The Role of a Public Librarian Through Storytelling

Challenge

As a librarian, I used to sit inside the public library, doing tasks such as identifying and interpreting user  needs; providing reference; readers’ advisory; computer, database, and referral services to patrons  whether in-person, through in-person, through e-mail, or by telephone; as well as assisting patrons in  material selection. Some patrons are children, students, as well as senior citizens. So, there are different  sets of demographics to take care of. As patrons spend more time inside the library, they are either bored  or stressed more often, and so as librarians. Therefore, the challenge to be solved was what are the  innovate ways in engaging more with patrons.

Selection

The tool I chose in solving this problem was storytelling. Storytelling is a form of communicating new  developments, improvements, as well as critical thinking, that can help in emotionally connecting with  patrons, and it has larger purpose. As mentioned in the Storytelling Tool video, Joe Colon mentioned  that storytelling is the difference between solving a problem and creating a cause, in which the latter  ignites and united people. Since this challenge talks about engaging more with patrons, I selected  storytelling as a tool to move a step ahead towards better roles within the institution.

Application

The solution the staff had worked on in the past was building library collections, so that patrons will find  more resources they want. Moreover, promotions regarding the importance of a library are spread  through social media, owing to the public library’s limited budget. Now, the challenge is to develop  innovative ways for better engagement with patrons.

Activities for this part include seminars, workshops, and other in-person and online events, such as  digitization and indexing of documents, and so on. This therefore provides better understanding for both  librarians and patrons on how they should appreciate the essence of a library, especially in a public type  setting.

Insight

The result of this part is that there are more activities engaged by patrons inside the library whether in- person or online. The head librarian was impressed with the result and encouraged us to further promote  the library and its activities not only for a better solution, but also for a cause. Thus, we were able to get  an opportunity to integrate the solution with innovative ways, so that more engagements will follow.  Hence, storytelling is a great tool for better understanding the role of a public librarian. Now, I try to  include storytelling to make my material more intuitive.

Approach

As Gutierres has said, practicing these tools will get better at it. So, I am going to practice more  on creating intuitive and simple storytelling that can capture more innovative ideas more efficiently.  Another thing I would like to try along with the storytelling is the visualization tool, which is another  potential in enabling better understanding the roles of a public librarian for better engagement with  patrons. In the future, I will use the visualization as another tool of solving it.


The Role of a Public Librarian Through Storytelling Challenge As a librarian , I used to sit inside the public library , doing tasks such as identifying and interpreting user needs ; providing reference ; readers ’ advisory ; computer , database , and referral services to patrons whether in - person , through in - person , through e - mail , or by telephone ; as well as assisting patrons in material selection . Some patrons are children , students , as well as senior citizens . So , there are different sets of demographics to take care of . As patrons spend more time inside the library , they are either bored or stressed more often , and so as librarians . Therefore , the challenge to be solved was what are the innovate ways in engaging more with patrons . Selection The tool I chose in solving this problem was storytelling . Storytelling is a form of communicating new developments , improvements , as well as critical thinking , that can help in emotionally connecting with patrons , and it has larger purpose . As mentioned in the Storytelling Tool video , Joe Colon mentioned that storytelling is the difference between solving a problem and creating a cause , in which the latter ignites and united people . Since this challenge talks about engaging more with patrons , I selected storytelling as a tool to move a step ahead towards better roles within the institution . Application The solution the staff had worked on in the past was building library collections , so that patrons will find more resources they want . Moreover , promotions regarding the importance of a library are spread through social media , owing to the public library ’s limited budget . Now , the challenge is to develop innovative ways for better engagement with patrons . Activities for this part include seminars , workshops , and other in - person and online events , such as digitization and indexing of documents , and so on . This therefore provides better understanding for both librarians and patrons on how they should appreciate the essence of a library , especially in a public type setting . Insight The result of this part is that there are more activities engaged by patrons inside the library whether in- person or online . The head librarian was impressed with the result and encouraged us to further promote the library and its activities not only for a better solution , but also for a cause . Thus , we were able to get an opportunity to integrate the solution with innovative ways , so that more engagements will follow . Hence , storytelling is a great tool for better understanding the role of a public librarian . Now , I try to include storytelling to make my material more intuitive . Approach As Gutierres has said , practicing these tools will get better at it . So , I am going to practice more on creating intuitive and simple storytelling that can capture more innovative ideas more efficiently . Another thing I would like to try along with the storytelling is the visualization tool , which is another potential in enabling better understanding the roles of a public librarian for better engagement with patrons . In the future , I will use the visualization as another tool of solving it .