Conference Highlights:
Library Journal Movers & Shakers Annual Luncheon
As a representative of the County of Los Angeles Public Library, I participated in the Library Journal Movers & Shakers Annual Luncheon, from 12-3p.m., at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., June 25th, 2010. The colleague who nominated me, 2006 Mover & Shaker, Gary Shaffer, kindly introduced me to the formidable Mr. John N. Berry, III (Editor of LJ for over 40 years.), and to 2007 Library Journal Mover & Shaker, Larry Neal, Director of the Clinton-Macomb Public Library. Neal told me about his success in building his library from scratch --- in a technology-savvy manner. The featured luncheon speaker was Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, journalist and author of the upcoming title, The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep them Safe. Tzemach Lemmon discussed the entrepreneurial spirit of Afghani women, and the communities that work to protect these businesswomen from the Taliban.
I’m Doing Events From Now On!
A PLA program, this session encouraged attendees to invite authors to speak at their libraries. Panelists from the St. Louis County Library System included Charles Pace (Director), Carrie Robb (Adult Program Coordinator), and Tim Wadham (Assistant Director for Youth and Community Services). These speakers suggested that libraries might use author events not only to promote community goodwill, but also for fund-raising. (To generate monies, planners can request that publishers provide libraries with a percent of the total book sale profit.) Robb works exclusively on coordinating author visits for the St. Louis County Library System, which offers more than 50 author presentations annually. Robb plans each program months in advance. She works with local authors and universities, as well as with authors of national prominence. Robb often develops a theme for series of author visits. Then, she promotes, finds community financial support, and creates partnerships with book publishers. To attract the support of publishers, Robb has established relationships with local media contacts (print and radio) to secure strong promotional opportunities. She has also developed relationships with local groups that promote events by hosting receptions prior to author visits. Pricier authors, like Paula Deen, have fees ranging up to $100,000.00. Robb has found financial support for author visits from companies like Target, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Whole Foods, and Boeing. She also writes grants, finding monies through government entities like the National Endowment for the Arts.
Promotional Tips:
o Create bookmarks and posters featuring images specific to the author.
o Develop a listserv of interested patrons.
o Spread the news via Twitter, Facebook, and a blog.
Gale What’s New Luncheon
New items discussed included Powerspeak Languages, Encyclopedia.com, Illustrated London News Historical Archive Online, the Financial Times Historical Archive, AccessMyLibrary iPhone, and Questia School.
Librarians Just Need to Have Fun: Utilizing Fun and Humor in the Workplace to Enhance Employee Performance
The role of fun in the workplace/library considered by Teresa Doherty (Virginia Commonwealth University), Erin L. Davis (Utah State University), Patricia Van Zandt (Southern Methodist University), and Frances Weinstein Yates (Indiana University). Yates’ presentation included puppets, crayons, and other tools of children’s librarians. She suggests that stocking the office with bean bag toys purchased at yard sales can add levity to the workplace. Other ideas for promoting teamwork include interdepartmental open houses, picnicking, and engineering contests using food products, like spaghetti and mini-marshmallows.
Innovative Career Choices: Opportunities Beyond Public and Academic Libraries
Speakers Kristen Mastel (Outreach and Instruction Librarian at the University of Minnesota - St. Paul campus), Julie Blixrud (Association of Research Libraries), and Amanda Roberta (Associate Faculty and Faculty Tutor in the Writing Program at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis) spoke to a tightly-packed crowd. Panelists discussed job opportunities outside of the common library career paths. Specifically, the discussion included consideration of career transitions, working for business libraries, employment with library vendors, and entrepreneurship in the information field.
I had the opportunity to speak at length with Mastel, and she expressed that her success in libraries is largely due to constant juggling. Mastel’s prior position was with Minitex, a library co-op serving special, academic, public, and state libraries in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. For Minitex, she trained colleagues in the use of databases.
Online Classroom Tutorial Time!
When teaching in the online environment, presentation is aided by the implementation of a few simple techniques.
o Course creation:
• During creation in Moodle, delete recent activity. When complete, add recent activity.
• Add ADA and Fair Use Statements and a student/teacher expectation statement.
• Incorporate a Webinar, narrated PowerPoint, or slideshow.
• Include readings, interactive activities, and assignments.
• Add resource links to files or Web sites. These will open in the same window. Use PDFs.
• Post a welcome/introduction to the news forum.
Require that all students are subscribed to the forum.
o Once course has begun:
• Request from students: objectives, snapshot of their library.
• Encourage students to add new discussion topics, rather than reply.
• Do a mid-course survey.
• Inquire: “What is working for those who are participating?”
