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.