Professionals in
Information and Documentation

Mrs. Carol L. Sheffer is past-President of the Public Library Association (USA).

Mrs. Sheffer, You seem to have a privileged perspective as a librarian... Could you tell us a little about yourself?

I actually started my library career as a teenager with a job shelving books. I am currently the part-time director of the Round Lake (New York) Public Library, prior to that I served as deputy director of the Queens Borough (New York) Public Library, and prior to that I served as director of programs and services at Queens Borough Public Library. I earned a Masters of Library Science degree from the University of Buffalo. Throughout my career I have worked in small, medium, and urban public libraries in a variety of roles, including library development consultant, supervisor of outreach services and senior children’s librarian. I have also worked internationally as a spokesperson for the profession. In 2000, I worked in Russia as a U.S. Department of State “Professional in Residence”. I co-founded the International Center for Public Librarianship at the Queens Borough Public Library. I have been a member of the American Library Association/Public Library Association (ALA/PLA) for more than 20 years. Although I love my career, my proudest accomplishment is being the mother of two daughters and grandmother of five children.

You were the President of the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association, Why this association?, What is its mission?, What were your role as President?

Actually I am now past-President, although I am still a member of the PLA Board of Directors. My term as President ended with the conclusion of the 2009 ALA Annual Conference. I became involved with the Public Library Association because it is the best organization for public librarians. PLA’s core purpose is to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve and I was excited to work with my colleagues to support and strengthen this idea. PLA’s mission statement (written in 2001) is:

The Public Library Association enhances the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services. This mission positions PLA to:

• Focus its efforts on serving the needs of its members
• Address issues which affect public libraries
• Commit to quality public library services that benefit the general public
  

Is the public library prepared to handle with the global financial crisis that currently we live?

When times are difficult, library use goes up and American public libraries have shown that they are ready and willing to assist their communities. Whether focusing on people who have lost their jobs by providing job search services, resume writing workshops, and technology skills workshops, or helping patrons survive the troubled economy with seminars on money-saving tips and financial issues, or even collecting food for fines to donate to local food pantries, libraries are meeting the needs of their patrons. Public libraries also offer recreational opportunities for individuals and families that would be out of reach for many people when the economy takes a downturn.

Unfortunately, the increase in circulation has not been met with an increase in funding, so librarians must be even more resourceful, finding ways to meet the needs of their users and acquiring new and updated technologies, while keeping a close eye on the budget. This means setting priorities for library services. Librarians must decide which services are essential in their communities and forego those which serve fewer people or are too expensive to continue. This process requires the support of funding authorities and library users. More libraries are forced to seek private funding for special activities at a time when other community organizations are attempting to secure those same dollars.

Everyone knows that the library system is one of the most prestigious in North America, but have you noticed any changes in the number of people who visit the public libraries?

American public libraries have experienced a surge in usage. According to Library Journal, circulation in libraries is up 5.6 percent this year. (1) The July/August 2009 issue of Public Libraries (2) focuses on the economy and there are many articles and interviews with librarians, many detailing very high jumps in circulation and usage for this year.

1. Barbara Hoffert, “It’s The Economy,” Library Jouranl 134 no 3 (Feb. 15, 2009).
2. Public Libraries, July/August 2009, Volume 45, No. 4.

From your experience, what suggestions do you have for encouraging more people to read?

One of our core values is to ensure the future of a literate society, so public libraries must not lose their emphasis on books and reading. We know people come in to use our computers to access the Internet, but while they are there, we hope to engage them with special displays of books. Preparing bibliographies which offer intriguing annotations is another way to encourage reading. Library collections must reflect the interests of the community which they serve. If the collection is not relevant, it will not be read. Librarians should not decide what their patrons SHOULD read; they must determine what their community residents WANT to read. Readers Advisory services are essential. The entire staff can become involved in recommending books with patrons, starting book discussion clubs, or investigate developing one book, one city opportunities (where all residents of the city are encouraged to read the same book).

One very important way to encourage reading is to provide special services to children and teenagers. When youngsters develop a love of reading it will become a lifelong habit. Libraries have endless opportunities to connect people with books.

By the way, What book are you reading?

In addition to a few mystery novels, I am reading “The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court”, by Jeffrey Toobin. This is especially pertinent because we have just had the first person of Hispanic heritage, and the third woman, appointed to the Supreme Court.

Practically speaking, how much of a challenge is it for the library to fulfill its traditional mission and at the same to establish and maintain digital initiatives?

The greatest challenge is determining how much money to spend on digital services versus more traditional print media. While librarians enthusiastically embrace digital information formats, public library users have not been quite as enthusiastic and the use of full text, online databases and other digital information in most public libraries, remains less than optimal. That makes budget decisions even more difficult. It is a continuing balancing act.

Based on your experience, what skills does a person need to become a librarian?

Public librarians must be caring individuals. They must care about individual users and the community in its entirety. They must care about providing quality library service. They must care about developing collections which meet the needs of their users. They must care about investigating new services and technologies. They must care about continuing their own professional development. A sense of humor doesn’t hurt, either.

What impression do you have of Spaniards information professionals? Are there any differences with USA professionals?

In my travels, I have found that there is more which unites us as information professionals than which divides us. In each country, we serve people to the best of our abilities. We also face the same obstacles: not enough space; not enough staff; not enough money. Spanish information professionals, like their U.S. counterparts, are proud of the work they do and are passionate about libraries and the opportunities which libraries offer to people.

Please describe a "dream, well-prepared-to-serve-public library," so we all know what to fight for in our communities.

Wow! That’s a tremendous question.

Dedicated, well-trained, and caring staff, in numbers sufficient to serve the entire community, would welcome all people with a broad array of collections, programs and services to meet their needs, in a safe, clean and accessible facility. State-of-the-art technology would be available at no cost to people of all ages, with materials to address a variety of languages and other specialized needs. Children's librarians and young adult specialists would be on duty all of the hours that the library was open. Libraries would be open 7 days a week and virtual, online services would be available 24 hours per day. Books and other media would be available in libraries on the same day that they are available in stores. Digital content would be available remotely in schools, homes and offices. Citizens and government officials would value the role of the library in their community and would fight to provide free and equal library service to all people.

Is there anything else that you want to add or that you wish I'd asked you about?

Thank you very much for this opportunity.

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