Booster Shot of Leadership - Pre-Conference Wed. May 14, 2008
Maureen Sullivan presented training on Bowman and Deals’ Four Frames of Leadership. This construct developed the concept that no one leads in a vacuum and that every manager/leader has a distinct personal style. Managers who lead from the Human Resource frame operate from a humanistic, psychological value system. Managers who lead from the Structural frame are data driven. Managers who lead from the Symbolic frame are vision driven and idealistic. Manager/leaders who lead from the Political frame are operating from a “how can I use power to justify the ends” perspective. Although this workshop seemed very theoretical to me, the framework gave some additional perspective on how motives influence leadership style.
Open Sessioning - Dr. Pier Forni - Life is a Relational Experience: Civility, Ethics, and Quality of Life
Dr. Forni’s presentation on Civility was an excellent presentation on the importance of respect and kindness in all relationships both public and private. He used two very humorous videos to demonstrate his points. Anonymity in our society leads to the freedom to be rude. In addition many societal rules for civil behavior have been abolished in the last forty years. Dr. Forni has developed the Civility Project at Johns Hopkins to help teach and reestablish twenty five rules for civil behavior. His presentation highlighted the importance of kindness in everyday social interactions.
Legislative Update - Highlights from Annapolis 2008 and the ALA Washington Office - May 15
Advocacy is a skill that library management and citizen activists need to be versed in. Managers and administrators who understand how current political realties effect their day to day operations are better able to plan and act for the future. Of interest in this workshop were bills concerning the MD state budget and it’s structural deficit, federal bills on the eRate for libaries and the renewing of the PATRIOT Act.
Capwiz is a tool that library advocates can use to contact their state and federal representatives when there is need to voice an opinion about upcoming legislation. This tool has a link on the MLA website. Individual Emails and responding to ALA sponsored Legislative Days are ways that individuals can participate as advocates for libraries.
Ding Dong! Reference Work Is Dead? Or Is it? - May 15
This workshop showed that reference work is in transformation. Value added services and new ways to of presenting reference were the highlights of this workshop. Readers Advisory was highlighted as a value added service. Newer ways of presenting reference including chat reference (AskUsNow) were also highlighted.
Making Best Friends - May 16
This workshop was presented by Susan Schmidt from the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County . Susan presented ideas to both library management and citizen advocates about how to generate citizen support for libraries. In particular she highlighted how Friends can enhance libraries and how citizens can work with library administrators to create local friends chapters.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Virginia Library Association Paraprofessional Forum (VLAPF)
Was found in 1979 and this year marked the 16th Annual Conference on Sunday MAY 18-May 20, 2008,
This was my second conference attendance. I was so excited and enthused about going to VLA. I was able to meet many librarians from other state libraries. The interaction and exposure to all the things VLA had to offer was invigorating. It is so refreshing and encouraging when you are able to get together with people who share your same joy and enthusiasm about your profession.
I learned a lot more about the VLA paraprofessional forum, which is continuously looking for enthusiastic, inventive team players to help plan for the next generation in our libraries through the new making connection opportunities! From daily challenges public service staff face to philosophical debates on the library’s role in the digital realm, this year’s program offers something for everyone. The conference theme focuses on the myriad ways libraries offer services. Today’s libraries not only offer access to traditional materials as in year’s past, but with more print shifting to electronic format, multimedia increasing importance, and library staff becoming ad-hoc referees of trusted web content, libraries have become true gateways to all information sources. How are you dealing with these changes? What workflow issues and procurement problems are you experiencing? How are you publicizing electronic resources on library web pages? What trends do you see with patron’s requests? Are there additional ways to collaborate with other organizations to serve patrons’ interests and needs? How can we more effectively serve our client base? These and many more questions asked and answered at the event. This year’s conference continues past traditions of offering a diverse landscape of workshops. There is something for everyone whether you have attended in the past or this is your first year! Over 400 colleagues joined to discuss new service strategies, new resources, and more effective ways to serve our libraries.
There were several breakout sessions over 2 days. I attended the following:
Managing Library Volunteers:- Very good session, very detailed. Provided an overview of the necessary elements needed to run a successful volunteer program. Got information on how to recruit the right volunteers for the right position; learned about retaining volunteers, focusing on their interests and skills; how to recognize volunteers on a budget; how to get support from the staff and management and how to determine if the program is effective and worthwhile.
Speak Up! The Power of Public Speaking: – This session taught how to warm up your voice and calm down nerves before stepping up to the podium or when giving information or instruction at staff meetings. It also showed how to transform fear into energy for making powerful presentations.
Boomers, GenXers and Millennials: -The many Generational Faces of your Library – presented by Sylvia Rortvedt, Matt Todd and Brandee Worsham This session taught that our Libraries have a long history of service to multi- generation users, but what about our multi –generational staff- - the boomers, Genxers and now Millennials? What do we know about ‘them” Are the differences real or assumed? How can we use the differences to run our libraries better and strengthen our profession?
Libraries, Literacy & Learning:- This presentation was detail operation research from the McCormick Tribune Foundation, which shows that starting from a child’s birth, adults can dramatically improve a child ability to learn by meeting 10 essential needs .During the presentation we learned how libraries can help meet these needs.
Movin On Up: - Revolution in a New Library :-This session has an interesting story in the summer of 2007, Hampden – Sydney College moved to a new library building a truly fun and challenging summer project for the staff. Two tech services paraprofessionals who will shared their experiences, trials, errors, and triumphs of such a library move. How staff dealt with managing summer student staff to writing new inventory procedures.
The conference closed with a luncheon speaker, Kim Whitlam, a gifted storyteller who developed her skills while working with victims of abuse. She found that by telling them stories she could often illustrate a coping strategy that might have sounded judgmental had she presented it outright. Kim is now a profession storyteller who visits schools, libraries, camps and retreats. Overall, this session was very informative to me in my work in the public library. I found the conference very stimulating, certainly worthwhile to attend, and came away many good ideas, which I shared with staff.
Posted byLAS Long Branch Library Zewdnesh T. Wondimeneh & Cataloging Demeke Seyoum
Was found in 1979 and this year marked the 16th Annual Conference on Sunday MAY 18-May 20, 2008,
This was my second conference attendance. I was so excited and enthused about going to VLA. I was able to meet many librarians from other state libraries. The interaction and exposure to all the things VLA had to offer was invigorating. It is so refreshing and encouraging when you are able to get together with people who share your same joy and enthusiasm about your profession.
I learned a lot more about the VLA paraprofessional forum, which is continuously looking for enthusiastic, inventive team players to help plan for the next generation in our libraries through the new making connection opportunities! From daily challenges public service staff face to philosophical debates on the library’s role in the digital realm, this year’s program offers something for everyone. The conference theme focuses on the myriad ways libraries offer services. Today’s libraries not only offer access to traditional materials as in year’s past, but with more print shifting to electronic format, multimedia increasing importance, and library staff becoming ad-hoc referees of trusted web content, libraries have become true gateways to all information sources. How are you dealing with these changes? What workflow issues and procurement problems are you experiencing? How are you publicizing electronic resources on library web pages? What trends do you see with patron’s requests? Are there additional ways to collaborate with other organizations to serve patrons’ interests and needs? How can we more effectively serve our client base? These and many more questions asked and answered at the event. This year’s conference continues past traditions of offering a diverse landscape of workshops. There is something for everyone whether you have attended in the past or this is your first year! Over 400 colleagues joined to discuss new service strategies, new resources, and more effective ways to serve our libraries.
There were several breakout sessions over 2 days. I attended the following:
Managing Library Volunteers:- Very good session, very detailed. Provided an overview of the necessary elements needed to run a successful volunteer program. Got information on how to recruit the right volunteers for the right position; learned about retaining volunteers, focusing on their interests and skills; how to recognize volunteers on a budget; how to get support from the staff and management and how to determine if the program is effective and worthwhile.
Speak Up! The Power of Public Speaking: – This session taught how to warm up your voice and calm down nerves before stepping up to the podium or when giving information or instruction at staff meetings. It also showed how to transform fear into energy for making powerful presentations.
Boomers, GenXers and Millennials: -The many Generational Faces of your Library – presented by Sylvia Rortvedt, Matt Todd and Brandee Worsham This session taught that our Libraries have a long history of service to multi- generation users, but what about our multi –generational staff- - the boomers, Genxers and now Millennials? What do we know about ‘them” Are the differences real or assumed? How can we use the differences to run our libraries better and strengthen our profession?
Libraries, Literacy & Learning:- This presentation was detail operation research from the McCormick Tribune Foundation, which shows that starting from a child’s birth, adults can dramatically improve a child ability to learn by meeting 10 essential needs .During the presentation we learned how libraries can help meet these needs.
Movin On Up: - Revolution in a New Library :-This session has an interesting story in the summer of 2007, Hampden – Sydney College moved to a new library building a truly fun and challenging summer project for the staff. Two tech services paraprofessionals who will shared their experiences, trials, errors, and triumphs of such a library move. How staff dealt with managing summer student staff to writing new inventory procedures.
The conference closed with a luncheon speaker, Kim Whitlam, a gifted storyteller who developed her skills while working with victims of abuse. She found that by telling them stories she could often illustrate a coping strategy that might have sounded judgmental had she presented it outright. Kim is now a profession storyteller who visits schools, libraries, camps and retreats. Overall, this session was very informative to me in my work in the public library. I found the conference very stimulating, certainly worthwhile to attend, and came away many good ideas, which I shared with staff.
Posted byLAS Long Branch Library Zewdnesh T. Wondimeneh & Cataloging Demeke Seyoum
Virginia Library Association Paraprofessional Forum (VLAPF)
Was found in 1979 and this year marked the 16th Annual Conference on Sunday MAY 18-May 20, 2008,
This was my second conference attendance. I was so excited and enthused about going to VLA. I was able to meet many librarians from other state libraries. The interaction and exposure to all the things VLA had to offer was invigorating. It is so refreshing and encouraging when you are able to get together with people who share your same joy and enthusiasm about your profession.
I learned a lot more about the VLA paraprofessional forum, which is continuously looking for enthusiastic, inventive team players to help plan for the next generation in our libraries through the new making connection opportunities! From daily challenges public service staff face to philosophical debates on the library’s role in the digital realm, this year’s program offers something for everyone. The conference theme focuses on the myriad ways libraries offer services. Today’s libraries not only offer access to traditional materials as in year’s past, but with more print shifting to electronic format, multimedia increasing importance, and library staff becoming ad-hoc referees of trusted web content, libraries have become true gateways to all information sources. How are you dealing with these changes? What workflow issues and procurement problems are you experiencing? How are you publicizing electronic resources on library web pages? What trends do you see with patron’s requests? Are there additional ways to collaborate with other organizations to serve patrons’ interests and needs? How can we more effectively serve our client base? These and many more questions asked and answered at the event. This year’s conference continues past traditions of offering a diverse landscape of workshops. There is something for everyone whether you have attended in the past or this is your first year! Over 400 colleagues joined to discuss new service strategies, new resources, and more effective ways to serve our libraries.
There were several breakout sessions over 2 days. I attended the following:
Managing Library Volunteers:- Very good session, very detailed. Provided an overview of the necessary elements needed to run a successful volunteer program. Got information on how to recruit the right volunteers for the right position; learned about retaining volunteers, focusing on their interests and skills; how to recognize volunteers on a budget; how to get support from the staff and management and how to determine if the program is effective and worthwhile.
Speak Up! The Power of Public Speaking: – This session taught how to warm up your voice and calm down nerves before stepping up to the podium or when giving information or instruction at staff meetings. It also showed how to transform fear into energy for making powerful presentations.
Boomers, GenXers and Millennials: -The many Generational Faces of your Library – presented by Sylvia Rortvedt, Matt Todd and Brandee Worsham This session taught that our Libraries have a long history of service to multi- generation users, but what about our multi –generational staff- - the boomers, Genxers and now Millennials? What do we know about ‘them” Are the differences real or assumed? How can we use the differences to run our libraries better and strengthen our profession?
Libraries, Literacy & Learning: -This presentation was detail operation research from the McCormick Tribune Foundation, which shows that starting from a child’s birth, adults can dramatically improve a child ability to learn by meeting 10 essential needs .During the presentation we learned how libraries can help meet these needs.
Movin On Up: - Revolution in a New Library :-This session has an interesting story in the summer of 2007, Hampden – Sydney College moved to a new library building a truly fun and challenging summer project for the staff. Two tech services paraprofessionals who will shared their experiences, trials, errors, and triumphs of such a library move. How staff dealt with managing summer student staff to writing new inventory procedures.
The conference closed with a luncheon speaker, Kim Whitlam, a gifted storyteller who developed her skills while working with victims of abuse. She found that by telling them stories she could often illustrate a coping strategy that might have sounded judgmental had she presented it outright. Kim is now a profession storyteller who visits schools, libraries, camps and retreats. Overall, this session was very informative to me in my work in the public library. I found the conference very stimulating, certainly worthwhile to attend, and came away many good ideas, which I shared with staff.
Posted by LAS Long Branch Library Zewdnesh T. Wondimeneh & Cataloging Demeke Seyoum
Was found in 1979 and this year marked the 16th Annual Conference on Sunday MAY 18-May 20, 2008,
This was my second conference attendance. I was so excited and enthused about going to VLA. I was able to meet many librarians from other state libraries. The interaction and exposure to all the things VLA had to offer was invigorating. It is so refreshing and encouraging when you are able to get together with people who share your same joy and enthusiasm about your profession.
I learned a lot more about the VLA paraprofessional forum, which is continuously looking for enthusiastic, inventive team players to help plan for the next generation in our libraries through the new making connection opportunities! From daily challenges public service staff face to philosophical debates on the library’s role in the digital realm, this year’s program offers something for everyone. The conference theme focuses on the myriad ways libraries offer services. Today’s libraries not only offer access to traditional materials as in year’s past, but with more print shifting to electronic format, multimedia increasing importance, and library staff becoming ad-hoc referees of trusted web content, libraries have become true gateways to all information sources. How are you dealing with these changes? What workflow issues and procurement problems are you experiencing? How are you publicizing electronic resources on library web pages? What trends do you see with patron’s requests? Are there additional ways to collaborate with other organizations to serve patrons’ interests and needs? How can we more effectively serve our client base? These and many more questions asked and answered at the event. This year’s conference continues past traditions of offering a diverse landscape of workshops. There is something for everyone whether you have attended in the past or this is your first year! Over 400 colleagues joined to discuss new service strategies, new resources, and more effective ways to serve our libraries.
There were several breakout sessions over 2 days. I attended the following:
Managing Library Volunteers:- Very good session, very detailed. Provided an overview of the necessary elements needed to run a successful volunteer program. Got information on how to recruit the right volunteers for the right position; learned about retaining volunteers, focusing on their interests and skills; how to recognize volunteers on a budget; how to get support from the staff and management and how to determine if the program is effective and worthwhile.
Speak Up! The Power of Public Speaking: – This session taught how to warm up your voice and calm down nerves before stepping up to the podium or when giving information or instruction at staff meetings. It also showed how to transform fear into energy for making powerful presentations.
Boomers, GenXers and Millennials: -The many Generational Faces of your Library – presented by Sylvia Rortvedt, Matt Todd and Brandee Worsham This session taught that our Libraries have a long history of service to multi- generation users, but what about our multi –generational staff- - the boomers, Genxers and now Millennials? What do we know about ‘them” Are the differences real or assumed? How can we use the differences to run our libraries better and strengthen our profession?
Libraries, Literacy & Learning: -This presentation was detail operation research from the McCormick Tribune Foundation, which shows that starting from a child’s birth, adults can dramatically improve a child ability to learn by meeting 10 essential needs .During the presentation we learned how libraries can help meet these needs.
Movin On Up: - Revolution in a New Library :-This session has an interesting story in the summer of 2007, Hampden – Sydney College moved to a new library building a truly fun and challenging summer project for the staff. Two tech services paraprofessionals who will shared their experiences, trials, errors, and triumphs of such a library move. How staff dealt with managing summer student staff to writing new inventory procedures.
The conference closed with a luncheon speaker, Kim Whitlam, a gifted storyteller who developed her skills while working with victims of abuse. She found that by telling them stories she could often illustrate a coping strategy that might have sounded judgmental had she presented it outright. Kim is now a profession storyteller who visits schools, libraries, camps and retreats. Overall, this session was very informative to me in my work in the public library. I found the conference very stimulating, certainly worthwhile to attend, and came away many good ideas, which I shared with staff.
Posted by LAS Long Branch Library Zewdnesh T. Wondimeneh & Cataloging Demeke Seyoum
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
MLA HIGHLIGHTS
I attended Dr. Forni’s talk on civility and was most impressed by his presentation.
I especially liked his emphasis on old fashioned values – children can be quiet in libraries, adults shouldn’t put feet on tables, library staff should be spoken to politely.
Much of what he said was common sense but it is nice to have our values reinforced.
By far, the most entertaining book talk I have heard, ever, was LOVE AND DEATH ON THE HIGH SEAS by Michael Gannon. I came away from the talk with a useful booklist, and an enhanced appreciation of the bodice-ripping, bare chested, heroes and heroines that populate the novels.
I am embarrassed to admit I have never read anything by Marita Golden, but listening to her speech certainly piqued my interest. I also attended her question and answer session later in the day. I found her to be approachable, and agreed with her thoughts on life and race. I have definitely put her novel After, on my “to read” list.
I also attended the session on ONE MARYLAND/ONE BOOK, an informational session about Maryland’s statewide community reading project. This years book will be A Hope in the Unseen by Ron Suskind. I am considering using the book for my August selection of my non-fiction book club.
Finally, I have attended many pub nights but none like the pub night at MLA hosted by Michael Gannon. The rules were loose, the questions impossible, and what a lot of fun! I even stayed up past 11:00! I learned a lot of trivia that I will probably never use (in truth I have already forgotten it) but the function served as a great way to meet fellow conference attendees.
Linda Goldsmith
I especially liked his emphasis on old fashioned values – children can be quiet in libraries, adults shouldn’t put feet on tables, library staff should be spoken to politely.
Much of what he said was common sense but it is nice to have our values reinforced.
By far, the most entertaining book talk I have heard, ever, was LOVE AND DEATH ON THE HIGH SEAS by Michael Gannon. I came away from the talk with a useful booklist, and an enhanced appreciation of the bodice-ripping, bare chested, heroes and heroines that populate the novels.
I am embarrassed to admit I have never read anything by Marita Golden, but listening to her speech certainly piqued my interest. I also attended her question and answer session later in the day. I found her to be approachable, and agreed with her thoughts on life and race. I have definitely put her novel After, on my “to read” list.
I also attended the session on ONE MARYLAND/ONE BOOK, an informational session about Maryland’s statewide community reading project. This years book will be A Hope in the Unseen by Ron Suskind. I am considering using the book for my August selection of my non-fiction book club.
Finally, I have attended many pub nights but none like the pub night at MLA hosted by Michael Gannon. The rules were loose, the questions impossible, and what a lot of fun! I even stayed up past 11:00! I learned a lot of trivia that I will probably never use (in truth I have already forgotten it) but the function served as a great way to meet fellow conference attendees.
Linda Goldsmith
VLAPF
I was fortunate to attend the VLAPF Conference this year, "The Many Faces of Libraries: Fearlessly Evolving to Meet User Needs".
Monday brought a full day of workshops with "Internet Addiction: Myth or Reality" as my first. It was interesting to delve into the debate between Internet addiction as a true addiction or as an emerging social problem. With the new technology in libraries it is certainly relevant to our daily work.
Second, was the session on "Using Google Scholar: The Pros and Cons". Led by a techno guru from Radford College we learned about Scholar's advantages and limitations.
Third, after the cancellation of my intended workshop, was "Cataloging Web Resources". This session allowed me a glimpse of cataloging with an emphasis on how to handle the myriad of new technologies such as streaming video.
Tuesday morning brought two more sessions:
"Good to Better Questions" -- where the importance of a good reference interview was emphasized along with some excellent tips to refresh our approach. We were reminded to use the open questions at the beginning of the interview and work our way to the closed questions as we reach the verification phase.
"Humor in the Workplace" -- In this session members of the audience were encouraged to share their ideas and experiences for introducing some fun into the workplace.
I found the sessions relevant to my work in the public library and the people I met to be very down to earth. It was refreshing to have the opportunity to talk with library staff from all types of library environments, military, academic and public.
The conference closed with a luncheon speaker, Kim Weitkamp, a gifted storyteller who developed her skills while working with victims of abuse. She found that by telling them stories she could often illustrate a coping strategy that might have sounded judgmental had she presented it outright. Kim is now a profession storyteller who visits schools, libraries, camps and retreats.
J. Massey
Aspen Hill Library
Monday brought a full day of workshops with "Internet Addiction: Myth or Reality" as my first. It was interesting to delve into the debate between Internet addiction as a true addiction or as an emerging social problem. With the new technology in libraries it is certainly relevant to our daily work.
Second, was the session on "Using Google Scholar: The Pros and Cons". Led by a techno guru from Radford College we learned about Scholar's advantages and limitations.
Third, after the cancellation of my intended workshop, was "Cataloging Web Resources". This session allowed me a glimpse of cataloging with an emphasis on how to handle the myriad of new technologies such as streaming video.
Tuesday morning brought two more sessions:
"Good to Better Questions" -- where the importance of a good reference interview was emphasized along with some excellent tips to refresh our approach. We were reminded to use the open questions at the beginning of the interview and work our way to the closed questions as we reach the verification phase.
"Humor in the Workplace" -- In this session members of the audience were encouraged to share their ideas and experiences for introducing some fun into the workplace.
I found the sessions relevant to my work in the public library and the people I met to be very down to earth. It was refreshing to have the opportunity to talk with library staff from all types of library environments, military, academic and public.
The conference closed with a luncheon speaker, Kim Weitkamp, a gifted storyteller who developed her skills while working with victims of abuse. She found that by telling them stories she could often illustrate a coping strategy that might have sounded judgmental had she presented it outright. Kim is now a profession storyteller who visits schools, libraries, camps and retreats.
J. Massey
Aspen Hill Library
Monday, June 9, 2008
MLA 2008 HIGHLIGHTS
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I was most impressed with Dr. Forni’s presentation about his book titled “Choosing Civility”. His book is absolutely relevant to the daily work in the library, whether we deal with customers, or with co-workers.
Much of what he said is logical and common sense, but how easy it is to forget when we are in the midst of a challenging situation. Reminders like Dr. Forni’s words are essential and his book should be required readings to all staff who deal with the public.
*****************************
Another session which was eye opening was the Web 2.0 workshop which clarified many previously mysterious technical terms such as blogs, flicks, vadpods, widgets, firefox, del.icio.us, and gadgets.
We learned about services such as Box.net, Meedo, Tag.com, Mashup, Wordpress, wikkies, wedging, creating blogs, Google analytics, and many more new concepts that are popping up new every day on the web.
At the last part of the session we created a Blog using Wordpress.
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Building up services for Teens was the subject of one of the workshops. I brought back many good ideas how to attract teens to the library, and shared them with our Young Adult librarian, who incorporated some of the ideas right away. Some of these ideas were:
Use teens as volunteers, and set up Wiki to communicate with them
Plan programs that would be of teen interest, such as Kareoke, Teen Flicks, a Movie and Popcorn, Driver’s Safety for Teens, Computer Games, make-up Make- Overs, tips for babysitters. Invite in psychologist to present workshops about getting along with parents, teachers and/or siblings. Also ask them what they would like to see in the library.
Work with schools, ask teachers to promote the library, and have heads up about their upcoming assignments. Suspended students can be sent to the library.
Set up Gaming Clubs for teens, using computer games. Try to get a grant to fund these games and computers. Teens are great setting up, managing and troubleshooting these games.
Give them more responsible tasks such as evaluating websites.
Set up separate areas where teens would feel comfortable. Pick DVD’s from the Adult collection rated PG and PG 13, and display them in the teen area.
Teens don’t like to read brochures or flyers, have publicity on 3x5 cards with colors and graphics.
Over all I found the conference very stimulating, certainly worthwhile to attend, and came away many good ideas, which I shared with staff, individually, and also at a staff meeting.
Vera Ramaty,
Twinbrook Library
Saturday, June 7, 2008
MARYLAND LIBRARY ASSOCIATION: 2008 Annual Conference - May 14 - 16: Ocean City, Maryland
On May 15 – 16, 2008, I (Angelique Simmons) attended the 2008 Maryland Library Association’s Annual Conference. This year’s program theme was “RENAISSANCE 2.0 – Imagine ~ Create ~ Transform.”
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2008
Opening General Session: Dr. Pier Forni. “Life is a Relational Experience: Civility, Ethics, and Quality of Life.”
This year’s opening general session began with a presentation by the award – winning professor at Johns Hopkins University Dr. Pier Forni. In 1997, Dr. Forni co-founded the Johns Hopkins Civility Project. This project is based on his book, “Choosing Civility: The Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct.” Dr. Forni's main objective/goal is to enhance the quality of life and emphasize the importance of civility. He opened his presentation with the viewing of three short videos. These videos were humorous but also taught an important lesson of civility, manners, and politeness. Dr. Forni’s speech was very enlightening and reminded us about the importance of kindness. One of the many examples he used that stood out in my mind was: strong + kind = power. You can be a very powerful and strong person, but if you lack that little thing called “kindness,” this can be the one trait that will bring about your ruin.
Identity Theft: Officer Dennis Cornwell, Trainer Coordinator with the Department of Public Safety/Campus Police, Loyola College of Maryland.
Identity theft can happen to anyone. I was just shocked and amazed at the many scams people have in order to steal your identity. Did you know that filling out drawings at kiosk’s in the mall is a way criminals gain access to your life? My undergraduate degree is Criminal Justice, but I had not realized that this was another clever way criminals steal your life. Officer Cornwall also mentioned how criminals will just steal your mail out of your mailbox without your knowledge. He suggested getting a locked mailbox. When he mentioned this, I wondered how a mailman would gain access to your mailbox then. Do not carry around un-necessary forms of identification. Many people keep all their main id’s in their wallets or purses at all times. So when someone steals your purse/wallet, then they have access to all your information. Put only what you need at the time in your possession. Also keep a list of all your credit card numbers and phone numbers in case they do get stolen you can readily have access to the numbers and call in to report the cards missing. Officer Cornwell’s presentation was very informative.
Using I-Pods To Get Students and Staff to Tune Into Reading: - Lisa McKenney, Public Service Coordinator, Allegany County Library System; Mike Fiscus, Media Specialist, Northeast Elementary; John Taube, Director, Allegany County Library System.
During the 2006-2007 school-year, Allegany County Library System and Northeast Elementary School collaborated on the program, “Tune Into Reading.” Their main goals for this project was to support intermediate readers, stay current with reading tools and reach digital natives. Ten backpacks were created using ten authors. Each backpack contained three books written by the author. Children could listen to the story being read on the I Pod, and follow along with the book. The students at Northeast Elementary School produced video book summaries, author studies, and their own book reviews. All of this information was then uploaded onto the I Pod’s. The I Pods then circulate from the library in the backpack which contains the print and audio version of the book.
The presenters also had eight laptops set-up at the front of the room. Eight people in the session (I was one of the eight!) learned how to create their own pod cast and video cast. The pod casts and video casts created, were added to the conference wiki. This session was amazing. You could see how innovative and creative we as librarians have become in order to keep up with the ever-changing technology of this world.
At Work in Your PJ’s?: Glennor Shirley, Coordinator, CE Librarian; Joe Thompson, Project Coordinator, Maryland AskUsNow!; Barbara Lipsky, Telecommuter for CE Libraries.
This session sparked my interest because as a mother of a 5-year-old boy, I too at times feel guilty about not being able to do all the things my mother did for me as a child. My mother did not go back to work till I was fifteen years old. I love my job as a children’s librarian and wish there was a way I could as they say; “have the best of both worlds.” I learned how to get started as a telecommuter. Some of the ways to get started are: research telecommuting, write a proposal, and meet with your supervisor and review your proposal. In your proposal be prepared to answer the following: how many hours you will work from home, how will you keep communication, what work you plan on doing at home, how you will record your time, and your willingness to come into the office for meetings, staff development functions, and various other activities.
Your working environment, if you do telecommute at home should be similar to what you would have if you were at work. Your workspace needs to be free of potential hazards such as, loose and exposed wires, torn carpeting or uneven floor surfaces. Your chair should be standard with good back support. Make sure all wires are secured properly to avoid falls and accidents. Also, have adequate lightening for reading and performing your work. One of the most important work environment needs is, make sure your work area is FREE from ALL distractions.
Finally, the pros and cons of telecommuting were mentioned. Some of the pros were: fewer distractions at home (no chatty co-workers), no need to travel in poor weather, reduced dependence on auto, train or bus, and the ability to take care of other tasks at home while working. Some of the cons mentioned were: more distractions at home, inability to separate work from the rest of your life, less opportunity to engage with co-workers, accountability must be addressed, and a strong degree of trust must exist between you and your supervisor.
Overall this session was very informative to me. Maybe one day I will have the opportunity to telecommute, (still carry on the job I love) and have time to make all the PTA meetings, soccer games, and other activities of raising a very active little boy! :)
2nd Annual Pub Quiz: Michael Gannon, Sponsored by the Washington County Free Library and The Western Maryland Regional Library.
I was debating if I was going to attend this pub quiz, but other librarians I had met for the first time earlier that day convinced me it would be fun. I was glad I went! As you know, we as librarians know everything! It was fun trying to answer questions, guess characters from books, name music tunes, and answer questions related to the history of libraries in Maryland. Did you know that the first bookmobile in the United States was introduced in Washington County, Maryland in 1905! Our group won a prize for having the least amount of points! :)
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008
One Maryland, One Book: Andrea Lewis, Maryland Center for the Book at the Maryland Humanities Council; Scotti Oliver, Talbot County Free Library.
The purpose of the One Maryland, One Book is to develop and support programs that promote most importantly reading, books, libraries, Maryland writers, and the state’s literacy heritage. The book that will be used for 2008 is: “A Hope in the Unseen: An American Odyssey from the Inner City to the Ivy League” By Ron Suskind. Red folders were given out at the beginning of the session. If your folder contained a blue dot on the inside, at the end of the session you would obtain a free copy of the book. Unfortunately my folder did not contain a blue dot. :( One of our fellow MCPL Librarians, Joseph Eagen (Olney Branch Manager) received a free copy, along with many others.
The kickoff for this event will be held at the annual Baltimore Book Festival. Discussions will be held at various libraries and schools throughout the year. I find it very enlightening that there will be many people in Maryland reading the same book. Many high schools are making it mandatory for their students to read this book. This book appeals to a wide range of readers from varying socio-economic levels and backgrounds. We can participate by promoting the book in our library and carrying on book discussions of the book. Lisa Navidi (Librarian II– Rockville) mentioned during the session that her book group will be discussing the book in August.
Hidden Patrons: Susan Paznekas, Division of Library Development and Services (Moderator); Susan Waxter, Baltimore County Public Library; Fritzi Newton, Howard County Library; Raineyl Coiro, Eastern Shore Regional Library; and Kathleen O’Connell, Washington County Free Library.
I found this session to be very, very informative. Four librarians from four different library systems presented information on how their libraries have reached their “hidden patrons.” Before you can reach your hidden patrons, you first need to find out who are your hidden patrons. Each library conducted similar, but varying methods of how they found out whom was in their areas and how they would serve their needs. The part completed by Raineyl Corio, from the Eastern Shore Regional Library was very interesting. They have a large population of Spanish speakers in their area. At first the library just ordered Spanish titles they “assumed” were popular among the Spanish speakers, but they noticed these titles were not circulating. They then began to develop the need to assess their “hidden patrons.” They found out that many of their patrons were Spanish speakers who could not even read in their native language. After their assessment and surveys, they then began outreach and developed plans of how to get their hidden patrons in the library.
As we all know, a lot of people in our areas come from different countries all over the world. Libraries in their native countries do not offer all the free services as public libraries in America do. It is one of our main focuses and initiatives to inform them of all the many things the library has to offer. I had an outreach visit to an ESOL PTA group, and they were just amazed at the many services we here in MCPL can offer them. It just made me feel so good inside that we can offer them these services. I even saw a few of the parents at the library that following week. How we can find our hidden patrons was an excellent session, and just shows us our important libraries really are!
Closing General Session: Joseph Janes. “Where We Go From Here.”
Joseph Janes is Associate Professor at the Information School of the University of Washington. He is the Founding Director of the Internet Public Library among many other successes and accomplishments. Joseph Janes also writes a column for the American Libraries magazine. If you have not read his column, please do so. His columns are very enlightening to read.
He was a great closing speaker. He was very upbeat and kept my attention. By this time I was very tired after two very intense days of programs. One of the examples he mentioned that I found very humorous was when he said, you can be in meeting where they are introducing new ways of doing things, and you will have that one worker who has been at their job for 25 years or so, slouched down in the chair, because they do not want to know about changes, they just don’t want to hear it. We can become so used to how we “always” did things, or set in our ways of doing certain tasks, that we shut off any idea or thought of changing. We should embrace new ideas, new innovation. We should not be afraid of change. Another example he used was how a new graduate of library science collaborated with a “seasoned” librarian. The seasoned librarian knew all of the information and research about the subject and the new librarian knew how to work the technology for creating the video casts. Joseph Janes mentioned seven words: learn, play, succeed, fail, share, lead and innovate. Those seven words are something we should all take a moment to think about.
This was my very first conference attendance as a librarian. I was so excited and enthused about going to MLA. I was able to meet a lot of librarians from other Maryland libraries. The interaction and exposure to all the things MLA had to offer will stay with me forever. It is so refreshing and encouraging when you are able to get together with people who share your same joy and enthusiasm about your profession.
If you were not able to attend MLA, you can join the Virtual Conference following the link below:
http://home.learningtimes.net/mla
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2008
Opening General Session: Dr. Pier Forni. “Life is a Relational Experience: Civility, Ethics, and Quality of Life.”
This year’s opening general session began with a presentation by the award – winning professor at Johns Hopkins University Dr. Pier Forni. In 1997, Dr. Forni co-founded the Johns Hopkins Civility Project. This project is based on his book, “Choosing Civility: The Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct.” Dr. Forni's main objective/goal is to enhance the quality of life and emphasize the importance of civility. He opened his presentation with the viewing of three short videos. These videos were humorous but also taught an important lesson of civility, manners, and politeness. Dr. Forni’s speech was very enlightening and reminded us about the importance of kindness. One of the many examples he used that stood out in my mind was: strong + kind = power. You can be a very powerful and strong person, but if you lack that little thing called “kindness,” this can be the one trait that will bring about your ruin.
Identity Theft: Officer Dennis Cornwell, Trainer Coordinator with the Department of Public Safety/Campus Police, Loyola College of Maryland.
Identity theft can happen to anyone. I was just shocked and amazed at the many scams people have in order to steal your identity. Did you know that filling out drawings at kiosk’s in the mall is a way criminals gain access to your life? My undergraduate degree is Criminal Justice, but I had not realized that this was another clever way criminals steal your life. Officer Cornwall also mentioned how criminals will just steal your mail out of your mailbox without your knowledge. He suggested getting a locked mailbox. When he mentioned this, I wondered how a mailman would gain access to your mailbox then. Do not carry around un-necessary forms of identification. Many people keep all their main id’s in their wallets or purses at all times. So when someone steals your purse/wallet, then they have access to all your information. Put only what you need at the time in your possession. Also keep a list of all your credit card numbers and phone numbers in case they do get stolen you can readily have access to the numbers and call in to report the cards missing. Officer Cornwell’s presentation was very informative.
Using I-Pods To Get Students and Staff to Tune Into Reading: - Lisa McKenney, Public Service Coordinator, Allegany County Library System; Mike Fiscus, Media Specialist, Northeast Elementary; John Taube, Director, Allegany County Library System.
During the 2006-2007 school-year, Allegany County Library System and Northeast Elementary School collaborated on the program, “Tune Into Reading.” Their main goals for this project was to support intermediate readers, stay current with reading tools and reach digital natives. Ten backpacks were created using ten authors. Each backpack contained three books written by the author. Children could listen to the story being read on the I Pod, and follow along with the book. The students at Northeast Elementary School produced video book summaries, author studies, and their own book reviews. All of this information was then uploaded onto the I Pod’s. The I Pods then circulate from the library in the backpack which contains the print and audio version of the book.
The presenters also had eight laptops set-up at the front of the room. Eight people in the session (I was one of the eight!) learned how to create their own pod cast and video cast. The pod casts and video casts created, were added to the conference wiki. This session was amazing. You could see how innovative and creative we as librarians have become in order to keep up with the ever-changing technology of this world.
At Work in Your PJ’s?: Glennor Shirley, Coordinator, CE Librarian; Joe Thompson, Project Coordinator, Maryland AskUsNow!; Barbara Lipsky, Telecommuter for CE Libraries.
This session sparked my interest because as a mother of a 5-year-old boy, I too at times feel guilty about not being able to do all the things my mother did for me as a child. My mother did not go back to work till I was fifteen years old. I love my job as a children’s librarian and wish there was a way I could as they say; “have the best of both worlds.” I learned how to get started as a telecommuter. Some of the ways to get started are: research telecommuting, write a proposal, and meet with your supervisor and review your proposal. In your proposal be prepared to answer the following: how many hours you will work from home, how will you keep communication, what work you plan on doing at home, how you will record your time, and your willingness to come into the office for meetings, staff development functions, and various other activities.
Your working environment, if you do telecommute at home should be similar to what you would have if you were at work. Your workspace needs to be free of potential hazards such as, loose and exposed wires, torn carpeting or uneven floor surfaces. Your chair should be standard with good back support. Make sure all wires are secured properly to avoid falls and accidents. Also, have adequate lightening for reading and performing your work. One of the most important work environment needs is, make sure your work area is FREE from ALL distractions.
Finally, the pros and cons of telecommuting were mentioned. Some of the pros were: fewer distractions at home (no chatty co-workers), no need to travel in poor weather, reduced dependence on auto, train or bus, and the ability to take care of other tasks at home while working. Some of the cons mentioned were: more distractions at home, inability to separate work from the rest of your life, less opportunity to engage with co-workers, accountability must be addressed, and a strong degree of trust must exist between you and your supervisor.
Overall this session was very informative to me. Maybe one day I will have the opportunity to telecommute, (still carry on the job I love) and have time to make all the PTA meetings, soccer games, and other activities of raising a very active little boy! :)
2nd Annual Pub Quiz: Michael Gannon, Sponsored by the Washington County Free Library and The Western Maryland Regional Library.
I was debating if I was going to attend this pub quiz, but other librarians I had met for the first time earlier that day convinced me it would be fun. I was glad I went! As you know, we as librarians know everything! It was fun trying to answer questions, guess characters from books, name music tunes, and answer questions related to the history of libraries in Maryland. Did you know that the first bookmobile in the United States was introduced in Washington County, Maryland in 1905! Our group won a prize for having the least amount of points! :)
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008
One Maryland, One Book: Andrea Lewis, Maryland Center for the Book at the Maryland Humanities Council; Scotti Oliver, Talbot County Free Library.
The purpose of the One Maryland, One Book is to develop and support programs that promote most importantly reading, books, libraries, Maryland writers, and the state’s literacy heritage. The book that will be used for 2008 is: “A Hope in the Unseen: An American Odyssey from the Inner City to the Ivy League” By Ron Suskind. Red folders were given out at the beginning of the session. If your folder contained a blue dot on the inside, at the end of the session you would obtain a free copy of the book. Unfortunately my folder did not contain a blue dot. :( One of our fellow MCPL Librarians, Joseph Eagen (Olney Branch Manager) received a free copy, along with many others.
The kickoff for this event will be held at the annual Baltimore Book Festival. Discussions will be held at various libraries and schools throughout the year. I find it very enlightening that there will be many people in Maryland reading the same book. Many high schools are making it mandatory for their students to read this book. This book appeals to a wide range of readers from varying socio-economic levels and backgrounds. We can participate by promoting the book in our library and carrying on book discussions of the book. Lisa Navidi (Librarian II– Rockville) mentioned during the session that her book group will be discussing the book in August.
Hidden Patrons: Susan Paznekas, Division of Library Development and Services (Moderator); Susan Waxter, Baltimore County Public Library; Fritzi Newton, Howard County Library; Raineyl Coiro, Eastern Shore Regional Library; and Kathleen O’Connell, Washington County Free Library.
I found this session to be very, very informative. Four librarians from four different library systems presented information on how their libraries have reached their “hidden patrons.” Before you can reach your hidden patrons, you first need to find out who are your hidden patrons. Each library conducted similar, but varying methods of how they found out whom was in their areas and how they would serve their needs. The part completed by Raineyl Corio, from the Eastern Shore Regional Library was very interesting. They have a large population of Spanish speakers in their area. At first the library just ordered Spanish titles they “assumed” were popular among the Spanish speakers, but they noticed these titles were not circulating. They then began to develop the need to assess their “hidden patrons.” They found out that many of their patrons were Spanish speakers who could not even read in their native language. After their assessment and surveys, they then began outreach and developed plans of how to get their hidden patrons in the library.
As we all know, a lot of people in our areas come from different countries all over the world. Libraries in their native countries do not offer all the free services as public libraries in America do. It is one of our main focuses and initiatives to inform them of all the many things the library has to offer. I had an outreach visit to an ESOL PTA group, and they were just amazed at the many services we here in MCPL can offer them. It just made me feel so good inside that we can offer them these services. I even saw a few of the parents at the library that following week. How we can find our hidden patrons was an excellent session, and just shows us our important libraries really are!
Closing General Session: Joseph Janes. “Where We Go From Here.”
Joseph Janes is Associate Professor at the Information School of the University of Washington. He is the Founding Director of the Internet Public Library among many other successes and accomplishments. Joseph Janes also writes a column for the American Libraries magazine. If you have not read his column, please do so. His columns are very enlightening to read.
He was a great closing speaker. He was very upbeat and kept my attention. By this time I was very tired after two very intense days of programs. One of the examples he mentioned that I found very humorous was when he said, you can be in meeting where they are introducing new ways of doing things, and you will have that one worker who has been at their job for 25 years or so, slouched down in the chair, because they do not want to know about changes, they just don’t want to hear it. We can become so used to how we “always” did things, or set in our ways of doing certain tasks, that we shut off any idea or thought of changing. We should embrace new ideas, new innovation. We should not be afraid of change. Another example he used was how a new graduate of library science collaborated with a “seasoned” librarian. The seasoned librarian knew all of the information and research about the subject and the new librarian knew how to work the technology for creating the video casts. Joseph Janes mentioned seven words: learn, play, succeed, fail, share, lead and innovate. Those seven words are something we should all take a moment to think about.
This was my very first conference attendance as a librarian. I was so excited and enthused about going to MLA. I was able to meet a lot of librarians from other Maryland libraries. The interaction and exposure to all the things MLA had to offer will stay with me forever. It is so refreshing and encouraging when you are able to get together with people who share your same joy and enthusiasm about your profession.
If you were not able to attend MLA, you can join the Virtual Conference following the link below:
http://home.learningtimes.net/mla
VLA Paraprofessional Forum Annual Conference Richmond, VA May 18-20,2008
Kathy Esteves, LAS, Marilyn J. Praisner Library
This year's Conference Theme: "The Many Faces of Libraries: Fearlessly Evolving to Meet User Needs"
This was my first trip to VLA and I had heard over the past 10 years that it was a great informational and networking forum as well as uplifting and a lot of fun to attend. It was all that I anticipated and more.
Virginia Library Association Paraprofessional Forum (VLAPF) was founded in 1979 and this year marked the 16th Annual Conference. This forum supports the continued sharing of information, networking and conveys the importance of Library support staff, mainly Circulation staff, and the pivotal role that they play each and every day impacting public service.
This year’s program offered something for everyone from daily challenges public service staff face to philosophical debates on the library’s role in the digital realm. The conference theme focused on the myriad ways libraries offer services. Today’s libraries not only offer access to traditional materials as in year’s past, but with more print shifting to electronic format, multimedia’s increasing importance and library staff becoming ad-hoc referees of trusted web content, libraries have become true gateways to all information sources. 2008 Conference Brochure (PDF)
Dr. Sandra Treadway, previously director of Virginia’s Library’s Publications Division, then deputy director for the Virginia Library and now the current Librarian of Virginia was the keynote speaker. The following are the highlights from her presentation:
· She stated that we were all here to learn from each other to find new ways
of thinking and writing including wiki’s, blogs and to refine our customer
service skills.
· She recognized the crucial role of Library support staff. “We are the Face
of Change” in what we do everyday with the level of contact with the public
· The public doesn’t understand or see the difference between libraries and
patrons don’t understand library terminology and don’t always understand
the limits libraries have with technology. Databases are expensive
interlibrary use only and that we have to pay for them because there is a
statewide license.
· Most customers are looking for office functions—computer training, faxing,
copying,printing and basically we have to teach them on the job. We are
constantly doing a balancing act.
· The public wants a transparent process in that they want to be empowered to
do things themselves.
· Customers want more visual based signs in graphics, i.e. restrooms, copiers,
check in /check-out, reference, new releases, movies, etc.
· The public has expectations and want a specific atmosphere – they don’t
want to feel like they’re in church, so quiet and orderly.
· There are increasing new comers – provide a center that is a community
center where patrons feel they can talk and interact with friends and
family, use phones and be able to and eat and drink if they want to.
After doing some research in VA Libraries and consulting with library support staff in different branches, Dr. Treadway was given the following input:
· Circulation staff have been encountering internal issues for the past 5
years due to the necessity to take on much more work than their job
description shows.
· She stated that much of the circulation staff felt that they were not shown
much appreciation, they didn’t get the respect they deserved or the
training they needed and that there was a definite line between the
professionals and the paraprofessional staff.
· Circulation is truly using databases to find answers to questions because
they are most of the time the first point of contact
· They feel there is a huge pay differential
· There is no real career ladder
· There should be more opportunity for staff to go the professional route
without having to get an MLS.
She continued to tell us that there is a Library Certification Program and that ALA has a grant from IMLS to put together a pilot program for paraprofessionals. It will identify core competencies that circulation staff need and will become proficient in, through training.
She felt that Libraries should encourage professional staff to energize internal staff and paraprofessionals need to be given the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and abilities and hone skills.
She also went on to say that The Code of Ethics should be followed to make sure that all staff are respected and held accountable through their PPE for the way they treat people and that there should be staff input from all levels and it should be used. The issues should be communicated, heard and addressed.
Her closing comments were, "Paraprofessionals really are 'The Face of Change' in libraries and they are really moving us forward. The group shows that when there is a need, they will bring about a change. Libraries will not be successful if ALL levels don’t work together!"
There were several breakout sessions over 2 days. I attended the following:
Speak Up! The power of Public Speaking – This session taught how to warm up your voice and calm down nerves before stepping up to the podium or when giving information or instruction at staff meetings. It also showed how to transform fear into energy for making powerful presentations.
Managing Library Volunteers – Very good session, very detailed. Provided an overview of the necessary elements needed to run a successful volunteer program. Got information on how to recruit the right volunteers for the right position; learned about retaining volunteers, focusing on their interests and skills; how to recognize volunteers on a budget; how to get support from the staff and management and how to determine if the program is effective and worthwhile.
iPods to Go – Very interesting--staff and students from The College of William & Mary gave a presentation on iPods to Go. The College lends iPods to college students and have had much success. Circulation staff handle all related functions with the iPods. They handle check in/check-out, fines, etc.
· Each iPod is 80 GB and comes in a Camera type case/bag with: AV cable, iPod charger, ear
buds (in sealed plastic bags), Information card and bag content card
· Initial Supply cost – (10) iPods w/ case, AV cable, microphone, iPod charger and 2 yr.
Apple Care Protection Plan approx $4,761.74. They also offer an FM transmitter (80) for
cars that don’t have CD
· The library website updates the availability of the iPods
· Customers can’t copy information from the iPods
· They won’t purchase any movies over $40, but some TV shows are a little more and they
will order full season
· They have a wiki about the iPods
· They had light publicity because they only had 10 iPods to start and they launched
the iPods at a table set up.
POLICIES for the iPods –
* No holds – first come first served
*1 week loan period
* Overdue fines - $5 a day – max $20
* After 2-3 wks overdue, charge 4500. + accrued fines
*2 photo IDs to check out
*Signed out with signature – legal signature easier to uphold
RULES for the iPods
*Never leave iPod unattended
* Don’t remove skin/cover
* Return iPod to staff – not drop box
* Tell patron at check out that iPod may need to be charged
* Borrower assumes full responsibility
PROGRAMS for iPods
* iPods can be preloaded with content, i.e. Library programs, website information,
policies, etc.
* Borrowers may request audio book/video downloads – staff do downloading,
generally takes 2 min. for audio and 10 min. for movies, TV shows/series/season
1 hr.
* Library can purchase movies/TV series for Itunes store
* 1 Title on iPod at a time because of copyright issues, no 2iPods can have the
same program on it at the same time
* Subscriptions Run aprrox. for 1 year for Audible Subscription $230 and Itunes
music $200 = $430 a year
Collection Management and Technology – This session went over the different ways in which the collection is changing and how materials are processed. The Library system presenters talked about the many types of media they circulate and process. It was very interesting that due to the small size of their system, all damaged media, i.e. tapes, CDs, DVDs etc. were repaired at their collection management site. I felt a very positive, cost effective and good service that they provide there is they have a special DVD and CD cleaning machine that cleans and revitalizes scratched unusable DVDs so that they can continue to circulate instead of being disposed of.
MLA Conference, 2008—Some Highlights
This year’s MLA Conference was exceptional. The keynote speaker was Dr. Pier Forni, an award winning professor at Johns Hopkins University and author of the book Choosing Civility: The Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct. Like other counties in the State, Montgomery County is participating in the civility initiative and I have been asked to be a member representing libraries. As such, I found Dr. Forni’s address particularly relevant. His talk focused on the lack of civility, manners and politeness in contemporary society and how it affects our quality of life. Fostering an environment of respect, civility and manners is especially important in the workplace. The title of his talk was “Life is a Relational Experience.” It’s all about how we treat each other. For managers, this is particularly good reminder since we set the tone.
Along with other members of the MLA Executive Committee, I attended the orientation for first time attendees, introducing myself and talking to newcomers about the relevance of MLA and how it can help them in their careers.
“Love and Death on the High Seas” a reader’s advisory program presented by Michael Gannon was funny and enjoyable. All the books he discussed, took place on the high seas.
As Chair of the Maryland Author Award, I had the pleasure of introducing the 2008 Maryland Author Award winner, Marita Golden. Ms. Golden won the award for her fiction, but she also has attracted critical acclaim for her non-fiction works that focus on her own immediate family. Marita Golden’s address focused on her love of reading and how that changed her life. After the luncheon discussion, Ms. Golden was featured in a program “Conversation with the Author” where she discussed her writing style, her relationship with her editor and her background research on her latest book, After: A Novel.
The program “Making Best Friends” featured our own Ari Z. Brooks and Susan Schmidt! They, along with Bill Wilson and Lillie Hilleheber, gave practical tips for starting friends groups.
MLA Conference, 2008—Some Highlights
This year’s MLA Conference was exceptional. The keynote speaker was Dr. Pier Forni, an award winning professor at Johns Hopkins University and author of the book Choosing Civility: The Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct. Like other counties in the State, Montgomery County is participating in the civility initiative and I have been asked to be a member representing libraries. As such, I found Dr. Forni’s address particularly relevant. His talk focused on the lack of civility, manners and politeness in contemporary society and how it affects our quality of life. Fostering an environment of respect, civility and manners is especially important in the workplace. The title of his talk was “Life is a Relational Experience.” It’s all about how we treat each other. For managers, this is particularly good reminder since we set the tone.
Along with other members of the MLA Executive Committee, I attended the orientation for first time attendees, introducing myself and talking to newcomers about the relevance of MLA and how it can help them in their careers.
“Love and Death on the High Seas” a reader’s advisory program presented by Michael Gannon was funny and enjoyable. All the books he discussed, took place on the high seas.
As Chair of the Maryland Author Award, I had the pleasure of introducing the 2008 Maryland Author Award winner, Marita Golden. Ms. Golden won the award for her fiction, but she also has attracted critical acclaim for her non-fiction works that focus on her own immediate family. Marita Golden’s address focused on her love of reading and how that changed her life. After the luncheon discussion, Ms. Golden was featured in a program “Conversation with the Author” where she discussed her writing style, her relationship with her editor and her background research on her latest book, After: A Novel.
The program “Making Best Friends” featured our own Ari Z. Brooks and Susan Schmidt! They, along with Bill Wilson and Lillie Hilleheber, gave practical tips for starting friends groups.
This year’s MLA Conference was exceptional. The keynote speaker was Dr. Pier Forni, an award winning professor at Johns Hopkins University and author of the book Choosing Civility: The Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct. Like other counties in the State, Montgomery County is participating in the civility initiative and I have been asked to be a member representing libraries. As such, I found Dr. Forni’s address particularly relevant. His talk focused on the lack of civility, manners and politeness in contemporary society and how it affects our quality of life. Fostering an environment of respect, civility and manners is especially important in the workplace. The title of his talk was “Life is a Relational Experience.” It’s all about how we treat each other. For managers, this is particularly good reminder since we set the tone.
Along with other members of the MLA Executive Committee, I attended the orientation for first time attendees, introducing myself and talking to newcomers about the relevance of MLA and how it can help them in their careers.
“Love and Death on the High Seas” a reader’s advisory program presented by Michael Gannon was funny and enjoyable. All the books he discussed, took place on the high seas.
As Chair of the Maryland Author Award, I had the pleasure of introducing the 2008 Maryland Author Award winner, Marita Golden. Ms. Golden won the award for her fiction, but she also has attracted critical acclaim for her non-fiction works that focus on her own immediate family. Marita Golden’s address focused on her love of reading and how that changed her life. After the luncheon discussion, Ms. Golden was featured in a program “Conversation with the Author” where she discussed her writing style, her relationship with her editor and her background research on her latest book, After: A Novel.
The program “Making Best Friends” featured our own Ari Z. Brooks and Susan Schmidt! They, along with Bill Wilson and Lillie Hilleheber, gave practical tips for starting friends groups.
MLA Conference, 2008—Some Highlights
This year’s MLA Conference was exceptional. The keynote speaker was Dr. Pier Forni, an award winning professor at Johns Hopkins University and author of the book Choosing Civility: The Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct. Like other counties in the State, Montgomery County is participating in the civility initiative and I have been asked to be a member representing libraries. As such, I found Dr. Forni’s address particularly relevant. His talk focused on the lack of civility, manners and politeness in contemporary society and how it affects our quality of life. Fostering an environment of respect, civility and manners is especially important in the workplace. The title of his talk was “Life is a Relational Experience.” It’s all about how we treat each other. For managers, this is particularly good reminder since we set the tone.
Along with other members of the MLA Executive Committee, I attended the orientation for first time attendees, introducing myself and talking to newcomers about the relevance of MLA and how it can help them in their careers.
“Love and Death on the High Seas” a reader’s advisory program presented by Michael Gannon was funny and enjoyable. All the books he discussed, took place on the high seas.
As Chair of the Maryland Author Award, I had the pleasure of introducing the 2008 Maryland Author Award winner, Marita Golden. Ms. Golden won the award for her fiction, but she also has attracted critical acclaim for her non-fiction works that focus on her own immediate family. Marita Golden’s address focused on her love of reading and how that changed her life. After the luncheon discussion, Ms. Golden was featured in a program “Conversation with the Author” where she discussed her writing style, her relationship with her editor and her background research on her latest book, After: A Novel.
The program “Making Best Friends” featured our own Ari Z. Brooks and Susan Schmidt! They, along with Bill Wilson and Lillie Hilleheber, gave practical tips for starting friends groups.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Maryland Library Association, Ocean City, Maryland
May 14-16, 2008
Susan Modak, Librarian, Noyes Library for Young Children
Thanks very much to MCPL for supporting my attendance at MLA this year.
Here are my highlights:
Maryland Author Award luncheon honoring Marita Golden. She gave a talk about what being a lifelong reader has meant to her. Her next book will be developed from her interviews with 12 or so famous people/writers will be titled, Why I Read, Why I Write. She talked about the benefits of being let loose in the library as a youngster, “unguided and unassigned.” And that being a reader has afforded her a “legacy of connectedness.”
Very nice to see and hear her, however, I was also interested in observing the workings of the 2007 Blue Crab Committee as it presents the Blue Crab award plaques (for best easy/transitional childrens books, fiction and non) at this luncheon. I'm on the committee for next year's award so it was very helpful to see what that involves.
Blue Crab Award session - After the luncheon, at a separate event, the Blue Crab authors present about their books and the Blue Crab Committee explains their mission. This is one opportunity for them to recruit committee members. This year’s author, David Bjerklie, told how his book, Butterflies!, came to be in the setting of Time, Inc.’s Time for Kids Division. He told us that while it is difficult enough to get science information right for adults; it’s doubly difficult to present information clearly, accurately and appropriately for various levels of children’s materials.
Outreach Interest Group Meeting - held to see if there’s sufficient interest for MLA to sanction an Interest Group, preliminary to the forming of a new Division, devoted to the subject of Outreach. About 20 people showed up to talk about library outreach, many of them specifically interested in Mobile Services, some in Corrections-based library service and some, like me, generally interested in the concept of library outreach but not currently involved in those specialized areas. I volunteered to help out on the Wiki. Ha! I’ve never done that, so it’ll be a learning opportunity, for sure.
At work in your P.J.’s - Three library staff around Maryland who work completely or partly by telecommuting talked about pros and cons of working from somewhere (anywhere, not just home) outside the library building, important considerations in setting up a telecommuting work situation, how to find out more from telecommuting websites, etc.
One presenter was a University of Maryland library administrator with a very long commute who works on administrative and other tasks from home one day a week. The other two work mainly by telecommuting: one, a web developer and outreach librarian at MDSE/Correctional Education and the other a project coordinator for Ask Us Now!
Promoting School Readiness: A successful research initiative involving home childcare providers
This project was funded by an LSTA grant. In 2004, it was found that only 2% of childcare providers in Carroll County had any kind of early literacy training. Childcare providers in the community were solicited to take part in the CCPL project, half were set aside as a control group. The children in the caregiver homes were tested using an appropriately gentle, fun, but effective early literacy assessment (ELSA, sounds nice, doesn’t it?, like a sweet cow).
In the Fall, the caregivers were given three hours of training in early literacy theory and strategies and a big trunk of fun, useful materials for play and crafts. The project staff communicated with the trainees by telephone and newsletter until the follow-up training in the Spring. The Spring training allowed for the childcare providers to share what they had learned and used since the earlier training. Additionally, the childcare providers involved in the project, generally isolated from each other, formed a supportive relationship.
The children were assessed again at the end and their gains were substantially greater than in the control group. Additionally, through their training, the childcare providers became valued and legitimized sources of science-based early literacy information to the children’s parents.
In the second year the control group received the ‘treatment’ and had similar results.
In a separate LSTA grant, library staff from St. Mary’s County piggy-backed off the findings from the Carroll County project and developed their own project to visit childcare providers in homes and businesses to provide storytimes, as well as training and fun materials for staff. They used part of their grant to purchase and decorate a van to use as they visited around their county. The project and the van were identified by the acronym W.O.W.! Words on Wheels. St. Mary’s also developed a terrifically successful product: a clear backpack with books, music, toys etc. very much like our storycare kits of old, but meant to be checked out by kids and parents. There are 200 kits among the branches, on many different themes and they are almost always all checked out.
Another cool project from this county: as an aid to parents and caregivers, certain books with especially good early literacy skill-building potential contain a sticker on the inside cover. This custom-made sticker lists some early literacy activities suited to that book and gives an example of an open-ended question one might ask about that book’s story.
This takes the practice of telling parents and caregivers about enhanced book-reading strategies and reinforces it with appropriate reminders and suggestions keyed to a particular title. TERRIFIC! The books with this enhancement have a spine label to identify them and are rarely sitting on the shelf.
So, between the various partners in Carroll County for the first project to training caregivers and support them and the off-shoot in St Mary’s to repeatedly visit childcare settings, this was really an amazing project with many benefits to the various groups involved. The presentation team at MLA2008, which includes one of the home daycare providers, had presented their workshop at the Intl. Reading Association earlier in May and will present it again at ALA later this month.
May 14-16, 2008
Susan Modak, Librarian, Noyes Library for Young Children
Thanks very much to MCPL for supporting my attendance at MLA this year.
Here are my highlights:
Maryland Author Award luncheon honoring Marita Golden. She gave a talk about what being a lifelong reader has meant to her. Her next book will be developed from her interviews with 12 or so famous people/writers will be titled, Why I Read, Why I Write. She talked about the benefits of being let loose in the library as a youngster, “unguided and unassigned.” And that being a reader has afforded her a “legacy of connectedness.”
Very nice to see and hear her, however, I was also interested in observing the workings of the 2007 Blue Crab Committee as it presents the Blue Crab award plaques (for best easy/transitional childrens books, fiction and non) at this luncheon. I'm on the committee for next year's award so it was very helpful to see what that involves.
Blue Crab Award session - After the luncheon, at a separate event, the Blue Crab authors present about their books and the Blue Crab Committee explains their mission. This is one opportunity for them to recruit committee members. This year’s author, David Bjerklie, told how his book, Butterflies!, came to be in the setting of Time, Inc.’s Time for Kids Division. He told us that while it is difficult enough to get science information right for adults; it’s doubly difficult to present information clearly, accurately and appropriately for various levels of children’s materials.
Outreach Interest Group Meeting - held to see if there’s sufficient interest for MLA to sanction an Interest Group, preliminary to the forming of a new Division, devoted to the subject of Outreach. About 20 people showed up to talk about library outreach, many of them specifically interested in Mobile Services, some in Corrections-based library service and some, like me, generally interested in the concept of library outreach but not currently involved in those specialized areas. I volunteered to help out on the Wiki. Ha! I’ve never done that, so it’ll be a learning opportunity, for sure.
At work in your P.J.’s - Three library staff around Maryland who work completely or partly by telecommuting talked about pros and cons of working from somewhere (anywhere, not just home) outside the library building, important considerations in setting up a telecommuting work situation, how to find out more from telecommuting websites, etc.
One presenter was a University of Maryland library administrator with a very long commute who works on administrative and other tasks from home one day a week. The other two work mainly by telecommuting: one, a web developer and outreach librarian at MDSE/Correctional Education and the other a project coordinator for Ask Us Now!
Promoting School Readiness: A successful research initiative involving home childcare providers
This project was funded by an LSTA grant. In 2004, it was found that only 2% of childcare providers in Carroll County had any kind of early literacy training. Childcare providers in the community were solicited to take part in the CCPL project, half were set aside as a control group. The children in the caregiver homes were tested using an appropriately gentle, fun, but effective early literacy assessment (ELSA, sounds nice, doesn’t it?, like a sweet cow).
In the Fall, the caregivers were given three hours of training in early literacy theory and strategies and a big trunk of fun, useful materials for play and crafts. The project staff communicated with the trainees by telephone and newsletter until the follow-up training in the Spring. The Spring training allowed for the childcare providers to share what they had learned and used since the earlier training. Additionally, the childcare providers involved in the project, generally isolated from each other, formed a supportive relationship.
The children were assessed again at the end and their gains were substantially greater than in the control group. Additionally, through their training, the childcare providers became valued and legitimized sources of science-based early literacy information to the children’s parents.
In the second year the control group received the ‘treatment’ and had similar results.
In a separate LSTA grant, library staff from St. Mary’s County piggy-backed off the findings from the Carroll County project and developed their own project to visit childcare providers in homes and businesses to provide storytimes, as well as training and fun materials for staff. They used part of their grant to purchase and decorate a van to use as they visited around their county. The project and the van were identified by the acronym W.O.W.! Words on Wheels. St. Mary’s also developed a terrifically successful product: a clear backpack with books, music, toys etc. very much like our storycare kits of old, but meant to be checked out by kids and parents. There are 200 kits among the branches, on many different themes and they are almost always all checked out.
Another cool project from this county: as an aid to parents and caregivers, certain books with especially good early literacy skill-building potential contain a sticker on the inside cover. This custom-made sticker lists some early literacy activities suited to that book and gives an example of an open-ended question one might ask about that book’s story.
This takes the practice of telling parents and caregivers about enhanced book-reading strategies and reinforces it with appropriate reminders and suggestions keyed to a particular title. TERRIFIC! The books with this enhancement have a spine label to identify them and are rarely sitting on the shelf.
So, between the various partners in Carroll County for the first project to training caregivers and support them and the off-shoot in St Mary’s to repeatedly visit childcare settings, this was really an amazing project with many benefits to the various groups involved. The presentation team at MLA2008, which includes one of the home daycare providers, had presented their workshop at the Intl. Reading Association earlier in May and will present it again at ALA later this month.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Book Expo 2008
As I was on my way out the door the Tuesday before I left for Book Expo, the buzz at the Collection Management facility was all about the bright eyed garter snake spotted near our front sidewalk, catching the last of the afternoon sun and observing the passing quiet. I caught a picture on my cell phone: 
Well, I should have known he was a bit of a totem. Lots of my conversations at Book Expo in Los Angeles were about the fabled Long Tail of publishing.
Here are a couple of things I learned (this is the stats part):
The library market accounts for only 5-10% of sales of bestsellers.
BUT we (public libraries) buy 60% or more of mid-list, literary fiction. And our purchases account for as much as 40% of sales of genre titles, especially in mysteries. Publishers are eager to listen to us--collection development librarians from Seattle, San Francisco, Brooklyn and Minneapolis participated on panels to let publishers know what we are thinking about, looking for and especially what we are buying.
And then there is the Long Tail--here's a statistic that describes its long skinniness quite well: 93% of all ISBN's sold fewer than 1,000 units and accounted for 13% of all sales. That’s mostly not us in libraries. Even more not quite us is the long-tailed, bright-eyed boom this represents in electronic publishing: nearly every fifth person I met was either an author or editor or marketer or packager or distributor of self-published books.
Where is the public library in that conversation? Is that the old pamphlet file? Is it a town meeting in the written word rather than in the buzz of voices? Let me know!
Speakers I heard:
Jeff Bezos, CEO/founder of Amazon.com. Take a look at this week’s New Yorker cover.
That distinctive swirl of the Amazon logo on the box in the UPS guy’s hands: hmm. Long tail? Maybe. And the independent bookseller, opening the door to his shop. Will the woman getting her Amazon.com delivery come in to browse and buy later? Or not? …Bezos says that Kindle buyers/users as a whole buy just as many—or maybe even more—print books of titles they could buy as Kindle editions, as they do Kindle titles. The Kindle is light, and you can buy a book WHEREVER you are in the world. Neil Gaiman loves his Kindle. Jeff Bezos is starting a sub-orbital space program.
Perhaps that is so we can all get a better look at the place described as
Hot, flat and crowded. That’s the title of Thomas Friedman’s new book. The working title was Green is the new red, white and blue. A couple of points: China and Qatar each have cities that eat our savings from those energy-saving bulbs for lunch, while nearly all of the continent of Africa is energy-poor.
Sherman Alexie (librarians, books and courage).
Eoin Coifer (Irish, funny, bright).
Neal Gaiman (he used to take his preschool son to ride his tricycle around the nearby churchyard—thus, his new novel The Graveyard Book).
Judy Blume (beautiful; for her, 70 seems to be the new 40).
Alec Baldwin (new book about family law, divorce and parental alienation) (but he is not bitter after the catharsis of writing the book).
Magic Johnson (how understanding his customers at his downtown movie theaters, Starbucks and Burger Kings have made him a successful businessman and urban investor).
Philippa Gregory (do not match wits about the Tudors with this woman).
Andre Dubus (the son: formerly a pugilistic idealist; now a fine novelist).
A panel of audio book producers & deliverers: Demand is high; digital rights management issues remain a puzzle; delivery mechanisms (MP3? CDs? Playaways? cell phones?) are creating multiple format demands; authors love them, unabridged production is expensive.
Other quick takes:
A clip of the stop-action feature film based on Coraline (same animator as "The Nightmare Before Christmas").
Gory, impossible to put down, runaway first novel on its way to a shelf near you: The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson.
Nora Rawlinson's new website for collection development librarians (yay!): EarlyWord.com.
Alan Moore's classic title, Watchmen, is seeing a big rise in sales with the anticipation of the film.
Well, I should have known he was a bit of a totem. Lots of my conversations at Book Expo in Los Angeles were about the fabled Long Tail of publishing.
Here are a couple of things I learned (this is the stats part):
The library market accounts for only 5-10% of sales of bestsellers.
BUT we (public libraries) buy 60% or more of mid-list, literary fiction. And our purchases account for as much as 40% of sales of genre titles, especially in mysteries. Publishers are eager to listen to us--collection development librarians from Seattle, San Francisco, Brooklyn and Minneapolis participated on panels to let publishers know what we are thinking about, looking for and especially what we are buying.
And then there is the Long Tail--here's a statistic that describes its long skinniness quite well: 93% of all ISBN's sold fewer than 1,000 units and accounted for 13% of all sales. That’s mostly not us in libraries. Even more not quite us is the long-tailed, bright-eyed boom this represents in electronic publishing: nearly every fifth person I met was either an author or editor or marketer or packager or distributor of self-published books.
Where is the public library in that conversation? Is that the old pamphlet file? Is it a town meeting in the written word rather than in the buzz of voices? Let me know!
Speakers I heard:
Jeff Bezos, CEO/founder of Amazon.com. Take a look at this week’s New Yorker cover.
That distinctive swirl of the Amazon logo on the box in the UPS guy’s hands: hmm. Long tail? Maybe. And the independent bookseller, opening the door to his shop. Will the woman getting her Amazon.com delivery come in to browse and buy later? Or not? …Bezos says that Kindle buyers/users as a whole buy just as many—or maybe even more—print books of titles they could buy as Kindle editions, as they do Kindle titles. The Kindle is light, and you can buy a book WHEREVER you are in the world. Neil Gaiman loves his Kindle. Jeff Bezos is starting a sub-orbital space program.Perhaps that is so we can all get a better look at the place described as
Hot, flat and crowded. That’s the title of Thomas Friedman’s new book. The working title was Green is the new red, white and blue. A couple of points: China and Qatar each have cities that eat our savings from those energy-saving bulbs for lunch, while nearly all of the continent of Africa is energy-poor.
Sherman Alexie (librarians, books and courage).
Eoin Coifer (Irish, funny, bright).
Neal Gaiman (he used to take his preschool son to ride his tricycle around the nearby churchyard—thus, his new novel The Graveyard Book).
Judy Blume (beautiful; for her, 70 seems to be the new 40).
Alec Baldwin (new book about family law, divorce and parental alienation) (but he is not bitter after the catharsis of writing the book).
Magic Johnson (how understanding his customers at his downtown movie theaters, Starbucks and Burger Kings have made him a successful businessman and urban investor).
Philippa Gregory (do not match wits about the Tudors with this woman).
Andre Dubus (the son: formerly a pugilistic idealist; now a fine novelist).
A panel of audio book producers & deliverers: Demand is high; digital rights management issues remain a puzzle; delivery mechanisms (MP3? CDs? Playaways? cell phones?) are creating multiple format demands; authors love them, unabridged production is expensive.
Other quick takes:
A clip of the stop-action feature film based on Coraline (same animator as "The Nightmare Before Christmas").
Gory, impossible to put down, runaway first novel on its way to a shelf near you: The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson.
Nora Rawlinson's new website for collection development librarians (yay!): EarlyWord.com.
Alan Moore's classic title, Watchmen, is seeing a big rise in sales with the anticipation of the film.
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