LIRT Spring 2011 Newsletter
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February 1, 2011
TAMUK Conference on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
New Web Site at Midwestern State University
Devin Zimmerman Memorial Stipend
Nominations Wanted for TLA LIRT Awards
Spring 2011 is upon us, and I don’t know about all of you, but my world is a flurry of new students, back to back instruction classes, looming project deadlines, and upcoming conferences. A glorious madness it is, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Well, maybe I’d have it without the incredible-shrinking budget, but that’s another conversation.
I would like to give a big thanks to all of you who presented and participated in the 2nd Annual LIRT Summit in Corpus Christi, Texas. This smaller, more intimate setting has proven to be a great venue for Texas instruction librarians to show off their best practices and latest greatest ideas. I look forward to continuing this tradition. An extra big shout-out is due to Kristen Davis, Denise Landry-Hyde, and Jennifer Anderson of Texas A&M Corpus Christi . These amazing librarians worked tirelessly ensuring that everything ran smoothly on location. We could not have done it without them.
With LIRT Summit behind us, we now look ahead to Annual Conference. LIRT is sponsoring some outstanding programs this year. I am excited to inform you all that LIRT is co-sponsoring an all day pre-conference this year with CULD and DELRT: Go the Extra Mile: Distance Learning Librarianship. Experts Cindy Batman, Liaison to the College of Information at University of North Texas; Jeff Clark, Faculty Emeritus at James Madison University; Celita DeArmond, Reference and Distance Learning Librarian at San Antonio College; and Brad Marcum, Distance Education Program Officer at Eastern Kentucky University will share their knowledge and experience on a wide range of distance learning topics including marketing library services to this unique population, current and future trends, instruction in the asynchronous format, and copyright and fair use. It should be a great day and I encourage all of you to participate.
Also on the slate, LIRT is sponsoring In Our Own Words: Plagiarism Interventions. University of Texas librarians Cindy Fisher, Michele Ostrow, and Meghan Sitar will present on the work they have done with the Plagiarism Intervention program at UT Austin. Immediately following this presentation we will depart for our annual Bites with LIRT lunch. We are still looking for an Austinite to plan the Bites with LIRT lunch, so if anyone out there is interested, please contact me.
More information on instruction oriented programming at TLA will be sent out closer to conference. I can’t wait to see you all in Austin. Don’t forget to check out the information about LIRT Awards nominations. We are hoping to honor some spectacular librarians this year. Til then, have a great semester!
Kelli Wilder, St. Philip’s College
LIRT Chair, 2010-2011
TAMUK Conference on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
"Winds of Change," the 5th TAMUK Conference on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning will be held February 10 and 11, 2011 at the Memorial Student Union Building, Texas A&M University-Kingsville. More detailed information can be found on the conference Web site at http://www.tamuk.edu/cte/conference/webpage.htm.
Keynote speaker is Jose Antonio Bowen, Algar H. Meadows Chair and Professor of Music and Dean of the Meadows School of the Arts, Southern Methodist University. He has been "a pioneer in active learning and the use of technology in the classroom."
New Web Site at Midwestern State University
This semester, Moffett Library at Midwestern State University launched a new web site with a consolidated catalog and database search engine, Primo by Ex Libris. In the past, our usual means of getting the word out was a quick e-mail and perhaps a handout in the campus mail. However, Libraries today can ill afford to sit back and simply wait for their patrons to come to them. With that in mind, we have decided to try several different modes of reaching out to our users. Besides the usual messages through e-mail, campus mail and posters throughout the campus, we plan to do the following:
- Feb. 4th: Faculty and staff are invited to a launch party with refreshments where the new interface will be demonstrated and highlighted
- Feb. 7th -11th: Librarians will make appointments with the various department chairs to demonstrate the new site to the department heads in person on their own office computers.
- Feb. 14th – 18th: Two or three open demonstrations each day at various times. Each period will be hands-on one on one instruction in a computer lab.
- Apr. 10th-16th: During national library in addition to other programs the library will be holding, the library will host a contest to rename the search engine, Primo to better reflect the MSU campus.
We hope that these ventures will be successful. But if not, we remain committed to trying new venues to inform our patronage.
Devin Zimmerman Memorial Stipend
The TLA Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT) is offering a $400 stipend to a librarian involved in library instruction to attend the 2011 TLA Annual Conference. Eligible applicants must be employed as a professional librarian in a Texas library, must be involved in library instruction activities, and must have no more than two years experience in library instruction. The recipient of the stipend must also agree to apply part of the stipend to membership in TLA, if not already a member, agree to become a member of the Library Instruction Round Table, if not already a member, and agree to attend and be recognized at LIRT's annual business meeting at the TLA conference. The recipient must also submit a report and evaluation on the TLA conference and serve on next year's stipend selection committee. Application deadline is February 13, 2011. Visit the LIRT Awards page for more details: http://www.txla.org/groups/LIRT-awards-zimmerman
Nominations Wanted for TLA LIRT Awards
Nominations are needed for the following awards for 2011-2012:
Library Instruction Project of the Year
This award recognizes an innovative or creative library instruction project or initiative in Texas.
Outstanding Service in Library Instruction Award
This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions related to the advancement of library instruction in Texas. Self-nominations for either award are encouraged.
Please send nominations for either award by February 28, 2011.
Please send questions and nominations to Carmen Doering, Chair of the Awards Committee.