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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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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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2010 ASCLA Century Scholarship funds education for library students with disabilities

Library and information science students with access needs are encouraged to apply for the 2010 ASCLA Century Scholarship, a one-time $2,500 award funding necessary services or accommodations to enable the winner to complete a master’s or doctoral program in the field.

The scholarship is an initiative of ASCLA, the Library Service to Special Populations Section (LSSPS) of ASCLA and the Library Service to People with Visual or Physical Disabilities Forum and was established in 2000 through the generosity of an anonymous donor. It fulfills ALA’s mission to cultivate a field of library professionals that more accurately reflects the diversity of the communities and populations it serves. All LIS graduate students—including veterans—with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must have been accepted to an ALA-accredited graduate program, be a U.S. or Canadian citizen and be able to provide documentation of his or her access need (“disability”). Interested students should complete the online scholarship application, including submission of a personal statement, letters of reference and transcripts. Questions about the online application process can be directed to the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse at scholarships@ala.org or 1(800) 545-2433 ext. 4279. Appropriate medical documentation should be sent to Liz Markel, ASCLA Marketing Specialist at ASCLA, ATTN: Century Scholarship, 50 E. Huron Street, Chicago, IL, 60611. All scholarship application materials including medical documentation must be received by March 1, and only complete applications will be considered.

The 2010 scholarship will be presented to the winner as a part of ASCLA events at the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., June 24-29, 2010. More information about the scholarship and other ASCLA awards is available at the ASCLA awards webpage.

The ASCLA Century Scholarship continues to thrive because of the financial support of generous donors both inside and outside of ASCLA. Contributions to the scholarship fund can be made online at the giveALA page—find the scholarship under “Divisions and Offices.” Questions should be directed to the ALA Development Office at development@ala.org or (312) 280-3259.

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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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ICAN Collaborative Digitization Discussion Group: Proposals Sought

A note from one of our discussion group chairs about the collaborative digitization discussion group scheduled for Boston.

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Join the ASCLA ICAN Collaborative Digitization Discussion Group in Boston on Saturday, January 16, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Westin Waterfront – Burroughs Room, 425 Summer St., for a discussion of “Librarianship and Traditional Cultural Expressions,” a set of principles developed by a workgroup led by the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy. The sixth draft of these principles is available at http://wo.ala.org/tce/, and the principles will be considered for adoption as ALA policy in 2010.

We are soliciting proposals for presentations for this program; up to three 15-minute presentations will be allowed, to leave time for discussion. If you have experience digitizing images, artifacts, and documents related to indigenous communities or collections of oral history and folklore, please consider presenting at this session. Send a proposal including the name and email addresses of all presenters plus a 1-2 paragraph summary of the presentation to Danielle Cunniff Plumer, discussion group co-chair at dplumer@tsl.state.tx.us by January 8, 2010.

Following the main discussion, all representatives of collaborative digital projects will also have an opportunity to provide brief status updates.

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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.

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ASCLA accepting nominations for 2010 service, leadership, achievement awards

ASCLA is now accepting nominations for the Leadership and Professional Achievement Award, the Exceptional Service Award and the Cathleen Bourdon Service Award for 2010.

These three awards recognize accomplishments in the following areas:

Cooperative, Consulting, Multi-type and State Library Services

The Leadership and Professional Achievement Award is presented to one or more ASCLA members exemplifying leadership and achievement in the following areas: consulting, multitype library cooperation, networking, statewide service and programs and state library development.

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.

Service to ASCLA

The Cathleen Bourdon Service Award is 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.

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.

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Nominations accepted until Dec. 15 for ASCLA award recognizing library service to blind and physically handicapped

ASCLA seeks nominees for its annual Francis Joseph Campbell Award, which recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of library service for the blind and physically handicapped.

The award, which consists of a citation and a medal, is named for Sir Francis Joseph Campbell, the co-founder of the Royal National College for the Blind (United Kingdom). In the spirit of Campbell’s contributions to education for the blind and visually impaired, award winners are selected for their notable and important contributions to advancing the quality and availability of library services for the blind and physically handicapped communities. Contributions may take the form of 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; imaginative contribution to library administration, reference, circulation, selection, acquisitions  or technical services; or any other activity of recognized importance.

In 2009, Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood won the Campbell award for his outstanding efforts as a  champion and advocate for the funding and support of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLSBPH) in its transition from analog to digital talking book technology. His background as an educator has contributed to his strong endorsement of full funding for this transition, and he was cited in particular for his diligent advocacy in this area, which underscores the ideal that all may read and ensures equal library access and services for all Americans with print disabilities.

Those interested in submitting a nomination should download the nomination form and submit it to Jill Lewis, award committee co-chair per the instructions on the form. The deadline for all submissions is Dec. 15, 2010. The winner will be announced in the spring of 2010, with the award to be presented at the ALA Annual Conference, June 24-29, 2010 in Washington, D.C.

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Advance registration for ASCLA accessibility workshop, lower registration fees end Friday

Registration rates will go up after this Friday, Dec. 4, for “Breaking Down Barriers: Best Practices in Universal Design for Libraries,” a half-day workshop sponsored by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) and held in conjunction with the 2010 ALA Midwinter Meeting.

Library directors, trustees, friends and leaders interested in low cost, high impact ways to make a library fully accessible should attend this event, which will cover information and communication accessibility, as well as physical accessibility. Attendees will learn how to incorporate accessible accommodations into strategic planning, as well as building renovation and expansion plans. They’ll also have a chance to present their library’s unique accessibility challenge and receive on-the-spot consultation from expert speakers.

This workshop, made possible through a partnership between ASCLA and the Institute for Human-Centered Design (ICHD) (formerly Adaptive Environments), will feature speakers from the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST), the Perkins School’s Braille and Talking Book Library, The Carroll Center, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the WGBH National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM)

“Breaking Down Barriers” will be held 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at the ICHD, located at 200 Portland Street, Suite 1, in Boston. The MBTA’s North Station is only a few blocks away, providing easy access to the Green and Orange lines, as well as several commuter rail lines. Subway, commuter rail and other pertinent transit information and schedules are available at the MBTA website.

Register for this event now at www.ala.org/midwinter. Interested participants should note that the institute (event code ASC2) is a separate ticketed event; registration for the Midwinter Meeting is not required in order to attend this 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 is $155 for all attendees and ends Dec. 4. On-site registration costs $185 and is available from Dec. 5 to Jan. 8.

IHCD is an international non-profit organization, founded in Boston in 1978, committed to advancing the role of design in expanding opportunity and enhancing experience for people of all ages and abilities. IHCD’s work balances expertise in legally required accessibility with promotion of best practices in human-centered or universal design.