Climate change and associated natural disasters are a growing issue for libraries. The Climate Change Library Lab team will discuss what you and your library can do to be prepared for climate disasters, how to educate your community, and how to focus on sustainability. The webinar will be recorded. If you require accommodations to fully participate in the webinar, please contact Kimberly Redd at KLredd@ala.org.
Our speakers will be Lizzy Boden, Rhonda Evans, Kayla Kuni, and Jennifer K. Embree. We hope you can join us for this informative session!
This month’s online discussion forum topic invited NMRT members to share plans and projects for 2022, in terms of either personal or professional goals:
“Reflecting on your aspirations for 2022, what excites you about the library-related goals on your plate this year? What projects are you committed to tackling and what’s your plan of action? Share as much or as little as you’d like. Your post just might spark ideas in others… and I encourage you to gather inspiration from the posts of fellow discussion participants!” (Birkenhauer, 2022)
Read on for two featured projects shared by NMRT members!
Integrating Inclusive Vocabulary
“I am a cataloger and this year I’m looking forward to implementing and integrating a new, inclusive vocabulary into our system called Homosaurus. Homosaurus is an International LGBTQ+ linked data vocabulary. The vocabulary is designed to help support and offer more current terms than the existing Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). […] I’m thrilled that our catalogs can start to reflect real world terms and that our patrons will be better able to find specific topics that interest them.” (Zeider, 2022)
“[M]y job is centered around K-12 groups and giving them increased access/ opportunity with academic libraries. I have a budget to increase our tech (STEAM focused) to make these trips not tour-centric but about learning and discovery opportunities. […] I am very excited about addressing and figuring out a solution/activities [sic] that creatively address the K-12 to college pipeline […] [A] librarian’s role [in] college readiness is more than making sure students know how to research or cite sources. We can help with informing them that we are there as allies and the library is a place to study and be creatively engaged.” (Brickey-Jones, 2022)
I hope you found inspiration in the February discussion and these exciting featured projects!
We are happy to announce that nominations are being accepted for the 2022 ALA Student Chapter of the Year Award, presented by the New Members Round Table.
The deadline to apply is March 14, 2022.
Has your chapter had an outstanding year?
Has membership in your chapter increased?
Did your chapter develop and provide opportunities for members to participate in interesting and rewarding activities during Covid?
Do you have outstanding officers or members who should be recognized nationally?
If you answered YES, then you should apply to be the 2022 NMRT Student Chapter of the Year!
The purpose of the award is to recognize a chapter’s outstanding contributions to the American Library Association, their school, and the profession. The intent of the award is to increase student involvement in ALA through student chapters, and to recognize future leaders in the profession.
The Student Chapter winner will receive $1,000 to help defray travel expenses to ALA Annual. The winning chapter and the runner up will each receive a certificate. Both will be recognized at the NMRT Student Reception at the 2022 ALA Annual Conference.
Are you a NMRT Member looking for financial assistance to attend ALA in Washington DC this year? Apply for the Shirley Olofson Memorial Award!
The Shirley Olofson Memorial Award is presented annually in honor of Shirley Olofson, a well-respected former NMRT President, who died during her term in office. The award, which is intended to help defray costs to attend the ALA Annual Conference, will be presented in the form of a check for $1,000 during the 2022 Annual Conference in Washington D.C. The winner will be chosen in April. Apply by March 31, 2022 at https://forms.gle/bkdDXzQ9JKABCzFU8
Applicants must be members of ALA and NMRT, participate actively in the library profession, show promise or activity in the area of professional development, have valid financial need, and have not attended more than five ALA annual conferences.
Institution/Location of Institution: University of Texas at Arlington
Job Title: K-12 Librarian
Brief Job Description:
Reach out to and engage with groups from elementary, middle and high schools in the area to share University resources and inspire K-12 students to view the University Library environment as a place focused on experiential and project-based learning.
What are some things you like about your job or about working in libraries in general?
I love working with kids of all ages and this job pairs that with STEAM-focused technology and field trips. Visiting a college campus is a magical experience, the atmosphere can be electric and fun. Being a part of a college visit- for some their first college visit- is so exciting to me.
What’s a project or committee you’re working on right now that you’re excited about?
I am working on the UTA Library’s first summer camp! We are making decisions about our curriculum, learning objectives and themes. It’s so exciting to make a program that is not only going to be fun, but also affordable for working families, and full of quality experiential learning for kids in my community.
What got you interested in libraries?
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t interested in going to the library! The first time I drove my car by myself I went to the library. Like all of us, I’ve always loved to read. I didn’t realize that it was a career in public service that not only encourages reading but also helping people discover what they need. I went to undergrad at a school that had a library program, and the rest is history!
What is one of your favorite things about NMRT?
I love how NMRT is open to my colleagues in ALA at different places in our library journey.
Do you have any advice for other new librarians?
Seek out what you love to do in the library- programming, selection, cataloging, computer help, etc. Once you figure out what you love to do on a daily basis, then you can find a job in your library (or another) that focuses on doing that thing. The first step is definitely the hardest, but if you stick with it you will be rewarded on a daily basis!
We are happy to announce that nominations are being accepted for the 2022 ALA Student Chapter of the Year Award, presented by the New Members Round Table.
The deadline to apply is March 4, 2022.
Has your chapter had an outstanding year?
Has membership in your chapter increased?
Did your chapter develop and provide opportunities for members to participate in interesting and rewarding activities during Covid?
Do you have outstanding officers or members who should be recognized nationally?
If you answered YES, then you should apply to be the 2022 NMRT Student Chapter of the Year!
The purpose of the award is to recognize a chapter’s outstanding contributions to the American Library Association, their school, and the profession. The intent of the award is to increase student involvement in ALA through student chapters, and to recognize future leaders in the profession.
The Student Chapter winner will receive $1,000 to help defray travel expenses to ALA Annual. The winning chapter and the runner up will each receive a certificate. Both will be recognized at the NMRT Student Reception at the 2022 ALA Annual Conference.
We are all aware that networking is vital to our professional growth. It facilitates the development and improvement of our skills, allows us to connect with others who can provide us with more professional opportunities, increases professional recognition and provides us with improved self confidence. The thought of networking is daunting for some, while for others, the process occurs more naturally. Whether virtual or in-person networking still remains important. For those who are just entering the workforce, or changing careers, the additional layer of doing so during a pandemic has made this process even more challenging. Now more than ever many of us are eager to learn how to network and be successful at it.
What does networking look like for you? How do you network? Do you find it difficult or do you find it easy to do? What are you looking to achieve by networking? Do you have any networking tips? These were the questions asked to kickstart a new round of discussions for 2022. The January NMRT online discussion (via ALA Connect) on Networking provided insights into how we should approach the process. Participants delved into what it means to “network”, listed opportunities through which it can be accomplished, and freely shared networking tips.
Changing the Approach
Regardless if you are an introvert or an extravert, successful networking is possible for all personality types. Some participants mentioned that networking can become less arduous and the process more natural when the focus shifts to genuinely connecting with others and wanting to get to know them. They voiced that doing so can help to make the interaction feel less transactional and in the process foster a more natural flow to conversations.
Network Opportunities
Several opportunities were mentioned during the online discussion. These included:
Posting questions directly to online groups.
Participating on a committee, roundtable, or a board.
Participating in mentorship programs.
Attending professional conferences, meetings, happy hours and other events (virtually or in-person).
Besides networking professionally on a state, regional or national level, it was also mentioned that one could also network locally. This local networking was referred to as networking within the local library system/cohort and community.
Professional Growth
Although successful networking is not reliant on a specific personality type or network preference (virtual or in-person), when it comes to networking, one should ultimately find what works best for them. By reframing your idea of networking, shifting your focus, looking for the right people and being proactive you can propel yourself to another level in your professional development and simultaneously, possibly form genuine and long-lasting friendships along the way. An important fact to remember is that people in the LIS field are kind, welcoming and always willing to share information. Don’t shy away from connecting!
Institution/Location of Institution: North Liberty Library, North Liberty, IA (public)
Job Title: Library Director
Brief Job Description:
Oversee operations and a $1.3 million budget for the library in our small, rapidly growing community (20,000) and a staff of 17. Library is part of a multi-use Community Center featuring library, recreation, before and after school program, aquatic center and communications departments. Community activism and engagement; foster community partnerships; serve on multiple local and state boards and committees; uphold both the library’s and the city’s mission and vision.
What are some things you like about your job or about working in libraries in general?
Strong proponent of positive leadership and management. I also love policy development and how it relates to service delivery. I’m passionate about justice, equity, diversity and inclusion work in our library – we just launched a JEDI committee – and our community. Economic development and how the library can impact this sector in our community and area. Relationship building and partnerships both in our community, with other city departments, and nationally. Leadership and management are passions.
What’s a project or committee you’re working on right now that you’re excited about?
I am in the Vice President/President elect for the Association for Rural & Small Libraries. Locally, our library is just preparing to offer (Jan 15) our third community engagement event in a series that is grant (LTC) funded by ALA.
What got you interested in libraries?
I joke that I wanted a career in social services but my heart broke everyday in that work so I became a librarian, which is virtually the same thing.
What is one of your favorite things about NMRT?
Making connections and acting as a mentor.
Do you have any advice for other new librarians?
Be involved. Find opportunities to share your expertise with other organizations both locally and further reaching. Librarians have so much to offer outside of our profession, think outside the box and develop unique relationships and partnerships.
We are happy to announce that nominations are being accepted for the 2022 ALA Student Chapter of the Year Award, presented by the New Members Round Table.
The deadline to apply is March 4, 2022.
Has your chapter had an outstanding year?
Has membership in your chapter increased?
Did your chapter develop and provide opportunities for members to participate in interesting and rewarding activities during Covid?
Do you have outstanding officers or members who should be recognized nationally?
If you answered YES, then you should apply to be the 2022 NMRT Student Chapter of the Year!
The purpose of the award is to recognize a chapter’s outstanding contributions to the American Library Association, their school, and the profession. The intent of the award is to increase student involvement in ALA through student chapters, and to recognize future leaders in the profession.
The Student Chapter winner will receive $1,000 to help defray travel expenses to ALA Annual. The winning chapter and the runner up will each receive a certificate. Both will be recognized at the NMRT Student Reception at the 2022 ALA Annual Conference.
