2017 TILC Travel Grant Winner Announced

The Innovative Library Classroom (TILC) is pleased to award the 2017 TILC Travel Grant to Chanelle Pickens.

Chanelle Pickens earned a Master's in Library & Information Science, with an Archives & Records Management focus, from San Jose State University in 2014 and a B.S. in Communications from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2004. A Visiting Librarian at West Virginia University as part of the Diversity Alliance, she is a member of the Research Services & Instruction unit. Chanelle’s professional objectives include: expanding her skills in instruction and curriculum development; actively conducting research on mindfulness and contemplative pedagogy as they relate to IL, library instruction, and community building; and extending her network of interested colleagues by participating in advocacy activities and professional development. Lifelong learning is also extremely important to Chanelle and she includes data services, open educational resources/open access, and assessment as professional interests.

The Innovative Library Classroom Travel Grant helps an individual from an underrepresented group attend TILC by providing funding for registration or accommodations at a nearby hotel.

The Innovative Library Classroom

The Innovative Library Classroom is a day-long conference dedicated to the exploration of innovative practices related to teaching and learning in libraries. TILC will be held at Radford University in Radford, VA on May 10 and May 11. Registration for TILC will open March 13 and is limited to 100 participants. Learn more on the TILC website.

Take Action Now for Intellectual Freedom

The following email was sent to VLA members on February 22, 2017, 10:30 a.m.

In the last two days, HB2191 was passed by the VA Senate and adopted by the House. The bill now goes to Governor Terry McAuliffe. In this Richmond Times-Dispatch article, the Governor stated that he intends to veto the bill: http://bit.ly/2mlC7SX

• If you would like to show your support of the veto by writing an email to the Governor, please click here: http://bit.ly/sendemail2191
• If you would like to show your support of the veto by calling the Governor’s office, please click here for suggested phrasing: http://bit.ly/makeacall2191

CQEngage is provided by a partnership with the American Library Association. We anticipate a decision by the Governor by Friday, so please act quickly.

For more background and information about HB2191 and its predecessor, 2016’s HB516, please click here: http://bit.ly/2kZJwXj

Free Webinar: What is this Poster Session you Speak of? Public Libraries and VLA Conference Posters

Have a great outreach story, awesome programming idea, or a unique collection in your library? We'd love you to share it at VLA's annual conference #2017VLA in October!

Presenting in front of a crowd can be scary though, so why not submit a poster? Not sure what a poster session is? Join us on February 27th at 11am and listen in as KT Vaughan, JMU Director of Research & Education Services, Acting Associate Dean, and VLA Poster Session Coordinator explains how easy posters can be to Nan Carmack, Campbell County Public Library Director and poster novice.

All types of librarians are welcome to join and prepare a proposal, and no question is too simple!

Registration is free but please register by February 26th so we have an accurate count. A recording will be made available to all registrants within one week of the webinar. You do not need to be a VLA member to register.

Click here to register: Webinar: What is this Poster Session you Speak of? Public Libraries and VLA Conference Posters

View of a poster from VLA's 2016 Conference by Patty Clark and Sue Erickson of Virginia Wesleyan College, Norfolk, VA

2017 VLA New Members Round Table Forum Mentoring Program

Are you interested in expanding your professional network? The VLA NMRT Mentoring Program is designed to help new VLA members grow professionally through partnerships with seasoned VLA members. The program is open to the following:

Mentees: Librarians or library staff members in the first five years of their professional career, library school students. See this guide for more details.

Mentors: A career mentor must have been employed in a professional position for at least five years and be willing to correspond with their mentee at least once a month in whatever manner is most convenient for both parties. See this guide for more details.