Document Actions
SELCO Librarian
Michael Scott, Assistant Director
On May 13, 2008, I had the opportunity to visit the Southland Elementary Media Center in Rose Creek and Southland Middle/High School in Adams. I met with Mike Johnson, Southland's District Wide Media Specialist and Dean of Students for Southland Elementary. I also met Barb Felten, the parprofessional for the media center. Mike gave me the grand tour of the media center which includes the Rebel Reading Roost, a loft with soft beanbag chairs for students to crawl up in and read. The "roost" was built by parents of elementary students and it was actually in use during my visit. In fact, if you check out the photos on SELCO's Flickr site, you can see what the roost looks like.
One of the areas that I found of interest was the collection of books that were set aside for the Accelerated Reader program. This is a reading program that several schools in our region use to help boost student reading achievement. At Southland Elementary and also at the Southland Middle/High School Media Centers, books that have an "AR" score are place in a separate collection and the actual AR score is placed on the spine. These titles can be searched in the SELCO Catalog.
Here's a picture of Mike and me:
Against a backdrop of sunshine, vibrant azaleas, and the
dramatic dome of the US Capitol, over 400 library advocates visited members of
Congress as the American Library Association sponsored its annual Legislative
Day. The Minnesota
contingent met with congressional staff for each of Minnesota’s Representatives and Senators and
had a quick chance to greet Representatives Ramstad and Elison.
We shared examples of effective LSTA projects underway in Minnesota. Our small group stressed the importance of increased funding for this vital program, hopefully at the amount recommended by the President for the FY 2009 appropriations bill, and the need for qualified library personnel in our schools. We offered our appreciation for previous congressional support of the eRate reimbursement program and explained why Minnesota libraries and communities need expanded broadband access.
Ann B. Hutton, Executive Director
- LSTA – Support for the President’s request of $214, 432 million in Federal funding for libraries, with $171.5 million in direct grants to State Library Agencies. Minnesota’s portion of the formula would be approximately $2.8 million.
- Telecom – Defend eRate and stabilize the universal service fund.
- SKILLs Act – Place a state certified specialist in every school
- Orphan Works – Support for two specific bills (H.R. 5889 and S. 2913) to protect libraries from copyright penalties that use books, photos, or other works whose owners cannot be found.
- NSL – Restore safeguards for reader privacy. Reform the National Security Letters (NSL) and FISA Act.
Mollie Pherson, Regional Librarian
I had the special opportunity of participating in the Historic Statehood Day Celebration at the State Capitol on Sunday, May 11th. What a great day! And I got to spend it with my hubby, so that was even better! It was my first time at the State Capitol in St. Paul, so I really wanted to see everything possible. Ben (the hubby) and I got to see the lighting of the chandelier in the Rotunda, we visited with some of the Statehood Historical Characters roaming around the Capitol grounds, we took a self-guided tour of the Capitol chambers and public spaces, and, my favorite part of the day, we got to see the golden horses on the Capitol.
After the events taking place inside of the Capitol, we ventured outside to watch the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Statehood Kickoff. The opening part of the ceremony included the arrival of the Wagon Train, music by a brass quintet, and congratulatory remarks by our state's diginitaries. We got to hear the winning Minnesota Statehood essays from students around the state--one of the being from Canton, MN. Lastly, the Sesquicentennial Banner & Journal that made the rounds in the SELCO/SELS region was presented to Governor Tim Pawlenty, who then presented the items to Nina Archabal, the Executive Director of the Minnesota Historical Society for archiving.
It was so exciting to be a part of Minnesota's history!
For pictures of the Celebration, check out SELCO's Flickr page.
Mollie posing next to Representative Tina Liebling's spot in the House of Representatives
I went into the 17th Annual ILL Conference knowing that I would enjoy Liz Lawley's presentation-- I've sen her twice before at Internet Librarian. I like her perspective, since she has an interesting career path in both librarianship and IT and seems to embody the spirit of play as a form of learning. Lawley’s presentation began with an overview of past technologies, included some commentary on the way people use these innovations, and ended with some predictions of where the tech world is moving. The presentation was in her low-key presentation style, using mostly screenshots. The amount of focus I was willing to give Lawley for the morning reminded me that I should be using fewer (or no) words in my slides.
Curious about her predictions for the future? Lawley forsees:
- A Continuous Complete Attention movement
- Increase in Ambient Displays (gentle environmental information instead of Inbox-366 items)
- More Mobile Phone Innovations
- Backlash to the Tangible (Trying to get back to the real world)
- A movement towards what makes us happy
For further information, slides can be found on the mamamusings site.
Mollie Pherson, Regional Librarian
On May 5th, the 6th graders and teachers at Willow Creek School in Owatonna witnessed a piece of history. The Minnesota Sesquicentennial Banner was transported from the Owatonna Public Library by Librarian Bonnie Krueger and Owatonna Police Captain Chuck Walerius to Willow Creek School. It was such a cool event! 380 6th graders and school staff watched as Bonnie and Captain Walerius handed over the banner to Willow Creek Principal Mary Trapp. After the presentation, the students spent the rest of the day planting 150 trees honoring Minnesota's Sesquicentennial. The students also released the Cecropia moths they had been raising into the school's nature center. It was so fun to see young people involved with Minnesota's history--what great events! You can see pictures of the Banner presentation on SELCO's Flickr account. You can also read more about the tree planting on Owatonna.com.
Captain Chuck Walerius from the Owatonna Police Department and Owatonna Librarian Bonnie Krueger hand off the banner to Willow Creek Principal Mary Trapp.
Cindy Baker, Library Support Services Assistant
MINITEX held their 17th Annual Interlibrary Loan Conference on Monday, May 5th, 2008. I enjoyed the conference and appreciate the opportunity to attend. One of the parts of this conference that I enjoyed the most was the keynote presentation by Elizabeth Lane Lawley. Elizabeth shared with us all of the new technology available for social networking. It was amazing to me to hear all the ways people can stay in touch with each other and that they may have more than one of these applications going at one time. Throughout this presentation, I couldn't help but think: Is this a good thing? When do you allow yourself time to regroup if you are constantly in communication through the whole day, EVERY day? There was hope for me, however, as she shared with us new ways for the future that require less focus on always being "up and running" but still be in touch.
Michael Scott, Assistant Director
The 17th Annual MINITEX Interlibrary Loan Conference was held on May 5, 2008 at the University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Conference Center in St. Paul. The conference consisted of two speaker presentations, a breakout session consisting of four session options, and a Minitex Update from Bill DeJohn. The morning keynote session was presented by Elizabeth Lane Lawley, the Director of the Lab for Social Computing at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Her presentation was entitled "Forecasting the Future of Social Computing." She discussed a timeline of various communication tools, starting with Gopher (!) and continuing on through today's social networking tools, like Twitter or Facebook. She also shared her thoughts on what's next in social computing which included a heavy focus on mobile phones as more than just making calls or sending a text message.
The breakout session's four options included a MnLINK Gateway information session, an Iliad Users discussion session, an information and update session for ExLibris Aleph interlibrary loan users, and a session entitled "Practical Uses of Web 2.0 Applications." I attended the MnLINK Gateway session to hear what is happening and will be happening with the gateway. The MnLINK gateway has seen a 10% increase in the number of requests made through the gateway from FY2007 to FY2008. Additionally, the software used as the search interface for MnLINK, ZPORTAL, will be replaced with a new product called "Worldcat Navigator." This new product with integrate with VDX (the ILL software). Future plans for the MnLINK gateway will include a "focus on staff efficiencies, workflow, and delivery to end users."
The afternoon speaker presentation was done by Julia Blixrud, the Assistant Director for Public Programs at the Scholarly Publishing & Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) and Assistant Executive Director for External Relations at the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). Her presentation was entitled "ILL and the Electronic Environment."
Aurora Jacobsen, Information Services Librarian
This great opportunity just landed in my inbox:
Lifelong Access Libraries Leadership Institute
There’s still time to apply! Extended Application Deadline: May 7, 2008
Lifelong Access Libraries Leadership Institute
Date: July 27-30, 2008
Location: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Applicants now have an extra two days to apply to this exciting opportunity.
Specialists in Neuroscience, Civic Engagement, Adult Learning and Gerontology are among the presenters at the Institute including:
Mary Catherine Bateson, Ph.D., Anthropologist and Author
Eleanor Drago-Severson, Ed.D., Associate Professor of Education, Teacher’s College at Columbia University
Judy Goggin, Vice President, Civic Ventures
Harry R. Moody, Ph.D., Director of Academic Affairs for AARP
Paul Nussbaum, Ph.D., Clinical Neuropsychologist and Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
The cost of Fellows’ travel, tuition, and room and board for the Institute will be covered by Libraries for the Future (www.lff.org). A limited number of qualified candidates not selected as Fellows may participate at cost.
Participants will be selected from across the United States. Leadership track librarians with a demonstrated interest in reaching out to boomers and active older adults are encouraged to apply.
To download an application, see details from last year's Institute, and receive more information about the Lifelong Access Libraries Initiative please visit the Lifelong Access Libraries website (www.lifelonglibraries.org) The Lifelong Access Libraries Initiative is made possible through a grant from the Atlantic Philanthropies.
Applicants should direct questions and Institute inquiries to:
Sabrina Waldron
Program Manager, Lifelong Access Libraries
swaldron@lff.org
646-336-6236
Jonya Pacey, Help Desk Manager
Austin Public Library hosted the Sesquicentennial Banner on Monday, April 28. I was prepared to go down to Austin to take pictures at the library and Gayle Heimer said she would be happy to do so for me. So I am calling this my first ‘green’ post on this weblog, and I’m very grateful to the Austin Public Library staff for making it possible.
Gayle sent us these photos of their display along with this statement: Our banner display includes copies of the book “Austin Remembers,” which was published by the Friends of the Austin Public Library in 2006 as a way to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Austin Public Library building and the City’s sesquicentennial. It includes short stories written by over 100 authors who wrote about their memories of Austin through the years. A 2008 Minnesota Legacy Grant will bring our book, and Albert Lea’s similar book entitled “Albert Lea Remembers,” to the stage as a musical this fall.
Way to go, Austin Public Library!
Michael Scott, Assistant Director
The afternoon sessions at ARLD were excellent opportunities for libraries to show off what they are doing in their libraries. I attended a session done by Rasmussen College entitled "Capturing the Captive Audience." The presentors described what they did to innovate their library instructional programs for their students. They described their continuous process for developing a course (Preparation - Marketing - Incentives - Assessment & By-Products - Lesson Learned). One of their learnings is that the courses be provided on a consistent basis. As the presentors stated, "it is difficult to gain a following if you don't hold the classes at least each semester." One of my favorite parts of this presentation was a case study of their APA writing style course, entitled "APizzaA." They used pizza to attract students to the class (available only at the END of the class) to help teach them to use APA style for writing (the style that Rasmussen has adopted for all of its courses.)
Another session that was quite interesting was done by library staff from St. Cloud State University, entitled "Visioning a Student-Centered Library: Quick and Easy Methods for Listening to Our Students." This session was an interesting as it offered some great ideas for any library to consider implementing. The library works very diligently to seek feedback from SCSU students to assist them in doing a better job of providing library service. When their new dean of libraries arrived, the first feedback session that was implemented is called the Dean's Focus Group. Every spring this group of students, which is comprised of a cross-section of the student population, is gathered to find out what they like or dislike about the library. Out of these sessions have come the establishment of 24-hour spaces in the library accessible with a card swipe, increased library hours (until 2 AM Sunday - Thursday and until 8 PM Friday & Saturday!), increased numbers of laptops available for checkout, and the a general increase attention to things that could be improved. Other ways that the staff solicits feedback is from a walk and count study, which is done several times in during the school year. This is an unobtrusive way for staff to actually see how their library is being used. Additionally, the library has also set up flip charts on easels around the library to allow students to write their feedback on the flipcharts. Finally, two very cool things have been implemented.
One cool thing was really simple. Each year, they put up a simple poster that lists comments/feedback/suggestions that they've received and the library's response to some of the suggestions. Truly shows that action is being taken. The other cool thing is that the library has a plasma screen that shows what computers are available in which computer labs. This is also available from their website (click here to see it in action.) Very cool!
Michael Scott, Assistant Director
The Academic and Research Libraries Division of the Minnesota Library Association held their one-day meeting on Friday, April 25, 2008 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen. The theme of the day was "Riding the Swell: Effectively Reaching our Students."
The keynote presentation was entitled "Why Do they Act that Way" and the speaker was Erin Walsh from the National Institute on Media and the Family. Her presentation discussed the brain development of the under-25 year old students, their media-use habits, and how these factors impact the services that academic and research libraries provide and shape the interactions between these students and the libraries. Erin's father, Dr. David Walsh, found the Institute nearly 12 years ago.
Erin's excellent presentation really helped highlight the challenges that parents and librarians face with the current generation of adolescents who are making their way onto college campuses. Erin discussed brain development in children and adolescent (in a way that wasn't too far over anyone's head!) and that the wiring is still be developed, even in 20 year olds. She advocated that any caring adult can become a surrogate "prefrontal cortex" (the part of the brain that helps with impulse control and reducing conflict-seeking behavior, among other things). She suggested as part of this surrogacy such things as making expectations clear and consistent or carrying through and enforcing consequences. She also gave us tips on working with this group of students, including lots of listening, modeling good communication skills, avoiding getting caught up in power struggles, and yes, expect to deal with a little mouthiness!
All in all, her presentation was enlightening and helped me see why the way that they are is both genetics AND experience.
