T14: Why the Public Library? Using Service Models to Articulate What You Do and Why You Do It
Session Description
Generously Sponsored By: Library Services Centre
Libraries are facing a time of major educational and financial changes. This is a time, more than ever, when libraries need to demonstrate their value and worth to their communities. How does the public library stay viable and relevant? Our answer: the service model.
Service models are working documents that capture the how and why of your service delivery, either for a certain population (ex: early years, seniors) or a type of service that spans populations (ex: digital life skills, newcomers). A service model is a comprehensive strategy that offers libraries the opportunity to establish and measure evidence-based outcomes, articulate service components, contextualize practice in our community and build a solid foundation for succession planning – all in one document.
The presenters have recently completed service models for digital life skills and for early years, kids and teens and will share practical tips and a template for getting started.
Speakers
Shannon Ozirny, West Vancouver Memorial Library
Biography
Shannon Ozirny is the Head of Youth Services at the West Vancouver Memorial Library. In her four years at WVML, she has implemented a youth technology petting zoo, technology lending kits (including Raspberry Pis and MaKeyMaKeys), a district-wide school library card program, a World War local history research partnership with secondary schools and a Raspberry Pi program that involves over 140 children each year. She has a monthly young adult book column in the Globe and Mail column and also reviews regularly for Quill & Quire. She's on twitter @shannonozirny
Deb Koep, West Vancouver Memorial Library
Biography
Deb Hutchison Koep is the Deputy Director at the West Vancouver Memorial Library, with responsibility for technology, communications and technical services. During her ten years at WVML, she has been instrumental in developing the first ereader lending program in Canada (still going strong!), implementing a new model for public technology service and creating an evidence-based staff technology skills assessment and development program that is now in its fourth year.