Suzanne Bahmanyar
James Bartlett
Pamela Brown
Marcel Carroll
Jenny Draper
Randy Dykhuis
Robert Faleer
Bella Gerlich
Trinity Lescallett
Michael Levine-Clark
David Li
Renee Robbins
Mary Stansbury
Roberta Stevens
Crystal White
Why spend your summer trapped at your desk when you could come to ALA’s Annual Conference in Chicago?
We’ve got an awesome program and pre-conference lineup in store for this event where you can acquire new information and develop skills immediately applicable to your daily work.
Mark your calendars!: Conference registration opens January 2, 2009. Click on the names event titles below for complete descriptions, and keep an eye on the ASCLA blog for updates.
Pre-conferences and other ticketed events:
(requires registration)
Programs:
(included in conference registration fees)
Please check the ALA Midwinter Meeting website or wiki for the most up-to-date information about ASCLA events at Midwinter.
ASCLA
Saturday, January 24
8-10 A.M.
ASCLA Board of Directors I
This is an open meeting and a good place to get an overview of ASCLA, as officers, section chairs, and committee chairs give reports.
10:30 A.M.-noon
ASCLA Leadership Session
This is a must-do session for new and continuing unit leaders in ASCLA, including division, section, and committee officers.
1:30-3:30 P.M.
ASCLA All-Committee Meeting
Essential for all current committee members and a great place to get involved if you new and interested in the work of ASCLA.
ASCLA Membership Committee
This meeting is the place where membership recruitment and promotion ideas are considered and implemented. The Membership and Promotion committee develops recruitment campaigns, coordinates membership activities and keeps the ASCLA board and ALA Membership Task Force apprised of membership activities.
ASCLA Standards Review Committee
Meets to direct the development of standards and guidelines appropriate to the institutions and activities represented in ASCLA; to review and forward with recommendations for action by the ASCLA Board of Directors on standards and guidelines developed by standards subcommittees; to appoint, in consultation with appropriate units, subcommittees to develop specified standards and guidelines; to maintain constant communications with the ALA Standards Committee relative to policy and formatting and to seek approval by the ALA Standards Committee on these matters prior to ASCLA Board adoption of standards and guidelines; to maintain continuous study for currency and relevance of existing standards and guidelines appropriate to the institutions and activities represented in ASCLA; to maintain liaison with other divisions of ALA in all matters pertaining to standards; to maintain liaison with other standard-setting agencies and closely related professional organizations for consistency in standard setting on the part of all concerned.
ASCLA Awards Committee
Meets to work on administration and publication of the awards presented in the name of ASCLA; to review periodically the appropriateness of existing ASCLA awards; to make recommendations to the ASCLA Board of Directors with respect to proposed new ASCLA awards; to modify, eliminate, or suspend existing awards when necessary.
4-5:30 P.M.
ASCLA Executive Committee
Officers of ASCLA meet to set priorities and agendas.
Accessibility Assembly
The Accessibility Assembly works to advance ALA’s continuing commitment to diversity and to accessibility of library and information services for all, including people with physical, sensory or mental disabilities, as reflected in the ALA policy on “Library Services to People with Disabilities” (54.3.2); to facilitate communication among ALA units, members and affiliated groups regarding issues such as equitable access to programs, services, collections, and facilities for library users with disabilities, employment of people with disabilities, and library accessibility policies; to encourage manufactures and vendors to develop library products and materials using the principles of universal design; to advance optimal accessibility of ALA services and programs; to develop and promote strategies for the recruitment of people with disabilities into the library and information science profession; and to advance coordination and cooperation of efforts within ALA and the profession to meet the challenges of providing access to all.
Sunday, January 25
9-midnight
ASCLA/COSLA Reception
The best place to meet and greet, fueled by great desserts and a cash bar.
Monday, January 26
2-6 P.M.
ASCLA Board of Directors II
The Board continues to hear reports and make decisions. This is the best board meeting for hearing about impending Council votes, what’s up at the ALA Washington Office, and all the other initiatives and decisions pertinent to ASCLA.
ICAN (InterLibrary Cooperation & Networking Section)
Saturday, January 24
8-10:00 A.M.
ICAN All Committee Meeting
Essential for all current committee members and a great place to get involved if you new and interested in the work of ICAN.
4-5:30 P.M.
Collaborative Digitization Discussion Group
Sunday, January 25
8-10:00 A.M.
Physical Delivery Discussion Group
10:30 A.M.-noon
Interlibrary Cooperation Discussion Group
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.
4-5:30 P.M.
Consortium Management Discussion Group
Monday, January 26
8-10:00 A.M.
ICAN Executive Board
Officers of ICAN meet to set priorities and agendas.
10:30 A.M.-noon
Virtual Library Discussion Group
Provides a forum for discussion of library services that can be provided in an electronic format; to provide an opportunity to discuss cutting edge pilot projects as well as established services that promote a 24/7 library that is accessible anytime, anywhere.
ILEX (Independent Librarian’s Exchange Section)
Saturday, January 24
4-5:30 P.M.
ILEX Executive Committee Meeting
Officers of ILEX meet to set priorities and agendas.
LSSPS (Libraries Serving Special Populations Section)
Saturday, January 24
1:30-3:30 P.M.
Francis Joseph Campbell Award Committee
Meets to select a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of library service for the blind and physically handicapped to receive the Francis Joseph Campbell citation and medal.
Sunday, January 25
1:30-3:30 P.M.
LSSPS All-Forums Meeting
Essential for all current forum members and a great place to get involved if you new and interested in the work of LSSPS.
4-5:30 P.M.
LSSPS Executive Committee Meeting
Officers of LSSPS meet to set priorities and agendas.
SLAS (State Library Agency Section)
Saturday, January 24
1:30-3:30 P.M.
State Library Consultants Discussion Group
Sunday, January 25
10:30-12 P.M.
LSTA Coordinators Discussion Group
4-5:30 P.M.
Youth Services Consultants Discussion Group
To provide a forum for persons concerned with statewide service to children and young people.
SLAS Board Meeting
When that membership renewal form comes in the mail as it does for many of our members at this time of year, don’t forget about ASCLA! We have great things in store for 2009, but we need your fiscal support to follow through on our plans. Your continued membership also allows you to get the best rates for participating in online courses, Midwinter institutes and Annual pre-conferences, and conference programming. Additionally, staying connected to a peer network through both ASCLA and section membership has never been more important in a volatile job market.
Prefer to renew online or by phone? Visit www.ala.org/membership, or call 800-545-2433 and press option 5.
The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) will hold a silent auction at the 2009 Midwinter Meeting’s ASCLA/COSLA reception to benefit the ASCLA Century Scholarship.
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. Proceeds from the auction directly benefit the scholarship fund and promote its long-term financial viability.
The reception, a networking event open to all conference attendees, will be held Sunday, January 25, from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in the Capitol Peak Ballroom at the Grand Hyatt Denver, 1750 Welton Street, Denver. Attendees will have a chance to bid on some fantastic items including a collection of Chicago-related travel and interest books, tickets to The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, a private tour of The Field’s library, jewelry and a fleece jacket.
Not attending the event but want to contribute? Donations of goods or services to the auction list are welcome from both vendors and individuals, and will be accepted until January 5, 2009. Interested contributors should complete the silent auction donation form. Questions about the event should be directed to Liz Markel, ASCLA marketing specialist and event coordinator at lmarkel@ala.org.
After 37 years of state service, Library Program Manager Beth Perry retired from the Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS) in the Rhode Island Department of Administration. Perry worked at OLIS since its inception in 1996, and at its forerunner, the Department of State Library Services (DSLS). Beth joined DSLS in 1988 as Chief of the Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. She served in that position until 1997 when she was appointed Library Program Manager for Public and Government Information Services. From 2006 to 2007 she served as Acting Chief of Library Services. Prior to coming to DSLS, Beth was State Librarian at the Rhode Island State Library for four years. From 1971 to 1984 she held positions at the James P. Adams Library at Rhode Island College, from Senior Reference Librarian through Assistant Director and Associate Professor.
The New York Board of Regents announced the appointment of Bernard A. Margolis as the New York State Librarian. He will assume his new responsibilities in January 2009.
New York State Education Commissioner Richard Mills says, “We live in an age of information, and libraries play a critical role in providing us with access to that information. They are vital to our economy and our communities. They promote literacy and lifelong learning. And in these trying economic times, they are vital to people seeking information about jobs. I am thrilled that the Regents have appointed a dynamic and innovative person like Margolis to serve in the critically important position of State Librarian.”
Margolis served as the President of Boston Public Library (BPL), Boston, Massachusetts, from 1997 to 2008. Margolis’s achievements as BPL president include expansion of branch library hours; appointment of a children’s librarian in every branch; creation of a nationally recognized Homework Assistance Program and online tutoring program; implementation of Reading Readiness to prepare preschoolers for school success; creation of local history centers in eight branch libraries; creation of the award-winning Norman B. Leventhal Map Center; development of a collection conservation program; and growth of the BPL’s trust funds from $37 million to $55 million. Under Margolis’s leadership, BPL secured $7 million of direct grants and $18 million in federal funds for technology improvements and many foundation grants, designated gift funds, and major bequests.
Margolis led the effort to restore and renovate the historic central library building, securing funding from a number of sources. He worked with the City of Boston to establish a critical repair fund, allowing BPL to address building and equipment repairs in a timely manner. BPL collaborated with other cultural institutions and more than 4,500 different community groups and organizations.
Margolis’s service includes a number of elected positions within the American Library Association, leadership in the Association of Research Libraries, service as a professional delegate to the White House Conference on Libraries, and service on the boards of library organizations in Massachusetts, Colorado, and Michigan. He has served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Library Administration and Bottom Line: The Magazine of Library Financial Management. He has contributed to several books and has published articles in American Libraries, Public Libraries, and Library Journal.
by Ellen Perlow, MSLS, PhD CHES, Chair of the ASCLA Century Scholarship Committee
This article is a response to the article “PLEASECOME: New Discussion Forum Addresses Library Service to People with Learning, Social, Cognitive, or Medical Disabilities” by Carrie Banks (ASCLA Interface, Fall 2008, p. 11).
by Larry Warner, Curator of Exhibits, Pueblo Grande Museum
The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records was awarded the 2008 Community Support Award from the Museum Association of Arizona. Recognized internationally for excellence, this state agency serves the information needs of Arizona citizens and has provided unprecedented support to the state’s museum community on many levels. Through their annual Convocation, they offer professional resources for libraries and museums. Through workshops, partnerships, grants, and public access, they have assisted numerous museums and museum organizations to reach higher potential.
The final report of the New York Statewide Spanish Language Outreach Partnership project �Spanish Language Outreach Connects New York’s Libraries with Communities,� funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation U.S. Libraries Program and WebJunction is on the New York State Library�s website and print copies will be available soon. The report is also posted to WebJunction.
by Bill Dougherty, Head, Assistive Technology Loan Program and Adam Szczepaniak, Jr., Director, New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped
Each year, more than 100 blind or visually impaired citizens of New Jersey receive personalized computer literacy training on loaned computers as a result of a unique partnership between the New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped (LBH) and The New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI).
by Ted Hale, Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has awarded the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records a grant to digitize historic Arizona newspapers. The project, titled Arizona Newspapers, 1880-1912, allowed Arizona to become one of only six states and one of only two State Libraries in 2008 to be successfully awarded a grant through the NEH nationwide program.
by Peyton Stafford, Director of Global Library Services, ReadHowYouWant
ReadHowYouWant is a new technology company that partners with publishers to convert trade books into large print, braille and DAISYi editions. The Australian company’s goal is to make all books accessible to all readers.
by Danielle H.M. King, Program Manager, Washington Talking Book & Braille Library
“The world at large is now gaining an additional one million older persons each month.”1 In a recent assessment of our patron profiles at the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL), we found that over 60% of our patrons are 65 years or older. In fact, 29% are between the ages of 65-84, 30% are between the ages of 85-99, and 1% (85) is patrons who are 100 years old or older. Recent profiles of library patrons, coupled with the fact that the 65 and over population is growing faster than any other segment of the population, requires some serious consideration of the needs of the older population, their role in society, and the implications for library service.
by Caleb Tucker-Raymond
At least nineteen United States and three Canadian provinces offer a statewide virtual reference service in order to reach out and meet their citizens’ information needs, and build collaboration between libraries. The catch is that all of them have to license or purchase software to provide it.
by Glennor Shirley, 2008 LSSPS Chair, Library Coordinator, Maryland State Department of Education, Correctional Education Libraries
Prison librarians face many of the same issues as their counterparts in public, special, and academic libraries. They are serving an increasingly diverse population, have to deal with constantly changing technology, budget constraints, and more than any other group, their modus operandi is significantly affected by the political climate.
by Tina Keresztury, Associate State Librarian, New Jersey State Library
“The world is changing so rapidly the State Library believes it is imperative that libraries consider the future in a thoughtful, organized way in order to meet the challenges and exciting changes the future holds for us,” declared New Jersey State Librarian Norma Blake, who is also Library Journal’s “2008 Librarian of the Year.”
by Carol Desch, ASCLA President, New York State Library
These days, nothing seems more constant than change. Change in the seasons, change in government, change in the economy, change in technology, change in our libraries and of course, change for ASCLA!
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