Much thanks to Leslie Burger, American Library Association President, for instituting the Emerging Leaders initiative and kudos to Connie Paul, Director of the Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative for managing the project, inspiring “greatness” in a new crop of librarians through her rich insights!

Leslie Burger teamed up with Deena Ebbert, FISH Philosopher, on January 21, 2007 at the ALA President’s Program to share the FISH! Philosophy:

1. Be there
2. Play
3. Make someone’s day
4. Choose your attitude about how you come to work

Guess who was lucky enough to see “greatness” and FISH philosophy in action?

Though most of my waking hours at the ALA 2007 Midwinter Meeting in Seattle, Washington were spent in meetings learning about the impact and structure of the American Library Association, I did get a chance to trek down to the World Famous Pike Place Fish Market to see the icons of attitude on their home turf. I could not resist joining in the fun while purchasing a copy of their latest book, Catch, A Fishmongers Guide to Greatness for my personal collection.

View the video: A Librarian Visits The World Famous Pike Place Fish Market

I think they are! Each one fills it’s own unique niche serving it’s own users.

Recently at the Library, Checkpoint Systems shared a demo of YOUNIQUELY 4 U a content mangement system or should I say, “Patron Recruitment Platform.” The platform can be purchased to manage library web services by “building a catalog of items from the library collection and linking them with associated Youniquely 4 U categories.” Hmmmm. The Platform also includes “hardware, software, and licensing-everything you need to offer a library-branded patron VIP program to every single patron.” Do patrons want coupons for discounted items linked to libraries through corporate support?

The Checkpoint sales rep was professional and informative. It will be interestintg to keep an eye on whether is is possible for libraries to become more unique by investing in services like Youniquely 4 U.

I am searching for the optimal CMS for meduim sized libraries. Any other ideas?