PLA Blog

I love it when the PPO thinks so far in advance. If you’re heading to ALA, here are some programs you should consider hitting (via the PPO listserv):

The Public Programs Office will present several Annual Conference programs for library programmers at all levels and in all types of libraries including:

LIVE! @ your library Reading Stage
Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Take a break from a day of meetings and programs and visit the LIVE! @ your library Reading Stage to enjoy readings from new and favorite authors and poets, learn how to develop author programs for your library, and find new recommendations for your patrons. This year, in honor of YALSA’s 50th anniversary, Monday’s stage will feature YA authors Cecil Castellucci; 2006 Michael L. Printz Award Winner, John Green; Barry Lyga; 2004 Michael L. Printz Honor Book Winner, Carolyn Mackler; Catherine Murdock; and Patrick Jones.

Break on Through to the Other Side: Cultural Programming for New Librarians (co-sponsored by NMRT)
Saturday 6/23/07, 10:30 am - Noon
Congratulations! You’ve earned your MLS and you’ve been hired. Whether you work in a public, academic or school library, you need to know how to develop cultural programming for your library’s community. Leading a book discussion is just the tip of the iceberg. The ALA Public Programs Office offers resources, funding, training and the framework needed for you to conduct high-quality cultural programs. Empower your professional career with a review of best practices and a model program demonstration.

Partnerships Produce Successful Cultural Programs
Sunday 6/24/07, 10:30 a.m. - Noon

Working with partners outside the library is an essential element of successful cultural programs in the library. Find out how the ALA Public Program Office’s collaboration with the National Library of Medicine has produced traveling exhibitions popular in all types of libraries. Public and academic librarians will also talk about successful partnerships that have led to unique cultural programs with maximum community impact.

PRIME TIME FAMILY READING TIME®: A Model Outreach Program
Sunday 6/24/07, 10:30 a.m. - Noon
How can your library reach the under-served, or never served, families in your community? Attend this session to hear library, literacy and humanities representatives discuss their successes with PRIME TIME in reaching this audience to create new library users. Learn about bilingual initiatives, evaluative outcomes, funding opportunities and strategies to bring this award-winning family literacy program to your community.

Engaging the Community with Documentary Film Screenings in Your Library
Sunday 6/24/07, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Experience a model for working with Public Television’s P.O.V. program through their Community Engagement Program. Attendees will learn how to select and secure P.O.V. films, develop program content to support the films, and lead a facilitated post-screening discussion. Librarians who have run successful programs screening these films in their communities will share their experiences. As part of the model, a P.O.V. film will be shown.

We the People Bookshelf Project
Monday 6/25/07, 10:30 a.m. - Noon
Representatives from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and experienced “We the People” project directors talk about the “We the People Bookshelf” grant, the books, themes and application process. During the past four years of this initiative, 6,000 Bookshelf collections have been awarded to school and public libraries nationwide.

Let’s Talk About It: 25 Years of Reading and Discussion Programs
Monday 6/25/07, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
The 25 year old Let’s Talk About It (LTAI) reading & discussion model has been engaging people through provocative theme based, scholar-led discussions of excellent literature. Learn about new themes, funding opportunities and resources as LTAI project directors, participants and scholars discuss the evolution of the program model, favorite themes and books and ideas for the future. Program followed by a LTAI 25th anniversary celebration.

I had the distinct pleasure of hearing Mary Baykan, director of Maryland’s Washington County Free Library, executive director of the Western Maryland Public Libraries, and Library Journal’s Librarian of the Year for 2007, present the keynote session for the symposium, which Mary graciously gave us permission to record and podcast for your listening pleasure.

After an entertaining introduction by PLA president and California State Librarian Susan Hildreth, she spoke about how she found out she was librarian of the year, her experiences as the originator of the feat of advocacy now known as the Maryland Poll which measured the importance of libraries to Maryland residents, fun with legislative lobbying, about how librarians choose “to fight the bull” everyday, and so much more. She was entertaining, engaging, and very, very funny, definitely worth a listen!

While there are some interesting tidbits about upcoming PLA developments in the opening remarks, if you want to skip straight to the keynote, Mary is introduced around 10mins29secs.

The Urban Libraries Council report that Mary mentions towards the end of her remarks, Making Cities Stronger: Public Library Contributions to Local Economic Development, is available for free online (.pdf, requires Adobe Acrobat to view).

Many thanks to Susan Hildreth for the awesome PLA Blog plug at the very end, and for the recognition of the work of our peeps and volunteers as well as our contribution to what she calls “PLA 2.0.”

 

 PLA Blog: Mary Baykan, 2007 Spring Symposium keynote [48:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (271)

I landed in San Jose about an hour ago, and I’m getting my act together to start coverage on the PLA 3-day affair. Kathleen and I will both be working on the podcasts of the keynote, author talk, and my wiki presentation, while I’ll be blogging the Customer Service in Public Libraries, 21st Century Style session, and Kathleen will be blogging the Right People, Right Time, Right Work: HR Trends and Tools session, Friday and Saturday.

We do have a small crew of bloggers helping us out here at the Symposium:

• Meg Canada, Hennepin County Library
• Heidi Dolamore, San Mateo County Public Library
• Sandra Steward, San Jose Public Library
• Kristin Yiotis, Student at SJSU SLIS

You’ll hear more about our fearless crew as they begin to introduce themselves later.

A humorous, documentary-style look at the ALA Midwinter Conference in Seattle by Nick Baker. Hit the play button to view (it’s 4min 58sec long, and totally safe for work).