MLA/DLA 2014 - What do you geek?

Event: MLA/DLA 2014
Presenter: Marilyn Pontious
Date: Friday, May 9th

So what do you geek? Being a "geek" I initially thought that this session would be a techy talk about some cool new technology, but this was is a little different because it wasn't so much about being a "geek",  it's more about what you're passionate about.  It's turning your passion into support from the community.  ‘Geek the Library’ is a community-based public awareness campaign designed to highlight the vital role of public libraries in today’s challenging environment and raise awareness about the critical funding issues public libraries face. 

Geek The Library at Hancock

Whatever you geek, serious or fun, the public library supports you.  Hancock War Memorial Branch Manager Marilyn Pontious is the ONLY Maryland public library participating in the 'Geek The Library' campaign. She found out about the campaign during her trip to the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) Conference in 2013.

Teen at Hancok writing what she "geeks"

Marilyn signed up to join the campaign and received great response from her community.  She put up a blackboard provided by the campaign and got great responses especially from the teens in Hancock.  It became a conversation piece and it was simply a way of finding out what her patrons were passion about and it became a way to engage the community about the importance of libraries.  The community participated by writing out what they "geeked" on the board seen here and below.  The 'Geek The Library' campaign provided most of the gear from t-shirts, bags and bumper stickers.  They provide much of the marketing material for free! Marilyn said that the only expense that she had was purchasing a banner that was less than $50.  I thought that it was a great way to promote libraries at virtually no added cost to the library other than a commitment of time. 

The 'Geek The Library' campaign is a great way for libraries to start conversations with their communities about why the library is important.  It's still not too late to join the campaign, sign-up continues until June 30, 2014.  Find out more information here.

The campaign is sponsored by OCLC, a nonprofit library cooperative that has provided services to help libraries deliver more to their users for four decades. Supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, OCLC partnered with Chicago-based marketing communications agency Leo Burnett USA to create the campaign.

Geek The Library blackboard at Hancock Library

Geek verb sign at Hancock Library

What I learned:
The 'Geek The Library' campaign is a great way to start a conversation in your community about the importance of libraries.  Initially it engages the community to share what they are passionate about, but it because an avenue to share with the community why libraries are important and even get funding if needed.  The 'Geek The Library' campaign sign-up runs until June 30, 2014, so it's not too late to sign up!  Talk to your administrator and see if you can sign up your library today!

Thinking Like a Business: Merchandising

A public library is not a business (which is one of the many reasons I like working here!) but we can be more successful in our non-profit mission by learning some lessons from the for-profit world.  The value of merchandising – that is, designing the physical environment to encourage sales (or in our case, circulation) is one such lesson that was emphasized in a recent MLA/DLA conference program.  Sharon Lauchner, the Library Collections Manager in Frederick County, had lots of great ideas, not to mention very contagious energy and enthusiasm.  Her slides, notes, and handouts are at http://lanyrd.com/2014/mladla14/scydck/.  I’ll just hit a few highlights here.

     Displays don’t always need a rotating theme.  A permanent “power wall” of appealing non-fiction books can be a big draw, boosting their visibility and circulation.  Sharon’s example shows a small library that put their entire non-fiction collection on one big wall, with face out displays above and regular shelving below.  In a larger library, this could be done for just a portion of the collection, say cookbooks, or health and wellness.  One big advantage to having display and regular shelving together this way is that when the face-out display books are taken, replacements are right there, ready to fill in with.

     Mixing media can boost circ.  Why not have non-fiction DVDs shelved with or near the non-fiction books?

     Have some of the good stuff in the back.  Supermarkets keep the milk in the far back corner to encourage people to walk through the whole store, where they can be tempted by impulse items.  Likewise, we could have some popular part of the collection (Maybe the hold pickup shelves?  Or the new books?) located further into the building, so people will pass by other appealing items on the way, and maybe do some impulse checking out.

     Speaking of impulse items – why not keep some of these types of books right at the checkout desk, like the candy in the supermarket?  Maybe how-to or self-help books?  Celebrity bios?  Romances?

     We can promote e-content in areas with print content: posters for Zinio in the magazine section; a bookmark or poster for Overdrive in the fiction area.

     When all the copies of a big blockbuster are absent from the new books shelves, you could put a small poster or bookmark display in their place with read-alike suggestions.  In other words – “Sorry we’re all out of Such-and-such by Nora Roberts – see the info desk to request a copy.  And meanwhile, have you tried these other authors?”

     Kids’ picture books can be displayed in face-out bins, like LPs in a record store.  (For my colleagues under 30, LPs are an antique form of music storage from before you were born.)  Storing the picture books this way does make more work for shelvers, but Sharon reports that kids love browsing in such bins.

     So – those are just some of Sharon’s great ideas.  Contact me, or see her notes and handouts, for more! 

Bill T. - Tech. Services - WMRL / WCFL

Overcoming Your Fear of Geneologists - MLA pre-conference 2013

Since spending time at the warehouse during our renovation, I am woefully out of practice helping genealogy researchers.  I decided that this seminar, given my Mary Mannix at FCPL, would help ease me back into familiarity with genealogy resources in preparation for our move back to Potomac Street.

The biggest thing I took away from this pre-conference session was that genealogy researchers are more than happy to take referrals, so it is most important to know where to find information and resources -- most will not expect us to do their genealogy research for them.

Free online resources for genealogy research:

• Cyndi's List -- metasite for genealogy information
• familysearch.org

Libraries that offer interlibrary loan of genealogy materials

• St. Louis PL, Missouri -- home of the Nat'l Genealogical Society
• Mid Continent PL, Utah -- owns a small circulating collection
• Enoch Pratt holds duplicates and triplicates of local Maryland history and genealogy materials
• Some academic libraries have hidden gems that were donated to their collections and circulate via ILL, check worldcat.org
• Researchers can view LDS holdings at their local family history centers for a fee

Useful resources:

• The Source: A guidebook to American Genealogy
• Federal Census (available through Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest databases)

Other tips:

• Newbie genealogists should start with what they know and fill out a family tree 
• They should then write down everything they know, and think they know about their family
• After that, talk to relatives and write down everything they know and think they know
• Use the resources available to prove or disprove what is written down
• Always start with the most recent (yourself or most recently deceased) and work backwards
• Census records
• 1790-1940 available on Ancestry and HeritageQuest
• Prior to 1850, only heads of households were listed by name in the census
• The majority of the 1890 census was lost in a fire
• Not every census has been indexed
• There are a lot of discrepancies in the census, so spellings may not be correct
• Primary sources are best though indexes, abstracts and transcriptions are helpful
• Some primary sources: mortality, slave, agricultural schedules; vital records (birth, death); obituaries; church records (marriage, christening, death, cemetery surveys); wills and estate documents

This was a great crash course in genealogy research, and it definitely helped me get over the fear of going back to Central and having genealogy questions again :)

~Liz Jones (WCFL reference)~

MLA Session: A Box Full of Tales

This session was sponsored by the Children's Services Division of the Maryland Library Association and presented by author and Children's Services person, Kathy MacMillan and is based on her book, A Box Full of Tales: Easy Ways to Share Library Resources Using Story Boxes (ALA Editions, 2008, ISBN 0838909604. The book shares ways to set up Story Boxes and includes 50 ready to go themes to help take the guess work out of establishing such a program.

Here are some important info/notes Kathy gaves us at the program:

Why Story Boxes?
Story Boxes...

• save time
• give you new persepctives
• bridge the gap between staff members
• provide thematic unity for your programs
• set a programming standard for your system
• increase your program quality
• are perfect for training and cross-training
• change and grow with your needs

When starting the program think about:

• Who will participate?
• How many weeks the Story Box cycle with encompass?
• How many Story Boxes you will need?
• Who will create the Story Boxes?
• How will you rotate them?
• How will you get buy-in from staff?

Story Boxes include books, music, flannel boards, games, and fingerplays for a specific theme and age group. The box is loaded with the necessary materials and instructions and then rotated around to library story-times for use. These are especially handy for subs and when a group is scheduled at last minute.

Right now, BCPL does something very similar with Teen Programs in a box. I think this idea could work for any age group and programming i.e. Storytime, Homeschoolers, Teens, Reading Clubs, etc.

Most importantly, it is necessary to have buy in from the group using them and that everyone using them be responsible for the set-up and upkeep. Many heads are better than one. And, it is okay to update and change the boxes as time goes by.

Some examples of themes are:

Sounds All Around

Eric Carle

Hop, Skip, and Jump

At the Zoo

For more information check out Kathy's book or contact her at info@kathymacmillan.com

MLA Session: What's New in Young Adult Literature?

This session was sponsored by PSD/TIG divisions/interest group of the Maryland Library Association and by YALSA.

The presentation was given by Jennifer Rothschild of Prince George's County Memorial Library System. And, I must say, it was extremely well-attended! (Not everyone was able to fit in the room!) She began the presentation talking about YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association and the benefits of becoming a member, which I can say are numerous. It is an organization that is incredibly welcoming and resourceful. However, you don't have to be a member of the organization to access the resources. Jennifer went on to discuss this year's award winning books. YALSA gives 6 different media awards, and if you are looking for book recommendations, then this is the place you should look! This is YALSA's webpage where you can gather information about YALSA: www.ala.org/yalsa And, here are links to the award and book recommendation lists:
www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists (access point for all awards & lists)
www.ala.org/yalsa/bbya (Best Books for YAs)
www.ala.org/yalsa/ggnt (Graphic Novels)
www.ala.org/teenstopten (Teens’ Top 10)
www.ala.org/yalsa/printz (Printz Award)
www.ala.org/yalsa/edwards (Edwards Award)

Then Jennifer discussed some of the emerging trends in young adult literature and book talked some recommended titles. The trends that Jennifer listed are as follows:
Vampires, Zombies, and other Supernatural Horrors
Fairy Tales
Greek Mythology
Updated Classics
Rich Mean Girls
Urban Life
Religion
Culture Clash Identity Crises
Kid Spies

And she noted that a future trend teens are leaning toward is Angels! So be prepared! :)

If you would like to contact Jennifer with questions about her presentation. Here is her contact info: Jennifer Rothschild
jennifer.rothschild@pgcmls.info
www.tushuguan.blogspot.com

For more info about what books she recommended for each trend or the booklists she talked about, you can access her presentation slides and booklists at the following links:
http://docs.google.com/Present?docid=dfdvbtpz_244fqnp97dr Slides
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfdvbtpz_439dx62hvh4 Booklist

MLA Session: You Can Take It With You: Library Leaders with a Passion for Youth Services

This session was sponsored by the Eastern Shore Regional Library and the Library Management Division of MLA.



Panel Members Included:

Audra Caplan, Director, Harford County Public Library, Jim Fish,
Director, Baltimore County Public Library, Kathleen Reif, Director, St.
Mary’s County Public Library, Irene Briggs, Associate Director for
Public Services, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System,
Rachel Vilmar, Eastern Shore Regional Library



The panel members were asked a series of questions about how to develop leadership skills, how to evolve into leadership positions, and once you get there, how not to leave your passion for youth services behind.

The panel members gave some excellent advice for attendees who would like to be in leadership positions, but want to still be active in youth services. They noted that one of the best ways to carry their youth services passion into leadership is by becoming an advocate for it, not only within the library and the library system, but within the community as well. Serving on committees concerning youth and youth services in the community can help to build partnerships and strengthen or establish needed services.

However, they did note that you will have to give up some of your Youth Library duties/activities such as storytimes, everyday programming, etc. because it is impossible to be everywhere at once.


One of the ways the panel members suggested for developing leadership skills, as well as becoming a leader was to get involved. They handed out several resources for becoming involved in both leadership activities and youth services.

One was become more involved in the Maryland Library Association (MLA) by joining the Children's Services Division (CSD), serving on the Blue Crab Award Committee, working with the Teen Interest Group or becoming a participating member of the Library Management Division. Any of this committees would help to enhance both your knowledge about library issues and your leadership skills. For more information www.mdlib.org

Another way to develop those leadership skills is by applying for and attending the Maryland Library Leadership Institute which is supoprted by the Maryland State Department of Education Division of Library Development and Services (DLDS). It is presented by Becky Schreiber and John Shannon to help librarians identify and develop their skills, as well as create a positive and support network of peers. A small taste of their leadership seminars can be experienced by attending the two day Leading from Any Position I and II workshops sponsored by DLDS in the fall and spring. For more information: www.mdlib.org/leadership/

Third, being involved in the Nationwide and Statewide initiatives of the Summer Reading Program, the Birth to Five-Emergent Literacy program, and the marketing campaign, It's Never Too Early assists in providing valuable information and resources about youth issues and services. The Youth Services Specialist for Maryland is Stephanie Shauck. For more information about these initiatives, please contact Stephanie at sshauck@msde.state.md.us

Lastly, getting involved on the national level is an excellent way to interwine both of your goals. The Association of Library Services to Children (ALSC), a division of ALA, is always looking for new members. If you are passionate about Children's Services, this is an organization you should be a part of. The resources that it provides are endlesss. For more information: www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc

If teen advocacy is your focus, then you'll want to become a member of the Young Adult Library Services Association or YALSa, also a division of ALA. YALSA provides an amazing and informative network of resources and people to help guide and educate new and continuing teen services members. For more information: www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/

There are many ways to become active members of both of these national groups including posting on the blogs, serving on a committee, voting in elections, participating in discussion groups, becoming involved in service campaigns, taking online courses, and presenting at a divisional or national conference.

The main point that I took away from this panel was that to become a leader, you need to be involved and you need to be passionate about being involved. And, one you take on a leadership role, the passion just grows from there!

MLA Session: Of Mice and Moles: Blue Crab Award Author Talk

This session was sponsored by the Children's Services Division of MLA.

A CSD Blue Crab Committee Member introduced the award itself. Here are the criteria for the selection of the Blue Crab Award Winner as listed on the Blue Crab website:

Criteria
The committee will consider the following criteria in judging whether a book is deserving of the award or inclusion on the honor list:
Appropriateness for target age group.
Overall child appeal.
Appropriateness of text to support the needs of beginning readers:
Sentence structure
Legibility of font
Appropriate spacing of text and use of white space
Number of words per sentence
Appropriateness of vocabulary
Presentation of information, including accuracy, clarity, and organization.
Literary merit.
Quality of illustrations and how they support or extend the text.
Visual appeal, including text, layout, and graphic style or design.
Delineation of characters and setting
Appropriateness of support matter (glossary, pronunciation key, etc)
The "total package" or overall spirit of the book.

Not every one of these criteria will apply to every book, but each award-winning and notable book should be found excellent in all aspects pertinent to it. Text and illustrations will be given equal weight.

She also talked about ways in which interested persons could get involved with either upcoming Blue Crab committees or CSD. For more information on either, feel free to visit http://www.mdlib.org/divisions/csd/default.asp

2008's Transitional Fiction Winner, Mr. Wong Herbert Lee, was the presenter for this session. He received the award for Abracadabra! Magic with Mouse and Mole.

Throughout the presentation he showed the various stages of the books in the Mouse and Mole series. As both author and illustrator, he was able to share the illustration techniques of his books. For each cover of his Mouse and Mole series, he revealed that a different artistic technique was used.

He showed how the text placement was juxtaposed with the simplistic, yet beautiful illustrations that he created, as well as the editing process involved in creating the final product. Mr. Yee also showed how he begins his stories, with scanned images of his pre-editied stories on legal pad and notebook paper.

In addition, Mr. Yee shared some of his beginning and transitional book favorites.

Lastly, Mr. Yee showed allowed us to examine the formulas that he uses for the repetitive vocabulary and new vocabulary in his books.

It is really amazing to see how his books have come to fruition over a period of time. If you have not read his Mice and Mole series or do not have them in your library, perhaps it would be a good time to get them, as Mr. Yee informed us that there are at least two more books in the works!