Cynthia Dudenhoffer, Director of Information Resources, Central Methodist University
Speaker is discussing 2.x tools that can be incorporated into the library.
Awesomehighlighter.com - can highlight any webpage and share with others.
Anki.com - flashcard maker that is completely web-based
BibMe.org - bibliography maker
Card.ly - virtual business card maker
DailyLit.com - public domain books
downforeveryone.com - can see if a website is down for everyone or just me
eHub - blog listing web 2.0 tools
FastPencil.com - guide on how to write books
Geni - online family tree maker
Handipoints - resource for kids
ItCanSay - pronunciation guide
Lovely Charts - flow charts for free
Notemesh - collaborative note taking site
Psykopaint - free source comparable to photoshop
Ravelry - knit and crochet community
TicTOCS - Table of Contents feeds from your favorite journals
Vimeo - YouTube for snobs, much better features and better video than YouTubes
My thoughts: there was so much more links presented than what I listed on this blog. I just listed the ones that I thought were pretty cool. It just shows that there is so much more out there than you can keep up with.
Friday, October 9, 2009
MLA Conference - Last Day
I am waiting for the last day of the MLA conference to start. I have to say that I am very pleased with the conference this year. I have went to some great sessions, learned some new things, and have also had some great conversations with other librarians. I have especially enjoyed the meals with other librarians and hearing the great stories.
To my friend out there who is clueless about librarians and their jobs (yes you know who you are), I think that if you attended this conference you would be in for a big shock as to the future of libraries and librarians. Yes we do know about technology, we do teach our users, and we collaborate with each other. Librarianship is so much more than checking out books and shushing people. The jokes are getting old my friend, the sad part is when you say them you really aren't joking. Well this conference has brought to light the great things that librarians are doing. Libraries are the heart of a corporation, the institution, and the community. The world may be changing, new technologies are abounding, yet the library will still be here. Maybe not in the sense that most people think of libraries, but we will still be here, we will still be instructing users, we will still be collaborating with each other, and we will be incorporating new technologies into our services to give our users what they want. This is an exciting time and I am glad to be a librarian.
To my friend out there who is clueless about librarians and their jobs (yes you know who you are), I think that if you attended this conference you would be in for a big shock as to the future of libraries and librarians. Yes we do know about technology, we do teach our users, and we collaborate with each other. Librarianship is so much more than checking out books and shushing people. The jokes are getting old my friend, the sad part is when you say them you really aren't joking. Well this conference has brought to light the great things that librarians are doing. Libraries are the heart of a corporation, the institution, and the community. The world may be changing, new technologies are abounding, yet the library will still be here. Maybe not in the sense that most people think of libraries, but we will still be here, we will still be instructing users, we will still be collaborating with each other, and we will be incorporating new technologies into our services to give our users what they want. This is an exciting time and I am glad to be a librarian.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
MLA Conference - Table Talk on Cost Cutting Measure to Stretch Material Budgets
Lyn Cline, MSU and Sarah Cron discuss ways to stretch the budget to get more materials to support the courses of the university.
Discussing the following:
Local Fiscal Environments
Library Materials Cost Factors and Pressure Points
Cost Reduction Approaches-Acquisitions
Cost Reduction Approaches-Collection Development
Move standing orders into the approval plan so that they get the discount and also have to be analyzed as to if they really need to be in the collection.
Discussing the following:
Local Fiscal Environments
Library Materials Cost Factors and Pressure Points
Cost Reduction Approaches-Acquisitions
Cost Reduction Approaches-Collection Development
Move standing orders into the approval plan so that they get the discount and also have to be analyzed as to if they really need to be in the collection.
MLA Conference Positive Approaches to Organizational Change
Speakers Leo Agnew, M. Jean Darbyshire, and Keith Russell
Session discussing Organizational Development (OD)
Ground Rules
-Confidentiality
-Speak up
-Stay on Point
Parking Garage Concept
-Long-term parking, issues that we would like to deal with in future meetings. Long-term issues
Techniques Used
-Radical Inquiry - 3 stage process
--What happened, What is the impact, Now what do we do about this
Used with employee/employer situations
-Elevator Presentations
--short presentations that can be given in the time you ride an elevator
Principles of Practice
-Values-based
--think of others as we go through these values
Get more accomplished if focusing on the positive
Start with the positive and if that doesn't work, go to plan b
Start off to do everything possible to make sure that your organization is healthy. If there is something that needs to change, note it and make decisions on how to change it if it really needs to be changed.
When there are problems or issues there are three things
-People
-Processes
-Problems
With those there are
-communication
-documentation
-accountability
Ladder of Inference
-Select data from an ocean of data
-Interpret the data
-Draw conclusions
Our conclusions are affected by how we interpret data..the data we select impacts the next steps...currently held conclusions affect the data selected to support the conclusion.
Conclusions are often presented as factual when they are actually inferential.
Personal Responsibility
-See that the organization is successful
-Everyone has the opportunity for input
-Get a mentor
-If you can't get experience at work, look at social clubs and volunteer work
Sidenote: Put on your resume that you are nice. Interpersonal skills
Try to find an organization that meshes with your values.
Higher-level thinking in libraries - brought about by OD
Ask new hires what they think about the organization, you can find out what kind of an organization you really have.
Book: The Power of Appreciative Inquiry
My thoughts: I have never been to a presentation that was made up of mini presentations. It was actually very good and a good way to provide a lot of information in a short amount of time. I was very pleased with this session, however there was a lot of information and a lot of handouts. This is one that I will take back to work and try to digest more slowly.
Session discussing Organizational Development (OD)
Ground Rules
-Confidentiality
-Speak up
-Stay on Point
Parking Garage Concept
-Long-term parking, issues that we would like to deal with in future meetings. Long-term issues
Techniques Used
-Radical Inquiry - 3 stage process
--What happened, What is the impact, Now what do we do about this
Used with employee/employer situations
-Elevator Presentations
--short presentations that can be given in the time you ride an elevator
Principles of Practice
-Values-based
--think of others as we go through these values
Get more accomplished if focusing on the positive
Start with the positive and if that doesn't work, go to plan b
Start off to do everything possible to make sure that your organization is healthy. If there is something that needs to change, note it and make decisions on how to change it if it really needs to be changed.
When there are problems or issues there are three things
-People
-Processes
-Problems
With those there are
-communication
-documentation
-accountability
Ladder of Inference
-Select data from an ocean of data
-Interpret the data
-Draw conclusions
Our conclusions are affected by how we interpret data..the data we select impacts the next steps...currently held conclusions affect the data selected to support the conclusion.
Conclusions are often presented as factual when they are actually inferential.
Personal Responsibility
-See that the organization is successful
-Everyone has the opportunity for input
-Get a mentor
-If you can't get experience at work, look at social clubs and volunteer work
Sidenote: Put on your resume that you are nice. Interpersonal skills
Try to find an organization that meshes with your values.
Higher-level thinking in libraries - brought about by OD
Ask new hires what they think about the organization, you can find out what kind of an organization you really have.
Book: The Power of Appreciative Inquiry
My thoughts: I have never been to a presentation that was made up of mini presentations. It was actually very good and a good way to provide a lot of information in a short amount of time. I was very pleased with this session, however there was a lot of information and a lot of handouts. This is one that I will take back to work and try to digest more slowly.
MLA Conference - Up the Career Ladder
John Furlong and Katrina Stierholz are discussing how to go into library management and some of their experiences.
Presenters are discussing how they fell into librarianship. Sounds like that happens to many of us. I know I did not plan on being a librarian.
General Tips
-Be prepared when searching for a job. Have a lot of different experiences in order to learn and grow. While you are at your current position, look around and see if there are other things that you can do to gain experience.
-Technology is changing the workforce, keep up to date with what is going on in the workforce.
-Reference and collection development are two of the least needed positions to move ahead in the librarian field. (According to a survey). Reference and collection development have always been the corner stone of the library world. This is changing due to changes with technology.
-Partnerships, PR, and Web Development are now the most crucial areas in the librarian field.
-Be proactive by keeping your resume current. Also keep abreast of what opportunities are available.
Lessons learned from experiences
-Think ahead especially with technology. Try to stay ahead of the curve or at least with the curve.
-Think outside the box when it comes to professional development.
-Think of community work/volunteer that can also increase your skills set
-Do something hard, get out of your comfort zone
-If up doesn't work try sideways, because you may be able to go up from there
-Figure out how to motivate yourself and realize when you are at a career plateau
-Get supervisory experience whenever wherever
-Use challenges at work as developmental opportunities
Perfect timing doesn't exist, work life balance is not perfect, If you want to move ahead, sometimes you have to give up some things with your home life. They are all choices that you have to make.
Book: FYI For Your Improvement
Uses the Lominger Model
Includes competencies that most executives and then most managers present
Also talk about career stallers or stoppers
This is a strength based model so capitalize on your strengths, for your weaknesses, you will never get rid of them, but bring up your weaknesses just enough that they don't get in your way.
Career Stoppers
-Overly ambitious
-Lack of ethics and values
-Failure to build a team
-Insensitive to others
Try not to bring emotions into your work. Keep it professional not personal.
It is my experiences that define me.
My thoughts: This session was not what I was expecting, but it was great! It really made me think not just about moving up in my career, but what I need to do where I am at now to improve my experiences. I actually needed this session since things at work have not been the best. I am seeing now that everything that is going on at work, is a learning experience. I can use the negative and turn it around to make it a positive learning experience. Thanks John and Katrina!
Presenters are discussing how they fell into librarianship. Sounds like that happens to many of us. I know I did not plan on being a librarian.
General Tips
-Be prepared when searching for a job. Have a lot of different experiences in order to learn and grow. While you are at your current position, look around and see if there are other things that you can do to gain experience.
-Technology is changing the workforce, keep up to date with what is going on in the workforce.
-Reference and collection development are two of the least needed positions to move ahead in the librarian field. (According to a survey). Reference and collection development have always been the corner stone of the library world. This is changing due to changes with technology.
-Partnerships, PR, and Web Development are now the most crucial areas in the librarian field.
-Be proactive by keeping your resume current. Also keep abreast of what opportunities are available.
Lessons learned from experiences
-Think ahead especially with technology. Try to stay ahead of the curve or at least with the curve.
-Think outside the box when it comes to professional development.
-Think of community work/volunteer that can also increase your skills set
-Do something hard, get out of your comfort zone
-If up doesn't work try sideways, because you may be able to go up from there
-Figure out how to motivate yourself and realize when you are at a career plateau
-Get supervisory experience whenever wherever
-Use challenges at work as developmental opportunities
Perfect timing doesn't exist, work life balance is not perfect, If you want to move ahead, sometimes you have to give up some things with your home life. They are all choices that you have to make.
Book: FYI For Your Improvement
Uses the Lominger Model
Includes competencies that most executives and then most managers present
Also talk about career stallers or stoppers
This is a strength based model so capitalize on your strengths, for your weaknesses, you will never get rid of them, but bring up your weaknesses just enough that they don't get in your way.
Career Stoppers
-Overly ambitious
-Lack of ethics and values
-Failure to build a team
-Insensitive to others
Try not to bring emotions into your work. Keep it professional not personal.
It is my experiences that define me.
My thoughts: This session was not what I was expecting, but it was great! It really made me think not just about moving up in my career, but what I need to do where I am at now to improve my experiences. I actually needed this session since things at work have not been the best. I am seeing now that everything that is going on at work, is a learning experience. I can use the negative and turn it around to make it a positive learning experience. Thanks John and Katrina!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
MLA Conference - Meeting Makeover: From Frankly Frustrated to Positively Productive
Tracy Rochow Byerly from the Missouri Library Network Corporation (MLNC) is discussing how to makeover your meetings to make them more productive.
First think about selecting meeting participants by looking at what you want to accomplish.
First think about why you want to have a meeting. Have a meeting for actions.
-make decisions
-generate ideas
-get status reports
-communicate something
-make plans
Next step is to develop the agenda.
-state desired outcome
-list activities to reach that outcome
-next to each activities include the type of action needed
-next to each topic, include a time estimate for addressing each topic
-be prepared to change the agenda
-think how you label things
Consider your agenda
-priorities must be addressed
-in what order should the topics be covered
-when will the meeting take place
-where will the meeting take place
Opening Meetings
-start on time
-review agenda and clarify if needed
-model the kind of energy and participation needed
-if you want a more successful meeting get things out in advanced
Ground Rules - can even include ground rules on the agenda
-everyone should be participating
-stay focused on the agenda items
-maintain momentum
-reach closure on discussions, even if it is just to table the discussion till the next meeting
-clarify the use of electronic devices upfront
Time Management
-keep moving
--ask participants to help you keep track of time
--if timing is getting out of hand, present it to the group & ask for their input as to a resolution
Closing a meeting
-come to a conclusion
-end on time
-review action items & assignments
My thoughts - there are some great ideas that were presented in this session. Some of these things we are already doing in our meetings, others we aren't. I am hoping to take this back and see if we can make some changes to our meetings to make them more productive.
First think about selecting meeting participants by looking at what you want to accomplish.
First think about why you want to have a meeting. Have a meeting for actions.
-make decisions
-generate ideas
-get status reports
-communicate something
-make plans
Next step is to develop the agenda.
-state desired outcome
-list activities to reach that outcome
-next to each activities include the type of action needed
-next to each topic, include a time estimate for addressing each topic
-be prepared to change the agenda
-think how you label things
Consider your agenda
-priorities must be addressed
-in what order should the topics be covered
-when will the meeting take place
-where will the meeting take place
Opening Meetings
-start on time
-review agenda and clarify if needed
-model the kind of energy and participation needed
-if you want a more successful meeting get things out in advanced
Ground Rules - can even include ground rules on the agenda
-everyone should be participating
-stay focused on the agenda items
-maintain momentum
-reach closure on discussions, even if it is just to table the discussion till the next meeting
-clarify the use of electronic devices upfront
Time Management
-keep moving
--ask participants to help you keep track of time
--if timing is getting out of hand, present it to the group & ask for their input as to a resolution
Closing a meeting
-come to a conclusion
-end on time
-review action items & assignments
My thoughts - there are some great ideas that were presented in this session. Some of these things we are already doing in our meetings, others we aren't. I am hoping to take this back and see if we can make some changes to our meetings to make them more productive.
MLA Conference - The Net-Geners Are Calling. Can You Answer?
Alice B. Ruleman, Access Services Librarian from the James C. Kirkpatrick Library at the University of Central Missouri is discussing net-geners as library users and how mobile technology fits into the library.
2008 Horizon Report
-Mobile broadband name as one of 6 major emerging tehcnologies
-Expected to have a significant impact on education within 3-5 years
-Students expect mobile access
Pew Internet Report
-The smartphone will be the significant source of how users access the internet
Mobile technology is handheld, accesses the internet and also has some other features.
Net-Geners also called Millennials, have always grown up with technology, they have always been connected.
People would rather give up their computer and tv, than to give up their cell phone.
***I say that makes sense, since you can access tv and computer apps on your cell phone anyway.***
1990 - 11 million mobile phones
2005 - 2.2 billion mobile phones
50% of Americans subscribe to services
90% of Asians subscribe to services
Worldcat is available in a mobile format. Can look up a book, see the library that is closest to you that owns the book, give you the phone number for the library, and also give you the directions to the library.
***It really is amazing how many mobile apps are available - almost anything that you can think of. It shows how people really are wanting mobile services.***
AirPAC - Innovative's mobile online catalog for libraries to use for users.
M-Libraries - wiki on mobile libraries http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=M-Libraries
Reaching your mobile patrons
-Texting reference
-Twitter
-Ebooks for mobile
-Mobile library tours
-Texting courtesy/Holds/Overdue notices
My thoughts - this was a good session that really made me realize how our library is lagging behind. However it is not necessarily because we are not aware, it is more because of money, time, and staffing. Even though we may be lacking in those three areas, we do need to discuss how we could incorporate some mobile apps into our services for our students. Good strategic planning discussion.
2008 Horizon Report
-Mobile broadband name as one of 6 major emerging tehcnologies
-Expected to have a significant impact on education within 3-5 years
-Students expect mobile access
Pew Internet Report
-The smartphone will be the significant source of how users access the internet
Mobile technology is handheld, accesses the internet and also has some other features.
Net-Geners also called Millennials, have always grown up with technology, they have always been connected.
People would rather give up their computer and tv, than to give up their cell phone.
***I say that makes sense, since you can access tv and computer apps on your cell phone anyway.***
1990 - 11 million mobile phones
2005 - 2.2 billion mobile phones
50% of Americans subscribe to services
90% of Asians subscribe to services
Worldcat is available in a mobile format. Can look up a book, see the library that is closest to you that owns the book, give you the phone number for the library, and also give you the directions to the library.
***It really is amazing how many mobile apps are available - almost anything that you can think of. It shows how people really are wanting mobile services.***
AirPAC - Innovative's mobile online catalog for libraries to use for users.
M-Libraries - wiki on mobile libraries http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=M-Libraries
Reaching your mobile patrons
-Texting reference
-Ebooks for mobile
-Mobile library tours
-Texting courtesy/Holds/Overdue notices
My thoughts - this was a good session that really made me realize how our library is lagging behind. However it is not necessarily because we are not aware, it is more because of money, time, and staffing. Even though we may be lacking in those three areas, we do need to discuss how we could incorporate some mobile apps into our services for our students. Good strategic planning discussion.
MLA Conference Keynote - Library Advocacy from the Frontline
I am sitting here at the Missouri Library Association Annual conference. The keynote speaker is the first line up. I am hoping to be able to blog throughout this conference to keep everyone up to date on what is going on here at the MLA conference.
Dr. Camila A. Alire, the president of the American Library Association is the keynote speaker and discussing how advocacy must start with the library staff and faculty.
She defines advocacy as "active support of a cause or course of action." Her presidential initiative is involving library staff in library advocacy. "We all must advocate for the value of our libraries and all of us must also be able to articulate our value as library employees."
Types of Advocacy
-Legislative
--Library Administrators
--Trustees
--Friends
--Grassroots
What's not happening is frontline advocacy coming from librarians and library support staff.
So how can librarians and library staff advocate for their library?
1. Articulate the value of your respective libraries and the value to their communities.
2. Intermediaries - Improve the quality of resources and services in the library environment.
Typically frontline librarians and staff are not charged to do library advocacy. Usually they are just responsible for services and outreach. The main thing that should be being done is to talk about how good your library is.
Level 1 Advocacy - Involve people by the virtue of their title and/or responsibilities
Level 2 Advocacy - Involve other librarians and library staff
Build an Advocacy Team
-Determine the extent of frontline staff involvement
--Provide scripts and/or "cheat sheets"
-Articulate that involvement and add to job responsibilites
Remember that staff must do advocacy at their comfort level by matching the message with the venues (grocery store, ballgame, etc.), work with staff for input, and then allow the staff to meet so that they can assess the outcomes of advocacy.
"Anyone who thinks they are too small to be effective has never been in bed with a mosquito."
My thoughts - this was a good session with a lot of good things to think about. We don't really think of librarians and library staff needing to advocate for the library, but it really is part of our job.
Dr. Camila A. Alire, the president of the American Library Association is the keynote speaker and discussing how advocacy must start with the library staff and faculty.
She defines advocacy as "active support of a cause or course of action." Her presidential initiative is involving library staff in library advocacy. "We all must advocate for the value of our libraries and all of us must also be able to articulate our value as library employees."
Types of Advocacy
-Legislative
--Library Administrators
--Trustees
--Friends
--Grassroots
What's not happening is frontline advocacy coming from librarians and library support staff.
So how can librarians and library staff advocate for their library?
1. Articulate the value of your respective libraries and the value to their communities.
2. Intermediaries - Improve the quality of resources and services in the library environment.
Typically frontline librarians and staff are not charged to do library advocacy. Usually they are just responsible for services and outreach. The main thing that should be being done is to talk about how good your library is.
Level 1 Advocacy - Involve people by the virtue of their title and/or responsibilities
Level 2 Advocacy - Involve other librarians and library staff
Build an Advocacy Team
-Determine the extent of frontline staff involvement
--Provide scripts and/or "cheat sheets"
-Articulate that involvement and add to job responsibilites
Remember that staff must do advocacy at their comfort level by matching the message with the venues (grocery store, ballgame, etc.), work with staff for input, and then allow the staff to meet so that they can assess the outcomes of advocacy.
"Anyone who thinks they are too small to be effective has never been in bed with a mosquito."
My thoughts - this was a good session with a lot of good things to think about. We don't really think of librarians and library staff needing to advocate for the library, but it really is part of our job.
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