Revisiting ACRL 2009

While unloading my 2009 ACRL green bag Friday morning I realized that while I blogged about my poster, I had not discussed any sessions attended. Well that instance and, I am chagrined to acknowledge, an email from a friend asking me how I liked the ACRL conference; he read the poster session blog post but didn't see anything about the conference. Let me remedy the oversight!

First things first, let's talk about the bag. There was a lot of discussion and dissing of the green ACRL/EBSCO bat. Put me on the plus side; I like the bag from this conference. I find it just the right size because I cannot overload it and can immediately reach inside for what I need. No, it did not have pockets or any other bag amenities. But to be honest I rarely carry the conference bag at the conference, I have my own bag fulfilling that function. I use the conference bags at home and work. It was certainly a step up from the neon orange bag at ALA last summer.

New to me, Cyber Zed Shed sessions soon became my favorite conference function. At twenty minutes, fifteen to present and five for questions, they allowed speakers to present their information quickly and concisely and provided opportunity for audience questions. I missed the afternoon Zed Sheds do to the poster sessions, but the crowds seemed to increase, an illustrating the popularity of these presentations.

• iMacros, Todd Quinn, Northern State University
  This may be more than I am able to handle without opportunity to practice first. Check out his LibGuide for more information on the topic.
• Sprout, Memo Cordova, Boise State University
  Though Sprout has now moved to a fee based service, users are able to create three widgets. Cordova has a blog with more information insight from the conference.
• Library Subject Guide Widgets, Michael DeMars, California State U. Fullerton
  Great ideas for subject library guides
• LibStats, Jason Coleman, Danielle Theiss-White, Melia Erin Fritch, and Laura Bonella, K-State Libraries
  Reference desk statistics and google apps; for more information visit their google apps page complete with presentations

The only thing I found missing from this ACRL conference (and the one prior) was information for education librarians beyond ERIC, instruction and curriculum materials. As an education liaison and curriculum librarian managing a materials center supporting children's literature courses, I have a vested interest in juvenile collections and collection development. For that reason, I often find ALA Annual, with its plethora of public and school library sessions, more beneficial. This ACRL conference was better than the last one I attended, I will look forward to Philadelphia in 2011.

Now, I can take one more thing out of my ACRL bag!

2009 EduComm Conference

EduComm 2009 Helps Higher Education Institutions Compete for the Best and the Brightest Students

Powerhouse keynote presentations delve into cutting-edge technologies such as cloud computing, sustainability, social networking, and technology-based best business practices

NORWALK, Conn., April 9, 2009 – Student enrollment is declining, endowments have dried up, Alumni donations are in the tank, so how’s a higher education institution to stay afloat? Integrating innovative technologies that both cut costs and attract top-notch student talent ensures that high school students are Tweeting positively about your school. EduComm (http://educommconference.com/) provides the “how to get there” for education executives.

Technology futurist George Gilder, New York Times columnist and best-selling author David Pogue, a panel on cloud computing with executives from AT&T, Amazon, Cisco, Google, IBM and Microsoft, a performance by School House Rock creators, as well as education industry experts from Crestron, E&I Cooperative Purchasing and Stamats will lead a power-packed three-day professional program.

During EduComm, top-tier executives and managers from college campuses around the nation will partake in stimulating intellectual debate on how emerging technologies are transforming todays—and tomorrow's—college campuses while they enjoy the breathtaking views of the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes Resort. EduComm is being held there June 16-18, 2009.

“This year we are helping higher education executives learn about cutting-edge technologies and smart business practices, while providing a little entertainment,” said Tim Goral, editor-in-chief of University Business and program chair for EduComm.

The first two days of the conference will offer attendees entertainment in the form of performance-enhanced luncheons. The Emmy award-winning creators of Schoolhouse Rock will perform a Schoolhouse Rock reunion concert enlisting music and song to share lessons they have learned about using new media with the digital generation. On the second day, David Pogue will use tech-themed parodies of popular songs, jokes and magic to turn insights about the latest social media and tech trends in education into laugh-out-loud entertainment.

Additionally, Gary Wilson of E&I Cooperative Purchasing, Jeffrey Singer of Crestron and Brenda Harms of Stamats will participate in a panel to discuss what the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act means to higher education and the strategies that institutions can use to weather the economic storm.

“Colleges and Universities need to attract top notch talent, both in the way of student leaders and staff,” claims Goral. “Schools that remain behind on technology use, from managing business practices, to freeing up professor time, to preparing students for great careers are doing everyone a disservice, especially themselves. With the advent of Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube, students are sharing information at lightning speed and the power of a school that is “the buzz” is profound.” EduComm programming tracks are made up of Technology in the Classroom & Around the Campus, Facilities Design & System Support, Internet & Social Media, and Strategies for Success.

More About Educomm

EduComm is the only national technology management conference focused on connecting higher education with AV and IT technology to enhance the classroom experience. From keynote addresses and dynamic presentations to hands-on sessions and professional workshops, EduComm's goal is to help develop successful strategies for integrating AV and IT, make wise purchasing decisions, and provide solutions for managing the training and support functions in higher education facilities. For more information visit EduComm online at http://educommconference.com or e-mail info@educommconference.com.

OLSSI 2009

OLSSI 2009 : The Ohio Library Support Staff Institute

Denison Univiversity, Granville, OH

August 2 - 4, 2009

The Ohio Library Support Staff Institute, has opened registration for OLSSI 2009!

We’ve added a discounted Early Bird Registration Rate of $200 until May 15th. And our scholarship contest is still open for first-time attendees!http://www.olssi.org/

• Descriptions: http://www.olssi.org/index_files/Page727.htm
• Registration Form: http://www.olssi.org/index_files/Page736.htm
• Scholarships: http://www.olssi.org/index_files/Page834.htm

For more information, contact Michael Bradshaw at OLSSI.

CMCIG Spring Workshop 2009

Realigning the CMC to the Governor’s
Pre K – 12 Education Plan
21st Century Skills, and Discovery Learning

Friday, May 15, 2009
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Ronk Lecture Hall # 138
Dwight Schar College of Education
Ashland University, Ashland, OH 44805

This workshop will feature Lou Staffilino, Associate Superintendent, ODE – presenting the Governor’s Pre K-12 education plan with time for questions and answers.

Other sessions will include:

• Realigning Science Instruction using Science Materials by FOSS and Delta Education
• Realigning Math Instruction using Everyday Mathematics by Wright Group McGraw Hill
• Realigning Teacher Education using 2.0 Technologies to meet 21st Century Skills
• Realigning the CMC with New Titles and New Presentation of the Collection

Registration:
ALAO Members $30.00
Non-Members $60.00

Registration deadline: May 8, 2009
No refunds after: May 11, 2009

Registration includes continental breakfast and lunch.

Registration forms are available @ http://library.centralstate.edu/

Please make checks payable to ALAO and mail with a copy of the registration to:

A. Carolyn Sanders
P.O. Box 1006
Hallie Q. Brown Memorial Library
Central State University
Wilberforce, Ohio 45384

Movie Night at the Library

Did you ever offer a movie night at your library? I did, last night. I am helping with a local community reads initiative, Marion Reads and our book is To Kill a Mockingbird. This is a great choice; it has lots written about it, it is studied in high school English classes, there's a movie version and even a stage production. We are lucky to offer all three to our community. I showed the movie at my library and so did the public library.

Our local theater, the historic Marion Palace Theatre, is showing the stage production on April 23; several book discussions and programs are going on this month. Our mayor has just proclaimed April "Marion Reads Month" in our community.

I had only a few folks show, but I had never watched it and it was great. But read the book before you watch the movie; you'll notice some differences.

I'm excited. We have limited funding, but through the generosity of our Marion Community Foundation, Marion Public Library, The Palace and Ohio State Marion, we have been able to offer free tickets to students at area high schools and senior centers. The public library purchased 250 copies of the book for the community to borrow; my library is hosting a website and created the calendar of events, sponsored some programming and are giving some tickets aways at our events.

We've been doing activities since early February, but most of them will take place this month. I get to talk on the local radio station, WMRN, on April 14 about 8:15 a.m. Wish me luck.

If you are near Marion on April 23, order some tickets from the Palace Theatre and join us for a great viewing of a timeless classic.

Ohioana Library Awards Announced

From the Ohioana Library:

Columbus, OH – March 30, 2009—

The Ohioana Library has announced the 26 finalists for the 2009 Ohioana Book Awards. “Ohio authors are amazing! The variety, and depth of topics and characters included in this year’s array of book award finalists represent the finest in the literature of our time. We are a proud to recognize the authors from all areas of our state who have published outstanding books this year.” said Linda Hengst, executive director of the Ohioana Library. “We receive 700 to 900 books a year all of which become eligible for the book awards, so the authors of the books selected as finalists should feel truly honored.”

The book awards are given in five categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, juvenile literature, and “about Ohio/Ohioans.” Many of the book award finalists will be at our 3rd annual Ohioana Book Festival on May 9th. Ohioana will announce the winners in each category near the end of August, and recipients will be honored at the annual Ohioana Day Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Saturday, October 17, 2009.

These are the Ohioana Book Award finalists :

Poetry
The Roswell Poem by Rane S. Arroyo – Toledo (WordFarm, 2008)
Everywhere at Once by William Greenway - Youngstown (University of Akron, 2008)
Without Saying by Richard Howard – Cleveland (Turtle Point, 2008)
The Wave-Maker by Elizabeth Spires – Lancaster (Norton, 2008)
An Unmistakable Shade of Red by Mary E. Weems – Cleveland (Bottom Dog, 2008)

Fiction
An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New England by Brock Clarke – Cincinnati (Algonquin, 2008)
Gone Tomorrow by P. F. Kluge – Gambier (Overlook, 2008)
The Seamstress of Hollywood Boulevard by Erin McGraw – Columbus (Houghton Mifflin, 2008)
A Mercy by Toni Morrison – Lorain (Knopf, 2008)
The End by Salvatore Scibona - Cleveland (Graywolf, 2008)
American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld – Cincinnati (Random, 2008)

Nonfiction
Pure Goldwater by John W. Dean – Akron (Palgrave MacMillan, 2008)
In the Mind’s Eye by Elizabeth Dodd - Athens (University of Nebraska, 2008)
Baghdad at Sunrise by Peter R. Mansoor – Columbus (Yale University, 2008)
The Man Who Adores the Negro by Patrick B. Mullen – Columbus (University of Illinois, 2008)
Hospital by Julie Salamon – Seaman (Penguin, 2008)

About Ohio
Clyde Singer’s America M. J. Albacete - Canton (Kent State University, 2008)
Cleveland: The Flats, The Mill, and The Hills by Andrew Borowiec – Canton (The Center for American Places, Columbia College, Chicago 2008)
The University of Cincinnati photographed by Robert A. Flischel – Cincinnati (RAF, 2007)
All the Way Home by David Giffels – Akron (Wm Morrow, 2008)
Politician Extraordinaire by Frank P. Vazzano – Canton (Kent State University, 2008)

Juvenile
The Death of Jayson Porter by Jaime Adoff – Yellow Springs (Hyperion, 2008)
Where the Steps Were by Andrea Cheng - Cincinnati (Wordsong, 2008)
Beneath My Mother’s Feet by Amjed Qamar - Dublin (Atheneum Young Readers, 2008)
Our Farm by Michael J. Rosen – Columbus/Perry County (Darby Creek, 2008)
The Floating Circus by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer – West Chester (Bloomsbury Children’s. 2008)

The Ohioana Awards began in 1942, with James B. “Scotty” Reston, Walter Havighurst, and Willard M. Kiplinger as the first recipients. In addition to the book awards, the library sponsors six other awards, including citations in a various fields, a editorial excellence award for an Ohio based journal or magazine, the Walter Rumsey Marvin Grant for a young (30 years of age or younger) unpublished author, the Robert Fox Awards for Young Writers, and the Ohioana Pegasus and Career Awards.

The mission of the Ohioana Library, established in 1929 by First Lady Martha Kinney Cooper, is to recognize and encourage the creative accomplishments of Ohioans; preserve and expand a permanent collection of books, sheet music, manuscripts, and other materials by Ohioans and about Ohio; and disseminate information about the work of Ohio writers, musicians and other artists to researchers, schools and the general public. Individuals can visit the library at 274 E. First Ave., Columbus, OH, or online at www.ohioana.org.