Mine is a synagogue library in a Conservative shul. When I first started out, I was worried about security and had the library door closed on shabbat and other holidays. Because it was closed, parents who brought their kids were desperate for something quiet to occupy them and so an enterprising congregant set up a book cart with donated extras for kids to read. But to me this felt like a missed opportunity for the library and adults were begging for the library to be open anyway. Eventually I threw caution to the wind and also figured out a way for items to be checked out on shabbat without writing and computers and so opened the doors. Now (or at least before the pandemic), parents either hang out with their kids in the library, or bring the library books to the sanctuary. They see all we have to offer and usage improved. In my opinion, the last thing you want is something competing with your space. It's hard enough getting people to support a library. I wouldn't give anyone the opportunity to say, "why do we need something professionally run when this works well enough". Rachel HausLibrary DirectorCongregation of Moses Fisher LibraryKalamazoo MI
On Tuesday, January 4, 2022, 01:59:23 PM EST, Lee Jaffe via Hasafran <hasafran@lists.osu.edu> wrote: Has anyone experience with a “tiny library” associated with their library or host institution? I’d be interested in hearing how it was implemented and whether it enhanced or detracted from your library service, and how. Our new synagogue director has proposed installing a tiny library box near the building entrance. At first I was positive, seeing it as a venue for off-loading unwanted donated books. Plus, I didn’t want to say no in my first interaction with the new director. But the other volunteers raised a lot of concerns about how it would be managed, that it fall on us to review what was put in there, adding to our work and potential headaches. As I considered the proposal further, I asked myself what was the point, whether this was the appropriate venue? Why would you place a tiny library 100 feet from a real lending library? The tiny library movement was a neighborhood initiative, informal sharing, a literary free box. In that regard, it doesn’t make (as much sense) outside a real lending library. Or does it? I want to be open-minded and not rain on the director’s proposal out of hand. If there are good reasons to support this initiative, ones that augment or complement the library program , or at least not detract from it, I’d like to hear about it. Alternative programs are also of interest. I appreciate hearing about your experience. Lee Jaffe __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) ================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran*40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html__;JQ!!KGKeukY!lTXNhJBG6zW_YuzWO3k6uXLQNZiXslaWAhmHX3eor9Xpkk-pq6UUcZbDSIN9L26LZ0s$ Earlier Listserver: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran*40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html__;JQ!!KGKeukY!lTXNhJBG6zW_YuzWO3k6uXLQNZiXslaWAhmHX3eor9Xpkk-pq6UUcZbDSIN9qCtsiWM$ AJL HomePage https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.JewishLibraries.org__;!!KGKeukY!lTXNhJBG6zW_YuzWO3k6uXLQNZiXslaWAhmHX3eor9Xpkk-pq6UUcZbDSIN9hay5a4s$ -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.osu.edu https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
__ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) ================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.osu.edu https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran