2009 Conference a Success

The strength of this year’s conference was in the wealth of time it gave us with authors. I had breakfast with 2 authors on Friday, heard two authors speak at breakfast on Saturday and had several authors speaking at sessions I attended. I bought books by two of the authors I met and got them signed. All were memorable experiences. The exhibits were small but of a more manageable size. It wasn’t so difficult to find the vendors I was interested in seeing. Many sessions were devoted to technology. Kudos to the conference planning committee for a job well done!

Gayl Dasher Smith is a National Board Certified Teacher and the Library Media Center Director o Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora.

 

Looking back…. and forward.

You might think that after 20 plus years of being in education, one might be apathetic or even act a bit curmudgeonly regarding workshops. However, after 24 years of teaching and being a school librarian, I’m excited to attend workshops and conferences; I’m especially excited to be at the ISLMA conference.

I remember my first ISLMA conference in 1999. The conference was held in Decatur; I had just left the classroom and was a school librarian for the first time. My library director encouraged me to attend the conference. My first thought was “Are you kidding me?” I didn’t know where Decatur was (I had only lived in Illinois a couple years at this point), and I couldn’t imagine hanging out with librarians for three days. But I attended and was greeted by some of the friendliest folks I’d ever met. I’ve never looked back, attending the conference every year since then.

I warmly welcome the new ideas, techniques and friends I know are waiting for me. I look forward to reconnecting with old friends, revisiting those tried and true ideas and remembering why I became a school librarian in the first place. I’m so glad my library director encouraged me to attend all those years ago. (Thanks JY!)

I’m so thrilled I don’t have to wait any longer. The excitement has started! It’s Thursday morning and the friendly folks at the conference registration are starting to greet people. The exhibitor’s hall is buzzing with activity, getting ready for all the vendors. The coffee is percolating and I’m perusing the conference program, circling the sessions I want to attend, noticing that it’s hard to choose between them. I’m eager and ready to jump into the middle of it all!

See you there!
Patti Fleser

 

Authors, Authors, Everywhere!

Last year, I was waiting (and waiting) for the elevator at the ISLMA conference in Arlington Heights, shouldering a bag full of freebies when Jordan Sonnenblick, last year’s winner of the Rebecca Caudill Award for his book Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie, stepped up next to me.

Suddenly, I was tongue-tied. I had seen him around the conference. He was talking with other librarians. He looked nice. But I couldn’t say anything.

Then the elevator doors opened and the two of us were in the elevator. Alone. I tentatively eked out—“Mr. Sonnenblick… I loved your book. I’m so glad it won.” And instead of hurrying off at his floor, he noticed that I had just bought his book in the bookstore and offered to sign it for me. He might have even cracked a joke. I was officially star-struck.

And it wasn’t just his cute smile. The year before, it had been Sarah Weeks. After reading So B. It and meeting her at the conference, I thought she had hung the moon.

This year’s conference, “Embracing Change,” is the perfect opportunity to meet and mingle with some of the best authors publishing right now. Some of the authors who will be featured are:
• Stephanie D. Vance is the keynote speaker and is scheduled to speak at Friday night’s banquet. She is the author of Government by the People: How to Communicate with Congress and the fabjob.com guide, Get a Job on Capitol Hill.
• Ellen Hopkins, this year’s Abraham Lincoln Award winner for her book Crank, will be addressing attendees at the Author Awards breakfast on Saturday morning. Although she is most well-known for five young adult books, she is also the author of twenty non-fiction books for children.
• Kevin O’Malley, author and illustrator, will receive the 2009 Monarch Award for his book Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude. He has contributed artwork to many other children’s books and has several original titles.

And for the truly gluttonous, Friday morning, dozens of authors will mingle with conference attendees at their tables. They will rotate between tables, answering your questions about writing and illustrating. What a great opportunity to really connect to these illusive creatures!

If you haven’t signed up for this year’s conference, there’s still time. Go to http://www.islma.org/ for more information. You can even register at the door.

 

PALS Workshops

The Prairie Area Library System (PALS) is sponsoring workshops this summer that are open to all school librarians. They will be held in the three PALS service centers (Coal Valley—Quad Cities area; Rockford, and Shorewood—Joliet area) on different days so attendees may choose whatever is most convenient. There is no charge for these programs.

I-SAIL: Illinois Standards Aligned Instruction for Libraries and Other Hot Topics. ISLMA has adopted a new K-12 library media curriculum that utilizes skill sets aligned to the AASL and Illinois Learning Standards. Attendees will be introduced to I-SAIL and other related resources on the I-SAIL wiki. Time will also be allowed for participants to share information on their Internet Safety Curriculum, Top Tech Trends, and other items of interest.

From That State Report to College-Level Research Readiness: Preparing Young People for College Research. Haven’t you always wondered what information literacy skills will be expected of students when they leave you? How does knowing how to evaluate a website turn into knowledge of APA or MLA style? You taught them Ebsco, but now they need peer-reviewed/referred journals and primary/secondary sources. Of course they still want to know “What is wrong with Wikipedia?”, “Why can’t I use just the web?” and “What is paraphrasing anyway?’ Charlet Key, director of Black Hawk College Library, will discuss strategies and tactics for preparing students to be research-ready when they arrive on their college campuses. No matter what level of students you work with, learn how that fits into the end product.

Monday, July 20, Coal Valley Service Center—Preparing for College Research- 9:00 a.m. – noon; I-SAIL- 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 21, Rockford Service Center — Preparing for College Research- 9:00 a.m. – noon; I-SAIL- 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 28, Shorewood Service Center– I-SAIL- 9:00 a.m.-noon; Preparing for College Research- 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Please register on L2 at http://www.librarylearning.info/?LibSys=PALS.

Other topics offered this summer include booktalks on the Monarch, Caudill, and Abe nominees and a workshop on finding funding in your community and beyond. For information on these or other workshops, please contact Jane Lenser (janel@palsnet.info) or Norma Applegate (normaa@palsnet.info).

 

ISLMA Summer Professional Development

Summer Professional Development Opportunities – Watch the ISLMA website for registration materials.

This summer, as a response to our survey and to provide professional development opportunities for our members throughout the state, we are holding workshops all over Illinois. Most of these are sponsored by the systems and registration is on the statewide L2 site. One session is sponsored by ISLMA and will be held at North Suburban Library System in Wheeling on July 23rd. Registration information will be on the ISLMA website. At that workshop, there will also be an afternoon session on Web 2.0 tools for school librarians to use. The cost for both workshops is $50 or you can attend only one session for $30. Lunch would be on your own. CPDUs will be available, 2 for each session at NSLS for a total of 4 for the entire day.

July 23rd I-SAIL workshop 10a.m.-12:00 p.m.:
The Illinois State Library Media Association (ISLMA) has adopted a new K-12 library media curriculum that utilizes skill sets aligned to the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and Illinois Learning Standards. Attendees will be introduced to I-SAIL and other related resources on the I-SAIL wiki. Presenters for I-SAIL sessions will include Angela L. Green, Library Development Consultant, Alliance Library System, Christy Semande, District Librarian, Canton CCSD #66, and Becky Robinson, School Library Media Specialist, Galesburg High School.

Web 2.0 Workshop 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Everyone is talking about the Web 2.0 tools, what are they? Which ones work best for school librarians? Do I have time to do this too? Come and see what two of our members have found useful and successful in their school libraries. Our presenters are Katie Kirsch, the Media Specialist at Lake Bluff Middle School and Erin Wyatt, the Media Specialist at Highland Middle School in Libertyville.

There are several other Summer professional development opportunities that are offered by the library systems.
Registration for the following is available on the statewide L2 calendar located at http://www.librarylearning.info/
Other I-SAIL workshops are as follows:
June 16 Quincy Alliance Library System Summer Camp 2 CPDUs

June 23 East Peoria Alliance Library System Summer Camp 10:00 am-12:00 pm
2 CPDUs

July 7 Decatur Rolling Prairie Library System SummerCamp 1 CPDU

July 20 V-TEL Prairie Area Library System 1:00-3:00PM 2 CPDUs

July 21 V-TEL Prairie Area Library System 1:00-3:00PM 2 CPDUs

July 28 V-TEL Prairie Area Library System 9:00-11:00AM 2 CPDUs

August 5 Edwardsville Lewis & Clark Library System 1:00-3:00PM 2 CPDUs

Web 2.0/Technology Training
June 23 East Peoria Alliance Library System Summer Camp 1:00—3:00 2 CPDUs Presenter: Amy Oberts

Summer Camp for School Librarians: Put the Pieces Together at Your Library
Create, Collaborate, Communicate: Integrating Technology in Your School Library
July 7 Decatur Rolling Prairie Library System 8:15 am – 4:30 pm
Presenter: Ruth Shasteen
School libraries can connect students, faculty, and community in a collaborative environment to learn and integrate 21st century technology and information literacy skills. Ruth Shasteen will demonstrate strategies implemented at Central A & M High School and discuss the technology used. The strategies are applicable for all grade levels.
Google for Librarians
Presenter: Doris McKay
There is more to Google than meets the eye. Hidden behind the familiar search engine are free tools that can help get you organized and make your life easier. RPLS Consultant and Webmaster Doris McKay will introduce you to Google Docs, Google Reader, Google Notebook, Google Calendar, iGoogle and more. Learn how these Google applications can work for you.

 

National-Louis University Summer 2009 School Library Program Graduate Courses

NORTH SHORE (SKOKIE) CAMPUS

RLS 513 Organization of Knowledge of Library Materials for Children and Adolescents (Cataloging). Taught by Kathryn Miller CRN: 60373 (2SH)

Class meets FRI. 5:30PM-9:30 PM on July 10. The remainder of class is online.

RLL 585J Storytelling Workshop. Taught by Susan Stone. CRN: 60564 (1 SH Workshop) M 9:00AM – 5:00PM June 29 & July 13

WHEELING CAMPUS

RLS 511 School Library Collection Development. Taught by Linda Diekman. CRN: 60617 (2 SH)

SA 8:30AM – 12:00PM June 27. The remainder of the class is taught online.

RLS 512 Administration and Advocacy of School Libraries. Taught by Liz Broemmelsiek. CRN: 60614 (2 SH)

MTWTF 9:00AM – 4:00PM July 13 – July 17.

RLL 520 Survey of Literature for Children and Adolescents. Taught by Linda Bliss. CRN: 60705 (2 SH)

TU TH 1:30 PM-04:00 PM June 30 – Aug. 9.

TIE 542 Designing Internet Resources. Taught by Tracy Radzik-Murdach. CRN: 60319 (2 or 3 SH)

TU TH 4:30PM – 7:20PM June 30 – Aug 6.

HYBRID (ONE FACE-TO-FACE CLASS SESSION – REMAINDER ONLINE)

RLS 511 School Library Collection Development. Taught by Linda Diekman. CRN: 60617 (2 SH)

SA 8:30AM – 12:00PM June 27. The remainder of the class is taught online.

RLS 513 Organization of Knowledge of Library Materials for Children and Adolescents (Cataloging). Taught by Kathryn Miller CRN: 60373 (2 SH)

F 5:30PM-9:30 PM July 10. The remainder of the class is taught online.

ONLINE

RLS 514 Teaching Research to Children and Adolescents. Taught by Kathryn Miller. CRN: 60679 (2 SH)

TIE 535 Instructional Design. Taught by Randall Hansen. CRN: 60661 (3 SH)

For course descriptions and campus locations visit www.nl.edu

For information about the Language & Literacy Master’s Degree or CAS Degree, contact Dr. Ruth Quiroa: RQuiroa@nl.edu

For information about the School Library Program visit www.nl.edu/graduate/slis.cfm – for more information contact Dr. Gail Bush: Gail.Bush@nl.edu

For information about the Technology in Education Technology Specialist Program, contact Dr. Randall Hansen: Randall.Hansen@nl.edu

For information about enrollment, admissions, financial aid, contact Graduate Enrollment Representative Marci Mazza: MMazza@nl.edu 224/233-2743

Join us on Tuesday, June 23, 4:30pm – 5:30pm, North Shore Campus, to learn more about the upcoming 2009-2010 course sequences. RSVP with Marci Mazza, mmazza@nl.edu or 224/233-2743.

We thank you all for your continued support and for sharing this information with your networks of colleagues and friends.

 

Center for Teaching through Children’s Books Summer Institute 2009

The Center for Teaching through Children’s Books (CTCB) will be offering four workshops for teachers and librarians in its Summer Institute 2009. Workshops will meet at National-Louis University’s North Shore campus in Skokie, IL.

For further information please contact Ann Speltz at ctcb@nl.edu

Techniques for Successful Inquiry-Based Discussion: Exploration and Practice (1 s.h.)
June 29 – July 3, 2009 (14 contact hours)
Providing students with inquiry-based discussions that develop their critical thinking skills, and instill a love of reading, and allow for sustained practice of good oral communication skills is an ongoing process of discovery for even the most seasoned leaders. In this workshop (14 contact hours), participants will explore four proven discussion methods, implement specific discussion techniques, and ultimately draw upon the various elements of these methods to construct an inquiry-based discussion model for use with their own students. Grade level focus: 2-8.

Using Picture Books for Interpretive Discussion (1 s.h.)
July 20 – 24, 2009 (14 contact hours)
Picture books, increasingly popular with even the most sophisticated readers, offer rich and rewarding opportunities for interpretive discussion. In this workshop (14 contact hours), participants will acquire the skills to evaluate the merits of a wide range of picture books for use with K-4 students for inquiry-based discussion. Participants will learn and practice a variety of approaches in using picture books to develop critical thinking skills, and return to the classroom with ideas of picture books—and prepared discussion materials—for use in their own curricula.

Creating Curriculum Units for Interpretive Reading, Writing, and Discussion (2 s.h.)
July 20 – 31, 2009 (28 contact hours)
One of the great strengths of Junior Great Books (JGB) and other inquiry-based reading programs is that teachers are provided with a full complement of interpretive reading, writing, and discussion activities for each of the selections included in a given program. In this workshop (28 contact hours), participants will learn how to create their own JGB-style interpretive activities, and in the process expand and refine their personal repertoire of critical reading and questioning skills. Grade level focus: 2-8. Strategies acquired in this course can be used for working with at-risk students at a higher level.

Creating Children’s Picture Books (2 s.h.)
August 3 – 7, 2009 (28 contact hours)
Have you always wanted to create a picture book? Come explore this fascinating art form in a hands-on workshop (28 contact hours). Participants will create a picture book dummy using their own unique blend of story creation, illustration, and book design. Participants will learn how to transform the written word into visual poetry, using cut-paper collage, watercolor, and pen and ink, as well as how to bring these activities back to their own classrooms to enrich their students’ explorations in creative writing and art.


The Center for Teaching through Children’s Books is dedicated to excellence in teaching with quality literature for children and adolescents.

Junko Yokota & Gail Bush, directors; Toby Rajput, librarian; Deana Greenfield, program manager; and Ann Speltz, development specialist.

For further information contact Ann Speltz at ctcb@nl.edu

 

Current Issues in Libraries

The Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is pleased to announce the following continuing education course for librarians and information professionals.

COURSE TITLE: Current Issues in Libraries

Dates: May 21 – June 25, 2009 (Thursdays)
Times: Online synchronous sessions from 3:00-5:00pm. Central time.
Note: Students may participate in this course either synchronously by attending live sessions or asynchronously by reviewing text chat and audio logs.
Cost: $300
Instructor: Rose M. Chenoweth, MLS, Alliance Library System

Intended audience: Librarians and information professionals interested in current issues in libraries; CPLA program candidates needing an elective course for certification. Note: While the course has a public library focus, the issues covered are relevant to other types of libraries. The course syllabus is available for review upon request.

Course description: Utilizing information about international, federal, state, and local issues, trends, and legislation and community demographics, readings on current library management issues, case studies, and assignments, students will apply what they have learned to their own library. By the end of the course, students will be able to identify at least five current issues or trends that affect library management and apply new skills to develop related services. They will analyze their current long range plan and services in the light of this new knowledge and apply their new skills to develop a new service response for the library in its changing community, goal, objectives, and one new service development plan. The service plan will address relevant activity steps, gap analysis, and resource allocation to show the full development and implementation of the service.

If you have questions, contact Marianne Steadley, 217.244.2751 or steadley@uiuc.edu. To register visit http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/programs/cpd/CPLA/Current_Issues.html

 

MLS Summer School Institute

Don’t forget before schools is out to register for the MLS Summer School Institute: Assessment, taking place Thursday, August 6, 2009

Location:
MLS Burr Ridge Office
125 Tower Dr.
Burr Ridge, IL 60527

This one day conference will complement the LSTA funded grant “Here’s the Evidence: Showing how school libraries impact student achievement on the local level”, conducted by the North Suburban and the DuPage Library Systems.

Presenters: Pam Kramer, Gail Bush, Dr. Steven Baule, and Jane Sharka.

Sessions will focus on:
• Why Assess Learning in a School Library
• Training sessions on How to Gather Information, Measure Library Impact and Assess your Library’s Progress
• Why and How to communicate your Library’s Value to your Administration

Lunch and time to network with other school librarians will be included.

6 CPDU credits. Option of purchasing with registration (for an additional cost) Dr. Violet H. Harada’s book “Assessing Learning: Librarians and Teachers as Partners”

Register at http://www.librarylearning.info/events/?eventID=5028.

 

Read for a Lifetime 2009-2010

The Illinois State Library is pleased to announce information about Read for a Lifetime 2009/10.

The 2009-2010 Read for a Lifetime booklist is online at http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/whats_new/pdfs/readinglist.pdf

For more information about Read for a Lifetime: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/whats_new/rfl.html

Contant Jeanne Urbanek: jurbanek@ilsos.net or 217-524-0050.