Maryland Library Association Conference and Twitter

The Maryland Library Association and Delaware Library Association Joint Conference is May 6 - 8 (this week).  This year's them is Boldly Go . . .  where no libraries have gone before.

You can follow the action on Twitter #mladla15.

The following staff will be tweeting from the conference:

     Sarah Kuperman  @librnatconf.

     Jessica Brown @wearingsunlight

     MarylandAskUsNow @askusnow

Computers in Libraries Tweets

Sarah Kuperman will be tweeting from the Computers in Libraries Conference through Wednesday.  If you are interested, you can follow her on Twitter @librnatconf.  

The hashtag for the conference is #cildc 

SLRC Roving Reference Pilot and Cross Training

The first stage of the roving reference service Central is almost over, and the rovers will be sending their final recommendations to the Reference Model and Technology Committee for review.  As this first stage nears the end, the first floor cross-training is beginning.  The staff participating in the roving reference program will be visiting each of the first floor Central departments for a short introduction/orientation to the departments and their collections.  Each of the rovers will visit BST, SSH, Fiction/YA, HUM, the Information Desk, Sights and Sounds, and Periodicals.  Other interested staff can participate in the cross-training programs and although the current cross-training classes will run in the morning before the library opens we will add additional classes that meet later in the day to accommodate interested staff who don't work in the mornings.

Keep Calm

Understanding and Working with Patrons from Poverty

The "Framework for Understanding and Working with Patrons from Poverty" class on 3/16/15 was a huge success. If you did not attend the class, you missed a great workshop on understanding class differences and discussions about how to provide better services and relationships with our communities.  Bethanie Tucker led the class through the hidden rules and language that separates economic classes and helped the attendees to recognize their own biases.

Reactions from the attendees were overwhelmingly positive, and many were interested in immediately trying some of the strategies that were discussed in class.  One attendee left "tired but saturated" with helpful information and another was disappointed that there wasn't time to cover all the materials in the handout.  There was a request for the followup program and a suggestion that all supervisors should attend this training.  Most attendees learned to be wary of assumptions and expectations and saw this as the start of an ongoing project to connect customers with resources.

The book that was mentioned in class is owned by the library and is "A Framework for Understanding Poverty" by Ruby K. Payne (SSH Department  HV4045 .P39 1998Q).

DLDS website link

I've added the Division of Library Development and Services (DLDS) website link to the list on the right.  This page will give you access to copies of the forms and other information relevant to librarians and library associates.  They also posted updated versions of the certification guides for both librarians and LAs, which no longer have the outdated CEU conversions (.01 credits etc.) but mention the learning portfolios.

Lisa

Class today -- Packing Healthy, Easy, and Low-Cost Lunches

The first of 4 sessions of the Packing Healthy, Easy, and Low-Cost Lunches classes was held this morning.  The participants joined instructor Ana M. Negrón, M.D. for a discussion of healthy eating and good food on a budget.

After the discussion the cooking started.  The class munched on tasty baked cauliflower; a stew with carrots, kale and tomatoes; and cabbage salad with everything but the kitchen sink including carrots, beans, mushrooms, almonds, and oranges.  Everything was fresh and yummy.  There was enough that even the SD&T staff could grab a plateful.  The participants had high praise for the instructor and the nibbles.

There are three more sections of this class on the calendar for 3/11, 3/24, and 4/22 and there are a few seats available for each date.  Register now to ensure a spot and bring a container so you can take home a snack.  If you can't make one of the sessions, you can check out recipes on Ana's website which is greensonabudget.org.