Highlight of the Day

I think the highlight of my day was attending the Second Life session. Since becoming the web designer for Pius Library, I became interested in Web 2.0 tools and how they can be applied in the library. I can see the potential of Second Life as an educational and instructional tool. However, I think the hardest part will be convincing our library managers that Second Life is more than just “a game,” as Tom Peters kept stressing during the session, it really is a second life. It is going to take time. After asking for weeks, I finally was able to get iTunes installed on my computer so I can upload the podcasts I help produce for Pius Library. Maybe in a month or so, I can have the higher-ups convinced that it is possible to work in Second Life. Wish me luck!

On a side note…

Here’s your fun fact trivia for the day. Did you know there is a Wine Librarians Association? Mostly made up of corporate and academic librarians that deal with viticulture, the roughly 65 member associate is open to anyone interested in the field.

~~ Jodie L. Borgerding, Pius XII Memorial Library, Saint Louis University

Arrested Development

Ellen Wittlinger: gray haired, wearer of sensible shoes & changer of lives; perpetually fifteen.

YASIG(Young Adult Special Interest Group) luncheon guest speaker, Ellen Wittlinger, brought listeners into her created world- Uncle Walt bringing the outside world into her life on his shoulders, a world of life and art.

What are teens today like? How do we really know? Ellen always tells teens who ask how she can possibly know them so well, “an older person is just like being a teen– but with no fashion sense or technological skills.” Skillz, maybe? OBVSL! (translation: obviously!) She hangs out in places like malls, food courts, coffee shops, listens to popular radio, reads what they read, and watches what they watch.

Ellen even included an example that was essential to my tumultuous teen years- My So Called Life. I was Angela Chase. I had my own Jordan Catalano. [insert dreamy sigh here] I couldn’t watch that show without becoming all discombobulated. (I still watch it! Proud dvd owner here!) Oh, 1994, you were such a good year!

Ellen also explained one of the things that is crucial to a successful YA novel- dialogue! Too much narrative is the de(con)struction of a story. Dialogue brings you into the story, it moves it along. No chance for that ADD to kick in here!

Why does Ellen do what she does? Other than the need for something more than conventional, she does what she does because of the unique ability it offers to change lives. An adult is not likely to be changed by a book. Teens are forming who they are, their whole worlds are up for grabs, to make, to become.

Ellen used the unique metaphor of the basement of our selves. The basement is what is strange and compelling, the inner life, the thing that lies under all of the layers of secrets. The teen years are the time to build up the walls of this basement, to find the stairs down, to turn on its lights.

I admit to having never read an Ellen Wittlinger novel…until five or six days ago. Now, I can say that I’ve successfully read FOUR Ellen Wittlinger novels! And I loved every single one of them. (I can’t wait to read the rest!) I was moved and I’m old! I am trying to imagine the impact it would make on a teen.

My personal favorite was Hard Love. It reminded me of me in so many facets- who I was then and how it made me who I am now.

I was so excited to meet Ellen and have her sign my personal copy!

After reading the novels, I couldn’t wait to hear what Ellen had to say, to hear about what motivated her, kept her going and coming back to another book and another. It is the ability to change the lives of her readers. An especially loved letter from one teen, listing reasons for her love of Hard Love, succinctly said it, “After knowing Marisol…” She was able to make her character more than a character. She makes them real. “When you know someone your prejudices fall away.”

What are Ellen Wittlinger’s books about? “She writes about how art can save you.”

(that means read them!)

~mia cook, Youth Services, Cape Girardeau Public Library

Snapshot: Meredith Roberson

One of the best things about any library conference is the chance to meet and talk with colleagues. However everyone can not talk to everyone, so I thought I would seek out some people. Here are some quick snapshots of fun people I met at the conference and some of their conference highlights.

Meredith Roberson, Assistant Director, North Kansas City Library
This is her second MLA conference.

Favorite Book: The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

Things she loves at the conference so far: the gaming room, the tons of space for notes at the end of the conference program, and all the wonderful local restaurants

Idea she will take home to her library: She loved the website design ideas she got from Envision the User’s Experience: Website Usability on a Shoestring. In her own words, “This is the first time in all my conferences that I feel I can go back to my library and be empowered to make these changes and do it on a shoestring budget!”
-Elizabeth Moreau, Children’s Librarian, Kansas City Public Library

Book Cart Drill Team Competition-The Secret to Success?

So, what was the secret to success for the Springfield-Greene County Library Ocean’s 8 team? Did they learn the infamous Roulette Wheel from Brad Pitt when he was in town? Have they been practicing since last year each and every weekend? Not a chance. As an insider I’ll tell you that there was much chaos and confusion right before we went on to perform. We were shocked and awed by our competition. But an annonymous member of the team wrangled us all in with this piece of advice, “I’m just watching the butt in front of me.”

Seriously, the best thing for me about this competition was how each team cheered on the other as they went on the field and off the field of competition. It was clear from the start that we were all in this together to put on a good show. I was impressed by the creativity and skill involved with all of the groups. How in the world did they stand on those carts????

~Jennifer, Springfield-Greene County Library

The Grown-up Book

Nancy Pearl, the well-known action figure librarian, revealed today in the keynote address of the Missouri Library Association Conference, that her first “grown-up book” was Gone with the Wind.  Venturing from the children’s department of her public library into general fiction for adults opened up a wide, new world for her.  She has never recovered from her initial fascination and continues her “ascent to knowledge” that began, most markedly, with the classic civil war novel. 

The public library changed my life as well and in a similar way.  I have a first grown-up book experience as well.  I too have discovered the “perils of reading” and I would like to expand on that concept a bit.  I believe that reading - the reading of growing-up books - truly is a perilous endeavor.  And I don’t mean the mere perils of mispronunciation.

First of all, I like this idea of the grown-up book.  At one point in the Q&A following her address, Nancy Pearl was asked for a favorite children’s book which for me would be like being asked for a favorite fruit loop flavor.   Now, I have read the Sorcerer’s Stone, so I have given Harry Potter more than his 50 page trial period Ms. Pearl recommends.  The book has its merits, but I haven’t read anymore of the series because I suspect I could glean more from another reading of my first grown-up book.  Time is precious.

 I came across Huck Finn in my public library when I was maybe 12 or 13.  The cover featured a picture of a boy fishing.  I had heard the name somewhere before.  The title had the word “adventures” in it.

 I was a homeschooled child from a fundamentalist family.  The Bible was the only book that truly mattered, the universe was around 6,000 years old, hell was real, and most people were going.  I would say “brainwashed,” but Nancy Pearl might say I had been “mizzled.”

 But I had the public library which was a light shining in the darkness.  My parents were apparently unaware of what heresies lay beneath the wholesome-looking cover of Huck Finn.  Huck decided after agonizing guilt that he would willingly go to hell for the sin of helping Jim escape down the Mississippi.  As I read, my own slippery-slope escape from narrow-minded darkness commenced.

 That book by Mark Twain opened up a perilous world to me.  It confused me and made me uncertain about what I believed.  It made me want to inquire ever more deeply.

These are the perils of reading.  Because if you aren’t confused, awestruck, baffled by life, you simply aren’t reading the best books. 

For every reader, the growing-up book.  There’s always one more to read.

 Seth Hershberger, Cass County Public Library

Congratulations, Oceans 8 Springfield Greene!

I almost forgot to tell you about the 2nd MLA Bookcart Drill Team competition sponsored by Demco!!! Congratulations to all 3 teams and the winner: Springfield Greene Oceans 8 team—complete with casino themed book carts! What a great show! Mike Schmitt from Demco sponsored the competition- only the 2nd time that MLA has held this event. It originated at ALA at 2005 and state library conferences are now putting on similar competitions.

The exhibitors put on a really excellent appetizer and drink mixer. We all enjoyed the show!

First up: the Dewey Decimators from the Daniel Boone Library in Columbia—complete with a pyramid grand finale at the end! Team leader Nathan Thomas told me the group also gives performances at Summer Reading events, National Library Week and other library events! They were terrific and their red shirts were eye-catching!

Next…Mid Continent Library’s Cart Commandos- with great music- the crowd was singing along and really enjoyed their performance. Linda Tarantino, a team member, said the group started working together in April. They looked great and their costumes were fun! The crowd really loved their routine!

The 3rd and winning group- Oceans 8, with captain Mel Davis were the best overall! Great music, great routine, crowd pleasing antics! Congratulations to all!!!

—Courtney Mlinar, Cottey College

Having a great time on my first day…

The first day was really terrific! I applaud all the conference committee members on an excellent day of information, entertainment and great fun!

I went to “New to MLA?” and met so many interesting committee chairs and active MLA members! I visited with a new Special Interest Group: Outreach–really good info on marketing and advocacy for libraries—and MACRL, and Legislative—-plus Member at Large! The most interesting part of the equation, as true for the rest of the day—the people! There is a great way for all of us to participate and make a contribution to the profession! I really learned a lot at this session!

Next—I took the U.N. and Special Collections Library Tour (so generously offered by Missouri State U Library!). There are only about 46 states who have a UN librarian- and we were so lucky to encounter Ann Fuhrman, a very well-versed authority on UN librarianship. Another very important fact…Missouri State believes in providing access to this collection! Keep this in mind when you need help in research! Don’t hesitate to call Ann for help!

We also toured the Special Collections and Archives, courtesy of Anne Baker (University Archivist) and David Richards (Head of Special Collections and Archives).  We were able to see their workrooms as well as their actual archives storage facilities and learned a lot about the new trends in archiving materials! We also got some great restaurant tips for the Springfield area…Walnut St.!!!! The tour was fabulous and informative—well worth the nice walk to see it!

Next…the MACRL dinner…where we learned:

1. trivia can be difficult

2. trivia makes a good ice-breaker!

Thanks so much for a fun way to get to know other librarians…trivial pursuit in various categories…

Ulysses’s dog’s name!

Address of the Adams family!

etc!!!

The piano bar was so much fun! We ended up arm in arm, singing Hey, Jude! What a great way to meet people! The evening ended with sugary sweet Krispy Kremes, and lots of new friends in librarianship!!!

More to come…

 Courtney Mlinar, Cottey College

Observations of Another First Timer

Even though I have been out of MLS school for 2 1/2 years, this is my first year at an MLA conference. So far I am having a wonderful time and it really is a learning experience.

Watching Nancy Pearl’s presentation was a delight. Towards  the end of her presentation, she noted three “Perils of a Life of Reading”
1. You develop a reading vocabulary instead of a speaking vocabulary. For example, you pronounce “tulle” as “tul-lay”.
2. You find your vocabulary changing. If you read in terms of the context of the paragraph instead of looking the word up in a dictionary, can lead you down the wrong path. Especially when the context of “dying of consumption” leads you to belive the poor person ate to death.
3. Are your memories  your’s or those of a book? Did that green dress you wore to the prom really happen to you or to the main character of “Double Date”?

After a longer than expected lunch (go to Nonna’s for good Italian!), I realized I missed my tour to see the UN Collection at Meyer Library. One conference newbie lesson learned: be flexible. So instead of touring Meyer Library, I attend a session on active learning presented by two of my colleagues at Saint Louis University. One point that Martha Allen and Mikael Kriz pointed out is that most students remember 70% of the first 10 minutes of a library instruction session. After that, they only retain 20%. Martha and Mikael talked about ways to actively teach students, instead of offering a standard lecture session that will only be partially effective.

The highlight of my sessions today was on edgy teen fiction with Lynn Evarts. Even though I work for an academic library, I have always had an interest in young adult literature. Lynn discussed how to handled a challenged book (it’s also Banned Books Week!), and offered suggestions on titles to add to your collection that are edgy, but teen readers can relate to the topics and/or characters. She remarked several times how her teens scoop up these certain books and the positive feedback she received. Lynn offered numerous recommendations on books that deal with LGBT, school violence, teacher/student relationships, abuse, and many others. Two websites Lynn mentioned for additional resources are KT Horning’s blog on LGBT teen literature (http://worththetrip.wordpress.com) and VOYA Online (http://www.voya.com).

Since I mostly handle the web design duties of Pius Library and the Medical Center Library at SLU, the majority of the sessions I am planning to attend tomorrow have to deal with web services. However, I was thinking of skipping the tagging session and attend the viticulture librarian session. Free wine samples or Library 2.0 tools. Hmm, tough decision.  *No offense to the tagging session organizers, but I will probably see you there!*

 ~~ Jodie L. Borgerding, Electronic Resources/Web Services Reference Assistant
Saint Louis University

Using Building Blocks in Storytime

In my first MLA conference I was glad to see something familiar - Building Blocks. I have been an official (MLS) librarian for just over a year and a Missouri librarian for the same time. One of the greatest delights of that time has been the Building Block award. It was my supreme pleasure to be a part of the award committee this last year which seeks to find the favorite book of Missouri preschoolers.

In this session, Christy Schink presented a history of the award as well as an overview of how the award works. Librarians can email in award nominations. To be eligible books must be published in the current year or the year before. Books should be chosen with an eye to what makes a good readaloud book experience for a preschool audience. The committee evaluates and rates all the books eventually choosing the top 30. A second meeting is convened where a group of listeners (including librarians, preschool teachers, and others who work with children) hear the 30 semi-finalists read the books and choose the top ten.

After the top ten are chosen, they become the nominees. To be eligible to vote, preschoolers must have had at least 5 of the 10 read to them. The voting period runs September 1st through December 31st.

It can be hard and overwhelming for preschoolers to vote, and parents often want to guide them. However, as Christy pointed out, this is a wonderful opportunity to teach about democracy. She brought the wonderful ballot booth she uses. Each child has one sticker that they can place on the cover (the removable cover provided by bound to stay bound) to indicate their vote. See photo below.

For children’s librarians who need more ideas on how to use the Building Block books, there are activity sheets available. Each sheet focuses on one book and includes craft ideas, coordinating books, songs, and everything you need to have a wonderful story time. The back side of the sheet is a (fully reproducible) activity sheet for children. They are available on the molib website or at the MLA booth during the conference for the bargain price of $3.

If you’re a children’s librarian, this is a wonderful way to get involved in the MLA group. Volunteer to be a listener for the Building Block committee and use the books in your story time. Don’t miss the luncheon on Friday where Karen Beaumont, author of last year’s Building Block winner, I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More will be speaking.

-Elizabeth Moreau, Children’s Librarian, Kansas City Public Library

Christy Schink of the Scenic Regional Library converted her puppet stage into a voting booth:

The MLA convention opens on a high note…

Welcome, everyone! It is so exciting to be here in Springfield, attending my first-ever MLA convention! I just began my library career in June- and I am so happy to be here, amongst my own species!!!:)

Nancy Pearl gave the opening keynote speech to a packed room! If you are not familiar with her book: Book Lust— do not pass Go, do not collect $200—until you do! She recommends her favorite books in many categories- including some that are now out-of-print, but sure to be available at a public library near you!!!

Some I wrote down include…Andersonville (for Civil War fiction), I Capture the Castle, Gertrude Bell: Queen of the Desert, and Sunshine! I promise to look up the authors and have more info for you later…but I am on my way to the MACRL dinner with Trivial Delights on the menu!!! More soon…

Courtney Mlinar (First-Timer!), Cottey College