Drexel MLIS discount for MLA members

If anyone on staff is thinking about applying to the MLIS program at Drexel, you can use the Maryland Library Association partnership for tuition reduction: https://online.drexel.edu/mla.

On the online application there is a section called Partnerships where the applicant can self-identify as a member of Maryland Library Association in the partner search-box. This action will connect their MSI in Library & Information Science 25% tuition reduction to the applicant’s file and if accepted into the program, will automatically be reflected in the student’s billing profile. No additional action would be required to receive the discount.

If you aren't a member of MLA you can join before you complete your application and get this discount.

Fall edition of the CRAB is available

The new Crab issue is available now on the MLA website.  The Crab is now publicly available, you do not have to be a member of MLA.

An illustration of equity

 

Leading a team - suggestions from author Nataly Kogan

 As a leader, you’re not managing people. You’re managing energy, emotions, and attention.

And you can help your team focus their energy and attention in ways that fuel their thriving (and reduce struggle).

These 3 questions are a great place to begin:

1. What would it take to make today great vs just OK?

2. What is draining your energy and how could you do it less (and how could I help?)

3. How does the work you are doing help others?

A word about motivation from author Nataly Kogan

 From Nataly Kogan, author of happier now and The Awesome Human Project:

Don't try to motivate your team.  Instead, do things that fuel motivation:

• express gratitude consistently
• ensure that the workload is reasonable
• regularly talk about the purpose in the work
• brainstorm how to add joy to work
• make fueling energy and taking breaks a priority

Motivation is an outcome, a result of other things.  Trying to motivate someone is like trying to get someone to go to sleep.

Instead, focus on the inputs that fuel motivation - sense of purpose, joy, having enough energy, feeling appreciated - and motivation will naturally follow.

Workday Learning App has content!

 The "Learning" app in Workday now has content for city employees.  There are currently 10 learning programs available, and these include a program on Unconscious Bias, Navigating Challenges with Diplomacy, Stress Management, and Business Writing Fundamentals.  

Just log into Workday to participate, and look for further programs to be added to this resource.  These courses do count for continuing education, but you will need to create your own CEU forms.

MLA/DLA conference proposals due by October 8

The MLA/DLA Annual Conference will take place this year from May 10-12, 2023 in Cambridge, Maryland. The annual conference strives to build and promote a strong, engaged, knowledgeable, diverse, and inclusive library community to advance the transformational impact of library staff and libraries. MLA/DLA seeks proposals and speakers representing the full range of library organizations (academic, school, public, specialized, etc.) and positions within the library. 

Programs will be selected with an eye toward amplifying underrepresented groups that have been historically marginalized or excluded due to race, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ability, religious identity, economic background, educational background, age, or other factors.

Another option for the conference is the Ignite Talks series.  What is something that you are passionate about in libraries that you tell us about in 10 minutes? Ignite Talks can look like storytelling, a how-to, or a research share – anything that sparks interest. Ignite Talks are a great opportunity to try presenting for the first time, to share experience or lessons learned, or to make your colleagues laugh with an entertaining topic and slides. We can’t wait to hear about your passions!

Please consider submitting a proposal using this form (https://forms.gle/K5HwKz3J3gE57xge9) and sharing it with colleagues.   If you have any questions, you can email kelsey.hughes@hclibrary.org or md.la.conference@gmail.com. 

All proposals will be due by October 8.

Commitment to others makes the team work

 A short video with an interesting approach to who "makes it" on a team.  Leadership, service to others on the team, and commitment.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yBgGG2G9Zyk

MLA/DLA Annual Conference 2022 - Law on the Frontlines: A Great Refresher!

Law on the Frontlines: A Great Refresher!

Presented by Joan Belistri, Catherine McGuire, and Reena Shah

Not sure who is really behind that Maryland Self Help Law Center phone number??

At this session I was assured the callers we refer would be talking to attorneys dedicated to assisting people in low-medium income brackets navigate the legal system. When librarians refer a customer to the Self Help Law Center the volunteer attorney will be a pro bono lawyer, college or academic faculty lawyer, a lawyer from one of the Judiciary departments, Bar associations, law school clinics or other Court approved legal organizations. 

Providing Legal Information

The panel discussed current and applicable resources valuable to public library librarians and their customers. Here are some refresher highlights.

1.Instead of Black’s Dictionary the panel suggested Cornell’s Legal Terminology which allows for more flexibility. The librarian can utilize it whether addressing a patron in person, through Libchat or Libans. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex

2.Nolo.com is another common resource useful for forms, brief explanations

Legal Encyclopedia, Legal Forms, Law Books, & Software | Nolo

3.Maryland Peoples’ Law Library offers vital legal information for self litigants and Court Help on specific Law Topics. Homepage | The Maryland People's Law Library (peoples-law.org) (PLL)

The “Other Help” page relates well to the recognizable kinds of everyday law questions librarians receive by phone. https://maryland.freelegalanswers.org/OtherHelp

Providing Referrals to Other Organizations

The panel emphasized that often users are looking for help librarians cannot provide but that can be found on websites like those discussed:

• Maryland Court Law Libraries

• PLL Legal Services and Directory

• PLL includes a Maryland Legal Services Directory

Legal Services Directory | The Maryland People's Law Library (peoples-law.org). The directory

Is comprised of organizations that offer no cost or low fee based legal services such as CASA. 

• PPL Legal Clinic Calendar Legal Clinic Calendar | The Maryland People's Law Library (peoples-law.org) includes Pratt’s Lawyer in the Library and similar events throughout Maryland.

• Court Help Centers Maryland Court Help Centers | Maryland Courts (mdcourts.gov)

Likewise, the panel reiterated that librarians distinguish between what they can do: Provide information, a resource or referral that might help. Librarians cannot provide legal advice; an interpretation of a legal subject or help users fill out legal forms.

This session covers the basics and the Advancing Justice Access and Navigate Maryland Legal Information, Court Tools and Resources session provides a more in-depth look at the People's Law Library website, the State Law Library website and more.

Rose Anne Ullrich, Librarian

Information Services

Register for the Percipio online training

 

Here is a quick link to the Percipio login.  You can create your own account and get started.  You must use your Pratt email to register for the site.

https://marylandlibraries.percipio.com/

SkillSoft retires on June 30, 2022 and no information will be available after that date.

MLA/DLA Annual Conference 2022 - Back together again

The MLA/DLA conference returned to Cambridge, MD this year to the delight of attendees.  There is something about meeting in person that just makes a conference a better experience, especially when you are with a group of fantastic librarians and staff from Maryland libraries.

Tuesday was a beautiful day to drive to the Eastern shore, and check in to the Hyatt in preparation for the pre-conferences on Wednesday.  An interesting array of pre-conferences were attended by EPFL staff, including the "Everyone Leads" follow-up workshop and the adult programming unconference.  Bright orange backpacks, colorful badges and committee ribbons were available for participants, and by Thursday morning we were ready for the breakout sessions, visiting vendors, and the MD author award luncheon.  Whenever we feature a poet they always bring a tear to your eye, and Afaa Michael Weaver's reminiscences about growing up in Baltimore was no exception.

As always, the social events including the pub quiz and scavenger hunt brought extra fun to the conference, and the De-Stress with Pets puppies brought smiles to many faces.  The drive back on Friday was a bit nasty with the rain and traffic, but overall a fantastic event.

Lisa R. Kenyon
Staff Development and Training Coordinator

It was great to meet the new ALA president Patty Wong

Remember this viral sensation?  It was in the vendor's room.

Lots of good donations for the silent auction!

Maryland State Department of Education Access Portal Upgrade coming April 26

 The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) will be releasing The Educator Application and Certification Hub (TEACH) in April!  TEACH will replace the current certification portal, which will be shutting down on April 20, 2022.  TEACH is expected to be released on April 26, 2022.  

All Maryland educators will have access to an online Dashboard where they may apply for certification, make payments, download their certificate, access various online services, and update their contact information.  With the release of TEACH, all certification applications will be submitted online!

 

Applicants and certificate holders will not be able to access their online portal accounts while the system is down from April 20th through April 26th.  We apologize for this inconvenience.

 

Existing applicants and certificate holders will need to complete a one-time registration by visiting TEACH after April 26, 2022.  

 

Google Workspace Learning Center

 This site provides free training on Google Workspace apps like Gmail, Docs, and Drive:

https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9389764?hl=en

Gmail       Calendars    Chat    Groups       Contacts       Docs    Sheets    and more

Welcome to the Learning Center

Here you'll find everything you need to start using Google Workspace apps like Gmail, Docs, and Drive. You'll also find business-focused end-user training, tips, and more.

Updated list of links for Trauma Informed Care Programs

These are mandatory programs, so if you missed any of the live programs click on the link below to view the session.  Please let your manager know when you have completed the training(s). 

Trauma and Loss with Roberta's House

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rMzT6oNVLbP3c7UV7-y43-Ry1XO6y0Dw/view?usp=sharing

Youth Voice facilitated by Healing Youth Alliance and Heart Smiles

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cKT1JHh3O7K2pPCHGzYJn_bkT6B8UC02/view?usp=sharing

Mindfulness and Restorative Practices facilitated by Holistic Life Foundation and Akoben

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TrkNeNhSGVzS3DChIzE227sDNl1jWPgL/view?usp=sharing

Trauma Informed Care and Historical Racism can be viewed here:

https://marylandlibraries.zoom.us/rec/share/ZDOeJRXAO8KoOXa6ZWUoCckgwsIoYRTIgX3hDsiFJ7WuHiJZXQX7aHYcYclNsq7F.7jRNEnLCDlU3UGdK

Access Passcode: w$2H94Kb

 EPFL Staff Day 2021 Morning Session

https://marylandlibraries.zoom.us/rec/share/EHtEh_eJuTdG3q5V8eCDZZ7yp4U3sq0F0ITPICSUW2v1nWHxMHkoYuiUGVfZ86PD.tlXBCvy4CBEFeFrA

EPFL Staff Day 2021 Afternoon Session

https://marylandlibraries.zoom.us/rec/share/GnanHRQELGiq-iCH2pPLbR4NFGvZT_gshDNIXxi0FXsQec_jwlWUy77Ytlq3YYjk.Ges_JCDTOngo8ctA

 

Historical and Structural Racism in Baltimore [please note this session is not eligible for CEU hours]

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ngvQ_ns788IWA-Dy6sB6972kFt0K46zp/view

Interesting article "VOCATIONAL AWE AND LIBRARIANSHIP: THE LIES WE TELL OURSELVES"

 This is an interesting article about vocational awe and libraries from the In the Library with the Lead Pipe online journal.

Lisa

"In this article, I would like to dismantle the idea that librarianship is a sacred calling; thus requiring absolute obedience to a prescribed set of rules and behaviors, regardless of any negative effect on librarians’ own lives. I will do this by demonstrating the ways vocational awe manifests. First, I will describe the institutional mythologies surrounding libraries and librarians. Second, I will dismantle these mythologies by demonstrating the role libraries play in institutional oppression. Lastly, I will discuss how vocational awe disenfranchises librarians and librarianship. By deconstructing some of these assumptions and values so integrally woven into the field, librarianship can hopefully evolve into a field that supports and advocates for the people who work in libraries as much as it does for physical buildings and resources."

https://www.inthelibrarywiththeleadpipe.org/2018/vocational-awe/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CVocational%20awe%E2%80%9D%20refers%20to%20the,sacred%2C%20and%20therefore%20beyond%20critique.

A Quick Guide to MLA funding for this year

 If you are requesting funds to attend the MLA/DLA annual conference this year, here is some information you will need.

The correct hotel amount is $210.30 per night.  This total will not be reflected in your original reservation information, but it includes the resort fees and omits the relevant taxes.  We will provide the hotel with the names of the staff who are attending and they will ensure that the tax free information is applied to your final bill. 

The food allowance is at the usual rate:  $25 for travel days and $50 for full conference days.

The library will pay for one conference food event on Thursday, either the Author Award Luncheon or the Keynote dinner, in addition to the usual food allowance.  

If you wish to attend one of the pre-conference events, you should include a separate justification for this expense in your goals and intentions statement.  How will the library benefit from your participation?

Send a completed registration form with your request, but do not include any personal details in the payment section (e.g. credit card numbers for your hotel deposit ).  Your registration will be paid directly to MLA and then you will be able to make your hotel reservations.

Please indicate which sessions you plan to attend as part of your goals statement, and also if you are serving on a committee related to the conference and/or if you are presenting at the conference.

Please include your home address on the goals statement if it is different from the address on your registration form.  Please include your MLA number if you are a member.

Just a reminder -- your completed forms are due prior to March 11.

Thank you, and please call us if you have any questions.

Funding for MLA is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act Administered by the Maryland State Library.