OU is hoping to inspire 8 years in a row

Norman Transcript | Inspirational Reading

The eighth annual Books that Inspire exhibit at the University of Oklahoma opened Tuesday, honoring the University of Oklahoma Press.

"It was kind of a natural sequence, having honored Oklahoma authors (last year), to now honor OU Press -- and it's a preeminent press," said Sul H. Lee, dean of University Libraries.

Books that Inspire is an annual exhibit at Bizzell Memorial Library that features favorite books chosen by OU faculty and staff members.

The book is displayed in the library's main floor along with a photo of the participant and a statement describing the book's influence on the participant's life.

Volunteer opportunity at OLA 101

So I'm sure you are all already packing your over night bags for OLA 101. But before you pack all your extra dark socks and sandals be sure to pull out your itineraries and see if you have a chance to do a little volunteering. Tiffany, from TU's McFarlin Library, writes in:

I am in charge of the bookstore this year, and I wondered if you would be so kind as to remind people who plan to attend of the importance of volunteering during the conference. ... We will have the Sequoyah authors visiting on Monday! If anyone wants to volunteer for the bookstore directly through me they are welcome to contact me at (918)631-3491, but there are other areas that will need help, too, such as the Welcome/Registration Desk.

At past conferences I've been known to stop in on the occassional booth and offer to pimp the group, products for sale or free Read Ya'll posters.

It's a lot of fun - kind of like being a super literate technilogical savvy and sensible shoe wearing carny. So visit the OLA site or call Tiffany for more information!

Border Queen Book Festival March 29th!

People may not realize how many literary festivals Oklahoma has on a regular basis. Here's one for you to add to your calendar.

The Border Queen Book Festival at the Asbury Complex in Comanche, OK on March 29th.

All set ups are free to authors, there is no fee for the festival. Food can be purchased in the adjoining dining hall during the noon hour.

There will be authors who write books about crafts, pet care, screenwriting and so much more.

Parents are encouraged to bring their children to this festival; a wide variety of childrens and adult books from all genres are there for you to purchase an autographed copy from the author and plant a dream in a child or adult to achieve and reach further.

And if that isn't enough to get you there consider this - The festival will be filmed to be on Discover Oklahoma for the next years program since this year is filled.

OSU Invite

I got this invite via Facebook -- I can't attend but maybe you can. It looks pretty interesting.




Join Us Feb. 21, 2008, 7 pm for the Opening of the Black American Military Experience Collection at the OSU Library with featured speaker Gail Buckley

visit www.library.okstate.edu/news.htm for details

Book sale and signing reception follows. Refreshments provided.

Librarians wanted

I had the chance to participate in a search engine test project a little while back - it was interesting. I just got an email saying they are looking for a few good librarians to help with their next test project:

And for our Librarian Insiders, we need more of you! Please feel free to invite any and all of your librarian friends and colleagues; send them here http://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/ff28g2dd6e, so we can learn a bit more about them and get them set up. Once they follow this link, they will be asked to enter their first and last names. Please be sure to tell them to add your initials in brackets following their last name e.g., Jones [AEJ], so we know that you referred them.

Remember to put my intials AEJ if you sign up via this post -- and I look forward to seeing you all in the test!

Acoustic Thunder of the Oklahoma Plains

Gayle E., media specialist for Newkirk Public Schools, sends this library story:

We just had a wonderful Centennial/music program at our school. It is called Acoustic Thunder of the Oklahoma Plains. My husband, a retired teacher, is one of the presenters. They presented it at our elementary school, an elementary school in Tonkawa, and several of the schools in Ponca City. The reviews were great!

The program features 12 acoustic instruments that could have come to Oklahoma around statehood. A Brief history of the instrument (age appropriate) is given along with a song featuring that instrument and presented with fun, humor, and interactive songs. The program is 30-45 minutes long.

The program will be available to schools again between September 20 – Christmas Break. Price for the assembly has a basic rate of $300, plus mileage .

For booking information on this time sensitive assembly, please contact: Dale Eisenhauer at (580)-362-5437, or email at daleeisenhauer@sbcglobal.net.

9th Annual Oklahoma 1st Amendment Congress

As I was paying for my daughter's abso-freaking-ly adorable Halloween costume this evening I realized it was that time of year again -- time for the Oklahoma 1st Amendment Congress.

Some of you may be asking, "What is this thing called the 1st Amendment? Is it some mythical creature like a faerie?" -- well lucky for you this Congress is meant to answer such a question -- and yes my daughter is going to be a faerie for Halloween.

The Annual Congress is hosted by Freedom of Information Oklahoma, Inc.

Founded in 1990, FOI Oklahoma is a statewide organization actively supporting those organizations and individuals working to open records or provide access to meetings illegally closed.

When individuals or organizations in Oklahoma believe that their First Amendment or access rights are threatened, they turn to FOI Oklahoma for help. The organization contacts those who are limiting freedom of access to encourage them to comply with the laws....

High School students can enter an essay contest -- first prize is $300, second place will receive $200, and third place will win $100. The deadline for submissions is October 15 and more information on the essay guidelines can be found at this pdf.

Oh and be sure to note the dates of the Congress

On October 31, 2007, Oklahoma’s First Amendment Congress will feature special sessions for high school students. On November 1, college students are invited to join professionals for special sessions exploring our freedoms.

Our purpose is to help educate, inform and empower tomorrow’s leaders. Each generation must explore the privileges and responsibilities that lie at the heart of the Bill of Rights. As future journalists, librarians, teachers, attorneys, entrepreneurs and citizens, young people need to understand the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

btw - you can carve your own virtual pumpkin at this site

Call for Rural Librarians

To Librarians at Small Public Libraries:

The Public Library Division will be hosting a program at the Oklahoma Library Association Annual Conference (April 21-23, 2008 in Tulsa) on programming for small libraries. We are looking for librarians at smaller libraries across the state who have had successful programming and we invite you to share your story with us. If you would like to be on a panel at OLA conference, please contact Lynda Reynolds, Chair of PLD, at lreynolds@stillwater.org or 405.372.3633 ext. 101 for more details.

If you want to share your story but do not want to be on the panel, please email your story to Lynda and we will include it in a handout for our program. If you know a fellow librarian who does is not on the list or may need some coaxing to share their success stories, please forward this email to them with your personal invitation for them to contact me.

Everybody was kung fu librarianing...

Nelson reports on a workshop he recently added. This newly anointed black belt librarian reports on what he learned!

August 21, 2007 – Mustang Public Library

Warren Graham’s workshop, the first offered in Oklahoma, “The Black Belt Librarian” sponsored by OLA was one of those workshops which got ideas spinning long after the program were over. To my surprise the presentation was far more psychological than physical and was well suited for all library personnel, from shelvers all the way up to library administrators. If you ever have a chance to hear Graham speak, please do so because it is well worth it. You will get a philosophy of library services in a different context, yet a point of view which can be beneficial for everyone that walks through our doors.

Graham has spent 25 years in security, including 17 at the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, NC, before retiring in 2006 to establish Warren Graham Training and Consulting. He regularly travels across the country to all varieties of libraries providing security training; his book Black Belt Librarians which he presentation was based on details his methods.

Graham explains that libraries are in conflict because security of the collections, staff, and patrons is a priority for libraries and at the same time, libraries maintains its traditional role as an open, public space designed in making its resources available to all people. Graham states that librarians today have to make a choice on better security procedures because “we always do it this way” or “we never had this problem before” are classic statements that we can no longer afford to say. Case after case is made where libraries are not secure and librarians and the patrons are suffering, including our libraries in Oklahoma.

Handling difficult customers for public service staff and managers was one of the talking points Graham used and we did role playing exercises which was a lot of fun. Graham also covered topics such as:

• Entry and exit procedures
• Personal belonging restrictions
• Conduct on library premises
• Alarm and monitoring systems
• Emergency and disaster response
• Securing staff areas
• Lock and key security procedures

Graham uses the “AAA” rule which stands for attitude, approach and analysis. He gave real life experiences for each definition. It speaks volumes to have worked in a library for a good length of time and relay these experiences to an audience that is willing to receive it. It was a packed room in wonderful new Mustang facility (if you ever in Mustang, check out their new building) and I suspect that if this was offered again, it would be standing room only. Hopefully Mr. Graham will be asked back at the annual conference so we all can benefit from his experiences.

The main theme for the presentation and the throughout his book is communication, not Karate moves. Graham’s website states it best, if there's a single golden rule, it's to “never think about confronting the patron. It's all about communication. If you think, for example, 'The patron is doing something that is against the library rules so now I need to confront him about it,' you'll tense up mentally and physically. You'll be working against your own viscosity. Most patrons will comply if you ask them the right way, and that is what I train staff to do.” For more on The Black Belt Librarians the website can be found at: http://www.blackbeltlibrarians.com/.

OLA, with Linda Gens and Kay Boies did a nice job presenting this workshop. However, it is up to us to take this message and take it to heart. We all need to be safe in our workplace and this is a mindset that all of us need to take action on and it starts from within. Some of us do have paid security or take extra proactive measures to be safe, but are we doing the right kinds of things at the right time? I work with a staff that knows from firsthand experience that anything can happen at anytime.

Reporter: Nelson D. - Information Services Librarian, Norman Public Library.

Rose State goes all Hollywood

The Hollywood Librarian – A Look at Librarians Through Film, a documentary, will have its Oklahoma Premiere on Saturday, September 29, at 2 p.m. in the Tom Steed Center Auditorium, next to I-40 at Hudiburg Drive on the Rose State College campus, sponsored by the RSC Learning Resources Center.

The cost will be $8 for adults, $5 for children under 12 and seniors 60 and over, and librarians get in free. Librarians should wear their nametags for free admission.

Tickets are available in September by calling 405-733-7370 or at the door. Cash or check only. No credit cards. The Hollywood Librarian is appropriate for audiences from young adult up.

Red carpet attire is optional. A discussion of the film will follow the showing.

For more information, see the web site— http://www.hollywoodlibrarian.com

You can do it! Practical techniques for supporting public computers

From Beyond the Job | You can do it! Practical techniques for supporting public computers

WHAT: You can do it! Practical techniques for supporting public computers

WHO: Meet Faye Hover, Renee Goss, and Marian Wynn, all superstars when it comes to keeping public computers available in their libraries. Learn about Faye’s can-do attitude about learning technology; how Renee connected her library to the community with her business savvy, and how Marian implemented open source technologies in her library. These intrepid rural librarians contributed to the MaintainIT Project by sharing their stories—join in and learn their recipes for success and find out how you too can be a part of the project!

WHEN: August 23rd at 11:00 a.m Pacific time (2:00 p.m. Eastern time)

DETAILS:

Webinar information and log in: http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=13496

MaintainIT Project: http://maintainitproject.org/

Even if you’re not able to participate in the seminar, you can download a free Cookbook packed with practical tips and techniques for supporting public computers: http://maintainitproject.org/cookbooks.

Tulsa librarian is toastmaster

Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave has asked Okie Will Thomas to be toast master for their September 28-30 event in Manhattan Kansas.

Will has written four historical adventures starring the mysterious London inquiry agent Cyrus Barker and his young apprentice, Thomas Llewelyn. The first book in the series is Some Danger Involved, an apt title indeed! His latest is The Hellfire Conspiracy. Will uses real historical personalities in his fast-moving novels, which are not only tremendous fun, but historically accurate.

Since Will is a librarian in the Tulsa, Oklahoma Library system, we’ve asked him to talk about how he made the difficult journey from cataloging books to writing them.

They say even if you aren't a writer you are welcome to attend because they love readers too.

Poster contest for kids!

Ok sure it's from Kansas -- but no reason why an Okie can't win...right?

News to share, the Gov Doc Kids Group presents a poster contest for Constitution Day, September 17, 2007. Any child K-12 is welcome to participate.

Pass the word to teachers, librarians, home schoolers, and anybody else who might be interested. A couple of suggestions--forward this message to other listservs, friends and colleagues, post the form and poster on bulletin boards, and put copies of the contest form out for anyone to pick up.

A gift certificate valued at $125 for an 8-week art class offered by the The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art will be awarded to a winner from the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.

PRINT AND POST http://govdocs4children.pbwiki.com/f/PosterContestPoster.pdf

The GovDoc Kids Group is made up of librarians from Johnson County Library, Overland Park, KS and Emporia State University, and an archivist from the National Archives-Central Plains. The Group is co-sponsored by Kansas Library Association Government Documents Roundtable (GODORT).

Oklahoma #1

First Book Declares:
We asked—you answered!
This summer First Book is celebrating its 50 millionth book given to children in need. We asked you to tell us what book got you hooked on reading, then vote for the state to receive 50,000 new books.

Red Dirt Book Festival Registration Open

Registration for the Red Dirt Book Festival is now open!

The third, biennial Red Dirt Book Festival, an official Oklahoma Centennial event, will be November 2 and 3, 2007 in Shawnee, Okla. at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center. The mission of the Red Dirt Book Festival is to celebrate the art and craft of writing through an event that brings together Oklahoma readers, writers, illustrators, publishers, storytellers, scholars and performers.

“READ, WRITE, TALK,” continue to be the festival’s thematic strands. “Oklahoma Character,” is the unifying focus for the 2007 festival. The festival’s goal is to identify what is unique about Oklahoma character as reflected in our literature. This may include the unique character of our history, our landscape, our lifestyle and our Oklahoma “characters.” Through a series of lectures, panel presentations, and group discussions, participants focus their attention on thematic questions. Other festival attractions are a banquet and luncheons, book signings, exhibits, storytelling and performances....

Disclosure --
My coworker, Kevin, and I are the 2 person web team behind Red Dirt. We are using Joomla (which is the CMS we are going to do to redesign our work website this coming year). We've already tested some features on the Big Read and learned a lot about the software and users -- so the more folks who use the online functionality of Red Dirt the more Kevin and I get to see how the CMS holds up. So be sure to shoot any design/function commentary my way! :)

Haunted Books @ your library

Here's a fun little knick knack for your library during Halloween or perhaps your next Harry Potter related event.

Antique looking books seem perfectly harmless until someone walks by, then the middle book slides out toward the victim as if it will fall from the shelf. Books also emit spooky sounds for a totally haunted effect. 8" x 8" x 6.5". Only $24.98

Found via BoingBoing

June 13 | Harry & the Potters in Norman

It's Harry & the Potters' only stop in Oklahoma this summer -- and it goes along with Mugglefest v.2 -- so give Norman Public Library a call and see if tickets are still available.

June 13 - Norman, OK - Sooner Theater

Not sure you'll like their music? Check out their Myspace page.

Call for Presenters for COIL Summer Workshop

Call for Presenters for COIL Summer Workshop on July 27, 2007 – Unconventional Info-Lit in Action: Where Weird Meets Worthy

Need another presentation opportunity for your institute’s tenure & promotion process? Are you looking for another professional presentation to add to your resume? If you have an instructional approach that you believe is unique, please consider submitting a proposal.

What is “unconventional?” It means anything instruction-related that moves us away from the “conventional” one-shot bibliographic instruction session which is lecture intensive. COIL (Community of Oklahoma Instruction Librarians) invites proposals for presentations on the theme of “unconventional methods” to teach patrons information literacy skills. Presentations should be based on innovative and/or unconventional practices in pedagogy, curriculum design, and technology, including but not limited to: Del.icio.us, Aquabrowser, Camtasia, Facebook or any social networking tool, wikis, blogs, web pages, podcasting, IMs, online tutorials, open source tools, etc. OU-SLIS students, librarians from the areas of technical services, public services, systems/web services, and administrators are welcome to submit proposals.

Presentation Guidelines:

•Presenter(s) should limit their presentations to 15 - 30 minutes in length which includes a question and answer time.
•Topics cannot be changed once they are submitted
•Presentation ideas can be but are not limited to designing/assessing web quests and/or applications, tutorials, assignments, and instruction offered in new media formats that adapt to multi-generational learning styles.
•Presenters will have access to computers with Internet access, data projector, an ELMO, and screen.
•Handouts are a great way to help others remember and integrate new ideas, but presenters must provide their own handouts.
•Proposal should include a title, a 250 word abstract and a short biography of each presenter.
•All submissions will be reviewed and presenters will be notified by July 1, 2007 of their presentation acceptance. Presenters will be given information on workshop details pertaining to their participation.
•Please submit all proposals by email to Jason Dupree, Chair of COIL, (jason.dupree@swosu.edu) by June 21, 2007.

Monty's on the road

Monty's Chidren's Music Blog | First Library Program!

I performed at the library in Wilburton, OK today. It was my first summer reading program of the year! We had a fairly small group, but an enthusiastic one. I was grateful to the parents for their participation along with the kids! I had everyone standing up to become a wind farm - it was pretty cool.

Evalyn and Lisa weren't with me today because of Evalyn's dance recital dress rehearsal but they will be joining me in my itinerary next week. Being in the car together should give us plenty of time to finish Harry Potter books numbers five and six together in preparation for the release of the final book in July! (After seven hours on the road there and back today, I made the comment that my job isn't singing, it's driving! Whew!)

My lineup today was: "Howdy Song," "Oklahoma Land Rush, 1889," "My Oklahoma Home (It Blowed Away)," "Boom Town," "The Wind Energy Song," "Oklahoma Heroes at the Library," "Silly Song," and "Oklahoma Kids: A Kaleidoscope." That list will probably vary some over the summer depending on my audience, but it's pretty close to what you can expect if you come to one of my programs. Of course when Evalyn is with me we'll also do "Oklahoma Annie!"...

Buckley library observes NLW

Mayor Jeff Shockley signs a proclamation encouraging residents to visit Buckley Public Library and the Joe E. White Library at Carl Albert State College during National Library Week, April 15-21. Terri Carroll (left), Librarian at Carl Albert State College and Elizabeth Neff, Buckley Public Library director, join in the invitation to take advantage of the wonderful library resources available in our community.

Buckley Public Library will observe National Library Week April 15 through 21, Elizabeth Neff, Director, announced. “In observance of National Library Week, the library will waive all overdue fines,” Neff said. “This week is a perfect time for library customers to return their overdue materials."