Ontario Association of Library Technicians / Association des Bibliotechniciens de 1’Ontario

NewsLETTER/Not4vELLES

From our PresidentTracy Morgan

Don’t be afraid to volunteer. It comes and goes so quickly! Already it ismy last Newsletter as President. What can I say?

Looking forward to Conference of course. Always do. My first Conferencewas a l-o-n-g time ago in a Region far, far, away — Geneva Park. I stillremember my workplace laughing at my expense account — a bus toOrillia when others were booking flights to Florida. I digress. What I reallywanted to talk about was the dance. Yes, there was a dance. Did I knowwhat to expect? No way! Obviously that DJ wasn’t with it either as heplayed a few fast songs (dance floor packed) and then a slow one (or twoor ....) Dr. Phil would ask him today “How’s that workin for ya?”Althoughit wasn’t working for him (I wasn’t sure he ever noticed), it did give almostall the dancers (and I don’t recall being one of them) a chance to rest.There were a few men among us (o.k. maybe just a couple). They werekept busy.

Why wasn’t I on that dance floor? Well it was my first conference. I didn’tknow more than a handful of people. Initially I may have been in as muchshock as that poor DJ. What did he see? A mass of terribly, tackilydressed (I think it was a “tropical” theme) “ladies” dancing with each othermost of the time and likely glaring at him (when he “slowed things down”)the rest of the time. What did I see? A remarkable group of confidentfemales. Women perfectly comfortable in their own skins and comfortablebeing themselves with each other. These people were part of aprofessional association, took their work seriously but not themselves!WOW. Who knew a couple of crazy broads slow dancing with each other(to make a point to a dense DJ) would become mentors? (You can findtheir names among our Presidential Award recipients.) That dance waswhere I began to think of DALT/ABO as family. “Friends are the familyyou choose for yourself.” (Edna Buchanan) Our conferences are safeplaces; welcoming places; places to take chances; places to grow.

OALTIABO Conference - May 9 to 12, 2007

“Equl -Libra”Humber College, Lakeshore Campus

Publication Agreement #40688591

Volume 30, #2April 2007

ISSN: 0229-2645

NewsLETTER/NouvELLES ispublished three times per year inFall, Winter and Spring and isavailable with membership in theOntario Association of LibraryTechnicians / Association desBibliotechniciens de I’Ontario. Wewelcome your feedback as well asyour letters, articles and photos, butmust reserve the right to edit forstyle and space.

Abbey MarketP.O. Box 760101500 Upper Middle Road WestOakville, ON L6M 3H5infooaltabo.on.ca

Editor: Maria Ripleyinfo(oaltabo.on.ca

IN THIS ISSUE:

President’s Message

Future of OALT/ABO

“Jar of Life” Philosophy

Virtual Library Accessibility .. .6

Tour of the Library of Paiament(bilingual article) . .8

Learning Through Distance Ed....13

DayintheLife .17

Outreach

From Library Tech to Librarian . . .26

People News .. .31 continued on p. 2

President’s Messagecontinued from oaae 1

Fast forward to 2003 and Toronto’s “interactive”DJ. Now that man knew his business! There wasone small “problem” with him. He introducedOALT/ABO to props. If you don’t know what I’mreferring to, there are (unfortunately for some ofus) pictures. Another thing? He wasinteractive; he came out from behind the“turntable” to interact with me. His exact words(I’ll never forget) — “Can I try something withyou?” Who knew I could jive? Ballroom dancingclasses never indicated to anyone that I had the“music in me”. Another lesson learned fromQALT/ABO. You can do anything with the rightpartner! I’ll never jive again unless I find that DJand I can’t dance to “Footloose” without SusanMorley (but that’s another story).

If I can get even more philosophical, perhaps theoverwhelming response to that DJ had more todo with us knowing what would work for us andgoing out and finding someone who coulddeliver it! No one knows us like we do. That’swhy we have to do everything we can to keepour “little” Association alive and well. We areunique. We are in charge of our own destiny.We’ve been going since 1973. Only we can stopus now.

Algonquin College LIT Program Has a New Bursary!Submitted by: Mac Nason, LIT Program Coordinator, Algonquin College, Ottawa

Thanks to the generosity of one of Algonquin College’s dedicated retirees students registered in theLibrary and Information Technician program will be able to apply for a new bursary - The Irene Stark

Endowment Fund.

Irene Stark was the first Librarian hired to establish the Eastern Ontario Institute of Technologylibrary. With the amalgamation of EOIT and Algonquin College in 1967, Irene Stark’s leadership wasinstrumental in the establishment of the Algonquin College Rideau Campus Resource Centre.Irene’s passion for libraries and her tireless commitment to her profession were exemplary assets thatensured Algonquin College students and academic staff were able to access research materials andresources in an efficient manner. The Resource Centre was a welcoming place for those visiting tolearn, to study, and to expand their horizons. Students demonstrating strong communication skills, apassion to follow a career path in Information and Library services, an inquiring mind, hard workingand who are highly motivated may apply for the bursary after they have completed second semester.Brenda Rothwell, Executive Director, Algonquin College Foundation says that Irene Stark truly bringsto life Winston Churchill’s quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what wegive.”

This newly established Irene Stark bursary is truly a gift from Irene’s heart.

2007 OALTIABOCONFERENCE

‘Equi-Libra”

Humber CollegeLakeshore Campus, Toronto

May 9-12, 2007

This year’s OALT/ABO conference team isthrilled to have developed a slate oftwenty-six sessions and foursocial/networking events for you to learn,share experiences and grow at “Equi-Libra”!Take a moment to view our conferenceprogram at www.oaltabo.on.ca by clicking onthe conference link — and register today!

Conference Planning Team:Melissa Hall, ChairSusan MorleyKate MorrisonBrenda HoIzMaggie Weaver

Brenda MaxwellSheena BujoldValerie WaltonTracyann Crawford

See you there!

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The future of OALTIABO is in our hands!200712008 Executive Nominations

PRESIDENT (One Year Commitment)+ Stella Clark

• The President is the official representativefor OALT/ABO.

• Upholds the mission and purpose ofOALT/ABO.

• Chairs Executive meetings and AnnualBusiness Meeting.

• Prepares an annual report of Associationactivities for the membership.

PRESIDENT ELECT+ Candidate Required (Two Year Commitment,

President Elect moves to President)• In the absence of the President or at the

request of the President, the PresidentElect shall perform the duties and exercisethe power of the President.

• In the event of the President’s resignation,President Elect shall assume the duties ofthe President if circumstances permit.

• Maintains minutes of all Executivemeetings.

• Prepares and distributes agendas andminutes to the Executive and AppointedOfficers.

TREASURER (One Year Commitment)+ Claudia Scharmann-Persaud

+ Melissa Hall (membership)• Responsible for keeping all financial

records and carrying out all financialtransactions of OALT/ABO.

• Presents a written financial statement tothe Annual Business Meeting and at eachExecutive Meeting.

• Compiles and maintains annualmembership list, directory andsupplements.

• Responds to membership enquiries.

EXTERNAL Communications Coordinator(One Year Commitment)+ Maggie Weaver

• Prepares all OALT/ABO marketing andpublicity.

• Acts as liaison between OALT/ABO andother library associations, Library &Information Technician programs, otherlibrary education courses, OALT/ABOmembers and libraries.

• Coordinates sponsorship.

INTERNAL Communications Coordinator+ Candidate Required (One Year Commitment)

+ Maria Ripley (Newsletter Editor)• Disseminates information about

OALT/ABO, issues and developments inlibrary and information science and librarytechnicians to Association members.

• Coordinates newsletter distribution.• Ensures Website content is current.• Responsible for Listserv.• Prepares Salary Survey.

CONFERENCE COORDINATOR+ Candidate Required (One Year Commitment)

• Responsible for coordinating the annualOALT/ABO Conference (with a volunteerteam) by selecting a location, arrangingprogramming and activities.

• Submits a Conference budget and writtenfinancial statement at the Annual BusinessMeeting and at each Executive Meeting.

• Presents Conference information to theInternal Communications Coordinator fordistribution to the membership.

• Coordinates Conference promotion andsponsorship with the ExternalCommunications Coordinator.

CHAPTER COORDINATOR+ Candidate Required (One Year Commitment)

• Advocates on behalf of Chapters andChapter members.

• Responsible for inter Chaptercommunication

• Provides upcoming information aboutChapter events to the InternalCommunications Coordinator.

• Submits Chapter programming andadditional funding requests to theExecutive for approval.

If you are interested in actively participatingin your association contact Tracy Morgan(President) at morvayqIobalserve. netTelephone: (905) 878-4463

Need convincing? Please read thetestimonials of past presidents within thisnewsletter. Remember, you get out of anassociation what you put into it!Time for you to step-up?

3

The “Jar of Life” Philosophy(Reprinted with permission)

A professor stood before his philosophy classand had some items in front of him. When theclass began, he wordlessly picked up a largeand empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fillit with golf balls. He then asked the students ifthe jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor picked up a box of pebbles andpoured them into the jar. He shook the jarlightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areasbetween the golf balls. He then asked thestudents again if the jar was full. They agreed itwas.

The professor next picked up a box of sand andpoured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filledup everything else. He asked once more if thejar was full. The students responded with aunanimous “yes.”

The professor then produced two cups of coffeefrom under the table and poured the entirecontents into the jar effectively filling the emptyspace between the sand. The students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor as the laughtersubsided, “I want you to recognize that this jarrepresents your life.

The golf balls are the important things--yourfriends and family, your health, your passions.”

The pebbles are the other things that matterlike your job, your house and your car. Thesand is everything else--the small stuff. Ifyou put the sand into the jar first,” hecontinued, “there is no room for the pebblesor the golf balls. The same goes for life. Ifyou spend all your time and energy on thesmall stuff you will never have room for thethings that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical toyour happiness—whatever those things are.See your friends. Take time to get medicalcheckups. Take your spouse out to dinner.There will always be time to clean the houseand fix the disposal. Take care of the golfballs first--the things that really matter. Setyour priorities. The rest is just sand.” One ofthe students raised her hand and inquiredwhat the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. Itjust goes to show you that no matter how fullyour life may seem, there’s always room fora couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

This article was reprinted with permissionfrom Karen, Create-Your-Best-Life Coach,www.personbest.org

Past OALTIABO President of well over 18 years ago shares her storySusan Morley, OALT/ABO President 1989-1991; OALT/ABO Award for Innovation 2005

Although it was many moons ago, I can say that without a doubt I benefited from my experience withOALT-ABO in that position, and would strongly urge anyone who wants to further themselvesprofessionally to take it on.

How did I get to it? Well I was involved with organizing the 1985 conference, which was sponsoredby TALTA. I thought at the time it was an interesting bunch of people, to be involved with and - wow— they are doing the same kind of stuff I am! One thing led to another, and I became Vice-Presidentin 1988, and haven’t looked back since. The experience helped me improve several work-relatedskills - many which I continue to use (and hopefully improve upon) still today.

It opened up my access to a whole network of peers, including OALT/ABO members, but evenbeyond - CLA, OLA, SLA, etc. Many like me had invested in this profession, then moved on to otheraspects of the “information” profession, and/or higher levels of responsibility, but have remainedfriends and colleagues.

Consider this - the knowledge you gain through involvement with a peer group is valuable workexperience, and I would strongly encourage anyone who is interested in adding that distinctive tidbitto your resume — the thing that will make you stand out from the crowd — to get involved. Believe me,you won’t regret it!

4

Why Would I Join an Executive?!By Stella Clark

I joined OALT/ABO in September of 2000, andwent to my first meeting in March 2001, theAnnual Business Meeting. It was my firstopportunity to see what the Association was allabout. The reason I had joined in the firstplace was that I do believe if you are aprofessional, you should belong to theassociation affiliated with your job, and I hadbeen working long enough to know that therewas more than the public library in theinformation field, and maybe I should learn alittle about them.

So my friend (who had joined at the sametime) and I went to this meeting, knowing onlyour work colleague who had introduced us toOALT/ABO. The first thing that happened thatI paid much attention to was that I wasnominated the next president of the Chapter! Iallowed myself to be talked into the position,and went home wondering what hadhappened. But that was the start of 3 years asPresident of Halton-Peel. I met the otherexecutive members, none of whom were in apublic library, and learned how to run meetingsand set schedules and programs for the year. Imade great friendships, which are precious tome even now, though sometimes we see eachother only once or twice a year. I attended myfirst conference as a new President, and metpeople from all over Ontario. I learned to givemy first public speech — I kept it short enoughto introduce myself and not much else. I foundit very interesting to listen to others and whatthey had to say as professionals.

I then joined the Association executive asMembership Coordinator under the Treasurer.It was good to know that I was not on my ownthere — that I was given the tools to performthat job, including Excel and Access for thedatabases. I learned how to use a database!This is not quite like storytime! I held thatposition for a couple of years, and passed it onwhen I agreed to become Conference

Coordinator for the 2006 annual conference.

I had never even considered anything likeorganizing a conference! To me that was waybeyond my abilities, but I learned that it wasnot actually beyond me. There was a lot ofcoaching from executive members, but I alsowas encouraged to step out and organize itthe way I wanted it. And the feeling at the endof the conference was very powerful — anyonewho knows me would know that it was myconference by the topics, the theme, and Ihope the relaxed feel of the whole thing.

This will be my first year as a member withoutany executive duties. I had thought I would berelieved — I have enough on my personal lifeplate right now, and I know that I need time tofocus on them. But through being on thevarious executive committees I have met andbecome friends with people all over theprovince, and have come to know intimatelyhow an association is run. I have learned somany technical things that have definitelyhelped my at work, but even more has beenthe leadership training that has been absorbedand transferred to what I do elsewhere. I am afar more confident person personally andprofessionally. I think that if I had not acceptedthe nomination that first year, I would not havehad the opportunities to grow outside my owncircle of workplace training. Maybe thatwouldn’t matter, but I also wouldn’t havenearly as many friends as I do now. I havecome to really appreciate what being part of aprofessional organization means, and wouldn’thave had it any other way.

Ste/Ia’s story appeared as an insert with the lastnewsletter. To preserve it for archival purposeswe’ve added it as an article to the newsletter and toremind you agaIn of reasons you too should stepup! Do you have an inspirational story to share?The OAL T/ABO newsletter always has space foryour story.

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but whenthe darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”

- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

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Virtual Library Accessibility: “Ramp up” your website!By James Wagner

Scenario: Steven has Down Syndrome, and isvisiting his library’s web site. The scrollingmarquee is moving too fast for him to read.There are a lot of bright colours and changingimages. Some of the words don’t make senseto him. He’s getting frustrated trying to find thelink he wants.

We spend a lot of time trying to make ourphysical libraries accessible to as manypeople as possible. We install automatic dooropeners, widen the aisles, place navigationalsigns around the room, set up referencedesks, and, when we see someone wanderingaround, we get out from behind our desks tohelp them. In fact, many of us got into theworld of libraries because we like helpingpeople. But, do we give as much thought tomaking our digital presence as accessible aspossible?

I work in a library with 2 physical branches,and my CEO refers to our website as “our thirdbranch”. Last year, we had over 25 000 visitsto our website and 156 000 searches on ouron-line catalogue. That compares to thenumber of visits (178 000) we had to ourphysical branches.

Some of our patrons have obvious disabilities.Take blindness or low vision problems, forexample. Creating a website that is usable forthese patrons is not an impossible task. Manyof these people have screen readers to readaloud what is on the screen, or convert the textto Braille. Others use screen magnifiers tohelp them see the screen. All we have to do iscreate a logically organized web environmentthat adheres to HTML standards and thesetools can work efficiently.

There are more subtle forms of visionproblems, however. Consider colourblindness. Does your website have sufficientlyhigh contrast between the text and thebackground for people to read the words? Isthe meaning of some items on your websitedependent on the colour of the item, (e.g. “Theitems highlighted in red will take place at theFleming Branch.”) thus making it hard forthose who can’t distinguish between red andgreen to use your page?

Does your site allow the user to control thecolours and font sizes?

There are hosts of other less obvious‘disabilities’. For instance, as we age, ourcognitive, coordination, and visual abilitieschange. As an example, older people tend toread every word on a page, whereas, youngpeople will skim over the headings looking forwhat they want. A large portion of the peopleusing our library is senior citizens. Ourcomputer classes for seniors are full everysession. We need to consider the needs ofseniors as we set up our library websites.

Seniors are not the only ones who may havereduced muscular control, or just lack ofexperience using a mouse. Some people havephysical handicaps, such as carpal tunnelsyndrome, paralysis, joint problems, or loss oflimbs. These people may not be able to use amouse at all. Is your website able to benavigated using the Tab and arrow keys?

As mentioned in the first paragraph, some ofour patrons have cognitive or intellectualdisabilities. Our websites need to be clear oflibrary jargon and have consistent navigationaltools on each page. They should not be overlycluttered, but, they should combine text andgraphics to convey meaning. They should alsoallow our patrons to turn off features(marquees, blinking words, Flash displays)that are distracting to them.

Personal physical differences are not the onlyimpediments to people successfully using yourwebsite. Up until about 2 years ago, I had adial-up connection to the Internet. Many webpages were so large, that I could go and makemyself a cup of coffee, while I waited for themto download. One solution was to turn off thegraphics. This sped up the page loading, butoften, the graphics were used as navigationaltools. My ‘disability’ was my equipment.Consider, also, patrons who access yourwebsite using celiphones and PDAs. Doesyour website easily, and logically, fit ontothese small screens?

Continued on p. 7

6

Another Perspective onVirtual Library Accessibility -

by James Wagner (con’t)

There are many more conditions that makeusing the Internet difficult for our patrons, but,I hope these few examples will get youthinking about how user-friendly your library’swebsite is. Making your website accessibletakes some time, thinking, and consultation.My own library’s website is still far fromaccessible, but this is an on-going project forme - to convert over 220 web pages toaccepted HTML/CSS standards. In the end,not only will it be easier for patrons withdisabilities to use, but it will be easier foreveryone to use.

Additional reading:

Internet Sites:How People with Disabilities Use the Web(http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/Drafts/PWD-UseWeb!)

WebAlM (http://webaim.org/intro/)

Books:Clark, Joe, Building accessible websites,Boston: Pearson Education, 2003.

James Wagner is the Technical SeniicesCoordinator for the Lincoln Public Library’in the Town of Lincoln (between Hamiltonand St. Catharines). Besides being incharge of maintaining the library’s website,he coordinates the cataloguing of allmaterials in the library, maintains thelibrary software (SirsiDynix — Horizon),and takes his turn on the circulation!reference desk.

Library Technicians — Part IBy Nicole Watier, Vice-President, Ottawa Chapter

Founded in 1967, COLT is the Council on Libraryand Media Technicians and is affiliated with not onlyQALT/ABO, but also the American LibraryAssociation. They address the concerns of librarysupport staff such as technical and continuingeducation, certification and job descriptionuniformity. There are no membership restrictions,including geography.

COLT’s organizational structure is a little bitdifferent than OALT/ABO. Although they do have afew chapters, they have five Region directors whichserve the various regions of North America. Forexample, the Central Region serves Illinois, Indiana,Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin, Manitoba, Ontario andNunavut.

They also have a Yahoo! Groups discussion list tokeep members up to date on issues events and joblistings relevant to their members. The list is notmoderated as to its content. Much of the trends incontent are similar to that of our own discussion listas is the frequency of postings by subscribers. Oneneed not be a member of COLT to subscribe to thegroup.

I’ve been a subscriber for about 2 years and I findwe have more in common than not with our friendssouth of the border. Although many job notices areposted, recurring questions from members are: howto get a job in the library field, how to improve skills,and of course the little controversies which occurfrom time to time in any volunteer association. Onedifference I notice is the terms used... they oftenuse Library Support Staff and Paraprofessionals.

The highlight on their calendar is the annualconference which occurs at the same week and thesame city as the American Library Association’sannual conference. The members themselvesdecided this was the organization they preferred to“attach themselves to” so members can attend bothconferences with ease.

This year’s conference will be held in WashingtonD.C. from June 20 to 22. It is also their 40th annualconference and is titled: “Library Support Staff: Anessential piece of the Library Landscape”.

Stay tuned for the next instalment of this article, thatwill include a summary of the conference with myimpressions, to be published in the Fall issue. I’mvery much looking forward to meeting our Americanand other international counterparts!

COLT http://colt.ucr.edu/ ALA http://www.ala.org/

Canadian Library Association I AtlanticProvinces Association / Newfoundland and

Labrador Library Association

National ConferenceMay 23 to 26, 2007

Trade Show — May 24 & 25, 2007St. John’s, NL

http://www.cla.ca!conference/2007/index.shtm

7

Tour of the Library of Parliament I Une visite de Ianouvellement rénovée bibliothèque du Parlement

Submitted by the Ottawa Chapter

On January 25, 2007, the Ottawa Chapter of theOALT/ABO (Ontario Association of LibraryTechnicians I Association des Bibliotechniciensde l’Ontario), organized a visit of the recentlyrenovated Library of Parliament.

We were approximately 30 attendees, libraryemployees from the National Capital Region,divided into two English tour groups and oneFrench group. Our tour guides were employeesof the Library, who each in turn, reviewed a bit ofthe Library’s history, described the differentaspects of the renovation, and enumerated theupdated and improved services now provided tothe many clients of the Library of Parliament.

The Library, inaugurated in 1876, survived 2major fires, the first one in1916, which destroyedthe Parliament buildings’ Centre Block except forthe Library, saved by its fireproof doors, and thesecond, in 1952, in which smoke and waterdamaged the Library and part of its preciouscollection.

To celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2001, theLibrary underwent a major renovation project,which took 4-5 years to complete, includingcleaning its exterior Nepean sandstone and therestoration of its Victorian Gothic Revival style,designed by Thomas Fuller and Chilion Jones.The renovation included the engineering feat ofexcavating, under its original structure, toexpand its single basement into 3 newbasements, the lower of which houses theheating and ventilation systems, geared toprovide ideal conditions to protect and preservethis irreplaceable collection.

Approximately 1,200 artisans were involved inthe renovation work, from stone carvers, tosculptors, to masons, to carpenters. The interiormakeover aimed, not only to bring the Libraryinto the 21st century and plan for futureexpansions, by modernizing its services, butalso, to preserve its historic and architecturalintegrity.

The Library reverted to the original palette ofcolours that first adorned its walls and ceiling.The upper cupola’s structure of iron wasrevamped and the columns and plaster were

Continued on . 9

La section d’Ottawa de l’OALT/ABO (OntarioAssociation of Library Technicians I Association desBibliotechniciens de l’Ontario), a organisé une visitede Ia nouvellement rénovée bibliotheque duParlement, qui a eu lieu le25janvier, 2007.

Nous étions environ une trentaine de participants,employés de bibliotheques de Ia region de Ia capitalenationale, divisés en deux groupes d’anglophones etun groupe de francophones. Nos guides étaient desemployés de Ia bibliotheque, et chacun a son tour, usont revu pour nous, un peu de l’histoire de Iabibliotheque, décrit les différents aspects de Iarenovation, et énuméré les services mis-a-jour etaméliorés, offerts maintenant aux nombreux clientsde Ia bibliotheque du Parlement.

La bibliotheque, inaugurée en 1876, a survécu a 2incendies majeurs, le premier en 1916, qui a détruitle bloc central des edifices du Parlement, sauf Iabibliothèque, sauvée par ses portes a l’épreuve dufeu, et le second, en 1952, oü Ia fumée et l’eau ontendommage Ia bibliothèque et une partie de saprécieuse collection.

Pour célébrer son 125e anniversaire en 2001, Iabibliotheque s’engagea dans un projet de renovationmajeure, qui prit 4 a 5 ans a corn pléter, incluant lenettoyage de son grès de Nepean extérieur, et Iarestauration de son style neo-gothique victorien,conçu par Thomas Fuller et Chilion Jones. Larenovation inclut le tour de force d’ingenierie qua étéI’excavation, sous sa structure originale, pourétendre son sous-sol unique en 3 nouveaux soussols, le plus inférieur, logeant le système dechauffage et ventilation, qui genere des conditionsidéales pour proteger et preserver cette collectionirremplacabie.

Quelque 1200 artisans ont contribué aux travaux derenovation, dont des tailleurs de pierres, sculpteurs,macons et ébénistes. La réfection intérieure visa,non seulement a amener Ia bibliotheque au 21esiècle et a planifier de futures expansions, enmodernisant ses services, mais aussi, a preserverson intégrité historique et architecturale. Elleretourna a Ia palette originale de couleurs qui décoraautrefois ses murs et plafonds. La structure de fer deIa coupole supèrieure füt retapée et les colonnes etle plâtre ont été rénovés et peints en blanc, avec desfeuilles d’or re-appliquees a ses ornements; lesarches de Ia coupole inférieure sont revenus a leurgris-bleu original, alors que le plafond a été peint unaqua bleuté plus doux.

8

Tour of the Library of Parliament IUne visite de Ia nouvellement rénovée bibliothèciue du Parlement

con’t from p.8renovated and painted white with gold-leafre-applied to its adornments; the lowercupola’s arches returned to their original blue-grey, while the ceiling was painted a softerbluish aqua colour.

The access corridors and galleries’ intricatelysculpted white Ottawa pine woodwork,decorated with thousands of flower rosettes,masks and mythical beasts, were cleaned,along with the coat of arms of the 7 provincesin existence in 1876, and glass floors wereinstalled at the galleries’ level, to take fulladvantage of the natural daylight pouring infrom the tall gothic windows.

The central white marble statue of youngQueen Victoria, weighing 3 metric tons,sculpted by Marshall Wood in 1871 to honourthe Queen for deciding in 1857, that Ottawawould be the capital of Canada, still sitsproudly on its heavy base, weighing 6 metrictons, surrounded by the flooring’s intricatecherry, walnut and oak pattern, refitted by aMontreal company. Other sculptures housedelsewhere in the building, feature likenesses ofPrincess Alexandra, George VII, and otherhistorical dignitaries.

Circling the central statue, a new referencecounter was built to introduce state-of-the-arttechnology and connections to the Internet,while new tables for patrons were installedaround the floor, allowing more room for toursvisiting the Library. Around the periphery of themain circular room, a new meeting room andoffices were set up to accommodate long-termsearchers.

The main floor houses daily Canadian serials,ephemeral collections and geographicaldocuments, while the history of Canada andthe United States’ collections, and other mainseries are located in mobile storage stacks onthe jst basement. Some rare and ancientbooks, interviews with parliamentarians, anddebates are conserved in the 2d basement,where temperature controlled rooms will helppreserve the collection longer. The restorationdepartment, however, finds its home on theother side of the river, in Gatineau.

Continued on p. 10

Les boiseries en pin blanc de I’Outaouais descorridors d’accès et des galeries, dècorées demilliers de rosettes, de masques et de bêtesmythiques, ont été nettoyées, ainsi que les armoiriesdes 7 provinces en existence en 1876, et desplanchers en verre ont été installés, a I’etage desgaleries, pour maximiser l’effet de Ia lumièrenaturelle, qui entre a flots par les hautes fenêtres destyle gothique.

La statue centrale de marbre, de Ia jeune reineVictoria, pesant 3 tonnes metriques, sculptée parMarshall Wood en 1871 pour honorer Ia reine d’avoirchoisi Ottawa comme capitale du Canada, trOnetoujours fièrement sur son lourd socle, pesant 6tonnes metriques, entourée du complexe motif duplancher de cerisier, noyer et chêne, refait par unecompagnie de Montréal. D’autres sculptures, logéesailleurs dans l’édifice, recréent Ia presence de Iaprincesse Alexandra, de Georges VII, et d’autresdignitaires historiques.

Encerclant Ia statue centrale, un nouveau comptoirde référence a été construit afin d’ integrer destechnologies d’avant-garde et des connections al’internet, alors que de nouvelles tables pour lesclients de Ia bibliothéque, ont été installées autourdu rez-de-chaussée, laissant plus d’espace pour lesmembres des tours guides de Ia bibliotheque.Autour de Ia périphérie de Ia salle centrale, unenouvelle salle de reunion et des bureaux ont étéaménagés afin d’accommoder les chercheurs delongue durée.

Le rez-de-chaussée loge les periodiques quotidienscanadiens, les collections éphémères et lesdocuments géographiques, alors que Ia collectiond’histoire du Canada et des Etats-Unis, et les autresseries principales sont logees au premier sous-sol,dans des unites de rangement mobiles. Certainslivres rares et anciens, des entrevues avec desparlementaires et des débats, sont conserves ausecond sous-sol, oü des pièces a temperaturecontrOlée préserveront Ia collection plus longtemps.Le service de restauration, pour sa part, trouve sademeure de l’autre cOté de Ia rivière, a Gatineau.

La bibliothèque du Parlement a rè-ouvert ses portesle 30 mai, 2006, et demeure ouverte durant lesheures oU le Parlement est en session. Elle offredes services de recherche et de référence, auxmembres du Sénat et de Ia Chambre desCommunes, aux comités parlementaires et a leurpersonnel, ainsi qu’a des associations etdelegations. Les centaines d’employés de Iabibliotheque (bibliothécaires, bibliotechniciens,coordonnateurs de presse, analystes et autresemployés de soutien), tous experts, soit en droit,

9

Tour of the Library of Parliament IUne visite de Ia nouvellement rénovée bibliothèque du Parlement

con’t from p.9On May 30, 2006 the Library of Parliamentre-opened its doors and remains open duringhours when Parliament is in session. It offersreference and research services to Senateand House of Commons officials,parliamentary committees and their staff,associations and delegations. The Library’shundreds of employees (librarians, librarytechnicians, media coordinators, analysts andother support staff), all experts in either law,economics, or related fields, provide researchand analysis services, regarding legislationand public policy issues, to the Library’smany clients.

Hundreds of questions, originating locally,from Canada, and from all over the world, areanswered daily, within tight time frames,ranging from 15 minutes, to a few hours, witha very high satisfaction level, regardingCanada’s history, economy, environment,governmental law, sciences and humanities.Services covering the Library’s collections,current issues reviews, backgroundinformation and compilations, legislativesummaries, and reading lists, are delivered invarious formats, (including books, periodicals,government documents, CD-ROMs, videos,photocopies and PDF files from on-linedatabases), either directly, by phone, fax,courier, via inter-library loans, or through theinternet, from the many local buildingshousing its numerous employees.

The new Library of Parliament may not lookmuch different than it looked like before, tothe untrained eye, but, as much as it wasinitiated to repair its ageing crows’ feet andsmooth out its visible wrinkles, this majorfacelift was also embarked upon to provide atechnology platform, in order to launch theLibrary into the new century, towards a newera of enhanced services, as one of ourcountry’s and the world’s leaders ininformation dissemination.

This was an enlightening and entertainingvisit for all of us. We wish the Library ofParliament a long, prosperous and fruitful life!

en économie ou en disciplines connexes,fournissent des services d’analyse et de recherche,en rapport avec les questions de droit et depolitique fédérale, aux nombreux clients de Iabibliotheque.

Le personnel de Ia bibliotheque répondquotidiennement a des centaines de questions,provenant de Ia region, du Canada, et des 4 coinsdu monde, dans des délais les plus brefs, allant de15 minutes a quelques heures, avec un degre desatisfaction trés élevé. Les questions portent surl’histoire du Canada, son économie,I’environnement, le droit gouvernemental, lessciences et les sciences sociales. Des servicescouvrant les collections de Ia bibliothéque, Ia revuedes questions courantes, des informations de base,des compilations, des résumés legislatifs etbibliographies, sont livrés sous divers formats,(allant des monographies et periodiques, auxdocuments gouvernementaux, en passant par IesCD-ROMs, videos, photocopies et documentselectroniques de banques de données), soit enpersonne ou par le moyen du téléphone, dutélécopieur ou de services de messagerie, ouencore, par le biais des prèts-entre-bibliothéques,ou de l’intemet, a partir des divers edifices locaux,qui logent les nombreux employés de Iabibliothéque.

La nouvelle bibliotheque du Parlement peut ne pasavoir l’air bien différente de ce qu’elIe étaitauparavant, aux yeux des non-avertis, mais cetteremise a neuf majeure, bien qu’elle alt été amorçéepour réparer les pattes d’oies et aplanir les ridesvisibles qui denonçaient l’âge de Ia bibliotheque, aaussi été entreprise pour fournir une plateformeafin de lancer celle-ci dans le 21e siècle, et versune nouvelle ère de services rehaussés, en tantque l’un des centres d’avant-garde de notre paysdans Ia dissemination d’information a travers lemonde.

Cette visite a été révélatrice et divertissante pournous tous. Nous souhaitons longue vie, prosperitéet succès a Ia bibliothèaue du Parlement

Written and translated by José Gélinas, withsome facts corroborated by the Library ofParliament website. This text also wasreviewed by Irene Kumar.

Ecrit et traduit par José Gélinas, aveccertains faits corroborés par le site web de IaBibliothéque du Parlement, et revu par IreneKumar.

10

School Library ChapterSubmitted by Douglas Wiliford

Be Inspired!Submitted by Pam Casey

Photos were to accompany the article on page 23 ofthe January Newsletter “School Library Chapter —

News and Updates”.

Pictures were taken at the School Chapter panelworkshop held in the Niagara Regional Police OfficeCommunity Room on Nov 22, 2006.

Panel Members (L to R):Francine Latcham Niagara Catholic DSB; VIda Slack,DSB of Niagara; Joan Goodram, DSB of Niagara

IF-d ers (L to FRobin Harding,Grand Erie DSB; Rosanna Lorenzana,Grand Erie DSB; Mary Lacroix, Niagara Catholic DSB;Fran Longo, Niagara Catholic DSB; Annabell Burbridge,Niagara Catholic DSB; J0 Anne Teeuwsen, Town ofPelham Public Library.

Panel Members (L to FVIda Slack, Don Reilly Resource Centre, DSB ofNiagara; Joan Goodram, DSB of Niagara; FrancineLatcham Niagara Catholic DSB; Joanna Zalewa,Niagara Catholic DSB.

I became a full-fledged technician in June1996 Shortly after that I got involved on theexecutive and never looked back. I have madesome great relationships and networked with otherlibrary staff from other associations. I did apresentation at a COLT conference on why should Ivolunteer and I got some really good discussiongoing there.

Let it be said that the time that I spent on the execof OALT/ABO was the cornerstone of where I amtoday. Being President-Elect and President is notas scary as it seems and the rewards areendless. The positions that I held are on myresume and my current employer values myinvolvement.

I hope this and the other messages of OALT/ABOpresidents inspires someone to take the leap.

Pam CaseyPast-President, OALT/ABOPresident, SLA-Toronto

Photo 3:

Social Networking Websitesand Teens: An Overview

A social networking site is an online placewhere a user can create a profile and build apersonal network that connects him or her toother users. In the past five years, such siteshave rocketed from a niche activity into aphenomenon that engages tens of millions ofinternet users. More than half (55%) of allonline American youths ages 12-17 use onlinesocial networking sites, according to a newnational survey of teenagers conducted by thePew Internet & American Life Project.

The survey also finds that older teens,particularly girls, are more likely to use thesesites. For girls, social networking sites areprimarily places to reinforce pre-existingfriendships; for boys, the networks alsoprovide opportunities for flirting and makingnew friends.

View PDF of Reporthttp:I/www. pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_SNS_Data_Memo_Jan_2007.pdf

11

Library NumbersThree Books You Should Know About

By Maggie Weaver

From 2002 to 2005 U of T’s ProfessionalLearning Centre offered my one-dayworkshop called “The ABC of LibraryNumbers: How Accounts, udgets and Costcentres help you to manage”. The coursehasn’t been offered recently, but here aresome books that will help you cope withlibrary numbers.

Duncan J. MckayEffective Financial Planning for Library &Information ServicesAslib Know How GuideEuropa Publications, 2’ edition 2003This short guide provides a basic overview ofthe major areas of financial management.About one third of the guide is on budgeting,then two shorter sections on costing and onfinancial reporting, covering bookkeeping,accounting, budget variances etc. There’salso a useful discussion of the access vs.purchase decision.

Alice Sizer WarnerOwning Your Numbers — An Introductionto Budgeting for Special LibrariesA Self-Study ProgramSpecial Libraries Association, 1992Though this is out of print, it is still worthmaking the effort to locate a copy. It’s “abeginner’s workbook for special librarianswho.. .hope to become more effective fiscalmanagers.” It provides an opportunity topractice using numbers, and to suggest whatquestions to ask when faced with a realmoney question. Essentially, it’s aboutbudgeting: estimating, relating the librarybudget to the parent organization, variousbudget types, profit vs. non-profit, cash vs.accrual methods (very important when youcan’t spend all the journals money before theend of the calendar year), standards andstatistics. And there are very practicalsections for when you use the budget: whenmaking budget presentation, dealing withbudget cuts, charging back to users, andeven building a budget for a new library.

‘Owning your numbers” means knowing how totalk about numbers, about money, easily andwell. Most special libraries exist in atmosphereswhere numbers count, where decisions arebased on numbers.

Once you own your numbers, they can beused, not simply to report on the activities ofthe library, but also to promote the value thelibrary brings to the organization or community.

Joseph R. MatthewsThe Bottom Line — Determining andCommunicating the Value of the SpecialLibraryLibraries Unlimited, 2002Knowing the “value” of anything means wehave to be able to measure it, so this guide ismostly about evaluating library services:standard ways to measure inputs (and thiswhere your budget comes in), processes (thisis where costing is important), and outputs (e.g.customer satisfaction measures). There arechapters on determining the impact of a speciallibrary, and on developing a “balancedscorecard” for the library, a recent approachthat adds some measures of the future to theaccounting statements that imply measure thepast. Communicating this value is the subjectof the final brief chapter.

Really this last step, communicating the value,is about marketing yourself and your library tomanagement.

Recently I gave a short presentation “Makingthe Business Case” at library associationmeetings in Vancouver, Alberta, Winnipeg andOttawa. Unlike the three books above, mypresentation didn’t include any numbers at all!It covered who will tell you which numbers tocollect, where to get the numbers from, how tomake the numbers tell the value story, andfinally how to make a convincing presentation.

The numbers are important, and the effort youhave to go through each budget round pays offwhen you use them to communicate tomanagement the value of your services.

12

Learning Through Distance Education CoursesBy Catherine Glynn

After high school and college, I worked in hopesof attending university full-time the followingyear. Plans changed and instead eveningclasses at Seneca and York were in my future.After working all day, having no dinner, takingtwo buses to get to class, sitting through lecturesand then taking two more buses to get home, Iknew night school was not for me.

Distance education courses were the answer,since they would allow me to continue studyingat my own pace. Part of the registration processincluded obtaining transcripts from other schoolsI attended. Most universities or colleges giveadvanced standing for previous studies.

The first course I took via distance educationwas psychology through the University ofWaterloo. Twenty cassettes, one textbook,lecture notes and a study guide arrived by mail.Initially, I felt overwhelmed going through thepackage, and I wondered how the work wouldever get done. I even took the course materialswith me on my honeymoon because there werebiweekly assignments that I had to submit.

After psychology, I took an amazing sociologyclass with a wonderful instructor. Everythingwas perfect when I became pregnant andmoved house again. I received a “C” on mymajor assignment. The professor offered to letme rewrite my essay, which was ironically aboutlifestyle changes. Despite his offer, I neverresubmitted the assignment. During the exam,horrible morning sickness overwhelmed me but Ipersevered and finished the test.

After taking a break from school following thebirth of my new daughter, first year English wason the agenda. Putting the baby to bed, I wouldput on a tape and study. My professor had amonotone voice and some nights I fell asleep.Rewinding the tape, I would discover I haddozed off at the beginning and had the wholelesson to do again.

Along the way, my son was born and I returnedto work. Correspondence courses allowed meto take time off and return to studies when itsuited me. There is usually no time limit tocomplete undergraduate degrees.

Finals for correspondence students are heldone month after the university students havetheir exams on-campus. Students are givendue dates for assignments and exams at thebeginning of every semester. When I askedfor time off to take the children’s literature test,my boss was not delighted. Exam day, I wastoo ill to write. The university required adoctor’s note and my taking a make-up test,which I completed later, and had proctored bya friend who is a high school teacher.

After going to private industry to work, Idirected my efforts towards my job, not mystudies. On the eve of my fortieth birthday, Idecided to quit my job and return to librarywork. Mohawk College offered a referencecourse that would “refresh” my skills.

At the same time, I had to attend a three dayconference for my volunteer work. Feelingdivided, I approached the instructor of mycourse who told me to not miss thisopportunity, and granted me an extension forthe first assignment which meant catching uplater.

This course was unlike anything I had takenpreviously. We had online chat with theteacher and emailed our assignments. One14 page assignment was deleted as I wassubmitting it through email and 45 minuteslater, the work was retrieved. My classmatesand teacher shared so much of themselvesthrough the online component. This was thefirst time I felt connected to my course.

Assignments were due every other Sundaynight. My schedule was down pat. Fridayswere my day off. In the morning, my kids wenton the school bus and by the time they camehome, my coursework was done. I worked atthe library on Saturday and proofread thepaper on Sunday.

For a first experience with online education,Mohawk was ideal. Another co-workerfinished her library technician diploma throughtheir courses. In addition, Mohawk tried tooffer subjects that students needed. Forexample, when the college introduced aschool libraries course, they asked currentstudents for their input. Cont on p. 14

13

Learning Through Distance Education CoursesBy Catherine Glynn (con’t)

Two students recommended University ofAthabasca for another course when I hadproblems making a registration deadline forUniversity of Waterloo. Athabasca studentschoose when they would like to start and areexpected to finish the course within in sixmonths. The school was accredited whichmeant students could transfer credits betweeninstitutions. Students also had the option tocomplete three credits before having to submittranscripts.

Unfortunately, illness caused me to withdrawearly from the course, but there was noacademic penalty for doing so. This was atough decision because I had an “A” again.Even though I had the option of purchasing atime extension, I still could not have completedthe course.

Here are some final thoughts about whydistance courses suit me. I work wellindependently and am diligent about following aschedule. One very important factor is mysuccess with correspondence course was mysupportive family. Yes, there were complaintsabout frozen dinners when assignments weredue but I was there to help my kids withhomework and tuck them into bed. They alsoknew that mom was a student just like them.

Another major consideration was that both myhusband and I worked shifts. In addition,sometimes we have only had one car. We livein York Region where taking buses touniversity on a good day could be an hour andhalf each way. Also, by attending classes inperson, we would have had the expense of ababysitter.

Over the years, other obligationsovershadowed my need to be a studentincluding volunteering regularly in my schoolcommunity for over 18 years and being veryinvolved with my kids and their activities.

Last year, my husband had major surgery inJune, so an online winter course from ALAwas the answer. I loved being the onlyCanadian in the class. The course, “Teens andTechnology”, gave me the idea to use a blogfor our teen summer reading program.

Finally, continuing my education is important.Correspondence courses fit into my lifestyleand allow me the chance to grow and learn.Just writing this piece has left me thinkingabout searching again for another onlineadventure. I wonder what I’ll take next.

Catherine Glynn is the Teen ServicesAssistant at Angus Glen Library, a branch ofthe Markham Public Libraries.

OZone: Digital Preservation

A collaboration between the Ontario Legislative Library and the Ontario Council of UniversityLibraries’ Scholar’s Portal has resulted in the Legislative Library’s Ontario government documentscollection now being available through OZone. This collection is also accessible through theLegislative Library catalogue. The OZone partnership and database will help to ensure the digitalpreservation of these materials for the long term, create a permanent url for the documents, andhousing multiple copies in these two locations will help keep the collection safe (LOCKSS).The OZone database has about 300 flIes now, and it is expected to be fully populated with 13,000files in the next few months. The collection contains Ontario government monographs; serials andother restricted access documents are not included. Ontario government documents will continueto be added to the OZone collection by the Legislative Library on a monthly basis. It is worthnoting that searching the Library’s catalogue will continue to give you access to the most currentlyarchived titles (i.e. within the month). OZone: https://ospace.scholarsportal. info!

Christopher Evans, Commercial Acquisitions TechnicianInformation Resources Branch, Legislative Library of Ontario

14

CLA News

This year, CLA’s annual conference will be inSt John’s Newfoundland, May 23-26. Actuallyit’s a joint conference with the Atlantic ProvicesLibrary Association (APLA) and theNewfoundland Library Association (N LLA).The theme is Retain - Recruit - Restructure:Regenerating the Library Community, inresponse to the 8Rs study regarding thepredicted shortages of library-trainedprofessionals in the not too distant future.

The conference program is available online:www.cla.ca/conference/2007/preliminary_program2007_1 .pdf

As usual, CLA has a call out for volunteers, whowill be needed to help with registration,hospitality, public relations, the JobLink Centre,author book signings and social events, If you’replanning to attend the conference, but don’tknow anyone, this is a great way to get involved,and meet library workers from across Canadawww.cla.ca/conference/2007/CLA volunteer form pdf

Win a trip to the CLA conference! The contest isopen to all students registered in, or recentlygraduated from, a Canadian library school, alibrary technician program, an informationscience program, or faculty of education libraryprogram. Registered students may be full or parttime; graduates should have completed theirstudies within one year of the competition’sclosing date of March 31, 2007. Articlessubmitted must be written while the student isenrolled in a program of study, or within oneyear of graduation. For more information clickhere: www.cla.ca/awards/student.htm

And for your summer reading program....

Each year, the The Writers’ Union of Canada(TWUC) Library & Curriculum Committeecompiles a list of Canadian authored children’sbooks that fits in with the national summerreading theme. This year’s theme is LostWorlds. The link to this year’s listing isdocs.aoocile.com/Doc?id=dd3wifb 9c5vdbn

2007 Presidential AwardWinner shares herOALT/ABO ExperiencesAs another Past President, I thought I shouldadd my two cents worth. I am a graduate of theLibrary Techniques Program at Seneca College(1972). That is really dating myself. I becameinvolved with OALT/ABO, as part of the TALTAExecutive in 1975. I took a break from theAssociation for a few years but rejoined in 1981,and I have not looked back since. I worked onthe Standards Committee and was part of theTALTA Conference Committee in 1991.

In 1993 I decided it was time to become involvedin the Provincial Executive, and took on theposition of Secretary. I held that position for twoyears, and then, because no one else waswilling to stand I agreed to become VicePresident. I have to admit it was a scarythought, because I wasn’t sure I was up for it,but I never regretted for one minute that Istepped forward. I held the position of Presidentfor 2 years, and then the position of Ex-Officiofor 2 years - it was the best time of my life!

I have made some wonderful friends, learnedsome very valuable skills, and I continue to letstudents know the value of being a member ofour Association, and the value of becominginvolved in the Association. As you might haveread in the last newsletter, I am not presentlyworking in a library, but working as theInformation Coordinator on the MOST Project,for the Ontario Ministry of Finance. Not onlywas I able to transfer my library skills to theposition, I was also able to use all of the skills Ilearned by being President of the Association,including great negotiating skills.

I would recommend the position to anyone.Please consider your involvement. I am sureyou will be glad you did.

Penni Chalk,Past President, 1996/97, 1997/98Presidential Award Winner 2007

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, oranticipate troubles but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” -Buddha

15

HR

) JENIORJ HEALTH RESEARCH TRANJFER NETWORK

Linking Caregivers, Researchers & Policy Makers

TN

Kathryn Moore has joined the Baycrest Staff Library a teaching hospital affiliated with the Universityof Toronto as part of the Seniors Health Research Transfer Network (SHRTN). SHRTN is funded inpart by the Province of Ontario. It aims to improve the healthcare of seniors by fostering innovationat the local level; building on the strength of community-based bodies; and connecting people tosupport knowledge exchange and practice improvement.

The exchange of knowledge is facilitated in a variety of vehicles such as face-to-face meetings,teleconferences with partners, on-line collaborative tools, library services, as well as more formalorganizational approaches to knowledge exchange such as a Community of Practice (CoPs).

We have four libraries within our network located in Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton andWaterloo/Wellington. Our toll free 1-866-393-4877 number allows us to cover questions generatedfrom clients anywhere in Ontario. The library service is free to all caregivers I frontline staff acrossOntario. Over the next few years the network hopes to expand the number of host libraries andInformation Specialists available to support clientele throughout the province.

There are currently 13 Communities of Practice’s within SHRTN. An Information Specialist from thefour libraries is assigned to each one to assist the members with their information needs.

Our mandate as Information Specialists is to build the relationships with the formal seniors’ careproviders. This is accomplished by providing reference services, customized education and training,the development of evidence-based tools and helping the members within the network connect andcollaborate.

I am excited about this opportunity as it allows me as a Library and Information Technician tocombine traditional library services with customized training and education sessions for my clients.

For more information about the network please visit our website at SHRTN.ON.CA

Kathryn Mooreshrtnlib@baycrest.org

“Volunteers”Many will be shocked to find, When the day of judgement nears,That there’s a special place in Heaven, Set aside for volunteers.

Furnished with big recliners, Satin Couches and footstools,Where there are no committee chairmen, Nor yard sale or rest area coffee to serve.

No library duty or bulletin assembly, There will be nothing to print and staple.Not one thing to fold and mail, Telephone lists will be outlawed.

But a finger snap will bring, Cool drinks and gourmet dinners, And rare treats fit for a king.You ask, “Who’ll serve these privileged few, And work for all they’re worth?”

Why, all those who reaped the benefits, And not once volunteered on Earth.- Anonymous

16

A Day in the Life of a Law Library TechnicianBy Brenda Wong

Previously I have worked for one of the top fivelaw firms in Vancouver. At one time Fasken,Martineau & DuMoulin could boast that it hadthe largest private law library in WesternCanada. I enjoyed the demanding pace in the4-person library.

My mornings started off with looseleaf filing andserials check in. Before I worked at Fasken, I didnot realize books were published as a main workwith periodical updates. These updates werelooseleaf pages. Why update with looseleafpages? The law can change quickly, and in thisway, lawyers received more current informationthan merely with hardcover bound volumes.Later I found that the cost of the updates weresubstantial.

Serials check in took a lot of time as the librarysubscribed to many looseleaf books, lawreports, and other journals. Recording the issueinformation was a labour intensive task, butultimately worthwhile as library staff could pullup detailed information about when a volumewas received. Law reports typically arepublished as paperback parts that becomesuperceded once the hardcover cumulativevolume is published.

Fasken used DB/Textworks for its serialsdatabase. Occasionally I claimed missed issuesor missing pages from updates. Pages wentmissing or astray more often than one thought.One innovation was the advent of casesummaries from law reports moving to PDFformat. Librarians everywhere were pleased,when legal publishers pushed out PDFs of lawreport case summaries. In the bad old days,mountains of paper were generated with routingcase summaries and other table of contents.

Now the lawyers were reading summaries ontheir computer screen reducing the need to printmultiple copies. Another advantage was storingPDFs on the library intranet for another accesspoint. I worked with the senior library technicianas we developed a web page complete withinline frames.

Invoicing or entering invoice information inthe library software was also a majorresponsibility of mine. In smaller libraries,the library technician might just check theinvoice against what was received andsend invoices to accounting. In other lawlibraries, I have prepared monthly reportsfrom invoice data in spreadsheet format.This was not the best process assometimes it was difficult to sort theinformation. At Fasken, however, thedetailed invoice records meant that thelibrary manager received detailed reportsback from accounting in order to trackexpenses.

As a junior library technician I answereddirectional reference questions, butoccasionally I handled a reference deskshift. Then I would be asked tougherquestions like which is the mostauthoritative textbook on torts. In this case,I deferred the question to the referencelibrarian who could speak about thedifferences in how textbooks wereorganized.

The library at Fasken was fortunate to havemajor Canadian city telephone directories.They came in handy for finding phonenumbers for businesses. Missing phonenumbers or confirming addresses werefairly standard questions.

There was never a dull day in a law library.Much of the work is routine, but there wasalways a curve ball thrown at you. I trulyenjoyed my work in law libraries and metsome interesting people along the way.

Brenda Wong has worked as a librarytechnician for 10 years in Vancouver andWinnipeg. She has worked in law,government and science libraries.Currently she is a member of SpecialLibrary Association and the OntarioAssociation of Library Technicians.

17

Outreach to Those in NeedBy Adriana Sgro

Some library services and programs offered inpublic libraries are fairly standard — thereference desk, reader’s advisory, evenchildren’s story-time. But one branch of thelibrary that often gets forgotten or goesunnoticed is outreach services. When it comesto budget cuts, this is the branch of the librarythat often suffers the most.

And that is a crying shame.

As part of the Library and InformationTechnician Program at Seneca College, I spenttwo weeks with the Mobile Library ServicesDepartment at the Toronto Public Library,which is located at North York Central Library.Although I admittedly didn’t know much aboutthe service until my placement, I learned thatthe department is responsible for four outreachservices: the Bookmobile, Home LibraryServices, deposit collections and institutionalservices (Sunnybrook & Women’s CollegeHospital, Bridgepoint Health Centre andToronto Rehab Institute). Their annualcirculation is over 700,000 — roughly the samesize as a medium-sized library branch. HomeLibrary Services alone deliver library items toover 1300 patrons each month. With suchnumbers, it is obvious that the need in thecommunity is there, yet justification of thedepartment’s existence is constant.

Most of us take access to the public library forgranted. As soon as you finish reading a book,you can go to your neighbourhood librarybranch and take out another with little hassle.But suppose there is no library branch nearby.Or you are confined to your home for monthswith an illness or a physical ailment. Does thismean you are cut off from the library?

At the Toronto Public Library, the Bookmobileis designed to service those segments of thecity that do not have easy access to a librarybranch. In addition to the elderly with limitedmobility issues, there are a number of othersthat take advantage of this unique service,including children and newcomers. Eventually,perhaps if the demand in that area is strongenough, then plans to build a branch librarymay appear on the agenda. Until then, this

mobile unit is the only access to librarymaterials these citizens of the city have.During my two-week tenure, there were afew days when the Bookmobile wascancelled due to inclement weather. Thiswas very difficult for those patrons who relyon the service. I understood that for some,there are very few options and the libraryservice is a life line to the rest of the world.

Along with the Bookmobile, there is HomeLibrary Services. I accompanied thedrivers on a number of deliveries. It wasexhausting and physically demanding, butvery rewarding. It isn’t until you visit thosewho are homebound that you understandhow important the service is to them. Manyof them are legally blind or with severevisual impairments, and rely on the deliveryof talking books. Others can’t get around,and look forward to that monthly visit whenthey receive new materials that will keepthem busy until the next visit. A number ofthese patrons live alone, and it is notunusual for them to ask to change a lightbulb or take their garbage out. And thelibrary workers are always willing to oblige,often going beyond their job descriptions tohelp a patron in need.

As a library technician, I am bound by theethical duty to service the patron’s right toinformation. For a public library, there is anobligation to serve the needs of thecommunity. In the case of the MobileLibrary Services at TPL, that meansbringing that access to the patron when thepatron can’t get to the library. Although theoutreach services are often not up there inprominence with other services andprograms in the public library, I believe thatit holds a valuable position in the overallmandate of any public library system. Mytime with the Mobile Library Services was avery educational experience — it remindedme of why I decided on library services inthe first place.

Adriana Sgro is a LIT student at Senecaand a member of OALT/ABO.

18

Halton Peel Chapter UpdatesSubmitted by Halton Peel Executive

Super Saturday was our first event of 2007. In previous years, Super Saturday was alwaysheld in mid-January. We decided that for this year we would try holding it a month later in aneffort to allow everyone to get over the post-Christmas and pre-OLA Conference frenzy thatJanuary always seems to deliver on. By all accounts, Super Saturday 2007 held on February17th was a great success! Over 20 members joined us on a chilly Saturday morning at the HiltonGarden in Mississauga. The room offered at the Hilton Garden was really bright and roomy andcomfortable to be in. It must be said, this was the best continental breakfast and coffee servicethat I have seen in a while. The location was modern, very easy to find and had plenty ofparking. After the registration (chat, cheque and a coffee) was complete, we were ready to startthe day.

H-P chapter president Kate Morrison was the first presenter of the morning and handled theintroduction and brief chapter news flash. She presented an interesting overview of popularcommunication technologies collectively referred to Web2.0. We covered such social tools asBlogs, Instant Messaging clients, social communities, My Space, Second Life, collaborationspaces and the sort. It was really informative and presented in a manner that was very wellsuited to our audience. Members in attendance were welcome to ask questions and commentthroughout the session. There was a fair bit of discussion around topics concerning generationgaps and these new social tools, the potential for misinformation and self-correcting within theWikipedia community. A bit of discussion surrounding a new era of communication where MSNMessenger-like software will eventually incorporate phone, fax, TV and even e-mail to morph intoa new standard of communication available on different types of devices.

Our second session was a pleasant twist on the typical author reading. Jeannie McKay fromwww.storiestohealtheheart.com is an author of live stories in the oral tradition. Due to hersister’s love of reading and development of blindness, Jeannie started to read to her. Thisdeveloped from writing stories specifically for her sister and reading them to her to committingthese stories to cassettes and CDs. Jeannie has a web site that tells her story and gives her anavenue of publishing. Her stories do sound familiar and take premises from some popularthemes and traditions. The magic is in the oral tradition and the fact that each story gives insightto the heart and mind of the characters beyond what we would naturally conceive with the formerwork. It is a really interesting twist and I encourage you all to sample it at her site. Visit it!Jeannie came not only to share a few of her stories, but to get us to think about how thesestories impact us personally. We were all presented with a small journal and asked threequestions.

_______________________________

1. What associations did you make with the story?

2. What for you is the meaning of the story?

3. What did you learn that you didn’t know before?

As unlikely as it may sound, just reflecting on the story andanswering those questions in the privacy of your own journaldoes produce some surprising insight. Who doesn’t enjoyhaving a story read to them? That coupled with Jeannie’sunique take on familiar themes, her method of story telling,her wonderful personality and soothing voice made for awonderful session and a refreshing change.

Photo: L to R:Christine and Wendy lookingat the speaker’s tapes

Photo submission by Kate Morrison

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Halton Peel Chapter UpdatesSubmitted by Halton Peel Executive

The Halton-Peel Eva Schnurr Award was presentedby Gisela Smithson to our very own Vice-President, DenaMonachino. Gisela commented on Dena’s quiet demeanour, butendless service to library service and our own association.Dena is always available to help when needed and we on theH-P Executive want to thank her for your years of service andcommitment to the association.Good luck in the coming year Dena!

(photo submission: Kate Morrison)

June Event: We would like to invite all members, family and friends to join us at MohawkRaceway this June 9th for our annual June Event. We need numbers, so plan to join us for a funday at the races! More news will be mailed to Halton-Peel members in April and posted to thewebsite too.

Final WordDear Friends. This evening I attended the Halton-Peel AGM. I am encouraged to announce thatHP Vice President Dena Monachino was acclaimed as 2007/08 President. It has been a pleasureserving on the executive for the past two years with Dena and we all wish her much success.

I also must report that Dena presently stands alone. As discussed at tonight’s meeting, runningHP alone would be impossible in its current form. Unless we name a Treasurer (at least!) by June,the exec will begin dissolving the chapter this summer. Not a pleasant end to what was a greatyear. Options and possibilities were discussed, but without a functional exec we cannot continue.

We have one more planned event. The VP’s June Event will be at Mohawk Raceway June 9th.The JE is always 100% fun. We are already taking reservations and I would love to fill the room.It would be nice to see a lot of the familiar faces and all of Halton-Peel’s friends. Look online andRSVP now.

We had some fantastic events and it would be my hope that we could keep something going.

Conference is coming and June is just around the corner then. I’m hedging my bets that we canbounce some ideas off each other in between races and figure this out!

Sean CrowehotmaiI .com

Thinking Outside the BoxImagine this...

You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night. It’s raining heavily when suddenly youpass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for a bus:

1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.2. An old friend who once saved your life.3. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.

Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing very well that there could only be onepassenger in your car? Think before you continue reading...

Continued on p. 21

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Thinking Outside the Box (con’t)Mohawk College UpdatesSubmitted by Dolores Harmes Penner

Greetings to OALT/ABO members! Thismessage is to let you know that there are anumber of courses being offered in the onlinelibrary technician program from MohawkCollege this summer.

They are as follows:

LIBRLT11O Introduction to Libraries and theInformation IndustryINFOLT39O Personal Computer SupportINFOLT402 Electronic PublishingLIBRLT220 Information Work ILIBRLT425 Information Work IIILIBRLT435 Client ServicesLI BRLT3O2 Descriptive and AccessCataloguing ILIBRLT3O5 Descriptive and AccessCataloguing IIINFOLT34O Database Design for InformationWorkersLIBRLT350 AcquisitionsMGMT10041 Library Financial Managementand BudgetingLIBRLT375 School LibrariesLIBRRM1O3 Archives

Courses begin on May 11 and end on August17, 2007. Registration for these coursesopened in early March.

Those who have graduate from a librarytechnician program are considered to havemet the prerequisite course requirements forany of these courses. These courses work wellas professional development for those whowould like to update their skills or explore anew topic.

More detailed information is on our web sitehttp:I/www.mohawkcollege.caicecatllibrary.htmlunder “next semester”, or feel free to email meat doIores.harmspenner@mohawkcoIIege.ca

Respectfully submitted,

Dolores Harms PennerProgram ManagerLibrary Technician ProgramMohawk College

$250 Bursary Establishedat North Bay Public LibraryThe North Bay Public Library Board is pleased toannounce the establishment of a $250.00 bursaryavailable to students enrolling in the LibraryTechnician Diploma Program at a provinciallycertified community college.

A bursary will be available to one student from eachof the six city high schools. The schools eligible toparticipate are: Chippewa Secondary, West FerrisSecondary, Widdifield Secondary, AlgonquinSecondary, St. Joseph-Scollard Hall and EcoleSecondaire Publique Odyssee.

The Public Library welcomes this opportunity topromote the Library Technicians program as apositive career choice and to offer support for NorthBay students moving on to post secondaryeducation.

For further information, please contact:Paul Walker, C.E.O.North Bay Public Librarypaul.walker@cityofnorthbay.ca

Success will not lower its standard to us.We must raise our standard to success.

- Randall R. McBride, Jr.

This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was onceactually used as part of a job application.

You could pick up the old lady because she isgoing to die, and thus you should save her first;or you could take the old friend because he oncesaved your life, and this would be the perfectchance to pay him back.

However, you may never be able to find yourperfect mate again.

The candidate who was hired (out of 200applicants) had no trouble coming up with hisanswer.

Want to know what his answer was?Turn to page 30.

21

Thunder Bay Chapter

The Play’s the Thing (but More Happens than What Meets the Eye!)Tour of Magnus Theatre

By Linda Bukovy

The smell of the greasepaint, the roar of thecrowd.” These words transport the reader tothe image of live theatre where actors portraylives on a stage for audiences to view andmarvel. Written words on a script become liveaction, lights dim and flare, and costumes andmakeup transform an actor of the twenty-firstcentury into a hardened veteran of deadly coldwinters, a wide-eyed youth, head full of lightsabres and Obi-wan Kenobi, or a rosycheeked woman of Slavic origin, proud to wearher multi-coloured babuskas and sing her joyto the world.

Welcome to the world of Magnus Theatre,Thunder Bay’s own theatre company that isrecognized across Canada. It’s housed in atheatre attached to the historic Central ParkSchool, an integral part of the Waverley ParkHeritage Conservation District.

On January 31, 2007, OALT/ABO memberstoured the facility. Led by Magnus Theatrerepresentatives John Cameron, Publicity andMarketing Director, and Ryan Newman, HeadTechnician, the group went on an engrossingwalk through the innards of the theatre,upstairs and down.

Downstairs we viewed dressing rooms, theGreen Room and the property area, morefamiliarly known as the props where everythingunder the sun is stored. A narrow dark corridorleads to a dead end, right below center stage.Above us, braces and bolts could be removedto let the trap door open, allowing actors onstage to make quick “now you see them, nowyou don’t” exits. Prior to shows, a platform isset up under the trapdoor, preventing thedescending actors from hurting themselves.On stage the trap door is nearlyindistinguishable from its surroundings.

Up the stairs to the main floor, through thecarpentry shop where sets are constructed andthen into the wings separated by huge blackcurtains that seem to stretch at least 25 feetupwards; above this is the fly section whereabout 25-30 long pipes are suspended 45 feetabove stage level.

These support the curtains, lights, scrimscreen and backgrounds and is operated bythe fly system comprising of an arrangementof pulleys, weights and counterweights thatallow a person to raise and lower up to 400pounds hanging on one pipe without muchproblem.

What looks real to the audience reveals to befalse from behind: brick walls made fromboards and plywood and unopenable doors.As we walked through onto the stage it wasastonishing to see how close it was to theaudience. Two strides out from the stage andthe actor steps into the first row. As John said,“There isn’t a bad seat in the house!”

Behind and above the audience seating is thebooth where magic with lighting and sound iscreated. A lighting console programs andstores cues needed for the whole show.Sound production is done through computer;like the lighting cues, each cue has a differentnumber and is programmed, then recorded forthe show. They can be stored and saved onfloppies or CDs.

Off to wardrobe where costumes for eachcharacter in each show are developed. Rodsholding clothes leap-frog up the walls, whilemyriad boxes and bins clearly labelled by theircontents stack on shelves. Whatever isn’tthere is sometimes created right from scratchor else the Costumer goes to local thrift storesto scour for finds and then alters them to fit.

Magnus Theatre has a theatre school forbudding thespians plus rehearsal rooms foractors to practice and block out their positionsupstairs while the main stage is being readiedfor the performances.

Down a series of stairs back to where we hadstarted. As someone once said, “The play isthe thing” but without the actors, set designersand directors, costumers, lighting and soundtechnicians, and all the talented people in thewings, a play is words. Many kudos toMagnus Theatre for revealing some of themagic of live performance.

22

Thunder Bay Chapter

CLICKSBy Donald M. Henderson

After a hard weeks work what is more fun thanan OALT/ABO workshop first thing Saturdaymorning? Nothing you say! Well then, youshould have been with Thunder Bay Chapteron March 3 2007 when they spent the morninglearning the finer points of digital camerausage from Don Pearl. About a dozen of usawoke quickly, camera in hand, when thelecture began and many even remained late inorder to pick up a few more pointers. It was aworthy adventure.

Don Pearl grew up with a camera welded tohis hand. He began photography at a veryearly age and eventually was able to profitfrom his passion. He spent a few years as aphotographer and then came to Thunder Bayto mange Black’s stores where he witnessedand participated in the change of age fromFilm to Digital photography. The photographyhas not changed much. A bad picture is badno matter what equipment is used. Thestorage and manipulation of the product iswhat has changed. However, according to Donwe are going full circle, and many people aregetting digital prints done at a photo shoprather than using their own computer. Don isnow out of the retail business and teachescourses on photography and digital printmaking at Confederation Collage. We thankhim for giving us this workshop at our placeand time.

Don began by explaining the differencesbetween film and digital photography. Notunlike libraries the medium is not the messagebut the content is what matters. As in librarieshow you manage the information is not nearlyimportant as preserving the best data inwhatever form you find it. We learned that agood picture is produced at the shutter click invery similar ways with both cameras. We alsolearned the pro’s and con’s of each versionand how each has advantages pertaining tothe raw files that are created for processingand printing.

Most of us just want to point and click withoutmessing up the dials and buttons on ourcamera, but some want to do good deeperwork. Don explained about pixels, dots perinch, and resolution so we would be able to

adjust the camera to suit our purpose for eachshot. He went on to explain different savingformats, like JPEG and TIFF so that we couldalso adjust for how we wanted to share eachphoto. One tip was always to save files with asmuch data as possible because you candownscale to use a photo for email but youcan never go up if you save in down. Herecommended high definition or even what arecalled raw files if possible. You can store a lotof large files for not much money these days.

After a break Don began to explain about theextra features on most camera’s and what thelittle symbols meant that you will find are thesame on most makes of cameras. Some havebuttons, some have wheel type controls butthe red eye fix has a little eye adjacent tosome tick mark on all models. Donrecommended not to use the red eye settingbecause most shops and computer programswill delete red eye automatically.

Then Don looked at some of our cameras andit was found that most of the members had thesame brand. I don’t know what that says aboutLibrary Technicians but at this hour in themorning I will choose not to say what is jerkingat the tip of my tongue. [I work all midnightshift] Don then showed us some localphotography done with digital and there issome wonderful talent around. He finished offwith good photo tips and options now availablefor storage. Full of wonder we thanked Donand then went home for lunch.

Bits and Bites:

www.facebook.comConnect with friends from grade school, highschool, college or university; family and friendsand friends of friends! Don’t forget to join theLibrary Technicians of Canada group set up byAngela.

Do you have a favourite website or tid-bit toshare. Send it to the newsletter editor forsubmission in to the September Newsletter.

23

Insight from a Conference CoordinatorBy: Melissa Hall, 2007 OALTIABO Conference Chair

Spring is here and that means it is just abouttime for the 2007 Conference. I know that I amcertainly looking forward to it. This will be mythird conference, but I knew from the first onethat I wanted to continue to attend.Conference is a great time to meet up withcolleagues and meet new friends. It is also agood time to learn something! Many of us liketo focus on continuing our education or brushup on the library skills that we already knowand this is a wonderful opportunity for that.This year we have included a well-roundedcollection of speakers to cover the workaspects as well as some interesting topics toallow us to work on our work-life balance.

The exciting part of planning this conferencefor me was the fact that I was able to do italmost completely virtually. When Ivolunteered to be the Conference Chair lastMay, I was a little apprehensive about thetravelling to Toronto once a month, but with agreat team in and around Toronto, and withemail, I have found that we progressed almostcompletely on schedule without me having totravel once a month.

Volunteering to be the Conference Chair hasbeen an excellent decision. First of all, it looksreally good on my résumé. My employer seesit as a wonderful opportunity to work on my

leadership and teamwork skills and they havebeen very supportive. I have met some greatpeople, people who I probably would not havehad the opportunity work with otherwise.Since I am a solo library employee, contactwith the “outside world” is a must and this hasoffered that to me.

As Conference Chair, there are a lot ofresponsibilities but mostly you just have tokeep everyone organized and make sure thatthe Conference gets planned. With asupportive and hard-working committee, theplanning gets done, without you even noticingsometimes. And after months of working onthe sessions, you get to see the finishedproduct. My major job was to make sure thatthe programs/registration packages were sentout. Getting positive feedback from theprograms has been a great thing and makesyou feel like you really accomplishedsomething.

Being Conference Chair is a one-yearcommitment but it is not a hard year. If youthink that you might be interested involunteering but think that it might be a littledaunting, please contact me. I am willing totalk about my experience as Chair.

Hope to see you all at Conference 2007!!!

Library of Parliament project snaps-up City Architectural AwardI Le projet de Ia Bibliothèque du Parlement obtient le prixd’architecture de Ia villeThe conservation, rehabilitation and upgrade work on the Library of Parliament by PWGSC has received a tophonour from the City of Ottawa. The Ottawa Architectural Conservation Awards recognize excellence in thepreservation of the city’s architectural heritage. This year, the Library of Parliament received the Award forExcellence in the category of Restoration/Adaptive Use. The fields are defined as “returning a heritage resourceto its original form, material and integrity” and also “modification of a heritage resource to contemporaryfunctional standards while retaining its heritage character.”

La ville d’Ottawa a décerné un prix prestigieux a TPSGC pour les travaux de conservation, de rehabilitation et derenovation de Ia Bibliothèque du Parlement. Les Prix de Ia conservation de l’architecture d’Ottawa visent asouligner l’excellence dans Ia preservation du patrimoine architectural de Ia ville. Cette année, le Prixd’excellence dans Ia catégorie de Ia restauration et de I’adaptation a été attribué a Ia Bibliotheque du Parlement.Par restauration et adaptation, on entend “l’opération consistant a redonner a un edifice a valeur patrimoniale saforme, ses matériaux et son integrite initiales” et “l’opération consistant a modifier une resource patrimoniale enfonction des normes contemporaines, tout en conservant le caractère historique”, espectivement.

I

24

Seneca College Faculty ofContinuing Education:LIT CoursesSubmitted by Ann Hersch

The following Seneca College subjects in theLibrary and Information Technician DiplomaProgram will be offered in the comingSpring/Summer semester thorough theFaculty of Continuing Education:

L1T150 - Introducing LibrariesL1T152 - Library Catalogues andbibliographiesL1T154 - Basic Library SkillsL1T164 - Computers in LibrariesL1T250 - Placement and Work SkillsL1T254 - AcquisitionsL1T354 - Subject CollectionsL1T400 - Professional Issues in Libraries andL1T462 - Subject Cataloguing andClassification

Other workshops and additional topics beingoffered are:

L1A225 - Archives - via online accessand a new workshop on privacy which is justbeing created and can be viewed online at ourwebsite:http:/Iwww.senecac.on.ca!parttimelcr-Iibrary_information_systems.html

Registration opens March 26th with classesbeginning the week of May 7th.

Nova Scotia Forms LibraryTechnician Association

The Nova Scotia Association of LibraryTechnicians is pleased to announce the formationof a new library association for LibraryTechnicians. The purpose of the association is asfollows:

a) To promote a wider understanding,acceptance and advancement of theprofessional role of the Library Technicianin Nova Scotia.

b) To collaborate with other libraryassociations and other organizations inresponse to issues that relate to the entirelibrary community.

c) To encourage and provide continuingeducation in the field of library technology.

d) To act as a provincial forum, with effectivecommunication across Nova Scotia, for theexchange of concerns, ideas and activities oflibrary technicians.

e) To coordinate activities in order to facilitatethis exchange of concerns and ideas.

The first executive was elected on March 12th,2007. The members of the new executive are:

* President - Erica Smith* Vice-President - Erin Purcell* Treasurer - Jo-Ann Johnston* Secretary - Patricia Madden

“Today is a historical and exciting day for LibraryTechnicians in Nova Scotia. NSALT intends toadvance our profession through activemembership, promotion and marketing andpartnerships.” says Erica Smith, NSALTPresident.

Nova Scotia Association of Library Technicians5 Lakehead CourtLower Sackville, NSB4C 3V6

Welcome to the following individuals andinstitutions that have recently joined or rejoinedOALT/ABO. These memberships were receivedfrom January 1, 2007 to March 10, 2007.

Rachel AuclairCathy DobbsRosanne giancolaKaren InfantinoElizabeth KatzLucy LandolfiShann LeightonSzu-jung LiuDianne NickersonJanice ShardBrian Williams

Maria BuismanSharon FiliatraultAnne HoggAmanda KaldewayJason T. LambertDenise LeBlancQionghui LiuSuzanne NelsonDiana PrimucciCyndi SmithBrenda Wong

25

From Library Technician to Librarian: My StoryBy: Jennifer Peters-Lise, Metadata & Digital Services Librarian, Seneca College

I was asked to write this article after presentingthis story to a group of, mostly, librarians at aconference this past Fall. At that time I felt like Iwas preaching to the choir. Now, I am happy tobe offering this to a group of, mostly, librarytechnicians. I hope to peak your interest andmaybe tempt you a little too.

My journey began as a youth who had no ideawhat career to pursue after high school.Guidance counselors thought my love of writingwould translate well into journalism. Little didthey know I was far too laid back to ever besuccessful in that type of career. After a coupleof years, I was in search of a new path.

I took my love of writing to university for anundergraduate degree in English literature.Finally I found the perfect fit for my constitution.I enjoyed this time in my life very much but whatto do after graduation? Unfortunately there islittle one can do with a Bachelor of Arts thesedays.

One day I decided to approach a librarian I hadbefriended at the university library. I asked herabout her career: what was it like? what tasksdid she do? what skills were required? howmuch did the position pay?

I was interested in what she told me but was notinterested in the required graduate degree. Iwanted to get out into the workforce quicklyhaving already been in school for six years post-secondary. I was hoping to marry my fiancé, buya house and start living a non-student life!

She then told me about the accelerated Libraryand Information Technician (LIT) program atSeneca College. This sounded better at half thetime and half the tuition. The high job placementrates for technicians at that time cemented mydecision.

Choosing Seneca turned out to be a very gooddecision indeed. While in the LIT program,Seneca hired me to cover the reference deskalmost every night of the week. Shortly aftergraduation I was hired full-time at Seneca.Finally I had been granted my wish; I was amember of the workforce! Soon after I wasmarried and bought that house.

Three years into working as a technician,although I thoroughly enjoyed my job, I waslooking to go back to school to pursue anothercareer option.

In 2003 I went back to school part-time in theFaculty of Information Studies at the Universityof Toronto. Three years later I graduated withmy Master of Information Studies degree. Fourmonths after graduation I was hired as alibrarian at Seneca College.

Although everything worked out well in the endit was definitely no picnic through the process.To complete the degree I attended nightclasses after working full-time during the day.I hurried through the degree taking somecourses I was not interested in so that I couldfulfill my degree requirements faster. I knewthere was a potential position waiting for me atSeneca so I did not want to daIly.

I often compare the process of completing mydegree to Kubler-Ross’s five stages of grief:denial, anger, bargaining, depression andacceptance. The denial came before I startedthe degree because I thought it would be easyas it was only a couple of nights per week. Iwas completely fooling myself.

My first year I experienced anger anddepression. I suddenly had no life and was nothaving any fun. All my free time wasconsumed by research, reading and writing. Iwould spend eight to nine hours a day onweekends doing nothing but homework.Commuting downtown from north of RichmondHill did nothing to improve my state-of-mind. Ibargained with myself promising shoppingtrips or dinners out if I finished an assignment.

It was during my second and third year that Istarted to experience acceptance of mysituation and truly started to enjoy myself. Irealized that I was wasting this opportunity ofbeing downtown with all these great shops andrestaurants by wallowing in my own self-pity.Many of the part-time students in the programstarted to form a support network which gaveme great comfort. I also started to attend someday classes which did wonders for my mentalhealth.

Continued on p. 27

26

Mr. Antanas Sileika: Guest Author at “Equi-Libra”By: Annette Desrosiers

The book club chapter is pleased to have asits guest author for the OALT/ABO 2007Annual Conference, Mr. Antanas Sileika.

Antanas Sileika’s lifelong love of books hasled him to write a novel while working as aparking lot attendant in his youth, co-editingthe Canadian literary journal, Descant, fornine years, and reviewing books for radio,television, and newspapers. He was afreelance writer of newspaper and magazinearticles, for one hour the translator for PrimeMinister Brian Mulroney, and a politicalcommentator during the collapse of theSoviet Union, for which the Lithuaniangovernment awarded him a Knight’s Cross,the equivalent of the Order of Canada. AtHumber College since 1979, he has been ateacher of ESL, English, and CreativeWriting, and is now the Director of theHumber School for Writers.

Antanas Sileika’s first book was Dinner at theEnd of the World (1994), this was followed bya collection of linked stories about the ethnicsuburbs of the fifties, called Buying on Time(1997), which was nominated for the LeacockMedal for Humour and the City of TorontoBook Award. His most recent novel, Womanin Bronze, deals with artists in Paris in thetwenties. It was a Globe Best book of 2004.He is currently working on a novel about anti-Soviet partisans in Eastern Europe afterWW2, tentatively called Underground.

“Woman in Bronze” is the Book ClubChapter’s May reading selection. In thisnovel the Ontario-raised author turns to hisLithuanian roots. The novel tells the story ofTomas Stumbras a Lithuanian carver duringWorld War I. He is caught between thedestruction around him and his creativity. Heleaves Lithuania for Paris and along the waymeets some interesting characters.

Here are some reviews about “Woman in Bronze”:

The novel, written in a deceptively easy prose, issuperbly told, and Sileika is a keen dramatist.”—The Globe and Mail

“Fuses rich storytelling with a palate of mixedhistorical and fictional characters that results in abook dripping in both its sights and sounds aswell as the intricacies between the character’srelationships. Antanas Sileika carves a superbtale of one man’s drive through continuousobstacles of heartbreaking struggles andemotional triumphs, taking the reader along forthe memorable ride.” —Calgary Herald

“A jazz-age La Bohème with a plot featuring theusual operatic subjects: illicit passions, jealousrages, tumultuous crowd scenes, tormentedartists, dramatic reversals of fortune and lots ofdead bodies. The lights, the promise, thedebauchery and the virile young talent soessential to Paris in the ‘20s are all on display....Its evocation of a bygone era, the story’s tragicsweep, and the kind of high romanticism thatsees the hero turn away from his moment oftriumph — have a grandiosity and pathos anyverismo composer would love.”—The Vancouver Sun

I hope you can join us for this session thatshould prove to be both entertaining andenlightening.

Annette DesrosiersBook Club Chapter Convener

Volunteers are not paid not because theyare worthless, but because they arepriceless.

- Anonymous

From Library Technician to Librarian:My Story By: Jennifer Peters-Lise (con’t)

What advice would I give technicians thinkingof a Master’s degree? Do some exploring of theMLS program, and ask for advice from thelibrarians you work with or know to see if this issomething you truly would be interested in. Theroles of a technician and librarian are verydifferent and one may suit you better than theother.

27

Book Club Chapter: 2007-2008 Book TitlesSubmitted by: Annette Desrosiers, Chair, Book Club Chapter

Want to have some fun online? Join the Book ClubChapter and get blogging! Here’s the Hst of nextyear’s books:

1. Burden of Desireby Robert MacNeil

The whirlwind of World War I and the Halifaxexplosion provides the canvas on which a vivid lovetriangle is played out in the first novel by thebestselling author of “The Story of English” andformer half of the MacNeil Lehrer Report. When aclergyman discovers the sexually explicit diary of ayoung woman, he and a friend are swept into avortex of conflicting emotions as they try todiscover her identity.

2. The Girl at the Lion d’Orby Sebastian Faulks

A beautifully controlled and powerful story of loveand conscience, will and desire which begins whena mysterious young girl arrives to take up the postat the seedy Hotel du Lion dOr in a small Frenchtown in the mid 1930s.

3. Bombay timeby Thrity Umrigar

The middle-class denizens of a Bombay apartmentcomplex come to life in Umrigar’s engaging debut,which tells the story of a half-dozen protagoniststhrough the prism of a wedding hosted byrespected lawyer Jimmy Kanga. Kanga’s rise toglory is just one of several intriguing subplots. Thenovel begins with the story of Rusi and CoomiBilimoria, a couple whose marriage becomesfrayed when Rusi’s business plans don’t match hisexpectations and Coomis mother-in-law turns outto be a live-in nightmare. The neighborhood drunk,Adi Patel, also has a tale to tell involving a tragicinterlude with the daughter of a labourer thateffectively ruins his life, and the widow TehmiEngineer takes an analogous road to ruin when herhandsome husband, Cyrus, is killed in an explosionat a chemical plant.

4. The Poisonwood Bibleby Barbara Kingsolver

An evangelical Baptist Minister takes his wife, fourdaughters and his mission from a small town inGeorgia to the Belgian Congo in 1959, where hediscovers that everything from garden seeds toScripture is transformed on African soil. This is atale of one family’s tragic undoing and remarkablereconstruction over the course of three decades inpost-colonial Africa.

5. White Oleanderby Janet Fitch

When Astrids mother, a beautiful, headstrongpoet, murders a former lover and is imprisonedfor life, Astrid becomes one of the thousands offoster children in Los Angeles. As she navigatesthis new reality, Astrid finds strength in herunshakable certainty of her own worth and herunfettered sense of the absurd.

6. Deafeningby Frances ltani

At the age of five, Grania from smalltown Ontarioemerges from a bout of scarlet fever profoundlydeaf and is suddenly sealed off from the worldthat was just beginning to open for her. Grania’ssaving grace is her grandmother Mamo, whotries to teach Grania to read and speak again.When it becomes clear that she can no longerthrive in the world of the hearing, her familysends her to live at the Ontario School for theDeaf in Belleville, where, she learns signlanguage and speech.” After graduation Graniastays on to work at the school, and it is therethat she meets Jim Lloyd, and marries him. Twoweeks after their wedding, Jim leaves to serveas a stretcher bearer during World War I.

7. Stanley Parkby Timothy Taylor

Jeremy Papier, a Vancouver chef divides chefsinto two types: the transnational Crips, who mix,say, Chilean farm-bred salmon and kimchi,without compunction; and Bloods, who arepurists, stubbornly local in their food choices.Along with his friend Jules Capelli, anotherBlood, Jeremy runs the Monkey’s Paw Bistro,making meals from mostly local ingredients forlocal foodies. Turning for solace to his father, ananthropologist whose major project is living withthe homeless in Stanley Park, Jeremy isreluctantly drawn into his father’s work and theinvestigation of a decades-old mystery involvingtwo children killed in the park.

8. Guest author at 2008 conference - Authorand work to be determined at a later time.Suggestions are welcome. Please submit toAnnette Desrosiers.

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33 Reasons Libraries and Librarians areStill Extremely Important

(Article reprinted with permission from the author Will Sherman)

Many predict that the digital age will wipe publicbookshelves clean, and permanently end thecenturies-old era of libraries. Technology’sbaffling prowess and progress even has onelibrarian predicting the institution’s demise.

He could be right.

But if he is, then the loss will be irreplaceable. Aslibraries’ relevance comes into question, theyface an existential crisis at a time they areperhaps needed the most. Despite theirperceived obsoleteness in the digital age bothlibraries — and librarians — are irreplaceable formany reasons. 33, in fact. We’ve listed themhere:

1. Not everything is available on the internet2. Digital libraries are not the internet3. The internet isn’t free4. The internet complements libraries, but it

doesn’t replace them5. School Libraries and Librarians Improve

Student Test Scores6. Digitization Doesn’t Mean Destruction7. In fact, digitization means survival8. Digitization is going to take a while. A long

while.9. Libraries aren’t just books10. Mobile devices aren’t the end of books, or

libraries11. The hype might really just be hype12. Library attendance isn’t falling — it’s just more

virtual now13. Like businesses, digital libraries still need

human staffing14. We just can’t count on physical libraries

disappearing15. Google Book Search “don’t work”16. Physical libraries can adapt to cultural

change17. Physical libraries are adapting to cultural

change18. Eliminating libraries would cut short an

important process of cultural evolution19. The internet isn’t DIY20. Wisdom of crowds is untrustworthy, because

of the tipping point

21. Librarians are the irreplaceablecounterparts to web moderators Librariansare the irreplaceable counterparts to webmoderators

22. Unlike moderators, librarians muststraddle the line between libraries and theinternet

23. The internet is a mess24. The internet is subject to manipulation

25. Libraries’ collections employ a well-formulated system of citation

25. It can be hard to isolate conciseinformation on the internet

26. Libraries can preserve the bookexperience

27. Libraries are stable while the web istransient

28. Libraries can be surprisingly helpful fornews collections and archives

29. Not everyone has access to the internet30. Not everyone can afford books31. Libraries are a stopgap to anti-

intellectualism32. Old books are valuable

ConclusionSociety is not ready to abandon the library,and it probably won’t ever be. Libraries canadapt to social and technological changes, butthey can’t be replaced. While libraries aredistinct from the internet, librarians are themost suited professionals to guide scholarsand citizens toward a better understanding ofhow to find valuable information online.Indeed, a lot of information is online. But a lotis still on paper. Instead of regarding librariesas obsolete, state and federal governmentsshould increase funding for improved staffingand technology. Rather than lope blindlythrough the digital age, guided only by thecorporate interests of web economics, societyshould foster a culture of guides andguideposts. Today, more than ever, librariesand librarians are extremely important for thepreservation and improvement of our culture.

The full article with explanation for each pointcan be found at:http://www.degreetutor.com/Iibrary/adultcontinued-education/librarians-needed

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In Memory:Lanah Geraldine Hughes (1918 — 2007) Condolences:

Died peacefully at Oakville Trafalgar MemorialHospital in the morning of March 19, 2007.Predeceased by her parents, Edith and RaymondHughes, and her brother Don (Viola). Geraldineis survived by her sisters Kay (Derek, deceased),Doris (Doug), nephews and nieces Jim(Maryanne), Ken (Kathryn), Debbie (Michael),Judy (Brian), Susan, Lisa, Keith (Beverly),Brenda, Colleen (Bill), great-nieces and nephewsand great-great-nieces and nephews. Friends willmiss her at Knox Presbyterian Church and thosearound the world, who work with the Initiatives ofChange organization. Geraldine grew up inLondon, Ontario where she taught for a period oftime. She then worked as a full-time volunteer for20 years with the Oxford Group/Moral ReArmament, now known as Initiatives of Change.She graduated with a Master of Library Sciencedegree from the University of Michigan and was alibrarian at Mackinaw College Library. In 1971she returned to Canada to create and lead a twoyear diploma in library techniques at the newlyopened Sheridan College, Oakville. On herretirement, her students honoured her with anaward presented annually in her name. Geraldinewas ever curious and engaged with national andinternational current affairs. She lived a long andfull life, rich with friendships carefully tended,summers at her cottage near Goderich, andtravelled around the world, including two trips toChina. A passionate preserver of family historyand story, Gerry pursued genealogical researchand assisted in organizing two popular familyreunions. Her family is especially grateful tocousins Judy Brown and Grant and KarenHughes for their loving support of Geraldine inrecent years. And we thank Dr. Morris and thededicated staff at Oakville Trafalgar MemorialHospital for their care. Family and friends will bereceived at Knox Presbyterian Church, 89 DunnStreet, Oakville, on Saturday, March 31, 2007from 10 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations inGerald in&s memory can be made either to KnoxPresbyterian Church, 89 Dunn Street, Oakville,Ontario L6J 3C8 or to Initiatives of ChangeCanada, 2227-1010 Arbour Lake Road NW,Calgary, Alberta T3G 4Y8

QALT/ABO is saddened to share news ofthe passing of another valued colleague, a

life-time member of Halton-Peel and formerCoordinator of the Sheridan College LITprogramme.

Thank you, Tracy, for passing on thismessage regarding the passing of GeraldineHughes. When Sheridan’s library technicianprogram closed a few years ago, withGeraldine’s permission they arranged totransfer the award to our library technicianprogram at Mohawk College. Since that timewe have been awarding it annually to thestudent with the highest marks in ourcataloguing courses.Coincidentally, the award presentation forthis year is to be made at a luncheon nextSaturday, Mar. 31, at almost the exact sametime of the memorial service.

The library world has lost one of its pioneers.Our condolences to the family and friends ofGeraldine.

Dolores Harms Penner,Program Manager,Library & Information Technician ProgramMohawk College

Thinking Outside the Box(con’t from page 21)

He simply answered: “I would give the carkeys to my old friend and let him take thelady to the hospital. I would stay behind andwait for the bus with the partner of mydreams.”

Sometimes, we gain more if we are able togive up our stubborn thought limitations.Never forget to “Think Outside of the Box.”

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People News

Pam Casey, CTT+Turning the Page

This new adventure of mine was not totally unexpected but what I did not think was that it wouldhappen in these terms. On March 14th, 2007 my company announced another restructuring butthis time it included me and all of my colleagues at our location. It gave me the push I needed. Idid not want to fly out of the nest on my own since I was very comfortable but this time I got kickedout.

I am writing this article on the very first day of my new life. I am now self-employed and anentrepreneur, a President, VP, CFO, etc. of a company. My firm is Information Now. It is still newand I am working out the growing pains but my premise is to provide library services toassociations, corporations, and individuals etc that do not have a library or a librarian but requirethe resources and / or training. As more and more special libraries are closing or are downsized,firms are being caught in the void and need this service. I have decided to use all of my skills andput them to work for me.

So if your firm needs some assistance, please do not hesitate to call.My contact information is as follows:

Pam Casey, CTT+President, Information Now539 Cumberland AvenueBurlington ON L7N 2X3Information_Now@canada.com905-467-3763

2007-2008 NewslettersMaggie Weaver:

will go to print on the following dates:Maggie has a “new baby”!After 34 years of marriage, Maggie has September 15 2007acquired a “son”! Her nephew George is now January 12 2008living with her and Keith, while he gains real-life experience in his chosen field, international April 152008

hospitality. At the moment he is working at the Please consider contributing to YOURCN Tower (going up in the world -- and newsletter! If we don’t talk about whatdown!), while Maggie is adjusting to the we do, who will?strange time zones that young males operatein, and the vast calorific intake. (Deadline for submissions is 15 days priorGeorge arrived just in time to cat-sit while to the print date — a.k.a. the 1st ofMaggie and Keith had a flying visit to New September, January and April.)Zealand for a wedding. They marvelled at theadrenalin junkies bunging-jumping, jet-surfing

_______________________________________

and para-gliding, but kept their own feet firmly “Knowledge is of two kinds. We know aon the ground while viewing fantastic scenery subject ourselves, or we know wherein the area where The Lord of The Rings was we can find information upon it.”filmed, and drinking the mellow pinto noirproduced in the tiny Central Otago wineries. -

Samuel Johnson

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2007 ConferenceRegistration

Some firewalls are preventing people from using theonline registration system past the page where youput your contact details.

If this happens to you, you have a couple ofoptions.

1) You can call me at 416-925-5478 and walk methrough registering you -- simply my hands on mykeyboard instead of yours.

OR

2) you can pull out the relevant pages from theconference pacakge (or download them from theOALT/ABO website www.oaltabo.on.ca if youprefer), mark what you want to attend and stuff likeaccommodation, and fax or mail this “registrationform” to Pat Tait, Humber Conference Services,Humber Conference Services - Lakeshore Campus,3199 Lake Shore Blvd, Toronto, ON M8V 1K8 --

Fax:416-252-3474

We are lucky to have Conference onlineregistration, but like all technology it hassome glitches. But good old-fashionedphone will solve any problems!

So, don’t hesitate to call!Maggie Weaver 416-925-5478

OALT/ABO . Abbey Market P.O. Box 76010 . 1500 Upper Middle Road West. Oakville. L6M 4H5

Publication Agreement # 40688591

OALTIABO’S NEWS ALERTS:Our Discussion List is hosted withYahoo! Groups. Please be sure to getyourself signed on so you are kept up-to-date with shared job postings, questionsfrom fellow LTs and recent issues thatneed immediate action.

New OALTIABO Web Sitesoon to be revealed!!

Stay tuned as all memberswill be asked for their input

for content!

President:Tracy Morganmorvay@globalserve.net

2006-2007 OALTIABO EXECUTIVE

President-Elect:Stella Clark

External CommunicationsCoordinatorMaggie Weaverkweaver5478(äroqers.com

Treasurer:Claudia Persaudclaudiapersaudäsympatico.ca

Internal CommunicationsCoordinator I Newsletter EditorMaria Ripleymripley(myvirtuaInetwork.com

Membership Coordinator:Christopher EvansChristopher Evansontla.ola.orq

Conference CoordinatorMelissa HallMhall(cihi.ca

Chapter CoordinatorJenna Winklerjwinkler@torontopubliclibrarv.ca

ArchivistPenni ChalkPenni.chalk(äfin.gov.on.ca

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