Top Twos-Day: Seeds of Change
February 12, 2013
image from office.com
O’Reilly’s Tools of Change for Publishing Conference is in full swing…view topics, catch live streams of keynote speakers, and more here… Couldn’t attend this year’s TOC? Enjoy previous conferences on YouTube using this link.
Speaking of change…Things are changing at public libraries to avoid extinction, more at Forbes, October, 2012. But in Basalt, Colorado, they’re trying a unique approach: check out a book, pick up a seed packet. NPR reported February 2, 2013, “…makes a public library the perfect home for a seed collection. The American Library Association says there are at least a dozen similar programs throughout the country.” Read more…
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View Roxie Hanna's profile
My first instinct with the library story was “How pathetic. We now have to bribe people to read.”
But then my mind went to a more thoughtful place: “Hm. The world could always use a little more beauty.”
And, well, plants and readers are two very beautiful things. So good!
I hear ya Mike, it does sound sad first glance, and then…voilà! the seed roots and, like the concept, gives way to awesome growth! I can see the libraries now, the little seeders programs popping up all over! Hmmm, the wheels are spinning now, I wonder what’s out there in the children’s market…
Gimmie time and I’ll get ya something!
hey, grand idea…let it steep in that mindsoup awhile!
One of the mobile library units here in Colorado offers the seed packs, too. They also carry more gardening books to be checked out, since children and adults decide to try gardening in general.
Hey. great to know, Marylin. that’s true, it is a perfect activity for families, particularly multi-generational units. older kids, youngsters, grandparents, everyone can participate on some level!
Roxie,
I plan to pass this on to a friend who works at the reference desk at a public library. She has scheduled several gardening programs for adults. I’m sure she’d find this article interesting and might get something similar started in our area. Who knows?
great idea Linda, thanks for letting me know. we’re all interconnected, so tell her to stop by to share some of her fab ideas!
I find this a tad odd considering my local public library attracts the public inside simply by offering free internet and wi-fi access. Maybe that’s why the books are still popular in hard copy—not everyone has a computer and internet access. Then again, there are places like the Pine Ridge Reservation which has no public library, no bookstores and very very limited internet access. Many people living there would be thrilled to have a library even without seeds.
Hmmm, you have a point, Eva. Hard to start a library with out any planting, perhaps a new ‘concept’ in growing county libraries will take root?
What a wonderful idea! Reading and gardening are two of the best activities for kids – nice they have tied them together.
they are, Kim, a great way for families to reconnect in this budget conscious world, and return kids to playing in their yards again!
Oh now you’ve made me sad. One of the best jobs I had was with publishers where I got to hang out in public libraries and talk to book people. Sigh. Libraries are really moving on and reinventing themselves. (Wasn’t Denver one of the first to get into manga and graphic novels?) One library in Dallas in a new arrival/heavy Hispanic area decided to become the town plaza: everything from “bring snacks and blankets for Friday movies” to English as a second language classes to after school activities and bedtime story times. They wanted to pull the kids in and hand the parents books,too (starting with novellas and Spanish language graphic novels). It was very much a busy happy place.
Libraries are dynamic. They rock. (sorry to get carried away – but libraries are cool)
TOC also looks very interesting. Are you there? Will check out the previous conferences.
Thanks
It is sad, Phil…oh how cool, hanging out at the library, and getting paid, awesome! Yes Denver is setting seeds of change, couldn’t resist, and there are many ideas on how other libraries are tackling their budget cuts and lowered interest. They do rock, totally ok to get carried away!