Reception attendees enjoyed delicious desserts, while bidding on a variety of items generously donated by vendors, including Playaway, OCLC, BCR, the Colorado Library Consortium and the Colorado Association of Libraries, and Chicago cultural institutions such as The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Steppenwolf Theater Company. Proceeds from the auction directly benefit the scholarship fund and promote its long-term financial viability.

“I am thankful for the generosity of our sponsors, and also for the generosity of our reception attendees who have made an important investment in the future of our profession,” said Carol Desch, ASCLA president. “Their contributions ensure ASCLA and ALA will continue to provide opportunities for students with access needs to enter the library profession.”

The scholarship is an initiative of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (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.

Library and information science students with access needs—including veterans—are encouraged to apply for the 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. Complete information about scholarship eligibility and application instructions are available at the scholarship webpage on the ASCLA site.

Judith Gibbons

I ask for your vote for ALA Council at this time when the library community is facing myriad options coupled with limited resources, and when it is so vitally important that we effectively advocate for quality libraries and well trained personnel. As a veteran advocate, I am experienced in speaking out for libraries and library workers on the local, state and national levels, and utilizing every opportunity to promote proactive change.

This is a time in my life where I feel that I have both the time and interest to devote to ALA Council. I retired from the Commonwealth of Kentucky in December, 2008 after thirty plus years of service working in reference, children’s services and adult programming. In addition, I served as a county library director and coordinated the public library program for the state. My volunteer committee work ranges from ALA and its chapters:  ASCLA, LAMA and PLA to serving as President of Southeastern Library Association and the Kentucky Public Library Association.

Suzy Szasz Palmer

The primary focus for all libraries must be to strive to maintain our relevance in the Internet Age. Public, academic, school, and special libraries must each approach this pressing concern from their own perspectives, with their own primary constituencies in mind. Librarians in public services may be affected differently than technical services librarians. But we must act in concert to deliver this message of relevance wherever we can. During my professional career (mostly in academic libraries) I have seen reference statistics fluctuate; special collections move from restricting access to scholars to opening doors to students; collections increasingly lean from books towards journals, and from print towards electronic. Libraries and librarians have not only adapted to these changes, but more important, embraced them. The latest, and perhaps biggest challenge, remains the Internet. We must harness it to our advantage in order to maintain a central role in our information world.

I bring nearly thirty years of professional library experience in reference, instruction, collection development, special collections, and senior management at: Cornell University (1979-2002); the University of Louisville (2003-2007); the Library of Virginia (2007-present). I taught “Collection Development” for the University of Kentucky (UK) School of Information Science; guest lecturer in reference courses at Syracuse University School of Information Studies and in online courses through UK and University of North Texas School of Library and Information Sciences. I was Editor-in-Chief, Microform & Imaging Review (formerly Microform Review), 1990-1993; 1998; 2003-2005; Board of Editors during intervening years, to present. I served on the Editorial Board, The New Dictionary of the History of Ideas,(Macmillan, 2004). I have over ten years experience as consultant on new products (print and electronic) for Gale, Readex and ProQuest. I’ve done numerous presentations at regional, national, and international conferences. For many years, I was a reviewer for Library Journal, LJ Disc & Database Reviews, and Microform Review/Microform & Imaging Review. I’ve also published in Journal of Information Ethics, Collection Building, and Kentucky Libraries. And I have served on planning committees for three national conferences: LOEX, EndUser (Endeavor), NASIG.

The tenth anniversary of the SEFLIN Sun Seeker Leadership Institute is being celebrated this year! The Sun Seeker Leadership Institute is one of the first library leadership institutes for emerging leaders which is held as a monthly series of events over the period of a year. The long-term goals of the Sun Seeker Leadership Institute are:

• To develop library staff who have the potential to lead 21st century libraries;
• To develop a cadre of mentors who will act as guides, coaches and role models;
• To provide a high quality leadership program for emerging library leaders which will instill progressive and effective leadership strategies, attitudes and skills;
• To encourage participants to recognize and/or initiate innovations, seize opportunities and take risks where appropriate;
• To guide participants to appreciate and thrive in a changing political and demographic environment; and
• To serve as a mechanism for continuing leadership development among Sun Seekers alumni and a broad based library leadership network.

More than 100 library staff members have completed the Sun Seeker Leadership Institute. Dr. Elizabeth Curry, a former Executive Director of SEFLIN and a founder of the Institute, continues to serve as program facilitator. She shares the following description of the beginnings and development of the Sun Seeker Leadership Institute:

The Sun Seeker Leadership Institute is an outstanding example of multi-type library cooperation. When we first discussed monthly sessions instead of an immersion conference lasting a full week, people said it wouldn’t have the same impact. Ten years later the success is clear. We found that the impact was widespread and practical because the participants were involved in a real transformational learning experience. The participants also developed a network of collegial relationships that continue after the year is completed. I think one of the most critical aspects of the leadership institute is that we model the skills we discuss during the sessions. We create a safe space for taking risks and experimenting while we encourage a collaborative learning style where everyone’s voice is valued. The interactive exercises are combined with having a lot of fun, fellowship and food.

For ten years, the Sun Seeker Leadership Institute has assisted library staff in obtaining high quality leadership skills. Sun Seeker alumni report that the Leadership Institute directly contributed to them becoming more engaged in professional activities, accepting positions of more responsibilities, and viewing themselves as library leaders. Today, Sun Seeker alumni contribute to the Leadership Institute by serving as mentors and Personal Reflections on Leadership speakers. The Institute is truly a reflection of all types of libraries working collaboratively to identify and support the next generation of library leaders.

At the ALA Midwinter Conference, the ASCLA Awards Committee selected as the winner of the ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award “Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected,” a remarkable project developed by Margaret Kolaya, director of the Scotch Plains Public Library, and Daniel Weiss, director of the Fanwood Memorial Library, both in New Jersey. This extraordinary initiative employs a sophisticated, yet user-friendly website, www.thejointlibrary.org/autism, to impart information on the autism spectrum disorder through text and electronic media and, most notably, to train librarians to reach out to and serve people with autism. The website includes numerous citations to print and non-print materials, websites, and organizations concerned with the autism spectrum. Special features include an Autism Overview PowerPoint presentation and a 19-minute customer service training video, both of which are downloadable. The video demonstrates some behavioral patterns exhibited by people with autism and shows techniques that librarians can use to respond positively, making these patrons feel welcome in the library. Supplementing the video are a list of workshop consultants and a workshop evaluation form.

Other supportive materials include: a decal with the “Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected” logo for mounting on the library door or window, circular and rectangular logos for use on publicity, a sample publicity release, a non-verbal communication tool, a customer service tips handout, and the storybook template, “This is My Library,” which can be customized by the individual library to provide a visual pre-visit tour of the library for the child with autism.

This outstanding project is a part of the “Welcoming Library Spaces for the Autism Community and Their Families” incubator project which was made possible by a contract with INFOLINK: The Eastern New Jersey Regional Library Cooperative. The Cooperative and its services are funded by the New Jersey State Library which is responsible for the coordination, promotion, and funding of the New Jersey Library Network.

The ASCLA Awards Committee chose this project for the ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award because of its national significance. Its focus on people with autism has highlighted for libraries everywhere the need for service to this growing and underserved population. The customer service training media and supportive materials on the website offer the means by which libraries may undertake this task. The project can be easily and successfully replicated on a nationwide basis. In addition, the website with its valuable array of informational and staff training resources suggests a possible model for preparing librarians to work with people with other disabilities who may also be underserved by libraries.

The “silver tsunami,” is near! The population throughout the United States aged sixty and older is projected to grow substantially in the near future as the baby boomer generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) reach retirement age. In 2000 there were 1,443,800 New Jerseyans aged 60 and over. By 2025, it is projected, that the NJ population will number over 2.5 million in this age group. While the current US national average for those over the age of 60 is 13.5%, New Jersey already has over 17.2% of the population over 60, and this it is expected to grow to 23.6% by 2025.

With these demographics as a background, the Old Bridge Public Library (OBPL) began to seek ways to better serve multiple generations of older adults—now and into the future. In June 2006, the Library Board of Trustees began the process of developing a Strategic Plan. They quickly identified baby boomers and older adults as a potential area of growth and a “new mass audience” for the Library. They challenged the Library staff to “think outside the box” in terms of how to differently serve this population.

The challenge resulted in the initial idea for the “senior spaces” concept that was developed by the Library’s Assistant Director, Allan M. Kleiman, an expert in the area of library services to older adults. Working with the Adult & Information Services Department, this concept was then presented at a series of staff meetings, community focus groups and Library Board meetings for fine-tuning.

A detailed budget of $30,000 was developed for the project and the Library sought potential funders. In the end, funding of $10,000 each was provided by a contract with INFOLINK: The Eastern New Jersey Regional Library Cooperative and through a grant from the New Jersey State Library, using LSTA funds. The library’s Board “invested” in their future by funding the final $10,000 for the project.

At the same time as the budget was developed, a location was selected in the Central Library that would serve as the “physical” location for the project to parallel the existing Children’s Room and Young Adult space. The decision was made that “Senior Spaces” would best be located near the Library’s Large Print, World Language, New Fiction and Periodical “Living Room”, providing visibility and a bit of quiet in the Library’s open-air design. The term “Senior Spaces,” which was used as a concept remained as the marketing brand of this new library service. In a Library in which everything from the carpeting to the tables was blue, in order to set the space apart, the “Senior Spaces” area utilizes red.

“Senior spaces” in the Old Bridge Public Library was designed using the concept of “spaces within spaces” or activity areas. These are places where customers can actively engage in self-learning and discovery. Universal design and making the space accessible played an important role in the overall design plan as well. Thought was given to ensure that there were wheelchair height tables, large screen computer monitors, bulletin boards at wheelchair height, large print keyboards, “talking books,” a closed-circuit enlarger and a receiver from the “Radio Reading Service” in New Jersey.

Customers can listen to a Book-on-CD, a DVD or a music CD anytime they choose at one of our two “learning” workstations. In addition, the redesigned library space provides a variety of seating options for customers of all ages; everything from rocking chairs to hard back seating, to comfortable “plush” chairs that you might find in your own living room. On regular basis the “Senior Spaces” librarian can be seen showing customers how to use the equipment or the basics of video gaming, using the Wii.

But the centerpiece of this space has to be the merchandised “bookstore” where seniors can browse for a magazine to read in the Library, a book to take-home, or even DVDs of interest. Rather than arrange the area in a Dewey-like format, fully merchandised shelving was chosen that allows customers to explore topics like: “Your Family & Friends,” “You’re Still Learning,” “Your Health,” “You Remember When,” and “Your Retirement.”

One of the key reasons for success of “Senior Spaces” has been working with the Baby Boomer and older adult community through the Advisory Board. This group of 10 men and women meet monthly with the staff and provide feedback and guidance to the Library on the project. They have encouraged the Library to reach out to community groups, to provide book collections in senior residences, and have they have assisted the Library in program suggestions, promotion and marketing.

Once the physical space was opened to the public in June 2007, the Library began to look at programming efforts. A Friday afternoon program for Baby Boomers and older adults was introduced to complement existing adult programming in the evening and on weekends. Basic computer classes were expanded to include training on digital cameras, blogging, podcasting, and Second Life. “Senior Spaces” and the Youth Services Department joined forces in developing inter-generational activities around gaming using the Wii. Book discussions were expanded, outreach programs were initiated, and a woman’s discussion group and international film series were developed. All of this was in place by June 2008 when “Senior Spaces,” celebrated its one-year anniversary. New services were based on comments, feedback and survey results that we received from our library customers.

Even before the official opening, there was great interest in “Senior Spaces.” Presentations on the project have been made at local, state, national and international library conferences. Building upon the Old Bridge experience, plans are now underway in spring 2009 for INFOLINK to expand the “Senior Spaces” concept to three libraries in Central New Jersey and the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Libraries plans up to six projects over the next year. For more information and details about the project along with a developing toolkit for libraries, check out the “Senior Spaces” site at: www.infolink.org/seniorspaces.

For more information, please contact Allan M. Kleiman at Kleiman@aol.com or at 732-738-5183.

As a member-owned and governed library network, PALINET has always focused on the development of programs and services to meet member needs. In the digital arena, PALINET initially provided workshops and educational opportunities for members, as well as consulting services on identifying potential collections and developing digital programs.

More recently, our members’ needs increased from general digitization information to assistance with the digitization process itself. In response to those needs, PALINET developed and launched the Mass Digitization Collaborative.

The Collaborative is funded by the PALINET membership and supported in part through a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The development of the Collaborative is the first component of PALINET’s collaborative digital collection strategy. The Collaborative’s initial focus is on mass digitization of text, with the first goal the digitization of approximately 60,000 books.

Pilot

Given the early widespread interest in the program, we realized the need to test the program tenets before opening it up to the full membership. Our first step was to pilot the program with our members.

The pilot institutions included: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (PA), Goucher College (MD), Independence Seaport Museum (PA), Lancaster County Historical Society (PA), Lycoming College (PA), Paterson Free Public Library (NJ), Penn State University (PA), St. Mary’s College of Maryland, University of Maryland, University of Pittsburgh (PA), University of Scranton (PA), Villanova University (PA), and West Virginia University. They represented a range of institution types (large and small academic libraries, public libraries, historical society, and museum) and varying degrees of digitization expertise. Their reasons for participating and their concerns represented a wide spectrum.

Frances O’Brien, West Virginia University Dean of Libraries, was attracted to the preservation aspect of the program, seeing digitization of rare books as “a way to save fragile and deteriorating materials for future generations of students and scholars.” O’Brien credits PALINET with bringing museums, historical societies, and public and university libraries together for the pilot program, saying, “We learn from each other as we make the libraries’ rare and unique treasures available to anyone, anywhere in the world.”

Katherine Ryner, Catalog Librarian & Archivist at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, says “this is the first time where we thought we’d be able to be involved with a digital project, because we’re so small and have less resources financially and technically” and adds, “It’s a good way to go financially, especially for those who don’t have prior knowledge of the software and equipment.”

Rob Weber, Director of Library Services at the Lancaster County Historical Society, delivered their materials in person to the scanning center. “I was really impressed with their efficiency and thoroughness,” Weber says, “with the way that they handled the materials physically and how they paid attention to any concerns that the library had.”

Program Launch

The pilot program tested all elements including selection, transportation, billing, and handling; the participants provided invaluable feedback on the various step and procedures. Once program elements were tested and refined, the program was launched in fall 2008. We are pleased to have a variety of early participants including Elizabethtown College (PA), the Institute for Advanced Study (NJ), Lycoming College (PA), Philadelphia Museum of Art (PA), University of Maryland (MD), University of Pittsburgh (PA), and University of Scranton (PA).

Program Future

Once the mass digitization component is established, we will continue to grow the program by developing additional tools and expanding to formats such as maps, oversize materials and audio and sound files.

Questions?

To learn more about the Collaborative, please visit the PALINET website at: www.palinet.org/dshome.aspx or contact PALINET’s Digital Services Program Manager Laurie Gemmill at gemmill@palinet.org.

Diary of the American Revolution by Frank Moore (Scribner, 1859). Contributed by University of Pittsburgh (PA).

The Plinkit system is built using Plone, an open-source content management system. Pages are created and edited right through the web, using built-in text editors, image galleries and other powerful features that make it easy for library staff to keep their content current. Jim Duncan, the chair of the Plinkit Collaborative Steering Committee says, “Even small libraries with limited funding and staff can maintain a professional looking web site that serves their customers 24/7 with online library resources.” This versatile platform can even deliver videos or slideshows.

Plinkit was a co-recipient of the 2008 ASCLA Leadership and Professional Achievement Award at ALA Conference in Anaheim this year where it was recognized as an innovative, multi-state technology project with significant impact on libraries and communities across a broad section of America. The Plinkit Collaborative is a pioneering initiative as it is the first collaborative technology project of its kind among state library and regional agencies.

According to State Librarian Nancy R. Robertson, Plinkit is right in line with the Library of Michigan’s goal of using Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) dollars to help local libraries statewide deliver the best in library service to Michigan residents.

For more information contact Justine Shaffner at jshaffner@bcr.org

• Administration and Leadership of Networks, Cooperatives, and Consortia
• Resource Sharing
• Electronic Resource Management Systems
• Training and Continuing Education
• New Academic/Industry Roles & Economics
• Cooperative Purchasing
• New International Roles for Consortia
• New Publisher Roles

Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit on or before June 24, 2009. All submitted manuscripts will be reviewed on a double-blind review basis. For instructions for authors and further details on the journal and submission procedures please visit: www.informaworld.com/WRSI.

Please send all submissions and questions to the editor Dr. Barbara J. Stites at bstites@fgcu.edu.

Ivan Gaetz, Dean of Libraries at Regis University, and managing editor of Collaborative Librarianship, reports that a remarkable Advisory Board has been created to guide the development of the journal. He also feels that the strong line-up for the Winter 2009 issue is representative of the editorial focus and goals of the publication. “By giving this area of study a platform and publishing outlet, all library types will benefit,” states Gaetz. Each issue of this digital-only journal contains four sections: Scholarly Articles, From the Field, Reviews, and News. “We are particularly excited about our From the Field section,” Gaetz continues, “since it will include analysis of a more practical nature not often found in scholarly journals.” Articles are currently in review for the Spring 2009 issue, to be published in April.

To help celebrate the launch of Collaborative Librarianship, the editors and contributors of the inaugural issue will be hosting a reception at ALA Midwinter on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 3:00-4:00 pm, at booth 1721 (Colorado Association of Libraries and Denver Public Library). All are invited. Stop by the booth anytime to discuss article submission or acting as a peer reviewer for future issues.

For more information contact Valerie Horton at VHorton@clicweb.org.