Photos of YOUmedia, a digital space for teens at the Harold Washington Library Center.
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
