Innovative new approaches to working with community are being explored and implemented at Halifax Public Libraries. By integrating community led approaches into the way in which we provide services with (not just for) community, I truly believe public libraries across North America will need to revisit the role community plays in service identification, development and delivery – and the type of skills that are needed by library professionals (see Proposed CLA session Here). This was displayed – in part -two weeks ago when seventeen library systems from across North America listened to the EI presentation on the Integration of Community Led Library Services at Halifax Public Libraries.

On Tuesday we, along with staff sent from Toronto Public Libraries to learn about Halifax’s work, visited SIM to present a brown bag lunch seminar. Approximately seven students were in attendance. We appreciate their attendance and participation in the session. I believe there are ~ 50 students in both the first and second year – totalling over 100 students.

This makes me wonder why attendance was so low?

Is there an interest by library students in the development of innovative approaches to working with community (which by the way could also be used in an academic library setting)?

Are library students interested in public library services?

Or is the low turnout a reflection of the time of year (with assignments being due soon) or was it the perception that this session would be redundant, based on a session given last spring?

~ Ken