News Archive for July 2008    

There is a position available for a District Consultant Librarian. In this position the chosen candidate will provide advisory services to public libraries and library boards in four county Central PA Library Districts, provide training to boards and staff, and serve as liaison to Commonwealth Libraries.

Qualifications require a Master’s degree in library science from ALA accredited school and 5 years minimum of public library work experience. Supervisory and management experience is preferred.

Send letter, resume and three professional references to:
Betsy Allen, Schlow Library, 211 South Allen, State College PA 16801

Application and resume’ will be accepted until August 17.

Job Posting

Department: 16 – EDUCATION
Organization: 163360 – ED DIV SCH & DSTR PLNG & CNTNS IMPRVMT
Job Code/Title: 204600 – SCH LBRY DVPT ADVR
Position Number: 42987
Announcement Number:
County: Dauphin
Work Location: 333 Market St, Harrisburg, PA
Type of Job: Civil Service
Union: FOSCEP
Bargaining Unit: C4
Seniority Unit: BUREAU OF TEACHING AND LEARNING SUPPORT
Type Position: Permanent / Full Time
Salary Range: $46,807 – $71,101
Pay Schedule / Range: ST / ST08
Posting Length: 21 days
Posting Dates: 7/29/2008 – 8/18/2008
Contact Number: (717)705-2672
Information: Work hours 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

This position is subject to the promotion provisions of a collective bargaining agreement.

Description of Duties for position number 42987.

Description of Duties: SUPERVISOR: SHERRILL ROWE
This is a professional position of an advisory and coordinating nature in establishing, developing, and promoting school library programs.
Provides leadership and expertise to school library professionals in the effective use of information resources and instructional technologies to meet the Pennsylvania Academic Standards and provide high quality School Improvement Planning technical assistance and support.

Provides advice and technical assistance to school library personnel, classroom teachers, and administrators on the best practices on school library program management, organization, implementation of information literacy skills across the curriculum, collection development, information technology, scheduling, and other related matters. This includes providing leadership in fully integrating school library management with the School Improvement Planning process, as well as cross-program work on Classrooms for the Future initiatives.

Provides professional development for practicing school librarians, teachers, and school administrators by conducting workshops and by working with consultants who develop train-the-trainer workshops.

Provides advisory services to local school districts on school library design and construction; selection and organization of instructional materials/resources; duties and responsibilities of professional and clerical school library personnel; budgeting and purchasing procedures; and the utilization of instructional materials/resources and equipment by classroom teachers, administrators, and students.

Fosters collaboration between school librarians and classroom teachers, the School Improvement Team in the school and district, Classroom for the Futures coaches, and focuses on school and student achievement.

Conducts onsite evaluations of school libraries, the integration of school improvement and monitors grants as needed.

Collaborates with other state agencies and with other Bureaus/Divisions in the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Serves as a school library liaison to the ACCESS PENNSYLVANIA Database Project.

Develops and organizes workshops, in-service programs, and continuing education/professional development programs related to all phases of the school library program.

Maintains contact via electronic networking and attendance at conferences or workshops with local, state, regional, and national professional organizations concerned with school library programs, school improvement processes and practices.

Interprets, both orally and in writing, the rules and regulations of the School Laws of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Code, including Chapter 4 curriculum regulations, as they relate to the school library program, as well as requirements for the School Improvement Planning process and Framework.

Disseminates school library related materials/resources to local school officials through the media of correspondence, conferences, workshops, and publications.

Performs other related duties as required.

Essential Functions:
1. Communicates with librarians and administrators
2. Communicates orally & in writing
3. Plans and conducts training workshops
4. Possesses knowledge of school librarianship
5. Exhibits exemplary professional judgment
6. Uses office equipment and software
7. Travels to all areas of the state as required

Last Date Job Applications Will Be Accepted: 8/18/2008

THIS IS AN ENTRY LEVEL POSITION

RECRUITMENT METHOD(S):
Applicants must meet one (or more) of the following methods(s) to be considered for this vacancy:
Civil Service Lists (Fill by examination in accordance with collective bargaining.)
Promotion Without Examination
Transfer
Reassignment
Voluntary Demotion
Reinstatement

ELIGIBILITY – ALL CANDIDATES
Meet the minimum experience and training required for the job:
Four years of professional experience in the field of public school library administration or development; or Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Be a resident of Pennsylvania

Be eligible for selection in accordance with Civil Service rules.

ELIGIBILITY – COMPETITIVE PROMOTION WITHOUT EXAMINATION ONLY

CLASS RESTRICTIONS

Have held regular civil service status in one of the following classifications:
LIBRARIAN 2

Employees who hold or have held regular civil service status with no break in Civil Service status in a pay scale group 7 job may apply and a determination will be made by Human Resources staff as to whether there is a logical occupational, functional or career developmental relationship to this vacant position regardless of present status and class.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Minimum experience and training required for the job.

Meritorious service; defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and (b) the last due overall regular or probationary performance evaluation was higher than unsatisfactory or fails to meet standards.

Seniority, defined as a minimum of one year(s) in the next lower class(es) by the posting closing date of 8/18/2008.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Interested qualified applicants must submit all requested materials as specified in the “How To Apply Section”. Failure to comply with the above application requirements will eliminate you from consideration for this position. Send completed application materials to the address listed in “How To Apply” section.

Additional information may be obtained by calling: (717)705-2672
This section is issued for compliance with Management Directive 580.19, Promotion in the Classified Service without Examination.

HOW TO APPLY – ALL CANDIDATES:

The following materials must be mailed and postmarked on or before 8/18/2008:

Most Recent Employee Performance Review
Education Bid Form
Civil Service Application

If interested in applying by mail, please send above specified materials to:

Suzanne Shatto
Human Resources
Department of Education
11th Floor
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333

This is a multidistrict workshop for the Pottsville, Scranton and Wilkes Barre Districts.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008 from 9:00AM-3:30PM at

Best Western East, Mountain Inn and Suites
2400 East End Blvd Route 15
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702

Carlie Webber will discuss recent publishing trends for YA’s, booklist, book awards and who’s HOT.
Carlie is a Young Adult Services Librarian for Bergen County Cooperative Library System in Hackensack, New Jersey. She reviews young adult books. She presents and writes regularly on teen reading issues.

In the afternoon, there will be a panel presentation and discussion with YA librarians and library directors. The panelists will provide information on programming ideas, how to establish and maintain a Teen Advisory Board and identify some YA best practices.

Refer to the attached brochure for all the information needed to attend this insightful workshop.
Deadline for this training event is August 8, 2008.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to increase the teens in your library and the gift of lifelong reading practices for young adults.

“Get ‘Em While They’re Teens – And They’ll Be Library Users for Life” Brochure

Lois Lenski, the 1946 Newbery medalist for Strawberry Girl, had a life-long concern that all children have access to good books. In pursuit of this goal, she established a foundation to provide grants to public and school libraries serving disadvantaged populations.

The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation annually awards grants to rural and urban, public and school libraries serving at-risk children. The Foundation gives priority to applications from libraries with real need and limited book budgets. Funds are earmarked for purchasing books for young people rather than administrative or operational use. Previously awarded grants have ranged from 3500 to 32000. Successful applicants have proposed purchases to update their collections generally or to expand their holdings in specific areas.

A user-friendly, on-line application form is available at www.loislenskicovey.org.

To qualify for year 2008 grants, completed application forms must be received no later than September 15, 2008.

Please direct questions to: Michael Covey, michael.covey@loislenskycovey.org
For more information, visit http://www.loislenskicovey.org.

Lights On Afterschool is celebrated annually to call attention to the
importance of afterschool programs for America’s children, families and
communities across the country. This session will be facilitated by Kisha
Bird, Project Director for the PA Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development
Network and presented by Ursula Helminski, Vice President of External
Affairs for the Afterschool Alliance.

Join the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network
(PSAYDN) and the Afterschool Alliance in celebrating the 9th Annual Lights
On Afterschool! To help prepare for the event, PSAYDN is pleased to offer a
unique one-hour, online training session entitled Planning a Lights On!

This session is intended for individuals and organizations interested in
advocating for afterschool and youth development programs.

Planning a Lights On! Event: How to Engage your Policymaker and the Media is
scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, 2008 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM (EST).

This online trainingwill provide participants with tips and tools to develop events
that attract media attention, policymaker support, and ultimately highlight the
importance of afterschool programs in the community.

All participants registered by Thursday, August 14, 2008 will receive a
Lights On! promotional packet for the event.
**********************************************************************
There is no cost to participate, but seating is limited for this live event.

All registrants will receive an email confirmation regarding the status of
their participation and instructions on how to access the meeting room in
order to participate in the event.

Downloading the necessary software to participate in this live, online
session is easy and can be obtained for free.
**********************************************************************
Details on the entire Advocacy Now: Tools and Resources on How to be a Voice
for Children and Youth series can be found on the Network’s website as
www.psaydn.org.

To learn more about this live, online session and to register, go to:
http://www.psaydn.org/

The Clarion County Library System announces an opening for a County Library System Administrator. The position requires an MLS from an accredited college or university and some library experience. This is a part-time position (30 hours/week); salary is $30,000/year.

Applicants should send their résumé to:

Search Committee
C.C.L.S.
644 Main St
Clarion, PA 16214

Résumés will be accepted until the position is filled.

Each year, the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) recognizes people
from our state who have contributed significantly to the cause of libraries.
The responsibility of the Awards Committee is to choose recipients for the
awards. The awards will be presented during the PaLA Annual Conference at
the Valley Forge Convention Center/Scanticon Hotel & Conference Center in
Valley Forge on November 9-12. The committee solicits nominations from the
PaLA membership for the following awards:

* Distinguished Service Award

* Certificates of Merit

* New Librarian Honors Award

* Elected Official Award

* Library Support Staff Recognition Award

* Trustee of the Year Award

Detailed descriptions can be found on the PaLA website here
http://www.palibraries.org/about/awards.asp

A nomination form is attached.

Please consider nominating a worthy librarian for a 2008 award.

Bonnie Oldham
Awards Committee Chair 2008
University of Scranton

PaLA Awards Nominations

Read more about this conference in Monterey, CA at www.infotoday.com/il2008

The following position exists in the Windber Area School District, Somerset County

Librarian/Media Specialist – Full Time, PA certification required, dual certification preferred.

Send letter of interest, resume and related credentials/clearances to:

Office of the Superintendent
Windber Area School District
2301 Graham Avenue
Windber PA 15963

Deadline: August 1, 2008 EOE

For more information about the school district, visit the website.
www.windberschools.org

Join us to focus on a segment of your community often not served by the public library. Learn about basics of teen development and behavior and fold that into setting up strong teen services. Gather ideas on how to educate your board and staff on the need to provide for this segment of the population. Find out what constitutes a worthwhile collection, print and non-print for teens. Also covered will be how to market services to teens through outreach, publicity, and providing a teen-friendly website. Learn how to create a space just for teens and build programs to have them return.

Presented by Sheila (Anderson) Mikkelson
Author of Serving Older Teens, Libraries Unlimited 2004 / Extreme Teens: Library Services to Nontraditional Young Adults, Libraries Unlimited 2005 / Serving Young Teens and ‘Tweens, Libraries Unlimited 2007

The benefits of attending the workshop:
· Learn how to create a teen-friendly environment that will have them returning to your public library.
· Hear why teens travel in packs and ways to redirect negative behaviors.
·Discover how to build or improve a teen services program.
·Receive useful statistics to plan and implement an exemplary teen program.
·Learn about print and non-print materials including new technologies geared for teens.
·Receive information on creating collaboration with schools and other agencies to promote teen services.

Visit Sheila’s website http://www.sheilabanderson.com/ for more information. Door prizes – copies of Sheila’s books will be given away at each workshop.

Wednesday, September 17 — The Casino at Lakemont Park, Altoona

This program will be repeated in the eastern half of the state in the fall of 2009.

Agenda

9:00 am Registration
9:30 am Morning session begins
10:30 am Break
12:00 pm Lunch* (included in fee)
1:00 pm Program continues
2:15 pm Break
3:30 pm Wrap up and Evaluations

Cost of the workshop is $10.00 and includes coffee/lunch

Please make checks payable to Altoona Area Public Library.
Registration deadline is Monday, September 8, 2008.

Public library staff will be granted five hours of continuing education credit.

If you require any accommodations to make this program accessible, please call:
Voice: 717-783-5738 OR TTY: 717-772-2863

Please refer to the attached information for registration form. Teen Workshop dates and registration

Confirmations with directions will be emailed with a the week before the workshops. A survey will be available prior to the workshop so your specific issues can be addressed.

Join us to focus on a segment of your community often not served by the public library. Learn about basics of teen development and behavior and fold that into setting up strong teen services. Gather ideas on how to educate your board and staff on the need to provide for this segment of the population. Find out what constitutes a worthwhile collection, print and non-print for teens. Also covered will be how to market services to teens through outreach, publicity, and providing a teen-friendly website. Learn how to create a space just for teens and build programs to have them return.

Presented by Sheila (Anderson) Mikkelson
Author of Serving Older Teens, Libraries Unlimited 2004 / Extreme Teens: Library Services to Nontraditional Young Adults, Libraries Unlimited 2005 / Serving Young Teens and ‘Tweens, Libraries Unlimited 2007

The benefits of attending the workshop:
· Learn how to create a teen-friendly environment that will have them returning to your public library.
· Hear why teens travel in packs and ways to redirect negative behaviors.
·Discover how to build or improve a teen services program.
·Receive useful statistics to plan and implement an exemplary teen program.
·Learn about print and non-print materials including new technologies geared for teens.
·Receive information on creating collaboration with schools and other agencies to promote teen services.

Visit Sheila’s website http://www.sheilabanderson.com/ for more information. Door prizes – copies of Sheila’s books will be given away at each workshop.

Tuesday, September 16 — Hampton Inn, Clarion

This program will be repeated in the eastern half of the state in the fall of 2009.

Agenda

9:00 am Registration
9:30 am Morning session begins
10:30 am Break
12:00 pm Lunch* (included in fee)
1:00 pm Program continues
2:15 pm Break
3:30 pm Wrap up and Evaluations

Cost of the workshop is $10.00 and includes coffee/lunch

Please make checks payable to Altoona Area Public Library.
Registration deadline is Monday, September 8, 2008.

Public library staff will be granted five hours of continuing education credit.

If you require any accommodations to make this program accessible, please call:
Voice: 717-783-5738 OR TTY: 717-772-2863

Please refer to the attached information for registration form. Teen Workshop dates and registration

Confirmations with directions will be emailed with a the week before the workshops. A survey will be available prior to the workshop so your specific issues can be addressed.

Join us to focus on a segment of your community often not served by the public library. Learn about basics of teen development and behavior and fold that into setting up strong teen services. Gather ideas on how to educate your board and staff on the need to provide for this segment of the population. Find out what constitutes a worthwhile collection, print and non-print for teens. Also covered will be how to market services to teens through outreach, publicity, and providing a teen-friendly website. Learn how to create a space just for teens and build programs to have them return.

Presented by Sheila (Anderson) Mikkelson
Author of Serving Older Teens, Libraries Unlimited 2004 / Extreme Teens: Library Services to Nontraditional Young Adults, Libraries Unlimited 2005 / Serving Young Teens and ‘Tweens, Libraries Unlimited 2007

The benefits of attending the workshop:
· Learn how to create a teen-friendly environment that will have them returning to your public library.
· Hear why teens travel in packs and ways to redirect negative behaviors.
·Discover how to build or improve a teen services program.
·Receive useful statistics to plan and implement an exemplary teen program.
·Learn about print and non-print materials including new technologies geared for teens.
·Receive information on creating collaboration with schools and other agencies to promote teen services.

Visit Sheila’s website http://www.sheilabanderson.com/ for more information. Door prizes – copies of Sheila’s books will be given away at each workshop.

Monday, September 15 — PaTTAN, Pittsburgh

This program will be repeated in the eastern half of the state in the fall of 2009.

Agenda

9:00 am Registration
9:30 am Morning session begins
10:30 am Break
12:00 pm Lunch* (included in fee)
1:00 pm Program continues
2:15 pm Break
3:30 pm Wrap up and Evaluations

Cost of the workshop is $10.00 and includes coffee/lunch

Please make checks payable to Altoona Area Public Library.
Registration deadline is Monday, September 8, 2008.

Public library staff will be granted five hours of continuing education credit.

If you require any accommodations to make this program accessible, please call:
Voice: 717-783-5738 OR TTY: 717-772-2863

Please refer to the attached information for registration form. Teen Workshop dates and registration

Confirmations with directions will be emailed with a the week before the workshops. A survey will be available prior to the workshop so your specific issues can be addressed.

Here is what many of you have been waiting for: a fun, hands-on class to teach you to create a blog, use an RSS reader, learn social bookmarking and learn how to incorporate YouTube and Flickr into your new blog.

Computers are limited, so this is the plan: the first people to register will be able to sit at a PC and create their own blog. After the limited PCs are filled (15-20, depending upon location), the remainder of you who register will sit next to someone using a PC. You will observe or take notes, to create a blog later at home or at your library.

The cost of the workshop is $10.00, which includes lunch. An attachment describes in detail what you will learn in the workshop and what the prerequisites are in terms of knowledge about Web 2.0. If you did not take the previous workshop presented by Stephanie Zimmerman, (general information about Web 2.0), please review our presenter’s slides on the attached document, so you will be ready for this hands-on class.

It is our desire that after taking this workshop, you will have fun creating blogs for your library.

Please register on the attached sheet and send your check in to our office. If you wish, you may fax the registration form first, and then send the check (within a day or two) to Kerrsia Shemory in our office. FAX and mailing information is on the registration form.

We hope to see you there!

Workshop Dates and Locations:

August 5, 2008 – Carbon Lehigh IU 21

4120 Independence Dr (Room 243)
Schnecksville, PA 18078 Computer Lab
http://www.cliu.org/Agency/directions.aspx

August 11, 2008 – BLAST IU 17

2400 Reach Road (Sullivan A & B)
Williamsport, PA 17701 Computer Lab
http://www.iu17.org/biu17/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=269699

August 14, 2008 – Chester County IU 24

455 Boot Road
Downingtown, PA 19335
http://www.cciu.org/ContactUs/Directions/escdirections.html

August 25, 2008 – Appalachia IU 8

4500 6th Avenue
Altoona, PA 16602
http://www.iu08.org:9080/iu8/information/directions-to-offices/altoona-office/

August 28, 2008 – Riverview IU 6

270 Mayfield Road
Clarion, PA
http://www.riu6.org/6457_1151124113727/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=52187

August 29, 2008 – Pitts PATTAN

Mononghela Room
3190 William Pitt Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
http://www.pattan.k12.pa.us/about/PittsburgDirectionsandAccommodations.aspx

Workshop Agenda

8:30am to 9:00am – Registration and coffee
9:00am to 12:00pm – Creating a blog and using an RSS reader
12:00pm to 12:30pm – Lunch
12:30pm to 3:30pm – Using a social bookmarking, YouTube and Flickr

Bonnie Young, Head, Public Libraries and Professional Development
Office of Commonwealth Libraries
Bureau of Library Development
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126-1745
(717) 783-5732
(717)783-5723 (FAX)
Hands On Web 2.0 Registration Form
Hands On Web 2.0 Description

This is a reminder that invitation to apply for the 2008 Marietta Y. King and Alberta Walden Still Diversity Award for public service to older adults in a diverse community libraries is due on August 26th.

What creative/Best Practices programs has your library presented in the past year for the older adults in your community? Wouldn’t you like to share your innovative program with other libraries in Pennsylvania? Print out a copy; fill in the information about your program and send it in. We look forward to hearing from you.

The award presentations will be given at the PLA Annual Conference in Valley Forge in November.

Send the Marietta Y. King and Alberta Walden Still Award applications to me.

Claudia Koenig, Outreach Advisor
PA Dept. of Education
Office of Commonwealth Libraries
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126-1745

Marietta Y. King and Alberta Walden Still Diversity Award 2008

What special programming has your library presented in the past year for the older adult population or for a culturally diverse community of older adults in your community?

The Innovative Services for an Aging Population: Commonwealth Libraries Advisory Committee (ISAP) is seeking to recognize a Pennsylvania public library that has promoted library services to a culturally diverse population of older adults.

ISAP along with AARP is also interested in recognizing and promoting library services for older adults in Pennsylvania. These awards presented by AARP PA will recognize public libraries that are small, medium or large that have presented innovative and/or creative programming for older adults.

Attached please find applications. The applications must be received by August 26, 2008 to be considered.

Take a look at the award applications attached, print out a copy, fill in the information about your special programming and send the application back.

The AARP applications should be returned to the AARP Office in Harrisburg -

AARP Pennsylvania
30 North 3rd Street
Suite 750
Harrisburg, PA 17101

AARP Public Library Service For Older Adults Award 2008
AARP Library Services For Older Adults Award Application Form 2008

Check out these new products for added value in library catalogs:
Library Thing for Libraries
Bibliocommons

Better than Novelist? Integrated into your catalog? If you think your library might be interested or you want to talk about this technology, post your comments here.