The Massachusetts Library System is pleased to announce that we have partnered with LibraryWorks to provide our members with access to their webinars.  These webinars are free to Massachusetts library workers who register through our calendar. 

You are proud of your collection, your programs, your staff, and your services. But the details of how your library looks and sounds might be what people remember. What would a stranger notice driving into the parking lot for the first time, walking up to the front door, spending time in the front lobby, the basement, the stairs, or the collections? Can you look at your library workplace with fresh eyes and find ways to make it shine, even on a limited budget?

Do public service desks look messy or inviting? Are the far corners of the stacks neglected or well-lit? Is the children's area filled with art that appeals to adults–their ideas of what children like or what children actually like? Are there generic posters on the walls that might apply to any library, anywhere, or does the library decor reflect the communities and institutions it serves?

Topics include first impressions, removing well-beloved clutter, common fix-a-bles, the importance of light and color, improving signs, and keeping the library safe for the elderly, infirmed, and children. And how the physical environment can impact staff morale and library customer behavior.

Following this webinar, you will know how to:

• See their library as a visitor would.
• Create and prioritize a “fix-it” physical inventory for their library.
• Save money with inexpensive upgrades.
• Better support excellent customer service with an attractive and safe environment.

Presenter: Pat Wagner is a trainer and consultant with over 40 years of experience working for libraries, universities, local government, nonprofits, and small businesses. She supports the success of libraries with programs on personnel, supervision, management, leadership, marketing, strategic planning, project management, and communication. Pat has worked with libraries and library organizations throughout the United States, from the smallest rural storefronts to the largest academic and urban library institutions. Pat also is a frequent speaker at state and national conferences.