Storytime or Class?

Storytime is one of those phrases that could be changed. Gross suggests calling those specific programs children's classes (2013). Changing this creates clarity for what the event is offering to the community. Storytime can fall "short of conveying the full educational value of what" it is actually happening (Gross, 2013). This will increase the perceived value of what the event taking place offers as well as the expertise of the person leading the event (Gross, 2013). Classes can also replace other names for programs as well as workshops, seminars, events, initiatives, and projects (Gross, 2013). Gross explains that most people will not notice the changes that are being made who are already attending the programs and those who may not have been interested in a program might have a different reaction to the language because of the value our society puts behind language like classes versus programs. (Gross, 2013).

Program or Workshop?

"Like the word program, programming associates chiefly with radio and television broadcasts, and IT" (Gross, 2013). "Saying services essentially places us in the same category as: social services, citizen services, and community services" (Gross, 2013). Gross suggests changing the word services and programming to curriculum or curriculum development can make whatever the library offers to its community more impressive, and truthful of what libraries actually offer (Gross, 2013).

Circulation or Service Desk?

Another word that Gross recommends changing is circulations (2013). "Hearing the word circulation triggers in most people thoughts of newspaper distribution or health-related matters, such as blood circulation (Gross, 2013). So for example, changing circulation to borrowing or loans, as well as changing circulation department and circulation desk to the customer service department and customer service desk (Gross, 2013). This can help clear up a lot of confusion about what circulation is by using language that people already understand. This can also create a space that people will be more comfortable in because sometimes the language that libraries use can be intimidating.

Patrons or Customers?

Gross also recommends that libraries change what they call people who use the libraries. The two top words they describe are student and customer. "Student should be used at every opportunity, as it advances our goal of being viewed as education" (Gross, 2013). This fits in with changing programs to classes as well as creating an overall idea that a library is an educational place.

All of these changes in language can help the library better communicate what they are offering to their communities and clear up any confusion about what libraries' goals and missions are.                                                                         -Katryna Pierce