WMRLS Librarians Go Green with Project WILD

 

A BIG Thank you to ...

• Pam Landry, Education Coordinator of Massachusetts Department of Fish & Wildlife
• Gini Traub, Regional EE Coordinator, Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation
• Alexander Gillman, Regional EE Coordinator, Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation

For conducting the outstanding Project WILD Train the Trainer Workshops on April 9 at the Lenox Memorial Middle & High School Library and on April 16 at the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls. 

A Summary about Project WILD:

"Project WILD is one of the most widely-used conservation and environmental education programs among educators of students in kindergarten through high school. It is based on the premise that young people and educators have a vital interest in learning about our natural world. A national network of State Wildlife Agency Sponsors ensures that Project WILD is available nationwide --training educators in the many facets of the program. Emphasizing wildlife because of its intrinsic value, Project WILD addresses the need for human beings to develop as responsible citizens of our planet."

WMRLS offers a bounty of SRP Programming for Librarians this Spring

Greetings,
  Our upcoming annual WMRLS SUMMER READING PROGRAM POWER WORKSHOP is filled to maximum seating capacity and registrations have closed.
     In addition to our annual WMRLS SRP Power Workshop, we have a number of upcoming workshops that provide a bounty of information for staff who will be conducting your library's upcoming summer reading program.  They are all listed chronologically on our WMRLS online EventKeeper Calendar as follows (register online at http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=WMRLS ) :

PROJECT WILD: ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR GRADES K TO 12

Friday April 9, 2010 from 9 to 3:30

and repeated on

Friday April 16, 2010 from 9 to 3:30

Project WILD links students (grades K-12) and wildlife through its mission to provide wildlife-based conservation and environmental education that fosters responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources. Through the use of balanced curriculum materials and professional six-hour training workshops, Project WILD accomplishes its goal of developing awareness, knowledge, skills and commitment that result in informed decisions with regard to nature and the environment. Gini Traub and Alexander Gillman of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation are the program leaders. 

April 9 Location: Lenox Memorial Middle High School Library

April 16 Location: Great Falls Discovery Center, Turners Falls

________________________________________  

READSINMA ONLINE READING PROGRAM AND SUMMER 2010

APRIL 2010: Numerous sessions and locations throughout this region

Are you ready to jump on board the online registration train this summer? If you are interested in offering an online component of the 2010 Summer Reading Program for your library users, you're invited to attend this ReadsinMA.org training. The summer reader from Evanced Solutions offers you better management of in-house registration, prize management and a simple self-service option for your library patrons. You can even post and send e-mail announcements of library events, promote school and library reading lists and add book reviews. Begin THIS summer to offer online reading program registration for your patrons to use throughout the entire year.

________________________________________  

TNK GREN WITH TEEN CRAFTS

Monday, May 10, 2010 from 9 to 11:30

What is better than recycling? REUSING!!! Get prepared for the teen summer reading program, tnk grEn, by seeing what you and your kids can make reusing materials and supplies destined for the trash and recycle bins. Participants in this hands-on workshop will learn to make three crafts from used materials. You'll also get tips on how to lead teens in making their own creations. Possible projects will be totes, wallets, paperbeads, and altered T-shirts. Upon registration, participants will be notified what materials they should bring. Presented by Mia Cabana, YA librarian at the West Springfield Public Library, and Doris Madsen, reference librarian at the Pine Point and Sixteen Acres branches of the Springfield City Library.

Join us for an "On-Your-Own Book Review" from 9 to 9:45. This portion of the program is led by Jean Canosa Albano, Manager of Youth & Outreach Services of the Springfield City Library. 

Location: Community Room, Springfield City Library

~ Sincerely, Janet Eckert, Youth Services Librarian and Continuing Education Coordinator,  Western Massachusetts Regional Library System

WMRLS Online CE Coffee Break Series Encore!

Good News!  WMRLS has archived each session of our recent Winter Continuing Education Series of 30 minute online programs.  Visit our WMRLS Online CE Coffee Break Series ~ 2010 website to view one or all of our coffee break sessions. ~ Sincerely, Janet Eckert, WMRLS

http://www.wmrls.org/ce/notes/online-coffee-break.html

Dewey love our libraries? Storrs Library's Inspiring Blog

Visit the Blog of the Storrs Library, Longmeadow

One of our part time staff, Phyllis Bogert, has been photographing libraries for many years. She did not use a digital camera, but collected all her beautiful photographs in an album which she would share with us from time to time. Barbara Fitzgerald, our Adult Services Librarian, thought it would be a great idea to turn this album into a Picasa Web Album and put it online for all to see. We enlisted the help of a volunteer, Doris Brodeur, who scanned in all the photos. I then created a blog, using all the skills that I learned the WMRLS "Blogging for Beginners" Workshop! This collaborative effort was finally finished and posted last week. It is accessible from our homepage, www.longmeadow.org/library.

Curiosity about the WMRLS extraordinary delivery system, linking so many libraries of different size and architecture, was what motivated Phyllis and John to set out on their trips. We thought you might like to let other libraries know about the blog so that they, too, can enjoy the lovely photographs.

~ Farida Pomerantz, Storrs Library, Longmeadow

WMRLS Basic Library Techniques in Reference: Fall 2009 Session One

WMRLS thanks the Massachusetts Library Aid Association for generously sponsoring our recent day-long Basic Library Techiques in Reference Institute at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Pittsfield. 

42 enthusiastic librarians attended this event which was led by Belinda Boon, Assistant Professor at Kent State University.  Professor Boon granted us permission to post a selection of the workshop handouts on our WMRLS Continuing Education Workshop Notes webpage.

Dr. Boon also showcased the Library Video Network title (available for loan from the WMRLS Professional Collection) - Conducting the Reference Interview and recommended the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems Sample Reference Policies website.

Beth Gallaway presents: Pain in the Brain (Library Behavior)

Thanks to all of you who participated in the WMRLS workshop "Pain in the Brain" that I facilitated on Wednesday morning, June 10 at the WMRLS headquarters in Whatley MA! Notes, slides, photos and podcasts (somewhat muted audio - be sure to turn up the volume!) follow.

Audio from all sessions is online at http://www.gabcast.com/index.php?a=episodes&id=30366.

Beth G.

Notes: Icebreaker: Things we find rewarding about working with teens

Links: http://www.delicious.com/informationgoddess29/brain

Drawing Exercise

Drawing Exercise Audio: http://www.gabcast.com/index.php?a=episodes&query=&b=play&id=30366&cast=141871&castPage=

Group 1: Draw a TEEN, from a LIBRARIAN pov

• androgynous
• ipod
• cell phone
• texting
• talking
• trendy clothing
• eyes are - asleep or bored
• piercing
• love wikipedia
• barefoot or expensive sneakers that are untied or sandals in winter
• packs
• text the pack when alone
• unlit
• tattoos
• emo hair
• food & drink
• trail of trash
• waste
• games
• facebook or myspace
• chewing tobacco, sunflower seeds

Group 2: Draw a LIBRARIAN, from a TEEN pov

• old (at least over 25)
• concerned with enforcing rules (no skateboards, no cell phones, no talking loudly, no running, no food & drink, no FUN)
• "Do Not Disturb" sign
• behind a desk
• frowning
• bun & specs
• image may depend on where you grow up and the environment
• shushing action
• fists
• ruler!
• alone
• computer screen as a wall

Group 3: Draw a TEEN, from a TEEN pov

• important thing is being watched (through a magnifying glass)
• in a group
• high tech (cell phone, laptop, ipod)
• designer clothes
• librarian: you're too loud
• being judged all the time
• fashion
• concern - is he looking at me? am i measuring up
• hormonal
• multiple groups
• look older & sophistcated alone, younger when with parents
• insecure
• self-absorbed
• adults are insignificant - interfering annoying sound
• hungry for adult approval, ear to bend
• play it off as cool
• pulled in multiple directions (social pressure, school, etc)

Group 4: Draw a LIBRARIAN, from a LIBRARIAN pov

• androgynous
• many hats all at one time
• cape with a bolt of lightening
• superhuman
• flat shoes
• specs
• smiling
• pleasant
• computers AND books (Twilight)
• pulled in many directions
• social pressures

Questions for the group:
Are there any similarities in these images?
Does we all look like this? Do teens?


Slides: http://www.slideshare.net/informationgoddess29/wmrls09brain

Wmrls09brain

Audio for Slides & Discussion:
Behavior Lecture & Discussion, Part 1
Behavior Lecture & Discussion, Part 2

Handouts:

• Handout: Understanding the Brain
• Handout: Brain Tip Sheet
• Handout: YALSA's Young Adults Deserve the Best: Competencies for Librarians Serving Youth
• Handout: Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents
• Book Coupon: Connecting Young Adults and Libraries, 4th Edition
  

Library Summer School - Take an online course for FREE!

Greetings Colleagues,
One of the many benefits of WMRLS membership is free admission to WebJunction's online library continuing education workshops. The WebJunction course catalog covers a wide range of topics and is continually updated. Consult the WebJunction Online Course Catalog and complete our WMRLS Online CE Registration Form to receive a WMRLS code that will enable you to take the course for free. On June 15, WMRLS will issue the confidential coupon code to all staff of member libraries who complete our online registration form. This coupon code must be redeemed by August 31. You will have access to the course that you select for one full year.

Below is a selection of the topics covered by the WebJunction online courses. On June 15, WMRLS will issue a confidential coupon code to all staff of member libraries who complete our online registration form:


Application Software
Adobe Acrobat (8)
Crystal Reports (2)
Databases (19)
Desktop Publishing (12)
Excel (25)
Flash (3)
Graphics (13)
Microsoft Office (general) (4)
Outlook (23)
PowerPoint (13)
Project (16)
Visio (6)
Word (29)

Customer Service & Interpersonal Skills
Communication (11)
Customer Service (14)
Ethics & Values (6)
Interpersonal (41)
Learning (personal) (15)

Library Management
Advocacy & Outreach (1)
Budget & Finance (13)
Facilities Management (6)
Friends & Trustees (1)
Funding (1)
Marketing (12)
Policies & Procedures (3)
Library Services
Children (7)
Readers Advisory (1)
Reference & Information Resources (4)
Technical Services (8)
Young Adults & Teens (2)

Networking & Security
Email Systems (9)
General Networking (9)
General Security (17)
Servers (20)
Telecommunications (3)
Wireless (5)

Operating & Automation Systems
Linux (23)
Windows (17)

Organizational Management
Leading Organizations (28)
Legal Responsibilities (8)
Project Management (21)
Strategic Planning (12)

Personnel Management
Hiring (6)
Staff Training & Development (17)
Supervision (18)
Workplace Safety & Compliance (18)

Technology (general)
Basic Computer Support (4)
Hardware (4)
Technology Planning (16)
Video (5)

Web Design & Development
Web Design (33)
Web Development (19)

~ Sincerely, Janet Eckert, Western Massachusetts Regional Library System

Weeding with the CREW Method - WMRLS May 21 Continuing Education Workshop

Weeding with the CREW Method

Summary of WMRLS May 21 Continuing Education Workshop:

This workshop explored the straightforward guidelines recommended in The CREW Method, a nationally recognized tool for intelligent de-selection. Through hands-on weeding, participants discovered for themselves that these methods really work! Belinda Boon, author of The CREW Method, presented the workshop to help participants identify reasons for and against weeding and discover how to overcome obstacles, learn how to weed using The CREW Method and practice techniques for weeding non-print and children’s materials. This workshop was funded by the Together We Thrive LSTA grant.

Visit the WMRLS Weeding the Library Collection Website for links to selected handouts and more! [Our WMRLS Weed It! For an Attractive and Useful Collection website was one of the first websites to cover this important collection development topic and continues to be among the Top 10 most visited pages on our 242 page website.]

Puppetry ~ WMRLS May 19 Continuing Education Workshop

Puppetry


Summary of WMRLS May 19 Continuing Education Workshop:

Presenters Joan Knight, Director of the Jaffrey (NH) Public Library, and Judith Stoughton, Children's Librarian of the Mansfield (CT) Public Library demonstrated how to incorporate puppetry into library programs and make puppet magic. They offered practical ideas, tips, techniques and specific activities that can be transported to your library.


Resources on Puppetry Available from the WMRLS Professional Collection

Tips & Techniques: Storytelling with Puppets and Props. Library Video Network, 2002. [DVD PROF 027.62]

Leading Kids to Books Through Puppets by Caroline Feller Bauer. ALA, 1997. [PROF 027.625]

Enhancing Children's Programs with Crafts

WMRLS/North Adams Public Library Collaborative Continuing Education Workshop

Enhancing Children's Programs with Crafts

On Thursday, January 15, North Adams Public Library’s Youth Services Librarian, Marion Grillon, generously showcased a selection of her unique collection of theme related story program kits. Each kit includes a cover sheet listing the theme, recommended book titles, a sample craft with instructions, and relevant craft supplies. Our program featured the opportunity for workshop participants to make and discuss a sampling of Marion's inspiring crafts as well as a tour of the library's beautiful new Green Building.

Must-See Sites for Technical Services

Thank you to Jeremy Goldstein, Berkshire Athenaeum Cataloging Supervisor, who inspired participants who attended today's WMRLS continuing education workshop "Must-See Sites for Technical Services". Jeremy's recommended technical services (and more!) websites are now featured on our WMRLS Cataloging & Classification webpage.

Thank you, too, to Dodie Gaudet, Bibliographic and Technical Services Consultant (Central Massachusetts Regional Library System). Dodie developed the original "Must See" workshop and generously granted permisssion to adapt this program for our region.

* One of the many benefits of WMRLS membership is free-of-charge continuing education workshops for member library staff on such topics as technical services, reference databases, long range planning, and guidance for library staff in new technologies.

Coffee Bars, Computer Blogs, & Cybrarians

A big thank you to Bonnie Isman, Director of the Amherst Libraries, and guest presenter of today's inspiring WMRLS Continuing Education Workshop titled Coffee Bars, Computer Blogs, and Cybrarians, Oh My! It’s Not your Grandmother’s Public Library.

This presentation was originally conducted for the Greenfield Senior Symposia series and to other local organizations. The content was designed for community groups with the hope of stretching their minds about the kinds of things that libraries can do. Using slides, websites, and a special DVD presentation, Bonnie gave participants a whirlwind tour of the history of American libraries and concluded by showcasing 21st century libraries and the incredible services and programs that they provide their communites.

Posted below is a sampling of the material that Bonnie shared with us.

YouTube Presentation: Jones Library English as a Second Language (ESL) Tutoring



Carnegie Libraries -
http://wmrls.blogspot.com/2008/01/catalogue-of-photographic-exhibition-of.html

Cerritos launches "The Experience Library" - http://www.ci.cerritos.ca.us/library/experience_library.html

From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America © 2008 OCLC -
http://www.oclc.org/reports/funding/default.htm

In Search of Solutions: How People use the Internet, Libraries, and Government Agencies to Find Help - http://pewresearch.org/pubs/677/in-search-of-solutions

Libraries with Coffee Shops - http://wikis.ala.org/professionaltips/index.php/Libraries_with_Coffee_Shops

The Library History Buff (Look for "The First Bookmobile")- http://www.libraryhistorybuff.org/

Library pioneers strove for a place in history. Republican, The (Springfield, MA) - July 28, 2008 Author: STAN FREEMAN Edition: ALL Section: NEWS Page: A01

Number of Libraries in the United States -
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/hqops/library/libraryfactsheet/alalibraryfactsheet1.cfm

The Peterborough Town Library:The Oldest Free Public Library in the World Supported by Taxation - http://www.libraryhistorybuff.org/peterborough.htm

Wyoming Libraries - http://wyominglibraries.org/

WMRLS 25th Annual Summer Reading Program Power Workshop

Many Thanks to AJ Cole, Director of the West Stockbridge Public Library, for sharing information on Slide.com
Take a look at the West Stockbridge Public Library's What's Happening in the Library Slideshow!

Visit WMRLS Reads! for more Summer Reading Program Information

History & Mystery Book List Updates

Take a look at our updated and expanded Historical Fiction (Some Place in Time) and Mystery (Deadly Pleasures) book lists updated with new titles and authors http://www.wmrls.org/services/colldev/ra_lists.html. I hope you and your readers will find them useful. If you have additional suggestions, I'd love to have them.

Don't forget that Neal Wyatt, author of The Readers' Advisory Guide to Nonfiction, will be at WMRLS on April 15 to offer her tips on nonfiction and readers' advisory services. Sign up today while there is still space http://www.wmrls.org/ce/main.html#080415.

~ Jan Resnick, Assistant Regional Administrator, WMRLS

WMRLS Summer Reading Program Power Workshop

Western Massachusetts Regional Library System

Summer Reading Program Power Workshop!

9:30 - 3:30

Thursday, April 17 ~ Tekoa Country Club, Westfield

Registration and Program Fee is Required by March 27

VISIT THE WMRLS READS! SUMMER READING PROGRAM BLOG FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

025.431: The Dewey blog AND MORE!

From the 025.431: The Dewey blog website:

"What's 025.431: The Dewey blog?

025.431: The Dewey blog is a weblog covering topics related to the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) and knowledge organization."

For more information about the Dewey Decimal Classification, we invite staff of all WMRLS member libraries to register for our upcoming "Basic Library Training in Cataloging" which will run from 9 - noon on Wednesday, April 23 and Thursday, June 12 at WMRLS Headquarters.

This course will also include 6.5 hours of online coursework to be completed by registered participants from April 24 to June 5

[Note: WMRLS will repeat this workshop series in Berkshire County in Fall, 2008]

Description:
Basic Library Training in Cataloging is intended as an introduction to help library staff who have no formal education in cataloging and also as a refresher course on the basics of cataloging for librarians and school library media specialists. The course, consisting of workshops and online training, will cover an introduction to the following: • Technical Services and Catalog Records • Subject Headings • Dewey Classification • MARC Cataloging. Barbara Andrews, Andrews Consulting, will lead this workshop. Janet Eckert is the WMRLS contact person for this program. Registration deadline: April 10. Registration Limit: 30.

Requirements:
To fulfill the Cataloging component of the Basic Library Techniques requirement of the State Aid to Libraries program of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and/or to receive 12.5 Massachusetts Department of Education Professional Development Points Certificate of Completion, participants must:

• Attend two half day training sessions at the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System (6 hours)


• Complete online Alternate Basic Library Education course developed by the Idaho State Library between April 25 and June 5 (6.5 hours)


• Complete the online final examination for each of the four components of the course and submit to WMRLS at the Thursday, June 12 training session.

Register for this course by completing the WMRLS Online CE Registration Form