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Call for proposals for ASCLA online professional development series

ASCLA seeks proposals for presentations for its 2011 Virtual Convergence—a series of professional development webinars that will be held in January 2011 immediately following the ALA 2011 Midwinter Meeting.

The Virtual Convergence is an opportunity for librarians to kick off 2011 with an intensive professional development opportunity they can conveniently pursue from the comfort of their hometown. The Convergence will offer webinars throughout the day from Tuesday, Jan. 18 through Friday, Jan. 21, that are open to all interested librarians, library staff and library supporters. ASCLA is currently seeking proposals for those webinar sessions.

Successful proposals will:

  • Show plans for presentations that fit within the 90-minute session blocks, including at least 15 minutes for Q&A.
  • Show how the presentation addresses a topic either of interest to ASCLA members, or represents an area of ASCLA’s expertise that benefits other types of librarians. This may include but is not limited to: financial management; strategic planning; grant writing; services to special populations including the blind, deaf and hard of hearing and the incarcerated; and library consulting. Past topics addressed by ASCLA programming are listed in the ASCLA @ Annual 2010 guide (PDF), as well as the version of the guide that covers 2009 Annual Conference programming (PDF).
  • Include an outline of the points the presentation will cover.
  • Outline the audiences that will be interested in this topic.
  • Include a description of the presenter and their relevant experience, e.g. education, job history, that illustrates their expertise in the proposed topic area.

Proposals may be submitted using the online submission form no later than close of business on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010. Presenters for accepted proposals will receive compensation for their time and will also receive training for the webinar software. Questions about ASCLA or the Convergence can be directed to Liz Markel, ASCLA marketing specialist or Susan Hornung, ASCLA executive director at lmarkel@ala.org and shornung@ala.org, respectively.

More information about the Virtual Convergence schedule, registration rates and other event details will be posted on the ASCLA blog and ASCLA website in mid-October, 2010.

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Submissions sought for ASCLA newsletter, August 2 deadline

The August 2, 2010 submission deadline for the Summer 2010 issue of Interface, the quarterly newsletter of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), is fast approaching, and potential contributors are encouraged to submit their articles promptly to the ASCLA office.

The theme for the Summer 2010 issue is services to special populations. ASCLA is the home to librarians serving special populations that include incarcerated youth and adults; the blind, deaf and hard of hearing; and other groups needing special accommodations for library services. Descriptions of programs, letters to the editor or any other ideas for articles that relate to the theme are welcome. ASCLA also welcomes contributions related to post-ALA Annual Conference wrap-up surrounding ASCLA events and/or programming relevant to our membership (special populations librarians; those affiliated with state libraries; networks, cooperatives and consortia; and independent library consultants). Contributors do not need to be ASCLA members.

Submissions must be e-mailed to Liz Markel, ASCLA marketing specialist and interim newsletter editor, [ lmarkel AT ala DOT org], as attached MSWord documents. Those submitting articles should provide their full contact information with their submission, including name, title and affiliation, phone number and e-mail address.

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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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Consulting Toolkit workshop from ASCLA offered again at Annual Conference

The wildly successful workshop “Assembling a Consulting Toolkit: What You Need to Know to Become a Successful Library Consultant”, which sold out at the 2010 Midwinter Meeting, will be offered again at the 2010 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

“Assembling a Consulting Toolkit” is a full-day preconference offered by ASCLA, a division of ALA. It’s the perfect event for librarians looking to strike out on their own in the library profession or those library professionals approaching retirement and seeking a flexible way to maintain employment. The summer workshop will be held 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday, Jun. 25, at one of the ALA conference hotels and is designed to prepare participants to begin – or advance – a successful consulting career.

Seasoned consultants and ASCLA members Nancy Bolt, Sara Laughlin and Beth Bingham will present an overview of library consulting for attendees, who will discover through  self-assessment their personal consulting potential.  Participants will work together in an active and engaging format to explore different roles that consultants play, services consultants may deliver to clients, marketing consulting services, managing a consulting business and finding clients.

Interested participants can register for this event only (event code ASC2), 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 $185 for ASCLA members. On-site registration starts at $215 for ASCLA members and will be available online until Sunday, June 20. All interested participants must register by June 20—there will not be seats available at the door on the day of the event.

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An invitation from ASCLA leadership to shape the future!

Mark Your Calendar Now for the ALA 2010 Midwinter Meeting – Boston, Massachusetts

ASCLA Leadership Session
10:30 am to 12 noon
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
Room 155

Bring your creative ideas for ASCLA’s future and win a special gift!

Did you know that ASCLA has:

–647 personal members

–4 sections, 25 committees and taskforces, 5 forums, 10 discussion groups and one Assembly

–120 committee members

–30 committee chairs and co-chairs

–36 elected division and section officers

–13 ASCLA representatives to other ALA groups and outside organizations

–15 ASCLA Board members, including 4 Executive committee members, 1 Interface Editor and….

–1 full-time ASCLA staff member (25% executive director, 50% marketing specialist and 25% web services manager)

Have you ever asked:

–Why is so much precious ASCLA member time and expertise spent on PROCESS?

–Why does it take so long to GET THINGS DONE?

–Are there new opportunities to STREAMLINE PRIORITY WORK?

–What kind of ASCLA structure will best help members focus on RESULTS?

THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY…..so don’t miss this important opportunity to:

–Share your vision for ASCLA’s future!

–Network with your ASCLA colleagues!

–Identify top priorities for ASCLA restructuring!

–Propose new ideas for how ASCLA can meet member needs!

** SEE YOU IN BOSTON!! **

Sincerely,

Carol Ann Desch and Diana Reese

Co-Chairs, ASCLA Budget and Planning Committee

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Complete ASCLA discussion group schedule for Midwinter 2010

All Midwinter Meeting participants are invited to engage with ASCLA’s discussion groups scheduled throughout the meeting. These session are an informal opportunity to connect with peers tackling the same issues who are interested in learning about available solutions.

Interlibrary Cooperation Discussion Group
Sunday, 1/17, 10:30a.m. – 12 p.m., Pacific F, Renaissance Boston Waterfront, 606 Congress St.
Provides a forum for discussion of interests in interlibrary cooperation and the statewide development of library service, emphasizing the interdependence of all types of libraries. In 2010, this group will tackle how you are proving your worth—and the necessity of ILL—in today’s economy. Participants are encouraged to bring information about their own experiences with this challenge, and expect a lively discussion with collaborative problem-solving.

Physical Delivery Discussion Group
Sunday, 1/17, 8 – 10 a.m., Room 156 A/B, Boston Convention Center, 415 Summer St.
This discussion group is for those interested in and involved with physical delivery systems for library materials. Topics include an upcoming NISO standard that addresses delivery best practices, planning for the national delivery conference, Moving Mountains 2010, a multistate delivery project in Colorado and Missouri; and an update on a Massachusetts RFI for the automation of sorting library materials. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about each others’ projects and make valuable professional contacts.

Virtual Library Discussion Group
Monday, 1/18, 10:30a.m. – 12p.m., Room 156 A/B, Boston Convention Center, 415 Summer St.
Provides a forum for discussion of library services that can be provided in an electronic format. This group also provides an opportunity to discuss cutting edge pilot projects as well as established services that promote a 24/7 library that is accessible anytime, anywhere.

Collaborative Digitization Discussion Group
Saturday, 1/16, 4 – 5:30p.m., Burroughs Room, Westin Boston Waterfront, 425 Summer St.
The resource for collaborative digitization discussions within ALA. In 2010, the group will take up “Librarianship and Traditional Cultural Expressions,” a set of principles developed by a workgroup led by the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy. Following presentations on this main topic, all representatives of collaborative digital projects will also have an opportunity to provide brief status updates.

Consortia Management Discussion Group
Sunday, 1/17, 4 – 5:30p.m., Room 213, Boston Convention Center, 415 Summer St.
This group is home to consortia and systems, a discussion of their challenges and sharing of service experiences including automated virtual union catalogs, aggregated purchases of databases, virtual reference services, region-wide platforms for digital assets, resource sharing, training and central processing. Participants engage in conversations about important topics such as service delivery, value of services, system viability and the future of systems and consortia In 2010, we’ll talk about the formation of the New York Alliance of Library Systems (NYALS), and what the system has learned about demonstrating their value to members, funders and other key stakeholders.

LSTA Coordinators’ Discussion Group
Sunday, 1/17, 10:30a.m. – 12p.m., Lewis Room, Westin Boston Waterfront, 425 Summer St.
LSTA coordinators convene for an opportunity to share updates on current activity in their states, and share problems in need of a collaborative solution. The session typically includes a presentation from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Come prepared to collaborate!

State Library Consultants’ Discussion Group
Saturday, 1/16, 4 – 5:30p.m., Independence Room, Westin Boston Waterfront, 425 Summer St.
Discussion topics for this group cover the full spectrum of the areas that library development bureaus typically handle or are involved in: state and local library budgets, marketing and public relations activities, changes in their state library or local libraries and new initiatives, to name a few. All librarians who function as consultants at their state library agency are welcome, and state librarians interested in participating are also welcome.

Youth Services Consultants’ Discussion Group
Sunday, 1/17, 4 – 5:30p.m., Paine Room, Westin Boston Waterfront, 425 Summer St.
This group typically consists of a round robin of state level youth services representatives on news and activities in the state: what’s happening, good speakers you’ve heard, grant programs you’re running, etc.  All are welcome to come and bring information about current happenings in your state, as well as any questions you may wish to share with the group.

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ASCLA/COSLA reception in Boston offers desserts, networking

Sunday is the sweetest day of the Midwinter Meeting, and the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) cordially invite meeting attendees to cap their day with dessert, networking and socializing at the ASCLA/COSLA reception.

The event, a Midwinter Meeting tradition co-sponsored by ASCLA and COSLA, is open to all meeting participants who are current or potential members of ASCLA. Reception guests can take advantage of desserts, coffee and a cash bar while catching up with old colleagues and meeting new ones. Midwinter meeting attendees employed or interested in the areas ASCLA serves—state library agencies; networks, cooperatives and consortia; specialized libraries such as those for the blind, deaf, hard of hearing and incarcerated populations; and independent librarians and library consultants—are encouraged to join the party and meet other professionals.

The reception will be held from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010, in the Burroughs Room of the Westin Boston Waterfront, 425 Summer Street, Boston.

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ASCLA consulting institute sold out; summer event registration opens Jan. 4

The Midwinter institute “Assembling a Consulting Toolkit: What You Need to Know to Become a Successful Library Consultant” has sold out, and registration for the next offering, scheduled for June 25, 2010 in Washington, D.C., will open on Jan. 4, 2010.

“Assembling a Consulting Toolkit” is a daylong workshop hosted by ASCLA, a division of ALA. The event will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, in conjunction with the ALA 2010 Annual Conference. Designed to prepare participants to begin – or advance – a successful consulting career, it is the perfect professional development event for librarians looking to strike out on their own, or those library professionals approaching retirement and seeking a flexible way to maintain employment.

Seasoned consultants and ASCLA members Nancy Bolt and Sara Laughlin will present an overview of library consulting for guide attendees, who will discover through self-assessment their personal consulting potential.  Participants will work together in an active and engaging format to explore different roles that consultants play, services consultants may deliver to clients, marketing consulting services, managing a consulting business and finding clients.

Registration for the Annual Conference and this workshop opens Jan. 4. 2010. Advance registration prices for this event are $185 for ASCLA members, $195 for ALA members, $145 for retired and student members and $225 for non-ALA members. Workshop participants do not have to register for Annual Conference in order to participate in this meeting. Information about registration is available at www.ala.org/annual.

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Consulting institute at Midwinter Meeting: registration now open!

Librarians looking to strike out on their own in the library profession, or those library professionals approaching retirement and seeking a flexible way to maintain employment, won’t want to miss “Assembling a Consulting Toolkit: What You Need to Know to Become a Successful Library Consultant” in Boston this January.

“Assembling a Consulting Toolkit” is a daylong institute offered by the ASCLA, a division of ALA. The event will be held Friday, Jan. 15, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., in conjunction with the ALA 2010 Midwinter Meeting, and is designed to prepare participants to begin – or advance – a successful consulting career.

Seasoned consultants and ASCLA members Nancy Bolt and Sara Laughlin will present an overview of library consulting for guide attendees, who will discover through  self-assessment their personal consulting potential.  Participants will work together in an active and engaging format to explore different roles that consultants play, services consultants may deliver to clients, marketing consulting services, managing a consulting business and finding clients.

“I’m pleased that these two long-time members of ASCLA’s Independent Librarians Exchange Section (ILEX) are willing to share their expertise in creating consulting opportunities with others,” said Brenda Bailey-Hainer, president of ASCLA.  “If you’re interested in starting your own consulting business, this is a session you won’t dare miss. ”

REGISTER ONLINE NOW!

Interested participants can register for this event only (event code ASC1), or can register in conjunction with Midwinter Meeting 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 for the meeting and this event opens Oct. 1 and ends Dec. 4, 2009. Advance registration prices for this event are $185 for ASCLA members, $195 for ALA members, $145 for retired and student members and $225 for non-ALA members. On-site registration, priced at $215 for ASCLA members, $225 for ALA members, $170 for retired and student members and $260 for non-ALA members, will be available (including online registration) until Friday, Jan. 8.

All interested participants must register by Jan. 8—there will not be seats available at the door on the day of the event.