Call for Volunteers – NMRT Website Redesign Task Force

Posted on May 10, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

Do you have web design, coding, user experience, or graphic design skills? Consider sharing your expertise by working on a temporary task force to update NMRT’s website! We are looking for a group of 4-6 NMRT members to gain some experience updating a website and bringing NMRT’s website up-to-date for the benefit of all of our members. The members of the task force would serve for one year, beginning after ALA Annual.

Volunteer Form due June 10th: https://goo.gl/forms/irQqxxlZgMYi3rNP2

Thank you for considering applying!

Posted in NMRT, Volunteering | Leave a comment

March 2018 NMRT Online Discussion Forum – Service to the Library Profession

Posted on May 10, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

By Cat Silvers

The discussion in March focused on service to the library profession. A number of NMRT members shared how they give back to the library profession through committee work, mentorship, and advocating for libraries on social media.

Committees

Serving on committees was the most common way for NMRT members give back. ALA has many sub-committees they recruit volunteers for, and there are also multiple regional, state, and local committees that recruit every year.

Here are some important facts about committees:

  • They typically require 2 years of service, although this can vary.
  • Many hold virtual meetings. This means librarians across the country can participate without the cost of travel.
  • Some committees require conference attendance. Review the committee description and contact committee members to find out if this a requirement.
  • Every April NMRT calls for volunteers for 1-year appointments to its many committees, and acceptance is guaranteed.

Are you new to committees? Volunteer for a NMRT committee! The guaranteed acceptance allows many new librarians the opportunity to serve on their first committee. A full list of NMRT’s committees can be found here. If you’re having trouble picking a committee, let your joy and passion for librarianship guide your choices.

Mentoring

Participation in mentorship programs can also help give back to the profession. There are formal mentorships that may span a year, some that are for a few months, or even for just a few weeks while working on a major project. In addition to formal mentorship programs, a number of organizations offer conference buddy programs for ALA Annual, ALA Midwinter, PLA, ACRL, and more. Annual conferences can be overwhelming the first time! Conference mentorship programs are great because they pair a new professional with an experienced buddy to help them navigate their first library conference.

When you feel like you’ve learned the ropes of the library world or the conference environment, consider mentoring a new library professional.

Social Media

NMRT members also mentioned this month that social media can be a powerful tool for giving back to the profession. Libraries are constantly affected by legislature and funding decisions. The profession needs advocates to support libraries by being vocal and generating awareness. You can help serve the library profession by sharing how your library is vital to the community. Tell your followers what they can do to join the charge!

Committee work, mentoring, and social media are fantastic ways to serve the library profession. Can you think of other ways to give back?

Posted in NMRT Discussion | Leave a comment

NMRT Resume Review Service Accepting Advance Appointments @ ALA Annual

Posted on May 9, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

Make your resume review appointment at https://bit.ly/2FCjzXR

Posted in ALA Annual | Leave a comment

NMRT Member of the Week Spotlight: Michele Lefler

Posted on May 4, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

Name: Michele Lefler

Email: mlefler@yorklibraries.org

Institution/Location of Institution: Paul Smith Library of Southern York County / Shrewsbury, PA

Job Title: Director

Brief Job Description:

Everything! I don’t think it can get any more brief than that! Seriously though, as Director, it’s my job to keep the library open, operating smoothly, and the patrons happy. I do everything from changing the trap in the waterless urinal (gross), to dealing with busted water heaters, to ordering books, and dealing with unhappy customers.

What are some things you like about your job or about working in libraries in general?

I love the variety in my job. I love knowing that every day is going to be different than the one before. At the same time, there are projects that make every day just enough like the one before that I don’t feel like it’s utter chaos. I love the books. I love the people. I love the challenges each day. It’s been said if you have a job you love you never work a day in your life. That’s true. There are days I want to pull my hair out, but I love it in the end.

What’s a project or committee you’re working on right now that you’re excited about?

One of my major focuses right now is adult programming. Our programming budget focuses completely on children, so adult programming has been almost non existent. It’s challenging yet fun to come up with creative and new programs that will engage adults and bring them into the library. It’s an exercise in mental abilities, to be sure, but it’s quite exciting to see adults come in and engage in programming beyond basic materials circulation.

What got you interested in libraries?

My Grandmother read to me when I was little. I know that sounds so cliche, but it’s true. Also, I was allowed the freedom to read whatever I wanted as a child. I was able to walk across town by myself to the library, and I spent so many hours on weekends and over the summer in the public library. It was certainly a love affair that has never quite ended. But I don’t want it to!

What is one of your favorite things about NMRT?

I love that NMRT lets me get involved in so many ways. It lets me stay hidden if I want to, but also gives me the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone- which is necessary. NMRT is a convenient way for new ALA members to explore the association and get involved which in turn, will lead to whatever you want from the association.

Do you have any advice for other new librarians?

Get involved! Don’t stay hidden in the stacks. Get out of your comfort zone. Volunteer for a committee. Don’t wait for someone to contact you. Speak up and volunteer to just do it.

Posted in Member of the Week | Leave a comment

Seeking volunteers for the NMRT Resume Review Service @ ALA Annual

Posted on May 3, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

The NMRT Resume Review Service Committee is recruiting volunteer resume reviewers and booth greeters as well as taking resume review appointments for the 2018 ALA Annual Conference!  This is a free in-person service that will be located in the ALA Job Placement Center on Saturday, June 23 & Sunday, June 24 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days. Visit our informational website for more details and to volunteer.

If you have any questions, please contact NMRT Resume Review Service Committee

Chair Hannah Buckland at buckland.hannah@gmail.com or Assistant Chair Jillian Hayes at jillian.k.hayes@gmail.com.

Posted in ALA Annual | Leave a comment

Getting Social: Making Connections in Libraryland

Posted on April 26, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

What this post is NOT, and what it IS:

I’m not a social media expert, and this post won’t help you become one.
However, I will share my experiences with using social media to network and engage with the library profession.
I am not here to tell you how to get more followers for you or your institution’s accounts.
I want you to focus on finding others to engage with.
I am not here to tell you what to post or what to avoid posting.
I will urge you to be intentional.

I am simply encouraging those who are wanting to step outside their social media comfort zones in an effort to help them find their professional community.

Defining your Presence

Whether you already have an account set up or are just starting off, I recommend you take a moment to define your online presence. Be intentional. Decide what the scope of your account will be. Is it strictly professional or will it represent you in all areas of your online world? Also make sure your username, profile, and any images match this scope that you are intentionally defining.

Use the platforms that make sense for you and those you wish to connect with. Each social media platform has its strengths. The best way to find the platforms that work best for you is to explore the platform and see who and what is out there. Professionally, I have found that Twitter matches my needs the most. However, there are some really interesting library communities to engage with that can be found on Tumblr, Instagram, Facebook, and even Pinterest.

Finding Your People

I’m starting to accept that my recurring fantasy of dropping off all social media won’t (and shouldn’t) ever happen. I get news & perspectives from Twitter that I can’t get elsewhere, and my professional community is here. There are also friends I’d never connect with otherwise.
— Nicole Gustavsen (@referencebird) December 4, 2017

Look for people you actually know first. This can be a great starting point. You can start to look at who these people follow, and grow your network by following them. You can also follow your professional heroes! Then look for people who are engaging in the online conversations that you want to be a part of, and follow these people.

Being a Part of the Conversation

I maintain a constant presence on Twitter b/c it’s often more helpful (and more encouraging) than any listserv I’ve been on.
— Scotty Carlson (@scottythered) November 9, 2017

Look at the hashtags that are part of the conversations you are interested in. Following these hashtags is a great way to find others who are interested in the same conversations that you are. You will surely find more people to follow and more hashtags to enjoy.

Look into and consider joining live chats. This is a great way to get engaged in discussions. Tweet Deck can be a great tool when you are trying to keep up with a fast paced live twitter chat.

Even if you can’t attend a conference, you can often participate in the conversation online. Follow the conference hashtag. Many times presenters will tweet out links to their materials. For larger conferences there are even hashtags for those who can’t make it like #ALAleftbehind.

Follow professional accounts including conference, committee, and institutional accounts that you are a part of or interested in. These can be great sources for knowing what is going on in the profession including calls for proposals and deadline reminders.

Don’t be afraid to engage with the online community. The more you engage with it, the more likely it is to engage with you!

Avoiding Echo Chambers

As you are choosing who to follow, just a reminder to spread the love around. It is okay to follow accounts that think differently than you do. I recommend following a nice diverse array of viewpoints. You’ll learn something new and be glad that you did.

Bottom Line

Don’t be afraid! Whether you are dipping your toe into the shallow kiddie pool or doing a cannonball into the deep end, “your people” are waiting for you to join in on the conversation!

If you have other ideas to share for those of us just getting started in libraryland, perhaps a great hashtag you love to follow – join in on the conversation in the comments or find me on twitter @librarymedlin!

Chance Medlin is the Program Assistant for Learning and Outreach at Texas A&M University. He is completing his Master of Information program at Rutgers University in the Summer of 2018. His research interests include critical librarianship, users experience, and information literacy. You can find more information at chancethelibrarian.com.

Posted in Networking | Leave a comment

NMRT 101 Webinar

Posted on April 23, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

Curious what the ALA New Members Roundtable is? Thinking you might want to get involved? Whether you’re a current NMRT member looking to take full advantage of your membership or a potential NMRT member hoping to learn more, consider joining us for our first NMRT 101 webinar!

The webinar will take place on May 2nd at 1pm EST. Please register by April 30th to participate. If you can’t make it, the webinar will be recorded and shared for future viewing. Feel free to direct any questions to Mandi Goodsett at a.goodsett@csuohio.edu. We hope to see you there!

Posted in NMRT | Leave a comment

2018 NMRT Election Results

Posted on April 20, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

Congratulations to the winners of our NMRT Elections!

Vice President Elect – Nicole LaMoreaux
Secretary – Jennifer Wilhelm
Treasurer – Dylan Burns
Outreach Director – Christina Rodriques
Member Services Director – Madison Sullivan
Networking Director – Dani Brecher Cook

In addition, the five proposed resolutions by NMRT were passed. For details on the NMRT resolutions, as well as a full list of ALA election results, please visit: ALA Election Results PDF.

The NMRT Board would like to extend their appreciation to everyone who ran for a position in NMRT, as well as everyone who voted in the election. We encourage all members to become involved and strive for NMRT leadership positions!

Posted in NMRT Elections | Leave a comment

2018 ALA NMRT President’s Program: Authenticity & Self-Expression in the Library Profession

Posted on April 18, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

2018 ALA NMRT President’s Program

Authenticity & Self-Expression in the Library Profession

Friday, 6/22 from 1-4PM

More information: https://tinyurl.com/NMRT2018

The New Members Round Table (NMRT) President’s Program at the 2018 ALA Annual Conference will explore authenticity in the library profession. This preconference workshop will examine the NMRT Presidential theme “You Belong Here” by considering how the library profession can create more inclusive environments that address imposter syndrome and encourage individuals to bring their whole selves to their work. As a discussion-based workshop, we will examine the tension between self-expression and externally defined ideas of “professionalism” in the library workplace. We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans!

Speakers

  • Elisandro Cabada, Engineering and Innovation Librarian, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
  • Abigail Leigh Phillips, Postdoctoral Fellow, Utah State University
  • Marian Royal, District Libraries Coordinator, Albuquerque Public Schools District Library Services
  • Shaundra Walker, Interim Library Director, Georgia College and State University

Contact Information
Dani Brecher Cook
NMRT President’s Program Co-Chair
Director of Teaching and Learning
University of California-Riverside
dani.cook@ucr.edu

Madison Sullivan
NMRT President’s Program Co-Chair
Business Research and Instruction Librarian
University of Washington
madds@uw.edu

Posted in ALA Annual | Leave a comment

NMRT Member of the Week Spotlight: Jessica Calderwood

Posted on April 16, 2018 by nmrtsecretary

Institution/Location of Institution:
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Job Title:
Library Information Analyst

Brief job description:

I wrangle all sorts of numbers about equipment and space use into understandable graphs and reports that Leadership and Administration use to make decisions about library needs and use.

What are some things you like about your job or about working in libraries in general?

I’ve always felt at home in libraries and among books, but I NEVER thought I’d be doing data work. For most of my life I was convinced that I was no good at math and “didn’t get it.” It wasn’t until I was pushed out of my comfort zone that I found that not only did I “get it,” it was FUN.

What’s a project or committee you’re working on right now that you’re excited about?

We just completed a large multi-week survey of students using our equipment lending program. My colleague and I are now working on analyzing the results and putting together a clear, professional report. The work we’ve done here will allow us to advocate for the things that our students really want – mostly more Macbooks – and help us make decisions about budget and funding for the coming semester.

What got you interested in libraries?

I was job hunting after I graduated with my undergraduate degree and saw a position in archives that really appealed to me – digitizing archival materials. I’ve followed a pretty winding path through libraries since then and never did get a chance to work in archives, but the work I HAVE done has been tremendously valuable, interesting, and engaging.

What is one of your favorite things about NMRT?

Diverse perspectives and a welcoming attitude!

Do you have any advice for other new librarians?

It’s okay to be afraid, and it’s okay to not end up where you thought you would! Do the things that interest you, and EXPRESS that interest! When I first started at the UA Library I was always asking people if I could help out with different projects or tasks, and  that willingness to help and expose myself to a lot of different things showed my supervisor that I was ready for more.

 

Posted in Member of the Week | Leave a comment