The Official Wiki of the 2010 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Boston, MA is open to attendees and exhibitors of the 2010 ALA Midwinter Meeting, which is scheduled January 15-19, 2010. Note: The official hashtag for the 2010 Midwinter Meeting is alamw10.

This wiki is about the ALA 2010 Midwinter Meeting in Boston, MA. Anyone with something to contribute is invited to participate. (See Wiki Editing Tips.)

Keep in mind these few basic rules:

• No content unrelated to Midwinter and Boston.
• No defamatory remarks about other people
• No advertisements or spam
• No politics
• No organizing boycotts

Content violating those rules will be removed. That still leaves a lot of space for active sharing, so enjoy!

Engaging speakers and informative presentations will abound at the upcoming Midwinter Institute “The Genealogy Reference Desk: Where Everyone Knows Your Name”, a full-day workshop focused on New England genealogy resources and genealogy research techniques, and  presented by the History Section of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA).

Genealogical research skills and tools are a vital resource for any library providing reference services. They’re particularly important in public libraries, where genealogy remains one of the most time-consuming reference duties–especially for generalist desks or libraries without genealogy or history specialists on staff—and in academic libraries, where genealogy sources are often the primary tools for helping students with local history projects. This institute, sponsored by ProQuest, will focus on the “nitty-gritty” of genealogy research. New reference librarians will benefit from the fundamental tools presented at this event; experienced genealogy librarians will find it to be an excellent refresher. The skills and resources at the core of this event are relevant to all attendees, no matter the locale of their patron’s interest.

The institute will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, at the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), held in conjunction with the ALA 2010 Midwinter Meeting. Speakers will present topics specific to New England and Colonial Research, along with general research methodology.  D. Brenton Simons, President and CEO of the NEHGS, will address “Sustainability in Genealogical Collections” and maintaining an institution during a downturn economy.  Christine Baron, principal of Baron Consulting, will speak on the “Old North Church Project”—a NEH-funded collaborative project between the Old North  Foundation, New England Historic Genealogical Society, and HyperStudio-Laboratory for Digital Humanities at Massachusetts Institute of Technology aimed at creating an online educational program that combines public history and genealogy. Laura Prescott, a professional researcher, writer and speaker and consultant for Footnote.com who previously worked for NEHGS, will present “Timelines: Placing Your Heritage in Historic Perspective.” Drew Smith, one of the Genealogy Guys, owner of the Genealib listserv and an information literacy librarian at the University of South Florida, will be speaking on “Using Web 2.0 Tools with a 101 Knowledge Base”.  David Dearborn, of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, and a New England specialist, will present “An Overview of American Colonial Records”.

Founded in 1845 and located at 99 Newbury Street, Boston, NEHGS is the country’s oldest nonprofit genealogical organization in the country.  Located in the heart of the Boston’s beautiful Back Bay neighborhood, their eight-story library and archive is one of the nation’s leading research centers for genealogists and family historians of every skill level. The institute will conclude with a tour of this beautiful facility for participants only.

Interested participants can register for this event only, or can register in conjunction with Midwinter Meeting registration by adding it as a ticketed event. For institute-only registration using the online form (login required), select “Institute and Ticketed Events Only” as the registration type, and proceed to select this event from the list.

Advance registration for the meeting and this event opens Oct. 1 and ends Dec. 4, 2009. Advance registration prices for this event are $100 for retired and student members ($100 for RUSA members,  $145 for ALA members, $75 for retired and student members, and $220 for non-ALA members. On-site registration, priced at $125 for RUSA members, $125 for ALA members, and $245 for non-ALA members) will be available until Friday, Jan. 8. All interested participants are strongly encouraged to register by Jan. 8, as only a handful of seats will be available at the door on the day of the event.

Are you interested in learning more about the challenges, solutions and best practices associated with maximizing the library experience for all patrons, including those with functional differences? Attending “Breaking Down Barriers: Best Practices in Universal Design for Libraries” will provide an interactive environment in which to explore these ideas.

The topic of this intensive half-day event, assembled through a partnership between ASCLA and the Institute for Human-Centered Design (ICHD) (formerly Adaptive Environments) and held in conjunction with ALA’s 2010 Midwinter Meeting, has become increasingly important as the economic crisis has brought people to libraries in record numbers to take advantage of the unique opportunities, experiences and services available there. By implementing universal design principles, libraries can create physical, communication and information environments that minimize limitations and provide outstanding library services to all patrons, including those with functional differences.

The agenda for the workshop, which will be held Friday, Jan. 15, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.,  at the ICHD, located at 200 Portland Street, Suite 1, in Boston, includes presentations on an array of best practices in universal design, including opportunities for experiential learning  and a forum for presenting your library’s universal design problem or aspiration and receiving on-the-spot consultation and solutions.

“It’s important for libraries to create a welcoming environment for everyone in their community,” said Brenda Bailey-Hainer, president of ASCLA. “ This institute is an excellent opportunity to learn about techniques for eliminating obstacles to library use for community members who are often underserved.”

Interested participants should note that the institute (event code ASC2) is a separate ticketed event; registration for the Midwinter Meeting is not required in order to attend this event. For institute-only registration using the online form (login required), select “Institute and Ticketed Events Only” as the registration type, and proceed to select this event from  “Step 7 – Your Events”. Advance registration for both Midwinter and “Breaking Down Barriers” opens Thursday, Oct. 1, with the following advance registration ticket prices available through December 4: Student/Retiree Member, $120 (ASCLA Member, $155; ALA Member, $155; Non-member, $155).  Ticket prices increase after Dec. 4. Visit the ALA Midwinter website for the most up-to-date information on registration.

IHCD is an international non-profit organization, founded in Boston in 1978, committed to advancing the role of design in expanding opportunity and enhancing experience for people of all ages and abilities. IHCD’s work balances expertise in legally required accessibility with promotion of best practices in human-centered or universal design.  Their location in downtown Boston is only a few blocks from the MBTA’s North Station, providing easy access to the Green and Orange lines, as well as several commuter rail lines. Subway, commuter rail and other pertinent transit information and schedules are available at the MBTA website.

Each year during Annual Conference, the Chapter Relations Office coordinates a group of student volunteers from the ALA Student Chapters to assist ALA staff at the conference.

To qualify for the Student-to-Staff Program, the student must be:

• A current ALA member;
• A member of a student Chapter
• He or she cannot have previously participated in the program; and

Please note:

• All students selected must be ALA members and current students during the 2010 ALA Annual Conference.
• Each school has its own selection process, and the chosen student’s name must be submitted to ALA by the group’s faculty advisor. One student will be accepted per chapter.

In exchange for working four hours per day at the conference from Friday through Monday (16 hours total), each participating student receives:

• Free conference registration;
• Free housing (with roommate); and
• A per diem for meal expenses.

Transportation costs (such as airfare and cabs) are the student’s responsibility!

An official letter to each student Chapter is sent out in the beginning of the year, around February. If you’re interested, to find out how you can participate in the student-to-staff program at the 2010 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., contact your ALA Student Chapter for its selection criteria. For information about the process, contact Don Wood in the Chapter Relations Office.

This program is only available at the Annual Conference. At this time there are no volunteer opportunities at Midwinter Meetings.

NOTE: Contact information found on the ALA Student Chapters Directory is used to contact the schools each year about this program. The schools are responsible for helping ensure this information is correct. If information on this page is incorrect, please use the ALA Chapter Relations Online Change of Address Form to submit addresses and address updates. If you prefer to mail or fax a paper copy, you may download the PDF version of the change of address form.  You may also inform Don Wood, ALA Chapter Relations Office.

Your campus doesn’t have an ALA Student Chapter? How to start a Student Chapter is among the many resources for students on the ALA Student Chapters website.

What with full schedules during Annual Conference and efforts to go green at the show wouldn’t it be great to be able to find the handouts for some of your favorite speakers and presentations online? Good news, you can! AL Direct’s “Ask the Librarian” column recently dealt with just this question and the answer points you to places to look for resources and tips for searching post-conference…

Q. I’ve just come back from the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago and am trying to pull together my trip report. With efforts at “going green” there seemed to be fewer handouts—or at least fewer copies available. Can you tell me where I can find the speakers’ presentations and handouts? The presenters said they would be “on the web.” But where?

A. Good question! How handouts and other output from the Annual Conference are disseminated varies considerably from division to division, or from one program planner or speaker to another. A couple of years ago, ALA instituted the Conference Materials Archive in order provide a central place to collect the handouts or other conference content—or at least links to that content. But there is great inconsistency as to whether materials are there. The ALA Library will seek out handouts when possible, but here are some of our tricks for when they are not on the wiki.
1. We use the 2009 Annual Conference Program Book (big PDF file—almost 9MB) to identify the sponsor of the program and exact title.
2. Then, we do a search of the ALA website, to see if the unit has posted the content.
3. The next step is a general web search or a check the division’s blogs and podcasts.
4. Finally, we try a search for the specific speaker to see if the material has been posted on the speaker’s personal or institutional webpage or blog.
To complicate matters even more, with the exception of the very few contemporaneous blog posts, there is a time lag between the program presentation and the posting or publication of the content. Also, there is always the possibility that a presentation is not recorded or written and may only be captured when the presenter uses the content in a substantially revised form in a publication a year or more later.
We are looking into ways for using ALA Connect for these materials and would welcome comments.
From the ALA Professional Tips wiki.

Have your resume reviewed and updated during the 2009 ALA Annual Conference!

On Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, the NMRT Resume Review Service will offer the opportunity for you to have your resume reviewed by fellow professionals who are knowledgeable about resumes and human resources.

The NMRT Resume Review Service will be located in the Grand Ballroom of McCormick Place-South. (See also ALA Job Placement Center.) The booth will be open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12. Volunteer greeters will answer any questions you may have concerning the resume review service. Consult the ALA 2009 Annual Conference Volunteer Booth Schedule for more information.

If you have any questions about the resume service before or after the Annual Conference, please e-mail nmrtrrs@yahoo.com.

The NMRT Resume Review Service is a wonderful way to make sure that your resume is in top condition. There are two ways that you can take advantage of this opportunity. First, NMRT members may work with virtual reviewers via e-mail. Second, at each ALA Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference, both NMRT members and nonmembers may get help with their resumes in the ALA Job Placement Center, where you meet one-on-one with a reviewer.

For more information, visit NMRT Resume Review Service and Resume Review Service at ALA Annual and Midwinter.

Also plan to attend the program Job Hunting in a Recession: Tips from Experts in the Field, Saturday, July 11, 1:30-3:00 p.m., Hyatt Regency (151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601; 312-565-1234), Grand D North.

ALA Annual Conference Preview, Chicago

Planning your schedule for ALA’s Annual Conference in Chicago? Be sure to check out the Annual Conference Wiki for tips, highlights, and suggestions.

After receiving comments on Draft Resolution on Marriage for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered People, this is the latest version. Please provide input on this draft resolution, which will be presented to ALA Council during the 2009 ALA Annual Conference. Send comments to Locke J Morrisey, ACRL Councilor 2007-2010/ President NCNMLG, and Larry Romans, ALA Executive Board Member.

Resolution on Civil Marriage Equality Regardless of Sexual Orientation

WHEREAS, civil marriage is a basic human right and an individual choice;

WHEREAS, American Library Association (ALA) Policy 1.5, Goal Area III, states that the goals of the Association include increasing ALA’s influence in promoting equity of access and fair use, and supporting grassroots efforts to influence local, state and federal policies and standards that affect library and information services;

WHEREAS, ALA Policy 54.3 (Equal Employment Opportunity) states that ALA is “committed to equal opportunity for all library employees or applicants for employment,” regardless of sexual orientation and in Policy 54.16 (Gay Rights) ALA “reaffirms its support for equal employment opportunity for gay librarians and library workers”;

WHEREAS, ALA Policy 60.3 (Combating Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination) states that ALA “actively commits its programs and resources to those efforts that combat prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination against individuals and groups in the library profession and in library user populations” on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression;

WHEREAS, same-sex couples can legally wed in several countries, and six U.S. states and the District of Columbia have legalized varying levels of marriage; and

WHEREAS, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered (GLBT) couples who are library workers or library users who live in states where only heterosexual couples may wed legally do not receive the same rights, including library privileges, family and medical leave, tax equity, inheritance rights, hospital visitation, insurance and retirement benefits, family health care coverage, housing benefits, tuition remission benefits, adoption or birth leave; and

WHEREAS, legally wed GLBT couples who are library workers or library users lose rights and privileges afforded to wedded heterosexual couples when they cross borders into states and countries without marriage equality; and

WHEREAS, the Council of the American Library Association has an opportunity to voice their support to extend full civil marriage protections to all members of the library profession and library user population; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the American Library Association (ALA) affirms that civil marriage and other civil rights protections are essential to making all families safer and more secure; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that ALA opposes the enshrinement of civil marriage discrimination in the federal or in state constitutions; and be it further

RESOLVED, that ALA supports the right of every person to marry, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples, wherever they reside.

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For additional information, see ALA policies and more on Sex, Gender Identity, or Sexual Orientation issues. Also visit the home page of the ALA Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Round Table (GLBTRT).

From the District Dispatch:

Join us for an ALA Washington Office Webinar where Kristin Murphy (ALA Washington Office) and Stephanie Vance (Advocacy Guru), both survivors of Capitol Hill, explain many of the mysterious workings of Congress.  Don’t know your appropriation from your authorization?  Aren’t sure what a subcommittee markup is (or why you should care)?  Wondering if a Continuing Resolution really is as boring as it sounds?  This session will bring you up to speed on key Congressional activities, how they might impact libraries in the near future and, most important, what you can do about it.  Come prepared to learn more about “Dear Colleagues,” “Cloture” and “Floor Proceedings” than you ever thought you would.

Webinar will be Tuesday, June 23rd, 4pm - 5pm. Register now as space is limited.

At each American Library Association Annual Conference a reception and fundraiser is held to benefit the Leroy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund. This year’s event, sponsored by ALA President-Elect Camila Alire and the Intellectual Freedom Round Table, provides an opportunity to join other librarians who support intellectual freedom and fair employment.

The reception will be held Monday, July 13, 2009, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan, North Imperial Suite, 27th Floor. There is a suggested contribution of $25 (payable at the door or online). All proceeds go directly to the Merritt Fund to help librarians in need.

This event does not require registration for the conference. You can RSVP on Facebook, or contact Jonathan Kelley at (800) 545-2433 x4226.

Unable to attend? You may still donate to the Merritt online, by calling Jonathan at (800) 545-2433 x4226, or by sending a check to the Leroy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund, 50 E. Huron, Chicago, IL 60611.

Click here to watch a video about the work of the Merritt Fund!

The LeRoy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund was established in 1970 as a special trust in memory of Dr. LeRoy C. Merritt. It is devoted to the support, maintenance, medical care, and welfare of librarians who, in the Trustees’ opinion, are:

• Denied employment rights or discriminated against on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, religion, age, disability, or place of national origin; or
• Denied employment rights because of defense of intellectual freedom; that is, threatened with loss of employment or discharged because of their stand for the cause of intellectual freedom, including promotion of freedom of the press, freedom of speech, the freedom of librarians to select items for their collections from all the world’s written and recorded information, and defense of privacy rights.