Libraries Taking the Lane: Using Bikes to Connect Communities
Saturday, March 24, 2018, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, 204 ABC
Biking is one of the most income-diverse activities in the country. As libraries strive to move beyond our walls, partner with grassroots organizations, leverage placemaking movements, and empower our patrons, bikes are emerging as more than a means of transportation. Following a brief presentation by panelists, facilitated discussions will examine how bike programs allow libraries to reach underserved patrons. From youth-led bike shops to a national movement of book bikes, cycling connects communities.
At the end of this session, participants will:
1: Learn how bicycles can bridge access gaps within the community 2: Be confident in building a bicycle-based library that connects people to places and ideas 3: Identify partnerships with local bike organizations, businesses and clubs
The session organizer(s) identified this session as appropriate for:
Level 1: People with no previous knowledge of the topic.
This session will have: High interaction (examples: facilitated discussion; small group collaborative work; hands-on activity or application)
Handouts: Download 1 Download 2 Download 3 Download 4 Download 5 Download 6
Track: Collaborate
Tags: Spaces and Places, Adult Services, Equity of Access, Hot Topics, Innovation, Outreach Services
Presenters
Emily Weak, Librarian II
Oakland Public Library , Oakland , CA
Emily Weak is currently an Adult Services librarian for the Oakland Public Library, where she sometimes pulls the bike library and always enjoys putting together fun programs that combine bikes and libraries. She is founder of the blog Hiring Librarians. Prior to becoming a librarian, Ms. Weak was variously: a circus student, a cheesemonger, and a grocery store manager. Last May she biked more than 700 miles for the library in the Bike Month competition.
Karen Greene, Librarian on the Move
Pima County Public Library , Tucson , AZ
Karen has been an adult services librarian for the past twelve years, and prior to that spent twelve years as a middle school librarian. She started the Bookbike project at the Pima County Public Library in 2012 and is proud that bookbikes are well on the way to world domination with over 90 Bookbikes around the world. She is a 2016 Library Journal Mover and Shaker for her bookbike work.
Dan Beringhele, Librarian
Berkeley Public Library , Berkeley , CA
Dan is a Reference Librarian at the Berkeley Public Library where, among a myriad of other duties, he operates the Library on Wheels, a bike library used for outreach in the community. He also organizes programs for the cyclists in Berkeley. Dan was Alameda County's 2016 Bike Commuter of the Year.
Erin Sanders, Branch Manager
Oakland Public Library , Oakland , CA
Erin has worked in libraries for 18 years, from the private archives of famous cartoonists to large urban public libraries. She enjoys incorporating her love of bikes into programming ideas and outreach events.
Jody Lazar, Community Librarian
Winter Park Public Library , Winter Park , FL
Jody Lazar has been a Community Librarian for not quite 2 years. In less than a year on her bookbike (which was donated by an Eagle Scout), she has interacted with over 2,000 individuals at over 30 events. Her library also has eight bicycles that can be checked out daily. She was a co-founder of a bike and walk to school program (Walk 'n Roll) that expanded county-wide.
Nicholas Escalante, Senior Library Outreach Supervisor
Tempe Public Library , Tempe , AZ
Nick Escalante is currently Senior Library Outreach Supervisor for Tempe Public Library in Arizona. Outreach services are provided both inside and outside the walls of the library. Non-traditional techniques are used to promote and educate the community on what library outreach programs provides. This includes coordinating programs for all ages at multiple locations which serve the needs of the community. Coordinating, linking and networking with community partners provide the ability for a variety of services.