Beware: Librarians Learning and Growing...

.....Not much sleeping, however.

For inquiring minds who want to know what Diane was doing on her "vacation in Aberdeen" this year....

 

Besides trying to jump up into the bunk bed in the (air conditioned!) dorm room at NSU and hiking across campus with arthritic knees for meals, this old library student is enjoying presentations from some great teachers at this year's Library Institute.

Mary Bushing gave us lots of great tips on Collection Development, reminding us again that:

1. formats are changing quickly

2. something is not better than nothing

3. collection parameters can define what you want your library to be(come)

4. books are not capital expenses, but office expenses which need to be replenished!

LOTS OF GATEWAYS TO REFERENCE...and fines are a touchy subject!

Brenda Hemmelman coached us on sources for finding the money (grants!) and helped us become more competent with e-gov sites for reference help.  Scads of important things to find quickly and easily.

Daria Bossman reviewed State Codified laws for librarians and trustees and gave us input on the newly revised open meeting law requirements. She really knows her material!

Stacia McGourty clued us in on health reference sites that are current, relevant, accurate, authoritative, and have no hidden purpose or agenda.  We brainstormed possible partnerships within the community (Think Project Compass!!) Lots of terrific ideas (a bunch of very gifted librarians in SD!)

Social media for libraries is also a passion of Stacia's and she shared an overview of current trends....this aging librarian was interested but had trouble keeping up with the new platforms...everything DOES change quickly in this focused area of library outreach!

Jane Healy and Julie Erickson spent an entire day getting us more comfortable doing research with patrons using the SDSL databases.  What a blast!  Mock interviews between "patrons" and "librarians" brought some levity into the overwhelming amount of material that was covered. Gave us some real practice that helps us share with our patrons.

In between studying and classes, some of us managed a trip to tour the Aberdeen public library, a visit to a used book store (very dangerous!!), and the necessary trek to Walmart for much needed supplies we forgot to bring along (like chocolate!)

Tomorrow's agenda shows:

Colleen Kirby is coming in all the way from Pierre for a few hours just to arm us with up- to-date info on talking books and Braille resources.  

A research scavenger hunt is scheduled at 8 am at the campus library and a panel of librarians is coming in the afternoon to answer research related questions.  Study time, graduation night and of course, final exams on Friday and pictures with Dan, the head librarian man from SDSL....what a quick information-loaded, learning-packed week!

Of course, the students couldn't manage without our fearless leader and coach, Kathleen Slocum, who keeps us going with minimal sleep with encouragement and food (thanks for the cake and snacks!) (and thanks to my roommate, Jane, for putting up with my late-night NCIS marathons while studying!   You are awesome!)

We are so blessed with great library leaders and role models in the great state of South Dakota!!!