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Greetings, Spring is almost here and I hope this finds everyone doing well. I wanted to provide an update on some items since the last executive board meeting and give a heads up on what to expect for the upcoming months. So, in no particular order here are some updates: · Wrapping up the budget discussion with the electronic vote; the proposed budget passed and is now a working document for 2018, thanks for your participation and thanks again to Paul Birkhead for his hard work making this happen. · This serves as a reminder that with the passing motions from conference, dues are now reflecting the changes and we are moving forward with updating bylaws and the handbook. Your homework from January was to update your section or committee’s description in the handbook and for the website in order to reflect current information. We’ll be discussing further in April. · Please note the call for applications is open for the 2018 Leadership Institute: http://www.nclaonline.org/leadership-institute, this promises to be another successful endeavor! If you are interested, please follow the link and apply! · Work is underway for our National Library Legislative Day trip and I am sure that you have seen a lot of emails about a variety of legislative actions. Please get involved and encourage your friends and colleagues to do so as well. I am asking Anthony and LaJuan to provide us some updates in April. · The small groups that I mentioned about forming to work on a venue for Conference 2021 and Technology Alternatives are being formed and are expected to meet prior to our next meeting in April. If you are interested in one of those but didn’t let me know, please do so now as we are setting up those meetings. Thanks, I’ve seen or participated in several programs and/or meetings so it is nice to see activities starting to happen, let me know if I can help or if you need anything, Happy Spring!!! Mike
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Cal Shepard; State Librarian 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!” My very first library job was in junior high when I shelved books. This did NOT make me want to be a librarian but it did get me out of class and I liked that! My first fun library job was as a children’s librarian at the Nantahala Regional Library in Murphy, NC. I was the traveling story lady – four days a week I drove around to libraries in 3 counties to deliver children’s programs as well as books and other items. The mountain views were gorgeous as I drove around Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties. At my peak, I conducted 14 storytimes a week and during the summer I added summer reading programs every afternoon. It’s hard to believe now that they just turned me loose with a trunk full of books and the occasional puppet and trusted me to travel around reaching out to those kids and their parents! AND they paid me to do it! Here’s a favorite memory of those times. I was in Andrews, NC on Wednesdays and multiple daycare centers would bring their children to storytime. Daycares were encouraged (ahem - required) to allow children to check out books from the public library. Some of these children were storytime participants for 2 to 3 years before moving on to first grade. One year the new first graders at Andrews Elementary school were making their first class visit to the elementary school library. They were very discouraged to be informed that they were “too young” to check out books. These kids protested, their parents protested and the school relented allowing first graders to borrow books from the school library for the first time ever. These storytimes were growing readers! 2. Do you have any big plans for retirement? My first big plan for retirement is a large family wedding in early June. I have been working with two younger nephews (aged 4 & 6) on dance moves for the reception. In best “Animal House” style they have mastered “gatoring.” I predict that they are going to be a big hit on the dance floor! My other plans include moving back to my hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. This is going to be tough as North Carolina is my home! 3. Who are your current inspirations in the library world? Who should we keep our eye on for inspiration? I am a huge fan of the Aspen Institute’s Dialogue on Public Libraries. Their report and action guide focus on re-envisioning public libraries via community engagement. Both have been valuable resources for our work here at the State Library. I have used the scripts provided in the Action Guide to help facilitate community conversations with a wide range of audiences and have encouraged libraries to do the same. I must also mention a long-term inspiration, Frances Clarke Sayers. Early in my career I read her “Summoned by Books” where she writes about NOT being meek and mild librarians but rather a “belligerent profession.” I have always thought this to be good advice. I have seen library staff stand up for their patrons, bravely defending their right to read what they want. We fight for our principles and for the rights of our users. I don’t think it’s much of an exaggeration to say that we stand for truth, justice and the American way! 4. Do you have any words of advice for the NCLA community? My advice is “Enjoy what you do. If you are having a good time then you are doing a good job. If you are miserable in your job then, believe me, it shows.” It is my opinion that being a librarian is the best job in the world! I feel incredibly fortunate to have enjoyed my job throughout my career. I am always learning something new, I get to be around smart people, and I feel like what I do makes a real difference. I think of those first graders standing up for themselves and their right to check out books and am convinced all over again that “We librarians must be doing something right!”
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STEM-LINC Spring Workshop: Explore More at Pritchard Park Saturday, April 17 • 9:30 am-2:30 pm Chapel Hill Public Library In July of 2017, Chapel Hill Public Library Began a learning and design process to develop nature-based STEAM education opportunities inside & outside the library. Eight months later, we've became a designated NC Environmental Education Center and are planning a prescribed burn in the middle of town. Join Explore More at Pritchard Park's team at Chapel Hill Public Library to hear about how we got here, who we’ve met and learned from along the way, and where we’re heading. This event is free and open to all. For more information please visit this link.
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GRS/BLINC: Hands-on Census Data Workshop Tuesday, May 8 • 9:30 am-3:30 pm Jackson Library at UNCG The Government Resources and Business Librarianship sections of NCLA are co-hosting a workshop on Census data, covering both demographic and industry/economic data. We will meet in a computer classroom in Jackson Library at UNCG. The workshop is intended for librarians and library staff who want to better understand the people, businesses, and employment in their communities, using the most recent data (not the 2010 Census, for example). The workshop will also help attendees better support classes and researchers using demographic and economic data. We will focus on the American FactFinder interface, but will also preview the new Census data platform under development. Agenda details below. Cost is $10 for non-BLINC and GRS members. For more information please visit this link.
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Everybody Say Love: Helping All Patrons Find HEA Tuesday, April 10 • 2-3:30 pm Chapel Hill Public Library Romance novels are receiving more publicity than ever, and from surprising sources. The conversations around feminism, intersectionality, consent, and diversity have all, at some point, touched on romance publishing and where the happily ever after fits in today’s world. We’ll talk with romance writers, publishers, and librarians about what has and hasn’t changed in Romancelandia, and what you can do to help your patrons embrace the many winding roads to HEA. This event is free and open to all. For more information please visit this link.
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Deep Dive into NoveList Friday, May 4 • 10 am-12 pm NoveList Office, Durham NC Join the NoveList team for an in-depth NoveList training at the NoveList office. NoveList librarians will talk about how our unique metadata, curated recommendations, and targeted readers’ advisory articles are created. We’ll show you how to search NoveList like the NoveList staff does. We’ll show you how to create specific searches to hone in on the exact types of books a patron may want. You’ll also learn practical, easy ways to let NoveList automate your favorite searches, email recommendations to a patron, and build quick displays or bibliographies. This event is free and open to all. For more information please visit this link.
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Help! I’m an Accidental Government Information Librarian: Resources from the National Agriculture LibraryWednesday, April 18 • 12-1 pmThis session will cover some of the key collections and services available to your users from the National Agricultural Library, one of the world's largest agricultural research libraries. As the Associate Director for Information Products at the National Agricultural Library, Jill James leads the digital library, customer engagement and services, and the information centers for nutrition, food safety, animal welfare, water and agriculture, alternative farming, invasive species, and rural information. In her more than 12 years of federal service, she has worked on digital projects and programs that help citizens discover and access public government information resources and data. She holds an MLS and an MA in U.S. History from the University of Maryland and a BA in English and French Studies from the University of Delaware. She was recently selected as a fellow for the 2018-2019 cohort of the Association of Research Libraries Leadership Fellows Program.
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Giant Lego's in Story Park Thursday, April 12 • 3:15-4 pmNew Hanover County Public Library Enjoy building with giant Lego's (about the size of a shoe box). Weather permitting. For more information about this program and New Hanover County Public Libraries follow this link.
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The Future of Happiness by Amy Blankson
In The Future of Happiness, author Amy Blankson, co-founder of the global positive psychology consulting firm GoodThink, unveils five strategies that successful individuals can use to not just survive—but to actually thrive—in the Digital Age:
1.Stay grounded to focus and channel your energy with intention 2.Know thyself through app-driven data to strive toward your potential 3.Train your brain to develop and sustain an optimistic mindset 4.Create a habitat for happiness to maximize the spaces and places in which you live, work, and learn 5.Be a conscious innovator to actively shape your future
By rethinking when, where, why and how you use technology, you will not only able to influence your own wellbeing but also help shape the future of your community. Discover how futuristic technologies can transform the idea of “I’ll be happy when . . .” to your way of being now.
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North Carolina Library Association 1811 Capital Blvd. Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 (919) 839-6252www.nclaonline.org/ |
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