Pictures are up!

Book Cart Drill Team

Paralibrarian Section Awards

Paralibrarian Section Business Meeting

Enjoy!

 

MLA Conference 2008

Hi everyone!

What a great conference! I hope everyone was able to attend the workshops they wanted, network, and have some fun!

It was an exciting conference for the Section. We awarded the Outstanding Paralibrarin of the year to Melissa Caissie of Hudson, and the advocate of the Year to Jim Sutton, director of Memorial Hall Library in Andover. 3 people received their PARAs Allison Da Silva and Carol Ann Geary both received the PARA III awards and Wanda Musacchio received the PARA I.

The Stuck in a Rut program went well with guest speakers that were our “Shining Stars” Diane Fay, PL retired, Marnie Oakes 2007 Advocate of the Year, Laurie Christie 2007 Outstanding Paralibrarian of the Year, Helen Graham 2007 PARA recipient. Justin Termini, Vice chair/Membership facilitated the discussion.

The Book Cart Drill Team competition was a huge success! It was attended by over 150 people. 4 teams competed including Andover- first place with their Peter Pan Theme, 2nd place Plymouth Rockettes, Austintations from Sandwich with their Austin powers theme complete with Dr. Evil and Mini Me. and the Rockin’ Robbins from the Robbins Library in Arlington complete with their robins egg nest hates! Everyone did a fantastic job and the scores were really close- I know I was nervous! Can’t wait to see what everyone else is doing next year for Springfield!

If anyone has photos from the conference please send them to me for the archives and also for the slide show. Thanks!

For more info on the workshops you couldn’t attend check the MLA conference blog. http://mlamasslib.blogspot.com/

 

EXCITING things at MLA Conference

Thursday, May 8- 8:30-9:30 am-  Breakfast and Annual Meeting- Meet colleagues from other libraries across the Commonwealth.  Fill your “dance card” with names and earn points for the PARA!

Thursday, May 8- 9:30-10:45 am -Paralibrarian Awards and PARA Presentations- Who is the Outstanding Paralibrarin of the Year and Paralibrarian Advocate?  Come find out who these special people are!  also meet those that have completed the PAralibrarian Recognition of Achievement and find out how you can too!

Thursday May 8- 1:45-3 pm -Stuck in a Rut- Come meet some of the Paralibrarian’s shining stars!

Thursday, May 8- 4-5:30- First Book Cart Drill team Competition! -come watch libraries compete for prizes.  they will dance and move with their carts across the dance floor or get a team together from your library and join in! Guaranteed to be lots of fun! competition sponsored by DEMCO! Yeah!

These programs are  all sponsored by the Paralibrarin section!  Also check out the many other programs!  Make you you have plenty of your “F” forms to earn points for your PARA! and don’t forget to have the speakers sign them!

 

Book Cart Drill Team Competition @ MLA

New prizes!  DEMCO is contributing a $250 gift certificate for first place, $150 for second place and $100 for third place!  Along with that trophies for first, second and third places, Certificates for Best costumes, Best Book cart decorations and “Wow Factor”

Thursday, May 8, 2008, 4pm

Seacrest Hotel and Conference Center, Falmouth, MA

for more info contact Gerry Deyermond 978-623-8400 x35 gdeyermond@mhl.org

or Allison DaSilva at 781- 942-9104  dasilza@noblenet.org

 

PARA Workshop - March 25, 2008

Interested in learning more about the Paralibrarian Recognition of Achievement (PARA)? The Reuben Hoar library gained notoriety in 2007 with 8 of their staff completing the PARA! Come and find out from these PARA recipients what is involved in getting the PARA and how to best achieve it. Network with colleagues, learn more about the PARA program, and get the information you need! Open to anyone who is currently working toward the PARA or who would like to learn more about it.
Register here!
Location: Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton
10:00-12:00

 

2008 MLA Paralibrarian Section Awards Nominations

2008 MLA Paralibrarian Section Awards Nominations

OUTSTANDING Paralibrarian of the Year
and
Paralibrarian Advocate of the Year

For “OUTSTANDING Paralibrarian of the Year”, take a moment to think about a non-MLS colleague who
• Consistently goes beyond the limits of the job title
• Carries their passion beyond the physical building into the community and state level
• Exemplifies the ideal that true professionalism is not limited to professional librarians
• Exhibits adaptability, takes initiative and inspires others
• Is a problem solver with a can-do, professional attitude
• Seeks educational opportunities
• Thinks outside the box

The “Paralibrarian Advocate of the Year” award is for a director, trustee, supervisor, colleague, paralibrarian or anyone else who
• Knows the value of paralibrarians in our libraries
• Works to increase visibility and opportunities for non-MLS staff
• Demonstrates outstanding support for paralibrarians

If you know someone who meets these criteria, why not honor them with a nomination for one of these awards? Just let us know why this person is deserving of the award.

TO NOMINATE SOMEONE, simply attach a letter thoroughly explaining why your nominee should win the award. You will want to give as much detail as possible considering the criteria listed above. All valid nominations must include the following:
• Nominee’s Name
• Nominee’s Library
• Nominee’s Library Director/Supervisor and Contact Information
• Your Name/Library
• Your Phone/Email Address

This is a chance for MLA to publicly honor your deserving colleagues at the 2008 Annual Conference in Falmouth! Submit your nomination now!!

DEADLINE: Nominations must be received NO LATER THAN March 7, 2008.

Nominations can be submitted on-line at www.masslib.org, by email or postal mail to:
Denise Faucher, Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square, Worcester, MA 01608
dfaucher@cwmars.org

Selection of award winning nominees will be made by the Executive Board of the MLA Paralibrarian Section. A confirming reference check will be conducted on all finalists. Winners need not be members of MLA, however, participation in library organizations such as MLA will be given special note. All award decisions are final.

 

First Book Cart Drill Team Competition at MLA!

The paralibrarain Section will sponsor the first ever book cart drill team competition a the Massachusetts Library Association Confrence on Thursday, May 8th in Falmouth!!!

 Save the date!

 Get your team together!

This is going to be GREAT!!!!!

More infomation comming soon or contact Gerry Deyermond at 978-623-8400 x35 or gdeyermond@mhl.org

 

PARA Roundtable - October 25

Postponed until Spring!
PARA Roundtable
October 25, 2007
10:00 -12:00
Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton
Interested in learning more about the Paralibrarian Recognition of Achievement (PARA)? The Reuben Hoar library gained notoriety in 2007 with 8 of their staff completing the PARA! Come and find out from these PARA recipients what is involved in getting the PARA and how to best achieve it. Network with colleagues, learn more about the PARA program, and get the information you need! Open to anyone who is currently working toward the PARA or who would like to learn more about it.

 

New Officers! and meeting schedule for 2007-2008

The new officers of the Paralibrarian Section of MLA have been elected. They are:
• Gerry Deyermond, Chairperson, Memorial Hall Library, Andover / 978-623-8400 / gdeyermond@mhl.org
• Justin Termini, Vice-Chairperson, Memorial Hall Library, Andover / 978-623-8400 / Jtermini@mhl.org
• Allison DaSilva, Past Chairperson, Reading Public Library / 781-942-9104 / dasilva@noblenet.org
• Gael Nappa, Treasurer, Haverhill Public Library / 978-373-1586 / gnappa@mvlc.org
• Diane McNally, Secretary, Marlborough Public Library / 508-624-6996 / dmcnally@cwmars.org
• Jeanne Sill, Conference Committee Liaison, Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton / 978-486-4046 / jsill@mvlc.org
• Debbie Pennino, Career Development, Northeastern University / dpennino@neu.edu

Please contact any of the above, if you are interested in learning more about the Paralibrarian section. The Paralibrarians would like to know you and how better we can serve you as your Section of MLA.

There will be PARA review roundtables over the summer and early fall, especially for those considering pursuing a PARA. For more information on the PARA go to: http://www.masslib.org/PARAProgram/

The Paralibrarians would like to thank MLA and Metrowest Printing, 160 Main Street, Marlborough MA 01752, who have been very generous in their support of our endeavors.

The 2007-2008 Paralibrarian Meetings are as follows:

September 13,2007, Thursday 10am – 1:00, Memorial Hall Library, Andover
November 1, 2007 – 10:00-12:00, The Morse Library, Natick
December 6, 2007 - 10:00-12:00. Memorial Hall Library, Andover (12/13 Snow date)
January 10, 2008 – 10:00-12:00, The Morse Library, Natick (1/17 snow date)
February 14,2008 – 10:00-12:00,,Memorial Library, Andover (2/21 snow date)
March 20 – 10:00-1:00, The Morse Library in Natick (3/27 snow date)
April 17 - 10:00-12:00, Memorial Library, Andover
May 7-8-9 - Conference at Sea Crest in Falmouth
June 5 - 10:00-12:00, The Morse Library, Natick

 

Cross training ops

Kathy from Arlington recently asked about cross training opportunities for paralibrarians, and perhaps there are other paralibrarians who have similar questions.

The MLA Paralibrarian Section does not do any skills training, however the Board of Library Commissioners and the Regional Offices often offer trainings.

Look into the Basic Library Techniques trainings (BLT).  This is a series of 4 trainings in

• Library administration
• Reference
• Cataloging
• Materials selection.

The courses were designed for non-MLS degreed library directors of towns with populations under 10,000. With a BLT certified director, these libraries will qualify for state funds.  However, for paralibrarians who are not directors, the information provided can be excellent cross training to understand the overall function of a library.   For non-directors, it isn’t necessary to take all 4 trainings, unless you need or want to receive the certificate. Any one of the courses offers great information.

In addition, you may find that the Regional Offices provide trainings on various subjects, and they are always looking for more ideas.  If you are interested in a specific kind of training, you can be sure there are other people with the same interest who will be happy you suggested it.

The Paralibrarian Section offers the PARA - PAralibrarian Recognition of Achievement.   This is a program to recognize all the professional activities a paralibrarian has accomplished, and offers a Notice of Achievement.  Once you have taken trainings or attended workshops and conferences, check out the PARA as a tool to recognize your strengths as a member of the library team.

For BLT info, go to :    http://mblc.state.ma.us/grants/state_aid/certification/blt_information.php

The schedule of trainings and locations in each of the Regions:   http://www.wmrls.org/ce/basic.html

For more information on the PARA go to:  http://www.masslib.org/PARAProgram/index.html