It was a privilege to attend the ALA Conference in Chicago. I believe if you are attending a conference as such, you have the responsibility to pass the knowledge you gained onto your colleagues. I hope I did this in an interesting way! I further believe that the knowledge not be temporarily considered, but that the appropriate ideas inspire positive change in the workplace. It will for me.
Thanks for following!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Frank and Ernest
I had a vacation day in Chicago and decided to visit a couple of cultural sites. I read in the ALA Program Guide that there was a side trip to the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park, approximately ten miles outside Chicago. However, several program sessions were offered at the same time and although it was tempting (a bus conveniently would leave right from the hotels and go directly to the Home and Studio), my main goal in attending the conference was to learn about library service!
So, I planned it for my day off. I took the "L" (elevated rapid transit) for $2.25 to Oak Park. With Google Map in hand, I walked atleast a mile and a half past the Home and Studio area, and had to take a taxi back to the site! I do this frequently in unfamiliar areas ... once I walked right passed the Canadian Opera building in Toronto on my way to the Canadian Opera building.
I had never been to a Frank Lloyd Wright building and was so thrilled to have this opportunity. Photos I had seen of his buildings were nothing compared to actually being in one; it was an atmoshere, not so much a building. So much wood, so oak, so linear. Oak walls, oak furniture, stained glass all throughout the house. The hallways leading to rooms were very narrow, because he wanted a wow factor as you entered each room. He loved nature, and attempted to include it in this house ... at one time there was a tree growing through the house. The studio was just as grand.
My goal now is to visit more of Wright's houses. Where in the world would that bring me? We shall see!
I visited the birthplace in Oak Park of Ernest Hemingway. It was the last tour of the day, and there was only one other person on the tour, so the Guide took some extra time. I learned more about Ernest Hemingway in one hour than I had in my entire life. I now have some insight into what motivated him. I recall in school reading Old Man and the Sea and the teacher explaining what the fisher's hand represented. I looked at my friend across the aisle in disbelief ... he's got to be kidding me!
I ended the day by having a tall well deserved glass of Coca Cola a top the John Hancock building. I also walked on the boundaries of Millenium Park. Fabulous shopping at the Magnificent Mile (one whole mile of shopping). My feet are killing me!
Friday, August 7, 2009
AV RA
Sidney Crosby ... can a 22 year old hockey player inspire a 50 year old Librarian? Absolutely.
One of the ALA sessions I attended was entitled What Do I Watch, Listen to, Play, or Download Next: Readers Advisory Techniques for the Digital World. As selector for Feature Films, I come under the "What Do I Watch" part.
It was great to see a session focused entirely on these formats. (It had crossed my mind occasionally that I should as Film Selector create a Film RA cheat sheet).
I won't go too into depth, since I will further down attach the Powerpoint presentation. But I will mention a couple of things:
The first speaker covered the reasons why AV Advisory is important, and I was sold at the first statement: "Many libraries report 50% of total circ stats are AV items".
Audio books:
From my own experience, it is true that serious users of audio books do have a "sound" preference. I have been asked for suggestions of audio books for example, with the additional request that it be in a woman's voice. As a Librarian in a rural area with a fair distance between Branches, I rely heavily on the Library's Overdrive. I lately listened to Resilience: Reflections On the Burdens and Gifts Of Facing Life's Adversity by Elizabeth Edwards. The author was the reader on the audio, and it made all the difference; I could hear the sadness, pain, melancholy in her voice. I don't think this audio version would have the same effect if it had been read by one not so emotionally involved. So, maybe now I prefer audio read by the author.
Movies:
For all the AV formats, the speaker recommended the retail model. For movies,that translates to movie posters and card board stand ups (of John Wayne for example): how fun! She also suggested that there be a web presence: a dedicated page on the Library's website for AV: a movie page would include blogs, links, embedded items (e.g. You Tube), reviews and links. Besides the Internet Movie Database which is the ultimate tool for reviews and movie information (oh gosh,John Hughes died ...), she suggested other sites, one of which provides an "If you liked..." type list.
Anyway, view on!: (it seems to be more efficient to choose "save" when asked rather than "view").
What Do I Watch
One of the ALA sessions I attended was entitled What Do I Watch, Listen to, Play, or Download Next: Readers Advisory Techniques for the Digital World. As selector for Feature Films, I come under the "What Do I Watch" part.
It was great to see a session focused entirely on these formats. (It had crossed my mind occasionally that I should as Film Selector create a Film RA cheat sheet).
I won't go too into depth, since I will further down attach the Powerpoint presentation. But I will mention a couple of things:
The first speaker covered the reasons why AV Advisory is important, and I was sold at the first statement: "Many libraries report 50% of total circ stats are AV items".
Audio books:
From my own experience, it is true that serious users of audio books do have a "sound" preference. I have been asked for suggestions of audio books for example, with the additional request that it be in a woman's voice. As a Librarian in a rural area with a fair distance between Branches, I rely heavily on the Library's Overdrive. I lately listened to Resilience: Reflections On the Burdens and Gifts Of Facing Life's Adversity by Elizabeth Edwards. The author was the reader on the audio, and it made all the difference; I could hear the sadness, pain, melancholy in her voice. I don't think this audio version would have the same effect if it had been read by one not so emotionally involved. So, maybe now I prefer audio read by the author.
Movies:
For all the AV formats, the speaker recommended the retail model. For movies,that translates to movie posters and card board stand ups (of John Wayne for example): how fun! She also suggested that there be a web presence: a dedicated page on the Library's website for AV: a movie page would include blogs, links, embedded items (e.g. You Tube), reviews and links. Besides the Internet Movie Database which is the ultimate tool for reviews and movie information (oh gosh,John Hughes died ...), she suggested other sites, one of which provides an "If you liked..." type list.
Anyway, view on!: (it seems to be more efficient to choose "save" when asked rather than "view").
What Do I Watch
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
International Librarians Reception
There was no charge to attend this reception if you were not from the United States. Strangely, there were primarily people from the United States at the reception.
There were very few tables set up (they were totally taken anyway) in the Winter Room (as lovely as it sounds) at the Harold Washington Library Center and I had walked atleast an hour to get there. And, it appeared that it would be unacceptable for me to sit against the wall on the floor.
After much surveillance, I saw an opening and asked the three woman if I could join them at their table and they were very welcoming. One of the women was a Library Board Trustee from Shreveport, Louisiana, another who had two jobs in Washington: one in Homeland Security and another in the Library of a Governor's Mansion. The third was a Library Director for a university in Guatemala. We talked about the library system rebuilding in New Orleans, and shared information about our work backgrounds and libraries. Then we got down to the nitty gritty ... Obama's presidency and the death of Michael Jackson!
Use of Social Software at ALA
According to the ALA Marginalia weblog, Twitter was the most heavily used site during the conference. There were 10,362 tweets using the #ala2009 tag by 1,321 authors. Library Journal actually did a daily recap of what they considered to be the "best" tweets of the day. Try Saturday's.
A Google Blogsearch indicated that there were approximately 14,000 posts using the ala2009 tag, however this includes photos posted through Flickr, and comments made to the blogs.
A Google Blogsearch indicated that there were approximately 14,000 posts using the ala2009 tag, however this includes photos posted through Flickr, and comments made to the blogs.
Family Reading Time
On Sunday, July 12, at 10:30 a.m., I couldn't decide on which session to attend. I can't believe I am saying this, but no session looked particulary interesting to me in that time slot. So I chose to go to Prime Time Family Reading Time and as it turns out, it was one of the best sessions I attended.
Prime Time Family Reading Time is a family literacy program which uses the humanities as a tool to create excitement about reading (it is funded primarily by the National Endowment For the Humanities). The program targets families underserved or never served: low income, low literacy skills, and limited or no English Language abilities. The program engages parents and/or caregivers and their 6 to 10 year old children who are at-risk due to poor reading ability. Pre-reading activities are provided for younger siblings.
The program is held once a week for 6 to 8 weeks; it is 90 minutes long. A trained storyteller uses provided children's literature to demonstrate effective read aloud techniques , and a trained scholar facilitates discussions based on the texts and humanities themes such as fairness, greed, courage and dreams. The provided children's literature are award-winning, culturally diverse books. Each session also includes a five minute talk by a librarian which introduces library resources to the families.
The next presenter was a Librarian from the Kalamazoo Public Library who actually hosted the program. She reiterated what was covered, but also included that the program took place during closed hours. Each of the weekly sessions began with everyone, participants and presenters having dinner together. (Apparently, the resources to provide a meal were in the same building as the library). This gave a chance to develop trust, relationships, and familiarity.
Many of the questions for the Kalamazoo librarian dealt with cost, staff availability, etc.
My question to the speakers had to do with hosting the program in an expansive rural setting: how to overcome transportation challenges for those who do not either have a car or cannot afford gas for their car. A rural librarian from Nevada mentioned that she gives her participants certificates for gas. She has also brought the program into the community.
This session was definitely food for thought.
For more information visit the Louisiana Endowment For the Humanities
Prime Time Family Reading Time is a family literacy program which uses the humanities as a tool to create excitement about reading (it is funded primarily by the National Endowment For the Humanities). The program targets families underserved or never served: low income, low literacy skills, and limited or no English Language abilities. The program engages parents and/or caregivers and their 6 to 10 year old children who are at-risk due to poor reading ability. Pre-reading activities are provided for younger siblings.
The program is held once a week for 6 to 8 weeks; it is 90 minutes long. A trained storyteller uses provided children's literature to demonstrate effective read aloud techniques , and a trained scholar facilitates discussions based on the texts and humanities themes such as fairness, greed, courage and dreams. The provided children's literature are award-winning, culturally diverse books. Each session also includes a five minute talk by a librarian which introduces library resources to the families.
The next presenter was a Librarian from the Kalamazoo Public Library who actually hosted the program. She reiterated what was covered, but also included that the program took place during closed hours. Each of the weekly sessions began with everyone, participants and presenters having dinner together. (Apparently, the resources to provide a meal were in the same building as the library). This gave a chance to develop trust, relationships, and familiarity.
Many of the questions for the Kalamazoo librarian dealt with cost, staff availability, etc.
My question to the speakers had to do with hosting the program in an expansive rural setting: how to overcome transportation challenges for those who do not either have a car or cannot afford gas for their car. A rural librarian from Nevada mentioned that she gives her participants certificates for gas. She has also brought the program into the community.
This session was definitely food for thought.
For more information visit the Louisiana Endowment For the Humanities
Sunday, July 19, 2009
YOUmedia Space For Teens at Chicago Public
Photos of YOUmedia, a digital space for teens at the Harold Washington Library Center.
Denise: A Guest at the Random House Table
On the Thursday I arrived at the McCormick Centre, I went to all the Tours and Special Events desks to purchase a ticket to The Laugh's On Us! an evening of side splitting humour starring among others, the one and only Ms.Paula Poundstone. The common message from the staff at these desks was that the tickets would be available at the door. I knew there would be no tickets at the door.
The next day between workshops I walked through the exhibits in search of (you guessed it), a display featuring the works of Paula Poundstone. There it was, all lit up and sparkling like it was the only exhibit in the room. I asked the angel at the booth: "are you selling the tickets?" "They are all sold out". My world spun around me ... the free bags, the posters, the bookmarks, the pins! The angel could definitely see I was crestfallen. She did a slow 360, and there it was all yellowy ... a ticket ... come as a guest of Random House.
Thank-you Marcia. I had excellent evening at your table...and Paula Poundstone. Not too shabby for a girl from Whitney Pier, Cape Breton.
The next day between workshops I walked through the exhibits in search of (you guessed it), a display featuring the works of Paula Poundstone. There it was, all lit up and sparkling like it was the only exhibit in the room. I asked the angel at the booth: "are you selling the tickets?" "They are all sold out". My world spun around me ... the free bags, the posters, the bookmarks, the pins! The angel could definitely see I was crestfallen. She did a slow 360, and there it was all yellowy ... a ticket ... come as a guest of Random House.
Thank-you Marcia. I had excellent evening at your table...and Paula Poundstone. Not too shabby for a girl from Whitney Pier, Cape Breton.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Cool People
Top left to right:
The real Cat in the Hat (and me), Paula Poundstone, Judy Blume, Margaret Weis, and James Ellroy
TAGS
I need a dictionary for the different ALA acronyms and one is actually provided at the beginning of the conference catalogue. It takes time to find them in the book, so you probably have noticed that I haven't included which group is hosting which program. I haven't listed speakers, but they can be found in the conference booklet for anyone who is interested.
Not an ALA acronym, but one nonetheless: TAGS = Teen Advisory Groups
I attended the program Beyond Pizza: Teen Advisory Groups as Library Leadership. It was presented by staff of three library systems who have TAGS, as well as a teen member of one of the TAGS.
Here are the combined highlights:
1. Membership of the various TAGS numbered between 7 and 13 and all the Library's did take waiting lists if necessary. One Librarian had approximately 30 teens interested in joining her TAG, so she broke them up into groups i.e: spaces, collections, programming, gaming, anime, etc., so that no one was refused. The groups meet together as a whole every so often.
2. Roles played by TAGs ranged from consultative to collaborative. One Librarian said she plays mostly a "shadow role" and that the teens plan everything including how they will spend their own assigned budgets.
3. Most meet once a month in the evening (e.g.: the first Tuesday of every month), but will meet more often if special events are planned.
4. Recruitment: one Librarian only takes recommendations from other Librarians, teachers,community agencies. The other TAGS are open to any teens and much recruitment is done during Teen Read Week.
5. All have a President who is elected by their peers. President remains in place for one year.
6. Ages in the TAGS include (although no age is refused): Grades 6 to 10; Ages 13 to 18 years. One group is considering having two TAGS: one for teens and one for tweens.
7. Meetings are informal with no strict agenda; one library has each member take a turn in leading a meeting.
Cool Stuff:
So that everyone has a chance to talk, the teens in one library use a talking stick idea, except they substitute the stick with another object: "talking shoelace", "talking water glass", etc.
One TAG decides on a BHAB every year: "Big Hairy Audacious Goal".
One TAG decided to have an open debate program on the good/bad characteristics of the main male character in Twilight. One TAG held an Audrey Hepburn Tea Party.
One TAG named their teen space "Geek Out" for the computer area, and other areas entitled "Mess Around" and "Hang-Out".
Not an ALA acronym, but one nonetheless: TAGS = Teen Advisory Groups
I attended the program Beyond Pizza: Teen Advisory Groups as Library Leadership. It was presented by staff of three library systems who have TAGS, as well as a teen member of one of the TAGS.
Here are the combined highlights:
1. Membership of the various TAGS numbered between 7 and 13 and all the Library's did take waiting lists if necessary. One Librarian had approximately 30 teens interested in joining her TAG, so she broke them up into groups i.e: spaces, collections, programming, gaming, anime, etc., so that no one was refused. The groups meet together as a whole every so often.
2. Roles played by TAGs ranged from consultative to collaborative. One Librarian said she plays mostly a "shadow role" and that the teens plan everything including how they will spend their own assigned budgets.
3. Most meet once a month in the evening (e.g.: the first Tuesday of every month), but will meet more often if special events are planned.
4. Recruitment: one Librarian only takes recommendations from other Librarians, teachers,community agencies. The other TAGS are open to any teens and much recruitment is done during Teen Read Week.
5. All have a President who is elected by their peers. President remains in place for one year.
6. Ages in the TAGS include (although no age is refused): Grades 6 to 10; Ages 13 to 18 years. One group is considering having two TAGS: one for teens and one for tweens.
7. Meetings are informal with no strict agenda; one library has each member take a turn in leading a meeting.
Cool Stuff:
So that everyone has a chance to talk, the teens in one library use a talking stick idea, except they substitute the stick with another object: "talking shoelace", "talking water glass", etc.
One TAG decides on a BHAB every year: "Big Hairy Audacious Goal".
One TAG decided to have an open debate program on the good/bad characteristics of the main male character in Twilight. One TAG held an Audrey Hepburn Tea Party.
One TAG named their teen space "Geek Out" for the computer area, and other areas entitled "Mess Around" and "Hang-Out".
Mentoring
My mom passed away suddenly in 2006. As I was preparing the memorial service and reception to follow, I asked the caterer to prepare for approximately 60 people. Atleast 200 people came. In 2004, my mom was honored nationally in Ottawa where she received a Leadership Award, which hangs on my office wall and inspires me everyday to do great things.
I didn't know most of the people who attended, but at the reception I found out why many were there: "Your mom mentored me". "Because of your mom ...." followed by amazing stories of their individual achievements in which my mom played some type of a role.
I attended a workshop today entitled The Management Mix: Mentoring Librarians for the Realities of Management:
Why Mentoring Matters:
1. Goes beyond training.
2. Develops leaders and future mentors.
3. Develops and enriches the skills and abilities of proteges.
4. Strengthens the organization and corporate culture and/or recommits to organization.
5. Promotes diversity of thought and style.
6. Builds a culture of engaged employees.
6. Proteges gain assistance with career development.
7. Assists with succession planning.
8. Provides opportunities for managers who have hit a career plateau.
9. Fosters a collaborative environment.
10. Gains satisfaction and pride in sharing knowledge and experiences.
11. Provides the protege a safe environment to ask questions and express viewpoints in confidence and without judgement ...
I didn't know most of the people who attended, but at the reception I found out why many were there: "Your mom mentored me". "Because of your mom ...." followed by amazing stories of their individual achievements in which my mom played some type of a role.
I attended a workshop today entitled The Management Mix: Mentoring Librarians for the Realities of Management:
Why Mentoring Matters:
1. Goes beyond training.
2. Develops leaders and future mentors.
3. Develops and enriches the skills and abilities of proteges.
4. Strengthens the organization and corporate culture and/or recommits to organization.
5. Promotes diversity of thought and style.
6. Builds a culture of engaged employees.
6. Proteges gain assistance with career development.
7. Assists with succession planning.
8. Provides opportunities for managers who have hit a career plateau.
9. Fosters a collaborative environment.
10. Gains satisfaction and pride in sharing knowledge and experiences.
11. Provides the protege a safe environment to ask questions and express viewpoints in confidence and without judgement ...
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Saturday at ALA
I believe I met all 20,000 attendees today at the McCormick Centre, of which three had visited Nova Scotia!
Some conversations my table mates have engaged in:
* How can I convince my staff to roam (rove), instead of hiding behind the information desk?
* How much computer time do you allow and how much do you charge for paper?
* Do you have central materials selection? (All at table had and were pleased with central selection and one mentioned their circulation per item had increased).
* Do you have floating collections? Our Urban Literature is being returned to Branches where we didn't think a readership excisted.
All pretty practical stuff and universal!
The first session I attended today was I'm a ...excuse me ... I heard a hollow popping outside my hotel window ... fireworks! They were absolutely beautiful, they were so close and 3-D (I'm on the 9th floor). I just checked my guidebook and sure enough at the nearby Navy Pier there are fireworks every Saturday night! (Makes up for all the re- or de- scheduled fireworks for Nova Scotia holidays due to clouds)! That was the end of a perfect Chicago day.
Back to work ... My first session was I'm a Leader, I'm a Follower: Middle Management Theory and Practice. There were three who spoke for about an hour of the two hour session, with the remaining time Q & A. There was not too much that I hadn't heard in previous leadership courses: that middle managers must have a communication flow up to senior managers, down to their unit staff and also across the organization.
My second session of the day was What Does Gaming Have To Do With Books Anyway? Justifications For Games In Libraries. I arrived approximately ten minutes early to this session and there was standing room only. The room was filled with much younger Librarians and I could feel the enthusiasm for gaming as soon as I walked into the room:
Firstly, connect/link gaming to your mission statement.
Justification: Games:
1. provide a safe environment for risk taking.
2. are a venue to explore different worlds.
3. are a venue to explore different interests.
4. teach perseverance in the face of intellectual challenge i.e.: "there has got to be another path to get to the end".
5. help in the understanding of multiple viewpoints i.e: you have to consider how your opponent thinks.
6. teach problem solving and decision making.
7. engage customers on their terms.
8. develop critical thinking.
9. teach sharing.
10. are a venue where one learns through play.
11. instill motivation and inspiration.
12. teach 21st century skills.
A further note: gaming is shifting the way that people expect library services.
Some conversations my table mates have engaged in:
* How can I convince my staff to roam (rove), instead of hiding behind the information desk?
* How much computer time do you allow and how much do you charge for paper?
* Do you have central materials selection? (All at table had and were pleased with central selection and one mentioned their circulation per item had increased).
* Do you have floating collections? Our Urban Literature is being returned to Branches where we didn't think a readership excisted.
All pretty practical stuff and universal!
The first session I attended today was I'm a ...excuse me ... I heard a hollow popping outside my hotel window ... fireworks! They were absolutely beautiful, they were so close and 3-D (I'm on the 9th floor). I just checked my guidebook and sure enough at the nearby Navy Pier there are fireworks every Saturday night! (Makes up for all the re- or de- scheduled fireworks for Nova Scotia holidays due to clouds)! That was the end of a perfect Chicago day.
Back to work ... My first session was I'm a Leader, I'm a Follower: Middle Management Theory and Practice. There were three who spoke for about an hour of the two hour session, with the remaining time Q & A. There was not too much that I hadn't heard in previous leadership courses: that middle managers must have a communication flow up to senior managers, down to their unit staff and also across the organization.
My second session of the day was What Does Gaming Have To Do With Books Anyway? Justifications For Games In Libraries. I arrived approximately ten minutes early to this session and there was standing room only. The room was filled with much younger Librarians and I could feel the enthusiasm for gaming as soon as I walked into the room:
Firstly, connect/link gaming to your mission statement.
Justification: Games:
1. provide a safe environment for risk taking.
2. are a venue to explore different worlds.
3. are a venue to explore different interests.
4. teach perseverance in the face of intellectual challenge i.e.: "there has got to be another path to get to the end".
5. help in the understanding of multiple viewpoints i.e: you have to consider how your opponent thinks.
6. teach problem solving and decision making.
7. engage customers on their terms.
8. develop critical thinking.
9. teach sharing.
10. are a venue where one learns through play.
11. instill motivation and inspiration.
12. teach 21st century skills.
A further note: gaming is shifting the way that people expect library services.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Pre-conference - Services To Older Adults
Today I attended a pre-conference all day session entitled A Dialogue with the Aging Network and the Library Community: The New Guidelines on Library and Information Services to Older Adults. It was a very impressive and innovating session.
The first presentation was entitled The Aging Population and the Agencies That Serve Them lead by Lynn Kellogg, the President of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Ms. Kellogg covered the background of the "Aging Network" including:
1. "The "Aging" of America was a 20th C. phenomenon with the advent of retirement brought on by industrialization and Social Security. The advances in health care decreased childbirth related deaths and there were improvements in chronic disease management.
2. Diversity of Older Adults: ethnic background - age is approached differently in various cultures; educational levels - boomers may have a higher education than non-boomers who left school earlier to work; income levels; living arrangements e.g.: assisted living.
A second presentation was lead by Barbara Mates of the Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled entitled Engaging Seniors in the Library Experience Throughout Their Life. Ms. Bates spoke about making libraries more senior friendly including:
1. Wheels should be available including walkers which have baskets and seats.
2. Assistive listening advices at Information Desks.
3. Computers with screen enlargers, trackballs, joysticks, oversized keyboards.
4. Portable book readers, Playaway.
A third presentation was from a group called Lifetime Arts focused on creative aging, more specifically the "positive and powerful role of the arts in enhancing the quality of life for older adults". This group partnered with the Westchester Libraries in New York state to find funding and teaching artists for arts programs for older adults.
A final speaker was Fatima Perkins from Cuyahoga County Public Library on the not yet completed ALA Toolkit on Engaging Older Adults. (Will be sent to me via email upon completion). Ms. Perkins also spoke about the programs for older adults and caregivers at Cuyahoga County Public which included: Successful Aging: Attitude Matters, Career Transitions, Managing Multiple Medications, Memory Fitness, Getting Your Affairs in Order.
Overall, this was an excellent pre-conference session. It presented many possibilities and innovations in services to older adults which I will share in more detail to the Services to Older Adults team of which I am a member.
P.S.: Lunch and coffee break snacks were included: I had the best cupcake I have ever had in my life during the afternoon break ...
The first presentation was entitled The Aging Population and the Agencies That Serve Them lead by Lynn Kellogg, the President of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Ms. Kellogg covered the background of the "Aging Network" including:
1. "The "Aging" of America was a 20th C. phenomenon with the advent of retirement brought on by industrialization and Social Security. The advances in health care decreased childbirth related deaths and there were improvements in chronic disease management.
2. Diversity of Older Adults: ethnic background - age is approached differently in various cultures; educational levels - boomers may have a higher education than non-boomers who left school earlier to work; income levels; living arrangements e.g.: assisted living.
A second presentation was lead by Barbara Mates of the Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled entitled Engaging Seniors in the Library Experience Throughout Their Life. Ms. Bates spoke about making libraries more senior friendly including:
1. Wheels should be available including walkers which have baskets and seats.
2. Assistive listening advices at Information Desks.
3. Computers with screen enlargers, trackballs, joysticks, oversized keyboards.
4. Portable book readers, Playaway.
A third presentation was from a group called Lifetime Arts focused on creative aging, more specifically the "positive and powerful role of the arts in enhancing the quality of life for older adults". This group partnered with the Westchester Libraries in New York state to find funding and teaching artists for arts programs for older adults.
A final speaker was Fatima Perkins from Cuyahoga County Public Library on the not yet completed ALA Toolkit on Engaging Older Adults. (Will be sent to me via email upon completion). Ms. Perkins also spoke about the programs for older adults and caregivers at Cuyahoga County Public which included: Successful Aging: Attitude Matters, Career Transitions, Managing Multiple Medications, Memory Fitness, Getting Your Affairs in Order.
Overall, this was an excellent pre-conference session. It presented many possibilities and innovations in services to older adults which I will share in more detail to the Services to Older Adults team of which I am a member.
P.S.: Lunch and coffee break snacks were included: I had the best cupcake I have ever had in my life during the afternoon break ...
Chicago Arrival
I arrived in Chicago yesterday at 1:55 pm ... flight was painless: under three hours flying time. When I got to my hotel, I looked out of my window and saw the skyscrapers and the hubbub and my first inclination was to curl up in a ball and hide. Don't worry, that summarizes only my first hour anywhere in an unfamiliar place.
By the next hour, I was hopping a bus to the McCormick Centre where the ALA conference will be taking place. The McCormick Centre is approximately five miles or so from hotels in general; the free shuttle doesn't begin until Friday. I registered and got my conference bag and the programs and exhibits catalogues which are no smaller than the size of the Christmas Wish Book!
I visited the Chicago Institute of Art which was free to the public from 5 to 9 pm. I chose three areas: American Modern Art, Impressionism and the Thorne Miniatures. but I could have spent days!
By the next hour, I was hopping a bus to the McCormick Centre where the ALA conference will be taking place. The McCormick Centre is approximately five miles or so from hotels in general; the free shuttle doesn't begin until Friday. I registered and got my conference bag and the programs and exhibits catalogues which are no smaller than the size of the Christmas Wish Book!
I visited the Chicago Institute of Art which was free to the public from 5 to 9 pm. I chose three areas: American Modern Art, Impressionism and the Thorne Miniatures. but I could have spent days!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Planning For Chicago
I am a planner especially when it comes to travel. I don't want to waste one moment at destination trying to decide on what attractions to visit. Time is short, so I plan beforehand.
This is the approach I took as I considered the ALA Conference I will be attending in Chicago beginning on July 9. I had one brief look at the preliminary program and was immediately overwhelmed. I obviously should have started planning long ago.
According to the ALA Conferences Q&A, a typical ALA annual conference includes over 2500 separately scheduled events, including 250 - 300 programs. It includes the largest library-oriented tradeshow in the world with typically 1500 booths (approximately 950 exhibitors). Approximately 25,000 attend an ALA Annual Conference, and I was going to network!
I peruse the preliminary program like I'm reading the newspaper as it is the only way I can cope. I make note on paper of my must-attends. The first challenge I face is that many of my must-attends are offered at the same time.
My must-attends concern either Community Development (CD) or Rural Libraries (RL). There are two on rural libraries and two on aspects of community development. There is another program at the same time which is to die for: a panel of well-known Science Fiction/Fantasy writers on the visionary aspects of their craft! I'll leave that enormous decision for later.
On the ALA Conference web site, there is an event planner accessed by your ALA registration information where you can choose the programs you plan to attend. It translates into an attractive pdf print-out, listing the titles of the programs you have chosen plus the time and location.
Enough blogging ... choices to be made!
This is the approach I took as I considered the ALA Conference I will be attending in Chicago beginning on July 9. I had one brief look at the preliminary program and was immediately overwhelmed. I obviously should have started planning long ago.
According to the ALA Conferences Q&A, a typical ALA annual conference includes over 2500 separately scheduled events, including 250 - 300 programs. It includes the largest library-oriented tradeshow in the world with typically 1500 booths (approximately 950 exhibitors). Approximately 25,000 attend an ALA Annual Conference, and I was going to network!
I peruse the preliminary program like I'm reading the newspaper as it is the only way I can cope. I make note on paper of my must-attends. The first challenge I face is that many of my must-attends are offered at the same time.
My must-attends concern either Community Development (CD) or Rural Libraries (RL). There are two on rural libraries and two on aspects of community development. There is another program at the same time which is to die for: a panel of well-known Science Fiction/Fantasy writers on the visionary aspects of their craft! I'll leave that enormous decision for later.
On the ALA Conference web site, there is an event planner accessed by your ALA registration information where you can choose the programs you plan to attend. It translates into an attractive pdf print-out, listing the titles of the programs you have chosen plus the time and location.
Enough blogging ... choices to be made!
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