The Post-Pandemic Public Library

By Susan Clarkin Vignuolo
Adult Services Librarian, Piscataway Public Library
(Email: svignuolo@piscatawaylibrary.org)

In a foreword for the October 2021 OCLC Research Briefing, New Model Library: Pandemic Effects and Library Directions, Marquette University Dean of Libraries Janice Welburn wrote, “The comfort of library as place was disrupted as face-to-face service suspended, group study rooms closed, instructional practices were altered, and access to print materials was restricted” (Connaway et al., 2021). 

A main tenet of the OCLC report is that COVID-19 vastly expedited societal trends already underway in public libraries, including the use of new technologies, artificial intelligence, and smart devices in everyday operations. The result is a post-pandemic “new model library,” charged with, among other challenges, finding new ways to engage patrons and meet their needs within the library’s physical spaces. This article highlights the innovative manner in which many libraries have proven themselves equal to the task.

The reimagination of the library as place by using existing library facilities for non-traditional purposes has taken many forms. For example, Columbus, Ohio’s Smart Mobility Project includes plans to provide car-share spaces, dockless e-bikes and e-scooters, and yellow cab pick-up and drop-off locations at the city’s public libraries. The initiative’s primary goals are to spotlight the library’s role in promoting the use of green public transportation and helping the municipality gather data on how its residents move from place to place. 

Charlotte, North Carolina’s redesigned new Main Library dispensed with the traditional large reference desks in favor of the more welcoming “genius bar concept” seen in Apple retail stores. The library intentionally seeks to use design and technology to promote civic engagement and to attract new patrons by offering kiosks, floating librarians, and coffee service. 

In June 2021, the Washington, D.C., public library system debuted its Memory Lab, which offers physical equipment, virtual resources, and a series of classes designed to assist patrons in safely archiving their digital memories. 

Many public libraries seeking to expand their appeal to new patrons and build community through a shared economy have created a Library of Things. These collections feature loanable items such as kitchenware, musical instruments, STEM equipment, gardening tools, and yard games. 

Matthew Latham and Jeff Hoffman of the Ramsey (NJ) Free Public Library shared their experiences in the creation and oversight of their expanding Library of Things in an August 2022 LibraryLinkNJ skill-sharing conversation. They expect double-digit growth in circulation this year and believe that the collection provides fantastic public relations, and consider it especially useful in attracting new patrons who may not have thought of the library as a place for them.

Other libraries are reconceptualizing their sense of place by co-locating library services with other community public spaces, creating new efficiencies that benefit individual patrons and municipalities alike. 

The Chicago Public Library (CPL) teamed up with the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) to build an apartment complex in the city’s Independence Park neighborhood. The project features affordable housing for senior citizens and families constructed above a new branch of the CPL. As the city’s largest provider of free wi-fi, the CPL is continuously working to chip away at the digital divide. This partnership opened up access to federal funding, allowing the CPL to expand the provision of its services to more residents.

The DC Public Library’s $211 million reconstruction of the 440,000-square-foot Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library was envisioned as a “city within a city,” according to executive director Richard Reyes-Gavilan, including plans “to devote physical walls and doors to a host of partner organizations that will be living in the library for long periods of agreed-upon time.”

In September 2022, librarian Andrea Akiti confirmed that the vision has been realized: “The MLK library hosted DC Health Link during the District’s efforts to provide COVID vaccinations for residents. We’re looking forward to the upcoming tax filing season as we will host DC Community Tax Assistance for low-income and senior residents. We’ve had requests from other District agencies to hold ‘office hours’' at the main library. With that being said, it’s fair to say our new event space has been far more popular as it has served as conference space, in-service training, and community outreach space for our sister agencies in DC Government,” (A. Akita, personal communication, September 28, 2022).

COVID-19 altered both the physical landscape and the conceptual parameters of our profession. It is incumbent on us all to keep abreast of trends relevant to our libraries and the communities we serve that have emerged from the pandemic. While this can sometimes feel overwhelming, I would encourage us all to tap into the excitement and innovation of the New Model Library.

References:

Connaway, L. S., Daniel. I. M., Brannon. B., Cantrell. J., Cyr, C., Doyle, B., Gallagher, P., Lang, K., Lavoie, B., Mason, J., & van der Werf, T. (2021). New model library: Pandemic effects and library directions. With a foreword by Janice Welburn. OCLC Research. https://doi.org/10.25333/2d1r-f907

Crowe, C. (2020, January 27). The library is a smart city’s ‘hub for digital intelligence’. Smart Cities Dive. Industry Dive. https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/library-smart-city-hub-digital-intelligence-inlcusion/569012/

District of Columbia Public Library. (n.d.). The memory lab. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://www.dclibrary.org/labs/memorylab

Sudo, C. (2019, October 2). Co-located senior housing, libraries open with nearly full occupancy. Senior Housing News, https://seniorhousingnews.com/2019/10/02/co-located-senior-housing-libraries-open-with-nearly-full-occupancy/.

A Review of BibDataZu, a Free Online Tool for Copy-Cataloging

By James Gross, MSLIS
Technical Services and Cataloging Librarian, West Deptford Free Public Library
Email: jgross@westdeptford.lib.nj.us

Library catalogers often add materials to their catalog via a process called copy-cataloging. Copy-cataloging saves processing time. If an identical library record cannot be located, the cataloger will either locate a suitable MARC record or create a new MARC record.

In this article, we will discuss the free Z39.50 software, BibDataZu, and how to use it to search for MARC records in open-access Z39.50 library catalog servers.

Z39.50 refers to a client/server-based protocol for searching and retrieving MARC records over a TCP/IP computer network (Z39.50, 2019). The Z39.50 protocol is used by catalogers to connect online, using their Integrated Library System (ILS) software, to other libraries’ online catalogs. This peer-to-peer protocol, using a Z39.50 client, enables a cataloger to search for MARC records (Ex Libris, 2021).

A MARC record is a machine-readable catalog record that describes the content and physical attributes of a book or other item (OWWL, 2019). Using the MARC standard enables cataloging librarians to use commercially available library automation systems to manage library operations (Library of Congress, 2009).

Cataloging librarians generally prefer to copy-catalog in order to save time. They will typically first check their existing catalog, and if there is no record, see if they can locate and import a MARC file. If their library is part of a library consortium, they may have access to a joint library catalog with pooled records and/or consortium-funded MARC files.

MARC files can be found via open-access library servers or via subscription-based bibliographic utilities, such as OCLC’s Connexion.

Your library may already have an automated cataloging agreement with a book vendor such as Ingram or Taylor and Francis that provides periodic bulk imports of MARC data. However, subscription-based services may not be an option for your library due to budgetary considerations.

If the cataloger can locate the desired MARC file, he or she will save it, and then import it, using the library’s ILS software. Your library may be using ILS software from SirsiDynix, Ex Libris, or Bywater Solutions.

All three companies offer ILS software containing a searchable Z39.50 server option and a MARC import option. Symphony and Horizon are sold by SirsiDynix. Alma, Sierra, and Polaris are sold by Ex Libris. ByWater Solutions is a vendor that offers services to implement the free and open-source Koha library software.

When I need to locate a MARC record, I conduct a Z39.50 library server search for the item. An example of a MARC Z39.50 server search can be found within the SirsiDynix Symphony, Workflows software [Image 1].

Workflows software has a Z39.50 search option called Smartport. Smartport is the Z39.50 client search option included in SirsiDynix software, Symphony. It enables the user to search a number of open-access Z39.50 servers, such as the Library of Congress or the Kansas City Public Library.

While Smartport is functional, I wanted to find a stand-alone software program that would allow me to simultaneously search multiple open-access Z39.50 library servers.

In my search for Z39.50 software, I consulted the Library of Congress’ (LOC) webpage on this topic. However, many of the software programs listed there contained broken URL links.

One Z39.50 software program had a good URL link. It is called BibDataZu. This program proved to be very easy to use. I also located a fee-based Z39.50 program, BestMARC, which was not listed on the Library of Congress website. BestMARC works well, but it is not designed for users to create or edit customized server lists. It costs $60 a year.

BibDataZu is a Z39.50-based program that uses the peer-to-peer protocol for searching and retrieving open-access MARC records over a TCP/IP computer network. I found this software to be an excellent tool for conducting Z39.50 server searches. BibDataZu offers the ability to add or delete Z39.50 servers from the search list.

The current version of BibDataZu, available from the author’s website, is version 5. The new version has a default list of more than 300 academic and worldwide libraries in its database.

An example of Version 5 search screen [Image 2], and examples of Version 5 search results [Images 3, 4] are listed here.

Due to design differences in BibDataZu’s screen layout, I prefer to use the older version 3.2. This version can be downloaded from the Internet Archive website. (Select the ZIP file from the Download Options on the right side of the page.) However, the new version 5.0, also works well. Image 5 provides an example of a search screen in Version 3.2. Images 6 and 7 show search results in Version 3.2.

Using the BibDataZu software, a user can conduct a search of open-access library Z39.50 servers. One can also customize the BibDataZu server list to add numerous public, academic, or specialized libraries. My BibDataZu server list contains 30 server entries. This may seem like a large number of library servers to search. However, both versions of BibDataZu handled such searches without freezing up.

In my usage of BibDataZu, I observed that the more servers I added to the server list, the longer the software took to run a search. A typical BibDataZu search took about 20 to 30 seconds. The software would pause mid-search if a library server would not connect.

I initially added more than 40 library servers to BibDataZu, but eventually settled on a smaller BibDataZu list of 30 library servers. I found that a BibDataZu list of 30 library servers resulted in faster searches.

Be aware that not all library catalog servers provide open access for Z39.50 searches. The following are links to lists of open-access, library Z39.50 servers:

• Library of Congress, Gateway to Library Catalogs.
• Zbrary, Directory of Z39.50 and SRU targets.
• IRSpy, Z39.50 targets.
• LibraryThing’s list of “Assorted Geographically Other Z39.50 Servers”.
• LibraryThing’s list of “A few more US/Canada/Australia Z39.50s to add”.

I can recommend either version of the BibDataZu software for the cataloging librarian. BibDataZu is a useful tool for locating MARC records via open-access library catalogs. This software could be beneficial for library catalogers who, due to budgetary reasons, are unable to subscribe to commercial or fee-based Z39.50 cataloging services.

References:

Ex Libris. (2021). How do other sites connect via Z39.50 to our database? Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Voyager/Knowledge_Articles/How_do_other_sites_connect_via_Z39.50_to_our_database%3F

Library of Congress. (2009, October 27). What is a MARC record and why is it important? Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://web.archive.org/web/20230112054830/https://www.loc.gov/MARC/umb/um01to06.html

OWWL. (2019, September 12). Definition of a MARC record. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://docs.owwl.org/Evergreen/CatalogMarcRecordDefinition

Z39.50. (2019, July 2). Librarianship Studies & Information Technology. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://www.librarianshipstudies.com/2017/10/z3950.html

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Cultivating Her Passions, and Taking Advantage of Opportunities, Has Led Ashley Mitchell to a ‘Fast’ Career Since Library School By Ashley Mitchell Adult Services Librarian, Camden County Library System (Email: amitchell@camdencountylibrary.org) I never expected to have a successful career in librarianship – it just happened. Okay, it didn’t just happen, there was a lot of work involved in the process, but it all happened so FAST. I’m new to professional librarianship, but I’m not new to libraries. I began working in libraries over 20 years ago. I spent 10 years at Baltimore County Public Library System (various branches), and I’ve been at my current library system, Camden County Library System (Voorhees, NJ) for over 11 years. I always wanted to be a psychologist. My first job as a library Circulation Assistant was only meant to be a part-time job and nothing more. I enjoyed volunteering at my high school library, and I thought that working at a public library would be a good fit for me. I always say that I got that job because of my mom. She took me to the library with her frequently, and all the staff loved her. They even asked me about her during the interview – they figured out that I was her daughter! But honestly, I got the job because of my prior library experience and the empathy I displayed when I answered the interview questions. I hadn’t cultivated a strong love for libraries at that point, but I always wanted to have a job where I could help people. I was super excited about being able to work at the circulation desk and help patrons. That was, and still is, the highlight of my work day! My colleagues suggested that I pursue professional librarianship, but I didn’t think it was a good career choice for someone like me — I am very outspoken and passionate about social justice. Libraries weren’t actively addressing certain social justice issues that I was passionate about back in the early 2000s. After learning how conservative libraries can be, I stuck with my first career choice, which was to become a psychologist. I still enjoyed helping patrons at the library, so I kept my library job while completing my undergraduate degree in psychology and a year of graduate school in counseling psychology. I also really liked working for Baltimore County Public Library. My supervisors and managers saw my potential at a very young age and gave me opportunities to cultivate leadership skills that I utilize often in my career. I was sad to leave that library system, but I’m so glad I decided to move to South Jersey in 2011. That decision changed everything! I had a good feeling about working at Camden County Library System from the beginning – I felt supported and welcomed from day one. This was the only job I applied for before moving to New Jersey, and I got it! It was also my first full-time job AND my first supervisory job. Needless to say, I had a LOT to learn! Working at the main branch is much different than the small branches I previously worked at. I love seeing how all the departments work together to keep the library running smoothly. The M. Allan Vogelson Branch has three floors, and I’ve worked on each floor! I worked on the first floor for almost five years as a Principal Library Assistant (Circulation), six years on the third floor in the Technical Services Department as a Principal Library Assistant (Acquisitions), and about eight months on the second floor in my current position as an Adult Services Librarian. So I know you’re wondering what I meant by “it happened so fast” since I’ve had a long career in libraries! My career started moving super-fast once I finally decided to get my MLIS degree. It took me about eight years to make this decision and (finally) submit the graduate school application in 2019, followed by various scholarship applications in 2020 after I was accepted into the University of Illinois’s MS/LIS program. I received every scholarship I applied for, including the NJLA Scholarship and the ALA Spectrum Scholarship!  I was unsure if I’d made the right decision at first, but I became even more excited about pursuing the MS/LIS degree after I noticed some positive changes in the library and information science (LIS) field. Libraries were beginning to take a stronger stance on social justice issues and creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for the communities they serve, even if that meant providing non-traditional library services to meet that need. My director, Linda Devlin, is passionate about advancing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging for our patrons and staff at Camden County Library System. She appointed me to lead the library’s Diversity & Inclusion team in 2020, during my first year of graduate school. This opportunity led to many others. I was asked to join a Diversity Working Group at my university (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), I served as an intern in the NJLA Diversity & Outreach section, and I’ve spoken at conferences about the diversity work that my library’s Diversity & Inclusion team is doing.  I’m especially proud of the progress I’ve made with NJLA. I started as an intern in the NJLA Diversity & Outreach section in 2020, and I still attend that section’s meetings. I’ve helped with numerous projects, including the Fine-Free Toolkit. I also attend meetings for the Library Workers of Color section, and I help wherever I can. Most recently, I have been asked to serve on the NJLA Executive Director Search Task Force and to serve as chair of the NJLA Equity Scholar Mentorship Task Force. I also have been accepted into the 2023 NJLA Emerging Leaders program! I thoroughly enjoy being a part of NJLA. Serving on committees and teams has allowed me to refine my career focus and learn from colleagues at libraries around the state. I highly recommend joining NJLA and serving on a committee or team that interests you! I only have one piece of advice for library workers at every level of employment: Find your “why.” What drives you in your library work? What are you passionate about? Figure out your “why” and cultivate it. Be proactive and take opportunities that will allow you to thrive in your career. If an opportunity comes up that is interesting to you, jump on it! Take the opportunity even if it’s out of your comfort zone. You’ll be glad you did, even if it doesn’t work out. You won’t know until you try. You are capable of much more than you realize. You just have to take a chance and see what happens! Photos, from top: Ashley Mitchell in December 2022; With her mother, Deborah Mitchell, in 2018; Working at the Camden County Library System's Books & Cooks event promoting food literacy in November 2016; Celebrating her graduation from the MS/LIS program at the University of Illinois in May 2022. Top of Page

24th Annual Academic Libraries Conference

The 2023 NJ Academic Libraries Conference (previously known as the VALE Conference) was presented virtually on Jan. 6, 2023. If you missed the conference, you can access the presentation materials by visiting the conference website. As conference planners receive presentation materials, they will be added to this site.

The theme of this year’s 24th annual conference was Supporting the Academic Community and Beyond: The Power of Community, Collaboration, and Connection. There were five poster presentations, fourteen breakout sessions, seven roundtable discussions, and six lightning talks, as well as 227 registered attendees.

The scheduled keynote speaker, Xan Goodman of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, unfortunately was unable to present at the conference due to illness.

The poster session and four breakout sessions were very well attended, and a great deal of really valuable information was shared by talented library presenters. Many attendees participated in discussions, asked questions, and got expert feedback.

The conference planning committee is already looking forward to 2024. If you or someone you know wants to be part of the planning process, please email Alyssa Valenti (alyssa.valenti@raritanval.edu).

Social Work-Informed Library Services in New Jersey

On Dec. 16, 2022, the New Jersey State Library (NJSL) hosted an informational webinar to introduce their new collaboration with the Long Branch Free Public Library and the Rutgers University School of Social Work: Social Work-Informed Library Services in New Jersey.

This project, one of three prongs under the umbrella of the NJSL Digital Equity Initiative, was developed with the goal of integrating the knowledge and skills of social work interns into both public library programming and the daily interactions of public librarians with their patrons. 

Participating New Jersey public libraries will be partnered with a social work intern 15 hours a week for a full school year (September-April), and both library supervisors and social work students will be supported by a curriculum and training plan.

A recording of the webinar is available here. 

The webinar’s panelists were:

• Mimi Lee, Director of Literacy and Learning, NJSL.
• David Perez, Bilingual Library Social Worker, Social Work & Diversity Services Manager, Long Branch Free Public Library.
• Nancy Schley, Associate Director of Field Education, Professor of Teaching, Rutgers University.
• Beth Wahler, Social Work Consultant for Public Libraries, Professor and Director, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, School of Information Studies.
• Charles Senteio, Associate Professor, Library and Information Science, Rutgers University. 

Project timeline:

• January-March 2023: Recruitment of participant libraries.
• Spring 2023: Student intern placement.
• March 2023: Project kick-off meeting.
• March-June 2023: Library supervisor training.
• September-November 2023: Student intern training.
• November-December 2023: Evaluations, final reports, wrap-up meeting.
• Monthly check-ins with library supervisors and student interns will continue through Spring 2024.

Are you interested in participating? Please contact Mimi Lee, NJSL’s Director of Literacy and Learning (mlee@njstatelib.org, 609-278-2640 x191).

Library Staff Show & Share: Adult Crafts

Nearly 50 library staff members from across the state joined LibraryLinkNJ’s first-ever Adult Craft Staff Show & Share event at the main branch of the Woodbridge Public Library (WPL). The event, co-sponsored by WPL, was held Nov. 15, 2022. 

Library staff who have led successful adult crafting programs — such as the step-by-step painting classes shown in the photo here — shared tips and tricks for planning projects that keep audiences engaged while navigating tight budgets and limited staff time and resources. Attendees were able to view sample projects up close, and had ample time to ask questions about everything from timing to cost to where to purchase materials! More than 30 individual craft projects were presented, featuring a wide range of costs and levels of expertise.

Attendees were also able to browse the "Swap Shop" of leftover craft materials that their colleagues had brought to trade. Staff cleaned out their library's supply cabinets, craft closets, and even some personal stashes to give new life and new homes to crafting leftovers. The Swap Shop featured everything from yarn and scrapbooking materials to sample take-and-makes and weaving looms. Nearly everything that was brought found a new home, helping to inspire new crafting programs and events for libraries around the state!

An Adult Craft Show & Share Resources Guide, put together by many of the day's attendees, is available on the LLNJ website. This guide includes instructions, video links, web resources, photos, and more to help you recreate many of the successful craft projects that were shared at the event. 

Photo: Genevieve Girvan, from the Warren Township Branch of the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ), shows off details of her step-by-step painting classes for adult patrons. For more photos from the event, please see LLNJ’s December 2022 newsletter. 

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• Professional Development Links
• Webinars and Other Training Events: Upcoming and Archived
• PD Newsletter Archive (with links to other NJ library newsletters)

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This newsletter is published three times a year (in January, May, and September) by the Professional Development Committee of the New Jersey Library Association (NJLA).

Eric Schwarz, Newsletter Editor
Co-Chair, NJLA Professional Development Committee
Research Librarian (consultant), New Jersey Department of Transportation
Reference Librarian (part-time), Clarence Dillon Public Library

Neil Grimes
Co-Chair, NJLA Professional Development Committee
Education & Curriculum Materials Librarian, William Paterson University of New Jersey

Susan Clarkin Vignuolo
Member, NJLA Professional Development Committee
Adult Services Librarian, Piscataway Public Library

Please email us (professionaldevelopment@njlamembers.org) if you have suggestions or content to contribute.

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