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Call for nominations: ASCLA’s Achievement and Recognition awards

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Call for Nominations

ASCLA has opened the nomination period for its annual series of achievement and recognition awards. Members are encouraged to nominate their colleagues and peers to recognize exceptional library professionals that make a difference in improving the lives of the people they serve. The awards below will be presented at the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago, June 22-27, 2017.

Nominations and supporting materials must be submitted by February 10, 2017. Click on the links below to find the nomination form and submission instructions.

ASCLA/Keystone Library Automation System (KLAS) National Organization on Disability (NOD) Award
Awarded to a library organization that has provided services for people with disabilities. The award recognizes an innovative and well-organized project which 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 their total services more accessible through changing physical and/or attitudinal barriers. $1,000* and a citation. Sponsored by Keystone Systems, Inc.

Francis Joseph Campbell Award
Awarded to a person or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of library service for the blind and physically handicapped. This contribution 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 activity of recognized importance. A medal and a citation.

ASCLA Exceptional Service Award
To recognize exceptional service to patients, to the home bound, to people of all ages who live in group homes or residences, and to inmates, as well as to recognize professional leadership, effective interpretation of programs, pioneering activity, and significant research of experimental projects. A citation.

ASCLA Leadership & Professional Achievement Award
This prestigious award is presented to one or more ASCLA members (personal or organizational) exemplifying leadership and achievement in one or more of the following areas: consulting, library cooperation, networking, statewide services and programs and state library development. A citation.

Cathleen Bourdon Service Award
This award is presented to an ASCLA personal member for outstanding service and leadership to the division. The award recognizes sustained leadership and exceptional service through participation in activities which have enhanced the stature, reputation, and overall strength of ASCLA; and representation of ASCLA to other appropriate organizations, institutions, or governmental agencies. A citation.

ASCLA, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed. Our division’s work centers on member-driven interest groups that represent the diversity and important work of our engaged and active members. Find out more about ASCLA at www.ala.org/ascla.

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Deadline extended! Submit your program, preconference or institute proposal for 2014 by July 31

Now that the 2013 Annual Conference is over, it’s time to start looking ahead to 2014!

The ASCLA Conference Programming Committee is accepting proposals until July 31, 2013 for the following types of programming:

  • Institutes for the 2014 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia
  • Preconferences for the 2014 Annual Conference in Las Vegas
  • Programs for the 2014 Annual Conference in Las Vegas

Institutes and preconferences are ticketed events held on the Friday of the conference. Programs are held throughout the Annual Conference and are included as a part of conference registration.

You can access the online program proposal form here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ascla2014progpreconproposal

You can also download a PDF of the form in preparation for submitting the online form. Only online submissions will be accepted! (If you run into accessibility challenges with either version of the form, please contact us so we can help you out!)

The revised deadline for submissions is Wednesday, July 31!

We have a limited number of slots available for each type of event, so put your best foot forward when submitting a proposal.

Who can propose a program, institute or preconference? Any current ASCLA member can propose one of these events, however we strongly encourage support and sponsorship from one of our interest groups! If you’re not an interest group member, consider joining one and using the group as a springboard for your conference event ideas. Check out the list of our interest groups, contact information for interest group leaders and instructions on how to join.

What sorts of topics are of interest? The best topics represent ASCLA’s core member areas–state library agencies, special populations librarians, independent librarians and library consultants, and resource-sharing librarians at networks and cooperatives–but are also of interest to librarians throughout the profession from all types of libraries. Keep in mind that topics should still be relevant in January and June 2014 when they are finally presented! You can browse our interest group list here for inspiration.

If my event is accepted and approved by ASCLA, what will I be responsible for? You will be responsible for recruiting and serving as a liaison to the event speakers, as well as being on-site the day of the event to help coordinate event details. You will work with the ASCLA office to set up the event details with ALA Conference Services. The ASCLA office will promote your event, and will give you the tools to help spread the word.

I’m not an ASCLA member, but I’d like to get involved with program planning. The best way to do this is to join ASCLA, and then join one of our many interest groups.

Anything else I should know? If you’re going to go through the trouble of planning an in-person event, we want to maximize the reach of that information! Consider offering a webinar or other online learning opportunity in conjunction with the in-person event that will enhance the learning experience! So for example, you might offer a webinar in early May as a teaser for the content that will be covered at your conference program in June. In late July, you might host a follow-up discussion using a tool like ALA Connect, Google Hangout or Blackboard Collaborate that brings program attendees together to continue the conversation about what you’ve discussed at the previous two events.

Questions about the program planning process? Please contact Rosario Garza, committee chair at rgarza@socallibraries.org and Liz Markel, ASCLA marketing & programs manager at lmarkel@ala.org.

We look forward to receiving your proposals!

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ASCLA Conference Programs: Links for online evaluations

We hope you enjoyed ASCLA’s programs and preconferences at the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago! To help us prepare for 2014 programs and other upcoming professional development offerings, we’d appreciate your feedback on your 2013 experiences 2013.

Please take a moment to complete an evaluation for each ASCLA program you attended. Use the specified links below for each program; in other words, once you’ve completed one evaluation, come back and use a different link to access the evaluation for another program. It’s the only way you’ll be able to use the evaluation form multiple times.

Programs:

  • President’s Program: Storytelling Mojo: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/programascla13storytellingmojo
  • Boomers to Seniors: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/programascla13boomers2seniors
  • Do Those Evaluation Statistics Mean Anything: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/programascla13evaluationstatistics
  • Arts and School Libraries Inside: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/programascla13schoollibraries
  • Easy and Affordable Accessibility: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/programascla13accessibility
  • Beyond Brainstorming: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/programascla13brainstorming

Preconferences:

  • Discovery to Delivery: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/preconascla13discovery2delivery
  • Servant Leadership at Your Library: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/preconascla13servantleadership
  • Ports in a Storm: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/preconascla13portsinstorm

Oh, and if you joined us for a program but you’re not an ASCLA member, please consider joining us! We are a small, mighty and innovative division of ALA with diverse areas of interest across the library profession. Learn more about the division and ASCLA membership!

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The Hero Project: Tell your story at the Annual Conference

ASCLA members: you are heroes.

Your work makes a significant difference in the lives of library users both locally and across the country.

We want to tell everyone how awesome you are, and we need your help to do it.

Throughout the Annual Conference, we’ll be collecting ASCLA members’ stories about why you are a hero–simple statements about why the work you do makes a difference. We’ll snap a quick picture, take a quick video or record your 1-2 sentence statement about your heroic efforts.

For example:

  • I am a library hero because I bring books behind bars.
  • I am a library hero because I make the library available to people who can’t read traditional print books.
  • I am a library hero because I connect people and resources through my consulting work.
  • I am a library hero because I fight for funding for public libraries.
  • I am a library superhero by day, and an ASCLA volunteer by night.

In addition to telling your story, this is an excellent opportunity to wear a superhero cape. Color options are “Heroic Blue” and “Sidekick Yellow”.

What’s that? You’re convinced you’re not photogenic at all? Here’s my promise to you: the process will be fun and (relatively) painless, and the end result will be amazing.

Together we’re going to help get the word out about the important and powerful work of ASCLA members. I hope you’ll set aside any fears you may have and come be a part of this inspirational project.

Now…ready to participate? We thought so!

Fill out this survey so that we can meet up at Annual and capture your hero statement: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/heroprojectac13

Even if you’re not going to Chicago, you can still participate! There will be an option to submit photos–we’ll follow up with you next month about the process. Fill out the survey accordingly and we’ll be in touch.

Do it for the libraries!

 

PS—If you know of an ASCLA member who is a library hero and should be participating in this project, please forward this message to them and personally invite them to participate!

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Maryland State Library’s Jill Lewis wins ASCLA award for library services to blind and physically handicapped

Read the original press release.

Jill Lewis
Jill Lewis

CHICAGO — Jill Lewis, former director of the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (MDLBPH), is the 2013 recipient of the Francis Joseph Campbell Award—an annual honor presented by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA).

The award, which consists of a citation and a medal, is presented to a person or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of library service for the blind and physically handicapped. Keystone Library Automated Systems (KLAS) and the Southern Conference of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS/BPH) provide support for this award.

Lewis, who retired from the library in 2012, was selected for her significant impact on library services in Maryland. Under her leadership, the library developed partnerships that provided a vibrant community center to serve library users with print disabilities. The center includes adaptive technology, cultural programs and an interactive children’s reading center.

Lewis served as the director of the MDLBPH from October 2003 until her retirement in May 2012 and was previously the acting director and collection management librarian. She has also worked as a reference librarian at the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the Library of Congress, where she conducted a study of educational reading services for individuals with print disabilities and prepared publications for the Reference Section. She earned her M.L.I.S. from the School of Library and Information Studies, The University of Alabama.

Lewis was previously recognized for her important work with the 2012 Distinguished Service Award from the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland (NFBMD) and a Governor’s Citation for Outstanding Service in May 2012. She has been active within ALA and ASCLA since the 1990s and serves on the board of the Montgomery County (Md.) Public Library.

Lewis will receive the Francis Joseph Campbell Award at the ASCLA/COSLA Reception, 5:45 – 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 29 in Field 20A-C, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, as a part of the 2013 ALA Annual Conference. Add the event to your conference schedule. All conference attendees are invited to this networking and awards event.

ASCLA, a small, mighty and growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed. Our division’s work centers on member-driven interest groups that represent the diversity and important work of our engaged and active members. Learn more about ASCLA and how to join this innovative division.

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NEWS: Accessibility advocate Ruth Nussbaum wins ASCLA’s 2013 Cathleen Bourdon Service Award

Read the official ALA press release here.

Ruth Nussbaum
Ruth Nussbaum

CHICAGO – Ruth J. Nussbaum, retired reference librarian, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, is the recipient of the 2013 Cathleen Bourdon Service Award for exceptional service to and sustained leadership for the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a division of ALA.

The Cathleen Bourdon Service Award is presented annually to an ASCLA member whose leadership and involvement in the division has enhanced the stature, reputation and overall strength of ASCLA and has also cultivated the division’s relationship with other appropriate organizations, institutions or government agencies. In 22 years of continuous service, Nussbaum has provided mentorship and friendship both inside and outside of the ASCLA community. She has been at the front lines of library service and ASCLA activities, initiating positive changes and improvements to library services for people with disabilities. Most importantly, in all of her work, she has led by example, inspiring ASCLA colleagues and a new generation of ASCLA members

Nussbaum has an extensive record of professional involvement in ASCLA, ALA and other associations such as the American Indian Library Association. As an ASCLA member since 1990, Nussbaum has played an active part in representing the librarians serving special populations constituency of ASCLA as part of the Century Scholarship committee, a representative to the ASCLA Board of Directors, chair of the Francis Joseph Campbell Award Committee and member of the ASCLA Awards Committee, chair of the Librarians Serving Special Populations Section of ASCLA and representative to the ASCLA board. She also served as an ALA councilor-at-large from 2004-2007. She has made significant contributions to important professional documents and guidelines, including accessibility policies for both ALA and ASCLA, fact sheets, bibliographies and other publications addressing library services for people with disabilities.

Nussbaum worked as a reference librarian at the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, from 1987 through her retirement in 2012. Prior to this position, she spent time as the acquisitions library associate at the Gallaudet University Library, librarian and administrator at the Huntington Free Library and Reading Room at the Depository for the Museum of the American Indian and as a Head Start teacher in the Redhook neighborhood of Brooklyn. She earned her M.L.S. from Southern Connecticut State University.

Nussbaum will receive the ASCLA Leadership and Professional Achievement Award at the ASCLA/COSLA Reception, 5:45 – 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 29 in Field 20A-C, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, as a part of the 2013 ALA Annual Conference. Add the event to your conference schedule. All conference attendees are invited to this networking and awards event.

ASCLA, a small, mighty and growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed. Our division’s work centers on member-driven interest groups that represent the diversity and important work of our engaged and active members. Learn more about ASCLA and how to join this innovative division.

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Libraries and incarcerated youth: Conference programs from ASCLA

ASCLA is hosting two programs focused on library services to incarcerated youth. Join us for one or both of these exciting events and get “outside of the (library services) box” to get a new perspective on the importance of libraries, and their role as a lifeline for incarcerated youth.

Arts + School Libraries Inside

Saturday, June 29, 2013 – 4:30pm to 5:30pm

Scheduled for McCormick Place Room N427d. Check the event listing in the scheduler for the most up-to-date information.

This program will explore the ways in which school libraries serving incarcerated and detained youth incorporate the arts. Strategies presented will include: partnerships with arts organizations, partnerships with non-profits, instructional collaboration with art teachers, collection development, programming, and professional development. This presentation will also include examples of student work and project outcomes.

Speakers: Claudio Leon, Library Assistant / Instructional Technology Specialist, Passages Academy and Regan Schwartz, School Librarian, Passages Academy

Tour: Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center and Library

Monday, July 1

Separate event registration required! Details below.

Want to find out more about the world of juvenile corrections & juvenile correctional librarianship in general? Are you already working in the field, and interested in seeing how another juvenile correctional facility library operates?  ASCLA and Library Services for Youth in Custody (LSYC) are co-sponsoring and hosting a Juvenile Detention Facility Tour at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center and its library on Monday, July 1st, from 8:45am-12:30pm.

The Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center and its library, operated by Nancy B. Jefferson Alternative School, are located on the west side of Chicago. Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center is one of the largest youth detention centers in the country. The school and library are operated by Chicago Public Schools and the library is staffed by a full-time, certified school library media specialist. Megan Cusick, Nancy B. Jefferson school librarian, and Camden Tadhg, logistics team chair of LSYC, will be running the tour.

TO REGISTER FOR THE TOUR, PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM BY 5PM CENTRAL TIME ON FRIDAY, JUNE  14.

Tour questions? Contact Camden at Tadhg_C@cde.state.co.us.

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Servant Leadership in Your Library: Register by June 21 for leadership development workshop hosted by ASCLA

ALA Annual Conference Chicago logo

“Servant Leadership” – what does it mean, particularly in a library setting? And why should it matter to you?

And you’re absolutely right. But in this ASCLA workshop, Servant Leadership in Your Library, you’ll learn how to integrate “serving” with “leadership” in a way that will positively influence how your library is perceived by patrons, staff members, and your community.You may be thinking, “Isn’t ‘serving’ what we do every day?”

In this full-day program hosted by experience trainer Linda Bruno, rather than a “cookie cutter” approach to leadership, we’ll delve into who you are as a leader. How can becoming a servant leader change the dynamics of your entire organization – from the inside out? We’ll discuss the importance of understanding the needs of your staff, helping them grow personally and professionally, being open to their feedback and input, and valuing their contribution to your organization. We’ll each develop our own list of what changes we want to incorporate to become servant leaders, and how we can help others in our library do the same.

Through discussions, group work, games, and assessments, you’ll come away from this session with a fresh perspective on your own leadership style – and ideas for incorporating servant leadership into your own organization.

Whether you’re a mid-level manager or a library director, understanding how servant leadership can benefit your library will help you become the leader you were meant to be.

Registration for this event ends Friday, June 21!

**No registrations will be available on the day of the event.

REGISTER HERE!

Great Lakes-area librarians! Did you know you can register and attend this event without registering for the entire conference? Drive in on Thursday night and spend the day learning with us on Friday. Select “Ticketed Events and Preconferences Only” as your registration type to make this happen.

REGISTER NOW!

Registration Rates: $279, ASCLA member. $299, ALA member. $319, non-member. $239, ALA Retired and Student members.

Learn more about Linda Bruno at her website, www.lindasworkshops.com. Linda has presented programs for ASCLA before and received rave reviews! She has 20 years of real-world management experience and has been helping people grow personally and professionally for more than 10 years.

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You’re invited! ASCLA/COSLA Reception at 2013 ALA Annual Conference

Come celebrate and network with the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) at the ASCLA/COSLA Reception on Saturday, June 29, 5:45-7:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. Get the event details and specific room location in the ALA Conference Scheduler.

Why is this event so awesome, and why should you attend?

This is *the social event for ASCLA* at the ALA Annual Conference! Whether you’re a current member or you’re interested in our work with library services to people with disabilities, accessibility, state library agencies, library consultants and independent librarians, and networks, cooperatives and consortia, you are welcome to come to this event! Bring your business cards and come ready to see old friends and make new ones. ASCLA is known for being a friendly and welcoming division–come see what we mean! Add the event to your schedule now.

We’ll also be honoring our ASCLA award winners at this event:

  • Ruth J. Nussbaum, retired reference librarian, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress,will receive the 2013 Cathleen Bourdon Service Award for exceptional service to, and sustained leadership for ASCLA.
  • Jill Lewis, former director of the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, will receive the 2013 recipient of the Francis Joseph Campbell Award—an annual honor presented to a person or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of library service for the blind and physically handicapped.
  • Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen, executive director of Mother Goose on the Loose, LLC, and early childhood specialist at the Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Baltimore, will receive the 2013 ASCLA Leadership and Professional Achievement Award for her leadership and achievement in statewide services and programs and state library development.

This event includes hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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NEWS: Consultants give back: free 30-minute sessions in Chicago co-sponsored by ASCLA and PLA

CHICAGO — The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies’ (ASCLA) Library Consultants Interest Group and the Public Library Association (PLA) are teaming up to offer “Consultants Give Back” at the ALA Annual Conference — an opportunity for libraries to receive free 30-minute consultation sessions from professional library consultants.

This event features consultants with expertise in a wide variety of topics like facilitation, leadership development and succession planning, library facility planning, marketing strategy, privacy, social media, program evaluation, services to multicultural communities, services to children, tweens and teens and other relevant topics. It’s an excellent opportunity for public libraries and other types of libraries to test drive library consulting services.

Consultants scheduled to participate in this event are: Lori Bowen Ayre of The Galecia Group; Liz Bishoff of The Bishoff Group; Carson Block, Carson Block Consulting Inc.; Nancy Bolt, Nancy Bolt & Associates; Yolanda J. Cuesta, Cuesta MultiCultural Consulting; Carole D. Fiore, Training and Library Consulting; Donna Fletcher, Donna E. Fletcher Consulting, Inc./Library Survey Consultants; Cheryl Gould, Fully Engaged Libraries; Catherine Hakala-Ausperk, Libraries Thrive Consulting; Stephen C. Maack, REAP Change Consultants; Gretchen McCord, Digital Information Law; Ruth Metz, Ruth Metz Associates; Sam McBane Mulford, ideation * collaborative; Kathy Page, Page + Morris; Paula M. Singer, The Singer Group, Inc.; Melissa Stockton, Quipu Group; and Richard L. Waters, Godfrey’s Associates.

Consultants will be available 1 – 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, Jackson Park 10D. Many consultants are also available by appointment at other times and locations throughout the conference. Reserving your appointment ahead of the conference is highly recommended. A list of participating consultants’ contact information is available at www.consultantsgiveback.org.

ASCLA, a small, mighty and growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed. Our division’s work centers on member-driven interest groups that represent the diversity and important work of our engaged and active members. Learn more about ASCLA and how to join this innovative division.

PLA is a division of the American Library Association. PLA’s core purpose is to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. Its mission is to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services. For more information, visit  www.pla.org.