Volume 38, Number 7
October 2005
Albany County Librarian Named New York Times Librarian of the Year
The New York Times has just named Susan M. Simpson, the County Librarian for the Albany County Public Library system, as one of its Librarians of the Year. Simpson will receive her award in November at a ceremony in New York City. She will be one of just 50 librarians to receive this award nationwide. The Times received more than 1,200 nominations.
"I am thrilled and honored to have even been nominated for this award," Simpson said.
The nomination was submitted by John Burman, President of the Albany County Public Library Foundation. He wrote, "There are numerous ways in which Ms. Simpson makes the library a better place. First and foremost is the fact that she has dedicated over 20 years of her life to the Albany County Public Library and its patrons. In fact, patrons are Ms. Simpson's top priority. Not only does she care and deal effectively about "big picture" issues such as funding, staffing, and materials procurement; she also makes a point of dealing effectively with everyday issues." To quote one of the staff people at the library, "Ms. Simpson is the library to all of us in the county."
Wyoming Library Association updates
For those who could not make it to or who missed a program at the recent joint Wyoming Library Association/Mountain Plains Library Association conference, most of the conference was webcast and is available at http://www.tclib.org/mpla/ and the archive should be available today. Also, many WLA and MPLA members blogged their experiences at http://mplawla2005.blogspot.com/ .
The 2006 conference is in Gillette September 27 - 30 at the Camplex. Ara Anderson is the new vice president, and she is in charge of programming for the 2006 conference. WLA is in need of a site for the 2007 conference. For more information on hosting, contact Erin Kinney, WLA President at ekinne@state.wy.us, 307-777-6332.
WLA award recipients were honored at the conference banquet on Oct. 13. Recipients included:
In honor of Deb Bruse, children's librarians act out "How I became a pirate," a children's book, at WLA in Jackson.
Work in a Wyoming school library? Take the survey!
As part of her graduate work, Susan Vittitow is conducting a survey of school librarians in Wyoming. This easy, online survey takes 5-10 minutes to complete and answers will be kept confidential. Complete it, and your name will be entered in a drawing for some fine books, including an autographed copy of Karen Fisher's debut novel from Random House, A Sudden Country. You may have already received an email inviting you to participate. If you work in a school library and did NOT get the email, go to this link to take it: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=90091459894 Please complete the survey only once! Direct any questions to Susan Vittitow at the Wyoming State Library, svitti@state.wy.us, 307-777-5915. Thanks for your participation!
Disaster preparedness for libraries
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina WebJunction has assembled a collection of resources to help your library prepare for and respond to disasters. Visit http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=11514
Connect Wyoming's recent newsletter offered a number of publications links for disaster preparedness:
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Wyoming Office of Homeland Security
http://wyohomelandsecurity.state.wy.us/
Visit the Connect Wyoming web site at http://wind.uwyo.edu/connect/
ALA created an Adopt a Library program to assist Gulf region libraries to recover and rebuild. Many Wyoming schools and libraries across our state wish to participate. Wyoming's "Katrina Project" was promoted at the joint Wyoming Library Association/Mountain Plains Library Association Conference Oct. 12 - 15, 2005. Projected dates for this project are through December 15. Send books or donations in the mail to: Library Services Department, Pineview/WSD, 539 Payne Avenue, Casper, WY 82609. Questions? Contact Carla Howard, 307-261-6866, carla_howard@ncsd.k12.wy.us
Kids can join Rulon Gardner's book club
Teachers and students are invited to adopt Rulon Gardner's autobiography, Never Stop Pushing into their curriculum, purchase the book at a reduced price, give students access to Rulon's personal email address for questions they have while reading, and have Rulon participate in a conference call with the class for a book club discussion once reading is complete. Gardner is an Afton, Wyoming, native who rocketed to fame by winning an Olympic Gold Medal in Greco-Roman wrestling in one of the greatest sports upsets in history. All-Inclusive Book Club Cost per Book: $10 plus shipping and handling. For more information on "Rulon's Book Club," contact Danielle Marquis, 303-674-1290, DanielleMarquis@marquisathlets.com.
Watch your mailboxes for an interview with Rulon Gardner in the fall 2005 Wyoming Library Roundup http://will.state.wy.us/roundup/
Database Quick Guides
The State Library is proud to announce the availability of downloadable Quick Guides to the following online databases:
New books at the Wyoming State Library
Visit the New Library Science Publications at the Wyoming State Library web page at http://will.state.wy.us/ldo/newpubs.html to view an annotated list of new items added to the State Library's Professional Collection. All items are available through Interlibrary Loan.
This month's additions include:
101+ great ideas for libraries and friends.
Provides 100+ examples and case studies of simple fund-raising and marketing ideas for library friends groups. Includes sample forms and marketing materials.
Continuing professional development: A guide for information professionals.
Contains information on how to examine your library skills and create a plan for professional development (in terms of career planning and advancement).
Hennen's public library planner: A manual and CD-ROM.
Contains step-by-step instructions for all types of library planning: administration, collection development, staffing, facilities, etc. Includes adaptable forms and checklists on a companion CD-ROM.
Measuring for results: The dimensions of public library effectiveness.
Describes the importance of measuring library effectiveness. Contains detailed descriptions and instructions of several types of library assessments.
The Neal-Schuman directory of public library job descriptions.
Contains 250+ real job descriptions for 150+ public library job titles. All descriptions are included on the companion CD-ROM.
Teamwork basics [videorecording] / Library Video Network.
The 15-minute video reviews basic teamwork components and how they can be applied in today's libraries. It also illustrates teamwork by showing the workings of a cross-departmental team. Among the teamwork concepts covered are: Basic team components, Rotating team membership, The role of a team facilitator, and Agenda maintenance.
o [annotation adapted from publisher's website] o
For a full list of new items or to download a PDF of recent New Publications, visit http://will.state.wy.us/ldo/newpubs.html.
FREE College of DuPage Teleconferences
Don't forget that all Wyoming Libraries (Public, Academic, School, Special, and Institutional) can participate in the College of DuPage Teleconferences for free!
Register online for the satellite downlink and/or webcast by completing BCR's online registration form: http://www.bcr.org/training/teleconferences/register.html. The downlink site-license terms also are on BCR's Web site: http://www.bcr.org/training/teleconferences/terms.html.
SOARING TO EXCELLENCE 2006 BROADCASTS
Broadcasts run noon-1:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Libraries, the Universe and Everything
Library Challenges & Opportunities 2006
Questions? Contact BCR's Sharon Hoffhines at shoffhin@bcr.org.
Take a look at the future
Eric Childress of OCLC fame has prepared a PowerPoint called: "Pattern Recognition for Technical Services: Interpreting the OCLC Environmental Scan". It was presented at the 2005 Ohio Library Council Annual Conference & Exposition, October 6, 2005, Columbus, Ohio. (1.6MB, 44 slides). http://www.oclc.org/research/presentations/childress/20051006-olc.ppt
Young Adult Specialist Position, Natrona County Public Library, Casper, WY
http://will.state.wy.us/libraries/natrya.html
Minimum salary $27,000 DOE and qualifications. BA or BS minimum desired. Priority given to letters of interest and resumes received by November 11, 2005.
Send to: Natrona County Public Library, Attn: Business Manager, 307 East Second Street, Casper, WY 82601
Librarian, Reference/Electronic Resources, Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne, WY
http://will.state.wy.us/libraries/lcccref.html
Ten-month faculty position. Qualifications: Master's degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited institution; demonstrated teaching ability including instruction in use of online databases; demonstrated implementation or integration of current information literacy theory and practices; excellent oral, written, presentation and interpersonal communication skills; strong teamwork and group skills; and knowledge of established and emerging instructional methods and technologies required. Salary DOE.
Closing date November 3, 2005. Starting Date: on or about January 9, 2006
Submit letter of application indicating how education and experience relate to responsibilities and qualifications, current resume, Application for Employment form to: Human Resources Office, Laramie County Community College, 1400 East College Drive, Cheyenne, WY 82007. EEO