How the Culture of Poverty Impacts Your Library

1. How the Culture ofPoverty ImpactsYour Library With Kathy Pape

2. Kathy Pape ~ Biography Kathy has worked for ten years in Ohio libraries and is currently the Executive Director of the Conneaut Public Library in Conneaut, Ohio. Kathy also works as a producer, writer, actor, and director for one of Ohio’s cable access channels that provides programming to households in Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.

3. The journey looks like this…

4. Last things first… ISBN 978-1934583357 *Hidden rules *Improving service to public

5. ISBN 978-781938248016 *Patterns of poverty *Building support systems

6. ISBN 978-1929229284 *Workbook format *Resource Building

7. ISBN 978-1936236718 *Mandatory reading for staff *Quick read with real life explanations

8. ISBN 978-1416608844 *Affects of poverty *Changing mind-sets

9. Generational Povertyvs. Situational Poverty • Define the current situation • Support systems • Timeframe • Mental models

10. Generational Poverty • Generational poverty is defined as being in poverty for two generations or longer. • Ashtabula County, Ohio is experiencing its 11th generation in poverty.

11. Hidden Rules • Poor • Middle Class • Wealthy Which model does your library use?

12. Let’s talk about hidden rules • An individual brings with him/her the hidden rules of the class in which he/she was raised. • Patterns of thought • Social interactions • Cognitive strategies In order to bring change we must understand the poverty hidden rules and in turn, teach our middle class rules.

14. Why is it so darn hard? • Language Resister • Frozen • Formal • Casual • Intimate The circ desk can be an interesting place!

15. Mental Models • Poverty • Relationships • Middle Class • Achievement • Wealth • Connections

16. Building Blocks • Library Staff training and understanding • Library system/county Are changes in policy necessary? • Community Partners Outreach and collaborative measures

17. What does our new service model look like?