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LIS Students: Apply for the 2022 Larew Scholarship for Tuition Help

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Core and Baker & Taylor are accepting applications for the Core Christian (Chris) Larew Memorial Scholarship for those who plan to follow a career in library and information technology, demonstrate potential leadership, and hold a strong commitment to library automation. The winner will receive a $3,000 check and a citation. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2022. Criteria for the Scholarship includes previous academic excellence, evidence of leadership potential, and a commitment to a career in library automation and information technology. Candidates should illustrate their qualifications for the scholarships with a statement indicating the nature of their library experience, letters of reference and a personal statement of the applicant’s view of what they can bring to the profession. Winners must have been accepted to a Master of Library Science (MLS) program recognized by the American Library Association. A link to the application form and instructions for filling it out are available on…Continue Reading

Summary, August 2021 Core e-Forum, “Instructional Technologies and the Effects of COVID-19 on Library Instruction”

The August Core e-Forum focused on instructional technologies and the effects of COVID-19 on library instruction. Attendees were asked how they changed their teaching styles during COVID-19 and responses varied from asynchronous modules and recordings in the LMS to synchronous online instruction sessions. Tools mentioned included Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Kaltura, Camtasia, BlueJeans, Canvas modules, slides, LibAnswers, LibWizard, Google Forms, and Qualtrics. During COVID-19, some libraries were fully closed, while others offered online instruction. Next we discussed how to engender a sense of community during online teaching. Some methods discussed include chat and breakout rooms in Zoom, Kahoot, Padlet, and discussion boards for asynchronous credit-courses. Many students did not want to show themselves via cameras, which made it difficult to assess engagement. Some recommendations included having students read from the slides and ask targeted questions that could lead to discussions. We also discussed how to keep morale up. Humor was recommended,…Continue Reading

David Satten-López Named 2021 Core/OCLC Spectrum Scholar

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The American Library Association (ALA) has awarded the 2021 Core/OCLC Spectrum Scholarship in Library and Information Technology to David Satten-López, who will begin the MLIS program at Drexel University in Philadelphia (PA) this fall. He is interested in audiovisual materials and increasing the dissemination of digital materials through minimal computing frameworks. Satten-López has worked in a variety of paraprofessional roles, and through these experiences he has developed a fascination with how technology intersects with the LIS field, particularly around digitization, the digital humanities and decoloniality. “Reflecting on my selection as a Spectrum Scholar for Core/OCLC, I feel a deep appreciation for the opportunity to connect with others in the Spectrum, OCLC, and Core communities,” Satten- López said. “Moreover, I am excited to finally begin my MLIS after having spent many years in different paraprofessional positions. I am grateful to Spectrum, OCLC, and Core for easing some of this financial burden.”…Continue Reading

Happy Birthday to Us = Free Recordings

happy birthday for you

Core turns one today! It’s our birthday and to celebrate we’re launching a new archive of educational recordings, all of which are free for Core members. There are already 27 webinars and conference programs available on-demand, and each month we’ll add new ones. Six months after webinars (and some conference programs) are presented live, we’ll add the recordings to this library. Some of the sessions available now Seeking Clarity during Low-Morale Experiences: Actualizing Tools for Self-Preservation – Core President’s Program with Kaetrena Davis Kendrick 2021 ALA Annual Top Technology Trends Building Virtual Team Cohesion – Tips for Managers Creating a Strategic Library Communication Plan to Convey the Library’s Value and Values How Do We Do That Again? Documenting Library Work Expand the Horizon: Challenges and Opportunities in Working with Metadata for Unusual Content Types Crisis Communication for Libraries Celebrate our first year together as a community on your schedule – check out…Continue Reading

New Core Jobs: August 27, 2021

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Metadata Librarian, Strategy and Management, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH Department Manager Fine Arts Special Collection, Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland, OH Metadata Librarian, Hebraica – 67786BR, Yale University, New Haven, CT Metadata Librarian, Spanish and Portuguese – 67830BR, Yale University, New Haven, CT Visit the Core Jobs Site for additional job openings.

Submit a Program Proposal for ALA Annual 2022

ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition - Washington DC - June 23-28, 2022

Proposals are due by October 1, 2021, and you don’t need to be a Core member to submit one. When completing the form, be sure to select “Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures” to have your proposal reviewed by Core. We welcome topics of interest to a wide range of library professionals in many different areas, including… Access and Equity• Advocacy in areas such as copyright, equity of access, open access, net neutrality, and privacy• Preservation Week• Equity, diversity, and inclusion, both within the division and the profession, as related to Core’s subject areas Assessment• Emphasizing the role of assessment in demonstrating the impacts of libraries or library services• Assessment tools, methods, guidelines, standards, and policies and procedures Buildings & Operations• Changing trends in organizational structures, services, staff operations, and facilities• Best practices for inclusive practices and design Leadership and Management• Developing leaders at every level• Best practices for inclusion by using…Continue Reading

Canceling Core Forum Oct. 7-9

Core Forum: Together Again, October 7-9, 2021, in Baltimore, Maryland

Due to the continued pandemic, the surge of the Delta Variant and the data throughout the United States including in our host city, Baltimore, we have been forced to cancel the upcoming Core Forum in Baltimore, scheduled for October 7-9. While I am deeply disappointed because I had very much hoped to be welcoming Core members to our first in-person conference, the safety and health of our membership is our top priority. Thank you to all of our members, presenters, and sponsors for lending us your time and talent in connection with the conference. In the near term, Core leaders will identify ways to continue to connect and co-learn virtually. Longer-term, we acknowledge that not all of the benefits of conference experiences, particularly networking and relationship building, are always replicable online. When the circumstances allow, we will pursue an in-person gathering with continued care, caution, and planning. As President of…Continue Reading

New Core Jobs: August 19, 2021

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Director of Library Services, Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA IT Administrator, Kansas State University Libraries, Manhattan, KS Head of Research and Instruction Services, Auburn University Libraries, Auburn, AL Digital Collections Librarian II, Wayne State University Library System, Detroit, MI Visit the Core Jobs Site for additional job openings and information on submitting your own job posting.

Summary, July 2021 Core e-Forum, “Job Hunting and Hiring During the Pandemic”

During the July 2021 Core e-Forum “Job Hunting and Hiring During the Pandemic”, our group aimed to examine innovative practices from hiring institutions and job hunters during the unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic. We wanted to bring to light the adaptations library job seekers have had to implement in order to successfully obtain employment as well as how hiring institutions successfully onboard candidates during this time. To begin with, we asked participants to introduce themselves and asked the questions “Have you been involved in a virtual job search during the pandemic? If you’re a job hunter, how many jobs did you interview for? If you’re a hiring manager, how many applications did you receive for the open job?” We received 22 introductory responses and there were some common themes that emerged from these answers. Job seekers reported considerable difficulty obtaining positions. Three reported sending applications to ~20 open positions.…Continue Reading

New Core Jobs: August 11, 2021

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Outreach & Education Librarian, University of Maryland, Baltimore – Health Sciences & Human Services Library, Baltimore, MD Data Management Librarian, University of Maryland, Baltimore – Health Sciences & Human Services Library, Baltimore, MD Technical Services Coordinator (PDF), Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL Associate University Librarian for Digital Strategies, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY Associate University Librarian for Research, Collections & Outreach, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY Cataloger & Metadata Librarian, Charleston County Public Library, Charleston, SC Visit the Core Jobs Site for additional job openings and information on submitting your own job posting.