News from Nova Scotia
submitted by Darlene Beck
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Annapolis Valley Regional Library
Automated Library System
The collection exchange component of the shared automated library system will be removed in September. In working with the Nova Scotia Provincial Library an alternative solution has been worked out. Procedures have been finalized and documentation is expected to be complete by the end of June. The first exchange of library materials between branches using this new method will take place in September 2009. The workflow for branch staff has been somewhat streamlined while branch services staff in our administration office should not see too much of a change.
A new feature has been made available in our web catalogue, “What Others are Reading”. This is a list of the 20 most read titles and authors in our collection. It is updated each week with the results being automatically generated from the items checked out or renewed. Those featured in the lists are a mix of children’s and adult material.
A new Collection Access Committee has been organized. A first meeting will take place this month or early July. Charlotte Janes is sitting on this committee as our region’s representative. This committee will look into best practices and added features for the library catalogue used by the public. It is hoped that the maximum benefits and access to the collection of the province can be achieved with this approach.
Borrow/Return Anywhere
An initiative of Libraries Nova Scotia is being implemented in the fall. The Borrow/Return Anywhere project will allow Nova Scotians to borrow from participating libraries without charge and return to any other participating library. Currently there are only three libraries within the university, public and college libraries that are not participating in the initial project. In September a one year pilot project will be launched to evaluate the public use and associated workload of such an initiative. Charlotte Janes is one of five members on the procedures committee for this project. This committee will hold focus group sessions in two areas of the province before developing the needed procedures. We will also be evaluating the project throughout the pilot.
Community Access Program (CAP)
The CAP program is doing well this year. Six summer CAP youth will be employed in our region. They will be offering computer workshops for adults as well as one-on-one tutorials. For children they will host computer camps, teen lounges, and special events. It is hoped that podcasts (audio files) will be made of some of these that can be accessed later by users on our website.
CAP sustainability funding is also looking favourable for this year. Some of the paperwork has begun. There are rumours that this may be the last year, but this is a familiar story to us all.
Branch Services Report
Our spring has been a very busy one at AVRL, with the hosting of several guest authors and presenters.
We partnered with the Halifax Peace Coalition to host a visit from journalist, author, and war correspondent Scott Taylor in April. Due to interest shown in the subject and speaker, we secured a larger venue at Acadia University to accommodate an 85+ crowd. Mr. Taylor brings with him a wealth of professional expertise regarding global conflicts and he recounts some of those experiences in his most recent book Unembedded: Two Decades of Maverick War Reporting.
Also in April, Susan Cameron, author of These Four Walls, offered readings and presentations in both Bridgetown and Middleton. The End of the Line Pub was the venue in Bridgetown, and a brown-bag lunchtime affair was featured at the Rosa M. Harvey Library in Middleton. Both events were made possible via Canada Council funding.
Carole Glasser Langille, author of the new book of short stories When I Always Wanted Something was at the Wolfville Library for a book launch on May 2.
Creative Writing Workshops were held in both Wolfville and Bridgetown during May, with author Joanne Jefferson as the presenter. The Wolfville workshop was specifically for teens and very well-attended, while the Bridgetown event was geared toward adults where registration was full. Events sponsored by the Writers’ Federation of NS.
Also in May, AVRL co-ordinated visits to three valley schools with author Lois Donovan, as part of the provincial Hackmatack Award celebrations. Her visits were sponsored by Canada Council.
Berwick Library collaborated with Gaspereau Press, Glad Gardens, and The Rising Sun Café to offer “Poetry In The Garden” on June 2. Poet Tonja Gunvaldsen Klaassen read from her recently published book of poetry immersed among the enchanting background of the Glad Gardens location in Waterville.
Author Jon Tattrie was a guest at the Kentville Library on June 3rd where he read from his new book Black Snow, a novel set against the backdrop of the Halifax Explosion.
The annual staff in-service day was held at our Administration Office in Bridgetown on May 25. Staff find this day of sharing and learning invaluable, and enjoy the opportunity to interact with co-workers. A variety of workshops were available, including: Catalogue Searching Tips; Getting Into the Teen Zone; Coping with Stress; Sharing Session (library programs and other tips shared among branch staff). Regional Librarian Frances Newman provided a summary of goals and objectives worked on over the past year, and those to address in the coming months. Our guest speaker was author, journalist, and gardener Jodi DeLong.
Cape Breton Regional Library
National Award Presented to the Cape Breton Regional and Cape Breton University Libraries
The Cape Breton Regional Library and Cape Breton University Library are this year’s joint recipients of the 2009 CLA/OCLC Award for Resource Sharing Achievement. The Award was presented at the annual Canadian Library Association (CLA) Conference held May 29 - June 1, in Montreal.
The Cape Breton Regional Library and the Cape Breton University Library have a long-standing history of cooperation and resource sharing that can be dated back to 1990. Over the past seventeen years, the libraries have worked together co-operatively and collaboratively in such areas as collections, professional development and database creation. They have partnered to bring together, update and maintain the records of their Gaelic language books into one online bilingual catalogue and have made it available through web access.
The resource sharing initiative by the two libraries was touted at the CLA national conference an outstanding example of successful resource sharing in Canada that has evolved as processes and technology have become increasingly sophisticated. This particular award recognizes successful, innovative and extensive resource sharing initiatives between a public and an academic library. CBRL Regional Librarian Faye MacDougall emphasized that “there is an excellent level of cooperation between the two Libraries.”
“A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two Libraries was recently renewed for a third term.” said Robert Campbell, Director of Library Services at CBU, “This speaks to the success of our resource sharing initiatives, and we look forward to continuing these efforts in the future.”
Ian MacIntosh, Deputy Regional Librarian at CBRL, has worked on a number of projects over the years and commented: “As the two largest Library collections on Cape Breton Island we have recognized that we can provide better service to our users through cooperation that employs the strength of both Library systems.”
The award was presented by the CLA Resource Sharing Interest Group, and is generously sponsored by the library technology firm OCLC Canada.
For more information about resource sharing initiatives, contact:
Faye MacDougall, or Robert Campbell
Regional Librarian Director, Library Services
Cape Breton Regional Library Cape Breton University
T: 562-3279 T: 563-1698
CBRL Board Chair Presented with National Public Library Trustee Award
Rod MacArthur, Chair of the Cape Breton Regional Library Board, has been awarded the Canadian Library Trustees Association (CLTA) 2009 Merit Award for Distinguished Service as a Public Library Trustee. The Award was presented to Mr. MacArthur at the annual Canadian Library Association Conference, which was held May 29 - June 1, in Montreal. The award is presented annually to a Library trustee who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the advancement of trusteeship and public library service in Canada.
Mr. MacArthur was chosen to receive this award for his long-standing and active participation on the Cape Breton Regional Library Board (1995 - 2000 and 2005 to present). Over the years Mr. MacArthur has served two terms as a member of the Nova Scotia Regional Libraries Funding Review Committee, which made recommendations for Provincial financing for Regional Library systems. In 2001 the Library Boards Association of Nova Scotia (LBANS) awarded him an Honorary Membership for Distinguished Service to Public Libraries in Nova Scotia.
Regional Librarian Faye MacDougall notes that this is only the third time this award has been presented to a Nova Scotian Library Board Member. It is very nice to see Mr. MacArthur recognized nationally for his many hours of service to Public Libraries, not just here in Cape Breton, but across the Province through his participation in LBANS. She also noted that Mr. MacArthur is committed to his community and volunteers in a number of areas.
In announcing the award, CLTA President Jan Harder of Ottawa said we are delighted to be honouring Trustee MacArthur this year in these challenging times when libraries are so important to the economic and psychological health of our communities.
Joan Connors Retires
Joan Connors has been an energetic contributor to life at the New Waterford Branch of the Cape Breton Regional Library for more than 30 years. As a Library Clerk, she is a familiar face that has greeted many patrons and run countless preschool programs over the years. She will be missed. There will be an Open House in her honour at the New Waterford Branch from 2-4 pm on July 16th and everyone is welcome.
Eastern Counties Regional Library
Management recently attended a training session on Cultural Competency, Welcoming Newcomers in Eastern Nova Scotia at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre on June 4 sponsored by the Strait Highlands Regional Development Association. The session, facilitated by Fadia Ismail of the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth, provided participants with an overview of the impact of immigration in our communities and focused on helping participants develop ways to interact more effectively with people of different cultures. The workshop was extremely relevant to public libraries, in particular to Eastern Counties Regional Library. Ismael noted that the strategies for providing successful settlement services, combating racism, and building welcoming communities often depends on resources available in schools and libraries.
Staff from Eastern Counties Regional Library attended the annual Staff Development Day on Friday, June 5 at the Mulgrave Professional Centre. Sessions included management updates, a preview and sharing session for the upcoming TD Summer Reading Program, "Agent 009", launch of the "June is Recreation Month" campaign sponsored by Recreation Nova Scotia, long term service awards and a presentation entitled "Serving Diverse Communities" which was facilitated by Tracey Jones-Grant and Ken Williment from the Halifax Public Library.
Five staff members of Eastern Counties Regional Library were awarded long term service awards on Friday, June 5 at the annual ECRL Staff Day held at the Mulgrave Professional Centre. The ECRL management team of Chief Librarian Petra Mauerhoff, and Managers Mary Landry, Trish McCormick, and Lesley Carruthers, attended the APLA conference held in Halifax from June 10-12. As well, Mauerhoff, a member of the Executive Council for the Canadian Association of Public Libraries (CAPL) also facilitated a CAPL Town Hall meeting held at O’Carroll’s Restaurant and Pub. The session provided participants with an opportunity to learn about CAPL activities and identify issues relevant to public libraries across Canada.
The library is involved in planning for their 40th Anniversaries at ECRL headquarters and branch in Mulgrave as well as the branch libraries in Sherbrooke and Canso. Activities are being planned for later in August and in the Fall.
Halifax Public Libraries
New Woodlawn Library
The Woodlawn Public Library, currently located in the Staples Plaza in Dartmouth, is moving to a larger location. The library will open in the former Empire Theatres location just off Portland Street this November.
The Woodlawn Library first opened in 1975 and is 4,000 square feet. The branch is one of the smallest urban outlets of Halifax Public Libraries, yet it has the sixth highest circulation.
The new location will feature 17,700 square feet of space, including a large program room and a 100-seat theatre. The library will have two self-check machines, defined areas for children, teens and a
dults, study areas, a computer area and free parking. There will also be more materials on the shelves and an increase in staff. The site is well-served by transit routes and provides safe pedestrian access.
dults, study areas, a computer area and free parking. There will also be more materials on the shelves and an increase in staff. The site is well-served by transit routes and provides safe pedestrian access.“This location was chosen because it will best serve current and future users. It will be designed to be operationally efficient 
and have multiple uses. The new library will be a welcoming community hub that will meet the needs and expectations of library users,” said Judith Hare, CEO of Halifax Public Libraries.
and have multiple uses. The new library will be a welcoming community hub that will meet the needs and expectations of library users,” said Judith Hare, CEO of Halifax Public Libraries.The new location will also house the departments of Collection Development, Collection Access, Delivery Services and Corporate Research and Development. This is the first time these departments will be located in a library branch.
Construction began in May and is scheduled to finish in September. In October, the library will make preparations for opening, with a move-in date of November 2009.
The Renovation of the Captain William Spry Library
The Captain William Spry Community Centre in Spryfield got a facelift this spring, and the library, located within the centre, got a new look too.
The library closed in March and reopened in May. While there were no additions built onto the library, the space for the public is now larger. This increase in space was made possible by reorganizing staff work areas. On opening day, patrons were greeted with new materials on the
shelves, new toys and learning objects for toddlers, more computers and comfortable seating as part of the remodeled branch.
“Customers have responded positively to our new design which offers a more interactive children’s area, a dedicated teen space and expanded access to technology. Visitors to the library are dropping by more and staying longer!” said Troy Myers, branch manager of Captain William Spry.
The renovation offer patrons a fresher, more vibrant space. There are computers dedicated for children, teens and adults in separate spaces for each age group.
WOW Reading Challenge Champions
Shatford Memorial Elementary School in Hubbards has been named the world literacy champion in the international WOW Reading Challenge. The J.D. Shatford Public Library in Hubbards partnered with the school by providing library orientations and visits so the students could borrow books during the challenge.
“The WOW Reading Challenge was the perfect opportunity for our school to promote reading. Staff, students and parents embraced the challenge and the local library and police helped us to support and encourage the love of reading. The results were phenomenal — Shatford Elementary read over 44,000 books and took the first place prize!” said Sandee Long, library support specialist at Shatford Memorial Elementary.
Between November and April, the children kept logbooks and wrote down the titles they read. The school held contests and draws to keep the children engaged and excited over the five months of the challenge.
During the challenge, all 73 students at the school visited the J.D. Shatford Public Library. Children who didn’t have library cards got registered for one. The children also visited the library to listen to a guest speaker during African Heritage Month. Lucas Maxwell, the youth services librarian at J.D. Shatford, made visits to the school during the challenge.
Shatford Memorial Elementary earned over $10,000 worth of books for winning the WOW Reading Challenge. The individual student who read the most books in the challenge got to be principal for a day. And the school is still enthusiastic about reading — they’ve planned to walk to J.D. Shatford to learn about the summer reading program before school lets out in June.
Altogether, 87 schools in Atlantic Canada and Ireland participated in the challenge. The challenge is hosted by the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library in conjunction with the Adopt-a- Library program, the RCMP and municipal police forces.
Word Up! Teen Poetry and Spoken Word Contest
This spring, Halifax Public Libraries invited teen wordsmiths to submit their work to the Word Up! Poetry and Spoken Word contest. Open to youth in grades 7-12, submissions could be in the form of poetry or spoken word. An electronic entry form on the library’s website allowed for entries in different media, such as spoken word pieces recorded on MP3 or short videos.
“The response was amazing and the quality of the entries was really good. With 296 entries, teens proved to us they want this. They want to have a voice and they’ve proven that poetry still appeals to them, which is great,” said Helen Thexton, teen services resource manager for Halifax Public Libraries. Original poetry and spoken word entries were judged in two categories: junior high (grades 7-9) and senior high (grades 10-12).
The contest was held in tandem with a series of poetry and spoken word workshops for teens that were offered throughout March and April. Poets Sue Goyette and Jenni Blackmore and spoken word artists Shauntay Grant and Reed ‘iZrEAL’ Jones helped teens hone their craft.
Winners were announced at the Teen Poetry and Spoken Word Awards Night on Friday, May 22 at the Keshen Goodman Public Library. Workshop presenter Jenni Blackmore was on hand to announce winners and award prizes. An open mike event followed the awards ceremony, where everyone was invited to share a poem or spoken word piece.
Prizes included a flip video camcorder, an IPod nano and mall gift cards.
Pictou Antigonish Regional Library
New Community Services Librarian
This past week, Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library welcomed a new addition to our staff – Trecia Schell has joined us as our new Community Services Librarian. Trecia has received degrees from Acadia and Dalhousie Universities in scientific fields ranging from Geographical Oceanography to Earth Sciences. However, in the midst of doing vast amounts of research in her previous career, Trecia got bitten by the “information management bug” which led her to get her Masters of Library and Information Science Degree. A native of Pictou County, we are honoured and pleased to welcome Trecia to the library family.
New! Summer Multimedia Writing Camp for Kids!
This summer, we are spicing up the themes and changing locations for our annual Summer Writing Camp. This year the session themes range from comic book writing, newspaper journalism to script writing for radio and will take place August 5th, 6th, and 7th. The free sessions run from 9:30 to 12:00 noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Not to forget the creative writing format of past summers, our staff have planned two creative writing workshops for children; one in Antigonish on Monday, July 6th and the second workshop in Pictou on Friday, July 10th. Running times for both locations will be 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. These programs are free and are for children ages 10 to 15. As will all our workshops, pre-registration is required.
Tales, Trails & Other Bookish Events
Pictou Public Library is getting into spirit of the annual Pictou Lobster Carnival, with ghostly tales of local adventures on the high seas. On Thursday July 9th, 6:30pm – the Library is hosting a Storytellers Circle for all on “The Phantom Ship of the Northumberland Strait” with several knowledgeable guests (and a few with a first-hand encounter with the flaming vessel to share! should be interesting.) The “Phantom” is a fiery three mast sailing ship that is rumored to be often sited in our local waters. So, if your curiosity’s peaked - please drop on by. If this program is successful, the New Glagow Public Library is considering a similar program for Halloween.
Author Meet and Greet
River John Public Library will host a summer book-signing session with author, Diane Shink, during the River John Festival Days, on Wednesday, July 22 in the branch. Diane is a certified quilt appraiser, and recently co-authored the beautiful book entitled “Canadian Heritage Quilting: quick, creative designs.” Copies of her book will be available for purchase at the signing, and the Library has recently added two copies to our collection.
School’s Out & Summer’s On
A two-day workshop was held this past week for our program partners in Nova Scotia – police officers, public librarians, school administrators and several special guests including our three recently minted MLAs. As a result, we’re not sure who was more excited about the program results – the kids or the grown-ups. The WOW Reading Challenge was an amazing success. Many, many thanks and kudos to all our avid bookworms out there; keep on reading. (Please note, if you’re experiencing book withdrawal, try out our Agent 009 – Summer Reading Club at your local public library.) You did the province proud! Next year’s Reading Challenge will be awesome.
Adopt-A-Library also has three upcoming fundraisers – a Boot Drive at New Glasgow Walmart on the 4th of July, a baseball tournament on the 23rd of August, and a golf tournament is in the works. So if you have a team to sign up, or would like to contribute, please contact the program coordinator Constable John Kennedy RCMP at Library HQ, 752-6031, toll-free 1-866-779-7761, or online at aal@parl.ns.ca.
A Super Spy Summer Reading Club at the Library
This year’s theme is Agent 009 and features everything espionage - spies, detectives, mysteries, and more. School will soon be over, but there is no excuse for kids to be bored this summer. Children under the age of 12 are invited to join the Summer Reading Club at all branches of the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library and C@P sites in Antigonish County. This free program is sponsored by TD Bank and Library and Archives Canada.
When children register, they will receive a poster, an activity book, a reading logbook and stickers. For every five books (or 100 pages of a chapter book) they read or have read to them, children can stop by the library or C@P Site with their reading logbook and pick up a small mystery prize and/or a ballot for a weekly prize draw. Storytimes and other activities will also be held at several library branch locations.
NewPartnership with the Pictou County Health Authority, Mental Health Services.
The Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library was pleased to announce a new partnership with the regional Health Authority in providing mental health information to you. Through a generous donation by the Mental Health Sandbar Endowment, numerous reading materials on various topics have been added to our library collection and are available to all library patrons. Please note, also on our Library website (www.parl.ns.ca) we have a “Health Room” webpage resource area that provides basic information and links locally to many, useful health related topics prepared from information requests by our library patrons.
Art Gala Fundraiser
The New Glasgow Public library held the second annual Art Gala event on Saturday, May 23rd from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the library. The event featured original artwork donated by members of the Pictou County Artists Association and Friends by the Sea Artists. Admission to the Gala was $5.00 at the door while tickets were available at all PARL branches. On the advice of those that attended the function last year at this time, the event will have once again have music by pianist George Durning, refreshments, and lots of comfortable chairs.
The theme was the always-popular subject of local landmarks, which make great gifts for former residents now living in other parts of the world. Artists also had on display other paintings of their own for sale. Adding to the event will be a door prize of a framed original painting donated by the event co-organizer, Cathy Leeming. Original artwork donated by the Friends by the Sea Artists will consist of unframed 8x10 prints that were available for $35.00 each.
Funds raised by the sale of paintings and the admission fee topped out at 1,000 and will go to the purchase of material for the library collection.
Digital Addition
PARL is always adding interesting topics to our digital collection. A new site of note is our page on Piping Plovers which can be viewed at www.parl.ns.ca. Here you can see an Adobe Presenter slideshow with lots of information about this endangered shorebird.
PARL Wins National Award for Webpage
PARL won the Canadian Library Association’s Information Today Award for Innovation Technology for the digital storybook, Lobster Fishing on the Susan B. The digital story book was written by Maureen Hull and Illustrated by Brenda Jones and narrated by Joan MacKeigan. Animation was created by regional library staff Fern MacDonald and David Carlson, with assistance from the River John C@P. The project was co-sponsored by Nova Scotia Economic Development.
The site is thefirst electronic storybook produced by a Nova Scotia library and showcases tourism, economic development and local artists. The book defines certain words for young readers and can be used with school curriculum.
Comic Book Day
The New Glasgow Public Library held its first Free Comic Book Day event on Saturday, May 2nd. Along with thousands of comic book stores worldwide (although surprisingly few libraries), our New Glasgow branch gave away free comic books to patrons on the morning of Saturday, May 2. Children were invited to come on down, pick up a free comic, and use their library card to check out items from our new selection of Graphic Novels available from our collection. For more info on Free Comic Book Day in general, go to www.freecomicbookday.com)
GPS Units
PARL now has GPS (Global Positioning System) units to borrow. These are not the units you place in your car when you are traveling, but if you are interested in outdoor activities or geocaching, a GPS will certainly come in handy and help you find your way. These items can be borrowed at no charge for a two-week period; however the branch is requesting that patrons present a current photo ID (due to the high cost of the unit).
WOW Reading Challenge Crowns World Champ Readers
The Adopt-a-library Literacy Program recently held the third annual WOW Reading Challenge World Champion ceremony at the school of this year’s winner, the Shatford Memorial Elementary School in Hubbards, Nova Scotia. Representing the RCMP for the occasion were Superintendent RCMP Darrrell Beaton and founder of the Adopt-a-Library Literacy Program, Cst. John Kennedy of H Division. Special guest and avid supporter of the program, Judy Streatch, Minister of Education, was also present to convey her enthusiasm for the importance of reading. Also present and deserving of recognition were Elaine Murray and Lucas Maxwell of the J.D. Shatford Memorial Public Library, Principal Todd Barter and lastly,the unsung, book-counting hero of the day, school Librarian, Sandra Long.
Looking at the numbers, the 73 students of Shatford Memorial won the big prize by having the highest average of books read per student of 608, by reading 44,429 titles. In second place was Pictou County’s own Walter Duggan Elementary School of Westville with 450 students reading 219,151 books with an average of 487 books read per student. Third place was sealed by Oxford Elementary School of Halifax with 177 students delivering an average of 411 books per student. The grand total of participating children for the year came in at 14,676 with an amazing 1,339,078 books devoured by the eager readers. Many congratulations were sent to Shatford for their victory and kudos for all the students, educators and policing agencies for helping to build communities through literacy.
The WOW Reading Challenge is open to all schools in grades Primary to Six. To take part, schools must have a partnership with a local public library and a local police agency. Students are encouraged to read as many books as they can to compete for the right to display the Reading Challenge trophy in their school for a year and brag they are great readers.
To learn more about the WOW Reading Challenge, visit the official homepage at www.fightingcrime.com
Music on the Library Patio Summer Series
Adam Noble, Branch Manager of the New Glasgow Library, extended an invitation to the public to visit the library over the summer months to enjoy lunch while listening to music, surfing the Internet via our free, Wireless service, picking up a book for summer reading or just to partake of the sights and sounds of our lively library setting.
The New Glasgow Public Library is pleased to announce the launch of the Music on the Library Patio series. Over the summer months, the New Glasgow Public Library will host a series of free music shows for the listening pleasure of the public. Each Friday, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. starting Friday, June 19th and running until Friday, August 28th, there will be live music on the library patio. On more of an experimental footing, the second installment of this program was preceded by a story reading at 11:30 a.m. by library staff. If this setting is comfortable for reading to an audience of children, it will become a regular feature of our Friday outdoor activities.
The weekly sessions will feature the diverse talents and genres of Pictou County’s own musical artists in this inviting, outdoor setting. Adding to the occasion will be prize draws, book giveaways, the Adopt-a-Library hot dog cart and more surprises as the summer continues.
PARL Hosts Literacy Conference
The two-day conference included presentations on literacy, youth, and juvenile crime but is intended to result in concrete ideas for engaging kids with books, specifically around the Wow! Reading Challenge. Police officers and public library staff from across Nova Scotia are attending as well as Irish delegates representing the national police force, An Garda Siochana, and Clare County Library. The conference was sponsored by the Adopt-a-Library Literacy Program and the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library. Funding has been provided through a grant from the Nova Scotia Department of Justice.
The conference looked at ways of improving the Wow! Reading Challenge which operates inCanada and Ireland but originated here in Pictou County. “After three years of success and growth its time to have a look and see that its meeting all our goals.” says Adopt-a-Library Literacy Program Coordinator Cst. John Kennedy. The Reading Challenge has elementary schools engaging in friendly competition to see who can read the most books. Police, public library staff, and community members work together to talk with children about the importance of reading and improving themselves while avoiding bullying and criminal behaviour.
ACADEMIC LIBRARIES
Saint Mary’s University
Patrick Power Library
New Web Site
In early May the library launched its brand new site. Visit www.smu.ca/library and let us know what you think. A lot of effort by a lot of people went into its creation and we hope our students and faculty enjoy it when the majority of them return in September (that will be the real test).
Professional Development
With students holding the fort, all of the library’s employees were able to move off-campus one Friday for a special staff development day. It was dedicated to sharing information and ideas on how to best respond to the feedback we received from our recently-completed LibQUAL survey. In addition, staff engaged in team-building exercises intended to galvanize our future efforts.
Almost everyone was able to attend this year’s APLA conference (the close proximity certainly helped). By all accounts it was one of the best to date. The organizers deserve a lot of credit.
People
Unfortunately, the library needs to say goodbye to two of our best and brightest. Bob Cook, longstanding (28 years) head of the Cataloguing Department, retires at the end of June. Bob is well known locally, and throughout the Atlantic region, as a promoter of librarians’ interests, for his support for library associations and as a resident expert in all things cataloguing. Angela Dinaut, the library’s secretary for the past 17 years, will also be retiring. Angela, from her position in the administration office, was often the public face of the library for members of the Saint Mary’s community. Both Angela and Bob will be greatly missed.
On a happier note, the library welcomed a new member of our staff. Simon Bonnell will help ensure our bookshelves remain full through his work in the Acquisitions Department.
Renovations
As previously mentioned, the library is being dramatically impacted by the new Atrium Project currently under construction next door. The Reference Room is in some disarray with the reference and government documents collections temporarily relocated and many of our computers under wraps for the summer. One large corner of the room is blocked off while the new entrance to the library, as well as new circulation and reference desks, are being built. Throw in new flooring and furniture and the library will look much different when things (hopefully) return to normal in September.
LIBRARY EDUCATION
Dalhousie University
School of Information Management
Summer Conference Presentations
Two faculty members attended the annual conference of the Canadian Association for Information Science in Ottawa: Dr. Fiona Black and alumna Kathleen Amos presented the paper “Traditional versus blogosphere information landscapes: The case of diabetes and HbA1c,” and Dr. Louise Spiteri the paper “Social cataloguing sites: Features and implications for cataloguing practice and the public library catalogue.” Drs. Black (with SIM alumna Debra Mann) and Spiteri (with Laurel Tarulli, Halifax Public Libraries) presented sessions at the annual conference of the Canadian Library Association at Montreal on the topics “Preparing graduates to create opportunities for individuals with print disabilities” and “The impact of social cataloguing sites on the public catalogue: Patrons, social tagging and the new face of the catalogue.” Dr. Spiteri and Ms. Tarulli presented their session on social catalogues also at the annual conference of the Atlantic Provinces Library Association at Halifax, where Dr. Vivian Howard presented a session on "What are we reading and why are we reading?" Dr. Keith Lawson presented the paper “Students, professors, & Facebook: Using social networking sites in teaching undergraduate students" at the annual conference of the Society for Digital Humanities (Ottawa). Dr. Bertrum MacDonald presented two papers at the conference of the Society for the History of Authorship, Reading, and Publishing (Toronto) on the topics “Advances in book history in the digital age” and, with Lou Duggan, “Nineteenth century science in the making: The role of transnational information networks.”
Student Awards
SIM student Greg Hutton was the 2009 recipient of the Nova Scotian Institute of Science Graduate Student Writing Prize for his paper, "Understanding influence of scientific information in the digital age: A study of the grey literature of a United Nations advisory group." This paper is based on research Greg is pursuing for his MLIS thesis. Greg received also the “Best Paper in Information Science” awarded by the New England Chapter of the American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIST) for the paper, “Scientific grey literature in a digital age: Measuring its use and influence in an evolving information economy”; this award of US$1,000 will defray the costs of attendance at the 2009 ASIST annual conference.
Faculty and Staff News
Dr. Louise Spiteri, Associate Professor at SIM, has been appointed as the MLIS Academic Program Director from May 1st 2009 to June 30th 2010. This position reports to the Director of the School of Information Management (SIM), Dr. Fiona Black, and liaises closely with the MLIS Program Coordinator, JoAnn Watson. Dr. Fiona Black will continue as Academic Program Director of the Master of Information Management program until June 30th, 2010. The School of Information Management congratulations Dr. Vivian Howard on her successful defence of her PhD dissertation “The role of pleasure reading and the public library in the lives of young teens (aged 12 to 15 years of age)” at Aberystwyth University in April, 2009. Dr. Howard serves also as the Academic Program Director of the Bachelor of Management Program at Dalhousie. Finally, SIM extends heartfelt thanks to Linda Dehmel, who will be retiring as school secretary on June 30, 2009. All the faculty and staff thank Linda for her many invaluable contributions to the school and wish her a happy and active retirement.
MLIS Convocation
Fifty-five newly-minted Masters of Library and Information Studies convocated in May 2009. Two grads earned combined MLIS/MPA (Master of Public Administration) degrees, one a MLIS/LLB (Law) and Julia Gabrini earned the first ever MLIS/MREM (Masters of Resource and Environmental Management) degree. Congratulations one & all.
2010 Information without Borders Conference
Mark your calendars! On Thursday, 11 February 2010, Dalhousie University's School of Information Management, in partnership with the Faculty of Management, will host the fourth annual student-organised conference, Information Without Borders. This year’s conference, Portals, Pathways, and Peoples: Managing Information Globally, will explore concepts and practices related to sharing information across physical, cultural, digital and imaginary divides. This year’s organisers hope to showcase national and international speakers for this day-long event, and make this year's conference the biggest yet.
LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS
Nova Scotia Association of Library Technicians
NSALT is pleased to announce that they have a new Executive. Congratulations to Erin Purcell as she takes over as President and Christine Bergeron has assumed the role of Treasurer.
This spring NSALT was pleased to host the 2nd annual Library Technician Reunion at the NSCC Waterfront Campus. Over 50 people were in attendance. Thank you to the NSCC Community for their support of the reunion.
The NSALT Executive was pleased to complete the membership agreement with APLA this spring. Effective June 1st, library staff can join the two associations for one great rate!
The second annual NSALT conference, Libraries: From the Inside Out, will take place on Friday October 23rd at the Kentville Wandlyn Inn. Check out our website for more conference information: http://users.eastlink.ca/~ericasmith/conference2009page.html.
