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Annual Program Wrap-up:

On May 20th, 2008, the Juniata Conemaugh Chapter of the Pennsylvania Library Association presented its annual program at Pattee Library. The theme of this year's program was E-Source Resources, a series of short workshop sessions focusing on how free internet-based resources can streamline operations and reach out to patrons at academic and public libraries alike.

Before the workshops began the JC Chapter held a business meeting and heard committee reports. Following the reports remarks were made by Associate Dean for Commonwealth Campus Libraries Jack Sulzer, PALA Executive Director Glenn Miller, PALA President Mary Garm, and State Librarian M. Clare Zales. At the end of the meeting the 2008 Exceptional Service Award was presented to Schlow Library's Children's Librarian Anita Ditz. The award was presented by Rebecca Mugridge and Kevin Clair. All members of the Juniata Conemaugh Chapter congratulate Ms. Ditz for her ongoing commitment to exceptional library services in Pennsylvania.

The first presentation of the program was "iLibrary, iGoogle: Creating Your Research Desktop," presented by University Park Libraries Information Literacy Librarian Emily Rimland. Ms. Rimland's presentation focused on creating a personal research desktop in iGoogle using widgets, RSS feeds, and other internet-based resources. The next session, "RSS and Blogs for Libraries" was presented by University Park Libraries Science Librarian John Meier and discussed various ways libraries can publicize collections and programs using RSS feeds and blogs. Mr. Meier's presentation also discussed how libraries can use online resources for internal communication.

The final session of the program was "Useful Free Apps for Your Library" and was split into three segments: Schlow Centre Region Library Computer Systems Administrator Nathaniel Rasmussen presented an "Open Source Roundup" detailing the various open source programs he has used to improve services and interlibrary communication for the Schlow Centre Region Library. Centre County Library Adult Services Librarian Michelle Tomaszewski presented a primer on using Facebook as a marketing tool for your library, and Centre County Library Technical Services Librarian Lisa Rives Collens gave an explanation of how the Google Applications Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Documents are used to facilitate communication between library branches in the Center County Library System.

News from the Juniata-Conemaugh Region:

  • Jessica Ford Cameron has been appointed as the Director of the Tyrone-Snyder Public Library
  • Amy Horell has been named District Library Consultant for the Altoona District
  • Michelle Tomaszewski has been appointed as the Adult Services Librarian for the Centre County Libraries
  • Blair County Library System won a 2008 Best Practices Award for Serving At-Risk Children and Families for Sprouting Readers
  • Schlow Centre Region Library won a 2008 Best Practices Award for Programs that Showcase Community Collaboration for " A Safe Setting for Sensitive Questions"
  • Schlow Centre Region Library won a 2008 Best Practices Award for Early Learning and Parenting Programs for Adults for " Providing Information about Parenting"

Highlights from 2007

  • Anita Ditz, Schlow Centre Region Library was awarded a Certificate of Merit at the Annual Conference in State College
  • Betsy Allen, Director of the Schlow Library served as the Conference Chair, Jack Sulzer of Pennsylvania State University Libraries served at the Conference Co-chair.
  • Michelle A. McIntyre and Paula Sell of the Roaring Spring Community Library presented a poster session at the annual conference on Sprouting Readers: Emergent Literacy for Preschoolers.
  • Emily Rimland and Ellysa Stern Cahoy of the Pennsylvania State University Libraries presented a poster session at the conference titled Crossing Paths: Creating a Local Information Literacy Network.
  • Anne Behler and Wendy Girven of Pennsylvania State University Libraries presented a poster session at the annual conference on Beyond Library Walls: Strategies for Building Library Outreach Programs on Your Campus.
  • Barbara Coopey and Joyce Harwell of Pennsylvania State University Libraries presented a poster session at the annual program titled ILLiad-Geographically Dispersed.
  • Karen Morrow, Suzanne Kellerman and Lisa Rivoir of Pennsylvania State University Libraries presented a poster session at the annual conference on Newspaper Preparation for Quality Film and Digital Images.
  • Barbara Coopey, Assistant Head of Access Services, Pennsylvania State University Libraries, Robert B. Freeborn, Music/AV Cataloging Librarian Pennsylvania State University and Barbara Sherlock, Planning and Improvemnet Associate, Office of Planning and Institutional Assessment, Pennsylvania State University presented a session at the annual conference exploring A Structured Approach to Library IMPROVEment.
  • Rebecca Mugridge, Head, Cataloging and Metadata Services, Pennsylvania State University presented a session at the annual conference titled Book Expo America: Tips and Tricks for Making the Most of Your Experience.
  • Suzanne Kellerman was elected 2008 Chair for the Preservation Roundtable.

2007 Annual Meeting

  • The Juniata-Conemaugh Chapter of the Pennsylvania Library Association held its annual program on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at the Pattee Library at the Pennsylvania State University. The theme of this year’s program was “Libraries: Emerging Places, Rethinking Spaces.” Each session in the program focused on the importance of interior design and physical environment in libraries.
  • The 2007 Exceptional Service Award was presented to Blair County Libraries System Administrator Timothy Salony by Awards Committee members Lisa Erickson (District Consultant, Altoona Area Public Library) and Jennifer Knisely (Youth Services Coordinator, Altoona Area Public Library).

Highlights from 2006

  • 2006 Chapter Award: The J-C Chapter’s first Award for Exceptional Service to the Chapter and/or Librarianship was awarded to Michelle McIntyre, Roaring Spring Community Library in recognition of her contributions to her library, the Blair System, and PaLA.
  • Betsy Allen, Director of Schlow Centre Region Library was elected conference chair for the 2007 conference to be held in State College, in the J-C Chapter area.
  • The J-C Chapter also nominated Betsy for a Certificate of Merit which was awarded at the Annual Conference in Pittsburgh.
  • Schlow Centre Region Library received a Best Practices In Early Learning Award in 2006 for their cooperative summer libraries program.
  • Sally Kalin, Associate Dean of University Park Libraries at Penn State, is serving the second year of her term as ALA Councilor-at-Large.
  • Tim Salony, Blair County Library System Administrator was elected PaLA Director-at-Large.
  • Michelle McIntyre, Director, Roaring Spring Community Library served as PaLA Preservation Round Table Chair this year. She also serves on the Outreach Committee for the regional medical library.
  • Barbara Coopey, Assistant Head of Access Services, and Ann Snowman, Head of Access Services, Pennsylvania State University Libraries presented a poster at the annual conference on “Developing Staff Through Participation.” Ann will serve the third year of her term on the IDS Board of Directors as board treasurer.