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In this Issue:
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Welcome to the North Carolina Library Association’s monthly eNewsletter! A production of the NCLA Marketing Committee, the eNewsletter is devoted to highlighting professional events and programs, librarians making exceptional differences in their communities, and how the association is working to serve YOU! Please subscribe and your feedback is always welcome. |
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Happy New Year!
It has seemed at times that we would never reach this date.
2020 was an awful year for so many of us. I have, like many of you, lost family members to this awful disease, and had many more downs than ups this year.
I started 2020 with the intention of Getting Things Done. I had a list in my head for where I wanted to steer NCLA. I started in February with a trip to PLA in Nashville (if you get the chance – go!), and came home early March feeling worse than I have ever felt in my life. Tested for Strep and Flu, both negative. At that time, no COVID tests to be had for love or money. Once I got past that, the world as we knew it shut down. My library closed to the public on March 16th. I was sent home to telework. Luckily, we had purchased a ZOOM subscription for NCLA, which allowed us to continue to meet and collaborate.
Like many of you, I have had to drop back and regroup. Figure out new ways of making things work. And while I have not moved forward as much as I thought I would, this year has allowed some deeper reflection on what NCLA needs. It’s allowed some clean up and refining of processes. And I think, once we have COVID behind us, it will allow us to grow even more as an association.
So I encourage each of you in this New Year, to find some good in 2020. Like anything else, there is always a glint of gold if you look hard enough. We added a new section in 2020 – Library Advocacy and Legislation – I can’t wait to see what they will add to our libraries throughout the state. We are also working to clean up our By-Laws and Handbook for the association. Unfortunately, we had to make the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 Leadership Institute, but I am sure that in 2022 it will be back, better than ever.
Take care of yourselves, my friends. Know that at some point, this will turn around. We may never go back to where we were before, but I am sure that what’s ahead of us will be outstanding.
Lorrie Russell
Your NCLA President
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Happy New Year! 2021 has finally arrived. As they say, “hindsight is 2020!” Well, 2020 is one year I am very glad to see in the rearview mirror. I’m sure all of you feel the same way. The 64th Biennial NCLA Conference will be held in partnership with the Southeastern Library Association (SELA) October 19 - 22, 2021. The Conference Planning Committee is working hard to put together a great conference to support, educate and empower our membership, and we would like your input! Please complete this survey by January 22nd. Here’s wishing you all a wonderful 2021! Stay well!  NCLA 2021 Conference Chair, VP/PE |
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NCLA along with the Leadership, Administration, and Management (LAMS) Section is pleased to partner with NC LIVE on virtual workshops for library leaders. Guest facilitators will share their knowledge on specific leadership competencies and guide you through common leadership challenges. Whether you are in a leadership position already, or aspire to be, consider registering for an upcoming Leadership Development workshop. Is there a local library leader that you'd like to suggest as a session facilitator? Send a message to help@nclive.org. To register for an upcoming workshop visit this link. |
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North Carolina Libraries: Latest Issue Now Available! View the latest issue here. |
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COVID-19 and Libraries How is your library responding to the COVID-19 pandemic? Do you have valuable resources to share? We’re compiling information in a document for all to use - feel free to add things! |
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Jazmyne Baylor Adult Services & Technology Librarian Davie County Public Library 1.What was the first library job you had that made the little voice in your head go “Yes- I have found the profession for me!” The first library job that made me feel like this was the profession for me was at the Iredell County Public Library. I worked as a program specialist for the information service desk, helping people with technology and general reference questions. I love the people I worked with and the community I served. My supervisor at the time (Mardi Durham) planted the seed within me to consider librarianship during my interview. She supported my professional development and provided me with wisdom that I cherish today. I never would have imagined that I would be a librarian, but I am so grateful for the opportunities, lessons, and experiences that I received at the Iredell County Public Library. 2.What part of your job keeps you going to work every day? How do you continue to find inspiration and passion in the library field? The community I serve keeps me going. Their smiles, conversations, gratitude, and presence inspire me every day I am at work. I continue to find inspiration and passion in the library field through creativity. Finding creative ways to provide resources and services to the community drives me. I also find inspiration through networking with other library professionals. 3. Who are your library heroes in North Carolina and beyond? Wow, there are too many to mention... Mardi Durham, Jennifer Anderson, Jeanna Austin, Carole Dennis, Derrick Wold, and Viviana Sierra are just a few of my NC library heroes. I admire their passion, knowledge and work within the field. Their friendship and mentorship encourage me to continue my library journey.
Beyond - The honorable Audrey Lorde. Not only was she an activist, poet, novelist, and teacher - she was also a librarian. Her work and words inspire me. 4. Tell us a little about your interests and hobbies outside of the library. I enjoy cinematography, writing, traveling, live music, festivals, and catnaps. I have a huge interest in the Harlem Renaissance movement, and I spend a lot of my free time reading or researching information about this influential moment in time. I also advocate for mental wellness and social justice by volunteering my time and providing resources to the community.
Oh yeah... and I love to read! (Of course)
I can never reach my Goodreads' Reading Challenge goal, but I am working on reading at least 100 books in 2021. Wish me luck! Are you interested in being featured in the “Librarian Interview” section of the NCLA Newsletter? We are looking for members who want to share their experiences and advice with our membership. If you would like to be considered, please provide your name and contact information on this form. |
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Featured section of the month: STEM-LINC Submitted by Sarah Jeong & Karen Griff
1. Who are the primary people that your section serves? Who should join?
STEM-LINC is not only for official “STEM” academic librarians. Many public library staff attend our meetings because they are interested in STEM programming at their libraries. STEM-LINC members also include special librarians from settings such as the U.S. EPA, NIEHS, and other government libraries. STEM-LINC welcomes anyone working in NC libraries or pursuing an MLS degree in NC who has an interest in STEM topics in librarianship.
2. What's the history of this section? When and why was it created?
While NCLA had many active sections and round tables, there had not been one that was specifically oriented towards librarians interested in STEM issues. In 2014, Karen Grigg and Nina Exner started investigating how to form a STEM Librarianship group. They put out a query to gauge interest among NCLA members. They were intrigued to find out how many librarians- academic, public, and special, were interested in becoming involved with a section or round table. In 2015, the group was formally recognized by the NCLA Executive Board and chose an official name- STEM-LINC: STEM Librarianship in NC. The formal charge is the following:
The objectives of STEM-LINC shall be (a) to unite members of the North Carolina Library Association interested in science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics (STEM) librarianship, (b) to encourage participation in STEM librarianship, (c) to provide an opportunity for education, training, and exchange of information in STEM librarianship, and (d) to seek to fulfill the objectives of the North Carolina Library Association. 3. What types of programming do you offer? Initially, we set as our minimum goal two in-person meetings per year and two virtual sessions, though, of course, the in-person meetings have been temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. We try to ensure that our meeting topics hold broad appeal, as our members hail from quite diverse library types. We also sponsor and deliver programming during NCLA Biennial Conferences. Our events have taken place in some very interesting settings, such as area universities, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, UNC’s Coker Arboretum, and the NIEHS Library in Research Triangle Park. |
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A Smoky Mountain Boyhood : Memories, Musings, and More
by Jim Casada
"This book comprises the recollections of one man, Jim Casada, who was born in Bryson City, North Carolina, and has had a long career as an outdoorsman and author. Casada gathers his reminiscences on Smokies life in four parts: holidays, seasons of the Smokies, mountain childhood, and a concluding section where special memories blend with a once prominent culture in the Smokies. Casada's gift for storytelling pairs with his training as a historian to produce a highly readable memoir of mountain life in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina"
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Fall Prevention Virtual Screening
Thursday, January 28 • 10 AM
Hosted by High Point Public Library
Free service is provided by WSSU Physical Therapy students and staff.
Screening will be conducted on a virtual platform that allows staff to screen you from the comfort of your own home with the help of a computer, smartphone, or tablet! You will be screened in a private format-- just you and your screener (and the overseeing Physical Therapist). The screener will talk you through the assessment, including questions and physical tests that tell the Assistance about your current balance and risk level. The screener will watch you through the camera on the device to score your tests. At the end of your tests, the screener will explain your results and give you customized recommendations on balance and strength programs that would be safe and suitable for you to access from home based on your assessment results, as well as answer any questions you may have that pertain to improving your balance, strength, and mobility to reduce your risk of falls. |
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North Carolina Library Association
265 Eastchester Drive
Suite 133, #364
High Point, North Carolina 27262
www.nclaonline.org/ |
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