Welcome to our ALA Student Chapter blog. Visit this site to find out what's happening in UCLA's Department of Information Studies and for the latest news and events about libraries, archives, and information management.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Members are Informed and Ready for Their First Conference Experience!


UCLA ALA Student Chapter recently got the inside skinny on professional conferences from the wise and witty Cindy Mediavilla. Our members are gearing up for California Library Association 2010 in mid-November and eagerly anticipating ALA Midwinter in January. The close proximity of ALA Midwinter this year (about 2 hours away in San Diego) in addition to the rumors of library conference ecstacy have UCLA students abuzz with plans. Fortunately for us, we are now mentally prepped after listening to quality tips this past Wednesday's speaker event. If you weren't able to make the talk, we're providing some of the key points below:


When you get to a conference:

Sign in and get a fabulous name tag (with zipper pouch)!

Get a paper program, floor plan and map to get familiar with event locations and start scheduling!

It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with top pick events well in advance of the event.


5 Things to Do at a conference:


1) Programs

Want to go to two programs but there's a schedule conflict? Leave one early, but be sure to sit near the back of the room!

For hot topics, try to get to the program early!

Note: there will be no programs during the ALA Midwinter Meetings


2) Exhibits

ALA conferences have much bigger exhibits than CLA conferences

Opportunities to interact with vendors

Free books, free bags and sometimes free food

Try to spend at least one day just visiting exhibits

You have the option to save money and get an "exhibit only" pass


3) Meetings

Business style meetings to address administration business

Also informal and educational discussion groups

anyone can sit in on the meeting- you don't have to be a member of that group or round table...this is a great opportunity to get a feel for committees.


4) Placement Center

Organizations seeking employees

2010 CLA conference will have Speed Mentoring program

Possibility for on the site interviews, be sure to bring professional attire and copies of your résumé


5) Parties!

Free food!

Good place to network

Check with your workplace beforehand to see if there are any invitations

New Members ALA Roundtable party is always to most fun!


What to Bring

Money for parking and meals

Business cards

Don't have business cards? Make them! Include name, professional email, phone number,

major/school/specialty; now's a good time to change your e-mail to something other than surferbabe@aol


What to Wear

First impressions are important!

Look professional but stay comfortable

Comfy shoes a must!

Remember you may be meeting future employers/coworkers!


Conference attendees love students!

Answer questions about school

Respond positively

Constantly introduce yourself


Transportation

Gale shuttle buses are FREE!

Lines to get lengthy during peak hours, plan accordingly

Interested in going to ALA Midwinter? book a hotel ASAP!

For San Diego: consider Embassy Suites (free food during happy hour!)


Conferences offer a chance to better understand library service, gain professional development, and network with working professionals throughout the state and/or country. In today's economy, that conference fee may be well worth the professional contacts. Besides, by all accounts...It's fun!



Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Conference How-To for First Timers


Join us tomorrow for "Conference How-To for First Timers" by Cindy Mediavilla in room 111. Wednesday, October 20th from 4:30-5:15. The session will offer specific guidance about just what to do to maximize the conference experience in an enjoyable fashion. See you there!

(image courtesy of New York Public Library)

Running the Books

For further proof of the transformative power of libraries, check out “Running the Books” by Avi Steinberg. Steinberg became a librarian at a Massachusetts prison, and his tale provides ample evidence of the importance of libraries in the souls who use them.

For the NYT review of the book click here.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

UCLA ALA Student Chapter Tours LAPL


On Saturday, September 18, the UCLA ALA Student Chapter visited the Los Angeles Public Library for a VIP tour led by Sylva Manoogian, a former LAPL employee of over twenty years.  The day began with a potluck, and the two hour tour focused on an insider's perspective and advocacy for the LAPL system, currently struggling with budget cuts, staff shortages, and reduced hours.

Ms. Manoogian worked within and was director of the International Languages division of LAPL, and described her work within this department, the 1986 fire and the community's efforts to restore the stacks, and why LAPL is so integral to the culturally, ethnically, and economically diverse city of Los Angeles. 

Thanks to Cory Hartford for the beautiful photos!  See our Flickr stream above for more.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Banned Books Week Scavenger Hunt


Yesterday boasted perfect weather for running all over the UCLA campus. That's just what three teams of chapter members did 

in honor of Banned Books Week. Teams were comprised of a blend of first and second year students competing for Banned Books swag and bragging rights.


The purpose of this event was threefold. First, the chapter announced its mentor/mentee pairings, a program designed to support 

first year students within the department by pairing them with second year students with similar career aspirations. Chapter members had a chance to bond while completing tasks such as dressing as Captain Underpants in the student store, sanitizing hands at the student health center, and locating or reading aloud from banned books in campus libraries and book stores. 


A second planned outcome was familiarizing first year students with essential buildings on campus. For instance, teams were asked to visit our sister department in Moore Hall and get a graduate student from the Department of Education to let them write "I read banned books" on their hand. 


A final benefit of this scavenger hunt was introducing students to ALA's annual Banned Books Week. Each clue in 

the scavenger hunt was tied to a "Banned Fact" in order to increase awareness of censorship and commitment to intellectual freedom. 

Teams scored points by texting photo messages of each accomplished task to headquarters. This tech savvy approach ensured that the campus facilities would remain clean and organized and guaranteed some amusing photo keepsakes of the event! 


The three teams were neck and neck throughout the two-hour competition. All three teams completed the 13 clues successfully. The final winner, Team Awesome, won by a mere two points acquired through bonus points assigned for creativity!


If you missed this incredible event, have no fear - we'll be hosting thrilling mentor/mentee social events every other month throughout the year!