Apply now for the NMRT Shirley Olofson Award

Posted on November 20, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

Are you a New Members Round Table member who is looking for funds to help pay for your trip to American Library Association’s 2019 Annual Conference in Washington, DC (June 20-25, 2019)? Consider applying for the NMRT Shirley Olofson Memorial Award. Shirley Olofson passed away while serving her term as NMRT president. The NMRT honors Olofson’s leadership and commitment to the profession with this award given in her memory.

Apply by Thursday, December 13, 2018 for the NMRT Shirley Olofson Memorial Award and you may receive a $1,000 check to help defray the cost of attendance!

Applicants must:

  1.            Be a member of ALA and NMRT
  2.            Be active in the library profession
  3.            Show promise for activity in the area of professional development
  4.            Have a valid financial need
  5.            Have attended no more than five ALA annual conferences

To apply, please visit: http://www.ala.org/nmrt/initiatives/applyforfunds/shirleyolofson. Please e-mail Jason Vance (Jason.Vance@mtsu.edu) if you have any additional questions.

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NMRT Twitter Live Chat

Posted on November 19, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

What kind of librarian are you

Please join the NMRT Online Discussion Forum Committee on Friday, December 14th at 2:00 pm EST for a live Twitter chat on: What Kind of Librarian Are You?

Whether you are still in library school or a librarian still trying to find their path, join us for a discussion in discovering what type of library you want to work in and what kind of librarian you want to be.

Choosing where you want to work can be tough between all the public, academic, and special libraries around plus all of the possible positions available within each of those types of libraries. Join the Twitter chat to:

  • Share stories of how you found the job you love
  • Share tips for finding where you want to be
  • Share your struggles in the process of finding your place
  • …and more!

It should be a lively discussion filled with experiences and ideas so join us on Twitter using the hashtag #nmrtchat tweeting from @moonphiredesign on Friday, December 14th at 2:00 pm EST!

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Alternative Voices: Jewel Davis

Posted on November 14, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

The Alternative Voices Feature is brought to you by the NMRT’s Membership, Diversity, Promotion, and Recruitment committee. It is meant to give a platform to the voices of librarians from underrepresented communities in the library field. The format of the feature is a journalistic question and answer format. It provides information that the librarian wants people to know about them, plus their thoughts on the current state of the field of librarianship.

Jewel Davis

Jewel Davis

Name – Jewel Davis

Contact Information – davisja5@appstate.edu

City & State – Boone, NC

Position Title – Education Librarian

Length of time in the library field – Five years

Tell us a little bit about your background. Where did you attend college? What degrees do you have? What programs (undergraduate or graduate) prepared you for your current position? Tell us about your position and what you do? What is your definition of diversity, or equity or inclusion?

I began my career as a high school English teacher after receiving a Master of Arts in Teaching and a BA in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I later decided to go back to school to become a librarian, and I was supported in that choice through the ACE Scholars program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The program was created to recruit minority librarians, and as part of this cohort of diverse students, I received financial support, participated in internships and professional development, and built relationships with phenomenal future librarians. It was an amazing program that jump-started my path into librarianship and seeing the value of diverse representation in this field.

I currently work as an Education Librarian in a PreK-12 Curriculum Materials Center at Appalachian State University’s Belk Library and Information Commons. I work with pre-service teachers, education faculty, and practicing K-12 teachers on teaching with youth literature, incorporating STEM and emerging technologies into classroom practice, and developing practitioner-based research skills. I love the job because it combines my passion for teaching, utilizing instructional technologies, and advocating for youth.

I define diversity as the wide range of differences that make us individually unique people. Because we are each inherently different as people, diversity is part of our everyday lives. What we do to understand, honor, and act upon it is what matters, and this is where we must engage in inclusive practices. Inclusion is the act of recognizing and supporting the diversity we encounter in people and creating an environment that provides a sense of belonging, value, and respect.

How are you becoming or staying in involved with the wider profession?

When I started my current job, I decided to focus first on building community locally and within my state. I volunteer, help organize, and attend events in our local education community, and over the years I have taken on more active leadership positions in our state library associations. I currently chair the Roundtable for Ethnic Minority Concerns for the North Carolina Library Association, and I am the President of the North Carolina Curriculum Materials Center Association. I am now seeking opportunities in national service organizations, and I feel good about this slow but steady path because I have a supportive network in my local and state community that I can lean on and work with to help make a wider impact.

What advice would you give to new librarians from underrepresented groups?

Don’t be afraid to lead in the position that you are currently in. Leadership doesn’t have to be gained through a new title or position. You can make an impact and grow in your career laterally just as well as you can vertically. Hungrily seek the opportunities that speak to your passions, put in the work, and always advocate for yourself and your work.

Now more than ever, it is important for libraries to seek out diverse materials to add to their collection but some may have difficulty locating materials that accurately reflect the voice of a specific community.

What resource would you recommend that librarians use to locate the most up-to-date and relevant sources?

I work with youth advocates specifically on this issue in terms of finding authentic representation in youth literature. Going beyond our traditional collection development practices of primarily using trade reviews and moving more towards seeking out reviews and recommendations from people within underrepresented groups is key in having authentic materials in our collections. The See What We See Coalition (socialjusticebooks.org/about/see-what-we-see/) is comprised of dedicated advocates who critique and provide extensive evaluations on diverse titles in youth literature. In addition, the We Need Diverse Books (diversebooks.org/) organization provides links to curated title lists and links to other groups who have taken up the call to evaluate and recommend diverse youth literature.

What trends are most impacting the field right now?

In the library circles, I am a part of, I have been hearing more conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion. I hope these conversations build into even more action, training, and difficult conversations that push us into a sustained movement and not a passing moment.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learned on the job?

Effective communication is everything. Even when it is difficult and we do not agree, we have to strive to listen better and be more open to having authentic dialogue.

What is your favorite genre?

My favorite genre is speculative fiction. I love that even though we can escape to explore fantastical and futuristic settings in this genre, we can still learn about ourselves. For youth and adults, it can grant us the distance we may need and provide through metaphor a safe way to confront our fears, highlight our issues, and imagine our futures.

Do you have a blog/website?

I am on twitter as @jewel_davis (twitter.com/jewel_davis), and I have a website jeweldavis.com.

Interested in being featured in Alternative Voices? Contact us at ala.nmrt.mpdr@gmail.com .

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Apply for the NMRT Professional Development Grant

Posted on November 13, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

Short on cash but want to attend this year’s ALA conference? We’ve got you covered! Apply for the NMRT Professional Development Grant award by December 15th. This is your opportunity to receive $1,000 to offset the costs to attend this year’s Annual conference in Washington D.C. on June 20-25. Read for more information about the grant.

You must be a current NMRT member to apply. To join, visit the ALA website and follow the “Join ALA” link.

For questions, please contact Teresa Schultz, Chair of the NMRT Professional Development Grant Committee, at tmauch@gmail.com.  Good luck!

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October 2018 NMRT Online Discussion: Creative Programming at the Library

Posted on November 12, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

The discussion this October centered around creative programming in libraries. Recent media coverage of Drag Queen Story Hour has generated both negative and positive reactions from the public, and has brought attention to libraries’ efforts to offer inventive programs. Among the experiences and concerns raised by NMRT discussion members were programming idea sources, collaborating outside the library, and adapting to your community’s needs.

Sourcing your Programming Ideas

Discussion members had a variety of sources for their program ideas, though the majority centered around online sources. Among the online resources mentioned were:

Pinterest

Programming Librarian

ACRL Library Marketing and Outreach Facebook Group

ALA ThinkTank Facebook Group

Libraries on Instagram

Members also suggested that networking with other library staff could also prove fruitful. At a national level, this includes taking advantage of ALA resources such as the roundtables and networking at Annual and Midwinter. Robust networks of fellow librarians can act as sources of ideas and sounding boards for new ideas. At the state level, both state libraries and state library associations can also provide resources and contacts for programming ideas, conferences, and support. Some resources could be closer than you know, such as among the paraprofessionals or student workers of your library. Your network of library contacts, both online and in person, is an invaluable source of ideas.

Collaborating Outside the Library

Another valuable source of programming ideas and support comes from partnerships with organizations and groups unaffiliated with the library who share similar goals. Members discussed how in academic settings, they found Residence Life to be critical partners in programming. Other departments can also provide ideas or even put on programming together with the library. Faculty members were also mentioned as sources of both programming ideas and potential speakers at events. Integrating faculty and other departments both helps create collaborative, inventive programming and strengthens interdepartmental relationships. Similarly, public libraries should consider partnering with local businesses and organizations to build ties in the community and cross-promote services.

Adapting to Your Community’s Needs

One of the most important aspect of programming is considering the needs of your community. Academic librarians in the discussion stated that they often try to create programs based on the needs and desires of their students. Programming that centers on active, fun, and experimental events can be better received than programming that centers on the library’s traditional services. Programming that is unexpected and creative can challenge the patron’s stereotypical view of the library and invite them to take a new look at the resources it offers.

Understanding your community is the first step in finding programming that will fit the community’s needs. Academic librarians noted that they try to reach students in locations outside the library, as not all students go to the physical library for their educational resources. Paying close attention to the culture and topics of conversation among your customers may also provide guidance in what programming is desired. Public librarians may find that instead of books, their patrons are searching for a neutral space to discuss community concerns.

Continuing the Discussion

As libraries continue to play many roles in their communities, the demand for creative programming will only increase. Taking advantage of both online and in-person networking resources can help librarians plan and present successful programming, as well as provide support for failures. Partnering with local businesses or other organizations can result in successful collaborative programming and strengthened relationships. Paying close attention to the needs of the community and adapting to those needs is essential to creating successful programming. Librarians who are interested in creative programming should not hesitate to reach out to fellow librarians to discuss ideas, collaborations, failures and successes.

Have you presented creative programming at your library? What valuable lessons did you learn from the process? Do you have a resource not listed above that you utilize for programming ideas?

Submitted by: Katie Wheeler

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Authority File: Interviews with ALA Committee Chairs

Posted on October 30, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

This month, the NMRT Communications Committee is thrilled to introduce a new series for your reading pleasure—Authority File: Interviews with ALA Committee Chairs. We will be interviewing the Chairs of different ALA committees throughout the year and sharing their experiences as committee volunteers, their advice to new ALA members, and background about their committees. You may just discover your “next” ALA committee!

“Get involved!”

– Christina Rodriques, Chair of the ALA Membership Committee

To help us launch our new series, Christina Rodriques, Chair of the ALA Membership Committee, graciously agreed to be our first interview. Christina knows ALA extremely well; in addition to her role as a committee chairperson, she is also serving as Outreach Director on NMRT’s Board! The following interview with Christina was conducted through email.

How long have you been an ALA member?

I have been a member of ALA for just over 4 years now. I have served on committees for the International Relations Round Table (IRRT), and I currently serve as Outreach Director on the New Members Round Table (NMRT) board.

How long have you been Chair of the Membership Committee?

I have been Chair of the ALA Membership Committee since July of 2018 and my term will end in June 2019. I also served one year as a member of the committee before being appointed Chair.

Why did you decide to serve on this particular committee?

I chose to serve on the ALA Membership Committee because I believe it is the members of ALA, our fellow librarians, support staff, and LIS professionals that make the organization successful. Without membership we wouldn’t have the power to bring about change, to accomplish goals and to further the future of the profession. I chose to serve on this committee because I want to do my part to ensure that the barriers to entry for ALA remain low and that members see the value in this organization and what it can do.

Tell us about the Membership Committee—what is its reason for being, what are its goals or objectives, what are some of its current initiatives/projects?

The official charge of the ALA Membership Committee is “to establish general policies, programs, and procedures to secure new members; to be responsible for the implementation of these programs; to coordinate membership promotion activities of all units and chapters of the association; to make recommendations concerning membership dues; and to serve the association as a sounding board on membership”. Most recently the committee worked to approve a dues increase for membership that will ensure ALA can continue to fully serve its members while still keeping the cost incurred by them in mind.

How is this committee structured?

The Membership Committee consists of nine (9) members with staggered terms. There is a Chairperson who is appointed annually and one of the members is an ALA Executive Board Representative. There are no subcommittees.

What do you enjoy most about serving on this committee?

I enjoy serving on the Membership committee because I can voice my opinions and the opinions of others like me to ALA and its leaders. I also enjoy hearing the viewpoints and perspectives of others who are not like me. It makes for diverse and engaging discussions and we end up making better decisions because of it.

What would you say is the typical time commitment for serving on this committee?

It is relatively light. Most of our work is done virtually with very few meetings. We do meet in person at both the ALA mid-winter and annual conferences.

What advice would you give to someone considering serving on this committee in the future? Be sure to review the committee charge and activities before you fill out the volunteer form. That way you will know if the committee is something you would like to be a part of.

Do you have any advice for new members of ALA in general?

Get involved! Find a special interest group, round table or division and volunteer. New Members Round Table (NMRT) is a great starting point. I attended one of their meetings at an annual conference and right after that I had joined a committee and was working with my peers. NMRT really helps demystify the larger ALA organization and helps new members learn about all the opportunities and benefits that exist for them.

Submitted by: Alexandra Loewen

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ALA 101 Orientation Survey

Posted on October 29, 2018 by nmrtsecretary
Help us make ALA better! 
 
The ALA New Members Roundtable (NMRT) and ALA Training, Orientation, and Leadership Development (TOLD) Committee are working on building an ALA 101 orientation resource for new ALA members. Whether you are a new ALA member, an NMRT member, or not a member of either, we are interested in your feedback! Please tell us by November 23rd what your preferences and ideas are for an ALA orientation experience, as well as what you don’t know about ALA and wish you did. 
 
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2019 ALA Student Chapter of the Year Award: Nominations Open

Posted on October 28, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 ALA Student Chapter of the Year Award.

Completed nomination forms must be submitted by March 1, 2019 at 11:59 pm (Eastern) for consideration.

 2019 SCOTYA Nomination Form

Please e-mail the form and any supporting documents in either Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format to Michelle Osborne (michelle.osborne@gastongov.com). All nominations will be acknowledged upon receipt.

For more information on this award and the selection committee, please visit: http://www.ala.org/rt/nmrt/oversightgroups/comm/awscotya/scotya

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NMRT Career Mentoring Program Accepting Applications

Posted on October 19, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

Are you new to the profession and looking to get the inside scoop on how the American Library Association (ALA), New Members Roundtable (NMRT), or the librarian profession works? Apply to be a mentee!

Do you have over 5 years of library experience and are looking for new ways to engage with other librarians? Use your wealth of knowledge to connect new librarians to their career path by applying to be a mentor!

NMRT Mentoring Committee is seeking both Mentors and Mentees for Career Mentoring from October 2018 to July 2019.

Membership in ALA is required, and NMRT membership is encouraged. Applications are due October 26, 2018, aiming to match pairs by the beginning of November.

You can fill out the application form here: https://goo.gl/forms/COBCMdPskH0ylVvo1 

On behalf of The NMRT Mentoring Committee

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Financing Your Professional Development as a Newbie Librarian

Posted on October 3, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

by Maddie Hines

When first getting into the library profession, a mentor once told me, “Go to everything, because you don’t know anything.” So, for my first three years in the field, I signed up for conferences, lectures, webinars, symposiums, you name it. I was constantly volunteering for stuff, while trying not to break the bank. If nothing else, we first-gen college students are a pack of persistent and relentless scavengers when it comes to resources and funding. 

Unless you’re already established within your field, most employers won’t outright pay for an expensive conference attendance (although many will pay for your membership fees). However, the old adage, “It doesn’t hurt to ask” always applies. Your employer may have excess money left over from the previous fiscal year or perhaps, deep in your organization’s policy manual exists information to help you bargain for funding for professional development. Sometimes organizations bank on employees not doing the work of filling out applications and getting approvals for special funding. Do the work. It will ALWAYS be worth it.

But, as we are mostly public servants, money can be tight and we can’t rely on our employers to finance our professional development. This is where grants come in. ALA.org has a nice list of grant funding available for all kinds of niche librarianship fields. But since this is the NMRT blog, I’ve curated a list for travel and professional development specifically for newbs like us. And because we’re all on deadlines, I’ve arranged the list by due date (you’re welcome)! So whether your goal is to attend ALA annual for the first time, or pursue a short fellowship, these grants are a great place to start.

Ebsco Midwinter Meeting Sponsorship

Award Amount: $1,500

Description: This annual award is designed to allow librarians to attend the ALA Midwinter Meeting

Eligibility: Must be ALA members, must currently work as a librarian or be a paraprofessional currently working in a library.

App Deadline: 11/01/2018

 

Louise Seaman Bechtel Fellowship

Award Amount: $4,000

Description: The Louise Seaman Bechtel Fellowship provides a $4,000 grant to a qualified children’s librarian to spend a total of four weeks or more reading and studying at the Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature of the George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville.

Eligibility: Must be a personal member of ALSC, have at least (8) years experience in direct service to children and a graduate degree from an ALA-accredited program.

App Deadline: 11/01/2018

 

Baker & Taylor Conference Grant

Award Amount: $1,000

Description: The two grants of $1,000 each are funded by Baker & Taylor and are awarded to librarians who work for or directly with young adults in a public or school library or library agency to enable them to attend the Annual Conference for the first time.

Eligibility: All applicants must be current personal members of ALA/YALSA at the time the application is submitted.

App Deadline: 12/01/2018

 

Ebsco ALA Annual Conference Sponsorship

Award Amount: $1,000

Description: This annual award consisting of $1,000 for actual reimbursed expenses is designed to allow librarians to attend the ALA’s Annual Conference.

Eligibility: Applicant must be an ALA member. Applicants must not supervise another professional librarian (MLS).

App Deadline: 12/01/2018

 

First Step Award/Wiley Professional Development Grant

Award Amount: $1,500

Description: This Wiley Professional Development Grant is intended to provide librarians new to the continuing resources field with the opportunity to broaden their perspective and to encourage professional development in ALA Conference and participation in Continuing Resources Section activities. The cash award is applicable toward round trip transportation, lodging, registration fees, etc.

Eligibility: Open to ALCTS members with five years or less of professional experience in continuing resources and who have not attended a previous ALA Annual Conference.

App Deadline: 12/01/2018

 

Jan Merrill-Oldham Professional Development Award

Award Amount: $1,250

Description: This grant, awarded by the ALCTS Preservation and Reformatting Section, is to provide librarians and paraprofessionals new to the preservation field with the opportunity to attend a professional conference and encourages professional development through active participation at the national level.

Eligibility: Have five or fewer years of experience in the field of library and archives preservation, currently work as a librarian or paraprofessional within a library or archives preservation department or who has preservation responsibilities within their institution, or a person currently enrolled in a preservation-related graduate program. Have never attended an ALA Annual Conference.

App Deadline: 12/01/2018

 

Mango NMRT Professional Development Grant

Award Amount: $1,000

Description: The purpose of the MANGO/NMRT Professional Development Grant (sponsored by Mango Languages) is to encourage professional development and participation by new ALA members in national ALA and NMRT activities.

Eligibility: Applicants must be personal ALA/NMRT members who are working within the continental United States.

App Deadline: 12/15/2018

 

Bogle Pratt International Travel Fund

Award Amount: $1,000

Description: An award of $1,000 is given to an ALA personal member to attend their first international conference.

Eligibility: Recipients must be personal members of the American Library Association (ALA) for at least one full year.

App Deadline: 01/01/2019

 

About the BRASS Academic Business Librarianship Travel Award

Award Amount: $1250

Description: Established in 2012, this award presents a citation and $1,250 to an individual new to the field of academic business librarianship in order to support attendance to the ALA Annual Conference.

Eligibility: The winner does not need to be a member of ALA, RUSA, or BRASS but preference will be given to those that are, indeed members

App Deadline: 01/06/2019

 

Brass Public Librarian Support Award

Award Amount: $1,250

Description: This annual award sponsored by Morningstar, offers a cash award of $1,250* in travel funds for a public librarian, who has performed outstanding business reference service, and who requires financial assistance, to attend the ALA Annual Conference.

Eligibility: The candidate must be a member of ALA. If not a RUSA/BRASS member, the recipient must join RUSA/BRASS upon being selected to receive the award.

  • The recipient shall have a demonstrated interest in providing business reference services. This may be demonstrated by involvement in special projects, creation of a business website, business-related programming, publications, and related activities.
  • The award will be given to a recipient whose conference attendance is not fully funded by their institution.
  • Recipient must be willing to participate in BRASS activities at the ALA Conference for which the award has been made and to write a short statement regarding his or her experience at the conference for publication (e.g. RUSA Update) following the event

App Deadline: 01/15/2019

Maddie Hines
Digital Services Manager
Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

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