It's Academic

Friday, May 18, 2017, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg

The purpose of the workshop is to provide sessions aimed at meeting the needs of this dynamic category of library patrons. Four different presenters will such diverse topics as: addressing health science outreach and programming; youth advocacy and activism; learning collaboration and teamwork through board games; and using maker projects to encourage project based learning in a library setting. The purpose of the workshop is to help librarians develop successful and engaging library programming, whilst at the same time meeting the educational and information needs of students transitioning from middle school to high school, and high school to college.

How does program appeal specifically to academic libraries?

Often the skills and training high school students receive do not fully, or even adequately, equip them for what will be expected of them in a collegiate environment. Each of the four presenters will speak to different topics aimed at helping libraries begin to bridge this gap through topics not often found or thought of in a library context. Specifically, sessions will include: harnessing the resources of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, not only for effective research, but also to create informative and engaging health and science related programs; teaching older teens and early college students the power they possess as advocates and activists, through the educated understanding of issues and meaningful engagement with stakeholders; teamwork and teambuilding, an often under-taught but important collegiate skill; and the power of hands-on, experiential learning through maker-based programs.

Following the conclusion of the workshop, attendees will be able to:

• Help students conduct health- and science-based research, as well as conduct relevant, topicalprogramming
• Effectively channel student skills into positive and meaningful activism for the topics they care about
• Create programs centered around successful teambuilding and teamwork aimed at accomplishing common, shared goals
• Provide practical and inclusive maker programs, which encourage participants to actively explore STEM-related skills.

Contact:  Barbara Zaborowski, Dean of Learning Resources, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, BZabor@pennhighlands.edu

PaLA’s College and Research Division (CRD) will again nominate and sponsor two PaLA Academy of Leadership Studies (PALS) attendees. In order to be considered by CRD, please submit your PALS application materials directly to CRD rather than to PALS. If we choose to nominate you, we will submit your application materials directly to PALS and, if you are accepted into the program, we will sponsor you. Our sponsorship will cover the cost of your program fee ($400 for PaLA members, $500 for non-PaLA members). If you are not chosen by CRD, you will still have time to submit your application materials to PALS for their consideration. The deadline for submission directly to PALS is Friday, April 21^th.

Please keep in mind that a CRD nomination does NOT guarantee your acceptance into the PALS program.

In order to be considered for CRD nomination for PALS, please submit the following items to CRD at crdpala@gmail.com by Monday, April 17th:

• A letter of interest indicating why you feel you would be a good candidate for PALS and how you would like to serve PaLA
• A current resume/CV

You will be notified of CRD’s decision to nominate you by Wednesday, April 19th.

Prospective nominees/PALS attendees must meet the following requirements:

• Degreed librarian (must have the degree before attending PALS)
• Demonstrate leadership potential
• Must be willing to remain at the hotel for the duration of the PALS workshop, including overnight
• Must be willing to provide services to PaLA and the profession after completing the program
•  PaLA membership is not required to apply or attend, but will be required upon completion of the program.

PALS 2017 MLS/MLIS Librarian Program information:

• Dates: Sunday, June 4 – Wednesday, June 7
• Place: The Best Western Premier: The Central Hotel and Conference Center, 800 E. Park Drive, Harrisburg, Pa
• Featured speaker: David Bendekovic of the B.A. David Company http://www.badavid.com/
•  Cost: $400 per person, PaLA member or $500 per person non-PaLA member (includes program, lodging, and meals; transportation is not included)

For more information about PALS, visit https://www.palibraries.org/?page=PALS

If you have questions about submitting your materials to CRD, please contact Leslie Christianson, CRD chair, at crdpala@gmail.com.