News Archive for March 2009    

Here is a workshop that will teach you strong public speaking skills and how to handle your jitters during presentations.

Attached is the registration form for PROTECT, PROJECT, PRESENT! ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR SUPERVISORS, SPEAKERS AND STORYTELLERS, the multi-district workshop offered by the Altoona, Central PA and Johnstown districts.

Participants will learn how to protect and project their voices, and how to prepare physically for presentations… all key elements for a confident and engaging presentation. Perfect for any type of speaker: reference, youth services, outreach, managers, and supervisors. Interactive exercises, powerpoint, and informative handouts are part of this workshop.

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The Northeast Chapter of PALA in collaboration with the Northeast Pennsylvania Library Network has set the date for a spring workshop. The workshop is entitled “NEPA Library Camp: Surviving & Thriving” will take place on May 28, 2009 on the campus of Marywood University in Dunmore, PA. The cost is $20 which includes lunch and a camp t-shirt.

The “camp” is open to all who work in the library field in the state of Pennsylvania. For more information check out the “camp” website, nepalibrarycamp.wetpaint.com

Announcing “Good $tuff Cheap, Designing Services, Collections, and Technologies Without Building Changes, ” a multi-district workshop scheduled for May 13, 2009 and sponsored by Capital Area, Chambersburg, and York-Adams Districts. This is an opportunity to meet Nolan Lushington and learn what you can do to greatly improve customers’ experiences at your library without spending much money. The information and ideas shared can make an important difference to your library when funds are limited.

The Hotel Carlisle, Carlisle, PA, is the location for this workshop, and 5.5 hours of continuing education credit will be earned. The agenda, registration information, and directions are included in the attachment. May 4, 2009 is the deadline for registrations.

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The Parkland Community Library, a service-oriented public library serving 56,000
people is seeking a a knowledgeable, self-motivated reference librarian, who is
comfortable with technology, to provide excellent reference services and to be
part of an exciting building project. Grant-writing skills are a plus.

Responsibilities include, reference service, development of reference and
non-fiction collections, management of three part-time reference staff, and
management of technology with the help of third party support.

MLS required. 35 hours/week. Starting salary range, $28,629 – $30,924 Submit
letter of application, resume, and three references by April 4, 2009, to:

Karen M. Gartner
Executive Director
Parkland Community Library
4422 Walbert Ave.,
Allentown, PA 18104
gartnerk@parklandlibrary.org

Apply for Read About It! — a free book discussion series of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council for public libraries. Through informal discussions with an expert discussion leader, Read About It! features five programs that appeal to popular interests in literature: American Life Stories, Books on Screen, Detecting Women, Facts in Fiction: the Civil War Era and Pennsylvania Writers. Please scroll to the bottom of this message to access the online application.

How Your Library Can Benefit From Read About It!?

Read About It! exposes readers across Pennsylvania to the reading and discussion of literature. The programs are free and open to the public. In addition, your participants will receive their own copy of the featured books. Participants also get the opportunity to discuss literature with an expert humanities scholar.

Access the guidelines and application on-line at link below and visit our Frequently Asked Questions section for help with common questions. To request a hard copy, please contact Read About It! Coordinator Jennifer Miller at jmiller@pahumanities.org. Deadline for applications is May 15, 2009.

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The time to register for this enlightening workshop with Karen Hyman is now!

What: It’s All About Our Customers! Reinventing the Customer Centered Library: 12 Questions for 2009 and Making the Most of Bad Times: Helping Your Customers and Yourself Through the Recession

Where and When: Tuesday, April 21, 9:30AM – 3:00PM, Green Tree Municipal Center.

Who: The presenter, Karen Hyman, Executive Director, South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative will share her expertise on creating a library environment to attract and delight customers. She will also provide participants with a fresh look at how bad times can present challenging opportunities to develop and implement the culture, policies, services and environment that serve our customers well.

How: The text-only brochure with registration and detailed information is attached below.

multidistrict-workshop-april-21-2009

What the Hack?!? Essential Library & Life Hacks
Wednesday, May 27

This year’s PaLA College & Research Division Spring Program — What the Hack?!? Essential Library & Life Hacks — will be held on Wednesday, May 27 at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. Steven Cohen and Nicole Engard discuss creative solutions (“hacks”) to improve productivity, communication, and outreach–or are just plain fun!

Presenters include:
Steven Cohen -creator of Library Stuff and senior librarian at Law Library Management
Nicole Engard – Open Source Evangelist at LibLime

Watch for more details in the next few weeks. Full program information will be added to the CRD website at it becomes available:conf.html

Take a gander at this article and tell me what you think:
Bailout for Publishing Industry

What is the purpose of your local public library?
Is the book itself important, or only the information content it provides?
What content does your library provide and which providers do you allow to sell you content?
Do libraries continue to contribute to the creation of an educated populace to preserve democracy?

If anyone comments here…I’ll share a diatribe of my own.

Business Reference Librarian Position
Lancaster Public Library, Lancaster PA

Three years ago, Duke Street Business Center at Lancaster Public Library opened its doors for business. This unique service has been highly successful. A part-time Business Reference Librarian position is available for a service oriented, highly motivated professional. This individual will provide service at the Business Reference Desk during hours not covered by the full-time Business Reference Librarian. Using the Business Center’s robust electronic and print resources, the Business Reference Librarian will provide quick business reference service and in-depth business research to start-up and existing businesses of all sizes. In addition to business clients, the Center serves the non-profit community. As a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection site, Duke Street Business Center offers access to the Foundation Directory Online database and core print resources. Additional responsibilities include workshop instruction and event planning and hosting.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: MLS required; excellent oral and written communication skills; excellent reference/presentation skills; strong commitment to public service; understanding of key issues, ideas, and trends in business; excellent electronic database and Internet searching skills; work effectively with co-workers; flexibility in adapting to changing user needs; schedule flexibility as work schedule may vary as needed.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: Experience in providing business reference service – preferably in an urban public library environment, comfortable teaching in an electronic classroom, willingness to learn and apply new skills.

COMPENSATION: Hourly rate: $15.51 – $20.10 range. Hours: 20 per week including at least two evenings/week and occasional weekends.

REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS: Position open until filled. Lancaster Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information visit: default.asp. Please send a letter of application, resume, and the names, addresses and phone numbers of three references to:

Joyce Sands
Interim Executive Director
Lancaster Public Library
125 North Duke Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
jsands@lancaster.lib.pa.us
FAX (717) 606 – 4599

We are looking for 20 children’s people who would like participate in a new grant program from the Vermont Center for the Book. What’s the BIG Idea?(tm) is a program created by Mother Goose Programs(tm) with funding provided by the National Science Foundation. This program provides professional development and materials to help librarians incorporate math and science into their programming and resources for young children ages 4-7 and their families.

If you can fulfill the following requirements we would love to have you join us in Pittsburgh on April 17. Lunch will be provided, Transportation costs will be reimbursed and if you live more than 100 miles from the closest site. A hotel room will be reimbursed for the night before, as well.

Requirements of the grant:

Attend the training listed above. They will begin at 9:30 and finish at 3:30.

Be willing to include math and science concepts/activities in your preschool programming.

Use the material you will be given in at least eight programs between May 1 and September 15. They can be story times, outreach visits, etc. Any program you do that involves even one small activity/book would count. Not all of the programs need to be led by staff; the training will show an activity you can put out for parents and children to do together. Many of the activities and books tie in very well to the summer reading theme.

Be willing to conduct at least two 2-3 hour trainings for other librarians and/or early childhood practitioners in your area by December 2009.

Complete evaluation forms sent to you from the program evaluators in a timely fashion. Provide access to a program should the evaluators wish to visit and observe a program. They will be randomly selecting programs to visit to see how the training provided by the state trainers was used. We are one of seven states who got the grant.

In return you will get:

Hands-on training on how to implement the program and share the information with others.
Technical assistance from the trainers.
Receive over $500 of materials for your library.

If you are interested please email me and be sure to include the name of your library, your name, phone number, email address by April 1. Please indicate the date and location of training.

Susan

Susan Pannebaker | Acting Director
Bureau of Library Development
Office of Commonwealth Libraries
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market St. | Harrisburg, PA 17126-1745
spannebake@state.pa.us | www.pde.state.pa.us

We are looking for 20 children’s people who would like participate in a new grant program from the Vermont Center for the Book. What’s the BIG Idea?(tm) is a program created by Mother Goose Programs(tm) with funding provided by the National Science Foundation. This program provides professional development and materials to help librarians incorporate math and science into their programming and resources for young children ages 4-7 and their families.

If you can fulfill the following requirements we would love to have you join us in King of Prussia on April 16. Lunch will be provided, Transportation costs will be reimbursed and if you live more than 100 miles from the closest site. A hotel room will be reimbursed for the night before, as well.

Requirements of the grant:

Attend training session. They will begin at 9:30 and finish at 3:30.

Be willing to include math and science concepts/activities in your preschool programming.

Use the material you will be given in at least eight programs between May 1 and September 15. They can be story times, outreach visits, etc. Any program you do that involves even one small activity/book would count. Not all of the programs need to be led by staff; the training will show an activity you can put out for parents and children to do together. Many of the activities and books tie in very well to the summer reading theme.

Be willing to conduct at least two 2-3 hour trainings for other librarians and/or early childhood practitioners in your area by December 2009.

Complete evaluation forms sent to you from the program evaluators in a timely fashion. Provide access to a program should the evaluators wish to visit and observe a program. They will be randomly selecting programs to visit to see how the training provided by the state trainers was used. We are one of seven states who got the grant.

In return you will get:

Hands-on training on how to implement the program and share the information with others.
Technical assistance from the trainers.
Receive over $500 of materials for your library.

If you are interested please email me and be sure to include the name of your library, your name, phone number, and email address by April 1. Please indicate date and location of training.

Susan Pannebaker | Acting Director
Bureau of Library Development
Office of Commonwealth Libraries
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market St. | Harrisburg, PA 17126-1745
spannebake@state.pa.us | www.pde.state.pa.us

On Monday, May 18, the very first Mother Goose on the Loose training workshop for individuals will be held in Baltimore, at the Port Discovery Children’s Museum. If you would like to learn how to run Mother Goose on the Loose programs at your library, museum, or childcare center, this is your golden opportunity!

And, if you would also like to learn how to run Mother Goose on the Loose programs in Spanish (you don’t have to speak Spanish), come to the “Escucha y Disfruta con Mamá Gansa: Mother Goose on the Loose Program for Spanish-speaking Families”which will be held at Port Discovery on Tuesday, May 19th!

For more information and registration, write to: mgol@mgol.net.
Sign up for one or two full-day workshops.

Winner of the second annual Godfrey Award for Excellence in Public Library Services for Families and Children, Mother Goose on the Loose is a nursery rhyme program for children from birth to age two with their parent or caregiver. Developmentally appropriate activities are seamlessly incorporated into nursery rhymes with music, games, and puppets to encourage literacy in young children in an optimal learning environment. This early childhood program helps children develop pre-literacy and school readiness skills in a warm and nurturing community environment.

The training workshop is for librarians who are running or will be running programs for children under the age of two or three. After receiving a background look at findings in brain research and child development, librarians participate in a demonstration program which shows how the research ties into the philosophy and practice of Mother Goose on the Loose. A hands-on component gives each person time to make at least one flannel character and demonstrate a rhyme or activity to go with it.

Join us for a day of music, fun, art, and laughter!

Mother Goose on the Loose was developed by Betsy Diamant-Cohen. It incorporates the “Your Baby Needs Music” theories of Barbara Cass-Beggs with library literature programs for very young children.

Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen, Executive Director
Mother Goose on the Loose, LLC
Baltimore, MD 21209

Professional Development Conference Agenda
April 20, 2009

Morning Session in Gemmell Multipurpose Room

8-8:30 Registration

8:30-8:45 Dr. Andrea Miller, Department Chair &
Program Coordinator

8:45-10:30 “The Essence of Leadership” by
Michael Kumer

10:30-11:00 Break

11:00-11:45 Shaun Hamilton, Motivational Speaker

12:00-1:00 Lunch (Gemmel MPR)

Afternoon Session in Gemmell 248

1:00-1:50 “Literacy in the Public Library” by Dr. Janice Kruger

2:00-4:00 “Further Exploration of Leadership” by Mr. Michael Kumer

4:10-5:00 “Raising Funds in your Public Library” by Ms. Jessica Modrzejewski

Deadline to Register:

March 30, 2009

Required Registration Information

Name (as you would like it to appear on badge)
Type of library
Contact information

To Register, Contact

Mrs. Jill Thompson
jthompson@clarion.edu

*No conference fee*

Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine
The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, in cooperation with the National Library of Medicine (NLM), announces a new, small-format traveling exhibition to libraries, “Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine.” Public, academic and medical libraries may apply to host the banner exhibition by downloading an application in PDF or Word format. In order to be considered, applications must be received at ALA by May 1.

Using materials from the NLM’s History of Medicine collections, the exhibition, explores Harry Potter’s world, its roots in Renaissance science, and the ethical questions that affected not only the wizards in J.K. Rowling’s books, but also the historical thinkers featured in the series. Featuring fifteenth- and sixteenth-century views of the world and its creatures taken from the works of the period’s leading thinkers, alchemists, naturalists and occultists, the exhibition panels explore the intersection between the Harry Potter novels and Renaissance thinkers, lore, and practices.

Following the application process, twelve libraries will be selected to host the exhibition for a four-week display period between September 2009 and November 2010. All libraries on the tour will be expected to pay for incoming shipping for the exhibition, which will range from $250 to $450, depending on the distance between sites. The exhibition is composed of six fabric panels mounted on self-supporting stands and measuring 7′ tall, 3′ wide, and 15″ deep; panels are printed on one side only. It requires 30 linear feet of space, or 300 to 400 square feet.

Go to this link for application and information:index.cfm

For those pursuing a MLS, PaLA announces the offering a scholarship for those seeking a Masters degree in the Library Science field that will earn them professional status.

The following information below details how to apply or please follow the link to the PaLA website for more information:palibraries.org

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This $1,500 award requires that twelve credits must be completed toward the degree during the scholarship year.

Verification of enrollment in an ALA accredited graduate program and three references are required.

Priority is given to PaLA members.

Deadline for submission is May 15, 2009.

For those pursuing a MLS, PaLA announces the offering of a scholarship for those seeking a Masters degree in the Library Science field that will earn them professional status.

The following information below details how to apply or please follow the link to the PaLA website for more information:palibraries.org<

boydsmills20081

This $1,500 award requires that twelve credits must be completed toward the degree during the scholarship year.

Verification of enrollment in an ALA accredited graduate program and three references are required

Priority is given to PaLA members.
Deadline for submission is May 15, 2009.

For those pursuing a MLS, PaLA announces the offering of a scholarship for those seeking a Masters degree in the Library Science field that will earn them professional status.

The following information below details how to apply or please follow the link to the PaLA website for more information:palibraries.org

microsoft-word-2009mls-form

This $1,500 award requires that twelve credits must be completed toward the degree during the scholarship year.

Verification of enrollment in an ALA accredited graduate program and three references are required.

Priority is given to PaLA members.
Deadline for submission is May 15, 2009.

When planning a moving image digitization project it’s relatively simple to count the number of image-hours to be migrated and multiply it by bytes-per-second/minute/hour, thereby estimating the total storage requirements. But should all bytes be treated equally? Can they go to the same kind of storage? What are the librarian’s and archivist’s roles in making these decisions?

This program is on March 27, 2009 with two sessions. One session is from 12:00-1:00 p.m. and the other is 4:00-5:00 p.m. For more information and to register for this program, visit:
programdetail.php?programid=335

The National Network of Libraries of Medicine, MidContinental Region is presenting a new series of online classes. Once a month in 2009, liaisons will present information and exercises on various databases from the National Library of Medicine in an hour-long web conference. All classes are free and no registration is required. the web conference is on March 25, 2009 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. You will simply need:

1. A computer with Internet access
2. A phone (the system will call you-free of charge)

To join the webinar, go to:mcrupdate on the day of the program.

More than ever, communities across the country are relying on their local libraries for support in these tough economic times. From helping patrons convert old resume files to enabling military families to connect overseas, libraries are challenged with offering more services on smaller budgets. This one hour webcast will walk through over a half dozen free solutions that can help with some of the library’s toughest patron services challenges.

This webcast will be on March 24, 2009 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. For more information and to register for this program, visit: Webcasts.html