Posted by Beth Yoke:
I agree that programs have a lot to offer both new and seasoned librarians. What specific topics for programs do you feel would be the most helpful to *new* librarians or SLIS students? Career exploration? Job searching? Leadership training? Something else?
-Beth Yoke
byoke@ala.org
Its the beginning of March, and even though I’m in college I’m not looking forward to my Spring Break. I’m looking forward to going to Boston for PLA.
Why, you may ask. Well its because at PLA I have the opportunity to meet with other librarians, see new places, and absorb a wealth of information from professionals all over the United States. The presenters are not paid to attend these conferences, but rather come to share what they have learned so that others may experience similar positive results. For me PLA is a breeding ground for great ideas, and who wouldn’t be excited about being involved in that.
I am halfway through my Library Science program, and attended both National and local conferences. The difference is astounding. At the national conference I was able to attend sessions of librarians who wrote articles, books, and blog; I was surrounded by dozens of authors of books I had read; and was able to leave with my suitcase full of ARCs, 5 bags full of “goodies”, and a head full of ideas.
I would recommend attending a national conference to everyone, but especially current Library Science students, and new librarians. While a student, ALA offers an excellent benefit of discounted conference admission and membership fees. If interested in working in a library you can not afford to pass this up.
Working with young adults requires a library that stays on the cutting edge of librarianship, which can still be two to three years behind the lives of the young adults. Attending conferences, participating in online classes, pushing yourself and your library to try new things, and sharing ideas with colleagues will keep our young adult departments meeting the needs of these important patrons long into the future.
posted by Jami Schwarzwalder
UNSHELVED has been running some funny cartoons on Sundays based on YA novels. The link here will take you to one about PEEPS by Scott Westerfeld. Crutcher and David Brin titles have also been included. How nice to be able to laugh at one’s own idiosyncracies and foibles.
Posted by Teri Lesesne
There has been some considerable discussion on the listservs about the lack of professional conferences for YA folks. Our state library association does a good job of bringing in people for the annual conference, but I wonder how many people know that YALSA is offering online PD?
There are other opportunities as well with organizations outside of ALA: SIGNAL (International Reading Associations YA group) and ALAN (National Council of Teachers of English YA group). ALAN does not require membership in NCTE nor does SIGNAL require IRA membership. ALAN folks can go to the workshop without registering for the larger and more expensive NCTE conference, too.
The PD page at YALSA has links and info about many of these PD opportunities.
Posted by Teri Lesesne
Shannan Sword, convenor of the Teaching YA Literature Discussion Group for YALSA, has formed a livejournal community open to all interested in joining. While the major thrust of the blog is to talk about issues related to teaching YA literature at the university level, anyone with an interest in YA literature is welcome.
Posted by Teri Lesesne
Posted by Linda W. Braun
There are some great photos that Mary Hastler took on Friday during the Institute and the gaming night. You can see them on Flickr.
Don’t miss the YALSA President and the Financial Officer on the DDR pads. The biggest crowd seemed to always be at Karaoke and the teens in attendance gravitated to Guitar Hero all evening.
Posted by Meg Canada
How do you track what’s hot for the 12-18 set?
Ypulse offers a daily e-mail update that, “provides daily news & commentary about Generation Y for media and marketing professionals.”
The SafeKids/NetFamily Newsletter may also inform your reading of teens and tweens use of technology.
Finally on my list of regular professional reading is Pop Candy which comments on pop culture and what the cool kids are doing.
Do you have additional sources for teen research?
Posted by Linda W. Braun
In my post on the Institute I said I would upload the PowerPoint files from the presenters. I have some of them, and will post the rest when they arrive in my email box.
Frances Jacobson Harris – ethics
Robin Brenner – graphic novels
Beth Gallaway – gaming
At the end of their presentation, Robin Brenner and Beth Gallaway asked participants to come up with a new program based on what they heard during the day. The program ideas included:
share a media wiki (teens use wiki to make recommendations for
purchase or to recommend podcasts, blogs, etc.
To read more about the day and to get to the link to my presentation you can read the first post.
The Teens and Technology Institute is just 10 days away. We are geared up for a great program which will include:
It’s a full agenda with lots of time built-in for interaction between participants.