Another international linterview, from a pioneer in Library 2.0, a great gal and much appreciated friend.

Helene Blowers is the Public Services Technology Director for The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC), Charlotte, North Carolina, USA overseeing both IT and Web Services for the library’s 24 branch locations and 18 websites. During her tenure with PLCMC, she has trained hundreds of staff on new technologies, lead the development of several award-winning library websites, and provided leadership that has helped PLCMC gain an international reputation as an innovative library. She is the architect and developer of Learning 2.0 (http://plcmclearning.blogspot.com), an online discovery program designed to encourage library staff to explore new technologies which has been duplicated by libraries world-wide.  She was here recently for the NSW Country Libraries conference and also presented at sessions on Web 2.0 in Melbourne and Sydney. She will be back in February to present a keynote at VALA.

What was your first library job?

It may sound like a cliché to say that my first job was as a library page because it seems that so many librarians start out this way,  but it’s true.   I actually credit Sheri Rutledge, a high school classmate, for my start in libraries since it was she who decided to vacate the minimum wage position for a more glamorous career serving up buttered popcorn and Laffy Taffy at the local movie theatre.   My parents, who had been reluctant to let me take on a part time job at the age of 16 flipping burgers (the hours were too late), saw a “library page” as a studious and scholarly choice that would potentially, both, help me keep my grades up and myself out of trouble.  And while I ended up working at the public library through high school until the end of my senior year, the “job” didn’t really work well in achieving either goal. 

Why do you work in the library field?

For the high-altitude thrills and gravity-defying head rushes, why else?   Seriously though, libraries can be exciting places to work.  I personally was drawn back to working in libraries as a technology trainer after working several years in the corporate sector because of the life long learning focus.  I find it rewarding to work in a field that empowers people, engages the community, and opens up new channels for individuals to achieve personal success. 

What is your earliest memory of a library?

This is an easy one… the hippo bubbler in the children’s room fish tank.   This little ceramic hippo, which regularly opened its mouth to release an air bubble, use to fascinate me as a preschooler whenever we visited the library for story hour.   I used to wonder how hippo could breathe underwater and if he ever occasionally caught a fish.   Picture books were an interest at this age, but that ceramic hippo?  He was magical.

What advice would you give to new librarians starting out today?

Another easy question… here goes.  If you want to succeed and standout in your career choice (and this advice pertains to anyone starting a career in any field, not just libraries) always demonstrate your leadership potential.   If you have a great idea that you think is worth pursuing, don’t ask for permission to try it; always ask for their support in leading it.   And when you pitch the idea to a senior staff member, don’t throw out a half formed idea hoping for the best; instead, be prepared to offer up a well thought out project proposal.    By being willing to offer leadership for your ideas, you’ll be more likely to succeed in gathering champions.   But what’s equally important as gaining allies for your ideas is that along the way you’ll also earn respect as valuable team member who is willing to help move your organization forward.

What 3 skills/characteristics do you think are important for
librarians to have in the 21st century?

Adaptability, critical thinking skills & creativity  – but not necessarily in that order