Gate-Openers

A great article about the changing role of librarians, From Gatekeepers to Gate-Openers, by Steven Bell, can be found in August/September Issue of American Libraries (p. 50). Steven encourages those working in libraries to see gatekeepers as a limited role: making information accessible. When we could be opening the gates, moving from "creating access to resources to creating meaningful relationships with community members." He goes on to express the importance of delivering as well as designing the meaningful experience. I encourage you to read this article and then go forth and design and appropriately deliver a meaningful service! How will you be a gate-opener?

Lifelong Learning

5 Tips for Lifelong Learning

Posted by mgullett on Sep 7, 2009 on Northwest Central and in Success, August 2009. Excellent suggestions!!!

1) Seek out a mentor – look for someone who exemplifies the lifestyle that you admire and wish to emulate and plan to adapt some of his or her strategies for success.

2) Accept constructive criticism – When someone offers you a suggestion for improvement or reveals holes in your plans, don’t get defensive. Evaluate the input and be grateful for the alternate point of view.

3) Enroll in continuing education – Whether building skills for your industry or your hobby, taking a class can broaden your mind, help prepare you for new endeavors and remind you that you don’t know it all.

4) Join a community -Find a community of people who represent your direction and goals. Join their regular meetings and forums.

5) Ask questions – Even if you’re the boss, don’t be afraid to admit that you still have some things to learn.

Day 2 CE Forum 2009

Today started with 7 minute State Reports -- with a timer and a large clock we made it through almost 30 state reports within a couple of hours! Some basic themes including doing more with less $$$, training for all levels: support, management, and trustees, children services, and teen services.

Dr. John Moorman, Director of Williamsburg Library, spoke to the group about the importance of CE for library staff. Lisa Varga, Central Rappahannock Regional Library, spoke to the group about Wow! That's Cool! ongoing technology tools!

Going out to dinner at Christinia Campbell Tavern soon!

2009 CE FORUM

This evening was the beginning of the 2009 CE Forum for Continuing Education Consultants from state library agencies throughout the United States. Around 30 consultants are meeting this week in Williamsburg, VA to share success stories, as well as talk about library trends in continuing education and discuss challenges.

Monday evening was a great networking session with Cindy Church, CE Consultant for Virginia State Library -- who also is responsible for organizing this week's event. Virginia State Librarian Sandy Treadway, welcomed the participants. It was also an opportunity to network and renew acquaintences as well as welcome the newcomers.

A great ice breaker used fortune cookies and the creativity of the participants to connect the fortune to what they are doing in their state with CE. Click here to see photos

Here are some key points we will be working on this week:

• Communication is more integral today than ever before
• Focus on the positive
• Developing relationships
• Handling people with respect
• CE is a lifelong journey
• Looking forward after agreemennt
• Choosing your attitude

To follow the rest of the week's activity -- check on the CE Wiki

Libraries = Learning Organizations Part 2

On August 13, the Idaho Commission for Libraries held its second online conference in the Libraries = Learning Organization series. It was a great success. Go to the Libraries = Learning Organization link to view the archives and handouts.

Golden nuggets and questions from participants:

• We are great self-directed learners, if we need or want to learn it!
• If I stop learning, I am not as bale to help student or faculty.
• Formal online education with required posts and assignments, keeps me focused.
• Learning cohorts really make a difference -- getting together with others to learn / take a class.
• Going to encourage more widespread learning opportunities for our whole team.
• We have to adapt to the teaching styles of others.
• Being aware of my learning style makes me more aware of other's learning styles.
• Supervisors in learning organizations are more like coaches, mentors, leaders.
• Can someone become a self-directed learner if it's not their natural style?
• I wonder how many library staff have a read/write learning style?
• How does my learning style afftect my feelings about online learning?

Growing Learning Champions

Motivation to learn seems to be a constant theme I hear from supervisors and library directors. It is a tough sell, especially if individuals have had a bad "education" experience during their life's journey. Sandra Smith from Denver Public Library has posted great strategies for growing learning champions! Here are a few:

• Do get out of your cubicle and talk learning and training with anyone and everyone!
• Do involve staff at all levels, inviting them to contribute and participate.
• Do provide support for those who participate in training.
• Do use and promote training as a development opportunity for staff.
• Do publicize what's going on in your world.

And there is more, just check out Growing Learning Champions at Denver Public Library to see how you can grow learning champions at your library!

I would like to add ... don't forget to celebrate yours and others learning accomplishments! Balloons, chocolate, or alohas ... all work well to bring recognition to the importance of learning.

ALA 2009 -- Recommended Presentations

In reviewing the workshops that were presented at the 2009 ALA conference in Chicago, here are my recommendations for content review:

Cataloging Digital Media Back to the Future -- Practical information on descriptive cataloging of digital media: DVD-Video, Blu-Ray Discs, DVD-Audio, DualDisc, DVD-ROM, Playaways, and Streaming Media.

CE & SOLO Librarian

The March 2009 issue of the One-Person Library newsletter provided as its swan song a list of many resources for those of you who find yourself in such a situation! The important thing to remember is you are not alone -- there is a wealth of information available at your fingertips. Here are just a few you might consider reviewing:

Books on Solo Librarianship
Managing the NEW One-Person Library (1992) by Guy St. Clair and Joan WilliamsonThe Essential OPL 1998-2004 by Judith A. Siess

Blogs
Lone Wolf Librarian http://lonewolflibrarian.wordpress.com/
The Solo Librarian http://sololibrarian.blogspot.com/
The Corporate Librarian http://thecorporatelibrarian.com/
OPL Plus http://opls.blogspot.com/

Wikis
http://wiki.sla.org/http://wiki.sla.org/display/Toronto/Solo+Librarians

Websites/Organizations
SOLO Librarian Division, Special Libraries Association http://units.sla.org/division/dsol/

Other
Solo Librarianship: Unique Challenges and Opportunities for New Librariansby Kristina Keogh http://www.liscareer.com/keogh_solo.htm
PART 3: “Influence Pyramid” and the Solo Librarian…03.02.09 http://lonewolflibrarian.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/the-solo-librarian-and-the-influence-pyramid030209/

Fair Use / Copyright Tools

Here are some great e-tools regarding "Fair Use / Copyright" usage. Produced by the American Library Association Office of Information Technology Policy" they are online and available 24-7! So next time you have a burning "fair use" question, run it through the steps and you will have an answer -- one you can print a hard copy of the results -- in no time at all!

Tools include:
Fair Use Evaluator
Exceptions for Instructors in Copyright Law
Public Domain
Section 108 of the CopyrightCode

Summary of Web Tools

WebTools4U2Use -- http://webtools4u2use.wikispaces.com/Webtools4U2Use "The purpose of this website is to provide a place for K-12 school library media specialists to learn a little more about web tools that can be used to improve and enhance school library media programs and services, to see examples of how they can be used, and to share success stories and creative ideas about how to use and integrate them. Hundreds of free and inexpensive web tools are available for school library media specialists to use that can make us more productive, valued, and, perhaps, more competitive."

It is a great compilation....

Map of Today's Learning Terrain

With the last post, I shared the mind map by Marilyn Martin of today's learning world. After thinking about it, I realized that I am pretty close to that"Food Critic" model. When I need to know something, I research and find it. This learning can happen by reading, listening, sharing, and talking. It can happen online or face to face. More and more I rely on RSS feeds to bring information to me which then I store via my Delicious or Diigo account. Retrieving that information is important, so I also use tagging to make sure I never lose it.

Wow has learning changed since I was in school. I do more learning than training, more sharing than teaching. Knowledge management is so critical to my position, to my life.

So think about how you learn. If you want to expand your knowledge of a learnining organization and what that means be sure to take advantage of the WebJunction course "Power of Learning Organizations." Be sure to sign into WebJunction Idaho to take advantage of the free course!

Map of Today's Learning Terrain

How we learn is changing as depicted by this wonderful mind map by Marilyn Martin.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVLcDyb-iKsRCq7RcJdEKtRYLwBsVU94wyUgzILQzeM9TUz7p1LQQs3DPIwAQVuyhZcZCJ_V5iAFT3huzpUSdEfPGbdhhdQI-c9EuT9s6Ci1Vm_G-1NChx6DkxiojoRlFUqcf1-ytEXHY/s1600-h/Todays+Learning+Terrain.jpg

Integrating Technology

The 12 Essentials for Integrating Technology by Richard Byrne is a great list of Web 2.0 tools to explore for teachers and librarians.

Leadership 2.0

First of June -- a new month and a new commitment to post more often. Today with the buzz of Web 2.0 and everything else 2.0 , Michael Hyatt has a great post on Leadership 2.0. I love the way he uses the words embrace, demonstrate, celebrate, employ, practice, and build in terms of leadership! Michael says it best so please follow the link and read: http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/05/leadership-20.html

Disaster Planning and Preservation Workshop

Last summer a Disaster Planning and Preservation workshop for libraries and archives was held at two different sites in Idaho. The Idaho Commission for Libraries is once again collaborating with the Western States Preservation Assistance Service (WESTPAS) to offer this workshop at one site in Idaho. Attached is the workshop flyer which provides the details regarding dates and location.


As a result of this workshop, participants will prepare a disaster plan for their library, as well as gain a wealth of information regarding resources for when a disaster strikes and preservation techniques for various library materials.


Last year’s participants indicated on their post evaluations that they found this session valuable, gaining insight into
1. How to immediately respond to protect people, buildings, and collections.
2. How to implement the disaster plan.
3. How to assess damage to collections
4. How to establish and maintain communication channels during an emergency
5. How to assess a library’s vulnerability for collection loss or damage
6. How to train staff in emergency response procedures and collections.


Please check out the flyer and register today at http://tinyurl.com/bkfc44
It is a two-part training, with workshop sessions on August 5, 2009 and September 18, 2009. Both sessions will be held at the Idaho Commission for Libraries in Boise. While the workshop is free, participants will be responsible for their own travel and lodging.


Questions can be directed to Shirley Biladeau – shirley.biladeau@libraries.idaho.gov or call 208-639-4149.

Disaster Planning and Preservation Workshop

Last summer a Disaster Planning and Preservation workshop for libraries and archives was held at two different sites in Idaho. The Idaho Commission for Libraries is once again collaborating with the Western States Preservation Assistance Service (WESTPAS) to offer this workshop at one site in Idaho. Attached is the workshop flyer which provides the details regarding dates and location.

As a result of this workshop, participants will prepare a disaster plan for their library, as well as gain a wealth of information regarding resources for when a disaster strikes and preservation techniques for various library materials.

Last year’s participants indicated on their post evaluations that they found this session valuable, gaining insight into
1. How to immediately respond to protect people, buildings, and collections.
2. How to implement the disaster plan.
3. How to assess damage to collections
4. How to establish and maintain communication channels during an emergency
5. How to assess a library’s vulnerability for collection loss or damage
6. How to train staff in emergency response procedures and collections.

Please check out the flyer and register today at http://tinyurl.com/bkfc44
It is a two-part training, with workshop sessions on August 5, 2009 and September 18, 2009. Both sessions will be held at the Idaho Commission for Libraries in Boise. While the workshop is free, participants will be responsible for their own travel and lodging.

Questions can be directed to Shirley Biladeau – shirley.biladeau@libraries.idaho.gov or call 208-639-4149.

Libraries as Learning Organizations

The Idaho Commission for Libraries held its first online conference on May 14 - Libraries = Learning Organizations. Thirty-five people from throughout Idaho gathered virtually to begin the discussion about learning organizations and how that might apply to their libraries. It was a robust conversation, creating lots of enthusiasm and excitement. Archives, powerpoints, and bibliography

Then earlier this week, I attended the WebJunction Webinar "Libraries as Learning Organizations". Four panelists talked about how their libraries -- Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, Pierce County Library, and Denver Public Library -- have started their journey toward becoming a learning organization and what that means within their organizations. Content and archives

One term that I really liked and will start using is "learning champions." Denver Public Library has some great strategies for "growing learning champions."

I challenge you to discover the learning champions within your organization!

Excuses for not doing CE

The excuses are many -- too busy -- no time -- too old -- no money -- to much to do -- no time -- too old......

Sound familiar? Yes this is reality for many of us -- myself included. However, the reality in today's fast-paced, ever-changing world, is that if you do not keep up with trends and technology in the library world --- you will be left in the dust.

We all work in very unique communities -- some are smaller and enjoy the slower pace of life, while other communities are fast-paced making it a challenge just to keep up with the daily routines. However, in order to keep all of our libraries in the forefront as a "learning" organization, we must be willing to look beyond the openings of our cave dwellings and take a chance on the "new stuff". (see David Hutchen's Shadows of the Neanderthal: Illuminating the Beliefs that Limit Our Organization)

I went to a library conference in eastern Idaho this past week. In talking with another colleague I was fascinated by his enthusiasm for learning! He said he felt like the robot in a 90's movie that kept asking for "more data -- more data -- need more input!" He is thirsty for new knowledge and is continually expanding his learning through a variety of avenues: self-education, workshops, e-learning, conferences, reading, playing and experimenting! Every day is a new exciting opportunity to learn!

I challenge to you to play with new trends and technology ... experiment and explore! You will not be dissappointed. Not every new trend or technology tool will be appropriate for you, however, it will be valuable knowledge that some day you will be able to share with someone else.

Why CE?

Here are the slides from my presentation on continuing education for librarians! I have presented this at 4 region conferences of the Idaho Library Association and will be presenting a mini version for the library staff of the Boise Public Schools on May 1. Continuing Education -- aLifelong Learning

Staff Development Tools

This site came to my attention today -- it has some great tools for Staff Development which can be molded to fit your specific needs check it out!

Yale University Library has a form for an individual to use in writing a learning plan or IDP, as well as a guide for developing the IDP. These can be seen on their staff training and devlopment Web page at http://ogma.library.yale.edu/training/stod/staffdev/learningplan.html

Another useful tool for individual and staff development is the University of North Texas Le@Ds program -- it will provide feedback and help you track your progress electronically -- it's free!

http://www.leadonline.info/StaffDevelopment1.cfm