RA for All Virtual Roadshow Visits Berks County [PA] Libraries

Today I am debuting my updated, signature RA training for a Covid reality. Many libraries have found that during a pandemic, RA Service has become even more vital; however, that realization has also exposed the overall lack in the quality of service to adult leisure readers at many of these same libraries.

Very few libraries had high quality RA Service in place before the pandemic. By "high quality" I mean a leisure reader focused service that utilized all library staff-- from professionals on down-- and focused on the entire Library participating whether passively or actively in serving readers. Basically, my RA for All foundational thesis. And much of this was not the individual library's fault as the larger library conversation [and I blame ALA here] was focused on us being about "more than just books" and about our institution as a physical "third space" for the community to gather.

Well in a pandemic, the years of effort put into those rebranding campaigns was exposed as problematic to say the least. During the closures that came with the pandemic, libraries were about the books and the access to materials; they could not be [and still cannot be] about the space. Most libraries were reeling to get all staff on board to help serve leisure readers both because of the increase in demand for this service and because there was little else staff could be paid to do in this situation. Some called me in to help, while I also loaded the blog with free advice, tips, and ideas.

Now, I have combined my experiences over the last 9 months into an altered version of my signature program and it includes a success story too-- Des Moines Public Library.

Click here or on the slide below to access the new slides and think about your Library. What are your plans going forward into a world where even if things get back to some kind of normal in the near future, the way we provide RA Service has been forever altered?

I can help you figure it out. Contact me. Your library might not be able to afford NOT improving your team's RA skills. As a trustee, I understand the very real budget crunches that are looming on the horizon, and I also know that solid RA service is a sure fire way to demonstrate the importance of your staff to the community in a way they can easily comprehend. Your staff budget lines may depend on it.

In the meantime, I've got some training to get to.