Tag Archives: SCSU

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

SCSU Librarian Hosts Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon

Rachel
Rachel Wexelbaum, diligently editing Wikipedia

We know book clubs, knitting and quilting circles are popular during the winter months, but what about getting together to edit Wikipedia? Rachel Wexelbaum, St. Cloud State University librarian, got involved in this first time ever event in the university library on Saturday, February 1, 2014. Attendees included SCSU professors, librarians, and students too!

Read all about the event in a St. Cloud Times article.

Are you interested in knowing how Rachel organized this event, and how you might do the same?  You can email her to get insights about logistics and lessons learned at rswexelbaum@stcloudstate.edu. Nicely done Rachel!

CMLE staff are always looking for library/school media  news items in Central Minnesota. Be sure to submit your stories to cmle@stcloudstate.edu and remember, no story is too small. Your peers just like to peek into your library world!  Keep on making the news!

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

An Interview with Dean Vargas

Dean Mark Vargas. Image by St. Cloud State University. Retrieved online 11/25/13.
Dean Mark Vargas. Image by St. Cloud State University. Retrieved online 11/25/13.

Earlier this year, Mark Vargas joined the leadership at St. Cloud State University (SCSU) as Dean of the Library, in the James W. Miller Learning Resources Center. Dean Vargas was drawn to SCSU because he recognized the potential to build upon the existing strengths of the Library in support of the University’s strategic plans stating, “We are a reflection of the University. It is important for the Library to show how it aligns with institutional goals and objectives; demonstrating our impact on the success of the students and faculty across campus is essential.” Dean Vargas’ number one priority is to meet the needs of students and faculty in this ever changing and dynamic educational environment. “All libraries are dealing with the complexities of the digital age. Many opportunities exist to collaborate with colleagues, other departments, institutions and so on; the list is endless. The challenge is to zero in on what is feasible, given the availability of finite resources.” When asked about his managerial style he replied, “I have an innate optimism, about how people want to do work. I believe there is power in showing people appreciation and respect. I want to provide the necessary resources and then get out of the way, to allow them to excel at their jobs.”

Born and raised in Gary Indiana, it was his experience as a steel mill worker, after high school, that influenced his decision to enroll in college. Dean Vargas’ interest in history, and experiences as a student volunteer in Archives, at Indiana University Northwest that led to the completion of a Bachelor of Arts in History; and later his Masters in both Library Science and History from the University of Maryland, Archives. Since then, Dean Vargas has worked at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT,) University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma-Chickasha, and Saint Xavier University-Chicago.

Dean Vargas graciously took time out of his busy schedule to meet with CMLE staff this week. And, we encourage other member libraries to take a moment and, in turn, welcome him to Central Minnesota!  The Dean of the Library currently serves as an ex-officio member on the Governing Board for Central MN Libraries Exchange (CMLE.) In that capacity, Dean Vargas, welcomes collaboration and participation in programming; freely offering the Library as centralized facility for regional meeting and events, “I want to build a relationship between our Library and all CMLE member library types-their patrons/users are our current and future students.”

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

Assessment of Relevance & Change in Libraries

Image by AJC1. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image by AJC1. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

Frankie Rendon from the University of Illinois, Chicago posted an article with Teach Thought about the unprecedented change that is occurring across all library types in the United States. At the helm is technology and access to both print and “e” resources. The evolution of libraries is seen through the transformation of services and its impact on librarians working to meet the demands of patrons/users. Rendon believes that libraries are vital stating, “Today, librarians are more valuable than ever before due to their vast knowledge, expertise, community relations skills, and passion for imparting knowledge; all social literacies are as important now as ever.” Many librarians accomplish this by offering training, being stewards of resources, community advocates and spokespersons for literacy.  Click here to read the full article, The Changing Landscape For Libraries & Librarians In The Digital Age (November 2013.)

Demonstrating competencies is one part of the equation; articulating relevancy is the other. Last week, Dean Vargas from the St. Cloud State University Learning Resources Services Library (Miller Center) invited CMLE staff and area academic librarians to participate in a day-long assessment workshop. Meagan Oakleaf, a national expert on assessment, facilitated each session. It served as a reminder that across library types, departments, and disciplines the importance of understanding the role of the library in the larger construct, in this case of an academic institution. And, faculty and staff are equally tasked with demonstrating the value added to the library by the services they provide. How can libraries/librarians demonstrate impact?   Relevancy is the most powerful when impacts can be reasonably qualified or quantified. According to Oakleaf, this is accomplished when the needs and goals of an institution/library intersect the services, resources and expertise offered by the librarians and respective staff. Assessment evaluates these points of intersections and can be an influential tool in the decision making process.

Interesting in initiating or continuing assessment at your library?  ProQuest, Springer, Library Journal and ER&L are sponsoring a series of three webcasts that can help-click here to learn more. Also, for additional information, below are a few books and journals (academic focused) that were identified at the workshop you may find helpful;

  • Books
    • Evaluating the Impact of Your Library (2012) by Sharon Markless, David Streatfield
    • Library Assessment in Higher Education (2007) by Joseph R. Matthews
    • Evaluation and Measurement of Library Services (2007) by Joseph R. Matthews
  • Journals
    • Evidence Based Library and Information Practice 2006, 1:4 by John Eldridge
    • Higher Education Outcomes Assessment for the 21st Century (2013)  by Peter Hernon (link)
  • CMLE Previous Posts
    • How to Keep Libraries Relevant (link)
    • The Importance of Libraries (link)
    • 2013 Where Have All the Media Specialists Gone (link)
    • 101 Things Students Would Miss: If they don’t have a Teacher Librarian in their School (link)
Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

34th Annual Children’s Literature Workshop!

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CLW Keynote Speaker-Avi
CLW Keynote Speaker-Avi

St. Cloud State University (SCSU) is hosting the 34th Annual Children’s Literature Workshop (CLW) on June 17th & 18th. This year’s keynote speaker will be award winning writer Avi. Author of more than 60 books, Avi’s work includes picture books, adventure, fantasy and historical fiction.  He will be joined at the event by Laura Purdie Salas, author of more than 100 kids and teen books, and Julie Riemer who will be discussing the best in new books. Participants will attend interactive small group sessions with MN author Debra Frasier, MN author Sheila O’Connor, Children’s Literature Network co-founder Vicki Palmquist, and Library Media Specialist Laurie Conzemius. Wrap up session will showcase MN author, singer, and songwriter Dennis Warner.

In addition, this workshop offers book discounts, CEUs and an optional credit (1) from SCSU. There are special rates for students and groups of 5 or more from the same organization-click here for additional information and to register.

Academic, School Media Specialist

History Day Palooza @ SCSU – Press Release

St. Cloud State University to help area students with history research during History Day Palooza @ SCSU

 St. Cloud – St. Cloud State University invites middle school and high school students to participate in “History Day Palooza @ SCSU,” which will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 in the James W. Miller Learning Resources Center at St. Cloud State University. Check in will begin at 8:30 a.m.

 St. Cloud State University and Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange librarians and SCSU History Day staff will provide training on library resources and research topics for area students working on their National History Day 2012 projects. They will be joined by Minnesota Historical Society History Day staff and a Minitex librarian. This year’s National History Day is focused on the theme “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.”

 Students participating in History Day Palooza @ SCSU will learn about the resources for doing history research that are available to them in the Miller Center library at St. Cloud State, and other libraries throughout the state. Librarians and St. Cloud State University history and education students will help students find books, articles and other resources in the Miller Center, write bibliographies, focus their topics, analyze and present their information, and add depth and personalized history to their projects.

 During History Day Palooza @ SCSU, students will also learn about materials available from other libraries in Minnesota and may request materials from those libraries through the interlibrary loan service provided by the Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange.

 Students will be introduced to “Minnesota Reflections,” a growing collection of more than 85,000 digital copies of historical treasures from across Minnesota. They will also be introduced to the collection of resources available through the Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM). Minnesota Historical Society will also be on hand to offer advice on History Day projects.

 Teachers should register their students, but, if necessary, students may register themselves. Registration must include any adults who will accompany the student or group, including volunteers and parents. Registration deadline is Jan. 25. Registration is available at http://research.stcloudstate.edu/page.phtml?page_id=344. Space is limited so register soon.

Parking in all SCSU surface lots, including the pay lot on the north of the Miller Center, is free on weekends. Parking is available on nearby streets as well. Fees apply in the parking ramp.

 History Day Palooza @ SCSU is sponsored by the St. Cloud State University Learning Resources Services, Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange, the SCSU History Department, the Minnesota Digital Library, Minitex, the Minnesota Historical Society and the SCSU College of Liberal Arts.