Nylink staffers Deidre Dowling, Evelyn Butrico, Joyce Rambo and Luke Williams traversed the state in June and July to talk with folks about issues and challenges surrounding professional development. While every library is unique and therefore people face unique challenges some themes did emerge from our discussions.

For most people the biggest professional development challenge they face is a lack of time. Whether from small libraries or large libraries the majority of library workers have many duties that don’t allow much away time. Some expressed that when they are away it impacts co-workers who have to take on additional duties or the work piles up for their return. Of course a lack of money was another major impediment to professional development. It was not uncommon for people to pay some or most of their professional development bills and often justifications are needed. For this reason many find that any professional development opportunities they attend must be clearly relevant to their job.

One way to alleviate some of the above issues is through distance education. Some folks love it and others, well, not so much. All agreed that for distance education to be effective they must be engaged with the speaker and other students. Human interaction was important to keep attention and foster learning. Activities of some sort should be sprinkled throughout the class. Of course, it was mentioned that there are a variety of learning styles out there and classes need to be flexible to meet these learners where they are at!

Many noted that they look to their colleagues for learning and support. In fact peer to peer learning was mentioned as what people use the most! One participant noted this was a reason why organizational communication is so important: she needs to know her colleagues’ areas of expertise so she can approach them when needed.

Topics mentioned for training included: How to effectively use web 2.0 technologies, Reader’s Advisory, Outcome Based Evaluation, Electronic Resource Management, Copyright, Cataloging, Advocacy and Library Management topics.

We want to thank all the organizations that worked with us and hosted these events and thank you to all of the participants!

The next Brown Bag Lunch will focus on Library Commons, August 20 at TC3: http://nylink.org/events/bbag8_08.cfm

Check our latest training calendar at: http://nylink.org/education/

How often do we all wonder what it would be like to step into someone else’s job for a few hours, or even a few days? Our own Jon Penn had just that chance last week when he spent a week in SUNY Geneseo’s ILL department at the Milne Library.

Jon was able to participate in and observe the day-to-day activities, from processing ILL requests through ILLiad to watching how the LAND delivery service is integrated into the ILL workflow. He admitted it’s been a few years since he’s worked in an ILL department, revealing that in his time paper forms were the norm. While the workflow is essentially the same, he said, automation has “streamlined the ILL process and eliminated some labor intensive tasks.” And SUNY Geneseo’s efficient station design allows workers (student or otherwise) to know exactly what needs to be done whenever they walk into the ILL office, e.g. whether the items in the LAND bags need to be unpacked, shelved or sent out to other LAND libraries. Jon noted that Geneseo’s well organized office “helped solve the attention to detail concerns” inherent in any ILL operation.

Next, Jon is off to attend the IDS (Information Delivery Services) Conference in early August with Donna and Dave.

Learn more about LAND, Nylink’s delivery service, and OCLC’s ILLiad.

Learn more about SUNY Geneseo’s Milne Library and their leadership in the IDS Project.

Also on the horizon is the New York Resource Sharing Summit 2008 in October.

New York State Resource Sharing Summit
October 23 and 24 at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs, NY

Please join your colleagues at this summit to discuss Resource Sharing in New York State.

This summit will continue to the work of last year’s event. Join us as we continue to explore resource sharing models and programs currently in place throughout the state and beyond. Summit participants will learn about best practices, what the future of resource sharing might look like and discuss how libraries in New York can work together to further enhance resource sharing. Both the Discovery and Delivery Working Groups will report out on their findings and work since last year.

The summit is open to library staff and directors/administrators from all types of libraries.

Keynote speaker Rush Miller, University Librarian and Director of the University Librarian System, University of Pittsburgh , will share how we can change and evolve to reach our resource sharing potential and goals.

Katie Birch, OCLC Portfolio Manager, OCLC Europe will explore OCLC resource sharing and its impact on NYS.

Other topics will include a reporting out from the Discovery and Delivery Working Groups, roundtable discussions and explorations of resource sharing models.

Don’t forget to check out the NYS Resource Sharing Wiki at
http://nyrss.wetpaint.com/?t=anon to share your thoughts about discovery and delivery.

Registration Information: October 23 & 24, Holiday Inn, Saratoga Springs, NY

$120 per person

Click here for registration information: http://nylink.org/sharing/nyrss/

A small number of rooms are being held at the Holiday Inn for the conference price of $ 132.95 per night. Please call the Holiday Inn at (518) 584 6511 Request the SNR Block when making your reservation. You can also book at http://www.spa-hi.com/ and use the code SNR. Reservations must be made by September 22 to receive the conference rate.

Community Brown Bag Lunch
The Learning Commons
Co-sponsored by Nylink and SCRLC
August 20, 2008
Noon-1:30
Tompkins Cortland Community College

The Learning Commons, sometimes referred to as an Information Commons, are changing the ways libraries do things. A learning commons brings together various campus services such as a writing center and tutoring and integrates them with library services. Space is designed to foster collaborative learning among students and faculty, supports and provides the latest technologies needed for learning and even meets the needs of users by providing access to food, private study spaces and comfortable furniture. Students and faculty have access to the library’s many print and electronic collections and to experts in research, writing, and technology.

This Brown Bag Lunch will explore the concept of the learning commons and how it can be implemented in your library. Come and chat with colleagues about leaning commons including:

What exactly is a learning commons?

What is the purpose of the learning commons?

How much does it cost?

How much time does it take to create a learning commons?

After the lunch there will be a tour of TC3’s new Baker Learning Commons. See how TC3 implemented the concept and hear how it is working out. Don’t forget to bring your lunch, ideas, and questions. We will provide the dessert.

Please register by emailing Deidre Dowling at dowlingd@nylink.org and include your name, contact info and the Brown Bag Lunch you are planning to attend.