A Little About Me
One of the best things that can happen to us in life is to discover that the work we do each day connects to what we believe in and really want to support. I realized years ago that working in the library changed my life. I also see how the library has changed the lives of so many people around me. Having worked in libraries for many years, I continue to see growth, change and transformation happening in communities everywhere through the earnest efforts of the library and library supporters.
I have worked in several roles within the field of libraries. I am the Director of Literacy and Learning for the Richland County Public Library. In this role, I work with library staff and collaborators to bring attention bring new approaches to learning, technology and the community engagement.
Formerly, I worked in the role of Director of Libraries & Arts for the City of Boulder, Colorado. As the Director of Libraries & Arts I worked to integrate programs and services to create new learning experiences at the library. I also served as the Director of Youth & Outreach Services for the The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County) where I crafted and developed several projects, including The Tricycle Music Fest, Paint the Town Read, and ImaginOn. I’ve spent time in the theatre realm, dabbled in visual arts (and even recorded an album of songs and stories years ago). I’m fascinated at how our interests and actions intertwine. In regard to libraries: I’m drawn to ways the community is reflected in an ever-evolving concept of the library. I enjoy speaking and writing about library practices, philosophy and trends and innovations. Having a slant toward talent management, branding, marketing and promotions, I enjoy daydreaming about interesting communities as well as doing my part to help create them.
Key Projects
Some of the projects I have lead, planned, dreamed up, supported, implemented or championed include…
ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
Drop Everything And Learn (DEAL!)
Paint the Town Read ( A literacy & community building initiative)
Pulse Points @ the Library
Presentations
Innovation Starts with “I” (created in collaboration with Helene Blowers)
Pulse Points: The Library Experience
Bundle it. Blend it. Innovate it.
Making a Difference: Outcomes-Based Evaluations
Maximize with Meaning: Turning up the Volume on Outcomes & Outputs
The Library Space for Today & Tomorrow (Tales, Trends and Blends)
Intergeneration Celebration: Creating Programs for All Ages
The Library in Action: Activating Staff and our Community
Get the Picture? Let the Picture Get You. (Powerful Presentations)
Contact Me
You can contact me via email: yestoknow[at]gmail.com for information on presentations, conversation, questions, visits or opinions. I gladly share.
Tony,
Hope you are well, I am living in Wilmington,NC and thinking of returning to Charlotte. I love your site and got to it by way of a simple google. I always shared your outlook on libraries and need to go back to public librarianship. (I’m at a school now.)
Loved the pics too,
Roberta Bibbins
(formerly of PLCMC)
Hi Tony, was just thinking of you again and did an internet search. So good to hear you are OK and of your relocation Tom Koroskenyi Charlotte, NC tkoro at navacore dot net
Oh, can’t believe i found you. wish you would email me sometime and let me know of your mind. just returned from a trip to philadelhia,pa and wilmington,delaware for longwood gardens,nemours house and gardens, chanticleer gardens,brandywine river museum(wyeth family collection),delware center for the contemporary arts, delware art museum etc. catch me up. don’t have your address. don
Is this the official Tony Tallent fan site???
Love you Tony!!! Sign my Imaginon t-shirt?
Sincerely,
Melanie