On Monday, October 28th, 2019, I interviewed Kimberly Usselman, Children's Librarian at the Cumberland Public Library. We talked about children's programming, makerspaces, departmental challenges, and successes. All of this was discussed while happy werewolves and witches ran amok between the stacks. It was only a few nights before Halloween but I can't imagine much would have been different, had it been September or January. The Cumberland Public Library is the type of welcoming, magical environment that encourages creativity, joy, and happy bounding. It's a vibrant community with programming coming out of its hairy, endlessly metamorphosing ears; the key, Kim told me, is being changeable as the moon. In her department, flexibility reigns supreme, as well as the ability to recognize the true nature of her staff: it's important, she said, to see "their skills, and interests, and what they bring to the table." Luckily, Kim's staff brings much more to the table than lunacy and dangerous, doggy smiles. Phew! (This is where the werewolf analogy stops, I promise).
Me: "Kim, what kinds of programming do you have in your library?"
Kim: (Hands me an easily-accessible flyer & continues): "We have Storytimes designed for every age, from birth to 5-years-old, as well as a Sensory Storytime for children on the spectrum. We offer various school-age programs. such as our Minecraft Club for Kids, Coding with Scratch, Rockin' Robots, Tween Time, Block Party, & Paws to Read (where children read aloud to a service dog). This is just our Ongoing Programming. We always try to offer something new, too, from month to month. This month, we have our Halloween Party and a "Sew Simple" hand-sewing program for beginners on Saturdays."
Me: "Wow! That's a lot! How do you decide what kind of programming to offer?"
Kim: "It is. But there's so much more we want to do. It seems like there's never enough time to do everything. When deciding what kinds of programs to offer, I always consider staff interests. If they're interested in something, that's the first step toward offering a good program. It makes for happy staff and happy patrons. Speaking of, the other way we determine programming is...people ask! We try to listen to our patrons' ideas, too. That's how the Pokemon Club came about, and last time we held it we had 42 participants."
Me: "Did you have to learn about Pokemon in order to offer the club & respond to patron demand?"
Kim: "No. A lot of our programming is self-directed. We just like to encourage play. They figure it out."
Me: "Is that kind-of your approach to Makerspace activities, as well? Would you say you have a Makerspace?"
Kim: "Well, that's hard to say. It depends on your definition of a Makerspace, I guess. We have coding programs: Scratch, Minecraft, Cubelets, & Ozobots. And yeah, for those, one of our part-timers also teaches, and she does coding at the school where she works. So that helps to get them started. But for the most part, it's the same: they just play. So... sort-of. We sort-of have a Makerspace."
Me: "You've mentioned some of the challenges your department encounters: time restraints, mostly. What would you say have been some of your greatest successes?"
Kim: "We have great attendance at our programs. For Storytime, we usually get aout 50-60 people per program. Our Dance with Me program has similar numbers. The programs for the older, school-aged kids are smaller: sometimes 8, sometimes 15, sometimes 20: but that's still a success. And we also have a really great relationship with the local schools. Our Outreach efforts have been really successful. For example, every Kindergarten class in the district came for a one-hour visit (Storytime & tour) in October. This relationship comes in handy for promoting big programs, like Summer Reading, too. It helps a lot."
At this point, the Witching Hour grew nearer, and the announcement for the imminent closing of the library came over the loudspeaker. Goblins & ghouls began filing out, so I thanked Kim & took my leave, as well.
It's so heartening to see such a healthy, vibrant library community! The Cumberland Public Library shines bright.
Me: "Kim, what kinds of programming do you have in your library?"
Kim: (Hands me an easily-accessible flyer & continues): "We have Storytimes designed for every age, from birth to 5-years-old, as well as a Sensory Storytime for children on the spectrum. We offer various school-age programs. such as our Minecraft Club for Kids, Coding with Scratch, Rockin' Robots, Tween Time, Block Party, & Paws to Read (where children read aloud to a service dog). This is just our Ongoing Programming. We always try to offer something new, too, from month to month. This month, we have our Halloween Party and a "Sew Simple" hand-sewing program for beginners on Saturdays."
Me: "Wow! That's a lot! How do you decide what kind of programming to offer?"
Kim: "It is. But there's so much more we want to do. It seems like there's never enough time to do everything. When deciding what kinds of programs to offer, I always consider staff interests. If they're interested in something, that's the first step toward offering a good program. It makes for happy staff and happy patrons. Speaking of, the other way we determine programming is...people ask! We try to listen to our patrons' ideas, too. That's how the Pokemon Club came about, and last time we held it we had 42 participants."
Me: "Did you have to learn about Pokemon in order to offer the club & respond to patron demand?"
Kim: "No. A lot of our programming is self-directed. We just like to encourage play. They figure it out."
Me: "Is that kind-of your approach to Makerspace activities, as well? Would you say you have a Makerspace?"
Kim: "Well, that's hard to say. It depends on your definition of a Makerspace, I guess. We have coding programs: Scratch, Minecraft, Cubelets, & Ozobots. And yeah, for those, one of our part-timers also teaches, and she does coding at the school where she works. So that helps to get them started. But for the most part, it's the same: they just play. So... sort-of. We sort-of have a Makerspace."
Me: "You've mentioned some of the challenges your department encounters: time restraints, mostly. What would you say have been some of your greatest successes?"
Kim: "We have great attendance at our programs. For Storytime, we usually get aout 50-60 people per program. Our Dance with Me program has similar numbers. The programs for the older, school-aged kids are smaller: sometimes 8, sometimes 15, sometimes 20: but that's still a success. And we also have a really great relationship with the local schools. Our Outreach efforts have been really successful. For example, every Kindergarten class in the district came for a one-hour visit (Storytime & tour) in October. This relationship comes in handy for promoting big programs, like Summer Reading, too. It helps a lot."
At this point, the Witching Hour grew nearer, and the announcement for the imminent closing of the library came over the loudspeaker. Goblins & ghouls began filing out, so I thanked Kim & took my leave, as well.
It's so heartening to see such a healthy, vibrant library community! The Cumberland Public Library shines bright.