NJLA 2008 Conference
Long Branch, New Jersey
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Preconference - The Best Defense is a Good Offense: Crafting a Successful Campaign for Library Support
Libby Post, President of Communication Services, discussed techniques for planning effective campaigns to ensure public support for library initiatives. Libby stepped attendees through her process of developing campaign materials, building community support and using data from public records to guarantee successful outcomes. The process can be outsourced to a firm such as hers should staffing be limited.
NJLA Dine-Around
Here are few photos from the night of beachfront dining sponsored by the NJLA Member Services Committee. My group sampled Italian cuisine at Sirena. The veal and the company were great!
President’s Program
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Library with Bill Barnes of Unshelved
I enjoy reading Unshelved on a daily basis and enjoyed seeing Bill again. I first met him in Seattle as a 2007 ALA Emerging Leader. He has changed his hair on his head and face since then. His delivery style and choice of comic strips were lots of fun. The sound system could have been better; it was tough to hear the speaker and those at my table were unsure if he was actually using a microphone.
If you missed the conference, you can subscibe to Unshelved and/or purchase t-shirts and other fun stuff at www.unshelved.com.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
We’re Down with OPP!
Practical Podcasting
David Free did a good job of detailing the state of the art regarding podcasting. Prior to the session, I viewed podcasting as a tech tool for the academic community rather than the public sector.
Janie Hermann, of Princeton Public Library and James Damron of Mercer County Library shared examples that helped me to expand my thinking. Janie conquered her cold symptoms to provide an overview of Princeton’s unique poetry podcasting. I realize not every library has the resources that are found in Princeton. How many of us can bank on locating prize winning authors to read their work on our podcasts? I am not being cynical because I am the first to ask creators to share their work to support libraries. I do understand that every library does not have the same resources to draw on. However, podcasting can be implemented easily in many libraries, regardless of funding level. A project full of local voices may be as powerful as a project with one famous voice depending on the focus of the project and the means of implementation. James provided another twist on the potential for podcasting.
Keynote Speaker: Sarah Vowel
This girl loves history! I loved listening to her read. Once I got accustom to not seeing Violet Parr from Pixar’s The Incredibles every time I looked up I was able to enjoy her historical ponderings. She spoke with a quick clip. Sarah’s delivery was reminiscent of Garrison Keillor’s in some strange way.
Screencasting in the Library: Now I SEE what you mean
Steve Garwood supports using new technologies to add oomph to online static databases and catalogs. Links to his work can be found on the NJLA wiki.
Leadership Luncheon
Leadership Luncheon was tasty. - I note this because it is my understanding that a whole new management team was running the show at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa this year. Michele Reutty and Heidi Cramer spoke on themes of leadership and the importance of becoming active in the NJLA organization. FYI - Heidi’s theme for her year as president in 2009 includes the word rock (this should be fun!)
Safe and Secure in Social Networks and Second Life: Skills and Strategies to Share (wow, I thought I was big on Alliteration!)
Edward Felton, PhD. Princeton University took the audience into SecondLife using baby steps. He gave a detailed explanation of how and why SecondLife is a virtual world. At first, I thought his discussion to be simplistic as I was expecting to learn his thoughts on how SecondLife participation is relevant to libraries. In retrospect, his presentation was on target as I recall the seat shifting of audience members when Dr. Felton discussed how real people pay real money to buy clothes, sunglasses and even real estate in a virtual world! I’m looking forward to expanded discussion on this topic at NJLA 2009!
Big Disappointment - I missed the ice cream break! It was worth it to attend the business meeting. As a relatively new librarian, I had not attended before. I do encourage everyone to attend once in a while to get a deeper understanding on how many individuals commit time and talent to make NJLA such a successful organization!
Oral History Programs in our Public Libraries: Presenting and Preserving our Local Heritage
StoryCorps shared the power of storytelling. NJ librarians provided insights into several successful projects telling the stories of local groups of people. I found the stories of immigrants particularly compelling. Speakers highlighted the importance of archiving the work.
NJLA Awards Reception
There were quite a few awards this year. It was validating to see the many librarians who were instrumental in developing new and different ways to promote literacy and the work of libraries!
Dinner at It’s Greek to Me followed the reception. I was lucky to share the evening with two seasoned librarians. There is much to learn from librarians who have been in the profession for an extended period of time. On behalf of new librarians, I thank them for their mentorship and patience.
Today there is much talk about change and it is important to remember that there are many librarians who have embraced change throughout their careers! These professionals have my highest regard!
Thursday, May 2, 2008
Next year I am making a promise to attend at least one yoga session. I spoke with two librarians who attended this year and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
I was torn as to which session to attend on this morning. I missed Libraries Gone Wild: Marketing Your Library with Viral Videos with Nancy Dowd. I will try to find this content on her blog, The M Word. I reluctantly passed up Magic of Love even though I am a big Tamora Pierce fan. Luckily session notes are posted to the NJLA 2008 Conference wiki.
My choice for the morning was More Than Meets the “EYE: News from the NJ State Library. This was the right choice for me!
I have managed many programs at WDFPL and was totally unaware that there were regional centers for the NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped. The Library for the Blind and Handicapped will even conduct programming at West Deptford Free Public Library. I recommend checking out what is happening at the NJ State Library for the Blind and Handicapped online. There are many new devices available and new resources online. Materials will be moving from analog to digital formats in the near future. This conference opened my eyes and ears to all the great work librarians do that may not win awards or get national press. We need to advocate for these services too!
Keynote Speaker: Lorine Roy, ALA President
Leadership in a Changing Profession
Lorine Roy was charming. Dr. Roy shared many different ways to lead. She has a way of pulling her audience into her own cultural roots allowing them to view the profession of librarianship from that vantage point. Dr. Roy’s trail to success demonstrates the many varied ways to be come a sucessful librarian as well as deal with the individual path we each travel on this earth. I will have to look her up in SecondLife!
A Vision for the Future
Norma Blake, the NJ State Librarian, introduced Peggy Cadigan and Carol Nersinger (Librarian of the Year 2008) of the NJ State Librarian’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future to share ideas for the future of libraries such as a statewide library card, statewide library branding through logo development, utilizing outdoor space to enhance libraries, and many other ideas. The team addressed an overflow crowd and distributed copies of A New Earth to track for inspiration. Check out more on The M Word.
The Garden State Book Awards Luncheon: Michael Buckley
Michael Buckley, author of the Sisters Grimm series, is a product of some special librarian’s supportive coaching. Michael shared that he did not like to read until he got his hands on Bevery Cleary’s The Mouse and the Motorcycle which he read “at least 100 times.” The luncheon provided a glimpse into the world of Children’s Librarians. I shared a table with both public and school children’s librarians and media specialists. Book signings followed the luncheon.
The 2.0 Office: More than just Blogs & Wikis
Nicole Engard did a great job of making everything look easy! She shared how to make the most of cost free collaboration tools on the web.. You can learn more at www.web2learining.net tools.
A visit to the exhibits floor and NJLA Store rounded out my conference experience.
This year the NJLA Member Services Committee developed the NJLA wiki as a tool for NJLA members and presenters to share the conference experience. The team was savvy enough to include a Handouts and Resources page where more information on conference programs are available for your use!
Consider joining us in 2009 for more conference connections!
