OLA has action alert

OLA sent out this Legislation Action request

SB 2100 has come to our attention and requires immediate action. Authored by Senator John Ford (District 289) in the Senate and Representative Tad Jones (District 9) in the House, SB 2100 directs the State Board of Education to establish a School District Deregulation Pilot Program in a maximum of ten school districts that apply and meet the criteria as established. This legislation may impact school libraries and certified library media specialists and needs further analysis and review. At this time, the bill has passed both the Senate and House with amendments. It is now back in the Senate with amendments of concern and may be acted upon by Thursday, May 1st.

The full text and history of this bill can be found at the following URL: http://webserveR1.lsb.state.ok.us/WebBillStatus/main.html (Select Basic Search Form, type in the bill number and select Retrieve)

ACTION NEEDED:
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATORS AND REQUEST THAT SB 2100 NOT BE ACCEPTED AS AMENDED AND INSTEAD BE SENT TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR FULL ANALYSIS AND REVIEW.

So what does that mean? Well from my less that expert view - part of this legislation is in reaction to problems select schools in Tulsa are having and people are desepartely trying to fix some problems up in T-town. And perhaps another part is related to people wanting to get rid of some of the peskiness of teacher groups and their meddling ways. And ultimately it's people thinking they are doing what's best for their kids.

I see danger in this legislation - in that Charter schools are not necessarily held to the same school media standards as public schools. And if a charter school, or for that matter charter school district, decides not to support school media centers and certified media specialists then the burden will fall on other libraries - academic and public to meet the research needs of those students.

And from what I see (and I may have missed it) there is not mechanism in this bill that will provide additional funding for libraries that would serve a charter school district that chooses to get rid of their school media center and certified media specialists. So do those kids then not have access to reliable online databases, encyclopedias, videos, etc that will give them a firm foundation to succeed in college?

Mind you I may be completely off on this and may be over thinking it -- and if someone with better understanding can correct me I would greatly appreciate it!

OLA - i wuz there

Well, the OLA annual conference has come and gone. And as always it was good to see familiar faces that I hadn't seen in a while and it was especially good to see some familiar names face-to-face for the first time.

The Keynote speaker from OCLC, George Needham, had some nice things to say - and wasn't too much of a doppelganger to last year's speaker. I agreed with a lot of what he said - but perhaps the best thing that stuck out in my mind was his opening quote:

It is not necessary to change. Survival is optional. - W. Edwards Deming

Pretty much sums it up doesn't it? He also mentioned several reports - most which I've read - but still they are worth bookmarking or downloading to your e-reading apparatus.

• Digital Footprints:Online identity management and search in the age of transparency
  
• Information Behaviour of the Researcher of the Future Executive summary pdf
  
• Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources (2005)

One of those new faces for a name and voice I've interacted with was Nathan - who conducted a very nice table talk on Podcasting.

I then went to the break out session for the Keynote and got to ask about when OCLC is going to embrace all that cool OSS, Creative Commons, GNU type stuff he was talking about. You'll be happy to know they are in the thinking and talking about it phase - which I think it translate into "When you retire we may be in the writing phase" - so perhaps my grandchildren will reap the benefits. ;-)

I then attended Adrianna's (the spelled with 2 n's) presentation on Focus Groups. And learned that if I do a focus group - I should not be the moderator.

After all that I decided to drive home and get ready for the next day.



The next day I got there bright and early so I could hear one of the authors of Books on Trial speak. I was very excited to attend this presentation -as you may remember I really enjoyed the book. It was a great talk and the only thing that upset me was it was scheduled at the same time as the SLIS Student OSS presentations - but I heard from through the grapevine that the students did a great job.


Before lunch I attended the Amigos Tech Year in Review by Christine Peterson and if only I could remember the URL for her presentation I would share it. [ Update: Thanks Christine! Here slides are here http://www.amigos.org/training/peterson/OLA/techho.pdf ]


I camped out in the room for Virtual Worlds presentation - so I could heckle my ODL buddy Michael's 2nd Life presentation. I even got a special introduction as heckler prior to Michael's talk (thanks Bill!) As you may remember I don't like it that much. And I've stated after trying it.


But I couldn't heckle too much because he did a good job and did a nice little presentation video. Unfortunately he ran out of time so he couldn't take them into the 2nd life world to show them it in real time. Which left me to hang out on info isle bored - I mean what's the point in turning into a furry with whips and "bling" if there isn't a crowd of freaked out librarians to watch in real time?



(I keed - actually the Marriott crashed their wireless to give Michael a wired connection to the internet so I wouldn't have been able to do that anyways)

I will say the one down point of the entire conference was the exhibitors - not that I don't adore harassing EBSCO salesreps (who were kind enough to sponsor the Keynote) - but there was such a poor turn out of vendors I walked through the hall once and never went back in. It was in a nice location/room but there was absolutely no one new - and I even heard a few folks complain there wasn't even the library clothing folks around to buy cheesy library t-shirts from. The number of vendors was sad and has me concerned about future conferences.

So that's my quick summation - what do you all think? Do you have tales to share? I did stumble across a few other posts out there as well about the conference
http://kmiscommunication.wordpress.com/2008/04/24/reluctant-blogger/
http://vivereestcogitare.wordpress.com/2008/04/24/ola-2008-retrospective/
http://yoyotxt.blogspot.com/2008/04/not-exactly-book-cart.html
http://woodsyandwired.blogspot.com/2008/04/getting-paid-to-game.html

Passive Agressive notes in the library

I get a kick out of passiveaggressivenotes.com - it's refreshing to know that I'm not the only that gets to face PA folks.

The most current PA has a library theme:

Upcoming high tech conference

Well - as I sit here drinking coffee and eating lotsa-matza and cream cheese for breakfast - before I head to Tulsa for the OLA conference - I saw this pop up on one of my random RSS searches.

Greater Oklahoma Software Symposium May 16-18
Don't miss your chance to attend more than forty education and solutions sessions:

* Seating is Limited
* In-depth Discussions
* Peer Exchange
* Access to Speakers

* Expert Panel Discussions
* Hands-on Code Examples
* Best Practices
* Birds of a Feather Session
* Insight on Cutting-Edge Tools

Wow! Sounds super neat-o until I read the registration prices

Early Bird Registration
3/21/08 - 4/28/08 $800
Regular Registration
4/29/08 - 5/16/08 $900
Group Registration
Valid until 04/28/2008
5 - 9 attendees $700
10 - 14 attendees $675
15 - 24 attendees $650
25+ attendees $625
At the Door
5/16/08 $975

Well...maybe a group of us could have a bakesale at OLA to raise funds and go together?

UCO Library book sale reviewed

Exile bibliophile shares a tale of the UCO Library book sale:

...There seemed to be a good sized pebble or something in the spine. I tried to peek down the back strip-- something was down there alright, but I couldn't see what. I delicately prodded it with my Parker Jotter popping the invader loose. It clunked out on the shelf-- a chocolate chip. Whole and unsullied. Weird.

Job Posting | Norman

Serials and Electronic Resources Librarian, Acquisitions
Position Announcement

The University of Oklahoma

Library Faculty Vacancy

POSITION: Serials and Electronic Resources Librarian, Acquisitions

DUTIES: Reporting to the Head of Acquisitions, the Serials and Electronic Resources Librarian is responsible for managing the acquisition of electronic resources, as well as print serials and other continuing resources. Establishes subscriptions, registers, monitors and troubleshoots subscription related access to electronic resources. Communicates with vendors/publishers to expedite and sustain access to electronic resources. Supervises and trains staff in the Acquisitions Department. Other related tasks may also be assigned.

This is a tenure track position governed by the university’s policies requiring research or creative achievement and professional services as outlined by the Faculty Handbook at www.ou.edu/provost/pronew/content/fhbmenu.html.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Required: MLS from ALA accredited library school; effective communication, interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills; evidence of skill in coordinating projects and attention to detail; familiarity with automated acquisitions, serials systems and OCLC; and recent serials acquisitions experience in an academic library.

Desirable: Demonstrated competencies in managing or troubleshooting electronic resources; recent supervisory experience in an academic library; experience working in a dynamic, demand-driven environment; the ability to work collaboratively as well as independently; demonstrated ability to be flexible with working assignments; and evidence of research or creative achievement.

For a complete listing of the duties and responsibilities for this position go to http://libraries.ou.edu/about/employment/.

First Screening Date: May 23, 2008.

Search will remain open until filled.

SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

EMPLOYMENT: Librarians have faculty status, privileges, responsibilities, the rank of Assistant Professor or above, and are eligible for tenure.

APPLICATION: Send letter of application, addressing how your experiences relate to the position duties and qualifications, along with resume, a list of publications, and the names of three references, including current supervisor to: Rhonda Cannon, Assistant Dean of Libraries for Administrative Services, University Libraries, University of Oklahoma, 401 W. Brooks, Room 212NW, Norman, OK 73019, or rhondacannon@ou.edu. Please identify current supervisor on your list of references.

University of Oklahoma is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action employer. We encourage women and minority applicants.

Podcasting @ the Library

Just a little note - Pioneer Library System has done their first "official" podcast. You should be able to listen to it here.

What did it take to do this?
1 librarian
1 nerdy tech librarian
1 poet
1 laptop with audacity
1 cheapo microphone (hope to upgrade that to a not so cheapo one)
1 month with a theme

So what are your podcasts?

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.

Job Posting | Enid

To view a very long PDF of the job posting click http://76.12.32.67/Employment/positions/Library_32-400.pdf
It's for the Director Position. - Here's my abbrev version of it:

POSITION TITLE: Library Director
DEPARTMENT: Library
FLSA STATUS: Exempt

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: Reference Services, IT Manager, Children/Young Adult
Services, Tech & Circulation Services

BLS COMPARABLE: 11-3011.00, Administrative Service Managers

LEADERSHIP: Supervise/manage/direct the selection, training, development, appraisal,
and work assignments of library personnel.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
• Subject to post offer, pre-employment drug screen.
• Subject to a pre-employment criminal background check.
• Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited institution.
• English proficiency.

POSITION PURPOSE: To enhance the quality of life of Enid residents and guests by
promoting literacy, research, and education through the efficient operation and
development of the City of Enid library.

I can't believe this can you

I saw this video and was flabbergasted. And to think on April 1st none the less!

Job Posting | OKC

Manager of Library Operations II
@ Downtown Library

Job Summary: Responsible for the day-to day management of a large-sized community library, including, but not limited to, library services, collection management, facility management, staff and volunteer management, budget preparation and oversight, programming, community related activities, and safety. This requires excellent customer service skills, building and maintaining strategic relationships; planning and organizational skills; and the ability to create and maintain a library that is an inviting and innovative link to the world.

Salary & Hours: $24.43 per hour ($50,814.40). Must be available all hours the library is open. This position is overtime exempt.

Benefits: You will receive health benefits that include medical, dental, vision, and Rx coverage. You will receive twelve vacation days, fifteen sick days, and eleven paid holidays per year as set by thecommission: nine fixed days when all libraries are closed and two floating holidays (subject to date of hire restriction). A first-rate retirement plan and possible scholarship reimbursements for full-time employees are just a few of the many offered benefits.

Location: The Metropolitan Library System serves all of OklahomaCounty through numerous community libraries and outreach sites. This opening is located at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, 300 Park Avenue, OKC, OK.

Qualifications:Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field, Master's degree in Library Science is preferred; and, three to five years of management experience; or, any combination of education and experience that produces the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Skills and Abilities: Principles and practices of library science and technology and their applications. While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is frequently required to sit or stand for extended periods of time, squat, use hands and arms, speak and hear, and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.

To Apply: Online library applications forms are required (resumes alone are not sufficient). Online applications are available at www.metrolibrary.org (Employment Opportunities). Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. You must fill out and submit your online application in order to be considered for this position.

Filing Period: Applications will be accepted until final selection is made.