Author Archive: Erika L. Jenns

Matthew Boyer speaking at the “Immersive and Interactive: Virtual Reality in a Contextually-Rich Learning Environment” session

Virtual Reality as the New Field Trip: The Importance of Place in Learning

By Erika L. Jenns | January 22, 2017

Boyer started the session with the example of the New York Times recently giving its subscribers Google cardboard in order to allow them to view newly published content in a virtual reality format. “The question becomes for all of us, is virtual reality the next content delivery platform?” Boyer said. Technology companies are investing in … Continue reading Virtual Reality as the New Field Trip: The Importance of Place in Learning →

What’s Left To Say about Thomas Jefferson? Everything.

By Erika L. Jenns | January 22, 2017

Gordon-Reed and her co-author, Peter Onuf, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia, each focused on different aspects of Jefferson’s life as they worked together to produce this volume. Gordon-Reed focused on slavery at Monticello and politics, while Onuf covered more social aspects. “We tried to blend together so that we … Continue reading What’s Left To Say about Thomas Jefferson? Everything. →

At the 2016 Rare Books and Manuscripts conference, three panelists discuss outreach with special collections. From left: Christoph Irmscher, Pellom McDaniels III, and Sarah Werner.

Sometimes You Have to See the “Poop” Too

By Erika L. Jenns | June 25, 2016

Updated June 29, 2016 Moderator Erika Dowell, associate director and head of Lilly Library Public Services at IU, opened the plenary by expanding on an outmoded definition of outreach in libraries. In the past, she said, outreach has been defined as “library services that extend beyond the library building. Today, outreach retains these goals but … Continue reading Sometimes You Have to See the “Poop” Too →

At the 2016 Rare Books and Manuscripts Section conference, the panel discusses how to prepare LIS students for the market ahead.

Preparing LIS Students for the Market Ahead

By Erika L. Jenns | June 24, 2016

Meyers began her talk, “Evangelizing for Reference: Teaching the Value of Public Services,” by explaining that for years she thought of herself as a special collections librarian who happened to have a reference component to her job. But she has come to realize that she is actually a reference librarian who happens to work in … Continue reading Preparing LIS Students for the Market Ahead →

From left: Athena Jackson, Paul Ortiz, Michelle Caswell, and Mark Puente

Rough Seas Ahead

By Erika L. Jenns | June 24, 2016

Delivering short talks were Mark Puente, director of diversity and leadership programs at Association of Research Libraries; Paul Ortiz, director of the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program and associate professor of history at the University of Florida; and Michelle Caswell, assistant professor of archival studies in the Department of Information Studies at UCLA. The panel … Continue reading Rough Seas Ahead →

Members of the Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Committee worked their way through a pile of audiobooks in order to create a final list by Sunday.

An Enthusiastic Earful

By Erika L. Jenns | January 13, 2016

Before this session, I had given little thought to the intricacies of the voices I hear when listening to audiobooks, but now my ears will prick up at the sound of the reader taking a breath. My appreciation for sound effects has grown, and my admiration for vocal imitation has spiked. For each clip, the … Continue reading An Enthusiastic Earful →

Amy Wainright, LMaO co-convener, encouraged new members to join the LMaO Facebook group

Overflowing Interest in Outreach

By Erika L. Jenns | January 10, 2016

As a relatively new group, much of the discussion at the session was focused on reaching existing and potential members. The group has a discussion list, acr-iglmo@lists.ala.org, as well as a Facebook page, both of which co-convener Amy Wainright encouraged all attendees to join. The group falls under the ACRL umbrella, but not all members … Continue reading Overflowing Interest in Outreach →

Attendees at the Collection Development Discussion Group

Collaboration and Competition in Collection Development

By Erika L. Jenns | January 10, 2016

To start the discussion, Priddle asked attendees to discuss any new or interesting collections, either at their own institutions or that they had heard about elsewhere. Lois Black, the special collections curator at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, mentioned a donation of 1,100 volumes from an alumnus to her institution. The donation was comprised largely … Continue reading Collaboration and Competition in Collection Development →

Beth Kilmarx (left) and Charlotte Priddle, RBMS Curators and Conservators Discussion Group co-conveners

Just Lines in a Spreadsheet?

By Erika L. Jenns | January 10, 2016

Nearly every special collections repository sends some items to an offsite storage facility. As a result, curators and conservators are dealing with issues related to access to and transport for those materials on an almost daily basis. When attendees were asked to raise a hand if their institution sent special collections materials, manuscript or print, … Continue reading Just Lines in a Spreadsheet? →

Kelly Coyle-Crivelli opens the Penguin Random House Book Buzz Theater session.

Something for Everyone

By Erika L. Jenns | January 10, 2016

Warcraft: Bonds of Brotherhood by Paul Cornell Axiom by Mark Waid Hellboy in Mexico by Mike Mignola; illustrated by Richard Corben, Mick McMahon, Fábio Moon, Gabriel Bá, and Dave Stuart Rivers of London: Body Work by Ben Aaronovitch The Blacklist Vol 1: The Gambler by Nicole Dawn Phillips Archie Vol. 1 by Mark Waid; illustrated by Fiona … Continue reading Something for Everyone →

Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services explains merger between OLOS and Office for Diversity

Moving Beyond the OLOS / Diversity Office Merger

By Erika L. Jenns | January 9, 2016

In its role facilitating the merger, ALA’s Committee on Organization has put forth two changes to the OLOS Advisory Committee, changing its name to the “Equity and Inclusion Office Advisory Committee” and establishing its new mission (reprinted in full below). Unsurprisingly, the announcement of this merger caused concern among the members in attendance at the … Continue reading Moving Beyond the OLOS / Diversity Office Merger →

Dale McNeill, Tiffany Allen, and Elisa Topper at the "Art of Asking: Salary Negotiation for Library Workers" panel.

How to Ask for More: Tips on Salary Negotiation and Beyond

By Erika L. Jenns | June 28, 2015

The session featured three other speakers: Dale McNeill, assistant director of public services, San Antonio Public Library; Elisa Topper, director, McCook (Ill.) Public Library; and Tiffany Allen, director of library human resources, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. To begin, each panelist offered quick tips for salary and benefits negotiation, and then Geraci directed … Continue reading How to Ask for More: Tips on Salary Negotiation and Beyond →

Latest Library Links

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“A new Taylor Swift album is always a big event on the internet, including fans carefully reading into every line for hidden meaning—a little like close reading poetry. But while Swifties have celebrated Taylor Swift’s lyricism from the beginning, no album invites comparisons to literature quite like The Tortured Poets Department, if just for the title. Already, outlets have been putting together reading lists to pair with each song on the album. Here are just a few to get you started.”

Book Riot, Apr. 22
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Chris Hoffman writes: “When I was younger, I was told ‘never use your real name on the internet.’ But the world has changed, and I don’t follow that advice anymore. Likewise, there’s a lot of well-meaning online security advice that has outlasted its usefulness. There’s a core of truth to each one of the security practices I criticize below, but you shouldn’t blindly follow these old tips. At best, you’ll be wasting your time. At worst, you’ll be putting yourself more at risk. Read on to learn more about the five outdated security practices you shouldn’t use anymore.”

PC World, Apr. 17
23h

Bobbi L. Newman writes: “This week, an article from the BBC caught my attention: ‘Without support, many menopausal workers are quitting their jobs.’ Supporting employees going through menopause is important for those experiencing it and for everyone’s wellbeing. It reflects a commitment to employee wellbeing and a strategic approach to workforce management. Libraries can adopt strategies to support employees experiencing menopause, enhancing their wellbeing and workplace productivity. Remember, with all wellbeing, the goal is to support and empower staff to make the choices that best improve their health. Here are some practical approaches.”

Librarian by Day, Apr. 19; BBC, Apr. 9
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Libraries have a long history of helping to deliver on a wide variety of development goals, from literacy and school readiness to research productivity and urban cohesion. Their unique potential has been recognized not just by the governments or others that traditionally fund them, but also by a range of other funders, private and public alike. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions has created a dataset to help librarians easily discover examples of private philanthropic grants, as well as other funding sources, that other libraries have been able to leverage.”

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Apr. 22
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Jackie Jennings writes: “It feels like the debate over whether #BookTok is bad has been raging since the moment the term was first coined. I’m starting off with a strong stance: BookTok is indeed bad. However, the problem with BookTok is not crappy books or bogus influencers. The problem with BookTok is TikTok itself. BookTok isn’t actually a community driven by fans, writers, influencers, or even publishers: it’s part of a social media corporation, controlled by the most mysterious, fickle god of all, the algorithm.” Not surprisingly, librarian recommendations can overcome some of BookTok’s limitations.

Jezebel, Apr. 18; Book Riot, Apr. 22
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ALA announced the launch of its state Intellectual Freedom Helpline grant program April 22. Over the next two years, 10 pilot program sites will operate a confidential reporting system that will help connect those experiencing censorship attempts with professional support, in-state peers, or referral to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, as appropriate. State or school library associations or agencies wishing to either establish an Intellectual Freedom Helpline in their state or expand existing efforts may apply for $10,000 grants through July 14.

ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, Apr. 22
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In celebration of the release of his latest nonfiction title, The Secret Lives of Booksellers & Librarians, bestselling author James Patterson is honoring select American Bookseller Association and American Library Association members with bonuses. He announced plans April 11 to give $200 each to 250 library workers across the country. The deadline for ALA members may nominate members to receive bonuses through April 30. Winners will be announced at ALA’s 2024 Annual Conference in San Diego.

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