February 13, 2012 by Kathleen Hughes ( 1 Comment )
PLA is seeking interested parties to submit virtual poster sessions as part of the upcoming PLA Virtual Conference. The topic of your poster session can be of your choosing, but must be related to public librarianship. Virtual posters can be submitted as Web pages, PowerPoint presentations, or other formats which can be “mounted” on the Web. Accepted “posters” will be mounted on the PLA Virtual Conference website prior to the event (the PLA Virtual Conference will be held on March 15 and March 16 during the PLA 2012 Conference in Philadelphia). Presenters are also welcome to participate in online discussions about their posters via the Virtual Conference.
To apply, or if you have questions, please send an email to detailing your idea. Please include the following: Primary Contact Name, Phone Number, Email Address, Job Title and Institution, Names of Additional Contributors, Title of Proposed Virtual Poster Session, Brief Abstract (150-200) words) describing your poster session, Format of Virtual Poster (e.g. .doc, .html, .pdf) and if any special files/software/effects will be incorporated. We have the ability to do voice-over narration, so if you would like to take advantage of that, just include it in your proposal. Proposals are due by Monday, February 20, at 4:00 p.m.(Central Time). Selected proposals will be notified by February 29, 2012.
At 1 p.m. CST on Feb. 23, the Public Library Association (PLA) will host a live, hour-long webinar, “Creating Dynamic Library Atmospheres: What We Can Learn from Theater, Retail, Museums, and the Container Store,” as part of PLA’s “Public Libraries at Work” monthly webinar series.
Presenters Sally Decker Smith, library consultant, and Ted Swigon, museum design consultant, will share practical and effective ideas for making patron-engaging differences in the library. Participants will learn how to look at their libraries with a visitor’s eye and will walk away with affordable, out-of-the-box library-interior ideas sure to create first impressions that make positive lasting impressions.
The cost to attend “Creating Dynamic Library Atmospheres: What We Can Learn from Theater, Retail, Museums, and the Container Store” is $28 (PLA Members), $31.50 (ALA Members) and $35 (Nonmembers). Groups of any size can register for $129. The deadline to register is 4:30 p.m. CST on Feb. 21. Get more information and register here.
February 09, 2012 by Kathleen Hughes ( 1 Comment )
Registration for the PLA 2012 Virtual Conference is now open. On March 15-16, 2012, the Public Library Association (PLA) will share a condensed, live and online PLA Conference with public librarians and public library workers who can’t make the trip to Philadelphia.
The PLA 2012 Virtual Conference will include many familiar elements of the on-site conference, including high-quality educational programming, poster sessions and networking opportunities with colleagues. Each day will feature five live programs—the same programs available to in-person conference attendees. In addition, the virtual conference will feature special events such as daily author interviews.
Can’t, Won’t, Don’t, Couldn’t, Shouldn’t, Wouldn’t: Combating Negativity Nellies in the Workplace
Engaging with Teens on A Shoestring Budget
iPads in the Library: from Tech Programming to Staff Productivity
Library To Go: Putting Your Library Virtually Anywhere
Q & A with Nancy Pearl
Tracking Children’s Early Literacy Skills: Options for Libraries
The Future of Libraries: Trends in Building Design, User Experience and Community Partnerships
Transforming Public Libraries from Institutions of the Industrial Age to Change Agent for the Networked Society
As PLA finalizes the virtual conference schedule, new programs and updated information can be found here.
PLA is offering both individual and group registration for the virtual conference. Individual registration is $215 for PLA and PaLA members, $270 for ALA members, $310 for nonmembers and $85 for students. Group registration is $599 and allows a single location to host the virtual conference for multiple attendees.
Register for the PLA 2012 Virtual Conference here. Registration closes on Friday, March 2, 2012.
February 07, 2012 by Kathleen Hughes ( No Comments )
Plan to join PLA and library consultant, Stephanie Gerding, for a PLA Facebook Forum highlighting Advocacy Planning for Public Libraries on Weds, Feb. 8 at 1:00 pm CST. Bring your advocacy related questions and join us on the PLA Facebook page for what promises to be an informative discussion!
PLA 2012 Virtual Poster Sessions
PLA is seeking interested parties to submit virtual poster sessions as part of the upcoming PLA Virtual Conference. The topic of your poster session can be of your choosing, but must be related to public librarianship. Virtual posters can be submitted as Web pages, PowerPoint presentations, or other formats which can be “mounted” on the Web. Accepted “posters” will be mounted on the PLA Virtual Conference website prior to the event (the PLA Virtual Conference will be held on March 15 and March 16 during the PLA 2012 Conference in Philadelphia). Presenters are also welcome to participate in online discussions about their posters via the Virtual Conference.
To apply, or if you have questions, please send an email to detailing your idea. Please include the following: Primary Contact Name, Phone Number, Email Address, Job Title and Institution, Names of Additional Contributors, Title of Proposed Virtual Poster Session, Brief Abstract (150-200) words) describing your poster session, Format of Virtual Poster (e.g. .doc, .html, .pdf) and if any special files/software/effects will be incorporated. We have the ability to do voice-over narration, so if you would like to take advantage of that, just include it in your proposal. Proposals are due by Monday, February 20, at 4:00 p.m.(Central Time). Selected proposals will be notified by February 29, 2012.
Contributed by Mary Hirsh, Project Manager, Public Library Association
For the past year, PLA has participated in a roundtable tasked with developing a system of public access technology benchmarks. Called Edge, this program is a set of benchmarks libraries can use to assess their public access technology and related support materials and advocacy tools. We had the opportunity to assess our work so far at two midwinter meetings.
On Saturday, during the ALA Midwinter Meeting, a public forum was held to update the status of the project and review the current benchmarks draft. I had the privilege, along with TechSoup’s Sarah Washburn, of leading three state librarians, a few independent consultants, and an IMLS representative in a small group discussion of the Engaging Community and Decision Makers benchmarks. These three benchmarks broadly deal with raising awareness and building a positive perception of the library as a community resource and were well received by the participants. One attendee said the current version was so much more than she expected. They also felt that with a little tweaking here and there, these benchmarks could be used in libraries as both an assessment of current activities and a planning tool. They did feel that the benchmark regarding partnership needed some work. It was too soft, especially in relation to the others, and not applicable to some libraries depending on their governance structure. We also had a more general conversation about the support materials. Everyone felt it would be necessary to get a thorough explanation of your score, along with some recommendations for next steps. This meeting was a great opportunity for us to hear from people who will actually use the benchmarks and gave us all confidence that, while we are not done yet, we are getting closer.
The entire roundtable met Monday. It was an intense day as we addressed a few major issues that need to be solved prior to a beta benchmarks release. When it was all said and done, we determined we need more input from you about the benchmarks and what tools would be most helpful in supporting their use. To that end, we will be opening up several feedback channels in the coming weeks. Please watch the PLA blog and enews for more information. If you and your library would like to be involved in the revision and review process at a deeper level, please let me () know.
January 16, 2012 by Kathleen Hughes ( No Comments )
Win a Trip to PLA 2012!
Create a 60 second video telling us about your library and what you would hope to get out of attending PLA 2012 and send it to us. One winner will receive a free registration, four nights hotel, and up to $500 reimbursement for travel to and from the conference. If your library submits the video, only one person from the library can receive the prize. The top five videos (determined by members of the PLA board and staff) will be posted to our Facebook page for voting. The video with the most votes on Facebook wins! All videos submitted will posted on our YouTube channel. Be creative! We look forward to seeing your videos! Submissions will be judged based on “clear, compelling, and creative video statements
Some Guidelines
• Videos should be a maximum length of 60 seconds. Suitable file types are .mp4, .wmv, .mov.
• Deadline to submit a video/photo – Wednesday, February 1, 4:30 p.m. (Central Time).
• Email the file to Kathleen Hughes, . Include your name, library, contact information, and any video/photo details necessary.
• Use PLA 2012 Videos in the subject line.
• If you’re worried the file size is too big, use this free and easy file sharing site https://www.yousendit.com.
• Top five videos will be posted on the PLA Facebook Page on Friday, February 3, 2012.
• The winner will be announced on Monday, February 6, 2012.
****************************** Students! Tell Us Why You Would Like to Attend PLA 2012 and You Might Win
Library school students – send us a 150 word essay telling us about yourself and why attendance at PLA would benefit you. Be creative! Be succinct! Show us your enthusiasm and excitement for the public library world! We will pick the best essay and that person will receive one free conference registration, four nights hotel, and up to $500 reimbursement for travel to and from the conference.
Some Guidelines
• Essays should be 150 words.
• Deadline to submit an essay is Wednesday, February 1, 4:30 p.m. (Central time).
• Send the essay to Kathleen Hughes, as a word document attachment to an email. Include your name, library school, and contact information.
• Use PLA 2012 Essay in the subject line.
• Winner will be announced on Friday, February 3.
Questions contact Kathleen Hughes – .
Do you have a great library literacy program that serves families or an innovative plan to start one? NCFL invites libraries nationwide to apply for the 2012 Libraries and Families Award, made possible by Better World Books. Three U.S.-based library literacy programs that serve families will win $10,000 each and scholarships to the National Conference on Family Literacy in 2012 and 2013.
Is your library literacy program making a difference for families? Do you have a unique and innovative approach? Both previously existing and new programs can apply. The online application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on February 6, 2012. Winners will be notified in late February or early March. Review the application criteria, and then submit your application!
January 09, 2012 by Kathleen Hughes ( No Comments )
PLA is looking for volunteers writers to fan out and cover all aspects of the upcoming ALA Midwinter meeting for the readers of the PLA Blog. Our bloggers cover programming, exhibits, social events, author events, anything related to the conference and public librarianship, and then share it on the PLA Blog. This is a great chance to shine in our national spotlight! Potential PLA Bloggers should have an eye for a good story angle and, naturally, a way with words. Prior writing experience desirable, but not necessary.
If you are interested, please contact Kathleen Hughes () for more information. Please pass this on to any email list or friend you think might be interested, and don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
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