21st Century Literacies

Friday, November 18th

Registration begins at 8:00am in the Doubletree lobby.
Continental Breakfast until 10:00am in the Exhibit Hall.
Exhibits Open: 8:00am-12:30pm

8:30am-9:45am

Handheld and Mobile: Libraries on the Go
As more and more of our patrons and staff members arrive at the library with their smart phones and PDAs in hand, it is increasingly important for librarians to understand both the possibilities and the limits of these new mobile technologies. This presentation provides an overview of the many different devices currently on the market, defines basic handheld terms such as sync and beam, and highlights the most common handheld device applications. We will explore the wide variety of current PDA and mobile projects in library settings of all kinds, such as examples of small screen compatible Web content, mobile interfaces for traditional database vendors such as OVID and Westlaw, mobile search tools and RSS feeds, deployment of iPods and GPS (global positioning system) devices, and more. Sponsored by ACRL/New England
Speaker: Megan Fox, Web and Electronic Resources Librarian, Simmons College Libraries.

The Future of Audio is Downloadable
Downloadable Media is catching on in libraries in a big way. Hear how two library systems have implemented two of the biggest players in the downloadable audio realm. The Boston Public Library launched Overdrive’s Downloadable Audiobook program in September. Anne Arundel County went live with NetLibrary Downloadable Recorded Books in February 2005. This program will highlight the benefits and challenges of each of these new library services.
Speakers: Kerry Cronin, Collection Development Manager, Boston Public Library; Koren Stembridge, Quality Services Manager, Boston Public Library; Betty Morganstern, Information Services Librarian, Anne Arundel County, MD Public Library Headquarters; Patricia Ferguson, Cataloging & Processing Manager, Anne Arundel County, MD Public Library Headquarters.

10:30am-11:30am

Lowell Blues: The Words of Jack Kerouac - Special Lowell Event
Join a National Park Ranger and view the feature film Lowell Blues, by Henry Ferrini as it remembers the place Jack Kerouc could not forget. By fusing contemporary visual history, language, and jazz into a film poem, Lowell Blues illuminates Kerouac's hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts. The program will end with a visit to the Working People Exhibit, to see artifacts relating to Jack Kerouac on display. Tours meet at the Middlesex Community College Trolley Stop behind the Doubletree Hotel.

10:45am-12:00pm

Blogging @ Your Library
Need quick, easy and affordable vehicles to market library services? Don’t know HTML or don’t have the time or skills to create web pages? This presentation will focus on the creative use of blogs in a variety of libraries. A presentation blog will be available to participants, containing links to key blogging resources. Sponsored by ACRL/New England.
Speaker: Susan Herzog, Information Literacy Librarian, J. Eugene Smith Library, Eastern Connecticut State University.

From Hypothesis to Conclusion: The Non-technological Side of Science and Math Literacy
What makes a study scientific is not so much the data examined, but the approach to those data. Toddlers are natural scientists, taking the partial information their perceptions supply and arriving at relatively sensible conclusions about the physical world around them. They look at data, form hypotheses, test those hypotheses, and voila, they know something. Somewhere along the way, however, a common tendency is to yield to the idea that being told something (whether at home or at a place of worship or in school -- whether orally or through reading) is a superior way of gaining knowledge. They have faith in adults -- a good thing in many ways, but one that can lead to a pause, and sometimes a total cessation, in their scientific prowlings. Many feel bewildered when asked to apply scientific methodology later in their school years. They abandon science, having been betrayed, no matter how unwittingly, by us adults. There's the challenge: how to teach without betraying.
Speaker: Donna Jo Napoli is both a linguist and a writer of children's and teen fiction. She has written over 35 novels. Her most important work is her five children.

12:00pm-1:30pm

Buffet Lunch in the Junior Ballroom - Prepaid Ticket Required

1:00pm-2:00pm

Donna Jo Napoli will sign copies of her books at MLA’s registration area. Copies of many of Napoli’s 25 books will be on sale. Stop by and say hello to this popular author!

1:30pm-2:45pm

The Digital Commonwealth: Building a Statewide Portal for Digital Resources
So, you say you have an inkling of starting a digital archive? You might have a few digital files but not sure how to grow the collection or where to store them? Than allow us to help you find your way through this mysterious world of digitization; join the Digital Commonwealth! The Boston Public Library and Northeast Massachusetts Regional Library system, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners will review the progress that has made on this exciting partnership including a sneak peak at DigiTool, the repository used to house the digital collection.
Speakers: Maura Marx, Digital Services Manager, Boston Public Library; Ken Peterson, Coordinator of Services to Libraries, Boston Regional Library System.

IRIS @ Northeastern University: Why? What? How?
There are many factors that drive an institution's decision to embark on a repository project: preservation, access, scholarship, teaching, and publication to name a few. Staff at Northeastern University undertook a detailed examination of their desires and options, deciding after a thorough review to partner with their integrated library system vendor to develop a repository called IRis (http://www.lib.neu.edu/iris/). Ed Warro will outline their steps and rationale and will address the collaborative buy-in process necessary at any academic institution for a successful project. Sandy Hurd will discuss the development partner process and how the parties intend to go forward! Sponsored by ACRL/New England
Speakers: Ed Warro, Dean & Director, University Libraries, Northeastern University; Sandy Hurd, Director of Strategic Markets, Innovative Interfaces, Inc.

Chipping Away at RFID
The basic technology behind Radio Frequency Identification has been around for more than 50 years, but only recently has the per-unit cost made it practical. RFID is a rapidly maturing technology impacting libraries. Our presenters will cover the management issues in RFID: vendor selection, privacy, security, project management, patron self-check, changes in workflow, and inventory control. Sponsored by the MLA Technical Services Section.
Speakers: Anne Robinson, Associate Head Librarian, Worcester Public Library; Andrea Taupier, Director, Babson Library at Springfield College.

2:00pm-4:00pm

Stamp & File Tour: Narrated Bus Tour of Four Lowell Libraries - Special Lowell Event
Visit the newly renovated Middlesex Community College Library, the University of Massachusetts Center for Lowell History, the Pollard Memorial Library and the University of Massachusetts O’Leary Library. Bus will depart from in the Middlesex Community College Library. Preregistration is required.

3:00pm-4:15pm

Federated Searching: One-Stop Searching Solutions
Federated Searching has finally hit mainstream. No longer just the purview of well-known metasearch engines, federated searching, or “one-search,” is becoming more and more common as a way for patrons to simultaneously search the online catalog, the internet, and subscription databases from a host of providers. Patrons are drawn to what they view as fast and easy one-stop shopping – and results are impressive! However, there are also downsides that may compromise results for comprehensive scholars. Major providers are still grappling with how best to manage de-duplication of records across resources, relevancy ranking results, and inadvertent elimination of sophisticated advanced search tools that are only usable as a feature of a specific libraries interface. Come and learn more about the promises and pitfalls of federated searching, and when it would be most appropriate for your library environment.
Speaker: Rex Krajewski, Reference Services Librarian, Simmons College Libraries,

Making Movies out of Screen Shot Technology
This workshop will discuss the pros and cons of RoboDemo/Captivate and Camtasia software. We will go over the best uses for screen-shot software, demonstrate movies we have created, provide tips and tricks, and discuss future enhancements. Sponsored by ACRL/New England
Speakers: Kari Nyren Mofford, Instruction Coordinator/Information Technology Librarian, Alumni Library, Wentworth Institute of Technology; Heidi McCann, Reference and Instructional Services Librarian, Mt. Wachusett Community College Library.

8:00pm

Special Discount Theatrical Event!
“The Art of Sacrifice” at the Merrimack Valley Repertory Theatre Special Lowell Event
One of only three League of Resident Theatres (LORT) in Eastern Massachusetts, Merrimack Repertory Theatre presents an exciting mix of contemporary and new plays in historic downtown Lowell. Group discounted tickets - $35.00 per ticket.
Pre-registration & Pre-payment required.