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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.

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Contribute to the discussion: Consortium Management Interest Group meeting at ALA Annual Conference

If you are interested in sharing an update on your library consortium at the 2013 ALA Annual Conference–whether it is a new direction, a new service or a new approach to providing services, or even to demonstrate the challenges you are facing–please contact Sheryl Knab, chair of the ASCLA Consortium Management Interest Group and executive director of the Western New York Library Resources Council, at sknab@wnylrc.org. Sheryl will be providing an update on the NY 3Rs and their I2NY project–an investigation into the proposed New York State Information Infrastructure initiative.

The Consortium Management Interest Group will be meeting Sunday, June 30, 2013 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm in the Hilton Chicago, Grand Tradition room, 720 South Michigan Ave–add the discussion to your schedule. Presentations should be no more than 10-12 minutes long. A projector will be available for those who wish to use PowerPoint slides; you’ll need to bring your own computer for your presentation. (If you plan to bring a Mac laptop, you’ll need to bring your own dongle to connect to the projector.)

Contact Sheryl ASAP if you’d like to make a presentation.

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Collaborative Digitization: Call for Presentations

ASCLA’s ICAN (Interlibrary Cooperation and Networking) Collaborative Digitization Interest Group is soliciting proposals for presentations at its meeting at the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago, Saturday, June 29, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Add the meeting to your conference schedule (ALA Connect login required).

Presentation topics should be of interest to librarians, archivists, curators, and developers working across a diverse array of consortia, libraries, archives, museums, and cultural heritage institutions.

We especially welcome overviews or demonstrations of ongoing or completed collaborative digitization projects. Other possible topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Governance and sustainability models
  • Partner / participant agreements
  • Digitization standards: multimedia resources, text, still images
  • Advice for new collaborative digitization projects
  • Non-traditional digitization projects
  • Centralized or decentralized services
  • Staffing
  • Budgets, costs, and charges

Presentations should be approximately 12-15 minutes in length. We will allow time for questions and answers. Speakers are encouraged to lead discussions.

To submit a proposal for presentation, please email a brief description of your proposed topic to Rhonda Marker, chair of the Collaborative Digitization Interest Group, by May 17, 2013. Send submissions to to rmarker@rci.rutgers.edu.

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Call for Proposals: ASCLA programs, preconferences and institutes for 2014

ASCLA is now accepting proposals for:

  • 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!

The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, May 15 Saturday, June 1!

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 Liz Markel, ASCLA marketing & programs manager at lmarkel@ala.org.

We look forward to receiving your proposals!

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Tickets now on sale for Midwinter networking luncheon hosted by ASCLA Library Consultants Interest Group in Seattle

CHICAGO–Tickets are now on sale for a networking luncheon at ALA’s 2013 Midwinter Meeting in Seattle hosted by the Library Consultants Interest Group, one of the member interest groups of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA).

The Library Consultants Interest Group supports the work of library consultants nationwide, and is offering this event as a forum for face-to-face networking among consulting colleagues. In addition to networking with other luncheon attendees, this event will also feature educational content that will benefit library consultants, as well as other library professionals who are promoting their own freelance services and skills. This content will include learning new icebreakers, refining elevator pitches and using Twitter for self-promotion. Participants will also have the opportunity to win some fantastic career-related raffle prizes.

The luncheon will be held Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at an ALA conference hotel in Seattle, Wash. Tickets start at $75 for ASCLA members; ALA Midwinter Meeting registration is not required in order to purchase tickets for this event–simply select “Ticketed Events Only” as your registration type. If you have already registered for the meeting, you can login and add the event to your registration. Access registration information here.

The Library Consultants Interest Group will also host several other events in Seattle, and Midwinter Meeting registration is required in order to participate in the following:

  • Library Consultants Interest Group Leadership Team – Sunday Jan. 27, 2013 3:00 – 4:00 pm
    The Library Consultants Interest Group (LCIG) Leadership team will review and plan for library consultant education and networking activities at conferences and throughout the year. All interested library consultants are invited to participate.
  • Library Consultants Discussion Forum  – Sunday Jan. 27, 2013  4:30 – 5:30 pm
    The discussion will focus on ethical issues confronted by library consultants in their work. This discussion builds on the ASCLA Library Consultants Code of Ethics, developed by LCIG and approved by the ASCLA Board in 2012. The discussions will be moderated by Stephanie Gerding and include presenters Nancy Bolt, Gary Pitkin and others. Library Consultants and those considering consulting are welcome to participate. LCIG welcomes new faces, ideas and suggestions.
  • ASCLA /COSLA Reception – Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013  8:00 – 10:00 pm
    Library Consultant Interest Group members are invited to join ASCLA members and others for a relaxing evening of conversation and networking.

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. Not an ASCLA member, but interested in forming new interest groups, receiving discounted registration rates on ASCLA preconferences and online courses, and other important membership benefits? Join, renew or add ASCLA to your ALA membership at www.ala.org/membership.

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Signatures Needed: Petition for new interest group “Serving Those with Alzheimer’s & Related Dementias”

This post is on behalf of Karen Maki, deputy director at Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, Ill. and Mary Beth Riedner, university librarian (retired), Roosevelt University, Chicago, Ill. If you have questions about this new interest group petition, please contact Karen (kmaki@gailborden.info) or Mary Beth (mbried@comcast.net).

Please consider signing the e-petition for a new ASCLA Interest Group: “Serving Those with Alzheimer’s & Related
Dementias”. Signers must be current ASCLA members who agree to participate in the group. The e-petition can be found at
http://www.ala.org/CFApps/epetition/index.cfm (ALA login required).

This Interest Group would focus on creating, disseminating and implementing guidelines for library services to people with Alzheimer’s and related
dementias. The International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) has already established such guidelines and they can readily be adapted for use in the United States.

Every library is currently being affected by this growing population in their communities.  Already one in eight Americans aged 65 and over has Alzheimer’s according to the Alzheimer’s Association and this number will grow as the Baby Boomer generation ages.  There are many related dementias in addition to Alzheimer’s and those often affect people in their 40’s and 50’s. American librarians need to recognize and prepare for the growing number of people with dementia who can still greatly benefit from library resources, especially in the early and mid stages of their disease.

During the first year, this interest group would meet virtually to review and revise the IFLA Guidelines for Library Services to Persons with Dementia.  Interested libraries could begin pilot projects to reach out to this community of users who should not be forgotten.  Proposals can be developed for upcoming ALA conferences.

Thank you for seriously considering participating in this Interest Group and signing the e-petition.

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Library Consultants: An invitation to get involved with ASCLA

Attention consultants and independent librarians! Carol Desch, chair of the ASCLA Library Consultants Interest Group, invites you to join ASCLA’s Library Consultants Interest Group, and to participate in this group’s many activities, including programs and social events at the upcoming ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim. If you have any questions about the information below, contact Carol at cdesch@mail.nysed.gov.

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Dear Colleague:

On behalf of the ASCLA Library Consultants Interest Group (LCIG), I would like to extend a personal invitation to you to join us. Whether you are a practicing library consultant, an occasional consultant, just beginning your career as a consultant, or thinking about whether consulting is for you, we hope you will consider joining the ALA Connect community for the ASCLA Library Consultants Interest Group.

You can join the group by logging into ALA Connect, accessing the group page, then clicking “join” on the right side of the page. You do not need to be a member of ASCLA for the first year of your interest group membership, however we encourage you to join this amazing community of ALA members at your earliest convenience. Join ASCLA now.

JOIN US if you are interested in sharing information and expertise with and learning from other library consultants. Join us if you are interested in learning about and addressing issues of concern to library consultants.  For example, under the leadership of longtime expert consultant Nancy Bolt, the LCIG developed a Library Consultant Code of Ethics which is now being considered for adoption by ALA.

JOIN US if you would like to be kept informed about, or participate in planning ASCLA activities and programs of interest to library consultants such as these events occurring at the 2012 ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim:

  • ASCLA/COSLA Networking Party and Awards Reception, Saturday, June 23, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
    A great opportunity to meet new friends and reconnect with old ones! Build your consulting network at this free reception attended by many of the movers and shakers in the library world.
  • Program: “Consultants Give Back”, Sunday, June 24, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
    CGB is happening throughout conference, but this Sunday time slot is the open “office hour” time set aside for consultants who want a designated time and place to meet. See the list of participating consultants. Are you a consultant interested in providing services as a part of this event at a future ALA conference? Please contact Nancy Bolt (nancybolt@earthlink.net) for more information.
  • Program: “Essential Facilitation: Practical Tools for Guiding Groups”, Monday, June 25, 10:30 a.m.- 12 noon
    The featured speaker, Patty McManus from Interaction Associates, will speak on “Decision Making Without Pain: Tips and Tools for Leading Groups to Success.” She writes: “Everyone knows the agony of endless efforts to reach decisions in groups. Join LCIG and Interaction Associates to learn some practical tools for leaders and consultants. In this session, we’ll cover: Setting up decision making for success; Choosing a decision-making process that fits the situation; Structuring group discussions that make progress; Finally, hear how a state library and a library consultant have implemented this material for greater effectiveness in their groups. Sharing the podium with McManus will be Ann Joslin, Director of the Idaho Commission for Libraries and Nancy Bolt, President of Nancy Bolt & Associates. Both Ms Joslin and Ms Bolt have had extensive Interaction Associates training and use it in their daily work.

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN LCIG

In addition to becoming a member of LCIG on ALAConnect you are also invited to assist us in shaping the future of the Library Consultants Interest Group by participating as a full member of the LCIG leadership team. Members of the LCIG Leadership Team must be ASCLA members.

There are also multiple opportunities to initiate and work on special projects.  For example, volunteers are needed to moderate discussion forums at ALA Midwinter, to assist with conference programs, to post information and questions on the ALAConnect site and much more.

If you are interested in participating on the Leadership Team, have an idea for a special project or are interested in volunteering, please contact incoming 2012-2013 LCIG Chairperson Jeannette Smithee at smithee@seflin.org.

I hope to see you on ALAConnect…and in Anaheim!  Questions?  Don’t hesitate to contact me or one of the other members of the LCIG Leadership Team.

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Prison Librarians @ Annual Conference: Interest group meetings moved to Sunday morning

NEW DATE, TIME & LOCATION at ALA Annual Conference!! ASCLA’s two interest groups for prison librarians will now be meeting Sunday, June 24, 8-10a.m. in the Palm East room of the Sheraton Park Hotel.

The Library Services to the Incarcerated and Detained Interest Group and the Library Services for Youth in Custody Interest Group will meet together during this time. This session is an opportunity for open discussion among librarians and staff who serve–or want to serve–adults and youth who are incarcerated or detained. LSYC agenda includes new resources, review and award program, sharing of ideas and resources. LSID agenda includes future leadership and work products, sharing of ideas and resources.  The groups are co-hosting a tour of a local juvenile detention facility on the afternoon of Monday, June 25–learn more here (scroll to the bottom of the page) and register by June 5!

Other prison library-related programs and events in Anaheim:

PRECONFERENCE: The Nuts & Bolts of Building a Public Library/Jail/Prison Partnership
Friday, June 22, 8:00a.m.-12:00p.m.

Hear from speakers who’ve successfully built public library/correctional setting partnerships, and learn how to build these kinds of relationships step-by-step. Public librarians and correctional librarians interested in creating literacy and reading program partnerships for youth in detention centers and adults in jails or prisons will not want to miss this half-day workshop that will cover such difficult issues of collection development, security, and staff interactions.
Registration Rates: ASCLA members, $129; ALA members, $149; non-members, $169; Student and Retired ALA members, $109.
Who should attend: Public librarians and correctional librarians interested on creating literacy and reading program partnerships for youth and adults in jails or prisons.

Speakers:

  • Kathleen Houlihan, youth outreach librarian, Austin Public Library, Second Change Books
  • Amy Cheney, Alameda County Library, Write to Read program Juvenile Hall Literacy

REGISTER NOW.

Writing a Way Out: The Success of Writing Programs in Correctional Settings
Saturday, 8:00-10:00
Writing programs in correctional settings have produced dramatic results for those who experience them. This program will include successful inmate writers, program instructors and correctional librarians who manage or assist in the programs. Speakers: R. Dwayne Betts, Perry Gaidurgis

Touching Literacy:  iPads in the School Library Serving Incarcerated and Detained Youth
Sunday, 1:30-3:30p.m.
Are tablets available to your patrons yet? This program introduces you to three library staffers and their project to bring iPads to school libraries serving detained youth in New York City.  We will examine the practical “how to’s” of technology pilots; the process of collaborating with multiple institutions; and maintenance, marketing, funding and collection development for tablets. This session will appeal to all librarians who have not yet integrated tablets or e-readers into their libraries. Speakers: Jessica Fenster-Sparber, Anja Kennedy, Claudio Leon