Dec. 15 deadline for ASCLA 2011 service, leadership and achievement awards

All nominations for ASCLA’s Leadership and Professional Achievement Award, the Exceptional Service Award, the Cathleen Bourdon Service Award, the ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award and the Francis Joseph Campbell Medal for 2011 must be received by Wednesday, Dec. 15.

These awards recognize accomplishments in the following areas:

Cooperative, Consulting and State Library Services: The Leadership and Professional Achievement Award is a citation presented to one or more ASCLA members exemplifying leadership and achievement in the following areas: consulting, library cooperation, networking, statewide service and programs and state library development. Download the award nomination form.

Extension and Outreach Services: The Exceptional Service Award recognizes exceptional service to patients in a medical facility, to persons who are homebound, to inmates, to older adults and to adults with a physical or mental disability who live in group homes or residences, as well as to recognize professional leadership, effective interpretation of programs, pioneering activity and significant research. The recipient receives a citation. Download the award nomination form.

Service to ASCLA: The Cathleen Bourdon Service Award is a citation presented to an ASCLA personal member for exceptional service and sustained leadership to the division. This includes participation in activities that have enhanced the stature, reputation and overall strength of ASCLA and have also cultivated the division’s relationship with other appropriate organizations, institutions or governmental agencies. Download the award nomination form.

Projects focused on library services to people with disabilities: The ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award, sponsored by ASCLA, the National Organization on Disability (NOD) and Keystone Systems, Inc., this award recognizes an innovative and well-organized project that successfully developed or expanded services for people with disabilities. The award can be for a specific service(s) program or for a library that has made its total services more accessible through changing physical and/or attitudinal barriers. The winner receives $1,000 and a citation provided by Keystone Systems, Inc. Download the award nomination form.

Oustanding contributions to the advancement of library service for the blind and physically handicapped: The Francis Joseph Campbell Award honors a person or institution for significant contributions in this field of service with a medal and a citation. Contributions include but are not limited to: an imaginative and constructive program in a particular library; a recognized contribution to the national library program for blind persons; creative participation in library associations or organizations that advance reading for the blind; a significant publication or writing in the field; or imaginative contribution to library administration, reference, circulation, selection, acquisitions, or technical services. The award is administered by the Libraries Serving Special Populations Section (LSSPS) of ASCLA, and is supported by Keystone Systems, Inc. Download the award nomination form.

Those interested in submitting a nomination can download the appropriate award nomination form(s) from the awards section of the ASCLA website or request the form(s) from Liz Markel, ASCLA Marketing Specialist, via e-mail at lmarkel@ala.org. Nominations for all awards must be received by Dec. 15, 2010. Submission information is included on each form.

Abate appointed new editor of ASCLA member e-newsletter

Interface, the e-newsletter of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), welcomes Anne Abate, owner of Library Discount Network and a longtime ASCLA member, to the helm as editor.

Interface, which is distributed quarterly to members of ASCLA, covers both association news and also important developments in the fields of librarianship ASCLA represents: networks and cooperatives; independent librarians and consultants; state library agencies and services to special populations such as the incarcerated, blind, deaf, hard of hearing and other patron groups with special needs. The most recent issue focused on services to special populations, and highlighted activities in the field such as the Wolfner Library of Missouri’s transition from analog to digital talking books, an update on the Prisoners’ Right to Read, and coverage of the division’s related activities at the 2010 ALA Annual Conference. As editor, Abate will manage submissions, editing and online publication of the newsletter.

“I am excited about having this opportunity to learn so much more about ASCLA from the inside,” said Abate. “While I have dabbled in most of the areas encompassed by ASCLA and its sections, I look forward to learning more about the ASCLA members, their libraries, their concerns and what makes them unique. We will be reaching out to all of the ASCLA membership to share their stories with each other through Interface. We have so much to learn from each other.”

Abate has worked in a wide variety of libraries and library-related organizations during her career.  She is currently the owner of Library Discount Network, a small business that negotiates with database vendors on behalf of library consortia and networks and provides administrative and management support for nonprofit organizations.  Abate previously served as executive director of the Greater Cincinnati Library Consortium, now known as SWON Libraries, where she coordinated the programs, services, and activities for the members.  In previous lives, she worked as the director of marketing for a large corporation and held positions in libraries including law, academic, public, and special libraries.  She teaches in the areas of information technology for Xavier University and nonprofit management for Northern Kentucky University, and has also taught for the University of Kentucky and Nova Southeastern University.  Abate holds a bachelors degree from Xavier University, masters in library and information science from the University of Kentucky, a doctorate in computer technology from Nova Southeastern University, and a certificate in nonprofit management from Northern Kentucky University.

Virtual Convergence: Webinar series registration now open!

The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) invites all members of the library community to engage in online learning with the 2011 Virtual Convergence: a series of professional development webinars that will be held in January 2011 immediately following the ALA 2011 Midwinter Meeting.

Registration is now open for this exciting event, which provides an opportunity for librarians to kick off 2011 with online learning they can conveniently pursue from the comfort of their work or home computer. The Convergence will offer webinars throughout the day from Tuesday, Jan. 18 through Friday, Jan. 21. Session topics will appeal to a broad range of library types and job functions, and are open to all interested librarians, library staff and library supporters. Webinars will last approximately one hour and include opportunities for Q&A.

Scheduled webinar sessions include:

  • “Grant Writing 101”
  • “Presenting Topics to People who are Autistic, Deaf, Disabled, and Non-Disabled”
  • “Teaching Ophelia: Assisting At-Risk Teenagers”
  • “Why Reinvent the Wheel? Tools for Serving the Fast-growing Teen Population”
  • “Knowledge Management: Process and Tools for Convergence”
  • “Using Learning Objects to Enhance Distance Reference Services”
  • “The Disability Experience in a Post- 2.0 World: Implications for Libraries”
  • “Contract Librarianship: Concepts and Strategies”
  • “Accessibility 101: Assure That Your Library Is Welcoming & Usable for Persons With Disabilities”
  • “A Copyright Policy Update on Access to Information for Persons with Print Disabilities”
  • “Public Computer Conundrums: Policy and Program Choices That Improve Patron Outcomes”
  • “How to Build a Bridge:  Connecting Different Types of Libraries”
  • “Starting a New Library for At-risk Young Adults in a Digitally Divided Community”
  • “Libraries and Information Access for Differently-able Patrons: What We Can Do to Ensure Equality”
  • “Extending Our Reach: Using Extension Programs to Promote Statewide Resources.”
  • “Attracting Latinos to the Library: It’s All About Relationships”
  • “Conducting Successful Virtual Meetings”
  • “Careers in Federal Libraries”
  • “How to Find a Federal Job”
  • “Managing Library Adult and Family Literacy Programs”
  • “Resume Writing and Interviewing Techniques”
  • “Saks Fifth Avenue Service on a Dollar General Budget”

A full PDF schedule with descriptions is available for download from the ASCLA website. Registration is available online—click on “Register” next to Virtual Convergence at this registration page (login required)—or by mail and fax. When registering for a single webinar from the series, ASCLA and Federal and Armed Forces Libraries Round Table (FAFLRT) members pay $40, ALA members pay $50, non-members pay $65 and student and retired members of ALA pay $45. Those registering for two or more sessions will receive a reduced rate on each session.

Group registration rates for this event are available—those interested in more information should contact Liz Markel, marketing specialist, at lmarkel@ala.org.