Trending
One of the aspects that drew my wife and I to live and work in central Pennsylvania was the beautiful landscape. The ridges and valleys are gorgeous, pristine and peaceful. There are few traffic lights in the more tucked-away parts of Juniata and Mifflin counties, which means less traffic.
While the open space brings a sense of peace, it also brings challenges in uniting those geographically distant. In the United States, 84% of all land is rural and 25% of the population lives in a rural area. Rural areas can thus be known for isolation, low population density, mobility disadvantages and scarcity of financial resources. When speaking on rural libraries, we face challenges in the form of library financing, a lack of academically-trained staff, the need for skill development of library trustees, the perception that rural libraries are only a place for books and the obvious challenges with technology.
With financial resources spread thin across many human service, government, and nonprofit organizations, we have to make every dollar count. I believe this can be accomplished by focusing on the following:
Small libraries have to be community and family-focused first, because those relationships are heightened and at the front of interactions in a small community library.
Small libraries have to be able to advocate for themselves from every staff position. As the library director, I often find myself needing to be an expert on everything on the fly. From building improvements to partnerships with school classrooms to staff training, I work to imprint on everyone I come in contact with that the library has something to offer them.
Small libraries have to expand their circle. Our library works hard to connect with rural-affiliated groups and agencies who share a common concern about and a stake in rural issues, not just rural libraries. Many of our interests and concerns often overlap. Building on these connections, often scarce resources can be stretched farther and a greater impact can be made for the benefit of the community.
The more traditional approach to community building focuses primarily on what is wrong. This approach looks at the glass as half empty, meaning that it assumes that the community or organization has little or no ability to help itself. Starting from this position has additional negative results. First, looking at only what is wrong makes people in the community believe they are deficient and keeps them from feeling empowered. Second, it makes people believe that only someone from the outside can help them with their situation. Finally, this approach also tends to fragment efforts to provide solutions because everybody picks one of the problems or issues to solve.
Let us focus then on what valuable assets we have before us:
Rural people are the biggest asset. These folks love where they live, want to stay there, and are dedicated to strengthening their communities so their children will be able to stay in their community if they want to, after they finish high school and/or college.
Rural human resources are another significant asset. This includes library staff who are truly dedicated and work with very limited resources. Also included are library trustees, Friends of the Library group, library volunteers and library supporters. We also must include the library users because meeting their needs is the rural librarian's top priority.
Library buildings are huge rural assets. They are often the only governmental presence in rural communities and may be a point position for a variety of public services. They serve as community centers and the town gathering place.
We must seize the day and take advantage of all the knowledge and services at our fingertips here in Juniata County, most notably here at the library.
Book of the week!
If you are going to read one book, give this one a try...
Tree-mendous Trouble (Dead Sea Squirrels #5) by Mike Nawrocki
(Kids fiction: Christian, animals, fantasy, intermediate level) 128 pages for ages 6-9.
In a nutshell: An early chapter book full of humor and adventures centered on Christian life.
In this fifth entry in the Dead Sea Squirrels series, ancient talking squirrels Merle and Pearl, who were salted and preserved in a cave for centuries, have now found a home with 10-year-old Michael Gomez and his family. After establishing a life in the 21st century, Merle and Pearl come to realize they can get into as many adventures and difficult situations now as they did in the past. This book features run-ins with other local squirrels and Michael's family cat as well as trouble at Michael's school when Merle squirms his way out of Michael's backpack.
Whenever Merle and Pearl find themselves in a pickle, Pearl refers to God's blessings and reminds Merle of God's teachings. Even as they laugh at the squirrels' shenanigans, readers will absorb the lessons to be kind and forgiving to family, friends and even enemies, following God's will.
The illustrations are appropriately humorous (one of Pearl in a bathrobe and bunny slippers, holding a cup of tea, is particularly funny). A cliffhanger whets readers' appetites for the next book, Whirly Squirrelies, which publishes simultaneously.
Bottom line: A fun, action-packed romp with a lesson about living out God's messages folded in.
•••
Vince Giordano has been the librarian and director of the Juniata County Library since April 2015.