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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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Congratulations! ASCLA award winners honored at Annual Conference

In addition to the Francis Joseph Campbell Award and the ASCLA Century Scholarship–both of which are housed under the Libraries Serving Special Populations Section (LSSPS) of ASCLA–the division also offers the Exceptional Service Award, the Cathleen Bourdon Service Award and the ASCLA/KLAS/NOD award. This last award is sponsored by Keystone Systems and the National Organization on Disability (NOD).

The 2010 Exceptional Service Award is presented to Barbara T. Mates, who recently retired from her position as head of the Cleveland Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. This 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. As an active member of ALA, ASCLA and the Libraries Serving Special Populations Section (LSSPS) of the division since 1976, Mates distinguished herself as a passionate, outspoken advocate for persons with disabilities and for those who are aging. “Her leadership and advocacy have significantly improved not only library services for people with disabilities, but also the accessibility of conference and other services provided by the American Library Association to its members. She has also left a mark on the profession through her collaboration with colleagues in the national Network of Libraries for Blind and Physically Handicapped and at the Library of Congress to advance service improvements, as well as her contributions to published guides and tools for library staff to use in delivering accessible services to library users.

Jerry Krois, recently retired from the Wyoming State Library after 31 years of service–most recently as the Deputy State Librarian–is the 2010 recipient of the Cathleen Bourdon Service Award. This honor is presented to an ASCLA personal member for exceptional service and sustained leadership to the division. Krois has long been an active member of ALA and ASCLA and has served in a variety of capacities, including division president, chapter council for the Wyoming chapter of ALA, president of the Wyoming Library Association and currently as a director-at-large on the ASCLA Board of Directors. In these leadership roles, he has contributed exciting ideas for division programming, has cultivated relationships with partnering organizations and enriched the division with the creation of resources such as the “LSTA Success Stories” web resource. He is now serving as the Director of the Eaton (Colo.) Public Library.

The Resource Library of the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND) is the winner of the 2010 ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award for its project “Disability Etiquette Infusion Units: Changing Attitudinal Barriers at University of Wyoming,” Winners are honored for innovative and well organized projects that have successfully developed or expanded library services for people with disabilities. As Wyoming’s University Center for Excellence in Disabilities (UCEDD), part of a national network of UCEDDS, WIND envisions “a Wyoming where all people can participate in everyday community life.” Changing attitudinal barriers toward people with disabilities in society is an important goal toward achieving that quality of life. Through this project, WIND had a positive impact on more than 850 students’ attitudes towards those with disabilities. More information is available at the WIND Library website: http://www.uwyo.edu/wind/library/.

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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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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.

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Midwinter workshop registration closes Friday, Jan. 8!

Hard to believe it, but Midwinter is upon us, and registration closes tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 8, for RUSA’s genealogy institute and ASCLA’s universal design workshop, which both still have seats available.

Visit www.ala.org/midwinter to sign up now. Links below will take you to blog entries with more information about the events. You do not have to register for Midwinter in order to participate in these workshops–come for the day, stay for the learning, leave with valuable knowledge!

(The popular ASCLA consulting workshop is sold out, and will be offered again at the Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.—registration is open now at www.ala.org/annual.)

ASCLA: “Breaking Down Barriers: Best Practices in Universal Design for Libraries”
What it covers: How to create a library that is not only physically accessible to all library patrons, but also takes into account accessible communication and information tools available to libraries. Best practices, advice for your library’s specific accessibility challenge and how to account for accessibility in strategic and long-range planning will be discussed.
Who should attend: Library leaders, library friends and any librarians or staff from all types of libraries looking to improve the accessibility their library in both the short and long term.
Details: Friday, Jan. 15, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Institute for Human-Centered Design, 200 Portland Street, Suite 1, Boston.
Registration: $185 until Jan. 8.
More info at: http://ascla.ala.org/blog/2009/10/universaldesign-mw2010/

RUSA: “The Genealogy Reference Desk: Where Everyone Knows Your Name”
What it covers: Core genealogy reference skills, as well as resources unique to the New England area
Who should attend: Reference desk staff at all types of libraries looking to better serve patrons as well as those with family roots in New England interested in researching their own heritage.
Details: Friday, Jan. 15, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the New England Historic Genealogical Society, 99 Newbury Street, Boston.
Registration: Starting at $125 for RUSA members until Jan. 8.
More info at: http://rusa.ala.org/blog/2009/10/09/mw10-genealogyinst1/

Register for all of these events by visiting www.ala.org/midwinter. Midwinter Meeting registration is NOT required in order to participate in these workshops.

We appreciate any reposting, retweeting or forwarding of this blog post!

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Midwinter institute registration open until Jan. 8

Have you considered gifting yourself a ticket to a career-enhancing workshop? It’s a great way to start off 2010 on the right professional foot.

Registration for Midwinter institutes remains open until Friday, January 8, and there are still seats left for ASCLA’s Universal Design workshop.

(Our consulting workshop is sold out, and will be offered again at the Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.—registration opens Jan. 4 at www.ala.org/annual.)

Register for this institute by visiting www.ala.org/midwinter.

Midwinter Meeting registration is NOT required in order to participate in this workshop.

ASCLA: “Breaking Down Barriers: Best Practices in Universal Design for Libraries”

What it covers: How to create a library that is not only physically accessible to all library patrons, but also takes into account accessible communication and information tools available to libraries. Best practices, advice for your library’s specific accessibility challenge and how to account for accessibility in strategic and long-range planning will be discussed.

Who should attend: Library leaders, library friends and any librarians or staff from all types of libraries looking to improve the accessibility their library in both the short and long term.

Details: Friday, Jan. 15, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Institute for Human-Centered Design, 200 Portland Street, Suite 1, Boston.

Registration: $185 until Jan. 8.

More info at this other blog post.

Register for this event by visiting www.ala.org/midwinter.

Midwinter Meeting registration is NOT required in order to participate in these workshops.

**We love it when you share information about ASCLA events with friends, colleagues or groups who might be interested in attending. Send a link to this blog post along!**

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Nomination period open for ASCLA disability services award

ASCLA seeks nominations for the 2010 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..

Those interested in submitting a nomination can download the award nomination form from the awards section of the ASCLA website or request the form from Liz Markel, ASCLA Marketing Specialist, via e-mail at lmarkel@ala.org. All nominations must be received by Jan. 11, 2010.

Margaret Kolaya, director, Scotch Plains Public Library (N.J.) and Daniel Weiss, director, Fanwood Memorial Library (N.J.) developed the project “Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected,” which was selected as the 2009 award winner. Other recent award recipients have included the Braille Institute of Library Services, Los Angeles (2007) for its Telephone Reader Program; the Skokie Public Library (Ill.), Youth Services Department (2006) for its efforts to educate library staff about children with special needs, offer programming for these children and their families and present disabilities awareness programs for the general public; Johnson County Library, Shawnee Mission (Kan.) for its “Literature for the Learning Disabled Adult” program (2005); and the Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Collections, University of Toledo (2004), for its Regional Disability History Archive Project.