All posts by Michelle

Academic, Check this out:, General

Solo Library Technologist

Image by swanksalot. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons licensing. Some rights reserved.
Image by swanksalot. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons licensing. Some rights reserved.

In a recent ACRL TechConnect post, Eric Phetteplace provides advice for library technologists that may feel as if they are going solo and unequipped to address pending tasks. He generalizes common issues into the following four areas:

  1. Colleagues lacking similar skill sets
  2. Too broad of responsibilities and limited technology time
  3. Creating endurable and maintainable projects
  4. Determining appropriate projects given the available resources

Click here to read the full article, Advice on Being a Solo Library Technologist to read  tips on how to circumvent these common road blocks.

Tip: Although this article is directed to Academic Libraries and their respective staff, the advice is very applicable to  all technology users in any library type.

Check this out:

Libraries Rock: MLA Fall Conference

Information in this post was provided by MLA conference committee.

Minnesota Library Association registration is still open for the
2013 Annual Conference: “Libraries ROCK!”

St. Cloud, MN – The 2013 Annual Conference will be held October 10-11 at the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The conference equips library staff with new ideas and tools to stay up-to-date, innovate, and succeed in their careers. This year’s theme is “Libraries ROCK!”

This year’s headline and featured presenters include:

  • Kee Malesky, National Public Radio librarian, with Sasha Aslanian, senior reporter at MPR
  • Overdue Media’s Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum
  • Erin McKean, founder of Wordnik
  • The Geek Girls
  • Author Mary Sharratt
  • Author Laura Salas

New for 2013 is the Talkin’ ’Bout My Generation mini-conference focused on library services for older adults, featuring hands-on activities, displays, and breakout sessions with:

MLA Conf. Logo

  • Diantha Schull, author of 50+ Library Services: Innovation in Action
  • Brain Fitness – Keeping brains sharp; public libraries and the Alzheimer’s Association working together
  • Maura O’Malley, presenting Encore: Libraries, the Arts, and Older Adults
  • Joyce Yukawa, presenting Finding the Fires that Burn Within: A Community-Based Framework for Developing Older Adult Services

The 2013 Annual Conference offers more than 60 sessions across nine simultaneous tracks (Administration & Leadership; Authors, Literature, and Programming; Children & Young Adults; Collection Management & Technical Services; Digital Information & Technologies; Diversity; Professional Development; Public Services; Library Trustees & Friends), Appy Hour breakfast showcase, a silent auction fundraiser, countless networking opportunities, and an exhibit hall with more than 40 vendors showcasing library products and services. New features this year include a Battle of the Bands Trivia Night and a member directory photo booth.

Click here for additional information and registration.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Literature That is Literally Flooring?

Image by emdot, Retrieved from FlickR. Used under Creative Commons licensing. Some rights reserved.
Image by emdot, Retrieved from FlickR. Used under Creative Commons licensing. Some rights reserved.

Links to the Literary Word!

Here is another example of how literature and design can be combined to showcase a love of books.

Just for fun, click here to view a short post by BookRiot titled, Awesome Bookish Flooring.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Popular Teacher Tools

Image by anieto2k. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons licensing. Some rights reserved.
Image by anieto2k. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons licensing. Some rights reserved.

This month marks the beginning of a new school/academic year. With that comes a list of items and ideas for your work plan. In terms of technology, Edudemic created a top ten list of the most popular tools used by teachers to-date. Many of them have been discussed in previous posts by CMLE. However, if last year you weren’t quite ready to try out a new tool-you might want to reconsider it for this year. If you have already invested time in learning/training others to use these tools, then this post can serve as an affirmation that they should remain on your favorites list. Click here to view Edudemic’s list and compare notes.

Tip: As a library professional you interact with other teachers on a routine basis. Here is secondary post by Edudemic, 5 Goals Teachers Should Shoot For This Year. You might want to take a moment to compare your goals to this list. It could also serve as a great starting place to assist teachers, you work with, as they come to you for advice throughout the year.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Library of Congress Is Now Online and Free!

LibraryofCongress Logo
Image retrieved from the Library of Congress website. All rights reserved.

Historically, the publications from the Library of Congress were made available, for purchase, through CDS. However, as of  July 1st, this information can now obtainable at no cost. Click here to learn more about how to access this FREE resource .

Tip: You can download a PDF of the titles available by visiting the Library’s Acquisitions and Bibliographic Access Directorate website at www.loc.gov/aba/.