NLA Paraprofessional Section

Go forth and digitize

2012-01-29T12:05:00.000-06:00

Many Nebraskan (and other) libraries are starting to digitize some of their historical items, and the Nebraska Memories program run by the Nebraska Library Commission provides an easy way for them to do it. Even more libraries would probably be interested except they worry about copyright headaches. According to a panel discussion held at ALA Midwinter Conference, they may be worrying more than they need to. This article provides a lot of food for thought!

Scholarships Available for NLA Advocacy Day!

2012-01-18T12:38:00.000-06:00

The Paraprofessional Section is currently offering a limited number of scholarships to Para members to attend NLA Advocacy Day (formerly known as Legislative day), Feb. 27. We are hoping to encourage Paras to be more active in government issues and make them aware of how legislative issues can affect libraries. For more information on Advocacy day, click here.
The scholarship recipients will be asked to submit a brief statement about their experience at Advocacy Day. The statements will be posted to the Para Facebook page and blog.
If you are interested submit a request to jennifer.wrampe@nebraska.gov by Feb. 1, please include your name, address, email, phone, and library affiliation.

Cheers!

2011-12-30T16:20:00.000-06:00

Okay so we don't all have the same taste in music and this is an old video. BUT I am posting it for a few reasons; fireworks are appropriate for New Year's, this is good motivation to start of New Year's resolutions, it's a great attitude to help get through the winter slump coming at us, and "baby, you're a firework," is my personal opinion of libraries, patrons, and especially paras. We can only shine with each other. Happy New Year's!!

Paraprofessional Annual Report Available

2011-12-13T11:47:00.000-06:00

So, I know that all of you Paras are waiting in great anticipation to read the 2010-2011 Annual Report. Well, today is your lucky day because it is now available to all of you. Feel free to check it out: http://www.nebraskalibraries.org/PARA/paraannualreport.html!

Show off your blog skillz!

2011-12-05T14:54:00.000-06:00

Alright everyone, this is a call for blogs. Let's see what kind of skills we have among the Paras or libraries, especially here in Nebraska. Please share your library's blog link OR your favorite blog address. Thanks!

I write for "Facts from the Stacks!" Check it out!
Of course I read the NCompass blog too!
I also like View from Your Desk. I recently submitted a photograph of Paras at the Circulation Desk. I'm still waiting for the moderator to allow the post. Look at their Archived entries.

NLA Conference

2011-11-12T21:28:00.000-06:00

A little after the fact--but a good time was had by all! The Para lunch was well attended, and Jennifer Sorensen, of Bellevue University Library, has agreed to be our new Spring Meeting Chair. It's going to be a great Spring Meeting--stay tuned!

Congratulations to Cynthia Vana!

2011-09-20T07:42:00.003-05:00

Cynthia Vana has won the election to become our incoming Para vice-chair! Congratulations, Cynthia!

Thank you also to Gwendolyn Showers for running in this election. And thank you to everyone who voted!

Summer/Fall 2011 edition of the NLA Para Newsletter, The Keynote

2011-09-02T15:27:00.002-05:00

The Summer/Fall 2011 edition of the NLA Para Newsletter, The Keynote is now online:
http://www.nebraskalibraries.org/PARA/newsletters/KeynoteSummerFall2011.pdf .

thanks,
Janet Greser
Paraprofessional Keynote Editor

NLA Pre-Conference Flyer

2011-08-31T11:09:00.006-05:00

Please click on the flyer to view it in html.

We look forward to seeing you at NLA this year!

Don't miss a rare opportunity! NLA Pre-conference

2011-08-20T21:32:00.000-05:00

We don't often get this topic at conferences--any librarian who has ever had to deal with facility management issues will love this NLA pre-conference, sponsored by the Paraprofessional Section. Don't wait to sign up!

Keeping the Bricks & Mortar in Shape to Keep the Books on the Shelf

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location: Cornhusker Hotel
Facilitator: Francine Canfield, Baright Public Library, Ralston, NE

Cost: No charge

Learn about facilities management from experts and discover ways to manage your building more efficiently and systematically! In an interactive setting, Randy Herrick and Dave Miller from Stroh Service, a mechanical company, will discuss how to budget for maintenance costs, how to manage for capital expenditures to replace equipment, how to reduce energy consumption, and how to match maintenance needs to staffing skill sets. Randy and Dave will provide information about maintenance scheduling and equipment life cycles. After questions & answers and a break, David A. Hawes and Nancy Novak from Leo A Daly will talk about the selection of the interior features (lighting, furnishings, paint, wallpaper, carpet) and of the exterior components (brick, glass, concrete) to increase the life cycle and efficiency of a building. David and Nancy will also discuss solutions to existing building maintenance issues. All panelists will provide time for questions and answers.

Let the Paras take you to the NLA/NEMA Conference!

2011-08-10T12:15:00.001-05:00

The Paraprofessional Section is offering a limited number of $50 scholarships to attend the 2011 NLA/NEMA Annual Conference – Nebraska Libraries: Cultivating Community Connections. The Conference will be held October 5-7, 2011 in Lincoln, NE. Click the following link for more information on the conference http://nebraskalibraries.org/conference2011/home. You must be a member of the Paraprofessional section to receive this scholarship. The scholarship recipients may be asked to submit a short article to the Para section's newsletter or, if able, volunteer time at the Para booth at the conference. If you are interested, please submit your name, address, email, phone, library affiliation, and reason for applying for the scholarship to Jennifer Wrampe, jennifer.wrampe@nebraska.gov. If you have already paid for your registration, you are still eligible for the scholarship. All applications must be received by September 9, 2011.

2011-06-30T11:26:00.000-05:00

I was browsing the Internet and found this interesting post from publiclibraries.com. Browsing the article, Apparently there is a huge strike of workers organized for today, June 30th, including Southhampton librarians. If you're on strike, use your library

Libraries are educational institutions!

2011-06-15T22:16:00.000-05:00

Very interesting article which reaffirms that libraries are educational institutions - at least in New York. This could set a precedent. http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/06072011/zoning-fight-yields-court-nod-libraries-educational-institutions

Libraries are "Key"

2011-06-14T15:42:00.002-05:00

Have you ever wondered just how many books circulate in public libraries annually? How about 2.2 billion! That is how many books circulated in 2008. Check out Karen Muller's article, "The Smartest Readers," in American Libraries to see which 20 libraries had the top circulation per capita.

http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/06062011/smartest-readers

Having it all vs. having what you actually want

2011-06-01T15:07:00.001-05:00

If you’re interested in the issue of whether big piles of data and simple search engines are sufficient tools for in-depth research, check out Karen Coyle’s latest blog post, “All the ____ in the world.” She talks about how having “everything” isn’t really as good as having a smaller subset of stuff you really want, and how simple search engines aren’t really up to the heavy-duty tasks of research.

Imagining the tools of the future, she says:

The personal database would be able to interact with the world of raw material and with other databases. I can imagine functions like: "get me all of the books and articles from this item's bibliography." Or: "compare my library to The Definitive Bibliography of [some topic]." Or: "Check my library and tell me if there are new editions to any of my books." In other words, it's not enough to search and get; in fact, searching and getting should be the least of what we are able to do.

Wow—wouldn’t it be great to have tools right now that could handle those kinds of queries? That’s definitely something librarians, vendors, researchers, and other interested parties should work on building together.

And when you finish reading Coyle’s article, be sure to follow her link and read about Vannevar Bush’s Memex. In particular, note the date on Bush’s article: 1945. Researchers have been asking for these kinds of data retrieval tools since well before the Information Age. We’ve come a long way, and now we’re finally reaching the point where we at least have the tools to build the tools we need.

We Never Close: The honor system works for one college library

2011-05-25T17:51:00.000-05:00

What an amazing library system! http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/columns/next-steps/we-never-close

Paraprofessional Section accepting nominations for Para of the Year

2011-05-24T15:43:00.001-05:00

The Paraprofessional Section of the Nebraska Library Association (NLA) accepts nominations for the Paraprofessional of the Year Award each year. This award is given annually to a paraprofessional who must be a member of the Paraprofessional Section of NLA and who has demonstrated outstanding service in a library setting.

The recipient will be selected on the basis of all of the following criteria:

1. Innovative programs that the nominee has worked with which have resulted in new or improved library services.
2. Exceptional volunteer work in library service or related field.
3. Exceptional use of library resources, local or otherwise.
4. Significant involvement or leadership in NLA Paraprofessional Section (i.e., holding office, member of a committee, or workshop or conference presentation).

The Paraprofessional of the Year may receive:

1. A one year paid membership to NLA, in the Paraprofessional Section.
2. Fifty dollars.

Nomination forms can be found at http://www.nebraskalibraries.org/PARA/paranomform.html.

Nominations are due on July 31, 2011.

Send form to:

Jennifer Wrampe
Paraprofessional Publicity/Citations Chair
Nebraska Library Commission
1200 N St, Ste 120
Lincoln, NE 68508
402-471-3217
800-307-2665 (NE only)
402-471-2083 (fax)
jennifer.wrampe@nebraska.gov

Tax Season: Smile, this too will end!

2011-04-12T12:26:00.001-05:00

Tax season is a time where most of our libraries see an increase in people coming into the library but not necessarily to check out books. Walmart and other companies are posting W-2's online; people are filing income taxes electronically; and people need tax forms and other assistance with taxes. We meet a necessary need but this doesn't always equate to happy people.

Providing tax forms for the public had a new twist this year when the State of Nebraska decided not to provide printed forms or booklets to the public. Library staff initially assumed that forms would be available at the local state office building and referred patrons who didn't want to pay for copies printed online to that office. We soon found out that the state office was referring people to our facility. The numbers of requests we received certainly verified that library computer access is needed-not everyone has a computer at home or knows how to operate one to get the forms themselves. If the federal government decides not to print forms next year, we will be even busier and people may be even less happy.

The downside was that people didn't like having to pay for forms and booklets that they had been able to obtain for free before. At my desk in the computer center, I had to explain multiple times that our budget couldn't absorb the printing cost. I do admit that my smile was broader for the people who paid for forms with smiles on their faces. As we ran out of the federal forms, the situation repeated itself. We were still a faster option than getting forms at the IRS office where you had to wait in line to request forms from the same people that were figuring taxes for individuals so most people still decided to purchase copies. Our director reported to staff that most of the libraries she contacted were also charging for copies as we did.

A quick search of the Internet showed that several libraries informed patrons about the lack of paper tax forms on their website. The Columbus library was proactive and had their article also in their local newspaper.

Our library also hosted AARP tax-aides that provided free income tax filing twice a week starting in late January. This is a great service but again, we had grumbling patrons; those who had to wait in long lines for tax assistance; and those who wanted to come to the library for books and couldn't find parking.

April 18th is just around the corner and I dare say that I am happy!!!

2011 NLA Para along with S & I Spring Meeting Online

2011-03-29T09:50:00.002-05:00

Did you miss the 2011 NLA Para along with S & I Spring Meeting? Would you like to catch it online? Well here's your chance http://blip.tv/file/4947888. The Handouts can be found at http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/comp/para/2011springmeeting/2011Paraspgconfwebsite.html. Enjoy!

2011 Spring Meeting summary

2011-03-25T16:07:00.003-05:00

Another Spring Meeting successfully concluded! We embodied our theme, Collaboration across Libraries, by inviting the Special & Institutional Section to co-sponsor with us, and we had an excellent turnout: a total of 52 registrants in 12 locations. Besides our group viewings in Lincoln, Omaha, and Norfolk, people were signed up to watch in Beatrice, Bellevue, DeWitt, Fairbury, Imperial, Maywood, North Platte, Papillion, Sidney, and South Sioux City! Our speakers, Devra Dragos, Mary Stultz, Maureen O'Riordan, Nancy Chmiel, and Deb Vinopal, all did a great job, and so far feedback has been positive. Please comment!

Ashland, Neb. - new library in the works!

2011-03-07T07:17:00.000-06:00

Even in these economic times, Nebraskans stills place emphasis on having good libraries. The proposed plan for Ashland's library will go from the current 1000 square feet to almost 9000 square feet as part of a library-community center!

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110307/NEWS01/703079945#elbow-room-for-ashland-library

Scholarships to the 2011 Para & S&I Spring Meeting

2011-03-03T13:54:00.002-06:00

Collaboration Across Libraries
Thursday, March 24, 2011 9:55 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. CT
Paraprofessionals Spring General Meeting 1:00 - 1:45 p.m.

The Paraprofessional Section is offering a limited number of scholarships to attend the Spring Meeting, Click here for more details and registration. So if you are a Para or S&I member and would like to attend for FREE submit your name, address, email, phone and library affiliation to Jennifer Wrampe, jennifer.wrampe@nebraska.gov.

Scholarship recipients will be asked to submit a 2-5 sentence statement about themselves and their job when applying for the scholarship. The statements will be posted to the Para Facebook page and blog.

The registration deadline is March 22, so apply for the scholarship today!

HarperCollins eBooks to Self-Destruct after 26 Checkouts

2011-03-01T08:09:00.005-06:00

By now I'm sure most of you have heard about HarperCollins latest move in the realm of ebooks. If you haven't, here it is in a nutshell: HarperCollins ebooks licensed to libraries through OverDrive will expire after 26 checkouts. And by expire, I mean self-destruct. After 26 checkouts (about a year's worth for a library with a two-week loan period), the library must purchase the book again in order to keep it available to patrons. On the other hand, in certain subject areas, that's about the time the book would be weeded anyway.

The Library Journal broke this news on Friday.

I don't have much to add to this discussion that hasn't already been said, so here's a roundup of a few articles on the topic. Be sure to read the comments and follow the links for more good thoughts on the issue.

The New York Times covers the issue, mainly drawing from the LJ article.

Over on Atzblog, Joe Atzberger talks about the folly of forcing libraries to pretend ebooks are like print books. He also touches on the consortium issue. That is, if your library is in a consortium, that 26-checkout limit applies to the whole consortium. So depending on how many libraries are in a particular consortium, your library might only get one or two checkouts, if any, before the book goes away.

Librarian by Day brings out the additional detail that libraries will be expected to enforce geographic restrictions on their users, to make sure people from outside their jurisdiction aren't checking out these ebooks. She also provides a link to the PDF of the letter to OverDrive Library Partners from OverDrive CEO Steve Potash, which is the original source for all of this news.

Of course, this letter talks about a lot of other things going on with OverDrive, most of which are quite positive. It is worth noting that OverDrive did not identify HarperCollins by name, but said the new ebook lending terms were required by "certain publishers" (a phrase both italicized and boldfaced in OverDrive's letter). HarperCollins later identified themselves as the publisher referred to.

Some libraries are calling for a boycott of HarperCollins. I can't say I disagree with this in theory, because the only way to insure that other publishers don't follow their lead is to make sure that HarperCollins LOSES money because of this decision. However, I have my doubts that a boycott will really be all that effective. Many libraries don't really have that option, as they are bound to purchase whatever titles their patrons request or require, regardless of publisher. And, as the first commenter on the LIS News article observed, why boycott HarperCollins when we're not boycotting Macmillan and Simon & Schuster, neither of whom allow libraries to circulate their ebooks under any conditions?

Someone has even gone so far as to draft an eBook User's Bill of Rights. I've seen it, verbatim, on various blogs, and I have no idea who originally authored it.

Does your library lend ebooks? If so, do you use OverDrive? Or do you have any HarperCollins ebook titles from other vendors? What's your view of the 26-loan limit? Is it out of line or just fine?

My library does not use OverDrive, although we circulate ebooks from some other vendors. I didn't see many HarperCollins titles in our ebook collections, so this won't affect us immediately. However, I find this issue interesting because it has the potential to affect all libraries eventually. This is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

UPDATE 3/2/2011: Library Journal has posted a followup article, wherein OverDrive and HarperCollins respond to the criticism. This includes a full reprint of HarperCollins' open letter to libraries.

Legislative Day wrap-up

2011-02-28T08:48:00.000-06:00

The drive to Lincoln for Legislative Day started out uneventfully. We didn't encounter any snow on the roads until we reached Waverly, although the roads were fine. It was fun to meet up with various library people whom I had met at various NLA functions or CE programs. Ken Winston, our lobbyist, spoke about various LB, as well as Paul Hammel, Omaha World Herald Lincoln Bureau Chief, who brought the Hooper public library story to the attention of the Nebraska public. He wanted to bring to light the benefits of the library and of Karla's work with the immigrants. In Paul's estimation, immigration is a highly emotional issue, and he was concerned that there might be a backlash. He was saddened by how things turned out in Hooper.

At lunchtime, seven volunteers were recognized. Among them was the volunteer from OPL-Millard Branch. Rich Pahls, the senator from the Millard District, made some wonderful remarks and presented her with a certificate. Afterwards, we had a tour of the State Library. If you haven't been there, it will be a pleasant surprise with the history, hidden doors, and the stacks with back staircases. We had a superb guide who gave us a tour of the capitol building.

Finally we headed back to Omaha. The snow was coming down and we inched our way to Waverly. It took 1 1/2 hours from downtown Lincoln to get to Waverly. Apparently there had been an accident at Waverly due to the slick conditions. It made me think of the pack horse librarians of Kentucky who braved all weather elements, and wonderful to be in a warm car.

Marguerite

Legislative Day Scholarship Winner

2011-02-25T12:24:00.000-06:00

The Paras awarded two scholarships to para section members for registration to the 2011 Library Legislative Day to allow them to brave the snow today along with other librarians of Nebraska. Gayle Roberts was our second scholarship recipient. Gayle wrote the following in her application:

I am currently the Library Director at the Blair Public Library in Blair, Nebraska. I was promoted from Children’s Librarian a mere year and two months ago, and we are currently busy increasing our presence in the community. I feel that Legislative Day is an important time to connect with our state government, and I appreciate the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.

Paraprofessional and S&I 2011 Spring Meeting

2011-02-17T14:14:00.001-06:00

The Paraprofessional and S&I Spring Meeting is scheduled for Thursday March 24, 2011. Click here for more information and registration.

re: Para scholarship for Legislative Day

2011-02-16T14:11:00.000-06:00

I’m Marguerite Miller and a library specialist at Omaha Public Library – Millard Branch. Answering reference questions from ‘fate in Romeo and Juliet’ or ‘what is the average age of death of a person if he/she retires early compared to if he/she retires at age 66’ is a big part of my job. Mending children’s books and creating displays (organizing, which focused on time management and decluttering had a lot of interest) are two other components of my job. Over the last six and a half years, I have worked at six of the OPL branches (as a page, clerk, or library specialist), which is a great way to meet new coworkers and to see the various faces of our system.

Thank you for providing the scholarship to attend Legislative Day.

Libraries in the digital age

2011-01-31T17:17:00.004-06:00

Libraries will be around for awhile because, "Kids still like the simple pleasure of reading a book. People still like to hold a book, a magazine, a newspaper. There's only so much stimulation we can take." -- Kathleen Peiffer, the associate state librarian for library development in New Jersey. http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20110102/OPINION/101020319/Libraries-role-changing-in-digital-age

A little something for the acquisitions and collection development folks

2011-01-21T13:41:00.004-06:00

Okay, so I'm a cataloger and I don't really get to do any acquisitions or collection development stuff. But this came through one of my RSS feeds, and I thought it looked like valuable information.

If you're not already familiar with it, take a look at Jeffrey Beall's List of Predatory, Open-Access Publishers.

Some journals by these publishers show up in databases, packaged with more desirable content. In those cases, we're probably stuck with them. Still, it's good to be aware.

For more detail, see Beall's articles in The Charleston Advisor. "'Predatory' Open-Access Scholarly Publishers" (Volume 11, Number 4, April 2010 , pp. 10-17(8)) gives a detailed ratings and descriptions of why each publisher made the list. A followup article "Update: Predatory Open-Access Scholarly Publishers" (Volume 12, Number 1, July 2010 , pp. 50-50(1)) details three additions to the list.

Paraprofessional Spring Meeting Program Set!

2011-01-17T09:15:00.002-06:00

I hope everyone has been saving the date for the Paraprofessional Spring Meeting (March 24), because we have an excellent program planned. The theme will be "Collaboration Across Libraries," and we were lucky to find these great speakers to collaborate with the Paras! Like last year, this year too you will be able to "attend" the meeting from your desk via your own computer, or meet with colleagues to network. Registration information to follow.

1. Devra Dragos, Nebraska Library Commission

Let’s Work Together
One library can only do so much - but what can two, three, or hundreds accomplish together? Devra Dragos will talk about the many opportunities the Nebraska Library Commission provides for libraries to share resources, programming, and ideas.

2. Maureen O'Riordan, Koley Jessen Attorneys, and Mary Stultz, Baird Holm LLP

The Law Firm Librarian
An overview of a law firm library, including the staff, the work, the resources, and the need to play well with others.

3. Nancy Chmiel, Omaha Public Library

The Doublemint of Libraries
Omaha Public Library – Saddlebrook Branch is both a public and a school library. This collaboration gives library users in the neighborhood 2 – 2 – 2 libraries in one. Our building also houses a Community Center – the first triple threat in the country. Learn about how these entities work together, program together, and create exciting cooperative ventures to serve the public and the school. We’ll also be talking about ways to “get your foot in the door” at your local schools.

Annual Report 2009-2010

2010-10-27T10:36:00.000-05:00

The 2009-2010 Paraprofessional Section Annual Report is now available on the Para web site.

Karla Shafer Resigns Under Heavy Criticism

2010-10-26T08:58:00.000-05:00

Our own Para Section member Karla Shafer has resigned from the Hooper Public Library in the wake of receiving heavy criticism for the very work she was being praised for mere months ago.

Having already taught English to all of the immigrants in Hooper, she was going to teach English to immigrants in nearby Nickerson. She was doing this on her own time, driving her own vehicle, using grant money for its intended purpose. She was not using city funds. Yet Hooper shut her down, and she resigned in protest.

Those of us who met Karla at the Para Spring meeting two years ago know how passionate she is about improving her library, doing whatever it takes to meet the needs of her community. She was an inspiration to us all then, which makes this latest development so much sadder. I hope that Karla is able to find a new community that recognizes the wonderful benefits of the work she does, and supports her accordingly.

I don't know what we can do to help Karla just now, but keep an eye on the news for further developments. Karla, hang in there. You've got a lot of supporters throughout Nebraska.

Assorted Announcements, Congratulations, and Thanks in the Wake of the Conference

2010-10-19T15:26:00.000-05:00

We had a great time at NLA/NEMA Annual Conference. All of the Para-sponsored sessions went well. I've never seen so many sessions scheduled in each time slot before, so competition for eyes and ears was rather steep this year. Even so, we had two sessions top 80 attendees each!

Christa Burns' session "Workshops, Meetings…Webinars" had 12 attendees.
Laura Johnson's session "Why is Weeding So Hard and What Can We Do About It?" had 87 attendees, and her "A New Basic Skills" had 10.
Sally Snyder's "One World, Many Stories: Summer Reading Program 2010" had 29 attendees, and her "Best New Youth Books of 2010" had 56.
Scott Scholz's "Digital Talking Books and BARD Book Downloading Service" had 15 attendees.
Michael Sauers' "Google Secrets" had 82 attendees.

The lucky winner of our Nebraska-themed raffle basket was Kay Kloppenborg of the Republican Valley Library Systems Office in Hastings.

Twelve people won $20 cash each in our smiley-themed scavenger hunt. They were:

Stacy Vogel, Westridge Middle School, Grand Island
Debbie Aden, UNL
Linda Johnson, Fairbury Elementary School
Jean Hurst, LaVista Public
Kay Brown, NE Corrections, Omaha
Barbara Simpson, Hartman Library
Karen Buckley, Pius X High School
Terry Osborn, Bellevue Public Schools
Alice Boeckman, Bellevue Public Library
Carole Matthews, Hay Springs Public School
Lois Rowe, North Platte Public Library
Sally Stahlecker, Norfolk Public Library

A hearty thank you to our generous scavenger hunt cosponsors: TSRT, SCYP, and C&U.

In addition, thank you to ABDO Publishing and Books on Tape, both of which donated prizes, which were given away at the Paraprofessional Luncheon.

Finally, thank you to all the vendors who hosted scavenger hunt items at their booths. I hope the hunt brought lots of traffic to everyone's booths. I think the participants had a lot of fun.

Congratulations to our Para of the Year award winner, Martha Grenzeback. If you've attended our spring meetings in the last couple of years, you've experienced Martha's handiwork even if you didn't know who was planning things behind the scenes.

Chrystal Dawson was elected Vice-Chair, and Terri Johnson was re-elected Secretary-Treasurer. Congratulations to them both. Also, a very warm thank you to our other two candidates, Laurel Marshall and Gwen Showers.

Now that I am Past-Chair, I'd like to thank every one of you for all of your support, assistance, and hard work throughout my tenure. As always, the Paras are a fantastic group of people to work with, and I am honored to have been your Chair.

All hail and welcome to our new Para Chair, Marguerite Miller!

2010 NLA/NEMA Fall Conference

2010-09-13T09:24:00.000-05:00

It's not too late to register for the 2010 NLA/NEMA Annual Conference in Grand Island, on October 15-17.

The Paraprofessional Section is sponsoring a whopping seven sessions this year:

Workshops, Meetings…Webinars, by Christa Burns, Thursday, Oct. 16, 8:00 am.
Why is Weeding So Hard and What Can We Do About It? by Laura Johnson, Thursday, Oct. 16, 8:00 am.
One World, Many Stories: Summer Reading Program 2010, by Sally Snyder, Thursday, Oct. 16, 3:45 pm.
A New Basic Skills, by Laura Johnson, Friday, Oct. 17, 8:00 am.
Digital Talking Books and BARD Book Downloading Service, by Scott Scholz, Friday, Oct. 17, 9:00 am.
Google Secrets, by Michael Sauers, cosponsored by ITART, Friday, Oct. 17, 10:45 am.
Best New Youth Books of 2010, by Sally Snyder, Friday, Oct. 17, 3:05 pm.

There's a little of something for everyone in that mix. And if that's not enough, check out the full conference program. There are over 60 different sessions, to say nothing of the other exciting activities.

The Paras are sponsoring a scavenger hunt again this year, so be on the lookout for hidden smileys at both the for-profit and the non-profit vendor booths.

Hope to see you there!

Library Support Staff Certification Program

2010-09-02T09:25:00.000-05:00

From the Para Section Chair's inbox . . .

The announcement below is supplied by Karen Strege, one of the directors of the LSSC Program, and is provided "as-is" purely for your information. Neither the Nebraska Library Association nor the NLA Paraprofessional Section are in any way associated with the Library Support Staff Certification Program, nor should this blog post be considered an official endorsement.

We don't know anything about the LSSC Program beyond what is supplied on their website, but the Para Board and I thought it might be of interest to some Paras, so we're passing it along.--Angela Kroeger, NLA Para Section Chair

For more information, see the Library Support Staff Certification Program website.

RECOGNIZING VALUE, ENCOURAGING GROWTH

THE LIBRARY SUPPORT STAFF CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) Program Welcomes Candidate Applications

The American Library Association’s Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) is accepting applications from potential Candidates interested in achieving the Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC). The LSSC Program is the first national, voluntary certification program for library support staff. Over forty Candidates have applied since the program opened January 25, 2010.

Why are library support staff across the country applying for LSSC candidacy?

Eva Fiffie is excited that the LSSC program “will give me the opportunity to strengthen my supervisory skills, become familiar with new aspects in the library field and allow me to provide better services to library patrons and my staff.”
Candidate Kathleen Laurente agrees: she is confident that the LSSC “will give credence to the knowledge that I [already] possess, and will also advance me to the forefront at my current position.”
“At this time, I wish to focus on having a family but also improve my career prospects and so, the LSSC Program is an excellent fit for me,” shares candidate Shirley McCoy. “I believe it will give me the opportunity to demonstrate that I am eminently qualified to be a member of any library support staff.”
Molly Moore is excited to begin LSSC course work on Collection Management. “A better understanding of this department in our library would allow us to be better informed . . . and to provide better information when decisions are required.”

The LSSC Program is open to any library support staff person with a high-school diploma or its equivalent and at least one year of full-time experience in a library with the last five years. Applicants do not have to be a member of ALA. The application fee is $325 for ALA members and $350 for non-ALA members. Candidates who choose to take an approved course may have to pay a fee set by the course provider. There is no cost for submitting portfolios. Candidates have four years to complete the program.

The LSSC Program website, www.ala-apa.org/lssc, has complete information about the competency sets, approved courses, and how to develop a portfolio. The Program has adopted ten competencies sets; Candidates are required to show achievement of three sets -- Foundations of Library Service, Communication and Teamwork, and Technology – and must choose three additional sets from Access Services, Adult Readers’ Advisory Services, Cataloging and Classification, Collection Management, Reference and Information Services, Supervision and Management, and Youth Services.

The LSSC offers Candidates two ways to demonstrate achievement. The first is through completing approved courses from library education providers across the county. These providers set the course’s fee, schedule, and requirements. Recently, the LSSC Program approved a Supervision and Management course from the State Library of Louisiana. Michael Golrick, one of the course’s instructors, was pleased by the “level of enthusiasm and interest” demonstrated by the seventeen students who completed course. The LSSC Program encourages interested education providers to contact the program to find out more about course approval.

Candidates can also develop portfolios that demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and experience in a competency set. The LSSC Program offers help to Candidates who wish to develop and submit portfolios. Librarians with expertise in the competency set will evaluate portfolios and the Program is seeking more librarians who wish to do so. The application to become a Portfolio Evaluator is available on the LSSC website.

Candidates may wish to complete courses in some competency sets and submit portfolios in others.

The LSSC Program was inspired by many years of discussion and by needs assessments with library support staff. In 2007, the American Library Association received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program to fund the development of such a national certification program.

More information about the LSSC Program is available online at http://www.ala-apa.org/lssc. Direct questions to lssc@ala.org or call 312-280-2424. The LSSC Program is being managed by the American Library Association-Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA).

LSSC Accepting Applications for Course Subsidies

Last Two Weeks

The Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) Program is accepting applications for 55 subsidies of $200 for LSSC Candidates to complete LSSC-approved courses. Candidates who receive a subsidy award will receive a $200 reimbursement.

To apply for a subsidy, candidates must be enrolled in the LSSC Program by September 15, 2010. Subsidy recipients must agree to complete an LSSC approved course by April 1, 2011.

Interested? Check out the course subsidy FAQ and application information. The LSSC Program staff will select recipients using a random selection process and announce subsidy awards on September 27.

LSSC is a national, voluntary certification program administered by the American Library Association-Allied Profession Association (ALA-APA). The LSSC Program is partially funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information, please contact LSSC Program staff at lssc@ala.org.

I'm a Para, She's a Para, He's a Para, Wouldn't You Like to Know What Paras Do?

2010-08-02T10:57:00.000-05:00

Paras do an amazingly diverse range of work. How diverse? Let's find out!

Share a brief description (think "Tweet length") of the kind of work you do at your library.

I'd love it if every member of the Para section sounded off here. I think we'll all be amazed at what we collectively do.

Defining Paraprofessional, Part II

2010-07-07T08:46:00.000-05:00

We had some really great comments on the last blog post. Thanks to everyone who participated in that discussion. Since then, the Para Board has been emailing back and forth quite a bit, and we've completely revised our definition.

"Paraprofessionals strive to be knowledgeable and proficient in their chosen library field, serving in positions that do not necessarily require a library science degree. Any and all levels of library employees are welcome."

We've struggled with this definition quite a bit. One question was whether to define "paraprofessional" in terms of the whole library world or just our section of NLA. We chose the latter. Terri Johnson, the Para Section Secretary/Treasurer, observed our section is home to a broad cross-section of workers in all types of libraries, with no limits in terms of degrees. So we had to take care that our definition was not too limiting.

You'll notice that we've adopted some of the wording suggested by Michelle Bullock in the comments of the last post. This new draft of the definition is still a work in progress. We welcome more comments and critiques!

Defining Paraprofessional

2010-06-28T09:09:00.000-05:00

At the last Paraprofessional Section board meeting, we discussed the definition of "paraprofessional." It means a lot of different things to different groups, and it is used within many fields. We decided it might be useful to define "paraprofessional" within the context of our organization.

Here is the relevant excerpt from the minutes of the Para board's June 18 meeting:

In our discussion we suggested that paraprofessionals, as members of our section, are people who are dedicated to their library, with or without library degrees, in all types of libraries. Our section is where a cross section of library workers can come together, not limited to one specific library type such as public libraries.

It seems as though we overlap with most other sections. We have members from academic, public, and special libraries. We do public services and technical services. Some members of the Para section have an MLS or MLIS, others do not. But even with all of these diverse backgrounds, Paras are people who see their future in libraries.

What do you think? Does this resonate with you? Do you have a totally different impression of what it means to be a Para? Tell us in the comments.

Strategic Planning Responses

2010-06-21T09:02:00.000-05:00

Here is a compilation of all the responses we've received, both on and off the blog, to the Para Strategic Planning questionnaire. Thanks to all who submitted input. Additional comments are still welcome.

1. Review the existing Paraprofessional Section Mission and Objectives. What do you think of those statements? Are we on the right track? Do we need to shift direction? What should our mission and objectives be?

• This objective doesn't seem appropriate for our group now-adays with the development of so many job sites - maybe it should go by the wayside "To encourage the advertisement of paraprofessional employment opportunities."
• I got my first library job not from a job site but through a library students' listserve. Many library jobs never make it onto the ordinary jobsearch sites. I definitely think promoting employment opportunities is still relevant, but maybe we should expand it to encompass more jobsearch channels...Sorry this is vague, I'll try to think of a better formulation.
• As I was looking at the mission statement and the objectives, it occurred to me that "paraprofessional" in the library setting is not very well defined. I am sure there are employees of libraries at all levels who are new, but are unaware that there is an organization at the state level just for them. Getting that information distributed through to them via whoever does the hiring/interviewing might be a possibility. In our case that would be through the directors.
• Also giving that group of people the opportunity to join our section and encouraging them to go to NLA convention or other workshops & meetings should be supported by whatever entity they are employed by.

2. Complete the following sentence: The Paras could improve by . . .

• lobbying more for the chance to obtain a degree of some type that would give us the background for many of the jobs we are responsible for in each of our settings.

3. One thing I love about the Para Section is . . .

• They do SO MUCH, and I like telling other librarians I'm a part of that group.
• This section's members are from all kinds of library settings so you really get to know about several aspects of librarianship. We all perform important functions in our libraries.
• we are a strong force in each of our workplaces. In some instances we are the backbone of service to the public.

4. I joined the Paras because . . .

• I'd have to say the members of this group were the first to talk to me about NLA and the people I work the most with are members of this group so it seemed a good fit.
• I wanted to see what it's about. I know there are a lot of knowledgable people involved and thought I could learn so much.
• A friend told me this section would be a great fit for me and section meetings were always informative and fun. She was right!!
• I wanted to be part of a professional group in the library community.

5. The Paras ought to try . . .

• encourage directors to give us the opportunities to go to workshops, etc to refine our skills.

6. I benefit from membership in the Para Section because . . .

• I benefit from membership in the Para Section because it helps me to connect with others in the library field who don't necessarily have a degree in library science.

7. The Paras are too . . .

[No response.]

8. My vision for the Paraprofessional Section in five years is . . .

• I'd like to section to have move members, and for all of NLA to understand that the Para section is for ANYONE working in a Library not just what Librarians call "Paraprofessionals". Maybe even a Para as President of NLA :-)
• that our group grows in numbers--there HAVE to be more of us than there are directors. After all, most libraries have one director, but they have (usually) a number of part-time staff who could become part of our group.

Para in the News

2010-06-04T13:37:00.000-05:00

Everyone, let's offer a hearty congratulations to Para Section member Karla Shafer, who was in the news this week. If you attended the Para Section spring meeting back in 2008, you may remember Karla's presentation on "Holding It All Together." Yep, it's that Karla, and she's still going strong.

Karla, the director (as well as the entire staff) of the Hooper Public Library, has been awarded a grant to continue and expand her English literacy program for Hispanic immigrants. Karla provides an inspiring example of serving the community beyond the library walls.

For details, see the Omaha World-Herald article, "Small-town library with a big heart."

Way to go, Karla!

2010 Spring Meeting Sessions Now Available Online

2010-05-07T07:38:00.000-05:00

If you missed the Spring Meeting, "Information, Education, & Motivation @ Your Library" on March 18, 2010, the sessions are now all available online at Blip.tv, thanks to the Nebraska Library Commission. Each session is viewable separately.

NLA President Scott Childers' Opening Address -- Scott told us a bit about NLA's strategic planning process, now underway.

Searching 2.0 by Michael Sauers -- Michael talks about how to search several prominent Web 2.0 resources. He also provides some tips on how to get better results out of Google.

Give Up to Go Up: Leading from Within by Dr. Becky Pasco -- Dr. Pasco talks about work-life balance and how taking time for yourself will make you more productive on the job.

There's a Wiki in the Library by Greg Sunderman -- Greg shows how wikis can be useful for libraries, either as a means to provide tools for patrons or as a replacement for a staff intranet.

All were interesting and informative sessions. Please enjoy them.

Strategic Planning Prompt (8 of 8)

2010-02-22T08:00:00.001-06:00

Complete the following sentence:

My vision for the Paraprofessional Section in five years is . . .

Strategic Planning Prompt (7 of 8)

2010-02-15T08:00:00.006-06:00

Complete the following sentence:

The Paras are too . . .

Strategic Planning Prompt (6 of 8)

2010-02-09T07:47:00.000-06:00

Complete the following sentence:

I benefit from membership in the Para Section because . . .

Strategic Planning Prompt (5 of 8)

2010-02-01T07:44:00.002-06:00

Complete the following sentence:

The Paras ought to try . . .

Strategic Planning Prompt (4 of 8)

2010-01-25T07:30:00.000-06:00

Complete the following sentence:

I joined the Paras because . . .

Alternatively: I would join the Paras if . . .

Strategic Planning Prompt (3 of 8)

2010-01-19T07:12:00.000-06:00

Complete the following sentence:

One thing I love about the Para Section is . . .

Strategic Planning Prompt (2 of 8)

2010-01-11T08:02:00.000-06:00

Last week, we started the strategic planning process with a prompt for discussion of the existing mission and objectives. It's not too late to voice your opinion there. Comments will remain open for all of these posts until the whole strategic planning process is complete.

For this week, complete the following sentence:

The Paras could improve by . . .

Paraprofessional Section Mission and Objectives

2010-01-04T08:10:00.000-06:00

2010 will be the year of strategic planning for the Paraprofessional Section, and we'd love to hear from every one of you. You are all invited to participate via the comments section of this blog. Anonymous comments are welcome, so please speak your mind without hesitation. You are also welcome to email any member of the Para Board if you'd rather not comment publicly on the blog.

At the beginning of each week throughout January and February, we will post a discussion prompt, to gather input on what we do well, what we need to improve, and what we haven't been doing but ought to.

To begin this process, let's review the existing Paraprofessional Section Mission Statement and Objectives, as taken from our website:

Mission Statement

The Paraprofessional Section of the Nebraska Library Association (NLA) supports and promotes the Association and library paraprofessionals in all libraries, media centers, and information services within the state of Nebraska. Our mission is communication, growth, and development in our profession, and to make contributions toward providing, fostering, promoting, and preserving the free exchange of information.

Objectives

• To encourage paraprofessional involvement in NLA for the betterment of the library profession.
• To advance the status of paraprofessionals.
• To serve as a clearinghouse for information relating to paraprofessionals.
• To promote continuing education for paraprofessionals which might include the organization of workshops or seminars dealing with paraprofessional needs or interests.
• To encourage the advertisement of paraprofessional employment opportunities.
• To provide a scholarship to a member who applies for participation in other states or national paraprofessional activities.

What do you think of those statements? Are we on the right track? Do we need to shift direction? What should our mission and objectives be?

New Paraprofessional Flickr site

2009-12-08T12:26:00.002-06:00

The Paras have a Flickr site! Go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/nlaparas/ to view exciting photos of the 2009 NLA Conference.

Fall Conference 2009

2009-11-20T14:46:00.000-06:00

Always a great time to put faces with names and to do something totally different than I normally do at work, which is work with computers. I love hosting Para Sessions and seeing who attends, it shows me how well the Para Board knows the library community at large to see all the attendees at our sessions.

I enjoy the fast pace from setting up on Wednesday to closing shop on Friday LATE afternoon. Thankfully this is only once a year, I could not put that much into a 3 day timeframe much more often.

I know the Para’s always seem to be doing so much at Fall Conference and we do because we want our Section known for giving back to the NLA Association, and our members. It has been fun doing the Scavenger Hunt the past 3 years, collecting, setting up, giving out hints to participants, and handing our prizes.

Being a Para Officer is time consuming but extremely rewarding so when you’re called next year to run for office DO NOT Hesitate, say yes, you could become a part of a very special, dedicated, and hard working groups of Paras!

See you at the Para Spring meeting, March 18, 2010.

Janet Greser, Para Newsletter Editor, Keynote

NLA/NEMA 2009 Fall Conference Writeup

2009-11-18T11:23:00.004-06:00

NLA/NEMA Fall Conference this year was great! It was wonderful seeing so many of you there. I hope that any of you who weren't able to be there will get to attend a conference in the future. This was my fourth conference, and I always learn so much.

All four of the Paraprofessional-sponsored sessions went very well.

For her session, One Book For Nebraska Kids, Sally Snyder recruited her colleague Julie Osnes, the Youth Services Librarian at Wayne Public Library, to help her present the information. Pat Coshow from Louisville Public Schools also joined in and provided a good account of her experience. Let me tell you, that room was packed. The headcount was 62 attendees. The presentation was full of good advice and stories of how the program impacted the kids who participated.

Nora Hillyer's session, Online Reference Question Protocol, was also well-attended and well-received. Members of the audience sent her questions for her to answer live, and so the techniques were demonstrated as well as described. A number of people in the audience were using laptops or cell phones to follow along and participate. I think everyone had fun and learned useful, neat things. The headcount was 45 attendees.

Greg Sunderman's session, Creating Video Tutorials Using Screen-recorders, was dynamic and engaging, and his techniques could apply not just to library tutorials but to instructional videos in nearly any field. He showcased several different types of hardware and software and discussed the relative merits of each, then created a video tutorial using Camtasia to show how easy it is. He stressed that the key is content, and that you must plan your tutorials carefully and write good scripts so they flow well. The headcount was 46 attendees.

I didn't get to attend Marcia Stewart's session, Genealogy in the Public Library, because it was at the same time as Greg's session. But I hear that it was great. Janet Greser, who did attend, said she got a lot of good genealogy advice she'd never heard before. The headcount was 34 attendees.

In addition to the Para sessions, I got to attend both the keynote and the Advanced Google Search session by Ben Softness of Google. He showed a lot of ways to refine Google searches to get better results, neat tricks we can teach our patrons.

I also got to participate in some excellent discussions at the Technical Services Discussion Forum (at conference) and at the Library Camp II Unconference (the day before conference).

If you're interested in a session you couldn't attend, many of the presentations and handouts are available on the conference website.

When I wasn't attending sessions, I spent a lot of time at the Para Booth in the exhibits hall. Our Fall/Halloween-themed Scavenger Hunt went well. I think everyone had a great time visiting with the vendors who harbored our hunt items, and twenty people won cash prizes. Thanks to all who participated.

At the Paraprofessional Section luncheon/fall general meeting on October 30, I was inaugurated as chair for the next year, and Marguerite Miller was inaugurated as vice-chair. I am pleased and honored to serve. Please let me know if there is anything you want the Paraprofessional Section to do for you or for the membership. Contact me or any other member of the board with your ideas or if you'd like to get involved.

Spring Meeting

2009-10-11T00:01:00.003-05:00

Save the date! The next Paraprofessional Spring Meeting will take place on 18 March 2010. Our theme will be "Information, Education, & Motivation @ Your Library." Watch this blog for more information.

Fall Conference Sessions Finalized!

2009-06-15T10:35:00.000-05:00

NLA and NEMA received many more session proposals than the number of slots available, so only about 75% of the submitted proposals made the final cut. I'm sorry to say that one of the Para proposals wasn't accepted, but we will still be proudly sponsoring four sessions this fall.

One Book For Nebraska Kids or One Book For Nebraska Teens, to be presented by Sally Snyder, the Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services at the Nebraska Library Commission. 8:00-8:50 AM, Thursday Oct. 29.

Online Reference Question Protocol, to be presented by Nora Hillyer, Reference Librarian at the Criss Library at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. 9:00-9:50 AM, Friday Oct. 30.

Creating Video Tutorials Using Screen-recorders, to be presented by Greg Sunderman, the Instructional Designer at Northeast Community College. 2:50-3:40 PM, Friday Oct. 30.

Genealogy in the Public Library, to be presented by Marcia Stewart, who recently presented a genealogy workshop at Southeast Community College. 2:50 - 3:40 PM, Friday Oct. 30.

Please note that times and dates are tentative, and sessions may be shifted around slightly once we get closer to October.

Fall Conference Topics Proposed to NLA

2009-03-18T14:36:00.000-05:00

Out of our top six fall conference session topics, we found speakers to present five of them. These are the session proposals we are submitting to NLA:

Creating Video Tutorials Using Screen-recorders, to be presented by Greg Sunderman, the Instructional Designer at Northeast Community College.

Genealogy in the Public Library, to be presented by Marcia Stewart, who recently presented a genealogy workshop at Southeast Community College.

Volunteer Retention, to be presented by Annette Hall, the Talking Book & Braille Service Volunteer Services Coordinator at the Nebraska Library Commission.

One Book For Nebraska Kids or One Book For Nebraska Teens, to be presented by Sally Snyder, the Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services at the Nebraska Library Commission.

Online Reference Question Protocol, to be presented by Nora Hillyer, Reference Librarian at the Criss Library at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

It is possible that NLA may not approve all five proposals, but we are optimistic. I will post details here when available.

Fall Conference Topics: Semifinalists

2009-02-27T08:45:00.000-06:00

Our top six potential Fall Conference topics are (drumroll, please):

- Online Reference Question Protocol

- The Library as Third Place: Increasing Your Library's Value to Your Community

- Camtasia for Digital Tutorials

- Genealogy in the Public Library

- Volunteer Retention

- One Book For Nebraska Kids or One Book For Nebraska Teens

The Para Section can't really afford to sponsor six sessions, so from this list, we will submit formal proposals on the first four that we are able to find suitable presenters for. But topics that don't get submitted this year may resurface next year, so you may get another chance.

We are sure about Camtasia for Digital Tutorials (exact title subject to change), though, as Greg Sunderman, Instructional Designer at Northeast Community College, has already stepped up to the plate. I've worked with Greg back when he was at Criss Library, and I've seen him present on other topics, and I can assure you, he is fantastic. This will be a great session.

I'll post again when we have other confirmed presenters.

And a big thank you to everyone who provided input. I actually received more e-mails than I did blog comments, and that was fine. I'm grateful to you all for participating.

Fall Conference Topics: Last Call for Votes and Speakers

2009-02-19T10:18:00.000-06:00

The Paraprofessional Section is narrowing down our choices for fall conference session topics. Topics with the least support have been dropped from the running.

This is your last chance to voice your support for a topic. If you haven't voted before, now is good time to try to bump your favorite topic from the second tier into the top tier, or to ensure that your favorite topic stays in the top tier. And keep in mind that even a top-tier topic might end up being tabled for this year if we can't find a speaker.

In our top tier, the topics that have received the most support are:

• Online Reference Question Protocol
• Volunteer Retention
• Genealogy in the Public Library
• The Library as Third Place: Increasing Your Library's Value to Your Community.

In our second tier, we have:

• Camtasia for Digital Tutorials
• Dressing for the Job/Dress for Success
• One Book For Nebraska Kids or One Book For Nebraska Teens
• Evaluating Videos
• OCLC: Friend or Foe?
• Weeding the Collection
• ALA Code of Ethics

Of these, Camtasia for Digital Tutorials is most likely to make the final cut because we have a confirmed, willing speaker: Greg Sunderman, Instructional Designer at Northeast Community College.

We don't have potential speakers for any of the others yet. If you know of anyone (including yourself) who has both expertise and willingness to present one of these topics at conference, please contact us.

This is your last chance to provide input. Please post your comments or e-mail me within one week, by Thursday, Feb. 26. After that, the Paras will finalize the sessions and speakers that we will submit to NLA.

Thank you for all of your support!

Many Conference Session Ideas

2009-02-11T07:16:00.000-06:00

We've gotten quite a few suggestions so far, both on and off the blog. While we are certainly willing to accept more, we're also going to need to start narrowing things down. So please post comments in support of the sessions you would be most interested in attending, so we can get a good idea of what's in demand.

In addition to popular support, to make the final cut a session needs a speaker. If everyone voices their support of a session idea, but we can't find anyone to present it, we won't be able to send it forth as a proposal. So if you look over our list and see a topic that you or someone you know might be willing and able to present, please contact us.

Here are the fourteen ideas we've received to date, with the number of votes each has received. (Suggesting an idea automatically counts as the first vote toward it. We figure, you wouldn't suggest it if you weren't interested in attending it.)

• Camtasia for Digital Tutorials (2 votes)
• Dressing for the Job/Dress for Success (2 votes)
• The Library as Third Place: Increasing Your Library's Value to Your Community (2 votes)
• Online Reference Question Protocol (2 votes)
• One Book For Nebraska Kids or One Book For Nebraska Teens (2 votes)
• Volunteer Retention (2 votes)
• Evaluating Videos (collection development, selecting vendors, etc.) (1 vote)
• OCLC: Friend or Foe? (preferably a panel discussion) (1 vote)
• Desktop Author (ebook-making software) (1 vote)
• ALA Code of Ethics (1 vote)
• How to Use Memberclicks (1 vote)
• So Why Get a Degree? (Is an MLS right for you?) (1 vote)
• Weeding the Collection (1 vote)
• Genealogy in the Public Library (1 vote)

By early-mid March, we'd like to be contacting potential speakers for our most preferred topics. So please speak up for topics you'd like to see become reality, and please help us find willing speakers.

Thank you for all of your great ideas and support.

Fall Conference Suggestions

2009-01-08T11:33:00.000-06:00

All right! We've had some great conference suggestions so far.

Steve suggested a session on "using Camtasia in the library environment." Janet added that she used Camtasia in her conference presentation on making digital tutorials for libraries ("24/7 Librarianship"). But if there's enough demand for the topic, it might be worth expanding upon.

Janet had a suggestions of her own: "How about a program on how to evaluate videos – how to choose, what companies are good vendors, etc."

Also, we had a suggestion for a spring meeting session, which we were unable to include at the time, but which is definitely worth keeping in the mix: "Dressing for the job, job descriptions/policies/expectations."

Cranefarm suggested "online reference question protocol. Do we follow the same rules as a face-to-face reference interview, etc."

So that's four great suggestions! I'm going to add a couple of my own to the mix:

OCLC: Friend or Foe? Okay, I'm really not sure such a provocative title is a good idea, but this topic formed in my mind after following numerous discussions on AUTOCAT and other mailing lists, where many people argued that the new OCLC Policy for Use and Transfer of WorldCat Records proves (or at least suggests) that OCLC is attempting to seize full control and ownership of bibliographic records created by member libraries. Others suggested that OCLC is a benevolent giant, as well as the best hope for ensuring the future of the library community. Is OCLC attempting to build a monopoly on bib records? Are their recent actions to the benefit or detriment of the library world? Are there any viable alternatives to OCLC? I'm not saying which side I'm on, but it has been an interesting debate to watch. This might make a good panel discussion, if we can get people who feel passionately on both sides, and especially if we could get someone from OCLC to come.

The Library as Third Place: Increasing Your Library's Value to Your Community. Are you familiar with the concept of the "third place"? The first place is home, the second place is work, and the third place is where people choose to gather. How do you make your library THE place to be?

That brings us up to six session ideas. Do you like these ideas? Hate them? Sound off in the comments section!

And we want--yea, we HUNGER--for more ideas. If you have an idea for a conference session, let us know! If you have an idea of who could present one of the above sessions, or if you yourself want to present, let us know! If you don't want to put a name or contact info in the blog's comments, e-mail me directly.

And yes, this blog does allow anonymous comments if you wish to withhold your own name.

And while we're open to all topics, you get bonus points if you can link your idea to the official conference theme, Libraries: Bridges to Information.

Thanks so much for your thoughts, and keep 'em coming!

WANTED: Suggestions for Fall Conference Sessions!

2008-12-16T11:49:00.000-06:00

Welcome all Nebraska library workers, paraprofessional and librarian alike, NLA member and nonmember alike! We are the Nebraska Library Association Paraprofessional Section. You can find out more about us at our website.

Are you planning to attend the NLA/NEMA 2009 Fall Conference? Do you have an idea for a session you wish someone would sponsor? Let us know!

And if you're a member of a different NLA section or roundtable, and you have an session you'd like the Paras to co-sponsor with your group, we're open to that, too!

Just add a comment to this post with your session idea!

The Paraprofessional Section Board will look at all the ideas and submit as many as we can to NLA for consideration. Check back here from time to time. If someone posts a session idea you really love, add a comment in support of it. Ideas with widespread support will move to the top of our list.

Together, let's make 2009 a great NLA/NEMA Fall Conference for all!