The Shoestring Library - Softcover

Fullner, Sheryl Kindle

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1586835203 ISBN 13: 9781586835200

Publisher: Linworth, 2010

Synopsis

An organized collection of budget saving methods, materials, and strategies, these tips are all tried-and-true examples of ways to stretch the media specialist's budget and time, and change even the drabbest library into an inviting oasis of learning.

The Shoestring Library offers hope, incentive, and direction to librarians who lack everything but passion. The book is organized around 300 hints―more than 114 of which are green alternatives―for administering a library in tough times. The book is divided into two parts, Support Functions and Physical Plant. The support section investigates such topics as how to best use volunteers and how to get free materials for your library. The physical plant section, amply supplemented with dozens of photos, helps a librarian identify and fix problems with dismal walls, ceilings, windows, shelving, desks, seating, and lighting, proposing low-cost or no-cost solutions to all these woes.

Instructions are practical and thorough, concentrating on reuse, re-purposing, and recycling, and each idea is reversible. For quick access, chapters sport distinctive icons; time-management tips, for example, are distinguished by an alarm clock. Designed for institutions from preschools through college, The Shoestring Library proves that there is no expiration date on learning.

About this title

About the Author

Sheryl Kindle Fullner is librarian at Nooksack Valley Middle School in Everson, WA.

Reviews

Fuller has put together 300 ideas for the cash-strapped school librarian. The book is divided into two sections. “Library Management for Tough Times” has hints for taking advantage of free continuing-education opportunities, using volunteers, networking, and more. “The Physical Plant” contains suggestions for sprucing up the library at little or no cost (for example: request mismatched or clearance paints from paint stores; then get students to do the painting). The ideas for reusing and repurposing items like old, discarded furniture are among the many green hints that save on resources as well as library funds. Most veteran librarians would already have a reservoir of ideas similar to those found in the book, and many of the ideas, such as hosting book fairs or asking for freebies from stores or vendors, are obvious. But this is a good resource for the novice in tough economic times. --Carol Sue Harless

Edition details

• Publisher: Linworth
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1586835203
• ISBN 13: 9781586835200
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 156