Salt Lake Paralympic Games March 9, 2002, Snow Basin ski resort

Right…right…right…right…       Left..left…left…left….

Those words rang out to the 114 blind kids and their parents or family members at the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympic Games at Snow Basin Ski Resort on March 9, 2002. All of the children had a reading disability that prevented them from reading regular-sized print. Some had been blind from birth, others had some vision, yet not enough to make reading a regular-sized print book work out. All were from Utah or Wyoming and some had come in from very long distances.

It was just so great that the kids that needed it the most–those that may be able to participate in the Paralympic games in the future–were able to attend. They experienced being there when others who were also blind were speeding downhill. The right..right…right…left…left…left…were the instructions that the coach to a blind skier said as they guided their Paralympic star down the steep course.

Sure, the kids couldn’t see the event, or at least not very well by most standards, but then, neither could the blind skiers. Still, there was much they could do. The parent(s) could describe what was happening. They could feel the chill and the excitement in the air. They could share with others from all over the world in their same circumstance, some much worse (or better) than themselves. They could hear what was happening, experience the moment when winners stood on the stands as the crowds roared in approval. They could be a regular part of the Games experience. They could plan, they could scheme, they could dream.

How did they get this rare opportunity? They read. Either in braille, by recorded book (in those days on cassette), or in large print. I should say they read and they read and they read. They all got to attend because they’d worked so hard for it.

All of the Utah children that participated in the Utah State Library for the Blind’s Summer Reading program in 2001 were invited to attend. Those that completed their reading goals received the free tickets. Free to them, that is. Two tickets were donated by a community sponsor to each child that completed their reading goals; the Salt Lake Olympic Committee worked hard to make that work out for the kids. That was one ticket for the child with a visual disability, one for a parent or family member.

They attended the Women’s blind division downhill racing as well as the Men’s downhill racing events. The day was crisp and clear. The crowds were excited. They were all experiencing things they had never seen before. It was just that great.

Paralympic torch run March 7, 2002, Liberty Park

Because of his outstanding efforts at reading during the Summer Reading Program, Quinn Price, a 12-year-old patron of the Library for the Blind, was invited to be a torch runner at the opening of the Paralympic games, on March 7, 2002, at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. His father and grandfather ran with him: behind him, so they could give directions and encouragement, but he could be the one in the front of the pack. Quinn was an outstanding student and did an exceptional job of meeting his reading goals during the previous summer.

An unexpected surprise: some of the children that participated in the Summer Reading Program were invited to the groundbreaking of the All Abilities Play Park at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. The children got to dig a shovel of dirt and meet some of the paralympic heroes at the event. Two of them were Chris Waddell, winner of 5 Olympic Gold medals, and Lacey Heward, United States Paralympic monoskier, who has gold, silver, and bronze medals, and won two bronze medals in the 2002 Salt Lake Paralympics.

The Utah State Library for the Blind serves residents of Utah and Wyoming, no matter what their age, as long as they qualify. They need to be unable to read regular-sized print. It includes people with blindness, visual impairments, physical impairments that exclude them from being able to read regular-sized print (can’t hold the book, turn the pages, etc.). It also includes people with learning disabilities. Read more about the program on their website: http://blindlibrary.utah.gov.

I went to a good presentation by Marriott Library and Eccles Health Sciences Library on QR codes. QR stands for quick reference, btw. The notion is to have a code that someone can take a photo of with their handheld device, and the device will translate that code to the information represented underneath.  A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that can be small or large. It can be huge, as on the side of a building.

Here’s a QR code about my Trading Spaces Mentoring Program:

Libraries can use QR codes in all kinds of ways:

• Paintings or photos in the building
• Map of the library
• Search the library catalog
• Place holds on books
• Summer Reading signup
• Upcoming events
• New book arrivals
• Contact information
• Any text at all
• If you can print, post, or tweet it you can QR it

In order to access QR codes people need:

• A handheld device with a camera and the internet such as a smartphone, iphone, droid, one of the many products that are widely used today
• A QR app which can be found at the app store or at a variety of places on the internet

It’s really easy to create QR codes. You need a QR code generator and there are so many that are free, it’s easy to get one.  Just look online. The one that I used to make the above QR code was Delivr. The one that Eccles is using is BeeTagg.

There are tips for creating QR codes, for example, don’t have a long url, the image will be too finely grained. Shorten it first using a url shortener within your  QR code generator, or use another such as bit.ly or tinyurl.com

Also, make sure you are pointing to a version of something that is made for handheld devices. A url to a very large website won’t be readable on the handheld once they get it, so that’s lame.

There’s more,  I hope to hold a training on QR codes in the near future. Stay put.

Sincerely, Colleen (p.s. here’s my contact info, try it out on your iphone)

Is the book really dead? I just heard about an adorable book by Lane Smith, called “It’s a Book.” There’s a donkey talking to a monkey who’s just sitting there reading a book. The donkey doesn’t get it. Does it tweet? Where’s your mouse? He goes on and on but then finally asks to see the book and gets all entwined in it.

It’s so hard to say how the book will evolve in the next few years. We’re more digital than ever before and I seem to push, teach to, speak about digital books a lot. I have several checked out right now on my ipod. But the next great novel comes along and I’m likely to get a hard copy that I can sit on the couch and read.

Check out this way-too-cute trailer of “It’s a Book.” You’ll want to read it for yourself.

‘The time has come,’ the Walrus said,
‘To talk of many things:
Of shoes — and ships — and sealing wax –
Of cabbages — and kings –
And why the sea is boiling hot –
And whether pigs have wings.’

–Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass

It has been so rewarding to run the Website in a Box program. It’ s fun to see 15 Utah libraries grow their own websites.  We’ve learned along the way, and the stats for the various sites are fabulous. They are getting thousands of visitors a month, and also have their library catalogs online where a person can place a hold, or renew a book online. Residents can access Pioneer: Utah’s Online Library at every site.  There are some cool, unique sites, so look through them and see their progress.

Thanks, Shelly Drumm, for all of your help on this project. It’s been fun.
Colleen Eggett

Trading Spaces is a mentoring program designed to enable Utah library staff to learn skills from each other. Library workers sign up for the program, get approved, and then work with their mentor on a specific project that might lead their library in positive directions. Complete details are on the Utah State Library website

Apply by filling out the application form or applying online:

To be mentored: mentee application

To become a mentor: mentor application

Goals of the program:

• Developing 21st century skills for all Utah library staff
• Finding new ways of doing things and solving problems
• Sharing expertise through collaboration and networking
• Supporting newcomers to Utah libraries

Mentors are matched with applicants by Trading Spaces Committee members. There will be an opening session to explain the program and discuss the mentoring relationship. At that time, applicants will be matched with mentors and develop an action plan. The program goes from July 1-June 30, with application deadlines twice a year: June 30 and Dec. 31. Meetings should be planned based on the scope of the project. They may take place in person, by phone, or online.

You may apply for a:

• Compact program (1-8 hours of instruction)
• Mid-sized program (2-5 days spread over time)
• Luxury program (2-6 month commitment)
• Custom built program (tbd by participants)

Who might request a mentor?

Any library staff member that wants to learn new skills, with the approval of their manager or library director.

Why request a mentor?

• Mentors can share advice on professional development and specific library functions
• Mentors can help you get involved at local and statewide levels

• Mentors can offer different perspectives

Why be a mentor?

• Expand your resume/ cv
• Increase your job satisfaction by helping others grow professionally
• Develop your communication and teaching skills
• Pass on your professional legacy
• Increase your library’s visibility and value to the community

Guidelines for Participants

• Decide in advance what goals you would like to accomplish
• Apply online or by filling out the print application
• Value and take advantage of this opportunity
• Evaluate your experience at the conclusion

Guidelines for Mentors

• Have working knowledge and experience in the library profession and be willing to share that with others
• Apply to the committee to become a mentor
• Indicate your areas of expertise
• Receive a mentor certificate upon completion

Finances:

• To offset expenses and encourage collaboration, Utah State Library offers a grant available to institutions that provide mentors

• Upon pre-approval, Utah State Library will pay a scholarship of $150 which should be used for any costs incurred while participating in the program
• Expenses incurred over the above rates will be the responsibility of the individual or their library

Trading Spaces Committee 2010/11:

Britton Lund, Washington County Library
Colleen Eggett, Utah State Library
Jason Cornelius, Logan Library
Jennifer Fay, SL County Library
Linda Fields, Richfield Library
Lynn Darrough-Walton, SL County Library
Ruby Cheesman, Utah Library Assoc. President / SL County Library
Safi Safiullah, SL City Public Library
Steve Decker, Cedar City Library
Susan Hamada, SL County Library

Contact: Colleen Eggett, Utah State Library Training Coordinator/ Consultant
(801) 715-6776 or (800) 662-9150 x776 (Utah toll-free)  ceggett@utah.gov

Sure, it may be an outmoded idea, not really a 21st Century Idea.  And sure, the State of Utah has huge budget cuts and we need to keep a balanced budget. And sure, I support our Governor Herbert and our legislature on keeping a balanced budget. After all, we try to do that at home and it seems to be workin’.

I especially support USL admin for doing their homework and finding the least used service, since we can’t keep them all in these tight times. Hopefully one day we’ll be back to the days we had pre-recession. I’m all for that.

Moreover, many people may have given up the radio for something zestier like facebook, like twitter, like Salt Lake Tribune online, who has thoughtfully written an article about it.

But really….

I remember when Frank Layden (President of the Utah Jazz) used to come in and read for the radio. People loved that. They liked to listen in, hear his voice, feel his personality, his presence.

I remember when Gerald Lund donated his latest greatest book to be read to the blind. Right when it was sizzling hot off the press. He brought it right on over, didn’t waste a minute. People loved that too.

I remember when Governor Matheson spoke up for the blind patrons and one of them walked on over, slapped him [hard] on the back and said how much he loved him. Those were the days.

Maybe the time has come to give up sacred  (purple) cows, especially when the State Library is facing such huge budget cuts that we can’t even breathe in and out all day long, but always remember these words:

I never saw a purple cow
I never hope to see one;
but I can tell you anyhow;
I’d rather see than be one

–Gelett Burgess, 1895

Earlier this decade, the library’s vision was access to information.  Before that, much before that, say 1894, the library’s vision was free books for all. But how quickly we’ve changed. Today it’s all about connection.

Connection to the world through internet access

Connection to vital public services through the same

Connection to community through programming

Connection to others by being out where people congregate

There’s so much talk of the library without walls. Where the library comes to you not you to the library. Where you can get a book or movie online and use it on your ipod. Where you can go for enlightenment, entertainment, or just to chat. Virtually, in person, in chat rooms, however you want, whenever you want.  It’s about collaboration, conversation, and yes, most certainly, connection.

As Norma Blake said, people are looking to be noticed in libraries, missed when not there. They want longer hours, adequate parking, something to eat, a forum for conversation. Libraries need to ask the ultimate question: would you recommend us to a friend?

And as Joan Frye Williams said, “What got us here won’t get us there.”

And then there’s John Moorman, the Director at Williamsburg Regional Library,  who said,  “We give good public service, we are responsonsive, we are there.”

At the end of the day we would all say the same.