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ASCLA newsletter editor: application deadline extended to Jun. 11

The deadline for applications for the ASCLA Interface editor position has been extended to June 11. Keep reading for details on the position, its benefits and how to apply.

ASCLA seeks an editor for its quarterly online membership journal, Interface. Interface serves as the primary source of information and communication between ASCLA and the library and user community and reaches ASCLA’s 1,000 members each quarter. Guided by ASCLA editorial policy, the editor is responsible for the content, format and timely online publication of Interface.

Compensation of up to $1,000 annually will be provided to cover travel to conferences. In addition, the Interface editor receives complimentary registration for both conferences and VIP early registration for hotels.

The deadline for application is June 11, 2010 and it is anticipated that a candidate will be selected by July 1. A job description is posted below.

Applicants should email a resume and cover letter summarizing their editorial philosophy, two to four samples of written work or editorial activities and two letters of reference addressing qualifications to: Susan Hornung, Executive Director, ASCLA, at shornung@ala.org.

The two-year appointment as Interface editor will begin at the end of ALA Annual Conference 2010 and end at the conclusion of the Annual Conference in 2012. The term is renewable upon approval of the ASCLA Board. Applicants should have a strong overall knowledge of the association and its goals and have an interest in and knowledge of issues relevant to ASCLA members. Applicants must have written and published articles and/or have demonstrated editorial experience. Preferred applicants will have experience or familiarity with the technical and editorial issues associated with electronic and Web publishing and knowledge of emerging technologies in this publishing format.

Job Description: ASCLA Interface Editor

Reports to: ASCLA Board

Term: 2-year appointment, beginning at the end of ALA Annual Conference 2010 and ending at the end of the Annual Conference in 2012. Term is renewable upon approval of the ASCLA Board.

Summary of Position:

  • Interface is the official serial publication of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, a division of the American Library Association.
  • Interface serves as the primary communication channel between ASCLA and the library and user community.
  • Guided by ASCLA editorial policy, the editor is responsible for the content, format and timely publication of Interface and will prepare an annual plan indicating areas expected to be addressed in quarterly issues.
  • The Publications Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the editor and develops guidelines to assist the editor.
  • Editorial policies are approved by the ASCLA Board.

Specific Responsibilities

  • Establish a theme for each quarterly issue of Interface, based on regular communication with ASCLA members, section leaders, Board, committees, and staff, breaking news, and activities of interest.
  • Invite articles related to the theme, through personal invitation to a few key authors and through general announcement using the ASCLA listservs and others as appropriate.
  • Gather articles for quarterly publication, following the annual schedule determined by the ASCLA Executive Director.
  • Establish a schedule of routine items that are expected to appear in each quarterly issue and solicit the required information from ASCLA members and staff following the schedule (ASCLA awards, actions of the Board, conference programs and activities, election results, committee appointments, president’s letter etc.)
  • Work closely with the ASCLA office to incorporate articles submitted by staff.
  • Edit articles for content, style, and correct grammatical usage, consulting with other experts as needed. The ASCLA Publications Committee serves as an unofficial editorial board, and section leaders and ASCLA Board members are always willing to provide advice and counsel.
  • Prepare articles by formatting each within style and layout guidelines provided by the ASCLA office.
  • Prepare each issue for posting to the ASCLA website and submit files via e-mail to the ASCLA office.
  • Collect signed copyright release forms from each author.
  • Attend ASCLA Board meetings as non-voting ex-officio member at ALA Annual Conference and Midwinter Meetings, and attend as many section and committee meetings, programs, and other ASCLA-related events as possible.
  • Recruit new advertising and work with continuing advertisers to renew and update ads each year. Keep track of invoicing and submit advertising checks to the ASCLA office.
  • Periodically, survey members to determine their satisfaction with Interface and elicit ideas for improvement.
  • Occasionally handle requests for republication and resolve problems.

Honoraria: ASCLA contributes $1,000 per year to help offset the conference expenses of the Interface editor. In addition the Interface editor receives complimentary registration for both conferences and VIP early registration for hotels, and a complimentary one year ASCLA membership.

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ASCLA @ Annual Conference: Download the guide now!

The final version of the ASCLA @ Annual Conference guide, complete with room assignments for our events, is now available for download.

Get it now, and use it to plan your conference experience!

Here’s a direct link: http://ascla.ala.org/media/ac2010ascla.pdf

A reminder that Advance Registration closes Friday, May 14–that’s THIS FRIDAY! Register online now for conference and associated ticketed events (login required).

Comprehensive information about the conference, which will be held June 24 – 29 in Washington, D.C., is at www.ala.org/annual.

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Congratulations to the 2010 ASCLA elections winners!

Here are the results of the 2010 ASCLA elections. Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who ran for office.

Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies:

Norma E. Blake, vice-president/president-elect

Marti Goddard, director-at-large

Brad Ward, director-at-large

Kendall French Wiggin, councilor

Adopted: Approval of bylaws amendment to include single type library cooperatives in the division

Interlibrary Cooperation and Networking Section (ICAN):

Cheryl Bryan, vice-chair

Scherelene L. Schatz, secretary

Tyler O. Walters, member-at-large

Independent Librarians’ Exchange (ILEX):

Nancy Bolt, chair

Carol Ann Desch, member-at-large (one year)

Jeannette Smithee, member-at-large (three years)

Sara G. Laughlin, member-at-large (three years)

Libraries Serving Special Populations Section (LSSPS):

Adopted: Approval of new bylaws

Stephen Prine, vice-chair

Marti Goddard, forum chair, Library Services to People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Forum

Ruth J. Nussbaum, vice-chair, Library Services to people with Visual or Physical Disabilities Forum

James Patrick Timony, vice-chair, Library Services to People with Learning, Social, Cognitive and Health Issues Forum

Diane Walden, vice-chair, Library Services to Prisoners Forum

State Library Agency Section (SLAS):

Suzy Szasz Palmer, vice-chair

Shirley Biladeau, secretary

Jim Hollinger, member-at-large

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Why prison libraries matter

A great clip about the importance of prison libraries! Many thanks to Diana Reese, incoming ASCLA president, for sharing this with us!

We rarely hear how prison library services impacted offenders once they leave prison.  At a recent Earth Day Fair, Denver Public Library recorded videos of people sharing why they love their libraries.  One of them was an ex-offender.   This is one of the reasons I love my job.  So here is a love story to all of you who work in libraries behind the walls.

http://www.youtube.com/user/denverlibrary#p/u/6/svLOQA1C774

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Resource-sharing experts appearing at upcoming ASCLA preconference

A stellar lineup of resource-sharing experts will present at the upcoming preconference “Giving People What They Want: Information Access in Libraries and Beyond,” a full-day workshop sponsored by ASCLA.

“Giving People What They Want”, which will be held 9a.m.-5p.m. on Friday, June 25, will feature a thought-provoking examination of technology and how its pervasive development is challenging traditional approaches to resource-sharing and content access. Presenters will examine users’ different information-seeking behaviors and how they differ significantly from how libraries have traditionally provided information. Participants will also discuss technological limitations inherent in sharing resources across disparate systems; innovative approaches that are broadening the definition of resource-sharing; and the impact of digital publishing, library end-user research, and innovative implementations of resource-sharing.

The event speakers include:

  • Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, a non-profit “fact tank” that studies the social impact of the Internet. The Project has issued more than 200 reports based on its surveys that examine people’s online activities and the Internet’s role in their lives. Rainie is a co-author of a series of books about the future of the Internet and is working on one about the social impact of technology that will be published in late 2010. Prior to launching the Pew Internet Project, Rainie was managing editor of U.S. News & World Report.
  • Marshall Breeding, director for innovative technologies and research for the Vanderbilt University Libraries. As a part of the library’s management team, he focuses on issues related to the strategic use of technology in the library, designs and develops digital library resources and investigates emerging technologies. Breeding also serves as executive director of the Vanderbilt Television News Archive, a large-scale archive of digital video content. He frequently speaks and writes on topics of network technologies and library automation. He is the creator and editor of  Library Technology Guides and the lib-web-cats online directory of libraries on the Web, and has authored eight issues of ALA’s Library Technology Reports as well as many other articles, book chapters and books.
  • Kyle Banerjee, digital services program manager for the  HYPERLINK Orbis Cascade Alliance. He has written numerous articles and coauthored two books on digital library issues. Last year, he chaired a team responsible for migrating the 36 Alliance member institutions to a new resource sharing system.
  • Michael Lascarides, who is a specialist in information architecture, focusing on usability analysis and user experience design for the New York Public Library.  He is also an adjunct professor in the computer art departments at the School of Visual Arts (New York) and New York University.
  • Cyril Oberlander, associate director, Milne Library, at the SUNY College at Geneseo.  He has previously worked as the director of interlibrary services at the University of Virginia Library and head of interlibrary loan at Portland State University from 1996-2005. His consultation experience includes independent consulting services through OCLC Western and workflow design with various vendors. Oberlander’s research interests include organizational development, workflow design, mobile technology, information visualization and knowledge systems.
  • Bryan Skib, collection development officer at the University of Michigan. After earning degrees in French history from Princeton University and from the University of Michigan, he worked for 18 years in a variety of public service roles at the Hatcher Graduate Library, particularly in the areas of History, European Studies and Religion. He has been active in several academic and library associations, including the Western European Studies Section of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). As a member of the Library’s senior management team, he contributes to library-wide strategic planning. His current responsibilities include overall management of the materials budget, collection development strategy, preservation and document delivery activities for the University Library.

“Giving People What They Want” is open to librarians and library staff involved or interested in the field of resource sharing. Interested participants can register for this event only, or can register in conjunction with Annual Conference registration by adding it as a ticketed event. For institute-only registration using the online form, select “Institute and Ticketed Events Only” as the registration type and proceed to select this event from the list. Advance registration ends May 14, 2010. Advance registration prices for this event start at $205 for ASCLA members. On-site registration starts at $215 for ASCLA members and will be available online until Sunday, June 20. Step-by-step instructions for registering online can be found at the ASCLA blog.

This workshop is one of many ASCLA activities at the 2010 ALA Annual Conference, and ASCLA recently released its comprehensive guide to all the division’s activities at the conference.  Download the guide now from the ASCLA Web site, or learn more about the ALA Annual Conference at the  conference Web site. Interested participants are encouraged to register online (login requred) before Advance Registration closes on May 14 and event prices increase.

A stellar lineup of resource-sharing experts will present at the upcoming preconference “Giving People What They Want: Information Access in Libraries and Beyond,” a full-day workshop sponsored by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies.

“Giving People What They Want”, which will be held 9a.m.-5p.m. on Friday, June 25, will feature a thought-provoking examination of technology and how its pervasive development is challenging traditional approaches to resource-sharing and content access. Presenters will examine users’ different information-seeking behaviors and how they differ significantly from how libraries have traditionally provided information. Participants will also discuss technological limitations inherent in sharing resources across disparate systems; innovative approaches that are broadening the definition of resource-sharing; and the impact of digital publishing, library end-user research, and innovative implementations of resource-sharing.

The event speakers include:

  • Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, a non-profit “fact tank” that studies the social impact of the Internet. The Project has issued more than 200 reports based on its surveys that examine people’s online activities and the Internet’s role in their lives. Rainie is a co-author of a series of books about the future of the Internet and is working on one about the social impact of technology that will be published in late 2010. Prior to launching the Pew Internet Project, Rainie was managing editor of U.S. News & World Report.
  • Marshall Breeding, director for innovative technologies and research for the Vanderbilt University Libraries. As a part of the library’s management team, he focuses on issues related to the strategic use of technology in the library, designs and develops digital library resources and investigates emerging technologies. Breeding also serves as executive director of the HYPERLINK “http://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/”Vanderbilt Television News Archive, a large-scale archive of digital video content. He frequently speaks and writes on topics of network technologies and library automation. He is the creator and editor of  HYPERLINK “http://www.librarytechnology.org” Library Technology Guides and the HYPERLINK “http://www.librarytechnology.org/libwebcats”lib-web-cats online directory of libraries on the Web, and has authored eight issues of ALA’s Library Technology Reports as well as many other articles, book chapters and books.
  • Kyle Banerjee, digital services program manager for the  HYPERLINK “http://www.orbiscascade.org/” Orbis Cascade Alliance. He has written numerous articles and coauthored two books on digital library issues. Last year, he chaired a team responsible for migrating the 36 Alliance member institutions to a new resource sharing system.
  • Michael Lascarides, who is a specialist in information architecture, focusing on usability analysis and user experience design for the New York Public Library.  He is also an adjunct professor in the computer art departments at the School of Visual Arts (New York) and New York University.
  • Cyril Oberlander, associate director, Milne Library, at the SUNY College at Geneseo.  He has previously worked as the director of interlibrary services at the University of Virginia Library and head of interlibrary loan at Portland State University from 1996-2005. His consultation experience includes independent consulting services through OCLC Western and workflow design with various vendors. Oberlander’s research interests include organizational development, workflow design, mobile technology, information visualization and knowledge systems.
  • Bryan Skib, collection development officer at the University of Michigan. After earning degrees in French history from Princeton University and from the University of Michigan, he worked for 18 years in a variety of public service roles at the Hatcher Graduate Library, particularly in the areas of History, European Studies and Religion. He has been active in several academic and library associations, including the Western European Studies Section of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). As a member of the Library’s senior management team, he contributes to library-wide strategic planning. His current responsibilities include overall management of the materials budget, collection development strategy, preservation and document delivery activities for the University Library.

“Giving People What They Want” is open to librarians and library staff involved or interested in the field of resource sharing. Interested participants can register for this event only, or can register in conjunction with Annual Conference registration by adding it as a ticketed event. For institute-only registration using the online form, select “Institute and Ticketed Events Only” as the registration type and proceed to select this event from the list. Advance registration ends May 14, 2010. Advance registration prices for this event start at $205 for ASCLA members. On-site registration starts at $215 for ASCLA members and will be available online until Sunday, June 20. Step-by-step instructions for registering online can be found at the ASCLA blog.

This workshop is one of many ASCLA activities at the 2010 ALA Annual Conference, and ASCLA recently released its comprehensive guide to all the division’s activities at the conference. Download the guide now from the ASCLA Web site, or learn more about the ALA Annual Conference at the conference Web site. Interested participants are encouraged to register online (login requred) before Advance Registration closes on May 14 and event prices increase.

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ASCLA Forum offers tour of prison library at Annual Conference

ASCLA will offer a unique opportunity to gain insider access to a prison library thanks to the Library Services to Prisoners Forum (LSPF), a special interest group within ASCLA.

“Have YOU Ever Been to Prison? An Insider’s Look at a Prison Library” is an off-site professional development program that will be held Monday, June 28, 2010 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. in conjunction with the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. The tour is open to all conference participants, and would be of interest to anyone considering a career in correctional librarianship, current correctional library staff, and public library staff who provide outreach services to jails and other detention facilities.

Participants will be transported from the Washington Convention Center to the Jessup Correctional Institution Library in Maryland, where they will have an opportunity to both see the facility and discuss current correctional library events and issues with leaders in the field. Speakers include Glennor Shirley, Maryland Correctional Libraries coordinator; Diane Walden, correctional libraries senior consultant, Colorado State Library, and chair of LSPF; and Erica MacCreaigh, correctional libraries senior consultant, Colorado State Library, and co-author of “Library Services to the Incarcerated.”

Space at the event is limited, and RSVP’s are required by June 3, 2010. Participants will be required to provide the following information for a background check in order to receive the security clearance required for prison entry: full name, date of birth, social security number, driver’s license number and license state of issue. RSVP’s that include this information may be sent to Diane Walden at diane.walden@doc.state.co.us, or provided to her by phone (719-269-5607). Participants will cover the cost of transportation to the facility, which is estimated at $20 per person.

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ASCLA releases guide to division programming and events at Annual

ASCLA has released a comprehensive guide for the division’s activities at the upcoming ALA Annual Conference, including preconferences, programs, discussion groups and special events.

The guide, which is now available for download, includes information about two workshops hosted by ASCLA from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, June 25 in Washington, D.C. “Giving People What They Want: Information Access in Libraries and Beyond” features a thought-provoking examination of technology and how its pervasive development is challenging traditional approaches to resource-sharing and content access. Attendees will examine users’ different information-seeking behaviors and how they differ significantly from how libraries have traditionally provided information. The sell-out workshop “Assembling a Consulting Toolkit: What You Need to Know to Become a Successful Library Consultant” is also scheduled and offers a chance to prepare for library consulting success with this full-day workshop. Seasoned consultants Nancy Bolt, Sara Laughlin and Beth Bingham will present an overview of the consultant’s role and guide you through a self-assessment to uncover your consulting potential. Participants will work together to identify consulting opportunities and how to align them with their experience and skills. Each of these events requires advance ticket purchases; participants may register for preconferences without registering for the entire ALA conference. Registration instructions can be found in this ASCLA blog entry.

The guide also lists ASCLA’s 2010 programs and discussion groups, which cover topics relevant to all types of libraries. Highlighting this year’s programs is a joint President’s Program sponsored by ASCLA, the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and the Library Leadership, Administration and Management Association (LLAMA): “Capitalizing on Crisis: Leading Libraries in the Post-Recession Era.” Other programs slated for 2010 will cover topics such as revenue generation for networks, cooperatives and consortia; innovative services for incarcerated populations and ex-offenders; and transforming library workplace cultures. ASCLA’s discussion groups provide an opportunity for colleagues to gather and discuss hot topics and ongoing professional challenges. They also offer a forum for collaborative problem-solving. Discussion group topics include collaborative digitization, library consulting, physical delivery, virtual libraries, youth consulting and LSTA coordination—a complete listing is available in the guide.

Download the guide now from the ASCLA Web site, or learn more about the ALA Annual Conference at the conference Web site. Interested participants are encouraged to register before Advance Registration closes on May 14 and event prices increase.

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How do I register for preconferences and ticketed events at Annual 2010?

Annual Conference is a fun and exciting event, but we know it’s not for everyone, their budget or their schedules. Did you know, though, that you can register for ASCLA’s preconferences without registering for the entire Annual Conference?

We welcome any non-conference participants to these events, which will be held in Washington, D.C. as a part of ALA’s 2010 Annual Conference.

ASCLA’s 2010 ticketed events include:

Giving People What They Want: Information Access in Libraries and Beyond, Friday, June 25, 9a.m.-5p.m. Join us for a thought-provoking examination of technology and how its pervasive development is challenging traditional approaches to resource-sharing and content access. We’ll examine users’ different information-seeking behaviors and how they differ significantly from how libraries have traditionally provided information.

Assembling a Consulting Toolkit: What You Need to Know to Become a Successful Library Consultant, Friday, June 25, 9a.m.-5p.m. Considering consulting as your next career? Prepare yourself for library consulting success with this full-day workshop. Seasoned consultants Nancy Bolt, Sara Laughlin and Beth Bingham will present an overview of the consultant’s role and guide you through a self-assessment to uncover your consulting potential. Participants will work together to identify consulting opportunities and how to align them with their experience and skills. Takeaways include marketing tips, pricing your services and business management strategies.

Here are step-by-step instructions for the online form:

  • ACCESS THE ONLINE FORM. You will need to login–this will be your ALA website login. If you don’t have a login, follow the steps for creating a profile.
  • Complete the requests for profile information and badge information.
  • Under “Step 4: Registration Type”, select “SO Preconference and Special Events” if you are registering only for preconferences. *If you’d like to register for conference, select the registration that is most appropriate for you.
  • Add any guests who will be attending the event with you under “Step 5: Guest,” and complete the demographic info under Step 6.
  • Under “Step 7: Your Events” you will find a list of all events at conference that require a ticket purchase. Scroll down to ASCLA’s events to find our preconferences.
  • Select your desired event(s), then proceed through to payment.

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If you’d prefer to register via mail or fax, then download the printed registration form, and use the event codes listed above to register. Click on the linked event names above to get more info about the ticket prices for your membership type, event speakers and more.

REMEMBER! Advance registration ends May 14, and registration for all ASCLA events will close one week prior to the event.

Contact the ASCLA office with questions at ascla@ala.org.

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ALA Diversity and Outreach Fair @ Annual – Application Deadline Approaching

The deadline for the 2010 Diversity and Outreach Fair is rapidly approaching. This popular event will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2010, during the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, April 16.

Sponsored generously by DEMCO and coordinated by the ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services, the Diversity and Outreach Fair provides an opportunity for libraries and member groups to share their successful diversity and outreach initiatives with ALA Annual Conference attendees.  The Fair celebrates examples of diversity in American libraries and demonstrates possibilities for libraries seeking “diversity in action” ideas.  Selected applicants will have the opportunity to present posters and converse with conference attendees about their diversity initiatives.

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities act, this year’s fair will celebrate accessible library services for all patrons and highlight innovative services to underserved communities. Additional available topics include services to underserved or underrepresented communities and mobile library services.

For more information, and to apply, please visit www.ala.org/divfair.

Questions about the Diversity and Outreach Fair? Contact John Amundsen, OLOS Communications Specialist, at 312.280.2140, or email jamundsen@ala.org.

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National Bookmobile Day online toolkit now available

From our friends in the ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services.

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The American Library Association (ALA) has launched a Web page with resources and tools to help libraries celebrate the inaugural National Bookmobile Day, Wednesday April 14, 2010, during National Library Week.

The page, www.ala.org/bookmobiles, features sample publicity materials, including a press release, letter-to-the-editor and proclamations for library staff and supporters to use in their communities. Also included on the page are downloadable National Bookmobile Day logos, bookmark templates, a customizable flyer and links to National Bookmobile Day on social networking sites.

In addition, the toolkit also has links to the National Bookmobile Day community in ALA Connect, where librarians can collaborate and share ideas on promoting the event. Participating libraries can share ideas and stories on how they celebrate the contribution of bookmobiles and direct-delivery outreach.

Part of National Library Week, National Bookmobile Day is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA), the Association for Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS) and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL).

For more information on National Bookmobile Day, please contact John Amundsen, Communications Specialist, ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services, at (312) 280-2140, or e-mail jamundsen@ala.org.