Wednesday, October 28, 2009
2010 SSD Conference Committee
This is a call to anyone interested in being a part of the 2010 SSD Conference Committee. The Conference will be held at the Salem Conference Center on Friday, July 23. We need 5-10 people to plan the event, which involves selecting the theme, scheduling sessions, speakers, selecting the menu and PR. Please contact Cathy Zgraggen at cathyz@dpls.us or Susan Gilmont at susan.gilmont@oregonstate.edu for more information or to volunteer your time. The conference can not take place without a committee to plan the event. It would be so disappointing to not have a conference because a committee could not be formed. It is a rewarding commitment and allows you to meet new people from the library world.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
On the Road with Diane and Susan
The cast:
Susan Gilmont (SSD Chair)
Diane Bolen (SSD Continuing Education Chair)
Me (Jey Wann, SSD past-past Chair)
The mission:
Present information about SSD, and support staff certification, to the Eastern Oregon Library Association (EOLA) at La Grande Public Library; give a book mending workshop at La Grande Public Library.
Our story:
Distance is the theme of this trip. Diane and I both work in Salem, where libraries (and people, for that matter) are fairly thick on the ground. Susan works in Newport, which isn't as urban, but is still close to the populous Willamette Valley.
The first hour or so of our trip, on I5 and 205, was your typical, busy freeway drive. But once we turned east, distances stretched out. It was farther between cars on the road, farther between towns, and the view was dominated by the magnificant Columbia River Gorge. Since Diane was doing the driving, I'd brought a book and my mp3 player to keep from getting bored. Not necessary; we talked pretty much non-stop. Our topics of conversation ranged from library issues to pets, family issues, and where we'd like to go if we could go anywhere, any time.
We arrived at our motel in La Grande around dusk. After dinner, I retired to my room, where I worked on tweaking my presentation for the next day.
No road trip is complete without getting lost at least once. Although the library was only supposed to be a 4-minute drive from our motel, we ended up traveling 3 miles before we found it. Now Diane and Susan know never to ask me to navigate. I think I was reading the directions backwards.
We were initially a bit disappointed at the fairly low turn out at the meeting. Again, distances, plus staffing demands, had probably kept some from attending. However, the smaller group made for more informal presentation, and more discussion. I hope my case for encouraging support staff to become involved in OLA was taken to heart. There was genuine interest, but perhaps a little skepticism, in Susan's excellent presentation about support staff certification. As Susan says, skepticism is natural now, when the program hasn't started yet, and no one knows what benefits (besides learning) support staff may gain from being certified.
After lunch, I took off my SSD hat, put on my state documents hat, and visited the Pierce Library at Eastern Oregon University. I'd never visited EOU before. Although the campus is easy walking distance from downtown La Grande, its hilltop location emphasizes eastern Oregon's wide-open landscape. The document staff at EOU can be proud of their well managed and easily accessibly state and federal documents collection.
After walking back from the university (and being disciplined enough to avoid an excellent bakery), I watched Diane's book mending workshop. Again, attendance was low, but everyone participated actively, Diane did a great job, and there were lots of books to be repaired!
Distance is relative. Many of the folks we talked to were surprised that we weren't driving straight back to Salem after the book mending workshop was over. After all, they said, they drive those kinds of distances at the end of the day all the time. We'd decided to stay the night in Hermiston, despite the local opinion that it's "just down the road".
The weather in La Grande had been cloudy most of the afternoon. As we drove down the notorious Cabbage Hill, though, the view to the west was full of bright sun, illuminating the vast, rolling landscape, and emphasizing distance.
For me, the trip was a great experience. I've know Susan and Diane for years, but definitely had the opportunity to get to know them better. (Diane's got great stories about motorcycle vacations, and Susan is the only person I know who can come up with a poetic Tudor quotation about kidney stones). I'd hoped to be able to meet for east-side support staff, but the opportunity to talk informally with librarians about SSD and OLA was rewarding. Under Susan's leadership, SSD will explore providing remote networking and continuing education opportunities.
I accepted the position of chair of SSD was a little reluctance two years ago, worrying that the fact that we were "recycling" officers meant that we were losing momentum. Since then, SSD has moved ahead. There are new people with new ideas (including this blog)on the Exec Committee, and SSD continues to support library support staff. We're all working together to make Oregon libraries better, and I'm proud to have been part of the journey.
Susan Gilmont (SSD Chair)
Diane Bolen (SSD Continuing Education Chair)
Me (Jey Wann, SSD past-past Chair)
The mission:
Present information about SSD, and support staff certification, to the Eastern Oregon Library Association (EOLA) at La Grande Public Library; give a book mending workshop at La Grande Public Library.
Our story:
Distance is the theme of this trip. Diane and I both work in Salem, where libraries (and people, for that matter) are fairly thick on the ground. Susan works in Newport, which isn't as urban, but is still close to the populous Willamette Valley.
The first hour or so of our trip, on I5 and 205, was your typical, busy freeway drive. But once we turned east, distances stretched out. It was farther between cars on the road, farther between towns, and the view was dominated by the magnificant Columbia River Gorge. Since Diane was doing the driving, I'd brought a book and my mp3 player to keep from getting bored. Not necessary; we talked pretty much non-stop. Our topics of conversation ranged from library issues to pets, family issues, and where we'd like to go if we could go anywhere, any time.
We arrived at our motel in La Grande around dusk. After dinner, I retired to my room, where I worked on tweaking my presentation for the next day.
No road trip is complete without getting lost at least once. Although the library was only supposed to be a 4-minute drive from our motel, we ended up traveling 3 miles before we found it. Now Diane and Susan know never to ask me to navigate. I think I was reading the directions backwards.
We were initially a bit disappointed at the fairly low turn out at the meeting. Again, distances, plus staffing demands, had probably kept some from attending. However, the smaller group made for more informal presentation, and more discussion. I hope my case for encouraging support staff to become involved in OLA was taken to heart. There was genuine interest, but perhaps a little skepticism, in Susan's excellent presentation about support staff certification. As Susan says, skepticism is natural now, when the program hasn't started yet, and no one knows what benefits (besides learning) support staff may gain from being certified.
After lunch, I took off my SSD hat, put on my state documents hat, and visited the Pierce Library at Eastern Oregon University. I'd never visited EOU before. Although the campus is easy walking distance from downtown La Grande, its hilltop location emphasizes eastern Oregon's wide-open landscape. The document staff at EOU can be proud of their well managed and easily accessibly state and federal documents collection.
After walking back from the university (and being disciplined enough to avoid an excellent bakery), I watched Diane's book mending workshop. Again, attendance was low, but everyone participated actively, Diane did a great job, and there were lots of books to be repaired!Distance is relative. Many of the folks we talked to were surprised that we weren't driving straight back to Salem after the book mending workshop was over. After all, they said, they drive those kinds of distances at the end of the day all the time. We'd decided to stay the night in Hermiston, despite the local opinion that it's "just down the road".
The weather in La Grande had been cloudy most of the afternoon. As we drove down the notorious Cabbage Hill, though, the view to the west was full of bright sun, illuminating the vast, rolling landscape, and emphasizing distance.For me, the trip was a great experience. I've know Susan and Diane for years, but definitely had the opportunity to get to know them better. (Diane's got great stories about motorcycle vacations, and Susan is the only person I know who can come up with a poetic Tudor quotation about kidney stones). I'd hoped to be able to meet for east-side support staff, but the opportunity to talk informally with librarians about SSD and OLA was rewarding. Under Susan's leadership, SSD will explore providing remote networking and continuing education opportunities.
I accepted the position of chair of SSD was a little reluctance two years ago, worrying that the fact that we were "recycling" officers meant that we were losing momentum. Since then, SSD has moved ahead. There are new people with new ideas (including this blog)on the Exec Committee, and SSD continues to support library support staff. We're all working together to make Oregon libraries better, and I'm proud to have been part of the journey.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Book Repair Workshop at La Grand Public Library
SSD is sponsoring a book repair workshop at the La Grand Public Library in conjunction with the Eastern Oregon Library Association Fall meeting. The event is Friday, October 2. For more information and to register visit: http://www.olaweb.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=61036 or contact me at cathyz@dpls.us
We will also have an SSD discussion and Q&A with Susan Gilmont, SSD Chair, and Jey Wann from 10:45-11:30. This is a free event.
We will also have an SSD discussion and Q&A with Susan Gilmont, SSD Chair, and Jey Wann from 10:45-11:30. This is a free event.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
New SSD Certification Scholarships
Oregon Library Support Staff Certification Scholarship
An anonymous donor has given $1,000 to help five (5) Oregon library support staff members apply for national certification in 2010. Certification scholarships apply $200 towards the $350 application fee to enter the ALA-APA Library Support Staff Certification Program.
• The scholarship is open to any SSD member having a high school diploma, at least one year of library experience, and who has been employed within the last three years in an Oregon library.
• Applicants will be responsible for the remaining cost of the registration fee.
For more information on the LSSCP, see: http://www.ala-apa.org/lsscp/index.html
An anonymous donor has given $1,000 to help five (5) Oregon library support staff members apply for national certification in 2010. Certification scholarships apply $200 towards the $350 application fee to enter the ALA-APA Library Support Staff Certification Program.
• The scholarship is open to any SSD member having a high school diploma, at least one year of library experience, and who has been employed within the last three years in an Oregon library.
• Applicants will be responsible for the remaining cost of the registration fee.
For more information on the LSSCP, see: http://www.ala-apa.org/lsscp/index.html
Monday, August 3, 2009
SSD 2009 Gateways Conference: On-Line Evaluation Form
Thank you for a great conference and your feedback that will help us plan future SSD conferences.
If you did not fill out an evaluation form at the conference, please take a moment and fill out the survey online: https://web.memberclicks.com/mc/quickForm/viewForm.do?orgId=ola&formId=63447
Thank you for your input!
If you have any questions, contact Conference Chair: Lori Davidson at davidsol@wou.edu / 503-838-8884
If you did not fill out an evaluation form at the conference, please take a moment and fill out the survey online: https://web.memberclicks.com/mc/quickForm/viewForm.do?orgId=ola&formId=63447
Thank you for your input!
If you have any questions, contact Conference Chair: Lori Davidson at davidsol@wou.edu / 503-838-8884
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
SSD Election
It's time to elect our officers for the 2009-2010 OLA year. The ballot is online at https://web.memberclicks.com/mc/quickForm/viewForm.do?orgId=ola&formId=63550. The election runs through Friday, August 7. You must be an SSD member to vote.
Kudos to our candidates for stepping up and offering their skills, commitment, and leadership. And remember, there are other ways to become involved in SSD than elected offices. If you're interested, contact me, or any member of the Executive Committee.
The ballot contains background information about the candidates, and they may add additional information to this blog post. Feel free to comment if you have any questions for the candidates.
Kudos to our candidates for stepping up and offering their skills, commitment, and leadership. And remember, there are other ways to become involved in SSD than elected offices. If you're interested, contact me, or any member of the Executive Committee.
The ballot contains background information about the candidates, and they may add additional information to this blog post. Feel free to comment if you have any questions for the candidates.
Monday, July 20, 2009
2009 SSD Conference Musings
I certainly had a good time at the conference. Well, okay, after I blew out everyone's ears! Bob Welch's opening speach was very inspiring. I know I need that little reminder every now and again as to why I work for a public library. It really is to help people get the information they need or gain knowledge. I even put a hold on American Nightingale between sessions.
Lori Davidson and her team did a wonderful job planning and presenting the conference. Jackson Stalley, Karen Head, Karen Wilkinson, Kate Schwab, Margaret Harmon-Myers, Sean O'Neill, Sheila McAlexander, Stacey Fiegi, Sue Robinson, Susan Bacina - you guys rock! It is time consuming however the rewards are worthwhile when the day comes to an end. I've already heard some very wonderful comments.
Now onto 2010 at the Salem Conference Center. I hope that 5-10 people will feel inspired to be a part of this planning committee. Please take some time to think about it. Ask questions of past committee members. Add them to this post. I promise to get back to you!
Thanks for being a Support Staff Member - Cathy Zgraggen
Lori Davidson and her team did a wonderful job planning and presenting the conference. Jackson Stalley, Karen Head, Karen Wilkinson, Kate Schwab, Margaret Harmon-Myers, Sean O'Neill, Sheila McAlexander, Stacey Fiegi, Sue Robinson, Susan Bacina - you guys rock! It is time consuming however the rewards are worthwhile when the day comes to an end. I've already heard some very wonderful comments.
Now onto 2010 at the Salem Conference Center. I hope that 5-10 people will feel inspired to be a part of this planning committee. Please take some time to think about it. Ask questions of past committee members. Add them to this post. I promise to get back to you!
Thanks for being a Support Staff Member - Cathy Zgraggen
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