Download - NCSLMA Media Connections vol. 10 no. 4
Vol. 10 Issue 4 October 1, 2010
ferences evokes lots of happy memories and some of the most important professional experi-
ences of my career. Little did I know it, but as a new media coordinator, the NCSLMA confer-
ence was the perfect opportunity for getting to know my peers. Coming from the mountains,
a group of us would coordinate our departures from school, stuff a bunch of suitcases in the
back of someone’s car, and hit the road.
It would have been convenient if the conference city was only a short drive away, but look-
ing back on it now, I realize just how lucky I was to ride in the car for 3+ hours with a group of
other school librarians. As a newbie, it was an opportune time to ask a captive audience all
those nagging questions I’d been wondering about, the perfect time and place for venting a
little frustration, and the best opportunity for getting to know my peers on a more personal
level. In later years, the road to conference was a place to catch up with my friends, to think
out loud as a team about new ideas and opportunities, and to support one another with
strategies for coping with change.
In a way, the car ride set the tone for the whole conference experience. Instead of feeling
isolated as a library professional at my school, hitting the road for conference made me feel
part of something bigger. As we traveled down the highway from mountains to Piedmont, it
felt great to talk the same talk with others who understood. And as the miles stacked up, so
did our excitement . . . about getting to the registration desk in time to pick up our conference
(Continued on page 2)
From our President, Kelly Brannock
Hitting the Road to Connecting, Learning & Leading
Hitting the Road to Connecting, Learning & Leading
2020 Vision
Lead
Connect Learn
Welcome to Fall and the start of an exciting new school
year. If it’s Fall, then the annual NCSLMA conference must
be right around the corner! Thinking about NCSLMA con-
Inside this Issue:Inside this Issue:Inside this Issue:Inside this Issue:
• Hitting the Road to Connecting, Hitting the Road to Connecting, Hitting the Road to Connecting, Hitting the Road to Connecting,
Learning Leading, Learning Leading, Learning Leading, Learning Leading,
• Different Hat, Big Shoes at DPIDifferent Hat, Big Shoes at DPIDifferent Hat, Big Shoes at DPIDifferent Hat, Big Shoes at DPI
• It’s a Librarian ThingIt’s a Librarian ThingIt’s a Librarian ThingIt’s a Librarian Thing
• Make your Library Make your Library Make your Library Make your Library
Indispensable: Professional Indispensable: Professional Indispensable: Professional Indispensable: Professional Development is not a LuxuryDevelopment is not a LuxuryDevelopment is not a LuxuryDevelopment is not a Luxury
• Bundle up and Save on the Bundle up and Save on the Bundle up and Save on the Bundle up and Save on the
AASL Planning GuideAASL Planning GuideAASL Planning GuideAASL Planning Guide
• Conference TipsConference TipsConference TipsConference Tips
2
programs, the authors we hoped to meet and their treasured autographs, the freebies
(including the free food!) we’d find in the exhibit hall, and the chance to get away, reflect, re-
fresh, and recharge our personal and professional energy. The road trip experience didn’t end
with our arrival in the conference city. I can remember a late-dinner evening when at least 9
of us piled in a car that was only meant for 4 people. We were starving and squished and of
course we got lost in Charlotte as we drove around and around looking for a clean, safe, de-
cent, reasonably priced place on whose menu we could all agree. It was an unforgettable ad-
venture and while I wouldn’t want to repeat that experience, I love the camaraderie we
shared! Hitting the road for a long drive home after conference was also a great time. Gone
was the giddiness and excitement about what lay ahead. Instead we were tired, with full and
fuller bags, new ideas to mull over, and session information to share. Hitting the road for con-
necting, learning, and leading was one of the most important pieces of my professional life,
and I can’t wait to do it all over again this year!
You may be thinking that this sounds great, but that you just can’t afford to go to con-
ference this year. After all, there’s no money for professional development, no one’s paying
for travel, and who’s going to cover the media center if I’m out? I might even have to take
personal days and pay for my own sub if I go to conference this year. The conference isn’t
cheap (it’s $100 for registration this year), and even the cost of parking has gone up a bit.
True that. Yet, can you afford NOT to go? THIS is the year and the stakes have never been
higher. Whether we like it or not, prepared or just barely keeping up, whether we’re fixed or
flexed, seasoned professionals or newbies, change-lovers or those who like their traditions
and the status quo, change has arrived. Race to the Top, new Essential Standards, Common
Core adoption, a revision to the Teacher Evaluation process (with the revision of our own
MCPAI-R close behind), and an unprecedented budget shortfall in North Carolina have con-
verged to make this a critical time of opportunity and crisis for our profession. It’s a perfect
storm. It’s about our jobs. It’s about our professional practice. And most of all, it’s about the
impact we have on student learning. You NEED to hit the road for Winston-Salem, to connect,
to learn, and to lead in new ways. The future awaits, the road lies before us -- so buckle up
your seat belt (it will be a bumpy ride) -- enjoy time in the car with your peers, and see you in
Winston-Salem, whatever it takes!
(Continued from page 1)
Don’t forget…… Facebook:
NC School Library Media Association
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/NCSLMA
GoogleGroup:
groups.google.com/group/ncslma
Blog:
www.ncslma.blogspot.com
Wiki:
http://21clibrary.pbworks.com
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Different hat, big shoes at DPI
Effective September 13th, I’ve donned a different hat as the new School Library Media Con-
sultant at NC DPI’s Instructional Technology Division. Along with the new hat, I am stepping
into the big shoes left by the wonderful Gerry Solomon who retired from this position at the
end of May. I’ve spent my first weeks getting connected, learning the ropes, attending nearby
regional meetings, and revving up for the impact of Race to the Top on North Carolina schools.
My new co-workers at DPI have been very welcoming and made me feel right at home. I
sense that they’re are glad to have someone back in place whose vision is focused squarely on
NC school libraries!
If you’re keeping score at home, I’m planning to:
1.) complete my term as NCSLMA President (which ends in Nov. 2010)
2.) fulfill my obligation next year as NCSLMA Past President (Nov. 2010 - Nov. 2011)
3.) serve on the NCSLMA Board as DPI Liaison during my tenure at DPI.
This is an unusual place to inhabit and I appreciate your understanding as I wear these differ-
ent hats, try to meet all my obligations, and keep my worlds from colliding! I’ll make a special
effort to be clear about which hat I’m wearing when I communicate using any of NCSLMA’s
channels (blog, Facebook, Twitter, Google Groups, etc.). If you’re ever confused about where I
stand, please let me know so that I can communicate more clearly.
I will continue to participate in Google Groups as an NCSLMA member and plan to add a new
subscription that allows me to be Kelly@DPI when I need to communicate wearing my DPI hat.
You can reach me at [email protected] when you have concerns that are strictly
NCSLMA business, otherwise feel free to contact me at DPI at [email protected]. I
will continue the practice of blogging that Gerry started, and you can find new posts at my DPI
blog, Staring Straight into the Future.
I’ve very excited about this new opportunity and the chance to meet many of you in your
school libraries. My passion is with school libraries, their place in a 21st century learning envi-
ronment, and their impact on student learning. No matter which hat I’m wearing, in my view
school librarians are the ultimate 21st century educators! I look forward to meeting you soon,
either at NCSLMA’s conference in November or as I travel throughout the state.
-Kelly Brannock
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Thing Librarian Thing Librarian Librarian Thing It’s a
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I always knew I was a little bit different. I still remember how excited I was when I
received this button, proudly announcing “I never guess, I look it up!” I didn’t realize
it was a promotional activity for a major encyclopedia publisher, I was just proud to
have successfully completed the information searches. Unlike my classmates who
were rowdy during Mr. Tumas’ library science class, I was actually interested in how
Dewey structured knowledge … I guess the signs were there that I was destined to be a
librarian. I didn’t pursue it right away, but when I finally did, I felt very much at home in
the discipline and connected with my fellow librarians.
After library school and working in a public library, I was in for a shock when I
took my first job as a school media specialist at a K-8 private school. I was one of dozens
of educators on campus, focused on my program and teaching responsibilities, yet I was
also very alone. It wasn’t until I got wind of a small group of similarly placed school li-
brarians and joined their monthly meetings that I really realized how isolated I was. The
professional association was a life-saver! The collegiality renewed me, the collaboration
supported me, and yes, even commiseration helped, validating common challenges and
providing opportunities for generating solutions – together.
Encouraged by my colleagues, I attended my first professional conference. I en-
joyed inspiring presentations by leaders in librarianship, listened to professional story-
tellers, tried out the latest technological innovations, and attended relevant concurrent
sessions to help me manage the parts of my program where I was most challenged. I
was hooked! Throughout the year I continued to connect with local media folks, all the
while storing up topics to explore when I got to the conference.
Fast forward to today. What a difference a decade (or two) makes! Through
NCSLMA and NC TIES, I get to know others who are working to improve information lit-
eracy and lead their schools in effective technology integration. I don’t have to wait for
a month or a year to connect with my colleagues; I connect online. I can learn about dif-
ferentiated instruction from North Carolina teachers on LEARN NC <http://
www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/every-learner/6680> , find articles teachers need for
teaching current events on NC WiseOwl < http://www.ncwiseowl.org/>, and get tips for
better use of online forums < http://instructify.com/2010/09/07/online-forum-
discussion-board-instructifeature/ > on Instructify. Through professional workshops
and conferences, I have opportunities to lead, share, and to continue to grow profes-
sionally. Most importantly, I am not going it alone.
We may be the only person in our building that does what we do, but somehow
that is not such a tough place to be anymore. When we wonder about something
“outloud” on Twitter, asking, for instance, “When I don't know something I can't rest,
have to find it out. Anyone else or is it just a librarian thing?” we are not talking to our-
selves. Our Media peeps respond!
Stay connected professionally. This year’s NCSLMA conference < http://
www.ncslma.org/Conference.htm> provides the best opportunity for you to network
and learn from others in our stellar state-wide media community. I wouldn’t miss it, and
neither will you. See you there! -Melissa Thibault
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Like so many libraries recently, mine received no funding this year. Even so, I am grate-
ful. Despite the fact that, when all the cards were played, I was left holding an empty bag, I
feel fortunate to have at least had a place at the table and a voice in the budgetary process
at our school. And it is for this reason that, in a year when even my personal budget seems
to be hemorrhaging red ink, I have made attending NCSLMA’s annual conference a priority.
In my experience, too often, when money gets tight, one of the first things cut is the
budget for professional development. Believe me, I get it. When the dollars start to dwin-
dle, it only makes sense to eliminate those line items that don’t represent an immediate
need. And yet, given the tough economic times we find ourselves in, I can’t help but think
that by cutting professional development from the “necessary expense” column that, rather
than trimming the fat, we’re really shooting ourselves in the foot.
As I said, even though my library received no funding this year, I feel fortunate because
at least I had a voice in the discussion that resulted in this decision. But more importantly, I
know that I would never have been included in that discussion had my principal not seen
me as a shareholder in our school’s success and as someone whose knowledge and exper-
tise was needed to determine how school dollars were to be disseminated this year. This is
a role I cherish, but that I must point out was not handed to me on the first day of school
along with my name badge. Rather, the “place at the table” that I am grateful for now was
earned over the course of several years spent proving, to both my principal and the staff at
my school, that I possess the instructional chops, technological know-how and innovative
practice to help make things happen for our students and our school - none of which I could
claim were it not for continued and meaningful professional development.
Now, more than ever, we find ourselves in a position where we must draw a direct line
between ourselves and student achievement. Now, more than ever, we are charged with
leading the way as our schools, and indeed our state, strive, (and in some cases struggle), to
implement 21st century technologies to support and enhance student learning. Now, more
than ever, every day, every lesson, every conversation must be about proving to the world
that we are indispensable members of the school community.
Which is why now, more than ever, our continued growth as learners and professionals
is not an expense we can afford to cut. NCSLMA’s annual conference offers us all the oppor-
tunity to share with and be inspired by the members of our state’s professional learning
community and extended media family. Whether it’s your first or fiftieth time attending,
the contacts, resources and energy you will glean from those few days are, I would respect-
fully submit, well worth the price of admission.
So, as we all struggle to make tough choices regarding our libraries and what little mon-
ies we have to provide services to our schools, I hope you will put professional development
back in the “must have” category. Even though, on paper, it may seem as though going to
conference this year is an expense you can afford to cut, it is my strong belief that profes-
sional development is not a luxury. Rather, it is the very thing that, in the end, will help us
save our jobs and our budgets.
Make Your Library Indispensable: Make Your Library Indispensable: Make Your Library Indispensable: Make Your Library Indispensable: Professional Development is Not a LuxuryProfessional Development is Not a LuxuryProfessional Development is Not a LuxuryProfessional Development is Not a Luxury
-Jennifer LaGarde
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10.Face-to-Face Networking – You’ll connect with 1,000 of your
colleagues: school librarians, library science professors, media and
technology directors, and library school students.
9. Exhibits and Vendors – You’ll connect with vendors who supply
you with the latest resources at great deals.
8. Technology – You’ll learn about new technologies for connecting
students with one another and for creating new knowledge.
7. Pre-conference Sessions – You’ll learn from the experts: state
and national speakers.
6. Concurrent Sessions – You’ll learn from the experts: your fellow
school librarians, influential speakers, and award-winning authors.
5. Advocacy Keynote – You’ll learn how to lead and be an advocate
for yourself, your school library, and your fellow teacher librarians.
4. Connections Luncheon – You’ll connect with national leaders
about the state of school libraries.
3. State Panel Discussion – You’ll learn from our state leadership
who will encourage you to lead the way in your schools and district.
2. Professional Learning Networks – You’ll generate ideas, topics,
and professional conversation starters to Twitter, blog, and post,
connecting with speakers, authors, and colleagues and leading the
profession.
1. Vision – You’ll lead your colleagues by taking on new teaching
and leadership roles to advance 21st
century learning and to impact
student achievement!
Ten W
ays to C
onne
ct, Learn, a
nd Lead at C
onfe
rence
-Deanna Harris
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Have you ever been to an NCSLMA Conference? Do you think it’s not
for you? Are you unwilling to pay the money?
The NCSLMA Conference and membership in the organization is one of the
best values you can get for your money. I’ve been to national conferences
and I have to say that what we have in North Carolina can rival almost any-
thing you can see at a national conference. Many people who went to
AASL’s Conference in Charlotte said the same thing! We are blessed with a
lot of local talent – people who want to share what they know and what
they do.
When I first moved to NC ten years ago I didn’t know anyone at the first
conference I went to but it was still a great experience. I went to a concur-
rent session in each time slot and brought back so many ideas. I was new
to the world of school libraries so I was pretty green. I have been back
every year since and I continue to learn. That’s one key to our profession –
we have to be committed to being lifelong learners just like we strive to
develop that in our students.
Over the years I’ve gotten to know many more people in NC and now when
I go to conference it’s like a family reunion. It’s great to see people you
haven’t seen in awhile and to catch up on what has been going on in their
lives. It’s the ultimate renewal for a weary media coordinator. A good
conference can give you a new passion for your job and thoughts on how
you can do your job better.
Maybe all this Web 2.0 stuff is foreign to you and you’re not sure you
want to learn. Well, a conference is a great place to be able to try new
things in a risk-free environment. No one’s observing you or grading your
performance, you’re just there to learn.
With all the budget cuts and job cuts in the past few years we cannot af-
ford to “do the same old thing.” What worked before may not be enough
now. I think most school districts have lost positions and seen a decrease
Why Should I go to Conference? What’s in it for me?
9
in funding. If you want to be saved the next time your system is looking to
make cuts you have to change and adapt with the times. Libraries are no
longer just quiet places where you go to check out a book once in awhile.
Many libraries are dynamic learning centers with a lot going on. When I
interviewed for my first job I said that learning can be noisy and I wasn’t
going to have a silent library. Luckily for me the principal and assistant su-
perintendent agreed with my philosophy.
I love to learn new things. Some people don’t like change but it hap-
pens every day so there’s no escaping it. We have to change and adapt in
order to meet the changing needs of our students and to keep our jobs.
Going to the annual conference is more important than ever - especially in
these tough economic times. Even if you have to pay for the conference
yourself it’s well worth the cost. I’ve had to pay for my own staff develop-
ment for a number of years but I still go. I share a room with a friend I
don’t get to see much anymore and it’s a great way to reconnect and cut
costs. You don’t have to stay at one of the conference hotels if you can’t
afford it since there are other hotels in the area but you can usually fit
more than two people in a room if you’re willing to share.
Please make the commitment to attend this conference, you won’t be
sorry! I am so excited about all the authors and speakers that will be there
as well as the great sessions. Another tip to keep costs down that you
should remember for the future is to figure out what session you could
present at the conference since presenters get their basic registration for
free. I’ve presented a few times and it’s really not that scary. It is some-
times harder to present to your peers but I’ve always had great audiences
with people eager to learn and who are willing to ask questions.
Take the plunge – register for the conference today! You won’t be
sorry. It may be the best money you spend this year. I can’t wait to see all
of you there!
Why Should I go to Conference? What’s in it for me?
-Deb Christensen
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If you’ve been thinking about purchasing AASL’s new Planning Guide,
your membership in NCSLMA can save you some money! (If you don’t know about this new Guide, you need to learn about this excel-
lent new tool for planning, assessment & advocacy.) As an AASL Af-filiate, we can offer a discounted price to our members if we can meet
a minimum bulk order of 50 licenses. If we can assemble a group of 100 members purchasing together, the savings are even greater.
Here are the details:
NCSLMA can obtain a discounted rate for purchasing individual li-
censes to the Planning Guide; you do not need to be an AASL mem-ber to purchase at a reduced rate through NCSLMA in the initial year
of the license.
NCSLMA will make the purchase on one bill, so individual members
would remit their payments to NCSLMA.
The user name for your individual license is associated with your email address, so we would need a user name, email address, and
phone number for each member that purchases a license through NCSLMA’s bulk order.
Annual renewals would have to be done individually and NCSLMA
would not be able to offer a discounted rate for renewals. Only first-time subscriptions are eligible for the discount. AASL members,
however, are eligible for a discount when it’s time to renew.
The bottom line? The prices (including the NCSLMA discount prices) are as follows:
Annual Subscriptions Individual Subscription: $40 per license AASL Member: $36 per license (10% discount) Bulk Orders
50 or more licenses: $32 per license (20% discount) 100 or more licenses: $30 per license (25% discount)
Bundle up and Save on the AASL Planning Guide
11
Bundle up and Save on the AASL Planning Guide Look for an order form on the NCSLMA website coming soon. An an-
nouncement about the availability of the online order form will be posted to Google Groups, Twitter, Facebook, and the NCSLMA blog.
We are not yet able to receive online payments on our site, so after completing the online order form you will need to follow up with your
payment to NCSLMA.
Because we have to meet a minimum threshold for the bulk order,
there will be a cut-off date after which no more orders will be ac-
cepted. In the event we do not achieve the minimum number
needed, your payments will be returned.
This is yet another example of where it pays (or should I say, it
saves) to work together! If you’re thinking about purchasing this ex-cellent tool for planning, assessment, and advocacy, please consider
using NCSLMA to assist you in this purchase -- one more way your
NCSLMA membership works for you! For more information, please contact Kelly Brannock at [email protected]
12
The next issue of Media
Connections will be
published online in
December. The theme is
about Resources & Tools.:
We are looking for articles and examples such
as pathfinders, organizational strategies, web 2.0
tricks, etc. Please consider writing about your
resources and tools in our next issue. Share
your story. The writing deadline is November
10th. Please send articles to Carolyn Vibbert at
[email protected]. Our writing contest
continues….all new writers will be entered in our
contest for a $25 amazon.com gift certificate.
All stock photos were used with permission from
stock.xchng.com Book: Sanja Gjenero Mouse: jaylopez Post-it: BSK
Camera: Patrick Hajzler Colored Squares: Billy Alexander Backgrounds: clix, Ivan
Prole, Nimalan Tharmalin-gam
Thank you to our contributors!
Kelly Brannock Deb Christensen
Deanna Harris Jennifer LaGarde Melissa Thibault
Conference T
ips Study the program guide to pick out what sessions you think are right for you and circle or
highlight the possibilities on the schedule. It’s always good to have a backup planned.
Visit the poster sessions. The people who create these poster sessions had an idea good
enough to win a Read2Succeed grant so it must be good! Maybe you’ll pick up some
ideas.
Visit the vendors and thank them for exhibiting. Vendor fees help pay for the conference
and it’s great to be able to see what’s new and coming in the future.
Make some new friends. Talk to the people you meet in line or at a session before it starts.
Take time to enjoy the conference. Don’t let yourself get too tired or too frazzled that you
don’t have a good time. Eat right and try to get enough sleep – that will help.
Please fill out the evaluations – your opinions do count. Changes are made to future
conferences based on feedback from conferences in the past. Please mention the good
with the bad. If you had a great time, say so! Know that some things are out of
NCSLMA’s control.
Bring address labels or business cards to register for vendor giveaways. It’s always good to
have business cards to swap with new friends too.
Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll do a lot of walking. Dress in layers so if it’s too hot or
too cold you’ll be prepared.
Above all, have a good time and share the great ideas you get with colleagues who couldn’t
attend!