Maryland State Library’s Jill Lewis wins ASCLA award for library services to blind and physically handicapped

Read the original press release.

Jill Lewis

Jill Lewis

CHICAGO — Jill Lewis, former director of the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (MDLBPH), is the 2013 recipient of the Francis Joseph Campbell Award—an annual honor presented by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA).

The award, which consists of a citation and a medal, is presented to a person or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of library service for the blind and physically handicapped. Keystone Library Automated Systems (KLAS) and the Southern Conference of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS/BPH) provide support for this award.

Lewis, who retired from the library in 2012, was selected for her significant impact on library services in Maryland. Under her leadership, the library developed partnerships that provided a vibrant community center to serve library users with print disabilities. The center includes adaptive technology, cultural programs and an interactive children’s reading center.

Lewis served as the director of the MDLBPH from October 2003 until her retirement in May 2012 and was previously the acting director and collection management librarian. She has also worked as a reference librarian at the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the Library of Congress, where she conducted a study of educational reading services for individuals with print disabilities and prepared publications for the Reference Section. She earned her M.L.I.S. from the School of Library and Information Studies, The University of Alabama.

Lewis was previously recognized for her important work with the 2012 Distinguished Service Award from the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland (NFBMD) and a Governor’s Citation for Outstanding Service in May 2012. She has been active within ALA and ASCLA since the 1990s and serves on the board of the Montgomery County (Md.) Public Library.

Lewis will receive the Francis Joseph Campbell Award at the ASCLA/COSLA Reception, 5:45 – 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 29 in Field 20A-C, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, as a part of the 2013 ALA Annual Conference. Add the event to your conference schedule. All conference attendees are invited to this networking and awards event.

ASCLA, a small, mighty and growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed. Our division’s work centers on member-driven interest groups that represent the diversity and important work of our engaged and active members. Learn more about ASCLA and how to join this innovative division.

Published June 12, 2013 – 8:32 pm Categories: Annual Conference, Awards, Division News, Events, Outreach, Underserved Populations, Universal Access | Post a comment

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NEWS: Accessibility advocate Ruth Nussbaum wins ASCLA’s 2013 Cathleen Bourdon Service Award

Read the official ALA press release here.

Ruth Nussbaum

Ruth Nussbaum

CHICAGO – Ruth J. Nussbaum, retired reference librarian, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, is the recipient of the 2013 Cathleen Bourdon Service Award for exceptional service to and sustained leadership for the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a division of ALA.

The Cathleen Bourdon Service Award is presented annually to an ASCLA member whose leadership and involvement in the division has enhanced the stature, reputation and overall strength of ASCLA and has also cultivated the division’s relationship with other appropriate organizations, institutions or government agencies. In 22 years of continuous service, Nussbaum has provided mentorship and friendship both inside and outside of the ASCLA community. She has been at the front lines of library service and ASCLA activities, initiating positive changes and improvements to library services for people with disabilities. Most importantly, in all of her work, she has led by example, inspiring ASCLA colleagues and a new generation of ASCLA members

Nussbaum has an extensive record of professional involvement in ASCLA, ALA and other associations such as the American Indian Library Association. As an ASCLA member since 1990, Nussbaum has played an active part in representing the librarians serving special populations constituency of ASCLA as part of the Century Scholarship committee, a representative to the ASCLA Board of Directors, chair of the Francis Joseph Campbell Award Committee and member of the ASCLA Awards Committee, chair of the Librarians Serving Special Populations Section of ASCLA and representative to the ASCLA board. She also served as an ALA councilor-at-large from 2004-2007. She has made significant contributions to important professional documents and guidelines, including accessibility policies for both ALA and ASCLA, fact sheets, bibliographies and other publications addressing library services for people with disabilities.

Nussbaum worked as a reference librarian at the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, from 1987 through her retirement in 2012. Prior to this position, she spent time as the acquisitions library associate at the Gallaudet University Library, librarian and administrator at the Huntington Free Library and Reading Room at the Depository for the Museum of the American Indian and as a Head Start teacher in the Redhook neighborhood of Brooklyn. She earned her M.L.S. from Southern Connecticut State University.

Nussbaum will receive the ASCLA Leadership and Professional Achievement Award at the ASCLA/COSLA Reception, 5:45 – 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 29 in Field 20A-C, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, as a part of the 2013 ALA Annual Conference. Add the event to your conference schedule. All conference attendees are invited to this networking and awards event.

ASCLA, a small, mighty and growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed. Our division’s work centers on member-driven interest groups that represent the diversity and important work of our engaged and active members. Learn more about ASCLA and how to join this innovative division.

Published June 12, 2013 – 8:22 pm Categories: Annual Conference, Awards, Division News, Events, Member Involvement, Underserved Populations | Post a comment

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Libraries and incarcerated youth: Conference programs from ASCLA

ASCLA is hosting two programs focused on library services to incarcerated youth. Join us for one or both of these exciting events and get “outside of the (library services) box” to get a new perspective on the importance of libraries, and their role as a lifeline for incarcerated youth.

Arts + School Libraries Inside

Saturday, June 29, 2013 - 4:30pm to 5:30pm

Scheduled for McCormick Place Room N427d. Check the event listing in the scheduler for the most up-to-date information.

This program will explore the ways in which school libraries serving incarcerated and detained youth incorporate the arts. Strategies presented will include: partnerships with arts organizations, partnerships with non-profits, instructional collaboration with art teachers, collection development, programming, and professional development. This presentation will also include examples of student work and project outcomes.

Speakers: Claudio Leon, Library Assistant / Instructional Technology Specialist, Passages Academy and Regan Schwartz, School Librarian, Passages Academy

Tour: Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center and Library

Monday, July 1

Separate event registration required! Details below.

Want to find out more about the world of juvenile corrections & juvenile correctional librarianship in general? Are you already working in the field, and interested in seeing how another juvenile correctional facility library operates?  ASCLA and Library Services for Youth in Custody (LSYC) are co-sponsoring and hosting a Juvenile Detention Facility Tour at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center and its library on Monday, July 1st, from 8:45am-12:30pm.

The Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center and its library, operated by Nancy B. Jefferson Alternative School, are located on the west side of Chicago. Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center is one of the largest youth detention centers in the country. The school and library are operated by Chicago Public Schools and the library is staffed by a full-time, certified school library media specialist. Megan Cusick, Nancy B. Jefferson school librarian, and Camden Tadhg, logistics team chair of LSYC, will be running the tour.

TO REGISTER FOR THE TOUR, PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM BY 5PM CENTRAL TIME ON FRIDAY, JUNE  14.

Tour questions? Contact Camden at Tadhg_C@cde.state.co.us.

Published June 12, 2013 – 2:47 pm Categories: Annual Conference, Continuing Education, Division News, Events, LSSPS, Professional Development, Universal Access | Post a comment

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Servant Leadership in Your Library: Register by June 21 for leadership development workshop hosted by ASCLA

ALA Annual Conference Chicago logo

“Servant Leadership” – what does it mean, particularly in a library setting? And why should it matter to you?

And you’re absolutely right. But in this ASCLA workshop, Servant Leadership in Your Library, you’ll learn how to integrate “serving” with “leadership” in a way that will positively influence how your library is perceived by patrons, staff members, and your community.You may be thinking, “Isn’t ‘serving’ what we do every day?”

In this full-day program hosted by experience trainer Linda Bruno, rather than a “cookie cutter” approach to leadership, we’ll delve into who you are as a leader. How can becoming a servant leader change the dynamics of your entire organization – from the inside out? We’ll discuss the importance of understanding the needs of your staff, helping them grow personally and professionally, being open to their feedback and input, and valuing their contribution to your organization. We’ll each develop our own list of what changes we want to incorporate to become servant leaders, and how we can help others in our library do the same.

Through discussions, group work, games, and assessments, you’ll come away from this session with a fresh perspective on your own leadership style – and ideas for incorporating servant leadership into your own organization.

Whether you’re a mid-level manager or a library director, understanding how servant leadership can benefit your library will help you become the leader you were meant to be.

Registration for this event ends Friday, June 21!

**No registrations will be available on the day of the event.

REGISTER HERE!

Great Lakes-area librarians! Did you know you can register and attend this event without registering for the entire conference? Drive in on Thursday night and spend the day learning with us on Friday. Select “Ticketed Events and Preconferences Only” as your registration type to make this happen.

REGISTER NOW!

Registration Rates: $279, ASCLA member. $299, ALA member. $319, non-member. $239, ALA Retired and Student members.

Learn more about Linda Bruno at her website, www.lindasworkshops.com. Linda has presented programs for ASCLA before and received rave reviews! She has 20 years of real-world management experience and has been helping people grow personally and professionally for more than 10 years.

Published June 12, 2013 – 1:47 pm Categories: Annual Conference, Continuing Education, Division News, Events, Fun Stuff, Leadership | Post a comment

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Innovative ASCLA Programming at Annual Conference, 2013

Dear ASCLA Members,

Once again, small but mighty ASCLA has some terrific programs and preconferences this year! All of our programs are amazing, but I want make special note of:

 ASCLA President’s Program: Storytelling Mojo: Creating the 21st Century Library Narrative, Sunday, June 30, 10:30am-12pm.

Stacey Aldrich, ASCLA President, and her team are bringing an amazing program and speaker to Chicago this year with the theme of telling your story:  how do we share the excitement for how libraries are evolving and innovating as a community institution? Learn storytelling strategies specific to the unique opportunities and challenges faced by libraries today. Michael Margolis, CEO of Get Storied, has worked as a story architect for over a decade and collaborated closely with both the California and Pennsylvania State Libraries around this issue. This program promises to be fun and innovative – please join us! Add the program to your conference schedule.

Appealing Programs! Attend our cutting-edge programs with topics that range from “Easy and Affordable Accessibility” and  “Do Those Evaluation Statistics Mean Anything?“ to “Beyond Brainstorming: Making More Effective Decisions.” For the complete lineup and full descriptions go here.

Skill- and Knowledge-Building Preconferences: In addition to our program lineup, we have 3 excellent preconferences, including:

  • a very timely one on positioning your library to help your community by serving as a disaster recovery center (“Ports in a Storm: Your Library as a Disaster Recovery Center”)
  • how to cultivate strong loyalty from employees and library users with the concept of servant leadership (“Servant Leadership in Your Library”)
  • and a gathering of discussions about trends in both physical and virtual delivery of library materials to users (“Discovery to Delivery: Rethinking Resource Sharing”)

 See the full descriptions here. (Register now)

Tour a Library: Tour Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, one of the largest youth detention centers in the country, including its library. The Center’s school and library are operated by Chicago Public Schools and the library is staffed by a full-time, certified school library media specialist. The tour is sponsored by Library Services for Youth in Custody and run by Megan Cusick, Nancy B. Jefferson School Librarian, and Camden Tadhg, Logistics Team Chair of Library Services for Youth in Custody. All attendees must register by 5pm on June 14th by filling out the form here. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1aJLi5cWkKeQVdVEHkn7vYTTID3kMbhXs3T3yeiPb0fU/viewforml.

Hang out at a Party! Last but not least, please join us for some fun, hang out with ASCLA colleagues and celebrate this year’s award winners at the ASCLA/COSLA Reception and Awards Presentation, scheduled for Saturday, June 29, 5:45-7:30p.m. All members and non-members are invited to this event, so bring your friends! Add the reception to your schedule.

We have Ribbons! Also – don’t forget to stop by the ASCLA table in the ALA office and pick up some ribbons – we have a huge variety this year.

Have a wonderful time in Chicago; if you can’t make it this year, I hope to see you in Las Vegas in 2014!

Best Wishes,

Susan Hornung

Executive Director, ASCLA

shornung@ala.org

Published June 12, 2013 – 1:40 pm Categories: Uncategorized | Post a comment

You’re invited! ASCLA/COSLA Reception at 2013 ALA Annual Conference

Come celebrate and network with the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) at the ASCLA/COSLA Reception on Saturday, June 29, 5:45-7:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. Get the event details and specific room location in the ALA Conference Scheduler.

Why is this event so awesome, and why should you attend?

This is *the social event for ASCLA* at the ALA Annual Conference! Whether you’re a current member or you’re interested in our work with library services to people with disabilities, accessibility, state library agencies, library consultants and independent librarians, and networks, cooperatives and consortia, you are welcome to come to this event! Bring your business cards and come ready to see old friends and make new ones. ASCLA is known for being a friendly and welcoming division–come see what we mean! Add the event to your schedule now.

We’ll also be honoring our ASCLA award winners at this event:

  • Ruth J. Nussbaum, retired reference librarian, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress,will receive the 2013 Cathleen Bourdon Service Award for exceptional service to, and sustained leadership for ASCLA.
  • Jill Lewis, former director of the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, will receive the 2013 recipient of the Francis Joseph Campbell Award—an annual honor presented to a person or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of library service for the blind and physically handicapped.
  • Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen, executive director of Mother Goose on the Loose, LLC, and early childhood specialist at the Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Baltimore, will receive the 2013 ASCLA Leadership and Professional Achievement Award for her leadership and achievement in statewide services and programs and state library development.

This event includes hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Published June 10, 2013 – 11:48 am Categories: Annual Conference, Awards, Division News, Events, Fun Stuff, Leadership, LSSPS, Member Involvement | Post a comment

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Q&A: Kathleen Moeller-Peiffer, incoming ASCLA Vice President/President-Elect

Congratulations to Kathi Moeller-Peiffer of the New Jersey State Library on her election to the ASCLA Vice President/President-Elect position! We asked Kathi some questions about her relationship with ASCLA and what she does when she’s not preoccupied with important library work. Swing by the ASCLA/COSLA Reception at the ALA Annual Conference to meet Kathi and other ASCLA members.

ASCLA Vice President/President-Elect Kathi Moeller-Peiffer

ASCLA Vice President/President-Elect Kathi Moeller-Peiffer

Why do you love ASCLA?

I love being an ASCLA member primarily due to the diversity of its membership. I’ve met librarians who work as independent consultants, at state library agencies, with cooperatives and consortia and as the main source of library service to underserved populations, such as the blind and physically handicapped and incarcerated youth and adults. I learn a little something from all of them.

What do you think the best parts of ASCLA are that would appeal to new members?

As mentioned above, the diversity. Also, it is one of the smaller ALA divisions which means that you get to know people more quickly and easily and can often find yourself being offered a leadership role in the organization sooner than in one of the large divisions. Finally, the very talented and bright people of both ASCLA and the ALA ASCLA office are a great benefit of membership!

In your opinion, how are current economic challenges affecting both the professions represented by ASCLA and the association itself?

It is stressful, no doubt about it. All of the professions represented by ASCLA are taking fiscal cuts which then impacts the number of librarians who can join the association, leading to fiscal implications for us as well. ASCLA professionals continue to advocate, educate and lobby funding bodies to restore monies cut. ASCLA as an association has been handling its finances very intelligently and has been creating money-making opportunities with webinars, pre-conferences and library trips abroad in order to weather these difficult fiscal times.

What is a significant change or improvement that you would like to see made within ASCLA during the next 3-5 years?

I would like to see the membership grow to the point where we have financial stability and therefore more time being allotted to us from ALA Headquarters. Right now we have 25% of our Director’s and Marketing Manager’s time. With just a small increase to 30% they could both do so much more in terms of fund-raising idea implementation.

What about the ALA Annual Conference are you looking forward to the most?

I am very much looking forward to the many groups that I’ll be meeting with for the first time in my role as vice president/president elect and the new knowledge that I’ll be gaining of both ASCLA and ALA. And, of course, the ASCLA/COSLA awards reception!

When you’re not spending your time at the library or at conferences, what do you like to do? Any hobbies?

Well, I do enjoy spending time with my husband’s and my three Labrador Retrievers. (That is not to say they couldn’t benefit from some time with the Dog Whisperer!) I also enjoy traveling, especially abroad. Over the past few years I’ve been to Hawaii, the Isle of Rhodes in Greece and Dubrovnik, Croatia and will be visiting Puerto Rico this fall.

Read any good books lately?

I’ve just started reading Karen White’s book After the Rain, which I’ll follow with her other recent books Sea Change and The Time Between. She is a tremendously gifted writer. Once I’ve started one of her books I simply cannot put it down.

If you had a superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?

I have never, ever been asked this question before…good job stumping me! I believe that I would want the ability to time travel, both into the past and the future. I would not use it to change anything, but simply to observe what is happening and learn more about myself and others.

Published June 3, 2013 – 11:53 am Categories: Annual Conference, Division News, Events, Fun Stuff, Leadership, Member Involvement, State Libraries | Post a comment

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NEWS: Consultants give back: free 30-minute sessions in Chicago co-sponsored by ASCLA and PLA

CHICAGO — The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies’ (ASCLA) Library Consultants Interest Group and the Public Library Association (PLA) are teaming up to offer “Consultants Give Back” at the ALA Annual Conference — an opportunity for libraries to receive free 30-minute consultation sessions from professional library consultants.

This event features consultants with expertise in a wide variety of topics like facilitation, leadership development and succession planning, library facility planning, marketing strategy, privacy, social media, program evaluation, services to multicultural communities, services to children, tweens and teens and other relevant topics. It’s an excellent opportunity for public libraries and other types of libraries to test drive library consulting services.

Consultants scheduled to participate in this event are: Lori Bowen Ayre of The Galecia Group; Liz Bishoff of The Bishoff Group; Carson Block, Carson Block Consulting Inc.; Nancy Bolt, Nancy Bolt & Associates; Yolanda J. Cuesta, Cuesta MultiCultural Consulting; Carole D. Fiore, Training and Library Consulting; Donna Fletcher, Donna E. Fletcher Consulting, Inc./Library Survey Consultants; Cheryl Gould, Fully Engaged Libraries; Catherine Hakala-Ausperk, Libraries Thrive Consulting; Stephen C. Maack, REAP Change Consultants; Gretchen McCord, Digital Information Law; Ruth Metz, Ruth Metz Associates; Sam McBane Mulford, ideation * collaborative; Kathy Page, Page + Morris; Paula M. Singer, The Singer Group, Inc.; Melissa Stockton, Quipu Group; and Richard L. Waters, Godfrey’s Associates.

Consultants will be available 1 – 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, Jackson Park 10D. Many consultants are also available by appointment at other times and locations throughout the conference. Reserving your appointment ahead of the conference is highly recommended. A list of participating consultants’ contact information is available at www.consultantsgiveback.org.

ASCLA, a small, mighty and growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed. Our division’s work centers on member-driven interest groups that represent the diversity and important work of our engaged and active members. Learn more about ASCLA and how to join this innovative division.

PLA is a division of the American Library Association. PLA’s core purpose is to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. Its mission is to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services. For more information, visit  www.pla.org.

Published May 29, 2013 – 9:21 pm Categories: Annual Conference, Division News, Events, Independent Librarians, Leadership, Member Involvement, Professional Resources | Post a comment

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NEWS: Innovation at your library: ASCLA workshops, programming and events at the ALA Annual Conference

The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a small and mighty division of ALA, will offer innovative and insightful preconferences, programs and events at the 2013 ALA Annual Conference; this year’s topics include disaster response, leadership development, effective decision-making, accessibility, services to older adults, arts programs for incarcerated youth and service evaluation.

Participants in ASCLA’s preconferences will find themselves at the forefront of library trends, advocacy and self-empowerment. “Ports in a Storm: Your Library as Disaster Recovery Center” will revitalize the role libraries play in their community following a disaster and show you how to build partnerships and access resources to achieve this goal. Librarians can cultivate loyalty from employees and library users as they develop their servant leadership persona with the help of professional library trainer Linda Bruno at the “Servant Leadership in Your Library” preconference. “Discovery to Delivery: Rethinking Resource Sharing” will bring together resource sharing librarians from public and academic libraries to discuss innovations in discovery, trends in physical and virtual delivery, e-books and ILL finances. Review pricing and event details and register for these preconferences at the ASCLA website.

At the ASCLA’s President’s Program, ”Storytelling Mojo: Creating the 21st Century Library Narrative,” speaker Michael Margolis, CEO of Get Storied, will revolutionize your approach to promoting, communicating about and advocating for your library. The program will focus on how we can think strategically about how we communicate within and outside of our libraries more effectively. Through this engaging and interactive session, Margolis will provide simple ways to help design and deliver powerful messages. The ASCLA President’s Program will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 30, 2013 at McCormick Place Convention Center. Get program details and add the program to your schedule.

ASCLA’s conference programs will also offer a multitude of valuable, cutting edge ideas to transform libraries, librarian careers and the way we think about library services:

  • School and youth services librarians won’t want to miss “Arts + School Libraries Inside,” where we’ll discuss how school libraries serving incarcerated youth can create partnerships with arts organizations and non-profits and collaboration with art teachers. We’ll also cover collection development, programming and professional development.

  • Hear from the Institute of Museum and Library Services Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation how to improve the quality of program evaluation at “Do Those Evaluation Statistics Mean Anything?” Topics for discussion include strategies for improving the capacity of libraries to use evaluation by creating a network linking those producing evaluation with those who use the information to make better decisions.

  • Learn how to make decisions more nimbly and confidently with speaker Joan Frye Williams at “Beyond Brainstorming: Making More Effective Decisions.” Williams will present new strategies for decision-making that address modern pressures of time, finances and transparency, as well as the increased pace of change in our professional environments.

  • Help your library serve all people, regardless of abilities, with the tools and tips presented at “Easy and Affordable Accessibility.” Libraries of all sizes will benefit from hearing the lists of go-to resources, easy-to-use adaptive equipment and ways to make your library environment more user-friendly to everyone that will be shared at this session.

  • Interested in new programming ideas for serving older adults? Add “Boomers to Seniors: Library Models for Serving and Engaging Older Adults” to your schedule.The program will highlight two complementary IMLS-funded model programs targeting Baby Boomers–adults born between 1946 and 1964–in a variety of settings inside and outside the library.

Conference participants are also invited to celebrate ASCLA’s 2013 award winners and network with the vibrant membership community at the ASCLA/COSLA Reception, 5:45 – 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 29. Register for the ALA Annual Conference now to participate in conference programming and events. Conference registration is not required in order to register for preconferences–select “Ticketed Events and Preconferences Only” as your registration type.

ASCLA, a small, mighty and growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed. Our division’s work centers on member-driven interest groups that represent the diversity and important work of our engaged and active members. Learn more about ASCLA and how to join this innovative division.

Published May 23, 2013 – 9:34 pm Categories: Annual Conference, Continuing Education, Division News, Events, Fun Stuff, Independent Librarians, Leadership, LSSPS, Member Involvement, Outreach, Professional Development, State Libraries, Underserved Populations, Universal Access | Post a comment

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NEWS: New ASCLA webinar provides practical tools for increasing usability and accessibility of websites

CHICAGO — “Accessibility is Usability,” a new webinar hosted by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), will tackle Web accessibility and its strong connection to usability and will also discuss adaptive technologies, how to write accessible website code and how to check a website for accessibility.

“Accessibility is Usability” will cover key concepts of accessible Web design, parallels between accessibility and universal design and how to test websites for accessibility. Participants will also learn how websites designed with accessibility in mind can lead to cleaner interfaces that work on multiple monitor sizes, search engine optimization and faster download speeds – features that benefit all website users, regardless of ability. Other topics to be covered include what is meant by “accessibility” in websites; laws governing accessibility; types of disabilities and how people with disabilities use the Web; different adaptive technologies; how to write accessible code and coding’s relationship to universal access. The webinar will be presented by ASCLA member Christopher Corrigan - learn more about Corrigan and this webinar at the ASCLA website.

Public, academic and state libraries will benefit from this webinar, as will libraries serving people with disabilities and librarians charged with creating and disseminating digital content. This webinar is also an excellent opportunity to kickstart discussions of accessibility at your library by bringing a group together for this presentation. A recording of this session will be available to paid registrants following the session.

“Accessibility is Usability” will be held from 1 – 2:15 p.m. Central time on Friday, May 31, 2013. Registration rates start at $40 for ASCLA members, and registration will close on Thursday, May 30. Register online for this webinar now. Group rates are available, with either single login or multiple login options. Get group registration information at ASCLA’s Online Learning page.

ASCLA, a small, mighty and growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed. Our division’s work centers on member-driven interest groups that represent the diversity and important work of our engaged and active members. Learn more about ASCLA and how to join this innovative division.

Published May 21, 2013 – 5:34 pm Categories: Continuing Education, Division News, Events, LSSPS, Member Involvement, Outreach, Professional Development, Professional Resources, Underserved Populations, Universal Access | Post a comment

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