Fall Program Recap and Materials

Shape-Shifting lightning presenters take questions from the audience. Photo courtesy of Kimberly F. Yang.

ACRL MD held its 2017 fall program on November 6, at Towson University in Northeastern Maryland. “Shape Shifting: Academic Libraries and Change Agents” drew forty-three attendees from throughout the state and a couple even traveled from Pennsylvania! Because change management concerns all levels of library workers, we had the opportunity to connect with and learn from paraprofessionals, librarians, and managers who are actively initiating change in their libraries. In areas as diverse as usability, social media, library scholarship, copyright, and human resources, program participants shared their ideas and experiences as change agents, shifting the shape and direction of their organizations.

Keynote

We Are Makers of Change: Creating Our Shared Future

The keynote address was given by Lauren Pressley, ACRL Vice President/President Elect, Director of the University of Washington Tacoma Library and Associate Dean of University Libraries.

Lauren’s talk highlighted imperatives for change in higher education, and consequently academic libraries. These familiar topics include the dynamic information environment and conversations of diversity and inclusion. Using frameworks like Bolman and Deal’s Four Frames, or a Strengths and Appreciate Inquiry perspective can help us organize and gain insight within our contexts. Lauren’s recommendations for being a change agent, from whatever position you hold, emphasized characteristics which we can adopt and hone. These include being adaptable, taking a problem-solving approach, and engaging people and relationships. The talk concluded with a tour of the tools our professional organization and networks can provide to support our efforts in making positive change.

Takeaway: Anyone can be a change agent. If you are not the one who sets the organizational agenda, communicates priorities, or distributes resources, you can still shape your environment by employing the tools, opportunities, relationships, and challenges in your environment, as well as your own abilities, to drive toward your vision.

Deep dives

In two concurrent 45-minute sessions, presenters gave in-depth demonstrations showing how they acted as change agents by implementing specific projects at their libraries.

Adobe Spark Your Social Media to Enhance Your Communications

Emily Spangler, Library Services Specialist, The Universities at Shady Grove

Leah Rufus, Graduate Assistant, The Universities at Shady Grove

Emily and Leah have evolved Priddy Library’s social media program into a robust web presence. They manage the library’s Facebook and Instagram posts through scheduling software and thoughtful approaches to content, keeping in mind audience, inclusivity, and efficiency. The presentation focused on Adobe Spark, free software with which you can produce attractive graphics even if you don’t have design experience. Emily and Leah also showed how they leveraged the talents of student workers, turning the students’ internships into a positive, creative experience.

Takeaway: With careful planning, even a library with a small, busy staff can create a dynamic social media presence.

Becoming More Agile: Web Change Management and the Academic Library Website

Julia Caffrey, Web Services Librarian, Towson University Libraries

Bill Helman, IT Librarian, Towson University Libraries

Traditionally, libraries wait a long time to redesign their websites, at which point major changes are needed, making the project potentially overwhelming. Julia and Bill introduced us to an agile alternative employed by software development teams: the Scrum method enables you to roll out website improvements on a regular basis. Scrum emphasizes collaboration with users and responsiveness to needs rather than adhering to an inflexible plan.

Takeaway: Don’t wait until your library website needs a drastic overhaul. Employ agile methodologies to make regular, incremental changes. Such a model benefits your users and your staff.

Lightning Talks

Seven presenters spoke for 5-7 minutes each in a fun, informative round of lightning talks. The audience exchanged ideas with all presenters in a Q&A afterwards.

Influencing Change: What We Can Learn from Diffusion of Innovations

Kimberly Miller, Learning Technologies Librarian, Towson University

Kimberly showed how librarians can apply ideas set forth in Everett M. Rogers’ book, Diffusion of Innovations. By understanding networks within the library, we can leverage the influence of opinion leaders and innovation champions.

Takeaway: Applying innovation-management theory can bring practical results in your library.

Research and Replication Together

Mike Kiel, Reference/Instruction Librarian, University of Baltimore

Mike proposes that Maryland academic librarians team up to replicate research studies from library literature. There is a need for that kind of research, and it can include partnerships with public librarians, too.

Takeaway: Maryland academic librarians can learn valuable research skills, pursue publication opportunities, and further library science by replicating research studies.

Revamping Building Use Statistics: From Paper Forms to Google Forms and Dashboards

Kyle Breneman, Integrated Digital Services Librarian, University of Baltimore

Kyle transformed the way that his library captures building-use statistics, moving from a handwritten tabulation to Google Forms: the result is a more efficient process and more useful data.

Takeaway: Thoughtful adoption of tech tools can bring improved workflows and actionable information to your library.

Change that Link: A Simple Tool for Managing Off-Campus Links to E-Resources

Kimberly Arleth, Electronic Resources Librarian, Loyola Notre Dame Library

Julia Caffrey, Web Services Librarian, Towson University Libraries

Kimberly and Julia showed the value of open-source code to help create persistent links for off-campus users. The code can be useful during a proxy migration and adapted to the needs of different libraries.

Takeaway: A tool that easily creates proxied links to database resources will be welcome by library staff and users alike.  

I Am Not a Lawyer: Providing Copyright Services in Libraries

Danielle Whren Johnson, Copyright and Special Projects Librarian, Loyola Notre Dame Library

Though most academic librarians are not in a position to give legal advice, we can be campus leaders in copyright education. Danielle shared ways to prepare staff to provide much-needed answers to copyright questions.

Takeaway: Short of offering legal advice, librarians are uniquely qualified to offer copyright services to faculty, students, and campus staff.

Conversion of the Branch Library to a 24/7 Professional Model

Cindy Frank, Architecture Librarian, University of Maryland

Employing the talents of architecture students themselves, Cindy redesigned and transformed the UMD Architecture Library into a multi-use space accessible 24 hours a day.

Takeaway: Increase gate-counts and user engagement by reimagining the service model of a campus branch-library.

Supporting Library Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Varying Abilities

Claire Holmes, Assistant University Librarian for Research & Instruction, Towson University Libraries

Claire showed how academic libraries can become leaders in campus programs that hire workers whose abilities match selected jobs. The jobs themselves are valuable opportunities and can also lead to further employment for differently-abled workers.

Takeaway: Individuals with varying abilities benefit from working in an academic library, and the library will benefit, too!  

Regional events omnibus

A few regional events that may interest academic librarians this fall-winter:

Fact, False, or Just Flawed: Critically Examining News in the Age of Truthiness

ACRL Delaware Valley Chapter’s Fall 2017 Conference | November 17, 2017 | University of Pennsylvania Law School

The current political climate has called into question basic ideals of information quality. Objectivity, bias, opinion, fact, and evidence are thrown into question at every turn. The old standbys for teaching source evaluation now seem insufficient. So how do we teach our students to be smart and ethical information consumers and producers? We will hear from media scholars and journalists about professional practices and principles and the impact of technology and other forces that shape the news. We will also hear from librarians who are using innovative methods for teaching students to critically examine sources of information.
The program will consist of a keynote presentation, panel discussion, lighting talks, and end with a Chapter meeting. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

2017 MD Tech Connect: It’s More Than Technology, ​It’s The Story

December 8, 2017 | Priddy Library – Universities at Shady Grove | Cost: Free

Registration is open to staff from all types of libraries in Maryland, Virginia and DC. Registration is free, but space is limited.

More than ever technology is becoming integral to our libraries – from the experiences we provide for customers to the tools we use to serve them. This third MD Tech Connect 2017 is designed to continue the work of the past two years in building a library technology community in Maryland that is more inclusive than in the past – recognizing that our tech efforts touch ALL library staff, not just IT staff. The intended audience is “IT staff”, “technologists” and “technology enthusiasts.” The event is designed to bridge these various library technology worlds to be inclusive of all library staff.

Advancing Postsecondary Student Success Through OER: A Statewide Summit on Open Educational Resources in Higher Education

December 8, 2017 | College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center | Cost: Free

NOTE: Registration is at currently at capacity.  Organizers are working to extend capacity for the event.  If you would like to be placed on a wait list, please register! 

A day-long summit that will bring together faculty, instructional designers, librarians, and administrators from across Maryland’s higher education institutions to explore the promise of using open educational resources (OER) to replace costly textbooks with affordable, high-quality learning materials while giving instructors the opportunity to repurpose content to meet their students’ needs.

Register now! Shape Shifting: Academic Libraries and Change Agents

ACRL MD’s Fall program 2017 is taking shape and you won’t want to miss it!

Registration

Register online before Friday, October 27th, 2017. You can also contact the Maryland Library Association office by phone at 410-947-5090. Members: $35, Nonmembers: $53, Students: $30

Keynote

Lauren Pressley, ACRL Vice President/President Elect, Director of the University of Washington Tacoma Library and Associate Dean of University Libraries, will share her vision for leading the way toward growth and new ideas in academic libraries.

Program

This engaging program will address the new roles and changing landscapes that each of us faces every day, whatever our role. Check-in begins at 9:00 AM. The program will begin at 9:30 AM. Light breakfast and lunch are included in the cost. Monday, November 6, 2017. 9 am – 3:15 pm. Towson University in Northeastern Maryland. 510 Thomas Run Rd, Belair, MD 21015.

9:00           Check-in and Breakfast

9:30           Keynote

10:45         Break

11:00         Deep Dives (choose one)

Becoming More Agile: Web Change Management and the Academic Library Website – Julia Caffrey, Web Services Librarian, Towson University Libraries; Bill Helman, IT Librarian, Towson University Libraries

Observe a case study of a recent redesign of the website for Albert S. Cook Library of Towson University (libraries.towson.edu) with a model for rolling out incremental changes on a regular, iterative basis.  Learn about planning process strategies, “Scrum” and “Agile” methodologies, and change frameworks (from the field of software development). See “before” and “after” shots and hear about the process used to demo, present, and gather feedback from library employee stakeholders.

Adobe Spark Your Social Media to Enhance Your Communications – Emily Spangler, Library Services Specialist, The Universities at Shady Grove; Leah Rufus, Graduate Assistant, The Universities at Shady Grove

Creating a profile for your library with a distinct personality can be a challenge, especially in the current digital age where social media and mobile platforms are patrons’ main sources of interaction and information-gathering. The Priddy Library is using Adobe Spark to upgrade its social media to engage with patrons at their level through the platforms they frequent the most, such as Instagram. Attendees will walk away with practical knowledge on using Adobe Spark and social media practices that can help take your library’s digital marketing to an entirely new level.

11:45         Lunch, Networking, and Business Meeting

1:30           Lightning Talks with Q&A, Discussion

Influencing Change: What We Can Learn from Diffusion of Innovations – Kimberly Miller, Learning Technologies Librarian, Towson University

Research and Replication Together – Mike Kiel, Reference/Instruction Librarian, University of Baltimore

Revamping Building Use Statistics: From Paper Forms to Google Forms and Dashboards – Kyle Breneman, Integrated Digital Services Librarian, University of Baltimore

Change that Link: A Simple Tool for Managing Off-Campus Links to E-Resources – Kimberly Arleth, Electronic Resources Librarian, Loyola Notre Dame Library; Julia Caffrey, Web Services Librarian, Towson University Libraries

I Am Not a Lawyer: Providing Copyright Services in Libraries – Danielle Whren Johnson, Copyright and Special Projects Librarian, Loyola Notre Dame Library

A New Way of Engaging First-Year Students: Library Tailgate Party – Kathleen B. Sterner, Research and Reference Librarian, Mount St. Mary’s University; Julie Shenk, Information Technology Librarian Mount St. Mary’s University (Cannot attend)

Conversion of the Branch Library to a 24/7 Professional Model – Cindy Frank, Architecture Librarian, University of Maryland

Supporting Library Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Varying Abilities – Claire Holmes, Assistant University Librarian for Research & Instruction, Towson University Libraries

3:00           Evaluations

3:15           Adjourn

 

 

Nominations sought for 2018-2019 ACRL MD Officers!

Do you know someone who would be great at leading and shaping this ACRL chapter? Perhaps it’s you! We are seeking candidates for the July 2018-June 2019 terms of Vice President/President-Elect and Secretary. More information about duties of office is detailed below.

Nominations start in October, and election results are announced in May. To be qualified, candidates must have attended at least 1 planning meeting during the year leading up to their nomination and participate in the planning of an ACRL MD program or other event prior to the start of their term. Significant contributions to other aspects of MLA will be considered in place of the other requirements. During their term of office, individuals holding these positions must be registered MLA members.

Please send nominations, including self-nominations to Sara Arnold-Garza (sarnoldgarza@towson.edu) or contact her for more information, if needed.

Created by Nikita Kozin from Noun Project

Vice President/President-Elect
The role of Vice President/President-Elect is a three-year commitment, with varying responsibilities.

As vice-president:

• Serve as the ACRL MD representative on the MLA Conference Committee, including coordinating ACRL MD’s call for proposals and proposal review
• Attend all MLA Conference Committee meetings (varies in-person and virtual)
• Attend all ACRL MD planning meetings
• Assist with other program planning and initiatives
• Contribute content to the ACRL MD blog (acrlmd.wordpress.com) or other social media platforms

As president:

• Plan the fall program
• Attend the Congress of Academic Library Directors (Maryland) meetings as ex-officio (alternating virtual and in-person)
• Attend MLA Executive Board Meetings (held every other month, in person at the MLA office)
• Set agendas and run ACRL MD meetings
• Submit bi-monthly reports to MLA and annual reports to MLA and ACRL Chapters Council
• Attend all ACRL MD planning meetings
• Assist with other program planning and initiatives
• Contribute content to the ACRL MD blog (acrlmd.wordpress.com) or other social media platforms

As past-president:

• Plan the summer program
• Attend all ACRL MD planning meetings
• Assist with other program planning and initiatives
• Contribute content to the ACRL MD blog (acrlmd.wordpress.com) or other social media platforms

Secretary
The role of Secretary is a one year commitment.

• Attend all ACRL MD planning meetings
• Record and publishing the minutes for these minutes
• Communicate events to Marylib and other media channels
• Coordinate meeting schedule with MLA Office
• Assist with other program planning and initiatives
• Post content to official ACRL MD social media accounts

 

Shape Shifting : Academic Libraries and Change Agents (with updated deadline for proposals!)

Program

This engaging program will address the new roles and changing landscapes that each of us faces every day, whatever our role. From transforming organizational cultures and perspectives, to creating services and spaces for emerging student and research needs, our libraries are in constant adjustment. We can all be positive forces for change in our environments, regardless of title. Hear about the experiences of your colleagues and peers through short, inspiring lightning talks and opportunities to dive deeper into aspects of leading change. Program check-in begins at 9:00 AM. The program will begin at 9:30 AM. Light breakfast and lunch are included in the cost of the program. Monday, November 6, 2017. 9 am – 3:15 pm. Towson University in Northeastern Maryland. 510 Thomas Run Rd, Belair, MD 21015.

Keynote

Lauren Pressley, ACRL Vice President/President Elect, Director of the University of Washington Tacoma Library and Associate Dean of University Libraries, will share her vision for leading the way toward growth and new ideas in academic libraries.

Call for Proposals (New Extended Deadline!)

Proposals for 30-45 minute “deep dive” presentations and 5-10 minute lightning talks can be submitted at https://goo.gl/forms/rNnkhaHQvSUqz66a2 until 11:59 pm Sunday, 9/24 October 1. Proposal topics may include new technologies, changes in service models, creating inclusive environments, evolving work roles and competencies, and other models of change. Join us for a day of dynamic ideas in academic libraries and get inspired to enact positive change in your library!

Registration

To attend, please register online before Friday, October 27th, 2017. You can also contact the Maryland Library Association office by phone at 410-947-5090.

Members: $35, Nonmembers: $53, Students: $30

For questions, please contact Sara Arnold-Garza, sarnoldgarza@towson.edu.

New Opportunities – Get involved with an ACRL MD Work Group!

Based on recent feedback and our conversations at our Forum, we are expanding the opportunities for manageable leadership roles and involvement in some key areas of our chapter. The scope of projects and activities will be up to you to shape, in collaboration with ACRL MD officers, based on your available time and ideas. Contact Sara Arnold-Garza sarnoldgarza@towson.edu (except where noted) to express interest in any of the work groups below:

• Membership/outreach
• Social/networking
• Scholarship/sponsorship
• Mentoring/job shadow
• CRAB submissions – contact Claire Holmes cholmes@towson.edu if you would like to help us write for The CRAB (MLA’s quarterly publication), or if you have ideas for articles.

If you have ideas for other work groups, or questions about any of the opportunities, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Business meeting minutes: August 18, 2017

ACRL MD

Meeting Agenda

August 18, 2017

Present: Sara Arnold-Garza, Mike Kiel, Claire Holmes, Kimberly Miller, Morgan Davis, Jean Wolf

2017-2018 meeting schedule: set for 3^rd Fridays, 11 am

Journal club:  facilitator sign-ups are full, Robert Miller and Barbara Cheadle will work together to coordinate

CRAB submissions: Claire has been in touch with Monique and Sean who expressed interest and Monique may write about the Innovative Library Classroom Conference she attended.

Summer forum: ~35 attended and provided valuable feedback. ACRL MD officers are working on developing an action plan and Sara will communicate with membership soon to invite involvement in new opportunities.

MLA Conference: ACRL MD programs call has been posted and a few submissions have come in. Reminders to submit are scheduled. The conference committee is interested in a human library preconference collaboration for academic and public libraries.

Fall program planning: The Program Approval Form has been returned from MLA’s Professional Development Panel with helpful feedback. Sara will follow up to pursue reciprocal pricing with ACRL Delaware Valley Chapter. The planning committee will move to next steps as soon as the finalized program approval is received.

LLAM speaker: ACRL MD is agreeable to help promote a January program with Laura Lippman since LLAM needs to commit to selling 25 copies of the author’s book at the program. Laura Lippman has broad appeal so we can also share this info with MLA members more widely.

Next meeting Friday, Sept 15, 11 am, followed by Journal Club at 11:30-12:30 facilitated by Ed O’Donnell, UMUC

 

ACRL-MD Forum Follow-up

Thanks to all who were able to attend our forum or streamed it at our Facebook page! Most of our agenda was made up of discussion and interaction, but the slides and handouts are available to those who want them.

ACRL MD Forum Slides (PDF)

ACRL-MD Info Summary Handout (PDF)

Many ideas were generated and we plan to use them! Keep an eye out for announcements and follow-up as we review our notes and discuss new possibilities!

If you are interested in volunteering to participate, visit our Volunteer Opportunities page.

If you have questions or need information, visit our Contact Us page.

 

Join the MLA Professional Development Panel!

A great service opportunity passed on from David Dahl, MLA Professional Development Officer:

MLA’s Professional Development Panel (PDP) is currently recruiting new panelists for the 2017-2018 term (ending June 30, 2018). Read below for more information, and, if interested, contact me (ddahl1@umd.edu) with a brief statement of how you meet the eligibility requirements listed below by Friday, July 21st.

PDP serves as the reviewing body for all MLA educational programs and supports MLA members in the planning of MLA programs.

Panelist Responsibilities

• participate in reviewing proposed programs on an ad hoc basis throughout the year; almost all reviews are conducted entirely online through asynchronous discussions using Freedcamp
• serve as PDP liaison to an MLA division or other MLA units; liaisons participate in the unit’s program planning activities
• contribute to the development and execution of the panel’s annual work plan items
• assist as needed in completing bi-monthly unit reports and the panel’s annual report
• participate in meetings of the panel; meetings are held no more frequently than quarterly and are held online
• optional: participate in the Educational Grants Subcommittee that review grant applications semi-annually

Eligibility

Any member of the Maryland Library Association who has served in an appointed or elected office, as officer of a division, interest group, or member who has planned MLA programs or events is eligible to be a panelist. All voting members of the PDP must be current members of the Association. Membership is contingent on approval by the MLA Executive Board.

The panel is a great way to stay involved in MLA and make a significant difference in the professional development of the Maryland library community.

We are especially looking for panelists who could serve as liaisons to the Public Services Division and Technical Services Division.

I hope you’ll consider joining us! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Apply for an MLA Educational Grant – Deadline July 15th

The MLA Professional Development Panel encourages MLA members to submit an application for an MLA Educational Grant.

Grants provide financial support to MLA members for their professional development. Applications are reviewed twice per year. The next deadline for submission is July 15, 2017.

The application process is competitive. Full instructions and details about qualifying activities, award amounts, and selection criteria can be found on the application form: http://www.mdlib.org/files/docs/about/ed_grant.docx. Membership in MLA for a minimum of 6 months prior to the date of application is required.