T E X A S    L I B R A R Y    A S S O C I A T I O N

TLA Strategic Initiatives CE Series

The fall TLJ articles and CE webinars featured Julie Beth Todaro, Susan Mann, and Robert Walton. The winter issue includes articles by Liz Bishoff, Alexandra Simons, Jeremy Donald, and Mayra Diaz & Leigh Ann Jones.

Keys to Sustainable Digital Collaboratives             REGISTRATION
Friday, February 12, 11am -12 noon

Liz Bishoff will expand her Texas Library Journal article by providing specific strategies and examples for developing initial and on-going work and business plans, as well as guidance on negotiating the complex process of continuing funding and energy. Learn how to make digital collaboratives an effective means of increasing user access to critical information.  

Liz Bishoff is BCR’s director of Digital & Preservation Services. She works with librarians, archivists, museum professionals and other cultural heritage staff to identify, plan and incorporate digital content into their programs and services. Liz brings to BCR extensive experience in developing collaborative digital programs, assessment of digital initiatives, digital preservation readiness assessment and development of innovative digital programs. Much of the work that Liz has done has been undertaken in multi-cultural heritage community, facilitating newly emerging digital groups. Liz has her MLS from Dominican University and has completed graduate work in public administration from Roosevelt University.

Read Liz Bishoff's article in the Texas Library Journal.

Innovative Approaches in Partnerships between Academic Librarians and Faculty
REGISTRATION
Tuesday, February 16, 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Join Alex Simons and Jeremy Donald for a continuing education webinar on February16 to expand on the topic of academic librarian and faculty collaboration. Alexandra Simons discusses the special nature of faculty collaboration and shares examples of activities at UH. She will also address strategies for overcoming challenges (procedures and attitudes) and assessment of efforts. Jeremy Donald will provide additional details about his instructional design model for delivering instruction to meet students’ needs, address course requirements, maximize library services and resources, and facilitate the learning process.    

Alexandra (Alex) Simons is the History/Political Science/Gov Docs librarian at the University of Houston. Alex works closely with her fellow librarians on information literacy instruction for undergraduate and graduate students. She also collaborates with faculty on library instruction for subject-specific classes, as well as collection development. To complement these efforts, Alex has created several online subject and class guides. She is also is very interested in how best to incorporate library resources in distance learning, especially for adult learners returning to higher education after being away from it for many years.  Alex graduated from the University of North Texas with an MLS degree in 2006 and thinks that being a librarian is the best job she’s ever had.

Jeremy Donald is a Faculty Technology Liaison at Trinity University, where he formerly served as an instruction librarian. Working in tandem with instruction librarians, Jeremy's role is to work with faculty to design and implement assignments that utilize technology to achieve information literacy-related learning outcomes. He also supports Geographic Information Systems and development of the library website. Recent projects include overseeing the redesign of the library website and co-teaching PLSI 3329: GIS & Demographics, an upper division GIS course for social science majors. Jeremy completed his Master of Science in Library Science at the Catholic University of America's School of Information and Library Science in 2004.

Alexandra Simons' article in the Texas Library Journal.
Jeremy Donald's article.

It’s All About the Kids: Public and School Libraries Collaborate for Kids    REGISTRATION
Monday, March 1, 3:30 - 4:30 pm

Mayra Díaz and Leigh Ann Jones will provide practical ideas for jointly promoting and offering basic library services, building collections, supporting curriculum activities, and enhancing communication strategies. Learn about some fun and innovative projects and discover how to build a successful partnership between public and school libraries in spite of growing populations, administrative hurdles, and decreased budgets.     

Dr. Leigh Ann Jones is Coordinator of Library Services for Frisco ISD (Frisco, TX), a fast-growth district that has increased from 22 to 44 campuses in the six years she has served in this position. Leigh Ann is former chair of the Texas Lone Star Reading List committee, a TALL Texan, and recipient of the YARI Award. She holds an MLS and Ph.D. from Texas Woman's University.  Leigh Ann enjoys reading YA novels and talking the appeal of book covers, the subject of her dissertation.

Mayra J. Diaz is currently the Youth Services Manager at the Frisco Public Library in Frisco, Texas. She started with the Frisco Public Library in 2005. Her currently role allows her to be a decision maker that is creating a vibrant, innovative and progressive library system for the City of Frisco,  a rapidly growing community of 103,000 people. The Youth Services division of the library has constantly expanding services, collections and programming for the very young population of Frisco. Mayra is also the producer of the Lone Star Storytelling Festival. The festival is the major fundraiser for the Frisco Public Library Foundation.

Dr. Jones and Ms. Diaz's article in the Texas Library Journal.

Success with Online Learning with nationally-known trainer Pat Wagner
FREE webinar on getting the most from Internet-based training! REGISTRATION

February 22    2:00-3:00 pm        For public and academic libraries

Travel for training is becoming a luxury at many libraries. Fortunately, many continuing education providers are offering more and more training over the Internet. Learn how to get the most out of Internet-based training opportunities like webinars, tutorials, and online courses.

Pat Wagner is co-owner of Pattern Research, Inc., a 35-year-old research and training business. She has been working with libraries as a trainer and consultant since 1978, focusing on personnel, management, leadership, marketing, career and strategic planning issues. Pat is also a trainer for LLAMA/ALA Regional Institutes and the Medical Library Association. She is a frequent presenter at state and national library conferences, including ALA, MLA, and SLA, and is also library relations association for LE@D, Lifelong Education At your Desktop, where she provides marketing support, assists users in making the best use of LE@D's classes and services, and contributes to content. Pat has a liberal arts degree with concentrations in performance and written communication. She resides in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, Leif, and their Blue Mink Tonkinese cat, Churchill.

Handout for Success with Online Learning
Flash Recording from January 28 session (school libraries)

  TLA Tutorials

PELSC (Professional Education for Librarians in Small Communities)