Presented by the following organizations: Booklist, Infopeople, Library Journal, The Nebraska Library Commission, School Library Journal, Texas State Library & Archives Commission, and WebJunction  will be webcasting the following FREE programs during September.  These programs and others are listed on the Virginia Libraries Planning Calendar: http://host5.evanced.info/lva/evanced/eventcalendar.asp

Thursday, September 9 (3 – 4 pm) Finding Health and Wellness @ [...]]]> Presented by the following organizations: Booklist, Infopeople, Library Journal, The Nebraska Library Commission, School Library Journal, Texas State Library & Archives Commission, and WebJunction  will be webcasting the following FREE programs during September.  These programs and others are listed on the Virginia Libraries Planning Calendar: http://host5.evanced.info/lva/evanced/eventcalendar.asp

Thursday, September 9 (3 – 4 pm)
Finding Health and Wellness @ Your Library: A Consumer Health Toolkit for Library Staff (Infopeople)
This webinar will introduce users to the Finding Health and Wellness @ Your Library: A Consumer Health Toolkit for Library Staff and provide an orientation to the many multi-dimensional resources it contains, including core competencies, training resources, collection guidelines, programming ideas and promotional materials. The Toolkit is envisioned as a “living” resource that will evolve over time based on what we learn from its practical applications in the field.
To register for this event, go to: http://infopeople.org/training/webcasts/list 
 
Tuesday, September 14 (2- 3pm)
The Rural Library Trustee: Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships (WebJunction)
How do library trustees get trained? How are director and trustee roles defined to ensure a healthy library organization? How are trustee relationships cultivated both in and outside the library circle? Join us on September 14, 2 pm Eastern, for a webinar exploring these and other questions related to library trustees that will provide you with practical ideas and tactical strategies to support and advocate for your library organization as a trustee, or library director in a small or rural community. 
To register for this event, go to: http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/eventcalendar.asp
 
 
Tuesday, September 14 (1 – 2 pm)
Designing Customized Library Services: Book-a-Librarian and BookMatch (Infopeople)
Libraries are famous for their service, but it can be difficult to balance in-depth answers when time is always at a premium. This webinar provides two models for creating detailed patron service. Book-a-Librarian demonstrates a model for 1-on-1 detailed reference service, while BookMatch offers a method for crowdsourced readers’ advisory.
 
To register for this event, go to: http://infopeople.org/training/webcasts/list 
 
 
Wednesday, September 15 (11am -12 pm)
Gear Up to Game! (Texas State Library & Archives)
Please join us for another Webinar Wednesday! Get Ready for Gaming Day! National Gaming Day will take place on November 13, 2010. In anticipation of this event, Kelly Czarnecki and Christine Bretz, librarians with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, will share their experiences with teen gaming in public libraries. Gaming as related to literacy and already familiar library services will be discussed. Participants will learn how to start offering gaming programs in their library, which will cover high and low tech options for large and small budgets.
 
For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/workshops/webinars/
  
Wednesday, September 15 (1 – 2 pm)
SLJTeen Fall Announcements 2010 (School Library Journal)
Looking at the feedback from SLJTeen’s young adult reviewers, it’s safe to say that there are tons of new and forthcoming titles that will be exciting, infuriating and captivating to teen readers in this season and next. Nothing brings these books to life like hearing directly from publisher representatives on the new genre trends and authors coming on to the scene, and what’s new from perennial favorites.
To register for this event, go to: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/csp/cms/sites/SLJ/Technology/WebCasts/index.csp
Tuesday, September 21 (2-3 pm)
Using Technology to Move your Small/Rural Library Forward (WebJunction)
 Feel overwhelmed with new technology? Not sure how your small or rural library can take advantage of new and not-so-new technology? Don’t feel you have time to keep up with keeping up? Then this webinar is for you. Presenters Robin Hastings, Information Technology Coordinator for the Missouri River Regional Library, and Maurice Coleman, Technical Trainer at Harford County Public Library, will discuss best practices for using technology to keep your library connected and up to date. They will also share some of the latest and greatest sites and technology best suited for a small or rural library. You’ll also receive some expert guidance to better evaluate and assess these tools for your library system and your customers, with a focus on small and rural library environments.
 
To register for this event, go to: http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/eventcalendar.asp
 
Tuesday, September 21 (2- 3 pm)
The Scoop on Series Nonfiction: What’s New for Fall (Booklist)
Series nonfiction publishers are offering more titles than ever this fall, and as they continue to expand into digital formats and approach the curriculum in new ways, it’s more challenging than ever to keep up. In this hourlong webinar moderated by Booklist Books for Youth associate editor Dan Kraus, we’ll hear from five of the top publishers in this booming field: Heinemann-Raintree; Gale, part of Cengage Learning; Weigl Publishers, Inc.; Black Rabbit Books; and Lerner Publishing Group. Besides presenting their biggest fall titles and initiatives, they’ll also give attendees up-to-date information on the latest trends.
To register for this event, go to: http://www.booklistonline.com/GeneralInfo.aspx?id=63
 
Wednesday, September 22 (12 – 1 pm)
Strategies for Implementing and Optimizing Self-Service: Librarians Share Their Success (Library Journal)
Join representatives from three leading libraries who have cost-effectively and successfully implemented self-service in this information-rich roundtable webinar. In today’s tough economy, many libraries rely on self-service to offset significant increases in circulation, severe budget cuts, and staff reductions. Are you prepared to effectively implement self-service in your library? Are you confident that you are realizing maximum value from your self-service investment?
 
To register for this event, go to: http://www.libraryjournal.com/csp/cms/sites/LJ/Tools/Webcast/index.csp
Thursday, September 23 (1 – 2 pm)
SLJ Nonfiction Book Buzz 2010 (School Library Journal)
School Library Journal’s panel of nonfiction publishers will tell you how they strive to produce the most accurate and well-research core-related materials for grades K-12 while also keeping these titles attractive, easy to use, and accessible to a range of reading levels.? We’ll hear about series in science, social studies, biography, art, math, health, and more, most correlated to each state’s standards. Tune in for the buzz on new and forthcoming series nonfiction and get those gaps in your collection filled.
 
To register for this event, go to: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/csp/cms/sites/SLJ/Technology/WebCasts/index.csp
 
 
Tuesday, September 28 (2-3 pm)
Defending the Right to Read: Celebrating Banned Books Week (Booklist)
 Librarians and teachers face more challenges than ever when it comes to defending children’s right to read. In celebration of Banned Books Week, this webinar features a stellar panel of experts, including renowned author and longtime advocate of intellectual freedom Judy Blume, discussing book rating systems, the impact of the Internet on challenges, the effect of censorship on children’s publishing, and how to best prepare for book challenges.
 
To register for this event, go to: http://www.booklistonline.com/GeneralInfo.aspx?id=63
  
Tuesday, September 28 (3 – 4 pm)
CitizenKid: Change can happen one kid at a time (School Library Journal)
Are you looking for a way to get your students thinking and talking about how they can make a difference in the world? Join Katie Smith Milway, author of One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference and The Good Garden: How One Family Went from Hunger to Having Enough and Valerie Wyatt, author of How to Build Your Own Country, as they discuss how their books and others in the CitizenKid collection can inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens. School librarian Melissa Swenson will also be sharing her ideas on how to use the CitizenKid series of books in classrooms and libraries.
 
To register for this event, go to: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/csp/cms/sites/SLJ/Technology/WebCasts/index.csp
 
Wednesday, September 29 (11am-12 pm)
Pro-Se and Librarians: Legal Self Help Options (Nebraska Library Commission)
Economic pressures and increasing availability of e-government services have increased citizen’s need for help in accessing and using these services. Despite funding cuts, public libraries are increasingly where people turn for help. Much of the need for e-government services relates to legal matters, especially pro-se (meaning representing oneself in court). Beth Goble and Laura Johnson, Nebraska Library Commission and Julie Beno, Lincoln City Libraries will discuss the types of questions librarians may encounter, what librarians can and cannot provide without “giving legal advice”, and how the Nebraska Court system works. They will highlight some resources available for helping patrons do their own “legal stuff” or find legal aid services in their area.
 
To register for this event, go to: http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/scripts/training/eventshow.asp?ProgID=9897
 
Wednesday, September 29 (2-3 pm)
mySkills, myFuture: A New Tool for Job Seekers (WebJunction)
 As part of the ongoing collaboration between IMLS and the Employment & Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL/ETA), WebJunction is hosting this ETA presentation on the new job-seeking tool, mySkills, myFuture. Coming in September, this free online tool will enable job seekers to increase their career mobility and economic prospects. Specifically, the self-paced tool will help previously employed to (1) use their previous experience to identify occupations that they might be qualified for; (2) identify the skills s/he needs to acquire to qualify for a specific job; (3) identify education or training institutions where these skills can be obtained; and (4) provide links to relevant job opportunities in national and state job banks. Libraries will want to add mySkills, myFuture to their resources to help job-seeking patrons in their community.
 
To register for this event, go to: http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/eventcalendar.asp

Thanks to Cindy S. Church, Continuing Education Consultant, Library of Virginia, for providing this information!

“It has been a very wonderful experience,” said Fisher, who will depart Sept. 30.

“Radford has been good for me, and I think I’ve been good for Radford.”

Fisher has been with the library for 33 years — the first three spent in a 1,700- [...]]]> Longtime Radford Public Library Director Ann Fisher will retire this month after three decades.

“It has been a very wonderful experience,” said Fisher, who will depart Sept. 30.

“Radford has been good for me, and I think I’ve been good for Radford.”

Fisher has been with the library for 33 years — the first three spent in a 1,700- square-foot room in an old building on West Main Street where a CVS Pharmacy is now. The current library was built in 1980 and has been expanded twice.

“Every employee of the library was hired by Ann, and I would guess that every book in the library has been purchased under her watch,” Betty Overdorf, chairwoman of the Radford Public Library board, wrote in an e-mail.

During that time, the number of books circulating has more than quadrupled, Fisher said.

Replacing Fisher will be public services librarian Toni Cox. According to a news release from the city manager’s office, Cox was chosen from 13 applicants, and has worked at the library for 15 years as library clerk, library technician for acquisitions and public services librarian.

Cox said she has been “honored to work with Ann for the past 15 years.”

“She’s taught me so much about serving the community’s informational needs,” Cox said. “Radford is a great community, and the library reflects the community we serve.”

Cox has a bachelor of arts in English from Averett University, a master’s degree in English from Radford University and master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina and is a Virginia Certified Professional Librarian.

“Toni Cox has been a valued colleague and member of the Radford Public Library staff for many years and I am delighted that she has been appointed to take my position,” Fisher said in the city’s news release.

“I hope her experience in the position will be as positive as mine has been, and I wish her great success.”

by Amy Matzke-Fawcett NRV Current, Roanoke Times

If you have [...]]]> As president of the Virginia Library Association this year I have encouraged participation in our Association. One important part of participation in any Association is casting your vote for the next group of individuals who will take us forward. Your current opportunity to participate in this essential task is rapidly drawing to an end.

If you have not voted already please check your recent e-mails for VLA ballot information. If you have lost or deleted your VLA ballot e-mail contact Linda Hahne at lindahahne@cox.net and she will resend your ballot to you.

Thank you!

John A. Moorman
President Virginia Library Association

Dr. Carol Doll, Dr. Gail Dickinson, and Dr. KaaVonia Hinton-Johnson recently received an ILMLS grant to establish a multicultural continuing education center at Old Dominion University (Librarianship Upgrades for Children and Youth Services (LUCY).

One of our first tasks is to identify the specific needs of public librarians in the area of multicultural materials, programs, services, and [...]]]> Hello,

Dr. Carol Doll, Dr. Gail Dickinson, and Dr. KaaVonia Hinton-Johnson recently received an ILMLS grant to establish a multicultural continuing education center at Old Dominion University (Librarianship Upgrades for Children and Youth Services (LUCY).

One of our first tasks is to identify the specific needs of public librarians in the area of multicultural materials, programs, services, and cultural competencies. To do this we need your help. If you are willing to participate, please click on the link below to complete a short survey.

All the information collected will remain anonymous. There are only a few questions on the survey, and it should take you no more than10-15 minutes to respond. Your answers will help us create programs to meet your needs.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Roxanne Mills (LUCY manager) at rmills@odu.edu

Thank you

LUCY personnel

https://periwinkle.ts.odu.edu/surveys/UTQATZ/

The 2011 Paraprofessional Forum Conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Select/Koger Center in Richmond, VA on May 22-24, 2011

vlapf_session_proposal11_form (PDF)

Deadline for submissions is Sept. [...]]]> If you would like to present a session at the 2011 Paraprofessional Forum please fill out and submit the PDF form below by Sept. 30, 2010.

The 2011 Paraprofessional Forum Conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Select/Koger Center in Richmond, VA on May 22-24, 2011

vlapf_session_proposal11_form (PDF)

Deadline for submissions is Sept. 30, 2010

The Intellectual Freedom Committee urges all libraries to mark Banned Books week this year by creating displays in your facilities. Library users might not realize that many books are vulnerable to being banned, not just the books that they do not like. For example, the Bible is [...]]]> Banned Books Week 2010 (September25- October2): Display Contest

The Intellectual Freedom Committee urges all libraries to mark Banned Books week this year by creating displays in your facilities. Library users might not realize that many books are vulnerable to being banned, not just the books that they do not like. For example, the Bible is one of the most banned books of all time.

Send photos of your display by Oct. 9, 2010 to Jim Sanderson IFC Chair, either by mail to James W. Sanderson; West Avenue Library; 2907 West Avenue; Newport News, VA. 23607; or by email to jsanderson@nngov.com.

What is the prize? Bragging Rights when the winner is announced at the VLA Conference in Portsmouth!

For more information, use the following URL: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm

Librarians in all types of libraries are invited to a FREE workshop on frontline advocacy for libraries—especially their own libraries. Frontline library advocates work at all levels in all types of libraries—public, academic, school and special—and are the internal/external face and voice of the library. They can tell the library’s story [...]]]> FRONTLINE LIBRARY ADVOCACY:
EVERY VOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Librarians in all types of libraries are invited to a FREE workshop on frontline advocacy for libraries—especially their own libraries.
Frontline library advocates work at all levels in all types of libraries—public, academic, school and special—and are the internal/external face and voice of the library. They can tell the library’s story and deliver the library’s message at their comfort level and with people they know best. Because every staff member is the face of the library to his/her respective
community, each infl uences what the community knows and thinks about the library; and all librarians and library staff are perfectly poised to inform people about their library’s value and needs.
This workshop covers the importance of this new level of library advocacy and how it differs
from legislative advocacy; works with librarians, library staff, and library administrators/managers/
supervisors in ways to get frontline staff empowered and engaged to do a different type
of library advocacy at their comfort level; and helps attendees with the mechanics of putting
together a frontline advocacy team; developing a frontline employee advocacy plan; and crafting
a message. Every voice does make a difference!
Date and time: Monday, June 21, 2010, 1:30-PM-4:30 PM
Location: University of Richmond, Keller Hall (#43 on the map at www.richmond.edu/visit/
maps/)
Registration: There is no registration fee; however you must register; seating is ample, but
limited.

To register call Leigh Ann Martin at 804-289-8454 or email her at lbrosnih@richmond. edu; use “Frontline advocacy” as your email subject line.
Registration deadline: June 11, 2010
Parking: Complete the online form for a permit no later than June 14, 2010; the form is at
http://police.richmond.edu/parking/registration/visitor.html
Light refreshments will be served

For additional information and registration please go [...]]]> Knowing how to find and use E-government resources is critical for patrons who need access to information related to unemployment, food stamps, Medicaid, tax forms, health and housing; and many people are asking their public library to help them navigate this information.

For additional information and registration please go to http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/eventsignup.asp?ID=1649