Recognizing that narrow focus on 20th century literacy skills will fail our 21st century community, over the last three years the Carson City Library has steadily moved to add significant technology tools and services. This shift in the collection and associated library programs is essential in advancing community-wide transliteracy rates. What is “transliteracy?” It is ability to read and write combined with interacting across a range of communication platforms using digital tools and digital media, (Jaeger, 2011). In other words: being “transliterate” first requires the fundamental ability to read and write, and then knowing how to use digital tools like computers, smart phones, e-readers and tablets to communicate, exchange information and perform a huge range of tasks in real-time, but online. In 2010 (made possible from Federal grant programs like the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, BTOP, local matching funds and our invaluable partners at Charter Communications who provide at no cost to the library high speed broadband Internet connection and wifi) the Carson City Library leveraged new resources to help residents confront the difficulty of bridging the divide between printed, digital and virtual worlds. With 105 new devises that connect to the Internet, 2 technology equipped meeting rooms, laptop stations, audio / visual tools and dedicated full-time information professionals - that provide training and coaching - we meet our patrons where they are. We are able to help address constantly changing information needs implicit in everyday life. Student life. Work life. Personal life. MORE on page 4

2

Inside

Digital Literacy another frontier for public libraries

By Tammy Westergard, Interim Library Director

Sorting the candidates Above, Library Trustees debate a list of 33 applicants at the Sept. meeting who applied for the library director position. Names handwritten on the papers hanging on the wall reflect the final pool of candidates. MORE on page Sara Jones checks in from Marin County With her last official day on the books, former library director says farewell.

MORE on page 2 Business branch booms Library’s business branch, the Business Resource Innovation Center, (the BRIC) boasts buy in and fans. MORE on page

4

Wisdom} Left, Maureen Sullivan, the American Library Association’s 2012 President, talks one-on-one with Carson City Library Trustees Sandy Foley (far left) and Dianne Solinger at the Nevada Library Association’s 68th annual meeting in Reno, Oct. 17 & 18. MORE on page 3

During the Interim Oct. 2013, issue #4

Lorem Ipsum Dolor [Issue] :: [Date]

2

According to Melanie Bruketta, JD, SPHR, IPMA-CP and Carson City’s Human Resource Director, “The key to any successful organization is its human capital. It’s very important to identify the organization’s strategic goals and hire based upon the competencies needed to attain the goals.” The Library Trustees are nearing the end of a robust strategic planning process that will carry the library forward for the next five years. Scheduled for adoption at the end of November the new library director will have the plan moving forward. With the support of Bruketta and Joe Ward Carson City’s Senior Deputy District Attorney the planning pieces have been executed in the hiring process that began in June of this year. This month brings the pieces together as Trustees have a qualified pool of candidates from which to select Carson City’s next library director. Clutch in the interviewing process is use of a human resources tool. “Interview Architect is a behavior based interviewing tool. The interviewer asks the interviewee questions relating to past behavior specific to the competencies needed for the position. Research shows that past behavior predicts future performance. An applicant with a high level of learning agility is someone who has demonstrated that he/she can learn from past successes and mistakes. Interview Architect identifies if a person is learning agile. A learning agile employee will be successful in his/her position which, in turn, makes the organization successful,” says Bruketta.

Architecting an A-Team Perspective from Carson City’s human resource professionals and farewell from Sara

During the Interim

Checking it twice} Left, Carson City HR Director Melanie Bruketta walks through the interview process with Trustees and the public regarding the director position. Bruketta has played an essential role, say Trustees.

Lorem Ipsum Dolor [Issue] :: [Date]

4

Carson City Trustees joined the library staff during the Nevada Library Association’s 68th (!) annual meeting. Librarians of every type (public, school, special, law and academic) gathered to learn from one another as well as from icons like Maureen Sullivan last year’s American Library Association president. Sullivan gave the keynote address and conducted sessions focused on trustee issues. “Attending the two trustee sessions at the NLA conference was so inspiring,” says Carson City’s freshman trustee Pam Graber. “Listening to Maureen Sullivan made me feel absolutely honored to be involved as a trustee with our library. She

beautifully articulated the fundamental value, importance and necessity of public libraries. And it was a huge, timely stroke of luck that we heard Jamie LaRue talk about, of all things, hiring processes” Graber continued. LaRue has been the director of the Douglas County Colorado libraries since 1990 and former president of the Colorado Library Association. Recently he has run hiring processes for non-profit and municipal organizations. His Nevada Library Association session regarding organizational change was titled: Human resources and organizational culture-- "You're Hired!" You have 7 candidates, and 20 people who want to help pick the winner. This problem can be solved in two hours. More than 250 people attended the conference.

NLA will invite and encourage library staff and supporters throughout the state of Nevada to become members to promote libraries, stay abreast of library trends, and provide continuing education opportunities for professional and paraprofessional development.

NLA will seek to provide a networking opportunity to promote the continuation of the organization.

NLA will raise awareness of library issues within the library community, and convey this information to legislators and other relevant organizations.

NEVADA LIBRARY ASSOCIATOIN VISION:

NEVADA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION’S 68TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Worth 1,000 words} Top: l-r, Trustees Pam Graber, Phyllis Patton, Dianne Solinger & Sandy Foley engaged with speakers during various Thursday sessions; Maureen Sullivan, ALA 2012 president discusses the vital role of library trustees. Bottom: l-r, Interim Director, Tammy Westergard conducts a plenary session on S.T.E.A.M programs and Technology Trainer, Sena Loyd co-presents Northern Nevada Makerspaces with colleagues from UNR libraries and Reno tech leaders.

During the Interim

Lorem Ipsum Dolor Issue [#] :: [Date]

5

Continued from page 1

Business leaders have spoken and the workforce, even at the entry level, requires general computer skills, general software use and ability to use the Internet and search the web to find authoritative information - far beyond a flip “Google it!” approach. This is what is known as being “information literate” and possessing ability to think critically. People overestimate information literacy skills when they assume because someone can surf the web they can find authoritative answers, search databases or find government information published by governmental agencies. Our democracy depends on an informed, critically thinking citizenry.

Many here in Carson City have been left behind in acquiring the technology skills required to apply for a job, do the job, communicate, organize information and adapt to ever changing workplace advancements. Do you remember the November 12, 2012 60 Minutes interview with Karl Hutter, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Click Bond (an international maker of rivet-less fasteners for the aerospace and other transportation industries) and Carson City’s recently named 2013 Northern Nevada Development Authority Business of the Year?

Hutter noted that manufacturing jobs are available but the struggle is that too few area workers possess enough depth in basic entry-level skill sets like reading, writing, arithmetic and problem solving to allow Click Bond to draw on the local workforce at levels needed by their expanding, global company.

But, the good news? Those basic skills can be refreshed, remediated, developed and/or practiced …. in virtual classrooms, using digital tools for FREE in places like the public library. Plus, there are collaborations between the library, our schools, adult education programs, literacy organizations, workforce centers, non-profit community centers and the private sector (from companies like Click Bond whose commitment to workforce training explains in part why they are our business of the year) providing ample opportunities for learners to practice real world tech skills in a supportive environment. It’s a journey not a race. Our community’s focused intention on literacy for life is indeed the surest path to prosperity and peace. Thank you to the Nevada Appeal and community sponsors for expressed support in filling this vital need through the recent Literacy for Life golf tournament that raised funds for local literacy efforts.

During the Interim

Talent} Above, Kyle Horvath, with Panacea Planning Group, describes the essential tools available at the BRIC. Below, staffers from several regional Starbucks stores engage in space at the BRIC.

1

During the Interim is produced monthly by the Carson City Library Marketing and Outreach division. Correspondence may be sent to twestergard@carson.org. Every effort has been made to avoid errors, misspellings and omissions. If a mistake has been made, please accept our apologies and contact us. No part of this publication may be used without written permission of the Carson City Library. 900 North Roop Street, Carson City, Nevada 89701

Editor: Tammy Westergard Graphic Design / Photography: Tammy Westergard, Nevada Photo Source Technical Support/Production: Sena Loyd

2013 Carson City Library Trustees: Sandy Foley, Chairwoman / Pam Graber Robert Kennedy / Phyllis Patton / Dianne Solinger

Whose Art?} Above, Galen Brown, r, Sharon Rosse and Megan Berner talk during the BRIC Art 4 exhibition. Left, Photographer Megan Berner talks about her artwork during the BRIC Art 4 exhibition held in October.

Word Art} Above, library leaders engage with local author Ursula Carlson, (r) Below, Deb Cash, l, makes artist Carol Brown laugh, while discussing her work, at the BRIC Art 4 exhibition.

2

During the Interim

Buzz at the BRIC ... Buzz at the BRIC... Buzz at the BRIC ... Buzz at the BRIC ... Buzz at the BRIC ... Buzz at the BRIC!