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Reaching diverse clienteleAn interview with Gary Strong, University Librarian, UCLA
Gary Strong is credited with starting many library partnerships and programs that go beyond traditional library service and address the specific needs of the community. Currently the University Librarian at UCLA in Los Angeles, he served as State Librarian of California from 1980–1994 and Director of the Queens Borough (New York) Public Library from 1994–2003.Under Strong’s leadership, the Queens Library—the busiest and most diverse public library in the United States—won the IMLS National Award for Library Service in 2000 for “keeping a close watch on neighborhood changes, and suggesting ways the library’s resources can fill emerging needs.” The Queens Library has the largest circulation among public libraries in the United States and serves more than 2.3 million people—half of whom speak languages other than English. At Queens, Strong also started the Page Fellows Program, Summer Reading Clubs with Newsday, Open Mic Nights for Young Adults, adult learning centers, coping skills programs for new Americans and the Connecting Libraries and Schools project. Strong has also been instrumental in establishing literacy programs throughout California. He created the California Literacy Campaign, the Families for Literacy Program and the California Research Bureau. As a librarian and library administrator for the past 30 years, Strong has a unique perspective on social challenges facing the public library sector. Age: 60 Undergraduate degree: B.S. Education, University of Idaho Graduate degree: AMLS University of Michigan Why you love libraries: Libraries are the one institution left in our society that allow an individual to direct their experience; to seek out and explore whatever one wants. Libraries are fundamental to our democracy and way of life in that they collect our heritage and history, allowing it to be used and accessed for individual good. The information and knowledge held in libraries empower people to take charge of their lives, their governments and their communities. Working style: I like working with people to pull their potential out and let it flourish. There are times when one has to be firm and focused, but most of the time there is great opportunity for creativity and differing points of view. Tips for librarians to think “outside the box”: Librarians need to think in terms of how their services will make a difference in someone’s life, how their services impact the community in which they work, and the new knowledge that can be created if one thinks beyond the norms of the past. Focus on the future; understand and believe in the global context of life. What motivates you: Seeing people achieve the greatest potential possible. Exploring new aspects of the profession as University Librarian at UCLA. Thinking about new avenues of scholarly communication. What you are passionate about: Books, reading and children. Children get only one chance to be children. As a society, we must embrace their potential to build our future. Best thing about libraries: Too many bests to enumerate—they work best when they treat patrons like individuals whose needs are the most important thing on their agenda. Worst thing about libraries: Making them hard to use! Too many rules standing between patrons and what they want. Top three issues facing libraries today: (1) Adequate financial resources—money, money, money. (2) Narrow view of the library’s potential in the global view. (3) Enough qualified staff who believe in customer-centered services. The future of libraries: The future is rich with opportunity. Academic libraries must adjust to serve the needs within higher education to remain the core of the academy. Favorite authors: Bill Pronzini, Marcia Muller, Michael Connelly, Robert Parker. (I collect and read California mystery writers and mysteries set in California, with some notable exceptions.) Last nonfiction book read: Coast of Dreams: California on the Edge, 1990-2000, by Kevin Starr Last fiction book read: When Red is Black, by Qiu Xiaolong Library hero/heroine: Lawrence Clark Powell Favorite food: A really good porterhouse steak. Favorite television show: Smallville (I do love the comics!) Last movie seen: Ray—fantastic! Favorite Web site: www.library.ucla.edu (Come on, what else could I say!) Type of music: Classical, pop, rock Significant life experience: Standing on the Great Wall of China and walking in Red Square—all in one summer. Favorite pastimes: Reading, working on my book collection (fine printing and artists’ books), the beach, good food and wine. Best three library programs/partnerships you initiated: The California Literacy Campaign (California State Library), the California Research Bureau and the Page Fellows Program at Queens. How libraries can cater to diverse clientele: Don’t bother to “cater” at all. Develop collections services that embrace who lives in the community and offer them on a universal access platter. Celebrate the cultures and traditions of those who live near the library. We are all people with information needs. We should not have to sort out what is “special” for us. Libraries should anticipate what we want and need and offer it without any particular note that makes anyone feel uncomfortable. Tips for library advocacy: Know your constituency and relate to it. If an elected official has a spouse who is an avid library user, get to know them well. Be honest and tell the story the way it is—even if it is not what someone wants to hear. Memorable library experience: Listening to adult learners tell the story of what reading means to them and how learning to read has changed their lives. Watching a father read to his child. Seeing the light in a child’s eyes who has discovered something new. A great idea for libraries: Be creative, take a risk, do something someone has told you can’t be done.
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