ALA introduces "Getting a Job in a Tough Economy" toolkit

Good luck to all the new grads out there! ALA is developing a toolkit for library job-hunters. They also welcome your feedback, so check it out at http://www.getajob.ala.org. A short description:

The “Getting a Job in a Tough Economy” toolkit is an interactive website with tips, narrative and suggested links and readings, a blog, podcasts, timelines and activities/checklists for new librarians and support staff, those looking to change position, people who have been laid off, and others who are having difficulty finding the right position. The site will be a one-stop resource including and/or linking to information prepared for members from units within ALA, as well as linking to information about best practices in job searching from any field. The toolkit will shine a spotlight on the resources that ALA already offers, highlighting why they are especially valuable in the current economy.

ALA Core Competencies

The ALA adopted these core competencies as policy at the Midwinter Meeting this year. They outline what LIS students should know after graduating from an ALA-accredited program.

Click HERE to view these statements.

Library Day at Comerica

In case you missed this on the listserv. From Christine Ayer, an LISP alumni:

Who: Librarians, library staff members, LIS students, library fans and "groupies" and their families
What: Library Day at Comerica Park on
When: Sunday, August 9 at 1:05 PM when the Tigers take on the Minnesota Twins!

There are a block of seats available, for $12 each. Orders must be placed by July 10 and the order form and additional info can be found on Christine's blog http://mylibraryideas.wordpress.com/

Open SLA Positions

SLA @ WSU is currently accepting nominations for officers.

The following positions are available beginning in the Fall of 2009:

• President
• Vice-President
• Secretary
• Treasurer

Please send your name, telephone number, email address, position desired and a short paragraph explaining why you should be selected for the position.

Send this information to sla_wsu@wayne.edu

SLA @ WSU Event

SLA @ WSU Conversations with Professionals

Who: All LISP students and alumni

What: Conversations with Professionals Event with guest speakers from the Michigan Professional Chapter of SLA, Sophia Guevara, Colleen Lyon, and Nathan Rupp. Learn about the benefits of membership in a professional organization.

When: Friday, June 19th 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: Kresge Auditorium on the 1st floor of the Purdy/Kresge Library

RSVP: Please e-mail back2stacey@msn or sla_wsu@wayne.edu if you plan to attend

SLA@WSU and SAA@WSU Event

Join SLA and SAA at WSU for a tour of Crain Communications Library and Archives with Anne Wright. Learn about the functions of a small corporate library, physical collections and digital archives.

Crain Communications is one of the largest privately-owned business publishers in the U.S. They are an industry leader and an authoritative source of vital news, and information to industry leaders and consumers worldwide. They provide a wide range of newspapers, magazines and Web sources to the business sector.

Who: LIS Graduate Students and Alumni
When: Thursday, May 21st at 5:30 pm (the event should be about an hour including refreshments)
Where: 1155 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, Michigan 48207 (on-site parking available)

If interested in attending, please RSVP to:sla_wsu@wayne.edu, af7865@wayne.edu, or rudderb@yahoo.com

Tech Camp UnConference

Almost 50 people have already signed up for the Tech Camp UnConference, but there is still space for YOU! It will take place at MSU's Main Library next Friday, May 15, from 9-4. The price is right: it's FREE!

For full details, please go to http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Tech_Camp_unConference or find the Facebook page by searching Facebook for "The Tech unCamp."
This will be a day of technology talks, and in the tradition of Unconferences, the participants will decide what is discussed. If you have topic ideas, let us know by posting them on the wiki or Facebook page.
(And, importantly, food will be provided in the morning and a snack in the afternoon!)
See you there!

Holly Hibner (Salem South Lyon), Sonya Schryer Norris (Library of Michigan), Elizabeth Bollinger (MSU Libraries), and Chris Ayar (Evanced Solutions)