FAM Annual Conference

Weathering the Storm Together

The Florida Association of Museums (FAM) 2009 Annual Conference took place Sept. 22nd-Sept. 25th in Sarasota, FL. With a theme that reflects the economic challenges faced by cultural institutions, a number of museum professionals, trustees, and volunteers participated in sessions covering a broad range of topics and visited local museums for behind-the-scenes tours.

FAM 2009 Conference attendees participated in sessions at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The Ringling Museum Library is one of the largest and most comprehensive art museum libraries in the southeast United States.

Ringling Museum Library's director Linda McKee showing the Rare Books collection to one of the FAM Conference attendees touring the Library

Keynote Luncheon and Reflection with Elaine Heumann Gurian, Sept. 23rd In her keynote address, Elaine Heumann Gurian discussed ways in which museums can better themselves to survive the current economic storm. One of the topics she touched on was the idea of the "third place," a physical location in a community where people can safely gather, regardless of age, economic status, race, gender, etc. In other words, a community center. Gurian pointed out that in many other countries this is the role that museums take on, but in America, libraries and small museums are the institutions that have embraced the role of the community center. She suggested that larger museums should also embrace the role of the "third place" and become more involved with their surrounding communities instead of being a place that is only visited a few times a year and is set apart from the local population. In doing so, they will become a much-loved part of the community - something people will not readily give up, even in tough economic times.

If you'd like to read works by Elaine Heumann Gurian, this would be a good place to start: Civilizing the Museum: The Collected Writings of Elaine Heumann Gurian.
- JP & AKL

Banned Books Week

Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Fahrenheight 451, Good Night and Good Luck, 1984 and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings ...

Do you know what these books have in common?

At one point or another, they have been banned or the target of a potential ban.

During the week of 9/26 - 10/3, persons across the world will observe banned books week. This is the week that librarians and others will attempt to bring attention to books which have been banned and the principle of intellectual freedom.

In the past, we have been fortunate that most books are not banned. This does not mean we can let up our efforts. Librarians, teachers, booksellers and members of the community have been instrumental in ensuring this success. Please use this time to think about how banning books can effect our society and the freedom to read & write ideas even if they are unpopular.

Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association; American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression; American Library Association; American Society of Journalists and Authors; Association of American Publishers; and the National Association of College Stores. It is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

At USF, SLIS will hold a brown bag lunch on 9/30. They will exam the career of Judith Krug, the co-creator of banned books week.

-JF

Libraries and Community Preparedness

Sarasota County Libraries hosted a Community Preparedness Day on September 26th, from 10.00am to 4.00pm. The event, a pilot program of the National Library of Medicine, was organized by Selby Public Library and Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Bishopric Medical Library. USF SLIS students helped with the activities, which provided the community with valuable information about how to be prepared and informed during major emergencies.

Families enjoyed meeting members of the K-9 Search and Rescue Unit

Exhibitors included representatives from the local Fire Safety Division, the Emergency Call Center, Beach Patrol, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Mosquito Control, K-9 Rescue Unit, and others. Among the speakers, Jim Mitchell, from the Sarasota County Library System, shared his personal experience of the role of libraries during Katrina recovery.

Firefighters read books to children during storytime

IFLA World Library and Information Congress Conference

IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Milan, Italy

In August 2009, Dr. Jim Andrews attended The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions' (IFLA) World Library and Information Congress in Milan, Italy. He is a delegate and standing committee member (representing the Medical Library Association) in the Science and Technologies Libraries Section of IFLA (STL for short, 2007-2011). Dr. Andrews was also elected as Secretary of the STL earlier this year.

Speaker at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress

Dr. Andrews was the moderator for the STL-sponsored session, "Open access to science and technology research worldwide: strategies and best practices". The speakers came from all over the world, including: The Max Planck Institute, in Germany; The Chinese Academy of Sciences National Science Library; Manouba University, Tunisia; and, eIFL.het, Rome. The STL Section also co-sponsored a session with the Geography and Map Libraries Section. A study tour was also sponsored by the STL that gave a behind-the-scenes tour of the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci.

The Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci

-JP

USF SLIS Hosting a Reception at the FAME Conference

USF SLIS will be hosting a reception for faculty, staff, alumni, and students at the Florida Association for Media in Education Annual Conference being held at the Marriott Orlando World Center Resort. There will be a short presentation and then light refreshments and snacks will be served.

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, October 1st
Time: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Location: Grand Cayman Ballroom at the Marriott Orlando World Center Resort

Program:
Welcome
Words from the Director
Introduction of School Media Faculty
Introduction of New Online School Media Cohort Program
Recognition of Alumni and Students
Viewing of School Media Projects

~JV

Shining Bright for 30 Years -TBLC at Tampa Bay History Center

Tampa Bay Library Consortium Annual Meeting -Shining Bright for 30 Years - is Friday, November 6, 2009 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tampa Bay History Center 801 Old Water Street Tampa, FL 33602 Registration - $30 Please register here. [at http://www.tblc.org/training/index.php ].

We are thrilled to announce that this year's TBLC Annual Meeting will be held at the Tampa Bay History Center - a wonderful new facility housing a very exciting and re-energized regional cultural program. The facility is dazzling - and the organization is a model for how to do collaboration right. We are also thrilled to announce that Susan Benton will be the keynote speaker at this year's annual meeting. Susan was recently named CEO of the Urban Libraries Council. Before taking the ULC position, Susan was Research, Development and Strategic Partners Executive at the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Susan has a strong background with sustainable communities, community building, and civic engagement. While at ICMA, Susan began the ICMA Local Government and Public Libraries Partnership Initiative. The initiative developed an approach based around the idea of building stronger libraries by connecting them more closely with communities' needs and service priorities. A significant aspect of this initiative involved building closer working relationships between city and county managers. Seminole Community Library Director Michael Bryan and the City of Seminole City Manager were both involved in that initiative. Susan's work with the Local Government and Public Libraries Partnership Initiative then led to a project with the Gates Foundation - the Public Library Innovation Grant Program. The Gates grant program drew over 550 applications, including many from Florida and several from the TBLC area. Susan's background and experience are particularly valuable in these times when libraries are struggling to convince funders of necessity to fund libraries when all types of services are being cut back and reduced. Look for further announcements in the days ahead!

-KdlPMc

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month.

September is Library Card Sign-up Month - a time to remind parents and kids that a library card is the most important school supply of all. -KldPMc ~AKL

The Top Ten Things Library Administrators Should Know About Technology

TechEssence.Info

Take a look at them all, but I like #9:

A major part of good technology implementation is good project management. Many technology projects are not as simple as just installing an application - often the process is a long and complicated one that requires developing an implementation plan, a schedule, and coordinating with other affected individuals and departments. Therefore, many technology projects require good project management to be successful. Keep in mind that your best technologist may not be your best project manager - this is why using teams is often the best implementation strategy for anything beyond minor projects.
-KdlPMc

Florida State Parks Offer Free Entrance This Weekend With a Library Card, Library Book or Book Donation

Florida State Parks Offer Free Entrance This Weekend With a Library Card, Library Book or Book Donation -Free entry to Florida's state parks September 11-13 celebrates Literacy Month-

To celebrate September as State Park Literacy Month, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Florida Park Service is offering free entrance to Florida's 160 state parks September 11-13 for visitors who bring a library card, library book, or who donate a new or gently used family book. The park service encourages Florida's residents and guests to take advantage of this opportunity to combine the joy of reading with the beauty of the outdoors.
-KdlPMc

Today is World Literacy Day. Literacy and Empowerment; Sept. 8

This year, International Literacy Day will put the spotlight on the empowering role of literacy and its importance for participation, citizenship and social development. Literacy and Empowerment is the theme for the 2009-2010 biennium of the United Nations Literacy Decade.
-KdlPMc

Tampa Library Celebrates Upgrade

Dr. Scott Simon performing at the USF Tampa Campus

Last Thursday, August 27, from 2 to 4pm, Dr. Scott Simon performed prior to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the USF Tampa Library Learning Commons. The Tampa Library hosted "Survivor", providing information on the Library and the Tutoring and Learning Services. The Learning Commons is an upgrade to our Tampa Library; it includes a Writing Center, Math Lab, Tutoring and Learning Service, and an "Ask Here" desk. Our University President, Judy Genshaft, was also there to mark the official opening of the Learning Commons.
EE

Roadside Attractions in Florida: Tourism and Spectacle before Disney

Florida: Tourism and Spectacle before Disney

The roadside attractions in Florida that pre-date the coming of Disney and the other larger-scale theme parks provided a unique experience for both in-state residents and out-of-state tourists alike. While some are still surviving today, the majority of the homespun roadside attractions no longer exist.

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The Florida Memory Program is funded by a Library Services and Technology Act Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Florida Department of State, State Library and Archives of Florida.
-KdlPMc