My thanks to those of you stop by from time-to-time for doing so; and my best wishes to you for a healthy, happy, and, I hope, fun-filled, 2012.
So, how are you going to try to incorporate some fun into your work environment (or personal life, for that matter)? I plan to stick to some tried and true methods, like hanging out with people that are fun and continuing to wear silly hats and mismatched socks for no reason except that people smile when they see me so attired to name but two.
As I pick up new ideas I will share them; and I hope you will do likewise.
Cheers!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
MBTI
Shortly after I started work at University of the Pacific I met with all the members of the library to get better acquainted with them. Even though most had met me during the interview those impressions were probably incompletely formed.
Even then I was looking for ways for us to get to know one another better so I played a little game involving my Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). There are basically four sets of indicators and each person has their own based on answering many questions. The types are:
Favorite world: Do you prefer to focus on the outer world or on your own inner world? This is called Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I).
Information: Do you prefer to focus on the basic information you take in or do you prefer to interpret and add meaning? This is called Sensing (S) or Intuition (N).
Decisions: When making decisions, do you prefer to first look at logic and consistency or first look at the people and special circumstances? This is called Thinking (T) or Feeling (F).
Structure: In dealing with the outside world, do you prefer to get things decided or do you prefer to stay open to new information and options? This is called Judging (J) or Perceiving (P).
It was great fun; almost everybody participated; and those who guessed correctly were fed pizza.
So, can you guess my MBTI? (I can't guarantee pizza if you guess correctly).
(PS - My team did something similar at Santa Clara, but there we had to guess one another's MBTI; again lots of fun.)
Even then I was looking for ways for us to get to know one another better so I played a little game involving my Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). There are basically four sets of indicators and each person has their own based on answering many questions. The types are:
Favorite world: Do you prefer to focus on the outer world or on your own inner world? This is called Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I).
Information: Do you prefer to focus on the basic information you take in or do you prefer to interpret and add meaning? This is called Sensing (S) or Intuition (N).
Decisions: When making decisions, do you prefer to first look at logic and consistency or first look at the people and special circumstances? This is called Thinking (T) or Feeling (F).
Structure: In dealing with the outside world, do you prefer to get things decided or do you prefer to stay open to new information and options? This is called Judging (J) or Perceiving (P).
It was great fun; almost everybody participated; and those who guessed correctly were fed pizza.
So, can you guess my MBTI? (I can't guarantee pizza if you guess correctly).
(PS - My team did something similar at Santa Clara, but there we had to guess one another's MBTI; again lots of fun.)
Monday, December 19, 2011
What are your 12 gifts?
We all know the routine of what's given/received on the 12 Days of Christmas, but this has been extended to 12 gifts of San Francisco, wine lovers, and so forth and so on and way beyond the carol.
Well, what gifts would you/your team/your organization like to give/receive? and can you get to 12? This could actually be a fun internal and/or external public relations opportunity to put on your web page at the appropriate time of year.
In any event, best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season and a joyous new year :)
Well, what gifts would you/your team/your organization like to give/receive? and can you get to 12? This could actually be a fun internal and/or external public relations opportunity to put on your web page at the appropriate time of year.
In any event, best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season and a joyous new year :)
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
One Fun Thing
Credit for this must go to onefunthing.com which I saw on a bumper sticker in the parking lot of the hotel where I stayed the last weekend for my nephew's wedding. That said, it is a nice idea, right?
It might not be that every day we could or should try to think of one fun thing to acknowledge, but there are days when there is something obvious; and on those funkilicious days - see previous post - a little effort might bring something to the fore.
Here is my fun thing for today. I had a a delightful lunch with two former colleagues from Santa Clara University. The time just whizzed by with chatter about the mundane and, at moments, the sublime. Before we knew it, it was time to start thinking about out next get together and that's always a good way to end a visit.
What is your fun thing for today (or whatever today you happen to come across this)?
As for me, I'm going to keep on staying attuned for that obvious or subtle occurrence that brings a smile to my face.
Cheerio!
It might not be that every day we could or should try to think of one fun thing to acknowledge, but there are days when there is something obvious; and on those funkilicious days - see previous post - a little effort might bring something to the fore.
Here is my fun thing for today. I had a a delightful lunch with two former colleagues from Santa Clara University. The time just whizzed by with chatter about the mundane and, at moments, the sublime. Before we knew it, it was time to start thinking about out next get together and that's always a good way to end a visit.
What is your fun thing for today (or whatever today you happen to come across this)?
As for me, I'm going to keep on staying attuned for that obvious or subtle occurrence that brings a smile to my face.
Cheerio!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Funk-Busters
I've been in a funk lately and for a while, too - that's one reason there haven't been any postings since -argh! - September. (This is also a request for you - any of you - to post from time-to-time. I tend to work better with someone, whether in person or virtually.)
I got to thinking about what we do individually or collectively (as a team, organization, etc) to get out of a funk or at least moderate it somewhat. For me, this usually means listening to or playing music or revisiting a favorite book or lingering on a happy memory - but in this case, the key was going through my sock drawer and finding my Bullwinkle socks. I immediately put them on and, yep, I started to feel better.
Okay, those are some of my tricks. What are yours? Have you thought about making a list and then when the moment is right and appropriate picking and choosing to give yourself/team a lift? You know, when troubled by doubt and uncertainty, call Funk-Busters!
I got to thinking about what we do individually or collectively (as a team, organization, etc) to get out of a funk or at least moderate it somewhat. For me, this usually means listening to or playing music or revisiting a favorite book or lingering on a happy memory - but in this case, the key was going through my sock drawer and finding my Bullwinkle socks. I immediately put them on and, yep, I started to feel better.
Okay, those are some of my tricks. What are yours? Have you thought about making a list and then when the moment is right and appropriate picking and choosing to give yourself/team a lift? You know, when troubled by doubt and uncertainty, call Funk-Busters!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Eastern Great Lakes IUG Meeting: 18 fun ideas
EGL-IUG
Ideas for Fun in the Workplace
September, 2011
1. Throwing fish
2. Taco bar
3. Music
4. Dress UP for Halloween
5. Themed T-shirts
6. Jeans day
7. Shoes are optional day
8. Disc golf through the library
9. Office Olympics: chair racing; synchronized book shelving, etc.
10. Book Cart Drill Team
11. Pickle contest day
12. Pet to work day (real or imaginary – remember Harvey!)
13. Build a robot with library materials
14. Wacky Day – Anything goes!
15. Birthdays
16. Create your own job title day
17. Pot lucks with other departments/organizations
18. Crazy staff days (my staff was crazy on most days, actually): Minute-to-win-it; bowling; geo caching (http://www.geocaching.com/); miniature golf.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Desk Potatoes
There was a headline in Sunday's (9/11) New York Times that read No More Desk Potatoes and referred specifically to the world of late night talk shows and how they are evolving away from the long time and traditional paradigm of a desk and a couch.
But it made me think that there probably people in your organization who are indeed Desk Potatoes - they sit in their office, cubicle, etc., for what seems to be all the time, diligently working on this, that, or the other - and are rarely seen outside that habitat.
Well, why not have some fun with these folks using as a prop, just for example, Mr. Potato Head. When in the independent judgment of some individual (or group) in the organization it is decided that a colleague has achieved a certain degree of Desk Potatoeness, confer upon them the royal order of The Desk Potato by giving them a My. Potato Head with the person's name taped on, inscribed, etc., with a note commending them on their accomplishment and also an invitation to come out and have coffee, for example, and temporarily escape their Desk Potato-osity! This is intended to be all in fun, so be sure the person who receives this honor have a good sense of humor and can stand a little teasing.
But it made me think that there probably people in your organization who are indeed Desk Potatoes - they sit in their office, cubicle, etc., for what seems to be all the time, diligently working on this, that, or the other - and are rarely seen outside that habitat.
Well, why not have some fun with these folks using as a prop, just for example, Mr. Potato Head. When in the independent judgment of some individual (or group) in the organization it is decided that a colleague has achieved a certain degree of Desk Potatoeness, confer upon them the royal order of The Desk Potato by giving them a My. Potato Head with the person's name taped on, inscribed, etc., with a note commending them on their accomplishment and also an invitation to come out and have coffee, for example, and temporarily escape their Desk Potato-osity! This is intended to be all in fun, so be sure the person who receives this honor have a good sense of humor and can stand a little teasing.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Spin-It-In-A-Minute
This is another wonderful idea from Paula Popma, former AUL for Tech Services at Santa Clara and now in a similar role at Fresno State.
She came up with the idea of regular, but highly informal and casual “gatherings,” to which all library personnel would be invited and given the opportunity to tell others what they were working on (or had completed) what was coming up, etc. She made sure that these gatherings coincided with the availability of the University Librarian as she was the person most people wanted to hear from, and not in a formal staff meeting or electronic mail message.
Each person is limited to 1 minute to spin their story – ergo the title, Spin It In A Minute – and an egg timer would be used to enforce the limit.
And no one would be compelled to say anything!
At first these turned out to be what was expected – this is what I did, here’s what’s coming up, here’s some news I think you should be aware of, etc.
But soon people began to share more personal information: I am going on vacation, it’s been 10 years that I have been cancer-free; and more. And then there began to be shout-outs to people who had helped, assisted and otherwise given a hand to a colleague or colleagues for one reason or another.
To make sure that everyone in the library shared the fun – yes, it did turn out to be a lot of fun – Paula wrote up a summary of the Spin-It and distributed to the all-library email list.
This turned out to be multiple win program: An informal means of communication was developed and became a part of the library culture; and library personnel got to know one another better and got closer together than might otherwise have been the case; and to repeat, it turned out to be Fun :)
The only caution is that this is best suited for small to medium organizations (ca 30 people). After that it gets a little unwieldy and may have to be done at the department or divisional level.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Legion of Honor Award
This is a contribution from Paul Adalian, currently Dean of the Library at Southern Oregon University and previously Dean of the Library at CSU-Channel Islands and Head of Reference at Cal State, San Luis Obispo. I like this because it is both award and recognition and also a whole lot of fun!
"One of the things I do is give awards to library staff, teaching faculty, etc. One favorite and well received award and fun activity is the Legion of Honor. I go to a trophy shop and get a blank medal and they place the name of the person and Library Legion of Honor and of course it has the red, white, and blue ribbon. We play the music from the Olympics when people come up to receive. Everyone's going crazy. We line up all the recipients and then we play the Marseilles and I put the medal on each then give them the three kisses. People are going crazy."
"One of the things I do is give awards to library staff, teaching faculty, etc. One favorite and well received award and fun activity is the Legion of Honor. I go to a trophy shop and get a blank medal and they place the name of the person and Library Legion of Honor and of course it has the red, white, and blue ribbon. We play the music from the Olympics when people come up to receive. Everyone's going crazy. We line up all the recipients and then we play the Marseilles and I put the medal on each then give them the three kisses. People are going crazy."
Friday, September 9, 2011
International Talk Like a Pirate Day
September 19, 2011 - International Talk Like a Pirate Day - This is without a doubt one of the days I most enjoy. I mean you get to find your inner pirate through dress and language. Savor the moment and encourage your colleagues and coworkers to wear something pirate-ish (I'll be wearing a hat, but eye patches, bandanas, boots, etc. are all just dandy) and speak in the lingo, you know, avast ye mateys and move smartly on that project lest ye walk the plank! (In the background you be playing the CD recording of Pirates of Penzance!) If you have some disposable income, provide chocolate treats to anyone who without being in on the fun understands what's going on; two pieces if they join in!
Naturally there is a web site that expounds at greater length about the wonderful silliness: http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html
and another with even more pirate lingo: http://www.pirateglossary.com/
Finally, there is a place that will assign you a pirate name- www.fidius.org. I pursued this and learned my pirate name isCaptain Tom Cash:
Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. You're musical, and you've got a certain style if not flair. You'll do just fine. Arr!
And with that, I bid you calm seas and fair winds!
Naturally there is a web site that expounds at greater length about the wonderful silliness: http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html
and another with even more pirate lingo: http://www.pirateglossary.com/
Finally, there is a place that will assign you a pirate name- www.fidius.org. I pursued this and learned my pirate name isCaptain Tom Cash:
Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. You're musical, and you've got a certain style if not flair. You'll do just fine. Arr!
And with that, I bid you calm seas and fair winds!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Feedback and Help
I want to thank those of you who have taken the time to stop by and read these postings. And I would like now to ask for your feedback and help.
Feedback:
Do you find these postings interesting, useful, relevant, etc. to your work environment? If not, do you have suggestions for making them more so?
Have you tried any of these ideas or variations on them? If so, how did it/they work out? Inquiring minds want to know!
Help:
If you find this blog and postings helpful or provocative or interesting or not boring, please forward the link to colleagues or friends of yours who might not have found it on their own and invite them to stop by and give a look.
And, if you have something to contribute, please feel free to post or add a comment. As much as I love the sound of my typing (and voice), even I have a limit!
Thanks so much!
Feedback:
Do you find these postings interesting, useful, relevant, etc. to your work environment? If not, do you have suggestions for making them more so?
Have you tried any of these ideas or variations on them? If so, how did it/they work out? Inquiring minds want to know!
Help:
If you find this blog and postings helpful or provocative or interesting or not boring, please forward the link to colleagues or friends of yours who might not have found it on their own and invite them to stop by and give a look.
And, if you have something to contribute, please feel free to post or add a comment. As much as I love the sound of my typing (and voice), even I have a limit!
Thanks so much!
Monday, July 4, 2011
You Know You Might Be A .../Work At A.../etc.
This is inspired partially by the "You Know You Might be a Redneck" comedy folks and by one of my smart cousin's ideas You Know You Work at [name omitted to protect the innocent]."
This is a trip into corporate culture and can range from responses broadly drawn from your profession, i.e. I know I might be a librarian if I charge my friends and family overdue fines on books I lend them, to responses more specific to the organization in which you work, i.e., I know I work for ABC corp because everything I write is in UPPER CASE.
This could be a fun thing to put on an intranet; it could and probably would grow lover time; and since contributions would be anonymous, participation is encouraged.
This is a trip into corporate culture and can range from responses broadly drawn from your profession, i.e. I know I might be a librarian if I charge my friends and family overdue fines on books I lend them, to responses more specific to the organization in which you work, i.e., I know I work for ABC corp because everything I write is in UPPER CASE.
This could be a fun thing to put on an intranet; it could and probably would grow lover time; and since contributions would be anonymous, participation is encouraged.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Personalized License Plate
I have been doing a lot of driving lately and have been struck by and impressed by the number of personalized license plates the creativity they display. That led me to think, what would your individual, team, or organizational personalized license plate be? Imagine a 7 character limit, per California.
FYI, mine would probably be FUN MAN or SMLNFAC.
FYI, mine would probably be FUN MAN or SMLNFAC.
What makes you smile, laugh, grin, etc.?
We all have something, right, that no matter what, the mere memory of which brings smile to our face. It could be an old picture; a puppy or kitten frolicking; staring in the mirror and gazing at your missing front teeth as a child; a joke; a line of dialog; a word?; who knows?
(For me the surefire smile generators are the word gesortenplatz and the memory of my late wife mispronouncing Kofi Annan as Afikomen, the part of the matzoh the gets hidden on Passover!)
In any event, one way to start building a list of activities that make people smile is to learn more about what people like to smile at.
So, let's make a little list, shall we? I think we can get to at least 50. Ready, set, go!
(For me the surefire smile generators are the word gesortenplatz and the memory of my late wife mispronouncing Kofi Annan as Afikomen, the part of the matzoh the gets hidden on Passover!)
In any event, one way to start building a list of activities that make people smile is to learn more about what people like to smile at.
So, let's make a little list, shall we? I think we can get to at least 50. Ready, set, go!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Fun With Chairs
This little game can be played in organizations of almost any size - all that is really needed is chairs and a sense of adventure!
OK - Let's say we have 9 people in three groups of three - just for the sake of demonstration - and 10 chairs. The object is for each group of three to design as many shapes, objects, forms, etc. in 15 minutes that make use of all 10 chairs - I would argue there should be a minimum of two designs per group. They do this using a piece of paper and crayons (or pencil or pen, I suppose). When the 15 minutes is expired, each group gets to implement its design using the chairs. When all the groups have displayed an example of their creativity and imagination, their designs are shared with the other groups and then all the designs are shared with the larger workgroup, team, organization, etc.
Then, at your next meeting, start with the chairs in one of your arrangements, or rearrange the chairs at a convenient break in the meeting and give people the chance to see things from a different perspective - you never know what might result. At the least, a smile; at the most, a creative breakthrough - I'll take those outcomes anytime!
OK - Let's say we have 9 people in three groups of three - just for the sake of demonstration - and 10 chairs. The object is for each group of three to design as many shapes, objects, forms, etc. in 15 minutes that make use of all 10 chairs - I would argue there should be a minimum of two designs per group. They do this using a piece of paper and crayons (or pencil or pen, I suppose). When the 15 minutes is expired, each group gets to implement its design using the chairs. When all the groups have displayed an example of their creativity and imagination, their designs are shared with the other groups and then all the designs are shared with the larger workgroup, team, organization, etc.
Then, at your next meeting, start with the chairs in one of your arrangements, or rearrange the chairs at a convenient break in the meeting and give people the chance to see things from a different perspective - you never know what might result. At the least, a smile; at the most, a creative breakthrough - I'll take those outcomes anytime!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Chapeaux Days
Hats off - groan - to Lynne Lysiak, formerly of Applachian State University for this one!
"Years and years ago, we had two annual Chapeaux Days that I organized - amazing how many participated, and how they made their outfits match the chapeaux or related to their work (people in serials came with hats made out of cereal boxes). Great fun was had by all. Everything from suits and gloves and hats to really wacky creations... Created high energy throughout the staff and we had a mutual admiration break for everyone to get together, laugh and take photos."
"Years and years ago, we had two annual Chapeaux Days that I organized - amazing how many participated, and how they made their outfits match the chapeaux or related to their work (people in serials came with hats made out of cereal boxes). Great fun was had by all. Everything from suits and gloves and hats to really wacky creations... Created high energy throughout the staff and we had a mutual admiration break for everyone to get together, laugh and take photos."
Santa Clara Workshop - 25 Ideas for Fun!
These are all interesting and attractive possibilties, but only if people use them, otherwise they beg the philosophical question, "Does a falling tree make a sound if there is no one to hear it?"
- Laugh-a-Thon
- SUMO wrestling (http://www.partyoutfitters.com/sumo_wrestling_suits.htm)
- Puppet show
- Mime Fest
- Hawaiian Day: Hula Hoops, Hawaiian shirts, Leis, Grass Skirts, etc.
- Dunk tank
- Pie eating with NO hands
- Pyjamas to work day; also, sleepover in the office!
- Black tie Friday - either wear a formal outfit or just wear a black tie!
- Bring you pet to work day
- Halloween Costumes and Decoration
- Walk Backwards Day
- Technology Free Day (from personal experience this is a winner!)
- Karaoke
- Marathon of Anything
- Corny Joke Day
- Choose Your Character Day
- Show Your Talent Day
- Work Outside Day
- Adult Beverage Day
- Pig Latin Day (also Speak Like a Pirate or Speak Like a CB-er, etc.)
- Trade Places Day (switch work responsibilities with colleagues and administrators)
- Celebrate Unbirthday Day
- Game Day/Grammar School Game Day
- Celebrate April 11th (allegedly the most boring day of the 20th century) - http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/04/11/135314332/if-april-11-1954-was-so-dull-why-do-we-keep-talking-about-it
Monday, May 2, 2011
The Birthday Hat
I was in a novelty store and found a birthday hat with candles on it and thought - Here's an easy way to celebrate an occasion and have a little fun, too.
The idea is simple. Give a team member, colleague, co-worker the birthday hat to wear on their birthday, complete with a rendition of Happy Birthday. Then, have that person pass the hat along to the next team member on their birthday and so on and so forth. This requires that birthday information be available and that might not always be the case. But if people see how much fun the celebrant and celebrators are having they may wish to provide that information just to have the opportunity to wear the birthday hat for a day. If there are multiple birthdays on a day, the hat can be shared with each person having a chance to wear it.
Photographs are optional but would add a certain zest to the occasion, yes?
The idea is simple. Give a team member, colleague, co-worker the birthday hat to wear on their birthday, complete with a rendition of Happy Birthday. Then, have that person pass the hat along to the next team member on their birthday and so on and so forth. This requires that birthday information be available and that might not always be the case. But if people see how much fun the celebrant and celebrators are having they may wish to provide that information just to have the opportunity to wear the birthday hat for a day. If there are multiple birthdays on a day, the hat can be shared with each person having a chance to wear it.
Photographs are optional but would add a certain zest to the occasion, yes?
Sunday, May 1, 2011
A Favor
Friends, if you are reading this Blog and find the information useful, or at least entertaining, may I ask please that you forward the link to similar and like-minded people who might also find the contents helpful.
I'll post again on Wednesday, May 4, after my first Humor in the Workplace presentation at Santa Clara University.
I'll post again on Wednesday, May 4, after my first Humor in the Workplace presentation at Santa Clara University.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Patience and Fortitude turn 100
Patience and Fortitude, the lions outside The New York Public Library, are about to have their 100th birthdays and the City of New York is looking for creative ways to celebrate. (http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/in-honor-of-a-century-of-patience-and-fortitude/?hp)
What would you suggest to help New Yorkers honor these symbols?
For that matter, does your organization have an important, significant, memorable milestone on the horizon? Are you going to celebrate it? Who will be involved? How will you make it an occasion? These are nice opportunities to share memories and reminiscences and extend the corporate history - real and folkloric - throughout the organization.
(I know that I posted something about this earlier, but these kinds of occasions are such low-hanging fruit in terms of having fun in the workplace that I have never understood why they aren't "plucked" more regularly.)
What would you suggest to help New Yorkers honor these symbols?
For that matter, does your organization have an important, significant, memorable milestone on the horizon? Are you going to celebrate it? Who will be involved? How will you make it an occasion? These are nice opportunities to share memories and reminiscences and extend the corporate history - real and folkloric - throughout the organization.
(I know that I posted something about this earlier, but these kinds of occasions are such low-hanging fruit in terms of having fun in the workplace that I have never understood why they aren't "plucked" more regularly.)
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Word Search Game
Word Search is a little game that can be adapted to almost any end. Here is an example in which people are asked to find "fun" words:
G C J T Q N P E R D P N T E E
Q H H O N V R E M L G S N E D
U J N U Z E T P A W F N E H G
Z R I Q C H M Y Y P C I M E Z
H P N U G K F E X S F C I E T
B M K U U U L W S G N K R T F
G P A F L Z H E M U R E R B I
F L I N R O Y X R R M R E B H
Y R E L O O F M O T Q A M T S
J S H P W F U N R T S M R P L
S O E I L A I V T X I I A V C
P E Y Q Y Z F J N Y M G D S B
E Z P K H A J F C H O R T L E
U P F S U I X N U T F U F R L
K R E L G G I G V G Y P O A Y
AMUSEMENT
CHORTLE
CHUCKLE
FUN
GIGGLE
GUFFAW
JOY
LAUGHTER
MERRIMENT
MIRTH
PLAYFULNESS
SNICKER
TEEHEE
TOMFOOLERY
WHOOPEE
You can easily imagine other grids that enlighten, inform and/or amuse that are applicable to your workplace.
Here is one place on the Web where you can find a Word Search builder: http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/
I'm sure there are others.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Dress Up Day
There was a time when Casual Workdays were the exception and not the rule. But now, at least in the Silicon Valley part of the Bay Area, the opposite is true. So, how about flipping things around and having a Dress Up Day every now and again, i.e., once a business quarter or academic semester or whatever you feel appropriate? Give everyone the opportunity (and option) to come in all spiffed up. To add to the fun, the Arts & Crafts people in the organization - and there always are some - could be asked to create paper corsages and boutonnieres to enhance the effect!
My guess is that this will get a positive reaction from the members of your organization and the people who come in to use your services.
My guess is that this will get a positive reaction from the members of your organization and the people who come in to use your services.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
It's a Game: Your List of Happy, Cheerful, Fun Song Titles: Part 2
Here is the list of song titles that you created, and we got to 50. You'll notice that the list of titles expanded from the narrow criteria I suggested to a wider and richer selection - that is one of the neat things about games like this - they grow in the playing!
Great Job everyone, and Thanks!
http://www.who-sang-that-song.com/happy-title-songs.html
http://www.who-sang-that-song.com/smile-title-songs.html
5/28/12
Just heard another one: "Are you havin' any fun?" I especially like this:
"Are you havin' any fun?
What y'gettin' out o' livin'?
What good is what you've got
If you're not havin' any fun?"
(Sammy Fain / Jack Yellin)
And, for an even better fun song time, just add a Kazoo solo and that should perk things right up :)
Great Job everyone, and Thanks!
- Walking on Sunshine
- Smile
- Get Happy!
- Make 'em Laugh
- Don't Worry, Be Happy
- Good Day, Sunshine
- I Feel Good
- An die Freude
- You Are the Sunshine of my Love
- You Are My Sunshine
- Happy Trails To You
- Celebrate Good Times
- I Get a Kick Out of You
- Put on a Happy Face
- Joy the the World (Hoyt Axton/Three Dog Night version)
- When You're Smiling
- Let a Smile be Your Umbrella
- Whistle While You Work
- Lovely Day
- Sunny
- It's a Good Day
- Ain't We Got Fun?
- Fun, Fun, Fun
- California Sun (Yea we're out there having fun in the warm California sun)
- Let the Good Times Roll
- I Love to Laugh
- Make Someone Happy
- Happy Days Are Here Again
- What a Wonderful World
- Good Vibrations
- Sunny Side of Life
- Keep on the Sunny Side
- Shiny Happy People
- Happy Talk
- Blue Skies are gonna clear up, Put on a Happy Face
- Good Morning, Starshine
- Here Comes the Sun
- Good Morning, Good Morning (The Beatles)
- Good Morning! (Singing in the Rain)
- So Happy Together
- Happy Happy, Joy Joy
- On The Sunny Side of the Street
- Keep Your Sunny Side Up
- I Want to be Happy
- Oh Happy Day
- Look for the Silver Lining
- Smile Darn Ya, Smile
- We're Off to See the Wizard
- Happy Go Lucky Me
- You Got Trouble (for it's infectious spirit!)
- It's a Lovely Day Today
- Wouldn't it be Loverly?
- It's a Good Day for Singing a Song
- My Funny Valentine
- Happy Birthday
- With a Smile and a Song
- Can't Smile Without You
- When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
- Feelin' Groovy
- Funny Face
- High Hopes
http://www.who-sang-that-song.com/happy-title-songs.html
http://www.who-sang-that-song.com/smile-title-songs.html
5/28/12
Just heard another one: "Are you havin' any fun?" I especially like this:
"Are you havin' any fun?
What y'gettin' out o' livin'?
What good is what you've got
If you're not havin' any fun?"
(Sammy Fain / Jack Yellin)
And, for an even better fun song time, just add a Kazoo solo and that should perk things right up :)
Monday, April 4, 2011
It's a Game: Let's Make a List of Happy Song Titles - Part 1
I have been trying to think of songs that have the word "laugh" in the title. All I could come up with were Make 'em Laugh, from Singin' in the Rain, and I Love to Laugh, from Mary Poppins. Surely there must be more, yes? Then I tried to think of song titles that had the words smile or happy or fun or other such upbeat words and I found myself flailing, although I did come up with Happy Talk from South Pacific and Smile and On the Sunny Side of the Street and Happy Days are Here Again and then, nothing. Clearly I have not spent enough time listening to any form of popular music!
So, please let me out by suggesting song titles that have happy words or sentiments in the them. Without having a clue as to what's involved, I'd love to see if we can get to 50!
Thanks!
===============================================
(Later that night...as they say in the movies)
Okay - so I posted this request to Facebook to get more people involved - always a good technique for having fun at home, in the workplace, or anywhere - and already I have collected an impressive list of song titles which I will share with you tomorrow.
And this is how easy it is or can be to initiate a fun, playful or humorous event in your organization. Think of something you are interested in; invite others to participate; and, with a little luck, you've created a pleasant diversion, which is a pretty good outcome.
Thanks - and please keep those song titles coming :)
===============================================
4/6/11
Now, what to do with the song titles that have been collected. (Sorry to not have this list, but I am still getting contributions!) Here are a couple of ideas:
1) Have your team, work group, organization, etc., create a Sound Track for themselves and then use selected titles for encouragement (Smile), completion of a projects (Celebration), to perk of up the day (I Feel Good) or when only a song title will express what you feel (Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious) - you get the idea. You could invest a little money in an iTunes account (or something similar) and have these songs at the ready; or you could make lyrics available for ensemble singing; or you could forward the title and lyrics as appropriate. Then, on a regular basis, change the Sound Track, establish new favorite songs, etc. until the idea wears thin and it's time to move on to something else.
2) Invite your colleagues to test their creativity by asking them to weave the most song titles into a short story. Have a story reading and enjoy the efforts - I'll guess some laughing might take place! Reward everyone who participates with something simple like a coffee card in a reasonable amount or a gift card to the campus or local bookstore, etc. I think this one is more about participation than determining winners or best in class, but you could certainly do that too.
Enjoy!
So, please let me out by suggesting song titles that have happy words or sentiments in the them. Without having a clue as to what's involved, I'd love to see if we can get to 50!
Thanks!
===============================================
(Later that night...as they say in the movies)
Okay - so I posted this request to Facebook to get more people involved - always a good technique for having fun at home, in the workplace, or anywhere - and already I have collected an impressive list of song titles which I will share with you tomorrow.
And this is how easy it is or can be to initiate a fun, playful or humorous event in your organization. Think of something you are interested in; invite others to participate; and, with a little luck, you've created a pleasant diversion, which is a pretty good outcome.
Thanks - and please keep those song titles coming :)
===============================================
4/6/11
Now, what to do with the song titles that have been collected. (Sorry to not have this list, but I am still getting contributions!) Here are a couple of ideas:
1) Have your team, work group, organization, etc., create a Sound Track for themselves and then use selected titles for encouragement (Smile), completion of a projects (Celebration), to perk of up the day (I Feel Good) or when only a song title will express what you feel (Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious) - you get the idea. You could invest a little money in an iTunes account (or something similar) and have these songs at the ready; or you could make lyrics available for ensemble singing; or you could forward the title and lyrics as appropriate. Then, on a regular basis, change the Sound Track, establish new favorite songs, etc. until the idea wears thin and it's time to move on to something else.
2) Invite your colleagues to test their creativity by asking them to weave the most song titles into a short story. Have a story reading and enjoy the efforts - I'll guess some laughing might take place! Reward everyone who participates with something simple like a coffee card in a reasonable amount or a gift card to the campus or local bookstore, etc. I think this one is more about participation than determining winners or best in class, but you could certainly do that too.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Bring Your Talent to Work
This is such a fun way to get to know more about the people you work with.
Designate one hour (or maybe one hour and a half) of one day as Bring Your Talent to Work Time. Invite anyone who wants to participate to sign up so you have a count of how many participants there will be and what their gigs will be so that an information sheet and schedule of activities can be available the day of the event.
Either provide food or encourage people to brown bag it on the day of the event.
And then sit back and have a blast. You'll find knitters and weavers; painters, sculptors and drawers; dancers of every shape and kind; clowns and jugglers; mimes; writers of poetry, fiction, etc; musicians (depending on whether there are noise constraints); and so forth and so on.
I have attended one such Bring Your Talent to Work Day thanks to friends at Innovative Interfaces, Inc., and even participated in it, and a really good time was had by everyone. I think this would be true in your organization, too.
Designate one hour (or maybe one hour and a half) of one day as Bring Your Talent to Work Time. Invite anyone who wants to participate to sign up so you have a count of how many participants there will be and what their gigs will be so that an information sheet and schedule of activities can be available the day of the event.
Either provide food or encourage people to brown bag it on the day of the event.
And then sit back and have a blast. You'll find knitters and weavers; painters, sculptors and drawers; dancers of every shape and kind; clowns and jugglers; mimes; writers of poetry, fiction, etc; musicians (depending on whether there are noise constraints); and so forth and so on.
I have attended one such Bring Your Talent to Work Day thanks to friends at Innovative Interfaces, Inc., and even participated in it, and a really good time was had by everyone. I think this would be true in your organization, too.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Lagniappe
I checked Merriam-Webster online and found this definition of lagniappe: "a small gift given a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase; broadly : something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure." In other words, it is little something extra or unexpected.
When was the last time your organization provided some lagniappe to your external or internal community? It doesn't have to be a big thing - for your external community/users, perhaps it is just a piece of candy at an unexpected moment. One library I know at the end of the academic year gave everyone who left the library a flower!
For the internal community/co-workers/colleagues, the surprise of donuts or bagels is always appreciated. (I am still in the oral stage and stuck on food!)
The idea is the important thing. We all appreciate the something extra and unexpected when we receive it; why shouldn't we enjoy it just as much when we provide it.
Lagniappe - it's a Good Thing.
4/4/11: Today I had lunch with my dad and a friend of his. At the end of the meal - a tasty Chicago hot dog - a gentleman approached our table, looked at my dad and said, paraphrasing that when his Uncle Manny used to take him to Santa Cruz, Uncle Manny always got a chocolate dipped ice cream cone and you sir remind me of my Uncle Manny, so here you go, and handed my dad a chocolate dipped ice cream cone! Well, we were thrilled, and to make the moment better, the gentleman, who it tuned out is part owner of the establishment, offered my dad's friend and me our own ice cream. We declined - a little hot dog goes a long way - but the gesture and the thought were so uplifting that my dad and I talked about it all the way home.
Again I say, Lagniappe is a Good Thing!
When was the last time your organization provided some lagniappe to your external or internal community? It doesn't have to be a big thing - for your external community/users, perhaps it is just a piece of candy at an unexpected moment. One library I know at the end of the academic year gave everyone who left the library a flower!
For the internal community/co-workers/colleagues, the surprise of donuts or bagels is always appreciated. (I am still in the oral stage and stuck on food!)
The idea is the important thing. We all appreciate the something extra and unexpected when we receive it; why shouldn't we enjoy it just as much when we provide it.
Lagniappe - it's a Good Thing.
4/4/11: Today I had lunch with my dad and a friend of his. At the end of the meal - a tasty Chicago hot dog - a gentleman approached our table, looked at my dad and said, paraphrasing that when his Uncle Manny used to take him to Santa Cruz, Uncle Manny always got a chocolate dipped ice cream cone and you sir remind me of my Uncle Manny, so here you go, and handed my dad a chocolate dipped ice cream cone! Well, we were thrilled, and to make the moment better, the gentleman, who it tuned out is part owner of the establishment, offered my dad's friend and me our own ice cream. We declined - a little hot dog goes a long way - but the gesture and the thought were so uplifting that my dad and I talked about it all the way home.
Again I say, Lagniappe is a Good Thing!
Monday, March 14, 2011
How Groucho Helped Make Us a Team
Some years ago I was asked to lead a new organizational entity in our Library called Customer Services. It was a combination of technology training, systems, the periodicals room help desk and the staff from access services (circulation, course reserve, ILL, stack management).
We spent a lot of time getting acquainted, learning where there were already commonalities in our service approach and philosophy, developing our own Mission and Vision statements and Values, etc. But as much as this helped, we still felt that we needed a signature event, program, project of some kind that would firmly unite us as a Team.
Enter Groucho Marx and his old TV show, You Bet Your Life. (See Wikipedia for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Bet_Your_Life)
With the approval of the University Librarian, we decided to have a week devoted to a part of his show in which if a contestant said the "secret word" a duck would descend with a prize. On the show, it was cash; in our game it would be a chocolate cigar.
Everyone pitched in. The arts and crafts folks in the group created the duck and the means for raising and lowering it; the web master gave prominent attention to promoting "Say the Secret Word" week on the website; the technology training team and members of the circ staff worked to create flyers that could be distributed hither and thither, and everyone on the team agreed to a) Wear Groucho glasses for the week that the game was in progress and b) Spend some time at the Circ Desk where the game took place to engage the faculty, students, staff, co-workers and others. To complete the effect, we arranged to have a couple of TV sets near the Circ Desk where we showed episodes from You Bet Your Life.
Sounds great, right?
But there were problems in involving our patrons, specifically, very few of the people who came into the library and to the circ desk had any idea of the TV show (although many/most knew who Groucho was). So, when we tried to get them to say the Secret Word they were flummoxed as to what we were doing. As a result, we basically fed them clues so that they would get the word and we could offload all the chocolate cigars we had.
On the other, this really did turn out to be Customer Services' signature moment. It became an experience that everyone on the team participated in and had a good time with from start to finish. Moreover, our sense of fun was contagious, and as the week progressed colleagues from other parts of the organization joined us at the Circ Desk to participate; some of them even went so far as to don Groucho Glasses and try to help patrons guess whatever the Secret Word happened to be at that moment.
Is it important to have a signature event? For us, the answer was Yes; our not-so-Secret Word became Fun and we made sure it stayed front and center as an essential part of our service philosophy and values.
We spent a lot of time getting acquainted, learning where there were already commonalities in our service approach and philosophy, developing our own Mission and Vision statements and Values, etc. But as much as this helped, we still felt that we needed a signature event, program, project of some kind that would firmly unite us as a Team.
Enter Groucho Marx and his old TV show, You Bet Your Life. (See Wikipedia for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Bet_Your_Life)
With the approval of the University Librarian, we decided to have a week devoted to a part of his show in which if a contestant said the "secret word" a duck would descend with a prize. On the show, it was cash; in our game it would be a chocolate cigar.
Everyone pitched in. The arts and crafts folks in the group created the duck and the means for raising and lowering it; the web master gave prominent attention to promoting "Say the Secret Word" week on the website; the technology training team and members of the circ staff worked to create flyers that could be distributed hither and thither, and everyone on the team agreed to a) Wear Groucho glasses for the week that the game was in progress and b) Spend some time at the Circ Desk where the game took place to engage the faculty, students, staff, co-workers and others. To complete the effect, we arranged to have a couple of TV sets near the Circ Desk where we showed episodes from You Bet Your Life.
Sounds great, right?
But there were problems in involving our patrons, specifically, very few of the people who came into the library and to the circ desk had any idea of the TV show (although many/most knew who Groucho was). So, when we tried to get them to say the Secret Word they were flummoxed as to what we were doing. As a result, we basically fed them clues so that they would get the word and we could offload all the chocolate cigars we had.
On the other, this really did turn out to be Customer Services' signature moment. It became an experience that everyone on the team participated in and had a good time with from start to finish. Moreover, our sense of fun was contagious, and as the week progressed colleagues from other parts of the organization joined us at the Circ Desk to participate; some of them even went so far as to don Groucho Glasses and try to help patrons guess whatever the Secret Word happened to be at that moment.
Is it important to have a signature event? For us, the answer was Yes; our not-so-Secret Word became Fun and we made sure it stayed front and center as an essential part of our service philosophy and values.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Celebrations - Organizational
Do you celebrate your organization's accomplishments? Here are some easy and fairly obvious events that take place during the year that are worthy of applause and cheer.
1) Numbers: Have you reached an important numeric milestone, i.e., number of checkouts, number of people who have come into the building (gate count); instruction sessions taught; reference/research questions answered; etc.? Have a celebration of some sort and be sure to include the members of larger community. Honor the person who was the <n> to enter the building or who had the <x> checkout or who asked the <y> reference/research question.
2) Projects: These happen all the time, right? Fiscal close? Organizational self-study/program review efforts? Web page redesign? A major (or minor) shift of the collection? Celebrate the successful completion of the project in some manner, honor the people who participated and savor a job well done. (If the project is a long one, don't wait until the conclusion to acknowledge the effort - offer support, good cheer and encouragement along the way - think of these as oasis stops on a trip across the desert!)
3) No reason at All: Sometimes there doesn't have to be an explicit reason to celebrate one another. As my dad reminds me, it is not the flowers he brings to my mom on the days she expects them that especially wow her as much as the unexpected flowers he brings just to say "I love you." There is no reason not to do this at work and surprise and honor your colleagues and co-workers.
As with fun in the workplace, it is less important to celebrate one another every day as it is to make celebration of accomplishments - personal and organizational - a part of the organizational culture.
It is like my mom's chicken soup - it couldn't hurt!
1) Numbers: Have you reached an important numeric milestone, i.e., number of checkouts, number of people who have come into the building (gate count); instruction sessions taught; reference/research questions answered; etc.? Have a celebration of some sort and be sure to include the members of larger community. Honor the person who was the <n> to enter the building or who had the <x> checkout or who asked the <y> reference/research question.
2) Projects: These happen all the time, right? Fiscal close? Organizational self-study/program review efforts? Web page redesign? A major (or minor) shift of the collection? Celebrate the successful completion of the project in some manner, honor the people who participated and savor a job well done. (If the project is a long one, don't wait until the conclusion to acknowledge the effort - offer support, good cheer and encouragement along the way - think of these as oasis stops on a trip across the desert!)
3) No reason at All: Sometimes there doesn't have to be an explicit reason to celebrate one another. As my dad reminds me, it is not the flowers he brings to my mom on the days she expects them that especially wow her as much as the unexpected flowers he brings just to say "I love you." There is no reason not to do this at work and surprise and honor your colleagues and co-workers.
As with fun in the workplace, it is less important to celebrate one another every day as it is to make celebration of accomplishments - personal and organizational - a part of the organizational culture.
It is like my mom's chicken soup - it couldn't hurt!
Leadership is Essential
It sounds like it would be an easy thing to develop a culture of fun, play and humor in the workplace; and in some ways it is. But there are some critical issues that have to be considered along the way.
The most essential is to have the support of the leader(s) of your organization. The leader has to, at least, give his/her okay that fun is an acceptable part of the culture; that s/he will endorse fun by allocating time for those who are the "court jesters" to plan and implement activities; provide financial support; and attend and participate in the events (and encourage others too as well).
In some instances the leader may take a much more active role in the planning process and may even create an infrastructure to advance fun in the workplace.
In return, the leader must be kept in the loop about fun programs that are afoot; has his/her calendar checked before the event is scheduled to be sure that the event is scheduled for a time when s/he is available to attend; is thanked publicly for his/her support, etc.
Remember, fun is not an end to itself. It is a means to such notable outcomes as breaking down organizational and personal barriers; team-building; reducing stress; increasing productivity; etc. Consequently, there is a strategic component to fun in the workplace that cannot be lost sight of.
Here is something Dr. Ilene Rockman wrote about the importance of leadership in promoting fun in the workplace [Reference Services Review, Volume 31, No. 2, 2003, 109-110]:
"When we recognize the importance of humor, fun, teamwork and camaraderie, we send a powerful message to our employees and patrons. We show that we value people as well as their work, and are willing to take the time to boost morale, esprit de corps, and communication...When administrators show their respect for fun activities, they also show their flexibility, appreciation and respect for their employees. They receive, in return, loyalty, productivity, and more than they ever imagined."
Amen!
The most essential is to have the support of the leader(s) of your organization. The leader has to, at least, give his/her okay that fun is an acceptable part of the culture; that s/he will endorse fun by allocating time for those who are the "court jesters" to plan and implement activities; provide financial support; and attend and participate in the events (and encourage others too as well).
In some instances the leader may take a much more active role in the planning process and may even create an infrastructure to advance fun in the workplace.
In return, the leader must be kept in the loop about fun programs that are afoot; has his/her calendar checked before the event is scheduled to be sure that the event is scheduled for a time when s/he is available to attend; is thanked publicly for his/her support, etc.
Remember, fun is not an end to itself. It is a means to such notable outcomes as breaking down organizational and personal barriers; team-building; reducing stress; increasing productivity; etc. Consequently, there is a strategic component to fun in the workplace that cannot be lost sight of.
Here is something Dr. Ilene Rockman wrote about the importance of leadership in promoting fun in the workplace [Reference Services Review, Volume 31, No. 2, 2003, 109-110]:
"When we recognize the importance of humor, fun, teamwork and camaraderie, we send a powerful message to our employees and patrons. We show that we value people as well as their work, and are willing to take the time to boost morale, esprit de corps, and communication...When administrators show their respect for fun activities, they also show their flexibility, appreciation and respect for their employees. They receive, in return, loyalty, productivity, and more than they ever imagined."
Amen!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
But could Alexander Graham Bell text?
Today is the anniversary of Alexander Graham Bell's famous "Mr. Watson, come here; I need you." And telephony was born.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/speech-transmitted-by-telephone
Nowadays, Bell would simply text Watson because that's how the technology has evolved.
And that raises a potentially fun opportunity: Identify the best texter in your organization, i.e., fastest and most accurate. Try a two-tiered approach. First ask people to text Bell's famous phrase - the game might as well have an historical perspective. Then have them text a really long word, such as supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
Cheers, applause, huzzahs for all participants with extra brouhaha for the winner(s).
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/speech-transmitted-by-telephone
Nowadays, Bell would simply text Watson because that's how the technology has evolved.
And that raises a potentially fun opportunity: Identify the best texter in your organization, i.e., fastest and most accurate. Try a two-tiered approach. First ask people to text Bell's famous phrase - the game might as well have an historical perspective. Then have them text a really long word, such as supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
Cheers, applause, huzzahs for all participants with extra brouhaha for the winner(s).
Friends, Romans, Countrymen
Today is March 10; in a hop, skip and jump, it will be March 15, and you know what that is, right? right?
Do people in your organization and community remember the literary/historical import of March 15? Ask folks at random. Reward correct answers with a piece of chocolate and an invitation to participate in a group declamation of Antony's famous funeral oration.
Arrange a time when a crowd (more than 1 person) can gather to declaim Antony's famous speech and then hold forth. Invite people to wear appropriate costume.
Use this as an opportunity to learn more about the Antony, Cleopatra, Augustus, Brutus, etc., the evolution of the Roman Empire, the ascendancy of the Caesars (but not necessarily Caesar salad!), etc.
Do people in your organization and community remember the literary/historical import of March 15? Ask folks at random. Reward correct answers with a piece of chocolate and an invitation to participate in a group declamation of Antony's famous funeral oration.
Arrange a time when a crowd (more than 1 person) can gather to declaim Antony's famous speech and then hold forth. Invite people to wear appropriate costume.
Use this as an opportunity to learn more about the Antony, Cleopatra, Augustus, Brutus, etc., the evolution of the Roman Empire, the ascendancy of the Caesars (but not necessarily Caesar salad!), etc.
Happy birthday, Tennessee Williams
We will soon be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of th great playwright Tennessee Williams. Wtat comes to mind when you hear his name? I'd be surprised if it weren't either "Stella!" or "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers".
So, in your organization does the best Stella? the most evocative Kindness? Invite colleagues and coworkers and whomever else you think might be interested and have them channel their inner Stanley and/or Blanche. Have people participate individually or as a group and wth as much dramatic flair as they can muster - Streetcar has been a play, a movie and recently an opera - it lends itself to dramatic flair!
Enjoy!
So, in your organization does the best Stella? the most evocative Kindness? Invite colleagues and coworkers and whomever else you think might be interested and have them channel their inner Stanley and/or Blanche. Have people participate individually or as a group and wth as much dramatic flair as they can muster - Streetcar has been a play, a movie and recently an opera - it lends itself to dramatic flair!
Enjoy!
Monday, January 3, 2011
National Library Workers Day
Here is a really fun idea from Paula Popma and Dave Tyckoson from Fresno State:
National Library Workers Day
Does your library celebrate National Library Workers Day? It is a day set aside during National Library Week to honor those who make libraries work.
At Madden Library, Fresno State, we have celebrated National Library Workers Day with a catered luncheon, paid for by the Library Administration. Even though we have great potlucks, we decided to treat ourselves, and not have to do any cooking, setting up or cleaning up. This gave us the opportunity to relax and catch up with our colleagues.
In 2008, we combined the luncheon with a fun event that we titled “Beige Day”. We asked all employees to wear beige that day. We had an appearance by the Beige Brothers. Our library lyricist and one of the Beige Brothers (Associate Dean Dave Tyckoson) wrote lyrics to some old rock and roll tunes that celebrated our move from our old library into temporary quarters while our new library was constructed. As you can imagine, being an old building, all of our walls were beige. When we took a photo of the staff wearing beige against the beige wall, we blended right in.
At the luncheon in 2010, we honored our retired librarian volunteers. These are librarians who have retired, but can’t seem to get working in a library out of their system. They fill essential roles in our library, including cataloging special collections, working on the reference desk, and reviewing all gift books that are donated to the library. We are very grateful for their service.
So, think about doing something special on National Library Workers Day
National Library Workers Day
Does your library celebrate National Library Workers Day? It is a day set aside during National Library Week to honor those who make libraries work.
At Madden Library, Fresno State, we have celebrated National Library Workers Day with a catered luncheon, paid for by the Library Administration. Even though we have great potlucks, we decided to treat ourselves, and not have to do any cooking, setting up or cleaning up. This gave us the opportunity to relax and catch up with our colleagues.
In 2008, we combined the luncheon with a fun event that we titled “Beige Day”. We asked all employees to wear beige that day. We had an appearance by the Beige Brothers. Our library lyricist and one of the Beige Brothers (Associate Dean Dave Tyckoson) wrote lyrics to some old rock and roll tunes that celebrated our move from our old library into temporary quarters while our new library was constructed. As you can imagine, being an old building, all of our walls were beige. When we took a photo of the staff wearing beige against the beige wall, we blended right in.
At the luncheon in 2010, we honored our retired librarian volunteers. These are librarians who have retired, but can’t seem to get working in a library out of their system. They fill essential roles in our library, including cataloging special collections, working on the reference desk, and reviewing all gift books that are donated to the library. We are very grateful for their service.
So, think about doing something special on National Library Workers Day
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