WLA-SSS Annual Professional Development Conference

WLA Support Staff Section board is happy to declare this year’s professional development conference, Growth, Change, and Renewal, as a cozy success! The one-day event, co-sponsored by the MATC Libraries, was held on Wednesday, May 20th in Madison at the MATC Truax Campus. Although participation was lower this year, the group was treated to a strong program with presentations on a number of engaging topics. Read about the program below and access slide shows and handouts from most of the presentations.
The board is always looking for more people (like you!) to participate in conference planning or with the Section in general. If you or someone you know would like to get involved with Support Staff, please contact Catherine Phan at chphan [at] uwalumni [dot] com.

GROWTH, CHANGE, & RENEWAL
THE 2009 WLA-SSS ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

PROGRAM

9:45-10:45am Keynote
The Cross-Generational Workforce
Rachel Singer Gordon, Consulting Editor, Information Today, Inc. Book Publishing Division
Today's multigenerational library workforce faces a number of both internal and external challenges. To meet these challenges, we need to learn how to work together effectively and draw on individuals' unique strengths. In a graying profession, we also need to pay attention to succession planning, passing on institutional wisdom, and recruiting, retaining, and mentoring the next generation of librarians.
Topics include:

What defines generations -- and why people tend to resist definition
Why it is essential in a 21st-Century library that multiple generations cooperate and collaborate
Ways to overcome communication gaps and prevent misunderstandings between generations
Ways to recruit, retain, and mentor the next generation of librarians -- emphasizing that creating an environment where NextGens thrive benefits libraries as a whole

Understanding generational differences, and clearing up misperceptions, can help us overcome workplace challenges and plan for a successful future

.
11:00-12:00pm Morning presentation
What's Certification Have to Do With Me? Am I Missing Something?
Jenifer Grady, Director, ALA-Allied Professional Organization
Voluntary certification through the Library Support Staff Certification Program (LSSCP) will redefine how you think about yourself by expanding your perspective and your skill sets beyond your immediate place in your library. The LSSCP program will address your current and future professional development needs and the service needs of your employers and communities by preparing you to better understand and participate in the broader issues that are affecting your work. This discussion will describe the program’s inspiration, development and progress. Throughout our conversation, you will be encouraged to begin thinking about whether this opportunity should be part of your professional goals.
Power Point | FAQ (pdf)

AFTERNOON PRESENTATIONS:

1st session: 1:00-2:00pm

Library Advocacy Now
Paul Nelson, Adjunct Assistant Professor, UW-Madison School of Library and Information Studies
Straightforward guidelines and practical advice on how to build grassroots support for your library and the larger organizations to which your library belongs. Learn the 4 P’s of advocacy: the purpose, the players, the process, the plan.
Advocacy Handout (pdf) |

Madison Vet Center Service to Combat Veterans and their Loved Ones
Jennifer Gruba, MFT (Iraq Veteran) and Dave Hosking, GWOT Outreach Specialist (Iraq and Vietnam Veteran), Madison Vet Center
Learn about the issues that may be facing your veteran patrons with representatives from the Madison Vet Center, which is part of the Federal Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The Madison Vet Center is staffed fully by veterans and is a wonderful resource about veterans' issues in general. The presenters will talk about the specific services the Vet Center provides for combat veterans and their loved ones at no cost to them. They will also discuss general resources available at the Federal, State, County levels as well as various private community resources.
Vet Center Handout (MS Word)

Jing’s the Thing, Zotero’s My Hero! On-the-Fly Tutorials & On-the-Spot Research Management
Amanda Werhane, Academic Librarian, UW-Madison Steenbock Agricultural Library
They say a picture is worth a thousand words…make your own short instructional videos for staff and patrons with Jing, an online screen capture tool that’s easy to learn. Show patrons how to stay on top of their research with Zotero, a tool for organizing and citing documents and websites. Get to know these two terrific FREE new tools.
Power Point

2nd session: 2:15-3:15pm

Web 2.0 Technologies: What They Are, and What's In It For You
Joy Schwarz, Web Librarian, Winnefox Library System
If you've heard buzzwords like Web 2.0, blogs, wikis, and RSS but aren't sure what the heck they are, this session will offer info on understanding how Web 2.0 stuff works, and how it can work for you.
Web 2.0 Handout (pdf)

Think Tank: Getting the Best Ideas from your Entire Group
Leah Ujda, Metadata Librarian, and Melissa McLimans, Digital Services Librarian, University of Wisconsin Digital Collections Center
Learn about the University of Wisconsin Digital Collection Center's mission to make sure that it's not just all about what the boss says. In the think tank we have generated and implemented ideas, ranging from new ways to do our daily tasks to innovative methods to publicize our collections. Discover how the UWDCC has brought all of its team members to the table and boosted participation in long and short term strategic planning, while still having fun.
Power Point

Reference Resources: From Print to Digital
Paul Nelson, Adjunct Assistant Professor, UW-Madison School of Library and Information Studies
Gain a clearer understanding of the shift in reference services from print to digital formats. What books still deserve to be retained in my collection? What are the best go-to websites for information on popular topics? How do I keep myself up-to-date? Nelson will also share his longtime workshop favorite, “Top 40 Reference Titles”, now updated to include both print and digital resources.
Reference Handout (pdf)