This conference was extremely interesting - unlike any other conference because all the information was new to me. Also, I went into this conference not knowing anyone, but when I got there, I realized that I did know a couple people. I ran into the director of the La Habra children's museum, the director of the Charlotte children's museum, and the library manager of ImaginOn! I also met someone from the Rancho Mirage children's museum (she is also on the Riverside County something library board), and a museum exhibit designer from Lake Arrowhead. In addition, I also met the folks from the Magic House in St. Louis. They built that fairy tales exhibit that we wanted to get. They told me it would be perfect for us!
Another thing that was interesting about the conference - these people don't stop. Literally, they start at 7am and go until 6pm. What's interesting is that they have some sessions that have no topic. Instead, you go there, break into small groups depending on what you want to discuss, and then talk about your issues. I think that's a good idea and very inkeeping with what children's museums are all about. They are not structured places where you have to color in the lines. Instead, you have a blank page and you design/do whatever you want. That's what a children's museum is about (unstructured) and there were definitely elements of that during the conference (in a good way). Having said that, these people are serious - they don't even break for lunch. You can eat lunch, but there are programs going on through lunch. You can brown bag it or order a lunch ahead of time. Very interesting. Not the 10-5 with a 2 hour lunch break like ALA or CLA!
"Guest Experience" - I love this term. I think we need to have this instead of "reference librarian" or whatever. In children's museums, you have someone that is in charge of "guest experience" - I think we need to incorporate this into our organization. Actually, Nettie, if you are reading this, this made me think of CSD as well. I just think this term addresses the customer needs from their point of view versus the way we do it (more from our point of view).
We have a GREAT project - *everybody* I met told me so. And, I don't think it was lip service. Everywhere I went, I got "you're the librarian, aren't you?" People just seemed to know who I was for some reason (probably from the emerging museums preconference). Everyone I talked to about our concept just seemed to think that was so exciting (even more so when I mentioned the playhouse). This is how I see our project. Look at the two circles. Imagine libraries in one and children's museums in the other. We are going to be right in that middle part, which, based on the conference, is a good place to be. I think librarians should attend the children's museum conference (and can't understand why they don't). There is so much cross over between what we do. I think ultimately, we (libraries and children's museums) have the same goals - spark the imagination, lifelong learning, literacy, etc. we just arrive at that in different ways. This project will morph the two experiences together and will represent the BIG books on the building - Imagination, Enchantment, Wonder, Discovery, Adventure, Knowledge, Celebration, Inspiration, Wisdom, Creativity, and Dreams... So, that is it from the children's museum conference. Thanks Debi and RK for supporting my visit. It was a fantastic experience. I thought this was a good idea before the museum conference, now I *know* it is. I am totally energized by this and know we have the right people on the bus to pull it off!
Over and out...
Michelle
2 comments:
I thought your final post was really good. It tied up what you learned at the conference nicely.
I was looking at your Venn Diagram. Taking into consideration that I have only been to a few children's museums, and probably 99% of what I know about them I learned from reading this blog (!), this is what I came away with: I was thinking about what public libraries should do/be about. Obvious things like books, programs, great service, etc. When I thought about what children's museums should do/be about, I thought about things like play, interactivity (not only between child and exhibits but between child and parent), "edutainment", being an experience, etc.
OK, now back to the Venn Diagram. At least from what we do at our libraries, and what we envision for the second floor, I don't see and an intersection but rather, the two circles would seem to overlap. The difference between the two missions just don't seem to be all that great to me. There just seems to be a natural fit.
I know, easier said than done but it's not like we have to invent anything, just re-invent some things!
I don't know if you remember, but back in the days when "In search of excellence" was first developed, some discussion centered around the company Brougham, originally known for creating very stylish "buggies" for the horse and buggies days. This company, however, decided they were in the transportation business, not the production of buggies--and they morphed into the "brougham" company known in automobiles today.
My point is, I think libraries are morphing into different creatures (at least those of us who are thinking "critical mission" and "output". Libraries over the past 10 years have first started moving into literacy (and we all remember what a fight there was over that "we are not "teachers"") and the last five years, we have been moving big time into early childhood education.
I think this is all a good thing, and very necessary since our "information" role has disappeared into a "soup kitchen computer bank" for the poor, so that they can haphazardly find their own information. (They leave just as happy--maybe more.)
Anyhow, I love the new role and I agree that it is the logical mission for us in our environment and community.
Look forward to writing the grant with you when you are rested. (But not very, cuz we're running out of time.) I think with your enthusiasm, energy and new knowledge, you can take the lead role in this one. But we'll talk about it when you are back. (At least you might have some partner's for us? Forest City will be a real challenge since we have lost both Glenn and "what's his name" at the top.
Later...
(and thanks for such great reporting! I almost feel like I've been there--looking forward to pictures!
debi
Post a Comment