Youth Services Forum XV: A Day of Hot Topics and Issues in Library Services to Children and Young Adults, 12/5/2005 - Monmouth County Library - Nicholas Van Dorn

On Monday, December 5, 2005, I attended the Youth Services Forum – Workshop XV: A Day of Hot Topics and Issues in Library Services to Children and Young Adults. This workshop was held at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan, New Jersey.

There were many sessions offered at this workshop and I attended the ones below.

I)  Do You See What I See? How Children’s Librarians Help Children Cope with Daily Life: An Unrecognized Aspect of Children’s Librarianship. Presented by Yu-Ling Lu

This session highlighted the positive effects that children librarians have on children when they are tackling issues which are tough to deal with. The librarian helps children by providing books (fiction or non-fiction), direction to websites and local groups, and possible workshops which can help children with the problem they are facing.   

II)  Make Your Story Time Zing! – Sing! Presented by Carol Simon Levin

Ms. Levin discussed the positive benefits music has when it is incorporated into children story times.  Music can be used during circle times, transitions, active play, and flannel board activities.

III)  Multimedia Instruction: A Great Way to Get Tweens, Especially Boys, Involved Presented by Colleen Affrime and Susan Quinn

The speakers in this session discussed ways to direct students to educational but fun websites. This can be done by having a computer club meeting at the library, when a student is looking for information for a report, or by a suggestion made by a librarian when a student is searching the web.

IV) Getting to Know Graphic Novels Presented by Cathy Pontoriero

In this workshop, the differences between comics and graphic novels, the appeal to reluctant readers, the popularity of Manga, and the potential for graphic novel book discussions in libraries were discussed. 
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Diversity in Libraries Conference, 11/17/2005 - Clark Public Library - Heather Craven

On November 17, I attended a program on Diversity in Libraries at Clark Public Library, sponsored by Infolink and NJLA.  The program featured speakers on diversity issues, proactive outreach, and collections, and break-out sessions (I attended the break-out session on collection development.)  Here are some of the major points that were covered:

• Kate Kohli of Bloomfield College Library said that we should think beyond ethnicity, and consider other diverse populations such as elderly people, people with disabilities, dyslexic and other learning-disabled people, gay men and lesbians, etc.
• Matthew Mitchel of BCCLS said that it is important to know what our goal is in planning to reach out to serve a specific group.  Ex., do we want to help members of the group become citizens, help them learn, help them raise children?
• A diverse workforce helps to increase customers’ comfort level and draw people in.
• Allan Kleiman of Westfield Public Library said that the term “world languages” is preferable to “foreign languages” (because the languages aren’t “foreign” to those who speak them!)
• Because New Jersey is so diverse, it’s rarely possible to have a large collection for every language spoken in a community.  It can be effective to start with groups who are already using the library, and later reach out to others. 
• It’s best to start a world language collection with the most popular items, such as movies, music and the most current bestsellers.
• Library Journal published a list of world language vendors in May, 2003.  It’s available online at: http://www.libraryjournal.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleid=CA300054
• A good way to find out about the current cultural breakdown of a community is to look at the “School Report Card” at http://education.state.nj.us/rc/rc04/.  It includes information on languages spoken by students at each school, and is more up-to-date than census data.

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ESL Classroom Instruction Orientation, Paramus Public Library, Monday, November 14, 2005 Kiran Patel and Heather Craven

Kiran and Heather attended an orientation meeting at Paramus Public Library.  The speakers were BCCLS President Anthony Taormina, BCCLS Outreach Coordinator Matthew Mitchel, Paramus Library Director Len Lopinto and Rutherford Library Assistant Director Joan Velez.

BCCLS is developing an English as a Second Language class instruction program for member libraries.  Classes are for intermediate speakers of English and will run twice a week for 7 weeks, beginning in winter of 2006.  The curriculum is strongly geared toward active learning and practice. 

BCCLS will arrange for trained ESL instructors to teach at participating libraries, and libraries will pay the instructors directly.  Two or more libraries may collaborate to share the cost of hosting a class.  The cost for each 7-week cycle is $840.00.  Libraries provide some materials, arrange for a staff coordinator to work with the instructor, and provide publicity for the class.  The curriculum is currently being used in a pilot program at Rutherford and Paramus Libraries, with considerable success.  Many of the new Americans who attend become new library users as well. 

Bergen Community College is also offering ESL classes through a grant from the N.J. Division of Labor.  However, these classes require at least 20 attendees, and have a number of restrictions attached, such as a requirement that attendees give their social security numbers.

The speakers noted that the need for ESL education is expected to increase over the next several years.  BCCLS is piloting this program now so that ESL resources will be in place for libraries as the need grows.

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Infolink  Membership Meeting, 11/9/2005 - Grand Summit Hotel, Summit, NJ  -  Heather Craven

On November 9, I attended the Infolink Membership Meeting at the Grand Summit Hotel.  The business meeting comprised brief reports from Executive Director Cheryl O’Connor, State Librarian Norma Blake, NJLA President April Judge, and a representative from NJASL (N.J. Association of School Librarians, formerly EMA.) 

The main program was a workshop by consultant Pat Wagner on building networks.  We introduced ourselves to new colleagues through playing a “networking game,” and learned the following concepts:

• Networking is an information exchange among equals, and should be mutually useful.
• Sometimes library professionals want to be helpful so much that we overload the other person with information.  We’re more interesting to other people when we allow ourselves to receive help and information as well as give it.
• Networks can come from geography (ex. neighbors,) intention (ex. task forces,) interest (ex. clubs,) world view (ex. religion, ethnicity, politics,) and people we tend to overlook (ex. salespeople, family and friends, people we are in awe of, the person in the next seat on the bus.)  Sometimes the “wild cards” are the ones who can help us the most in unexpected ways.
• It’s worth reaching out to people we might tend to exclude – people with the “wrong” political or religious ideas, people who live in the “wrong” area, people who are the “wrong” age, people who disagree with us, etc.  The best way to connect with people who have different ideas is set aside all preconceptions, listen with an open mind, and expect to be surprised.
  

NJASL Conference, 10/27/2005 - Hilton Hotel, Cherry Hill, NJ - Nicholas Van Dorn

On Thursday, October 27^th Nicholas Van Dorn attended the School Library Media Specialist 2005 Fall Conference in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. 
There were many different workshops offered. Nick attended the ones listed below.
 

How Librarians Help Children Cope with Daily Life: An Enhanced Reader’s Advisory Service Presented by Ya-Ling Lu. This workshop was designed to show the power books in helping children cope during rough times in their lives. The workshop also emphasized the role of the children’s librarian and how it is our job to help children find the books suited to their individual needs.

Best Books For Young Adults Presented by Bonnie Kunzel, Kimberly Paone, and Sharon Rawlings. During this workshop, the 2006 Garden State Teen Book Award nominees were discussed. Sixty books were reviewed in detail, from characters to plot to appeal.

Survival Skilla for New Librarians Presented by Alice Yucht.  In this workshop, management strategies and tips were discussed to help new librarians just starting out in the workforce.

Debbie Abilock, founding editor of Knowledge Quest and an educator for twenty years, went on to speak about curriculum design, effective use of technology, reading empowerment, and the teaching of the 21^stcentury literacy for children.  

Speaker: Jerry Pinkney & Banquet

An illustrator of books since 1964, Jerry Pinkney has received five Caldecott Honors, four Coretta Scott King Awards, and two King Honors. During his presentation, Mr. Pinkney went on to speak about his childhood, his family, his career, and his award winning books The Ugly Duckling and Noah’s Ark.

• Congratularions to Tom, Bob and John for excellent job of clearing stairwells and clearing furniture from paths to fire doors. We passed our fire inspection. Note to all - do not use stairways for storage, store all items against the wall as found. Near computer center be sure that trucks with books are against the wall.
• Congratulations to Jean Olney on streamlining the billing process for lost materials and long overdues. We will try to locate those patrons whose certified letters are returned for address. For patrons who need extra time on items, some can be extended unless "in demand." You can modify the due dates rather than over-ride the renewal limits.
• Congratulations to Dora, Nick and Stacy for making the CYA area very attractive.
• Congratulations to Jeanne Sylvester for her work on Ladies Night Out. There will be six nights to choose from and each patron may pick four. There is a $10 fee and we are seeing a heavy demand. Patrons must return their forms by 10/7 and they will be handled in the order in which they are received. Patrons should keep top half for themselves. Next semester we are considering a Guys Night Out. We should make a list of those who wish to be on a mailing list for Ladies or Guys.
• Regarding loans to ReBL, the Verona, Belleville and Orange library cards have short barcodes. Jean and Jeanne will work around the problem using the lost card function. On the drop downs by cat. 1 and 3, 1-select the county code and 3-click on ReBl. This is very important for statistical purposes.
• The Caldwell library has joined PALS which is an open borrowing system. We need a list or link to list those who can walk in and borrow. They must have stickers on their cards.
• The BCCLS System Council met. There were no substantive changes.
• Nick or Dora will attend meetings of ECPCL at the Glen Ridge Library on Fridays. They may join the group in order to network.
• They have arranged a program with Marvelous Marvin on Saturday, 10/8, called "The magic of Science." Be pro-active, pass out flyers and talk about the show to patrons.
• There was a discussion regarding the use of the elevator after 5 p.m. Some of the students have been going to the third floor and vandalizing. The Brother labeler is missing. Some of the vandals have been identified and charges will be filed against them by police.  We can make them leave the library and stop them from returing the same day and also keep themout for one week. Don't permit these problem students in any of the small rooms, throw them out when necessary and take pictures to identify them and inform their parents. It was advised that after an authorized person uses the elevator to the 3rd. floor, have a staff person at circ. turn the key and lock the elevator off of the 3rd. floor.
• The Family Service Bureau has about 800 families in need. The staff will be asked to participate and have a collection for Shop-Rite certificates. Please give your donation to Berenice who will keep an envelope in the safe. Please make it by Tuesday, 10/11.
• To aid the victims of katrina, a water jar will be placed at the circ desk as a receptacle for donations from patrons. The trustees will add to the collection up to $500. The money will go to the devastated libraries through the ALA.
• There are many excellent workshops to attend. Go over the list on the website to see if there are any you would like to attend. The list is posted on the staff bulletin board as well.
• The Hall of Fame will make the 2005 presentations on Sunday, 11/20 from 2 to 5. Admission is by ticket only.
• On 10/19 we will have an all-day poetry festival. There will be a catered lunch and an evening reception for the student poets.
• Debbie will attend the Health Fair on Saturday.
• Student memberships are available for NJLA.
• We are going to try a literacy program again. Mr. Harris Bernstein will host a conversation group workshop in the Stockton Room on Wednesdays from 10-12.
• At the Instructional Librarian workshop, a few tricks were learned on teaching seniors. They will be used in computer classes. Nick attended a Google Workshop - How to not use Google, but BCCLS - websites. Kiran and joAnn attended a workshop on creating structures to match users instead of the other way around. Patrons will do what is easiest. Look over the workshops listed on the bulletin board.
• We will offer on-line audio books, working with BCCLS and Recorded Books. Patrons will be able to take out loans on their MP3s or computers. At the due date, access will cease.
• Regarding patron registration online, we will be able to work with BCCLS to construct our own template for use in our library.
• We may start circulation of some of the reference volumes.
• We are updating our Strategic Plan.
  

Instructor  – Diane Bitting, Manager of PALINET

Following topics were discussed:

I             Learning Styles and Strategies

In the initial segment of this presentation, Ms. Bitting described five principles of Adult Learning using the acronym LEARN. The principles of adult learning are Leadership, Experience, Appeal, Respect, and Novel Styles.

When you teach something new it is important to incorporate the three types of learning styles - auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. Tell patrons what you are going to teach them and discuss what was just learned.

II            Guiding Seniors in Learning

For the second segment of this presentation, the following tips for helping seniors were discussed:  Be positive, supportive, and helpful.

III            Preparing Quality Workshop Materials

In the third segment of this presentation, suggestions were given for preparing workshops and presentations.  Make sure the text is legible, color choice for slides, using bullet points instead of full sentences and staying focused on your goal.

IV              Navigating the Web

For the fourth segment, essential browser functions such as the stop, refresh/reload buttons and search services such as Google, Dogpile, Teoma, Vivisimo, and Librarians Index to the Internet were discussed.

V             Accessing and Utilizing Free E-mail Accounts

In the final segment of this presentation, electronic mail (e-mail) was discussed. Topics were: what is e-mail, how does e-mail work, how do I choose an e-mail service, how do I use my e-mail account, and what free e-mail services are available?

NJLA Performers' Showcase, 11/9/2005 - Monmouth County Library, Manalapan, NJ - Nicholas Van Dorn
On Wednesday, November 9^th, Nicholas Van Dorn attended the NJLA Performers’ Showcase in Manalapan, New Jersey.

Nick watched ten performers each perform twenty-minute segments of their shows. There was great stylistic diversity in the performances and a majority of the programs were able to reach all ages. 

The performances were:

Ann Wild – music to move by       

Seven Quilts for Seven Sisters – culture/songs

Dinoman (a.k.a. Bob Lisaius) - science

Dinner Dogs – concert music

Laura Kaighn - storytelling

Peter Geist – comedy/variety

Mock Turtle Marionettes - puppets

Tap Team Two - dance

Joe Fischer - magic

David Gonzalez - storytelling

This program was a good sampling of possible performances for next year.

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The first speaker was Susan Rappapart from Rutherford Public Library. Ms. Rappapart discussed searching the invisible web. The invisible web are websites which are not often found in search services because of their file formats.  Some search services which are able to locate invisible web formats are invisible-web.net ; ipl.org; animalsearch.net; natureserve.org/explorer and noodletools.com.

The second and third speakers, Gina Minting from the Ridgewood Public Library and Lynn Kaminski from the Englewood Public Library, spoke of online databases found on BCCLS. Even though these databases are very valuable, the majority of the public is not aware of them. 

The workshop was very well organized, prepared, and straightforward.

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The ReferenceUSA seminar was held on August 15, 2005, at the Morris County Library in Whippany, NJ.  Scherelene Schatz and Susan Kaplan from the State Library in Trenton were there to speak briefly about Jersey Clicks, the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative and ReferenceUSA.

ReferenceUSA is being offered to public and school libraries through Jersey Clicks.  Academic libraries are offering the database through the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative, see www.njki.org.  Susan Kaplan is the program manager of the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative.  The New Jersey Knowledge Initiative is a state-funded program offering information in the areas of business, science and technology to New Jersey businesses, researchers and students.

ReferenceUSA is accessed through Jersey Clicks under the custom search feature and then below the All Business heading.  This database offers information to job seekers and small and start up businesses.  It is an attempt to partner public and academic libraries with business communities.

Also offered through Jersey Clicks are Academic Search Premier and Business Source Premier, which is accessible through EbscoHost, too.

Bill Loges, the representative from ReferenceUSA, Omaha, Nebraska, presented a brief introduction to the product and answered any questions the attendees asked about the database.

Job seekers can locate employers within a given profession and geographic area.  Small business owners can use the database to locate their competitors and potential customers and to provide market research.  Information is available for publicly traded businesses and small neighborhood businesses.  Business owners can search for a specific type of business within a certain number of miles of their current or future business location using SIC’s (Standard Industrial Classification) codes.  Mr. Loges also noted that SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) uses the database to help small business owners with research.

Mr. Loges provided some background information about ReferenceUSA as follows.  The parent company is infoUSA.  ReferenceUSA compiles and updates business and residential information continually.  The company obtains its business information from 15,000 sources, including telephone directories; county and state records, which provide information about individual people and new businesses; SEC filings; trade journals; 10K reports and annual reports.  Data is also supplied from Edgar financial information.  The United States Post Office also sends ReferenceUSA regular updates and change of address information.  Information is also obtained from census data.

Information is compiled manually.  Telephone verification of the information is performed.  There is also a quality assurance procedure in place that checks all of the gathering and verification of information.

            A custom search called an MSA (Metro Search Area) can be performed by state and yellow page heading.  For example, choose New Jersey and type in Internet service provider.  Follow the prompts to obtain a list of companies in the area you have designated to find companies that meet the criteria you have indicated.

            In addition the database provides the ability to search government listings, or the blue pages of the telephone book, which are accessible under the custom search by choosing “Government.”

Overall, ReferenceUSA provides detailed information for job seekers and current and potential business owners.

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Present:  Jeanne Sylvester, Kiran Patel, Deborah D’Ambrosio, Trina Staropoli, Dora Oliviero, Tom Cullari, Berenice Tavella, Director Tropiano

New Staff:

• Two new part-time library assistants were hired.  Scott Bergenfeld will work Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings and alternate Saturdays.  Ermira Mitre will work in Tech from 9 to 11 a.m. and some Saturdays.
• We have hired two monitors, Stephanie Tibaldo and Marina Font.  Their schedules are forthcoming, but they will be working after school from 3 to 5 and alternate Saturdays.  Marina will be assigned to fiction, Liza to circ. and Raven to tech, circ. and the 3^rd floor office.
• We have posted a request for a full-time entry level librarian who must be proficient in tech and reference services.
• Jeanne will have more time at circ. and Trina in reference.  JoAnn emphasized that reference staff should try to move about and mix with patrons, trying  to guide them by working one-on-one, taking it to a higher level.

New Senior Librarian:

• Congratulations to Jeanne Sylvester on her promotion.  She will be in charge of adult services and circulation.
• Jeanne indicated her goals were to develop good relations with the circ. staff and learn that area thoroughly.  She also wants to work with staff regarding problems, policies and procedures.
• She will continue with adult services – Readers’ Advisory, programming and some reference.
• JoAnn announced that she wants paraprofessionals at the reference desk.  Trina will be trained by Kiran and will take workshops to help her progress.
• Debbie and Jeanne were asked to develop ideas for services if they are not chained to the desk.
• Jeanne will supervise the monitors.  They will be able to work on the dusty book report, replacement of bookends, shelf labels and in tech.  CYA will also need help.
• JoAnn encouraged all to remember to make use of the Infolink Development program.  Be members of professional organizations such as NJLA, paraprofessional memberships, NJLA Conference, etc.

Returning Staff:

• Nick Van Dorn is coming back for the summer and wishes to continue his library career.  He graduates on Sunday, 5/22/05 and will return to the library on the 23^rd.  He will work with Dora.
• Dhiren Patel is also coming back for the summer and will help Trina.
• Stacy must get started learning circ.  On 6/6/05 she will go back to regular hours of 1 to 9 on Monday and Tuesday and 1 to 5 on Thursday.  The Yoga class ends the last week in June.  The time for the class will be changed for the summer.

Building Projects;

• The front lawn project is about to get under way.  An illustrative plan is placed in the lobby to show how it will look.  The school parking lot is expected to be changed to a one-way drive with exit onto Vincent Place.  We are hoping to have the library staff parking located on Booth Drive.
• We will be changing our server and going to a thin-client system.  Patrons will be able to save to floppy disk but not to CD.  Patrons will have their own file area with the new system so that any actions they take with the computer will affect only their file, not the whole system.  It will take about 3 weeks to configure the server and we will have to have some rewiring done to change from hubs to switches.  Wiring will be relocated to the closet on the second floor.  The Nutley Sun digitization will   be put on the server.
• We will be installing a security camera in the computer center.  We may have to assign someone to the computer center when we get more people.

Maintenance:

• Make a wish list for your area to give to Tom.
• The computer room and the CYA computer area are assigned to Bob to clean at night.
• Tom will walk through each morning to see what needs to be done, i.e. the curled banner hanging in non-fiction.  He will check window ledges, frames and other areas for dust.  Planters should be planted soon.

Newsletter dates:

• The winter adult newsletter should be ready by June 24^th , the summer Bookworm by    5/25/05  and the winter bookworm by   9/ 16/05.  Winter newsletters will be distributed through the schools. We will send them to the schools by 9/16/05.  Registration for programs will be the 4^th week in September.

Summer Program Dates:

• S.A.I.L. program will begin on 6/27/05 and continue to August.  Orientation and registration will take place during June.

JoAnn explained the change in terminology of the new Internet Policy.

Q&A:

• Since the children’s computers are not working, Kiran asked if the students could use the reference machines for more than 15 minutes.  JoAnn said it would be all right to bypass two machines in reference for their use.  The new system will only allow one hour for the day.

Update:  5/16/05 – CYA computers are back in service.

Present:  JoAnn, Dora, Berenice, Kiran, Tom, Jeanne S., Jean O., Debbie

Board of Trustees Actions

• Tom Cullari was congratulated on his promotion to Senior Building Maintenance Worker, provisionally pending NJDOP certification.  Tom will be in a confidential position and will not be in the union.  He will be involved with the B&G budget, the security of bank transactions and the post office as well as the payroll.  If there is a building problem, notify Tom.  He may not be able to take care of it immediately.  Please give him a written note when possible.
• The status of Lorraine and Stacy was changed from temporary to regular employee.  Lorraine will work Monday and Tuesday evening and alternate Saturdays.  Stacy will remain in CYA.
• The board approved the hiring of two part-time library assistants.  One will work days and the other will have to be available for some evenings.  They are considering the hiring of two more part-timers and a full-time librarian, but are waiting to see what the budget consists of.
• Members of the board will meet with the vending machine company to get information on the installation of vending machines in the library.  They are considering a fruit juice, Snapple, water machine and later a coffee machine.  No beverages will be allowed in the computer center and we will be buying service plans to go with the machines.

Local History Archives

Hoboken Library

Programs

Class Visit

Local History Archives

• We are receiving technical support from an outside contractor to get the Nutley Sun on our server. 
• Debbie will study the instructions and will train others.
• To be available by the end of this month.
• Patrons are able to print the articles, but will need some instruction (must copy and paste before printing).  The fee will be 10 cents per page.

Friends Book Sale

• Will take place April 22 and 23, 2005.
• There will be three donation days to receive books, 3/19; 4/2 and 4/16.  No limit. Books will be stored in Stockton Room.  If a patron has a large amount of books and needs to bring them in through the loading dock, they must call ahead to let us know.
• Following sale, an outside company will come in and take left over books.

Meeting Room

• At least one person who organizes meeting must be a Nutley resident.
• If there is an inquiry get the name and address and we will mail them an application and policy form.  Do not FAX.  Do not check calendar.
• If application is approved, a date will be discussed.

Monitors

• Sharon must assume responsibility for all non-fiction shelving.  Noor will help her.
• Monitors will shelve and assist with ILL – no other assignments, now. (Some will get circ. training)
• Noor will take care of oversized books, language cassettes, the music room and help in non-fiction, not tech services.
• Dora will use Stacy more.  Dora and Stacy will sit at different desks, one at childrens and one at YA.  Stacy can shelve, straighten stacks, search for books for bibliographies and help annotate.
• No teens are to be allowed in the quiet study room.
• Children are not allowed to work at the children’s computers without a library card.  They must sign in.
• Children’s computers cannot be used in the middle of the day by high school students. We may have to lock the computers and have a librarian open them for use by the children.

Linking

• Kiran will teach Jeanne and Debbie  to start linking.  The training site is active.
• Dora will teach linking to Stacy.

Staffing

• Tom should revise his statement of intent to reflect his goals and objectives.  Get the task sheets and make a schedule of all routine tasks in the library, when and by whom they are taken care of.  Make all bank deposits and go to post office.  Keep up to date on mailing books.
• Reference desk.  It will be helpful for a reference librarian to be able to go with patron to other areas of the library in order to help them.  We need a person to be at the reference desk at all times, one or two assistants.
• We need feedback on what is available technically and what would be most helpful to librarians when they are away from the reference desk. There are tablet PCs and PDAs, etc.
• Trina may make a switch to the reference  assistant area.  She would have to teach others to do the loans.
• We are short by 4.2 positions.  We are hoping for one librarian with great technical knowledge and expertise.  The other 3.2 positions will be filled with part-timers, possibly as many as six.
• Lorraine will be made permanent at the next board meeting.
• Nick may be back over the summer, but we are not sure after that.

State Report

• The report is late coming out, so the due date has been extended to April 1, 2005.  We need to get our data together to make the due date.  JoAnn will provide librarians with paper work to help them collect the data.
• It is important that circulation employees encourage everyone to get their own individual library card.  It will help our statistics.

DVD Policy

• The DVD policy is being changed.  A notice will be posted indicating the change which will be effective April 4, 2005.
• Current DVDs will circulate for seven days with a $2.00 per day late charge.
• High demand new DVDs will circulate for 2 days at a fee of $2.00, with a late fee of $2.00 per day.
• All current DVDs will be converted to 7 days. 
• No new releases will be put out until that Monday.
• Let the patrons know that this is to SERVE THEM BETTER.  The $2.00 fee will enable us to order more copies of new releases.
• Even though we may have the DVDs before the release date, they may not appear in our catalog before that date.
• We will not interloan new releases.
• We will not charge for new children’s DVDs.

Miscellaneous

• We must get a collection development strategy for music.
• Anyone interested in applying for a promotion position must submit a letter of intent by 3/21/05.  Address all topics on the position posting and list your goals.

Keynote Speaker:  Alice Hoffman

Alice Hoffman is the New York Times Best selling author of Turtle Moon, Practical Magic, Second Nature, White Horses, At Risk and Here on Earth.

When she was growing up, her grandmother and mother were always talking about the weather and one of her brothers was a meteorologist.  She told the audience that weather is a vital character in most of her work.  Her writing process changes during different periods of her life.  She used to get up at 5 am, worked before her children got up, and stopped when they came home from school.  The book, “Blue Diary” contains a subplot about a woman who has cancer, which is also a reference of Alice’s own illness contained in the story line.  Ms. Hoffman has been a screenwriter for 25 years.  Every one of her books has been optioned for movies and she has written a few of those screenplays.  Every time she starts her novel, it begins in a different way, sometimes with a character, nature or place. She thinks love is huge factor in fiction and also in real life.  All characters in her books are imagined, but all have a bit of who she is.  She grew up with Russian fairy tales from her Russian grandmother and always had a fondness for fairy tales as a child. As a result, she wrote a collection of modern fairy tales and a little novel about a teenage mermaid at a beach club called Aquamarine.

She told the audience that she was crazy about Mary Poppins, Edward Eager and the Nesbit books when she first started writing at a young age.  She also told the audience that she tries to bring readers to understand and to care about all her characters.

“She looked at me like I was from Mars”: Nonverbal communication at the Reference Desk.  Marie Redford, SCILS, Rutgers University

This program provided the opportunity to sharpen our understanding of nonverbal communication and the role it plays in reference encounters.  Approachability and interest are extremely important in excellent customer service.  These positive behaviors include: immediate acknowledgement of patron, making eye contact and nods (or an indication that the request is being understood), and smiling.  Ms. Redford also explained the many types of nonverbal clues and how to become more skilled in interpreting these messages from library users.  Positive and negative behaviors at the reference desk were also discussed. 

Writing the History of New Jersey.  Doctor Raymond Frey, author of New Jersey:  A Journey of Discovery.

Dr. Frey discussed the process of researching and writing about New Jersey history.

Getting started:  First task is to see what other books on your subject are out there.  Checking on Amazon.com or bn.com can do this, or visiting a library can help.  Then check the strengths and weaknesses of other books on your subject.  Dr. Frey made a file folder for each chapter of his book to keep his research organized.  The author traveled around New Jersey to observe the cities, towns, and geography of the Garden State.  He also spent two days alone in the Pine Barrens and took hundreds of digital photos.

Dr. Frey also visited historical societies and museums.  The Internet was a great help.  He browsed on-line catalogs of many libraries at home to see if they had what he was looking for. He said that research was fun but writing was the real hard work.  After he completed each chapter, he sent the writing to “fact-checkers” for review.  Then it comes back for corrections and revisions.  Once all the chapters are complete, the editor and the fact checkers, as well as Dr. Frey, read the entire manuscript.  The closer they get to print the book, the harder it is to make changes.  Only minor changes can be made in the final stages. Once the final proofing is done, the book is ready to go to press. 

Marketing:  Now it’s time to get the word out!

1 – Mail brochures to New Jersey schools (because it is a textbook) and libraries

2 – Attend teacher conference to talk about the book

3 – Internet

Dr. Frey told the audience that he met very helpful librarians when he was researching New Jersey history and facts.

Managing Time and taming the paper Tiger.  Marie Redford, SCILS, Rutgers University

Five worst mistakes people make with their time.

1 – Spending time on concerns that are not chosen priorities.

2 – Underestimating the time that tasks actually take.  Break large tasks into “baby steps” Do hardest thing first. 

3 – Allowing too many interruptions.  Time is needed to regain flow after interruptions.  If seeing others is part of your job, schedule time.  When interrupted say, “I am tied up at the moment, Can we talk later?”  Suggest time.

4 – Not getting help.  Ask yourself, “Am I the only person who can do this?”  If not, delegate it.  Ask for help, don’t demand.  Invest time to teach routine tasks to permanent staff.

5 – Saying “yes” too frequently.  Beware of the automatic yes.  If answer is no, say NO.  You don’t have to give a reason.  Stick to your decision. 

Paper clutter control

Clutter is postponed decisions.

Four possible decisions

-         Toss it

 -         Refer it

-         File it

-         Action it

The best clutter control is to make prompt decisions.

Kiran B. Patel

To use spine labels, we need to change our toolbar to the “BCCLS Spine Labels.”  On this toolbar, there are two additional icons in the linking group. 

1        Schedule New Reports – generates reports

2        Finished Reports – allows viewing, making changes, and printing labels.

After clicking on “Schedule New Report”, you will see a window, which has report name, source and date created.  After clicking on modify, you can click on copy selection tab, where you have the option of filtering out some of the items for which you may not wish to generate labels.  If you don’t use the filter, the report will generate a label for every item linked on the selected date or range of dates.

You can also use the gadget to select dates or type of dates for our range.  Then click the Label Template tab.  Select BCCLS PermaPlus 8511 and click on “Run Now” button.

To print labels, click on Finished Reports wizard. It takes at least 20 minutes to run a set of labels.  There are three helpers in Finished Reports wizard. 

1        Filter – Allows you to limit reports shown on the list to a specific range of dates.

2        Refresh Report List – Updates the list of finished reports just completed.

3        Display Report Scheduler Status – Opens a new window with a list of running reports, like the one below.

After the report has finished running, click the Refresh Report List helper to show the finished report.  To print labels, click on the report you wish to print, and click the View button. Un-check the view log box and then click OK.  This will open the print preview box.

You can review each page that needs to be printed using this wizard.  You can also Insert, Modify, Append, or Remove individual lines of information in the label.

The Start Printing at the Print button allows you to start printing of labels.

Important points:  Workflows Label making program will support the use of Gaylord PermaPlus 8511 labels.  Each sheet contains one spine label and two accompanying pocket labels per line for a total of eight lines.  (Eight spine labels and sixteen pocket labels)  BCCLS does not support re-using partially used sheets of labels.  Damage to BCCLS laser printers due to reusing label sheets will cancel the warrantee on printer.
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WORKFLOWS “HOLDS” TRAINING SESSION, AN OVERVIEW OF THE “HOLDS” SYSTEM THAT CREATES WAITING LISTS FOR POPULAR MATERIALS, 2/2/2005 - BCCLS Office -Kiran Patel, Trina Staropoli

Training session conducted by Michael Koehn

“HOLDS” replaces “reserves” as the method to generate a patron waiting list for new and popular material.  In Workflows it is not possible to flag items with “notes” to alert staff when discharging that a reserve is attached to an item.  “HOLDS” enables staff to electronically link patron information to a specific item; when that item is discharged, an alert screen will pop up with the reserve information.  The beauty of the “HOLDS” system is that items can be reserved by title, maintaining an accurate dated list for lengthy reserve items like the latest Danielle Steel or James Patterson books.  Reserves can also be placed on a specific copy, e.g., if a patron needs only volume one of a set.  HOLDS are placed against the bibliographic record, so a title HOLD for an audio book on cassette would not be placed automatically against the audio book on cd of the same title.

“HOLDS” can be placed only on home library material (Nutley could not place a HOLD on Rutherford material).  All material on HOLD for a patron is given an expiration date (for bestsellers this date would need to be as long as 3 to 6 months in the future.)  If a patron alerts us that he/she will be out-of-town for a specific period, their HOLDS can be suspended without losing their place in the reserve queue.  Currently, home library HOLDS supersede out-of-town HOLDS (this does not mean we reserve bestsellers for out-of-town patrons – we don’t – it only means if we have a list for an older item, if a Nutley patron also reserved that item, his/her reserve would go to the top of the list.).  Also, “Check Item Status” will reveal HOLD information if an item comes to the circulation desk with an unknown hold attached.  Librarians looking for the popularity of an item on HOLD need only to go into “Item Search and Display” in Workflows, call up the specific item, click on “detailed display,” and then the HOLDS tab that reveals the entire list.

There are a few pitfalls with HOLDS:

1.      Currently, there is no way to easily print the alert screen; BCCLS suggests that we copy and paste the information onto wordpad [press the ALT and PRINT SCREEN keys (this will copy the material) and then paste it onto wordpad; then, print out the page], or, we can keep a book truck at the circulation desk that all the HOLDS can be placed on as they come in, and at a later time retrieve the information from the “Check Item Status” wizard in Workflows.  The information can either be handwritten onto a card, or, if the staff member has access to a computer and a phone, calls can be made from the screen.

2.      HOLDS does not distinguish between our “Reserve” copies and our “Floating copies” – this needs to be worked out.  (We could not attach the HOLD via “copy” as that would not be fair – what if a patron who reserved the latest Steel book first was attached to a copy that came back a month late, allowing patrons that reserved the item after the initial person did to “jump the list.”)

3.      Books on HOLD for a specific patron can only be charged out with that patron’s card (for example, the “spouse” problem).

4.      It is important to remember, if a patron does not pick up a book they have on HOLD, or, if they call to alert us they no longer need the book, the HOLD must be removed in Workflows.  If it goes back on the shelf without removing the hold, the reserve list is not only held up, but that item is still attached to the patron’s record and cannot be charged out to anyone else.

Another issue to consider:  do we still need to write up reserve cards simultaneously with the electronic hold?  We asked at the training session what other libraries are doing and some have done away with their reserve cards completely, others still maintain a reserve box.  When we call the patron, we will still need to write up a card to keep order on the reserve shelf.

Kiran Patel
Trina Staropoli

BCCLS Linking Training II, 1/18/2005 - BCCLS Office, Hackensack - Jeanne Sylvester & Kiran Patel
 
On Tuesday January 18, 2005, Kiran Patel and Jeanne Sylvester went to a training session at the BCCLS headquarters in Hackensack, NJ. About 5 member libraries were there to receive extra training in the new circulation/linking system that was put into effect in December 2004. At this session common linking mistakes were brought to our attention, such as linking to other libraries Quick Titles, incorrectly adding library copies of our items to other libraries and entering the wrong barcode. Additional tips and tricks were demonstrated to make linking and locating bibliographic records easier such as checking the Web2 library catalog. Considerable time was spent discussing the linking of periodicals for circulation purposes. Questions asked by many other libraries were discussed and addressed at our training session.

This was a good opportunity to learn ways to refine our linking process, address commonly made errors and ask questions to get further clarification on circulation and linking issues.

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