularity of eBook readers has contributed to more people looking for new reading material, and Libraries are only too happy to offer it to people!

Libraries have always been more than just a building that houses books, anyway. I read a statistic recently showing that nearly 50% of people without the Internet at home go to the public Library for access. Libraries are community centres, a place for people to go to get out of the cold, a place for free computer lessons and storytimes for children.

I had a recent discussion about how churches used to be the hub for entire communities, a place where people could go every week to see their neighbours, and a place where people from all walks of life were welcomed (assuming they had paid their tithe!). I see Libraries as the closest thing we have to that in modern times. All members of the community have the right to use Library facilities and services, and they have a right for their opinions about Library services to be heard. Libraries are also a comfortable resting place for visitors (always grateful for free Internet access!)

So, rather than predicting the death of Libraries, I believe that eBooks are the most recent example of how Libraries are able to serve their community. It doesn’t matter if people are seeking information on-line, in a print book or on the Internet: the Libary is there to help out!