Library Cloud

An Ill-wind is blowing

noreply@blogger.com (Betsy) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:57:00 +0000

Are you tired of hearing about H1N1 like me? Are you sick of washing your hands constantly? Do you cringe everytime you hear someone cough near you?

Health and safety issues are real concerns for library administrators and campus personnel and have become even more real as more and more young people fall victim to swine flu symptoms. Student staff are unable to work (and we don't want them here!).

Our campus is trying to respond to all the potential problems by cleaning more thoroughly, installing hand sanitizer dispensers in buildings across campus, putting wipes in campus vehicles and encouraging faculty to be "flexible" with assignments.

I have put out bottles of sanitizer for our patrons to use and we wipe down the computers each night. My staff has sanitizer available to them and I try not to steal my staff's pens and pencils to use. We no longer supply headphones for our computer media; everyone must bring their own.

Kleenex will be out soon. Please, keep the Kleenex, don't ask to "borrow" any! I don't want them back!

From my bloglines account

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:54:00 +0000

I admit it, I browse my Bloglines account faithfully but do not read every feed every day. As with a newspaper, I check the headlines and delve deeper when something in particular catches my interest. These two items caught my attention as they portrayed interesting views regarding the social norm for libraries and higher education:

The F-Word, by Laurie Fendrich
Brainstorm, The Chronicle of Higher Education

"I came of age when the “f-word” first started entering ordinary conversation among educated people. Although The New York Times still won’t print it, The New Yorker will." ... read the article

Heather Has Two Mommies Turns 20, Leslea Newman
Soapbox, The More Things Change, Publisher's Weekly

"Two decades have come and gone since Heather, the little girl with two arms, two legs, two hands, two feet and two mommies popped out of my pen. And I am proud as any parent can be." ... read the article

Now that's customer service!

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:30:00 +0000

The library is currently weathering an unexpected adjustment to our proxy server. An innocent bystander, our collection of LibGuides chock full of links to database resources, electronic books, and articles using the proxy URL for authentication. Each of the estimated 1000+ links now rendered useless by the change. But this is a post with a happy ending.

One of our IT people suggested we contact LibGuides and ask if they could query our full content, remove the incorrect proxy string, and replace it with the new. We were secretly doubtful, but all things considered nothing ventured, nothing gained. Sara, fellow blogger and our liaison with LibGuides, contacted them with the request Wednesday evening. Almost immediately, their response was yes! This morning they completed the task and our guides are once again the shining star of our library resource page.

The Springshare About Us page states: "Our goal is to have each and every client say 'this is a great company to work with!'" In my humble opinion, you have more than met your goal.

Springshare is a great company to work with!

ALAO Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:56:00 +0000

Fresh from the ALAO list serv & ALAO President Rob Withers:

Early bird registration is over, but it’s not too late to register for ALAO's 35th Annual Conference, "At the Crossroads: Recharging, Redefining, and Realigning Our Libraries," in Wilmington, OH! This year, ALAO is experimenting with online submission of registration information (payment by check will continue to be submitted by snail-mail).

Please register online by Friday, October 16, and make sure that registration checks are postmarked by that date as well.

Registration will not be complete until your check has been received. All registered on-site attendees will receive our new keepsake – the ALAO USB hub!

Rates are:
Registration fee (after 10/3/09) - $100.00 (USD)
Student conference registration fee - $30.00 (USD)
Deadline for registration and refunds: Friday, October 16, 2009. For instructions and a link to the online submission form, visit the conference web site.

Zero to Sixty

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:04:00 +0000

Yesterday Sara and I put finishing touches a "summer" project, a new LibGuide for the Dwight Schar College of Education Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies. We started by evaluating our existing online resource and determined the information and users would be better served in the AU LibGuide environment. A quick needs assessment, in the form of three simple and individualized SurveyMonkey surveys, was sent to doctoral faculty, current doctoral cohorts, and recent program graduates. We worked to facilitate their requests and provide quality library information resources:

Tags and a unique URL were created, the guide quickly and effortlessly associated with education resources category, a bit of finessing done with the title (we still are not thrilled), and without more ado, the guide was ready: Ed.D. Research: Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies. A soft roll-out began with an email to the doctoral faculty, soliciting feedback so we can make changes to suit their needs. Currently under a web content freeze, the University will be unveiling a new web site soon; links from the library web site are on hold. However, we plan to email guide links to survey participants and post an announcement on the Library News Blog and IRC Blog. After publication, I verified our link from the library's LibGuide home and noted guide numbers; we are starting our second academic year with LibGuides and have gone from zero to sixty during that time.

Then, because the sheer joy of publishing the finished product made me a bit giddy, all I could think of was Alabama's song, "I'm In a Hurry" ... "I don't know why I drive so fast, my car has nothing to prove, it's not new, but it'll do zero to sixty in 5.2." It has been stuck in my head for two days now, so for my viewing pleasure, and maybe yours as well (after the requisite advertisement).

ALAO Conference Registration

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:32:00 +0000

Registration is open for the 35th Annual ALAO Conference! Early bird registration is available through October 3rd and offers a $15 break on conference fees; student conference registration is also available. This year ALAO is offering a variety of programs, posters, and several technology spotlights for attendees.

For more information, visit the conference web site. A few conference quick links are noted below:

Thanks to fellow blogger Betsy, I remembered to take advantage of the early bird option - and- have a hotel room reserved. If the block of ALAO rooms sell out, be sure to take advantage of online reservation options with Expedia and Travelocity. As of last week, both had openings for the Roberts Center Holiday Inn at comparable prices.

It's the most wonderful time ...

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:41:00 +0000

Many students are already back on campus and official move-in begins this weekend. The start of another school year is only a few days away. I am a bit farther behind than planned, student work schedules are still under construction, and my current focus is feasibility and budgetary allotments for much needed refurbished computers on the second floor and in the IRC.

Last evening I saw one of the all-time great back to school commercials and had to share. The YouTube Staples Channel says it is "back after fifteen years," those sad-eyed children are now college graduates!

Wasting Time for a Good Cause

noreply@blogger.com (Betsy) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:36:00 +0000

Ever have just a few minutes that you need to fill and don't want to start a new project?

I found a cool website that allows me to improve myself AND contribute to a good cause, even if I have only a few minutes.

FreeRice.com is a nifty little site where I can improve my math, English vocabulary and grammar, my favorite foreign language and a few other subject areas. For every answer you get correct, you donate 10 grains of rice to the UN World Food Programme.

It adds up, believe me! And you can switch subjects when you are tired of doing math multiplication - just jump over to geography or art.

I can tell you - some subjects I fail miserably and others I do brillantly! But for every answer I get correct, the rice grains add up!

Check it out - it's now my favorite way to end a day!

Collingswood Library Promo

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:20:00 +0000

What fun! Posted on Library Garden yesterday, this video is a clever marketing tool for Collingswood Library.

This video does twice the work for me; I am able to pass along one more posting of the fundraising idea here and at the same time illustrate to any students in my technology class (who are conveniently preparing a video assignment due later this week) that may be reading this blog (they share their blogs and I share mine) an example of how video may be used for purposes outside of the classroom.

OLSSI: Final Call!

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:12:00 +0000

In the time OLSSI has been around, the economy has never been worse, and funds for libraries has probably never been so tight. While it’s not uncommon for a professional conference to end up costing $1500 or $2000 with hotel rooms, meals, etc., we still think our conference/retreat is bargain at $225.00.

Here is short list of four additions to the 2009 Ohio Library Support Staff Institute:
We are proud to announce that our keynote speaker will be Jason Thomas, Sergeant USMC, retired. This brief note cannot do the man justice. Mr. Thomas received a number of awards for his search and rescue efforts at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. He would become a subject of the Oliver Stone film, World Trade Center, and he and his family would appear on a special two-hour episode of the television show, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” For more information, please visit: http://www.theJasonThomas.com
Another addition to OLSSI’s Sunday night festivities will be James A. Willis, author of the book Weird Ohio. Mr. Willis will give a presentation of the equipment he uses with his paranormal research and investigation team, the Ghosts of Ohio. He’ll then take all interested outside for ghost tour of the Denison campus! From their site http://www.GhostsOfOhio.org
Also opening night, the OLSSI Super Spectacular Costume Contest! With the “Meet & Greet” reception at 5:00 PM, and dinner and opening ceremonies at 6:00 PM, there’ll be plenty of time to show your Super-Self! So come dressed as your favorite superhero, villain, or one of your own making! The winner will get the Superhero Prize Pack, which includes: The Pulitzer Prize winning book – The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, by Michael Chabon, all four Superman movies starring Christopher Reeve on DVD, a Spider-Man fleece blanket, and the Marvel Comic Book Library – 100 digital comic books on CD-ROM, all in a star-spangled Captain America tub! So, Mask Up! For photos, go to: http://a-whole-lotta-olssi.weebly.com
And finally, while we’ll be handing out giveaways Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, nothing beats a Grand Prize! After our final presentation on Tuesday, we’ll be giving away a weekend getaway to The Inn & Spa at Honey Run!

Your two-night stay in the Main Lodge can actually be any time of the week you choose! The Inn at HoneyRun is nestled on 70 acres in the heart of the Ohio Amish Country in Holmes County, between Millersburg and Berlin, Ohio. For photos and more information, go to: http://www.innathoneyrun.com/

Registration closes Wednesday, July 15^th. You can contact Secretary/Treasurer Tanya Ellenburg-Kimmet for your all your registration needs:

Fax: 937-775-2356
Phone:937-775-2094
Email: tanya.kimmet at wright.edu

OR -- U.S. Mail:
Tanya Kimmet, OLSSI Secretary/Treasurer
Digital Services
Wright State University
3640 Col Glenn Hwy
Dayton, OH

Email/Fax the registration form even if payment will be delayed past July 15th so we can reserve a spot for you! For classes, instructors, FAQ, and more, go to: http://www.olssi.org/

Posted on behalf of Michael Bradshaw, Chairperson OLSSI

Losing Your Right Hand

noreply@blogger.com (Betsy) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:20:00 +0000

What does it feel like to lose your right hand? I mean, my right hand at work. My assistant has been on medical leave since May 18 and that doesn't sound like a big deal. Except that I only have two employees besides me and about 5 student assistants.

I have been relearning how to do things I gratefully forgot, like how to add new patrons, how to fix circulation issues, remembering to put equipment in places and deliver films, checking on a multitude of little details that always needs to be checked before a new quarter starts, employee timesheets, reconciling a money drawer, etc. The list goes on.

That's in addition to my own usual duties and projects, like budgets, periodical renewals, collection development, new course management materials, etc. It takes one little situation to make you appreciate when you have a well-oiled machine running. When a part is gone, the whole thing just seems to fall apart. For us, running smoothly and collaboratively has been the key to our success with such a small staff.

Actually, I am proud of myself - no major crises, no major snafus. I have learned that I hate to reconcile a money drawer and deadlines always exist.

But I got to go back to my roots, so to speak, and do some cataloging functions, which I always enjoyed and clean out some clutter.

Luckily, it sounds as though there is daylight showing. My assistant might get to return part-time soon. And that will be a day for celebration. Hallelujah!!!

The dog ate my homework

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:01:00 +0000

One of the more interesting posts in my bloglines account this morning was from Wired Campus: 'The Computer Ate My Homework': How to Detect Fake Techno-Excuses. It's a report on a new web site, Corrupted-Files.com, that will (for a price) create a corrupted file for students to submit to instructors. Instead of missing a deadline or imagining an excuse, this web site enables purchasers to turn in that assignment in a completely unreadable format.

Q: Is this cheating?

A: It's a fine line… It's basically just a good excuse vs. outright cheating but even though you are handing in your own work, you are getting an unfair advantage so by that definition, yes you are cheating. Please ask your professors for an extension before you use a corrupted file. This is meant to be used as a last resort, a one time thing, not a crutch! Everyone is entitled to a second chance, but not a third. - Corrupted Files.com, FAQ's Page

Putting aside for a minute the interesting ethics of the FAQ's page and tentative contact information site disclaimer, the Wired Campus post and it's subsequent comments make good points regarding plagiarism and cheating. I particularly enjoyed the comment from a user who puts this statement in his/her syllabus: "Any corrupted files are YOUR responsibility. Check your outbox after you send the file, open the attachment. Any files I cannot open will receive a zero." Plain, simple, to the point.

The site offers a wide variety of customized corrupted files (the list is rather extensive) with a 12 hours turn-around and 100% satisfaction guaranteed; if you have that much time, just finish the assignment.

CMCIG Workshop: Presentation links

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:41:00 +0000

The spring CMCIG workshop featured two presentations prepared and delivered using the popular LibGuides "knowledge sharing system;" Bowling Green State University and Ashland University. By popular demand, and as promised, this post highlights links to both presentations.

Time for questions was brief; please feel free to contact presenters individually for more information or to further discuss their topic.

Kathy Yoder, BGSU
New Books in the CMC
Realigning the CMC with New Titles
and New Presentation of the Collection

Dr. Deanna Romano, Ashland University
Diane Schrecker, Ashland University
Realigning Teacher Education:
Using Web 2.0 Technologies to Meet 21st Century Skills

This information was originally posted on the CMCIG blog: Workshop Presentation Links.

CMCIG Workshop Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Sun, 17 May 2009 01:52:00 +0000

CMCIG Workshop: Ready to go

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:14:00 +0000

I know, the business card looks suspiciously familiar. This is not another post about an AU LibGuides presentation, though in a way it could be. Finishing touches on Friday's CMCIG Spring Workshop presentation Realigning Teacher Education were made yesterday. As with the ACRL poster session, some kind of token handout with our presentation URL and contact information is necessary. I have IRC pens for each attendee, so creating a card and attaching it to the pen seemed a quick and easy solution.

Why does it look like a LibGuide? After Deanna mentioned her strong aversion to PowerPoint, the presentation tool we selected was ... LibGuides. As co-editors we were able to work independently and collaboratively, thus using a web 2.0 tool, to discuss web 2.0 technologies. The presentation is a timely addition to our growing LibGuides arsenal and includes education, library, and technology resources for interested patrons.

For the first time I incorporated an RSS feed into a LibGuide, though I am a bit frustrated by only being able to use one proxy address. I wanted to create an Ebsco database alert about RSS feeds to demonstrate how users can keep track of desired search strategies and to present articles about using RSS feeds in education. The feed was easy to create and adding the AU proxy for off-campus database access took only a click of the mouse; not being able to use an OhioLINK proxy (allowing OhioLINK members to view the feed) was problematic. I had to settle for advising attendees the alerts would not work off-campus for non-AU users. All of the additional resources will be accessible with OhioLINK authentication.

I'm always learning something new when creating a LibGuide, this time was no different. I discovered you can manipulate the size of a tab. Our presentation includes twelve tabs displayed in two rows. To make the tabs fit on the page, I added html coding for a space (nbsp;) behind different titles and was able to finagle how they displayed. Since we have had luck adding that same code into a box title, it was worth trying.

As to the presentation guide, Deanna mentioned we have over three hours of information to present during a forty-five minute session. We are meeting via yahoo IM later this week to finalize - and tweak - the guide and plan.

2009 CMCIG Workshop @ AU

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:00:00 +0000

If you are attending the CMCIG spring workshop, Realigning the CMC to the Governor’s Pre K – 12 Education Plan,21st Century Skills, and Discovery Learning, at Ashland University this Friday, here are a few informational links including directions to Ashland, location of the Dwight Schar College of Education, and campus parking maps.

Dwight Schar College of Education is building #19 on the campus map; please note the academic corridor in front of this building is a closed walkway. Enter using the main doors and Ronk auditorium is located behind the main staircase in the vestibule.

Parking is available in Lot B, across the street from the senior apartments and COE.

"If you continue down King Road and take a left turn on to Samaritan Avenue, there is a large parking lot, Lot B, on your right. There are no visitor parking signs in this lot, but the lot is open to visitor parking. " -- Parking Lots on Campus

General Ashland University resources:

Teaching and playing to learn

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Thu, 07 May 2009 00:21:00 +0000

Over the last few days I have been collaborating with Dr. Deanna Romano, Ashland University Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, Dwight Schar College of Education, on a presentation scheduled for next Friday, the 2009 CMCIG workshop. Our presentation, a work in progress titled Realigning Teacher Education Using Web 2.0 Technologies to Meet 21st Century Skills, will focus extensively on technologies currently being taught in EDCI 232/505 Introduction to the Principles of Instructional Technology.

I have had opportunity teach this course as an adjunct for the COE and appreciate each week brings a different technology to the forefront that may be used in the classroom. I get to refresh and polish my technology skills and theorize the same for the Instructional Resource Center. Concepts we are practicing, and in some cases introducing, to pre-service teachers may often be applied to libraries; students of all ages expect us to be if not proficient, at least have a rudimentary knowledge, of 2.0 technologies they are using at a blazing speed.

And, to be honest, it gives me the chance to play to learn. My tools of choice this week were Windows Movie Maker and YouTube. I spent time working with my new toy, a shiny new HP laptop, pulling together free, accessible resources to create a short library video. With the exception of wanting to "tweak" the sound at the beginning of the presentation, it is difficult to hear, I am pleased with the end result.

Revisiting ACRL 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:19:00 +0000

While unloading my 2009 ACRL green bag Friday morning I realized that while I blogged about my poster, I had not discussed any sessions attended. Well that instance and, I am chagrined to acknowledge, an email from a friend asking me how I liked the ACRL conference; he read the poster session blog post but didn't see anything about the conference. Let me remedy the oversight!

First things first, let's talk about the bag. There was a lot of discussion and dissing of the green ACRL/EBSCO bat. Put me on the plus side; I like the bag from this conference. I find it just the right size because I cannot overload it and can immediately reach inside for what I need. No, it did not have pockets or any other bag amenities. But to be honest I rarely carry the conference bag at the conference, I have my own bag fulfilling that function. I use the conference bags at home and work. It was certainly a step up from the neon orange bag at ALA last summer.

New to me, Cyber Zed Shed sessions soon became my favorite conference function. At twenty minutes, fifteen to present and five for questions, they allowed speakers to present their information quickly and concisely and provided opportunity for audience questions. I missed the afternoon Zed Sheds do to the poster sessions, but the crowds seemed to increase, an illustrating the popularity of these presentations.

iMacros, Todd Quinn, Northern State University
This may be more than I am able to handle without opportunity to practice first. Check out his LibGuide for more information on the topic.
Sprout, Memo Cordova, Boise State University
Though Sprout has now moved to a fee based service, users are able to create three widgets. Cordova has a blog with more information insight from the conference.
Library Subject Guide Widgets, Michael DeMars, California State U. Fullerton
Great ideas for subject library guides
LibStats, Jason Coleman, Danielle Theiss-White, Melia Erin Fritch, and Laura Bonella, K-State Libraries
Reference desk statistics and google apps; for more information visit their google apps page complete with presentations

The only thing I found missing from this ACRL conference (and the one prior) was information for education librarians beyond ERIC, instruction and curriculum materials. As an education liaison and curriculum librarian managing a materials center supporting children's literature courses, I have a vested interest in juvenile collections and collection development. For that reason, I often find ALA Annual, with its plethora of public and school library sessions, more beneficial. This ACRL conference was better than the last one I attended, I will look forward to Philadelphia in 2011.

Now, I can take one more thing out of my ACRL bag!

2009 EduComm Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:48:00 +0000

EduComm 2009 Helps Higher Education Institutions Compete for the Best and the Brightest Students

Powerhouse keynote presentations delve into cutting-edge technologies such as cloud computing, sustainability, social networking, and technology-based best business practices

NORWALK, Conn., April 9, 2009 – Student enrollment is declining, endowments have dried up, Alumni donations are in the tank, so how’s a higher education institution to stay afloat? Integrating innovative technologies that both cut costs and attract top-notch student talent ensures that high school students are Tweeting positively about your school. EduComm (http://educommconference.com/) provides the “how to get there” for education executives.

Technology futurist George Gilder, New York Times columnist and best-selling author David Pogue, a panel on cloud computing with executives from AT&T, Amazon, Cisco, Google, IBM and Microsoft, a performance by School House Rock creators, as well as education industry experts from Crestron, E&I Cooperative Purchasing and Stamats will lead a power-packed three-day professional program.

During EduComm, top-tier executives and managers from college campuses around the nation will partake in stimulating intellectual debate on how emerging technologies are transforming todays—and tomorrow's—college campuses while they enjoy the breathtaking views of the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes Resort. EduComm is being held there June 16-18, 2009.

“This year we are helping higher education executives learn about cutting-edge technologies and smart business practices, while providing a little entertainment,” said Tim Goral, editor-in-chief of University Business and program chair for EduComm.

The first two days of the conference will offer attendees entertainment in the form of performance-enhanced luncheons. The Emmy award-winning creators of Schoolhouse Rock will perform a Schoolhouse Rock reunion concert enlisting music and song to share lessons they have learned about using new media with the digital generation. On the second day, David Pogue will use tech-themed parodies of popular songs, jokes and magic to turn insights about the latest social media and tech trends in education into laugh-out-loud entertainment.

Additionally, Gary Wilson of E&I Cooperative Purchasing, Jeffrey Singer of Crestron and Brenda Harms of Stamats will participate in a panel to discuss what the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act means to higher education and the strategies that institutions can use to weather the economic storm.

“Colleges and Universities need to attract top notch talent, both in the way of student leaders and staff,” claims Goral. “Schools that remain behind on technology use, from managing business practices, to freeing up professor time, to preparing students for great careers are doing everyone a disservice, especially themselves. With the advent of Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube, students are sharing information at lightning speed and the power of a school that is “the buzz” is profound.” EduComm programming tracks are made up of Technology in the Classroom & Around the Campus, Facilities Design & System Support, Internet & Social Media, and Strategies for Success.

More About Educomm

EduComm is the only national technology management conference focused on connecting higher education with AV and IT technology to enhance the classroom experience. From keynote addresses and dynamic presentations to hands-on sessions and professional workshops, EduComm's goal is to help develop successful strategies for integrating AV and IT, make wise purchasing decisions, and provide solutions for managing the training and support functions in higher education facilities. For more information visit EduComm online at http://educommconference.com or e-mail info@educommconference.com.

OLSSI 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:30:00 +0000

OLSSI 2009 : The Ohio Library Support Staff Institute

Denison Univiversity, Granville, OH

August 2 - 4, 2009

The Ohio Library Support Staff Institute, has opened registration for OLSSI 2009!

We’ve added a discounted Early Bird Registration Rate of $200 until May 15th. And our scholarship contest is still open for first-time attendees!http://www.olssi.org/

Descriptions: http://www.olssi.org/index_files/Page727.htm
Registration Form: http://www.olssi.org/index_files/Page736.htm
Scholarships: http://www.olssi.org/index_files/Page834.htm

For more information, contact Michael Bradshaw at OLSSI.

CMCIG Spring Workshop 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Realigning the CMC to the Governor’s
Pre K – 12 Education Plan
21st Century Skills, and Discovery Learning

Friday, May 15, 2009
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Ronk Lecture Hall # 138
Dwight Schar College of Education
Ashland University, Ashland, OH 44805

This workshop will feature Lou Staffilino, Associate Superintendent, ODE – presenting the Governor’s Pre K-12 education plan with time for questions and answers.

Other sessions will include:

Realigning Science Instruction using Science Materials by FOSS and Delta Education
Realigning Math Instruction using Everyday Mathematics by Wright Group McGraw Hill
Realigning Teacher Education using 2.0 Technologies to meet 21st Century Skills
Realigning the CMC with New Titles and New Presentation of the Collection

Registration:
ALAO Members $30.00
Non-Members $60.00

Registration deadline: May 8, 2009
No refunds after: May 11, 2009

Registration includes continental breakfast and lunch.

Registration forms are available @ http://library.centralstate.edu/

Please make checks payable to ALAO and mail with a copy of the registration to:

A. Carolyn Sanders
P.O. Box 1006
Hallie Q. Brown Memorial Library
Central State University
Wilberforce, Ohio 45384

Movie Night at the Library

noreply@blogger.com (Betsy) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:02:00 +0000

Did you ever offer a movie night at your library? I did, last night. I am helping with a local community reads initiative, Marion Reads and our book is To Kill a Mockingbird. This is a great choice; it has lots written about it, it is studied in high school English classes, there's a movie version and even a stage production. We are lucky to offer all three to our community. I showed the movie at my library and so did the public library.

Our local theater, the historic Marion Palace Theatre, is showing the stage production on April 23; several book discussions and programs are going on this month. Our mayor has just proclaimed April "Marion Reads Month" in our community.

I had only a few folks show, but I had never watched it and it was great. But read the book before you watch the movie; you'll notice some differences.

I'm excited. We have limited funding, but through the generosity of our Marion Community Foundation, Marion Public Library, The Palace and Ohio State Marion, we have been able to offer free tickets to students at area high schools and senior centers. The public library purchased 250 copies of the book for the community to borrow; my library is hosting a website and created the calendar of events, sponsored some programming and are giving some tickets aways at our events.

We've been doing activities since early February, but most of them will take place this month. I get to talk on the local radio station, WMRN, on April 14 about 8:15 a.m. Wish me luck.

If you are near Marion on April 23, order some tickets from the Palace Theatre and join us for a great viewing of a timeless classic.

Ohioana Library Awards Announced

noreply@blogger.com (Betsy) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:40:00 +0000

From the Ohioana Library:

Columbus, OH – March 30, 2009—

The Ohioana Library has announced the 26 finalists for the 2009 Ohioana Book Awards. “Ohio authors are amazing! The variety, and depth of topics and characters included in this year’s array of book award finalists represent the finest in the literature of our time. We are a proud to recognize the authors from all areas of our state who have published outstanding books this year.” said Linda Hengst, executive director of the Ohioana Library. “We receive 700 to 900 books a year all of which become eligible for the book awards, so the authors of the books selected as finalists should feel truly honored.”

The book awards are given in five categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, juvenile literature, and “about Ohio/Ohioans.” Many of the book award finalists will be at our 3rd annual Ohioana Book Festival on May 9th. Ohioana will announce the winners in each category near the end of August, and recipients will be honored at the annual Ohioana Day Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Saturday, October 17, 2009.

These are the Ohioana Book Award finalists :

Poetry
The Roswell Poem by Rane S. Arroyo – Toledo (WordFarm, 2008)
Everywhere at Once by William Greenway - Youngstown (University of Akron, 2008)
Without Saying by Richard Howard – Cleveland (Turtle Point, 2008)
The Wave-Maker by Elizabeth Spires – Lancaster (Norton, 2008)
An Unmistakable Shade of Red by Mary E. Weems – Cleveland (Bottom Dog, 2008)

Fiction
An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New England by Brock Clarke – Cincinnati (Algonquin, 2008)
Gone Tomorrow by P. F. Kluge – Gambier (Overlook, 2008)
The Seamstress of Hollywood Boulevard by Erin McGraw – Columbus (Houghton Mifflin, 2008)
A Mercy by Toni Morrison – Lorain (Knopf, 2008)
The End by Salvatore Scibona - Cleveland (Graywolf, 2008)
American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld – Cincinnati (Random, 2008)

Nonfiction
Pure Goldwater by John W. Dean – Akron (Palgrave MacMillan, 2008)
In the Mind’s Eye by Elizabeth Dodd - Athens (University of Nebraska, 2008)
Baghdad at Sunrise by Peter R. Mansoor – Columbus (Yale University, 2008)
The Man Who Adores the Negro by Patrick B. Mullen – Columbus (University of Illinois, 2008)
Hospital by Julie Salamon – Seaman (Penguin, 2008)

About Ohio
Clyde Singer’s America M. J. Albacete - Canton (Kent State University, 2008)
Cleveland: The Flats, The Mill, and The Hills by Andrew Borowiec – Canton (The Center for American Places, Columbia College, Chicago 2008)
The University of Cincinnati photographed by Robert A. Flischel – Cincinnati (RAF, 2007)
All the Way Home by David Giffels – Akron (Wm Morrow, 2008)
Politician Extraordinaire by Frank P. Vazzano – Canton (Kent State University, 2008)

Juvenile
The Death of Jayson Porter by Jaime Adoff – Yellow Springs (Hyperion, 2008)
Where the Steps Were by Andrea Cheng - Cincinnati (Wordsong, 2008)
Beneath My Mother’s Feet by Amjed Qamar - Dublin (Atheneum Young Readers, 2008)
Our Farm by Michael J. Rosen – Columbus/Perry County (Darby Creek, 2008)
The Floating Circus by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer – West Chester (Bloomsbury Children’s. 2008)

The Ohioana Awards began in 1942, with James B. “Scotty” Reston, Walter Havighurst, and Willard M. Kiplinger as the first recipients. In addition to the book awards, the library sponsors six other awards, including citations in a various fields, a editorial excellence award for an Ohio based journal or magazine, the Walter Rumsey Marvin Grant for a young (30 years of age or younger) unpublished author, the Robert Fox Awards for Young Writers, and the Ohioana Pegasus and Career Awards.

The mission of the Ohioana Library, established in 1929 by First Lady Martha Kinney Cooper, is to recognize and encourage the creative accomplishments of Ohioans; preserve and expand a permanent collection of books, sheet music, manuscripts, and other materials by Ohioans and about Ohio; and disseminate information about the work of Ohio writers, musicians and other artists to researchers, schools and the general public. Individuals can visit the library at 274 E. First Ave., Columbus, OH, or online at www.ohioana.org.

OLSSI Scholarships

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0000

OLSSI Scholarships are awards covering the entire $225 registration fee for the annual Ohio Library Support Staff Institute. This will allow three people to attend the 2009 Institute free of charge.

To apply, you must meet the following criteria:

Be presently employed as a library support staff member.
Be a first-time attendee of the Ohio Library Support Staff Institute.
Agree to contribute to the planning the 2010 Institute as a Steering Committee member.

How to Apply:

Please write, in 200 words or less, why you would like to attend the Institute, and how you think attending OLSSI will help you and enhance your library/work performance.

All applications must be written by the applicant, not their supervisor(s).
The Scholarship Contest begins at 8:00 AM, March 21, 2009
Deadline for scholarship entry is 5:00 PM, April 21, 2009
Winners will be announced on or before April 24, 2009.
Remember to provide the information listed below, along with your essay.

Please send via e-mail to OLSSI.scholarships@gmail.com
Good luck & we hope to see you at Denison University for OLSSI 2009 !

Name: ____________________
Title: ____________________
E-Mail Address: _____________________
Library/Institution: __________________
Address: __________________________
City/State/Zip: _____________________
Phone: ___________________________

ESSAY: 200 words or less.
Why would you like to attend the 2009 Ohio Library Support Staff Institute?
How do you think attending OLSSI will help you & enhance your work?

OLSSI dates:

Scholarship contest: March 21 – April 21, 2009. Announcement April 24, 2009.
Early Bird Registration: April 1st - May 15th.
Registration- May 15th - July 15th.
OLSSI 2009: August 2 – 4, 2009

For more information, contact Michael Bradshaw, OLSSI

LibGuides @ ACRL

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Schrecker) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:51:00 +0000

There were seven different LibGuides presentations, in session, panel, poster, and Zed Shed format, at ACRL last week. Marc Bertone at Springshare has put together a Conference Presentation LibGuide (ACRL Tab) with information about each session. The listing is alphahbetical, ours is near the middle of the page, and has links to poster images, slide shows, and guides created to support presentations. Additionally, there are links to presenters LibGuide profiles (though my profile link is suspiciously absent from our listing).

Interested in more LibGuide links?