Whether you knew it at the time or not, you have likely interacted with or assisted a library user with autism, as it is the fastest growing disability according to Autism Speaks, a national autism advocacy organization. A new online course, designed...

Many public libraries across the country offer specialized classes or programs to reach out to their non-English speaking patrons. For example, in order to help its adult patrons develop English language skills in speaking and writing, the King Count...

Fostering a culture of extreme customer service is one of the most important long-term investments a library can make, and costs almost nothing. The returns, meanwhile, are valuable beyond measure. Gretchen Caserotti, the Library Director from Meridi...

A session at the annual Ontario Library Association Super Conference presented by Markham Public Library (MPL) staff, called Evolution of the Revolution: Customer Service at MPL, resonated with us at Halifax Public Libraries. MPL had been grappling w...

How is a library like a deli counter? Or like Nordstrom or

What is your biggest stressor today?

Over the last decade, the fortress-like walls of the library reference desk have been breached in favor of more inviting structures and roving librarians. However, that's not going far enough, according to Jamie LaRue, director of Douglas County (CO)...

During the 2012 Annual ALA conference in Anaheim, three librarians from Colorado attended an all-day pre-conference at the Disney Institute, organized by ALA’s Learning Round Table. Through their panel presentations in the webinar,

Compassion is a quality found in abundance in libraries. Many people enter the field spurred by an urge to help others. Library work is not generally included in the roster of “helping professions” along with health care, counseling or teaching. It s...