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Volume 34, Issue 2

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Added Entries Department of Library Science & Instructional Technology

Volume 34, Issue 2 Spring 2013

Chair Speaks 2

Your Added Entries 6

Spring Book Review 7

Alpha Beta Alpha 8

Lindsey Riegner ‘12, Director, Boyertown Community Library,

Berks County Public Libraries

I used to see myself as only a school librarian,

since the KU Library Science program is tailored

toward school libraries. Then the position as

Director at the Boyertown Community Library

opened and I was the perfect fit. I grew up in

the Boyertown area and frequented the library

as a child. I not only understand the culture of

the Boyertown area, I am part of the culture. I

have since become the Director of the

Boyertown Community Library and love every

day of my job.

I love that I am helping people of all ages every

day. I love the patrons at my library and enjoy

helping people with problems such as finding a

book that they couldn't find elsewhere or helping someone figure out the unemployment

website. A few months back, the library clerks and I took some time to teach a patron

how to use our computer catalog. Just this week, I heard him helping someone who was

struggling to use the catalog. I felt like a proud parent, watching their child help

others. The joy I feel in helping patrons solve everyday issues is very satisfying.

KU helped me to learn all of the basic skills such as the organization and cataloging of

materials, and how to maintain a library's collection. However, the most helpful classes

were the ones involving the newest computer programs and technology. I have always

considered myself computer savvy, but these classes taught me about some amazing, free

online sites as well as software that I have referenced in my current job and passed on to

patrons to use.

One thing I didn't learn in graduate school was some of the "extra" jobs that are required

in public library. I was well prepared for the administrative tasks of becoming a school

librarian, but being a public librarian holds many

different duties for which I was not

Feature Article 1

Graduate Update 3

Where Are They Now 4

New Courses 5

Library History 7

Story continued on pg. 3

An UNEXPECTED CAREER PATH

Volume 34, Issue 2

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The Chair Speaks

Dr. Eloise Long

“I’m my own Grandpa” is a song about a man who becomes a stepfather to his own stepmother. Written by Dwight Latham and Moe Jaffe, it was performed in 1947, and is often used as a teaser when beginning a study of genealogy.

So there is your teaser – I’m going to be teaching a genealogy course during Summer I this year. Actually, as I go out into the public libraries during fieldwork assignments, I’m finding that patrons looking for genealogical information are frequent library users. The Genealogy Committee of the History Section of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) supports this finding and suggests the following: Librarians should be trained to assist patrons in becoming infor-mation literate in genealogical research. This means that librari-ans need to know how to assist patrons in deciding what infor-mation is needed by the patrons to meet their genealogical goals, and in locating, evaluating, and using that information. Librarians also have a role in collecting, preserving, and making accessible materials needed by those doing genealogical research.

Based on RUSA’s suggestions, we designed an online course that should be extremely helpful in finding information about your Family Tree and that of your patrons. This course is part of a continuing effort to offer more opportunities within the field of local history. In fall, Prof. Roseanne Perkins offers a course, Preservation and Digitization of Archives and Special Col-lections. Additionally, we have students completing fieldwork hours at the Kutztown Historical Society and the Berks County Historical Society. These courses can be taken as professional credits or as part of a program. Check it out; you might find that rich ancestor (or a black sheep).

Librarian Remembered

Frances C. Keever, 87 died September 18, 2012 of natural causes. She was the widow of the late Mathews S.

“Bud” Keever, Sr., who died in 1993. She was an Elementary School Librarian for the Conrad Weiser School Dis-

trict for 28 years, retiring in 1993.

On a personal note, Mrs. Keever was my cooperating librarian in 1971. I thought I wanted to become a high

school librarian; she changed my mind. She said I was enthusiastic and optimistic. It was she who instilled those

qualities; I should have told her that before she died.

Eloise Long ‘72, ‘75

Volume 34, Issue 2

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prepared. While my daily jobs include ordering books,

handling patron issues and helping patrons learn how to

use the library, I did not anticipate handling maintenance

issues and being a landlord (we have three rental

units). Recently, this has included ordering a new oven

for a tenant, ordering a new hot water heater tank for

the basement and cleaning up the sewage in the base-

ment when the pipe burst. They can't teach that in

school! Thank goodness I have amazing staff that assists

me with the challenges.

We are in the very early stages of a capital campaign. We

currently sit on 3,900 square feet and are bursting at the

seams. We do not have any more room for books, our

display area is limited, and our meeting space is tiny. We

hope to either move into a bigger building or build a

building that is suitable for our needs. This is going to be a

huge undertaking but I am excited that we are growing so

rapidly that we barely fit in our current location.

A library doesn't always have to be quiet. Our library is

vibrant and alive with children running around after story

time and adults meeting for Scrabble games. We enjoy our

patrons feeling as comfortable as they possibly can when

they visit us. Of course, there are quiet areas where patrons

can work and concentrate, but our circulation and children's

areas are bustling with activity. If your patrons feel

comfortable in their atmosphere and with your staff, your

days are more likely to run smoothly. It is similar to

working in a school library - if your students feel comforta-

ble with you and are familiar with the rules, you are more

likely to have successful lessons and productive library time.

Also, don't rule out the possibility of working in a public

library. I am thrilled with the position I currently hold even

though I never expected to work outside of a school

library. And Confucius was right - "Choose a job you love,

and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

The State Library is pleased to announce that Sara Gerhart has joined the staff as

the School Library Advisor.

In this role, Sara will provide leadership and expertise to school library person-

nel, classroom teachers and administrators in areas such as staffing, Model

School Library Curriculum, Common Core Standards, best practices. In addition,

she will serve as the Act 48 coordinator and school library liaison for the POWER

Library Project and Pennsylvania Electronic Library Catalog (formerly known as

Access PA Database) program.

Sara comes to us from the Daniel Boone School District where she was the High

School Librarian for eight years. Sara received her B.S.Ed. in Library Science and

Master’s in Library Science from Kutztown University. Books and reading were a

large part of her childhood and turned into a passion as an adult.

New Position for Kutztown Graduate

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I graduated from Penn State in 2007 with an undergraduate de-gree in Secondary Education/English. I worked for three years in the field, teaching middle and high school Language Arts classes in Allentown and East Penn school districts. Then, after receiving my MLS from KU, I began my experience in the Educational Media and Technology doctorate program at Bos-ton University. After this semester, I have two classes left to com-plete the degree, in addition to my dissertation. During my pro-gram, I took classes in Web 2.0 tools, HTML and programming, instructional design, research methods, educational theory, and the history of educational technology. Also, I have served as a TA for 4 semesters for a class that teaches undergraduates how/why to integrate audio, video, and images into their teaching (as well as web site creation) to help support all learners in the class-room. I will serve as the main instructor for this class starting in the fall. There is a possibility that I will also serve as the instructor for a graduate level class in the class titled Web 2.0 Tools for Educa-tors. P.S. Had a note from Dana that she and her husband were fine following the Boston tragedy.

I work at Lincoln Elementary in Gettysburg Area School

District. One thing I love about being a librarian is there is

a never a dull moment. Every day has its excitements and

surprises. I wake up every morning excited to go to work

just as I did the first day of school.

KU Library Science Department has taught me so many

wonderful things that naming just one is hard. I appreci-

ate their love of librarianship which they instill and share

each day and for guiding me to professional organizations

such as PSLA that advocates and shows passion for what

they do. I'm proud to be a Kutztown University Alumna.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Updates From The Field

Jenn Miller ‘10, Librarian, Lincoln Elementary

Dana Susko ‘10, Instructor, Boston University

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This semester the department was excited to offer many new courses in both library science and in-

structional technology.

The first new course offered to library science students

was an adult literature class taught by Dr. Long. In this

online class students focus on evaluating print and digi-

tal resources for adult library users. Students are re-

quired to read a variety of genres and authors as a way to accommodate all reading interests and pop-

ular culture.

The second class offered was an accounting class for librarians. This course, taught by accounting pro-

fessor, Norm Sigmund, is for library students or librarians wishing to strengthen knowledge of Pennsyl-

vania law as it pertains to accounting and budgeting in public and special libraries. This course takes

basic library budgeting to the next level and gives students a chance to apply what they have learned

to real world situations. This course would be valuable for practicing librarians as well.

A new instructional technology class was also offered this semester. An

assistive technology class is being taught by Dr. Harmer. Students in this

course are exposed to different assistive technologies, with a large focus on

iPad applications. Students get hands-on experience while using the depart-

ment’s iPad cart. Throughout the class students keep an assistive technolo-

gy toolkit, where they compile any and all of the resources they have found

that they think might be useful to them in the future.

The department is also home to two new pieces of technology. The first is a set of 20 iPads and cart.

These iPads are being used in many library science and instructional technology classes. The second

new item is a Smart Table. This interactive table is being incorporated into the various classes within

the department.

New Technology

New Courses to Meet Every Student’s Needs

Volume 34, Issue 2

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Your Added Entries

Save the Date

PSLA Conference in Hershey May 2-4, 2013

ALA Conference in Chicago June 27-July 2, 2013

Teen Library Day TBD

Fall Book Review November 14, 2013

Colleen Buck ‘08, Library Skills Teacher at Oak

Ridge Elementary School, shares one of the joys

of teaching:

During high school graduation, educators are invit-

ed to wear graduation garb and be part of the cer-

emony. While wandering around afterwards to

congratulate former students, a current elemen-

tary student came up to me from behind and

screamed, "No Way! Mrs. Buck, you get to wear

Gryffindor colors! So Cool!" I laughed and assured

her that she could wear Harry's Alma mater colors

if she went for her Library Science Master's at

Kutztown University.

Dr. Long and Professor Perkins share a moment

with the recent graduates.

Laura Van Cott ’10 is the new librarian of the Sus-quehanna Branch Library in the Susquehanna Historical Society & Free Library Association.

Interested in being in Added Entries?

Send an email to [email protected]

updating us about a new job, spouse,

or baby. We’d love to hear from you!

Allison Good ’11 is now a high school librarian at

North Brunswick High School in North Carolina.

Megan Revelt ’12 has written a novel (Beyond the Eyes)

that has been out on Kindle since August 2012. She is

also an elementary librarian in Chambersburg, PA.

Erwin Woodye, Jr. ’01 is currently the Chief

Librarian at the University of Belize.

Brandon Digwood ’06 is now working as a Youth

Services Librarian at the Mt. Pleasant Branch

Library in Washington, D. C.

Lisa Earnshaw ’12 has a long term substitute

position at Gilbertsville Elementary School.

Volume 34, Issue 2

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A Little Walk Down Memory Lane Kutztown University’s first library celebrated its

100th birthday in March 2013. Built in 1913 this

building housed the library for more than 50 years.

One of the library’s

most stunning fea-

tures was the “superb

rotunda”. Because of

the rotunda the

library was regarded,

and rightly so, as one

of the finest buildings

of its kind in the

state.

It wasn’t until 1968 that the Rohrbach Library was built

and the library changed locations. During this time

students helped carry books from the old library to the

new library. The Keystonia nicknamed this event the

“Book Walk”

Presently, students spend much of their time studying and

working in the Rohrbach Library.

Spring Book Review Rescheduled for

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

7:00PM-9:00PM

Alumni Auditorium (This is a new location)

Student Union Building

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear reviews of new books, re-

ceive a copy of the Spring Book Review, and select books.

Volume 34, Issue 2

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Kutztown University

Department of Library Science and Instructional Technology

P. O. Box 730 Kutztown, PA 19530-0730

Phone: 610-683-4300 Fax: 610-683-1326 Email: [email protected]

http://www2.kutztown.edu/libraryscience

President: Gwen Fisher

Vice-President: Meredith Bechtel

Secretary: Emily Becker

Treasurer: Shelby Foster

Historian: Josh Fisher

Advisors: Dr. Long, Professor

Wanamaker, & Professor Perkins

Graduating seniors posed for a picture.

Professor Kevin McCloskey author of

Mrs. Fitz’s Flamingos spoke to ABA.

ABA Spring Banquet

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