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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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Welcome to spring! So far, the only good things about Spring 2020 for me are the warmer days and more light in the evening. As libraries across the state have had to shut their doors, or severely restrict their service hours, we feel almost under attack. Our natural instinct is to open those doors in a time of crisis, but we have been instructed to do the opposite. I know in my family it is a time of great uncertainty – will we have enough money to pay our bills, can we find food, and most of all, the isolation.
Like most other things, this too, shall pass. What is greatly encouraging to me is I see our libraries across the state figuring out how to provide service without the physical building. A children’s librarian I know is doing craft time in a cul de sac near his home for neighborhood kids – all open air, and the crafts are packed in bags so social distance is maintained. I have seen many librarians doing online story times. Not to mention libraries upping their online presence with digital materials for their users. Other libraries are going temporarily fine free, telling users to keep materials until COVID-19 is over. Libraries across the state are leaving on their Wi-Fi so customers can pull into their parking lot and complete assignments, file for unemployment or work in their cars.
This is not what we expected spring 2020 to look like. I am sure there will be new challenges as we face the next thirty days. However, as librarians, we are making it work. I am proud of the response we have made, and the accommodations we have set up. NCLA is also taking steps to help our members. We have purchased a subscription to ZOOM, and the Executive Committee met this week to start the process of setting up its use. I will be calling on our sections to provide more online learning and training for our members using this tool. In addition, since ALA Annual was cancelled, we are looking into having NC presenters do a one-day virtual conference. We are striving to make the most of our online presence, and working on how to make our association stronger.
I encourage each of you to take care of yourselves. Make some time to get outside. Take your dog for a walk, set on your porch or deck, walk in a local park. Make time for your mental and physical wellbeing. Your customers are going to need you when we re-open those doors. Make sure you are ready to welcome and assist them.
Until next month, Lorrie Russell YOUR NCLA President
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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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Do you have an upcoming NCLA meeting or event? Even informal meetups with other NCLA members? Be sure to take a photo and share it with the NCLA Marketing Committee. You can email images to nclibraryassociation@gmail.com or tag them on social media using #NCLA. Maybe you'll see your photo on the website!
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The College & University Section (CUS) of NCLA is seeking volunteers to serve on its Executive Board. A Secretary/Treasurer position and two Director positions are open. Email Dawn Behrend for more information.
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Samantha Harlow Awarded the DLS Routledge Distance Learning Librarianship Conference Sponsorship Award by ACRL Samantha (Sam) Harlow, Online Learning Librarian and Assistant Professor for University Libraries has been awarded the 2020 DLS Routledge Distance Learning Librarianship Conference Sponsorship Award by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL).
Sponsored by Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group, the award acknowledges any individual ACRL member working in the field of, or contributing to the success of, distance learning librarianship or related library service in higher education.
The award is administered by the ACRL Distance Learning Section (DLS). Nominees for the award must have demonstrated achievements in one or more of the following areas:
- Support for distance learning librarianship and library services, e.g., service to students and faculty, innovation and/or leadership
- Participate in the creation and/or implementation of distance library programs or services of exemplary quality
- Successful collaboration with faculty in support of information literacy and/or other aspects of library instruction or services for distance students
- Significant research, publication or presentations in areas of distance learning librarianship
Harlow holds a Master of Science in Library Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Studies from New York University. Prior to joining University Libraries, Harlow was an Instructional Technology Consultant for the School of Education at UNC Greensboro. Prior to joining UNCG, Harlow was the Media and Digital Resource Librarian at High Point University and the Digital Production Manager at Triangle Research Libraries Network.
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Amy Holland Media Coordinator Kimmel Farm Elementary School 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 I had to make me say, “I could do this” was a volunteer position at my local public library, shelving books, putting on labels, and observing how libraries work. Although I eventually went into school libraries, this was where it started. 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? I keep coming into work each day for my students. I love helping them find their “lightbulb moment”- whether that’s getting excited over a book or realizing that research empowers them. I continue to get inspiration from other media coordinators in my district and from the annual NCSLMA conference. 3. Who are your library heroes in North Carolina and beyond? A couple of library heroes, both local. First, Kaeli Stafford, a fellow media coordinator in my district. She’s persistent and innovative, never giving up on building a solid program. The second is actually a little group, my trio of 5th grade library helpers. These young ladies decided they would rather spend their recess time helping out in the media center than running around the playground. They’ve learned how to shelve our books and keep book check-out running, and they are learning how to help others find what they need. The younger students ask for them if they’re absent! 4. Tell us a little about your interests and hobbies outside of the library. Outside of the library, I enjoy cooking (I love cookbooks), spending time outside, and volunteering with my church. And, of course, reading! 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: NMRT Amanda Glenn-Bradley (UNC Asheville), NMRT Chair 1. What's the history of this section? When and why was it created?
Once upon a time, a time ago that's been lost to the annals of history...no, seriously, I'm not 100% sure of our establishment date. We were created to work with and be a welcoming community for the newest members of the association; think of us as your greeters and guides!
2. Who are the primary people that your section serves? Who should join?
Officially (as in the verbiage from ALA), our primary focus is folks that have less than ten years of experience in libraries and related careers. In reality, we are open to everyone who has a passion for the future of our field! We love having everyone involved.
3. What types of programming do you offer?
Most of our programming centers around the Student and New Professionals track at biennial conference, but we're also hosting social events across the state, working with classes at the library schools across the state, and providing leadership opportunities through work on the board! (And more is forthcoming once physical distancing is a thing of the past...stay safe, wash your hands, and stay at home y'all!)
4. What's one thing you want people to remember about your section?
One thing I would want folks to remember is that we've all been in their shoes before. We've all been the "new kid", we've all had our first job, we've all felt like we don't belong. Never ever hesitate to ask us questions!
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Making Comics by Lynda Barry
In a new hand-drawn syllabus detailing her creative curriculum, the author has students drawing themselves as monsters and superheroes, convincing students who think they can’t draw that they can, and, most importantly, encouraging them to understand that a daily journal can be anything so long as it is hand drawn.
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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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