So, what did you think of ACRL 2011?

April 19, 2011

tags: 2011, ACRL, acrl2011, conference, webcast

Join us for the ACRL 2011 Wrap-Up Webcast!

April 20, 2011 from 2-3 PM EST

(ACRL attendees –both virtual and on-site– should check their email for login information)

With over 3,000 face-to-face attendees and just under 500 virtual conference attendees, ACRL 2011 was one of this years premier conferences for the academic library crowd. Did you participate? What did you love? What could have been done better? Join us for a wrap-up webcast to share your ACRL experience.

Panelists will look back at ACRL 2011 to highlight trends and observations from the conference. Our presenters will reflect a variety of different viewpoints:

Steven Bell, Associate University Librarian for Research and Instructional Services at Temple University’s Paley Library will discuss the 2011 conference in comparison to previous conferences
Melissa Gold, Science Librarian at Millersville University will discuss her reflections as a first-time attendee
Jennifer Huck, MLIS Candidate, School of Library and Information Studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison (and recipient of an ACRL Library School Student Scholarship) will discuss the conference from a student perspective
Anali Perry, Collections and Scholarly Communications Librarian at Arizona State University Libraries will discuss pros and cons of attending virtually

The webcast will be moderated by Erin Dorney (CRD Treasurer and Co-Chair of the 2011 ACRL Virtual Conference). Time will be provided for Q&A, so bring your favorite ACRL 2011 impressions and thoughts to share with your colleagues. Don’t forget that all ACRL attendees have access to the Virtual Conference site (containing slidecasts, keynote videos, handouts and more!) for up to a year. And if you haven’t already, please complete the conference evaluation forms so that our professional organization can continue to improve your conference experience for ACRL 2013!

Evaluation form for individual virtual conference webcasts

Conference evaluations for the entire ACRL experience were emailed out on April 5th

PALS Sponsorship Opportunity

April 13, 2011

tags: leadership, PALS

by Amy Deuink

The PaLA College & Research Division (CRD) would like to announce plans to sponsor two academic librarians to attend PALS 2011 (PaLA Academy of Leadership Studies). Sponsorship will cover the costs of the program, lodging, and meals (transportation not included). Information on this year’s program as well as how to nominate a librarian are below. Self-nominations (applications) will be accepted.

The PaLA Academy of Leadership Studies will be held June 5-8, 2011 at the Sheraton Harrisburg/Hershey in Harrisburg, PA. We invite nominations and applications from academic librarians who have less than six years of experience and who have the potential to become the next generation of academic library leaders in the state of Pennsylvania. The CRD will pay for Academy registration for the two librarians chosen and will work closely with them as they continue to enhance their careers. Service to the sponsoring division (CRD) and PaLA as a whole is expected of all participants. Possible service opportunities may include: a survey of PA academic librarians or service on the CRD Board’s “tech team,” but creative ideas for how you can best serve the organization are welcome!

If you are interested in applying or in nominating someone to be sponsored by the CRD, please send the following by April 22, 2011 to Amy Deuink at ald120@psu.edu:

a letter of interest from the nominee/applicant indicating why they feel they would be a good candidate for PALS and how they would like to serve PaLA
a current resume from the nominee/applicant
a letter of support from the nominator indicating why they feel their nominee has leadership potential and should attend PALS; applicants should substitute a letter of reference from someone who can best speak to your leadership potential (professor, supervisor, employer, etc.)

Nominees must meet the following requirements:

Degreed Librarian (must the the degree before attending program)
0-6 years experiences
Demonstrate leadership potential
Has leadership “spark”
Must be willing to provide service to PaLA and the profession after completing the program
PaLA membership is not required to apply or attend, but will be required upon graduation from the program

Attendees will be notified no later than May 2, 2011.

If you have any questions about CRD sponsorship, please feel free to contact Amy Deuink at ald120@psu.edu. If you have general questions about the leadership program, please contact Tina Hertel via PALSofPaLA@gmail.com.

Link to PALS information:
http://palibraries.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=101

Link to 2011 PAL nomination process:
http://palibraries.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=102

Moment of Zen

April 8, 2011

tags: photos

by Amy Deuink

I write this at the risk of sounding… dreamy. But sometimes, at the end of a long day, I find I can’t process one more word, even one more letter. After countless amounts of books and articles and sorting and searching and call numbers and URLs, I turn to my photo blog feed for relief. No words, no numbers–just colors and lines.

In the photos I find pieces of myself and, eventually, reflect on my library and what I want my library to be. On bookshelves I find beauty in colors and whimsy, organization and disorganization, symmetry, commentary, practicality, and fun. Others images help me dream far away places, remind me to find pleasure in the simple things in life, and help me think the world is okay. Yet another inspires me to neatly organize my desk.

source: chotda, flickr.com

It’s my still and quiet version of the peaceful and relaxing Sunday Morning moment of nature and the timely and thought-provoking Daily Show moment of zen.

So, how do you get the words out of your head?

Celebrate National Library Week!

April 7, 2011

by jennluksa92

Celebrate National Library Week, April 10-16, 2011! Even academic libraries can take part in this yearly celebration. Academic libraries are an important component to the college experience, and this is an opportunity to showcase some of our most valuable resources while having fun. For example, the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library at Misericordia University has events planned for the entire week. Some of the events include: a used book sale, a bake sale, a basket raffle, a hot dog sale, a book cart decorating contest, and a guest speaker who will present on life, traditions, and customs of India. Events can be as a simple or as extravagant as your budget and time will allow. Library vendors are more than happy to send promotional items that can be used as door prizes and local businesses are happy to contribute to the prize list as well. During National Library Week at Misericordia, Access Services accepts Food for Fines. Students are encouraged to bring in non-perishable food items as payment for library fines. The donated items are then sent to the local food pantry.

It is sure to be an exciting week. Don’t forget to stop by a library next week and celebrate!

Serving Two Masters: Physical and Virtual Services in the Academic Library

April 5, 2011

by Bonnie Oldham

How can academic libraries keep themselves at the center of their institution when it is everywhere? With both physical and virtual students and faculty, the library must provide a variety of access points and do some serious marketing to get these groups engaged with the services and resources it offers, digitally and in print, for information and for entertainment.

Library Journal is sponsoring this free 60 minute Webcast on Wednesday, April 27 at 2:00 PM EDT. For more information or to register for this event go to www.libraryjournal.com/academiclibraryservices