Communications Committee

[Jill Sodt]

Hi committee members!

It was suggested at today's meeting that a bullet list of reasons why
professional development benefits your library be developed. I think
this is a fantastic idea since I hear from people that sometimes they
have a hard time getting directors, bosses, administration, boards,
etc. to support attendance at conferences, workshops, and other
professional development opportunities. How about we come up with 10
good reasons? I'll put it into a nice handout/flyer sort of thing that
people can print out if they'd like.

Any questions? Email me at so...@bhc.edu. We are in the midst of
finals week, so it may take me a bit to respond.

[Jill Sodt]

Also, take a look at something Laura shared about volunteering. This
is a good starting point for us.

[Laura L. Barnes]

Here's what I shared in a previous message, via the Special Libraries Association:

One of the bullet points from the Leadership Forum Talk Table involved
developing an elevator speech for members to give to their management about
what their libraries get out of member involvement/volunteering within the
association. Today, I received an e-mail from SLA with their updated vision
and key areas of focus. One of the areas is:

*Creating Richer Volunteer Experiences to Develop In-Demand Skills: 

> A fulfilled association vision will depend heavily upon SLA's
> volunteer force - -the network that gives the association its strength and
> relevance. What better incentive to become active in the association than
> the fact that it will benefit your career down the road? New skills picked
> up as volunteers in our chapters and divisions may just be the stepping
> stones to a promotion or achievement at work. Added focus will be placed on
> creating richer volunteer experiences in the areas of web development
> (search engine optimization, plug-in development and research), marketing
> (developing a marketing plan for local events and programs), program
> management (overseeing budgets, fund raising with local vendor
> communities), and more. SLA's volunteers will be powerfully well-rounded in
> the years to come.

On Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 3:32 PM, Jill Sodt <jill...@gmail.com> wrote:

Also, take a look at something Laura shared about volunteering. This
is a good starting point for us.

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Laura L. Barnes, M.S.L.I.S.
Librarian
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Prairie Research Institute
Illinois Sustainable Technology Center
One Hazelwood Dr. Champaign, IL 61821
Phone: (217) 333-8957 Fax: (217) 333-8944

[Michelle Roubal]

Thanks, Laura! I like that SLA list, I saw that when you sent it in November and it got me to thinking ….

 

As important as it is to emphasize the skill-building aspects, I think there are a number of other messages we might want to convey to reluctant directors/administrators, so I am going to come at this from a totally different angle below:

 

·         Volunteering to serve the profession, especially via ILA, raises the profile of your library.

·         When other librarians see your staff doing programs, serving on committees, writing articles for the ILA reporter, etc. they learn more about your Library and its culture.

·         Excellent candidates for library jobs will gravitate to libraries that have such a raised profile.

·         In addition, those new to the profession will be interested in high profile libraries that support professional development.

·         Your library staff who attend these committee meetings, conferences, etc. are marketing your library to their colleagues.

·         If you wish to both retain and attract the best and the brightest to your team, it is imperative that you support staff volunteerism through ILA

 

Those thoughts have been jangling about in my head for a bit, since I saw Laura’s initial email, figured it was about time I get them down in writing.

 

They might be a separate area of discussion, as they don’t specifically address skills, but I thought I’d throw it out there now.

 

Jill – I like your idea of a top ten list. Thanks for getting the discussion started - M

 

Michelle Y. Roubal

Head of Reference and Reader Services

Plainfield Public Library District

15025 S. Illinois St.

Plainfield, IL 60544

Phone: 815-436-6639 x236

email: mro...@plainfieldpubliclibrary.org

[Mary Soucie]

Posted to PUBLIB, excuse duplication...

There are many reasons to join your state library association, also known as an ALA Chapter. Besides receiving discounts for attending their annual  conferences,  your state library association provides networking, mentoring, and all kinds of other opportunities and services! Most importantly, you have the opportunity to contribute to your state association’s efforts to advocate for the library profession and your own state's libraries. Visit ALA’s state and regional chapters page and contact your state library association for how to join today!

 

Source: Why You Should Join Your State Library Association, ALA Membership blog

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Mary J. Soucie 
Library Director
Three Rivers  Public Library District
Channahon/Minooka IL
815-467-6200 x303

Enrich, Educate, Entertain, Evolve

[Laura L. Barnes]

Michelle, this is excellent. SLA's list was intended to be a springboard for discussion. I think that in the special library environment, skill-building tasks are easier to sell to the non-librarians who information professionals generally report to. Your list speaks more to public librarians, in particular, but also academics. I think it also works well for school librarians (particularly the raised profile bullet). Considering that the majority of ILA's members are in those two types of libraries, that's an important thing to consider. They're also more intangible benefits, which sometimes get lost in the shuffle. One thing I'd add to the list (which sums up my experience with professional involvement):

-- By talking with and learning from professionals from other types of libraries (and from professionals outside of the library field), your staff members broaden their professional world view and begin thinking about programs and services in new ways. This improves *your* library's programs and services because your staff members have a broader, more diverse perspective. Such learning doesn't just happen at conferences. It also happens by working toward a common goal on association committees with information professionals from different organizations.

Laura B.

On Tue, Dec 13, 2011 at 11:34 AM, Michelle Roubal <mro...@plainfieldpubliclibrary.org> wrote:

Thanks, Laura! I like that SLA list, I saw that when you sent it in November and it got me to thinking ….

 

As important as it is to emphasize the skill-building aspects, I think there are a number of other messages we might want to convey to reluctant directors/administrators, so I am going to come at this from a totally different angle below:

 

·         Volunteering to serve the profession, especially via ILA, raises the profile of your library.

·         When other librarians see your staff doing programs, serving on committees, writing articles for the ILA reporter, etc. they learn more about your Library and its culture.

·         Excellent candidates for library jobs will gravitate to libraries that have such a raised profile.

·         In addition, those new to the profession will be interested in high profile libraries that support professional development.

·         Your library staff who attend these committee meetings, conferences, etc. are marketing your library to their colleagues.

·         If you wish to both retain and attract the best and the brightest to your team, it is imperative that you support staff volunteerism through ILA

 

Those thoughts have been jangling about in my head for a bit, since I saw Laura’s initial email, figured it was about time I get them down in writing.

 

They might be a separate area of discussion, as they don’t specifically address skills, but I thought I’d throw it out there now.

 

Jill – I like your idea of a top ten list. Thanks for getting the discussion started - M

 

Michelle Y. Roubal

Head of Reference and Reader Services

Plainfield Public Library District

15025 S. Illinois St.

Plainfield, IL 60544

Phone: 815-436-6639 x236

email: mro...@plainfieldpubliclibrary.org

 

 

From: ila...@googlegroups.com [mailto:ila...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Laura L. Barnes
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 8:36 AM
To: Jill Sodt
Cc: ILA Leadership Forum
Subject: Re: [ilalead] Re: Communications Committee

 

Here's what I shared in a previous message, via the Special Libraries Association:

[Brown, Vandella]

I also like Michele’s focus.  It pin-points results.  A this is what you get when you get involved with ILA…  And of course, there should be a focus on what can you give—by volunteering… with an continued focus on what you get--- involving skills and career building.

 

Vandella Brown
Diversity Program Manager
Illinois State Library
Gwendolyn Brooks Building
300 S. Second Street
Springfield, Illinois 62701-1877
Voice: 217-785-9075
Fax: 217-782-1877
Email: vbr...@ilsos.net
Toll-Free: 1-800-665-5576 Option 1
www.cyberdriveillinois.com
Jesse White, Illinois Secretary of State & State Librarian

Diversifying Diversity In Illinois Libraries

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[Michelle Roubal]

Thanks, everybody!

 

I think some administrators believe that learning can simply come from training, so why all this constant, on-going committee work, etc.?

 

If we alert them to the advantages to the library, above and beyond the benefit to individual (sadly, continuing ed and networking can be seen by some as simply preparing the staff member for his or her next job), we might secure greater institutional buy-in and release time for those who would like to be more involved in ILA.

 

Here’s another avenue to explore:

 

·         Library work is becoming more instructional in nature, yet many librarians have not had formal training or experience in instruction or public speaking

·         Library budgets are stagnant or shrinking, so hiring outside trainers and program presenters has become prohibitive

·         Encouraging staff to becoming involved in ILA provides an avenue for those libraries who would like to grow their own in this area

·         Opportunities for getting experience abound: one can present programs, speak on a panel, offer a talk table, act as a moderator, etc.

·         Since so much of what we do is done as a team, even those who are shy, afraid of public speaking, or simply inexperienced, can grow their presentation skills within the relative “safety” of a group

·         The benefits to the library are clear, you are developing staff who are capable of public speaking - whether it is giving a tour to the local boy scouts, demonstrating a database to members of the Chamber of Commerce or teaching seniors how to use email

[Jill Sodt]

I've been following your comments as I've had time this week and you
all are rocking! :) I like the idea of offering value both to
ourselves and our libraries by our training and volunteering.
Excellent!

[Brown, Vandella]

Yes that great. May I add this to the list:

 

. Knowledge is power, but is powerless until it is activated or set is in motion.  ILA offers those opportunities to empower.

 

Vandella Brown
Diversity Program Manager
Illinois State Library
Gwendolyn Brooks Building
300 S. Second Street
Springfield, Illinois 62701-1877
Voice: 217-785-9075
Fax: 217-782-1877
Email: vbr...@ilsos.net
Toll-Free: 1-800-665-5576 Option 1
www.cyberdriveillinois.com
Jesse White, Illinois Secretary of State & State Librarian

Diversifying Diversity In Illinois Libraries