The Shoestring Library

(Paperback)

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Description

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 hintsmore than 114 of which are green alternativesfor 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.

Reviews

Nicely illustrated throughout, The Shoestring Library is as informed and informative as it is practical and 'user-friendly', making it an ideal and highly useful addition to both academic library science collections and on-site reading lists for librarians and library policy makers. * Midwest Book Review *
Fullner's guidebook helps put some of the chaos into perspective and offers solutions. . . . The guidebook is organized well, with each chapter broken down into bulleted points, which makes for easy reading. The information is almost common sense, but people can easily forget things, especially when the situation is stressful. Fullner's main point seems to be not giving up. If your library is short on funds, do something about itbe proactive rather than reactive. Ask questions, find volunteers, reuse old materialsjust do something other than sitting around feeling sorry for your library. This information may be invaluable to those libraries that can find no other way to support their patrons. * VOYA *
Every librarian will find plenty of new ideas, insights, and inspiration from the wealth of suggestions found here. Highly recommended. * Library Media Connection *

Author Bio

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