UCLA ALA Student Chapter Hosts Dr. Camila Alire, Immediate Past President of ALA

On Thursday, January 13, the UCLA ALA Student Chapter hosted Dr. Camila Alire, Immediate Past President of the American Library Association, for a lecture on advancing your career through leadership, advocacy, and diversity.

Dr. Alire was greeted at the door with her long-time friend, Dr. Elaine Svenonius, UCLA Professor Emerita and a noted name in cataloging. They had a chance to stop in and talk to the faculty for a few moments, and Dr. Alire then greeted UCLA MLIS students and several local librarians, introducing herself personally to each attendee.

From left to right. Top row: Ashley Sands, treasurer; Julie Glassman, vice-president; Lynn Kysh, secretary; Marisa Christensen, publicity; Sherry Sue, web guru; Caprice Roberson, treasurer. Bottom row: Britt Foster, president; Dr. Camila Alire; Stevie Hartford, president; Stacy Wood, vice-president.

Dr. Alire's lecture focused on a hot topic for UCLA students: How to enact positive change through promoting libraries and information institutions, being a voice for all kinds of diversity in the IS professions, and how to achieve positions of leadership that will enable this kind of change-making.

Some key points from the lecture emphasized the importance of "the volunteer arm": getting your hand in the air whenever opportunities arise. Dr. Alire points out that this builds a network, and puts you in the professional place of being someone who can get things done, which can lead to job opportunities you're not even looking for! Dr. Alire called this, "leadership by default," and this received some titters in the audience: the UCLA ALA student members are very active on campus, and know what it means to step up and get things done!

Risk taking in career choices and advocacy was another theme: being able to succeed in risky ventures shows your willingness to take charge. Even if you don't succeed in the initial project, being able to identify a challenge and attempt to solve it is deeply important during these times when information institutions are struggling so.

Dr. Alire also touched on the importance of commitment to diversity, something that concerns UCLA students serving the Los Angeles area deeply, and the importance of being an emotionally intelligent leader.

The UCLA ALA Student Chapter would like to thank Natalie Cole of the California Library Association for her help in arranging Dr. Alire's visit. Look for an article about the visit in the upcoming CLA E-Newsletter!

UCLA ALA Student Chapter Journeys to ALA Midwinter 2011

Our student chapter recently descended on the ALA Midwinter meeting conveniently located in San Diego, California. UCLA Information Studies students joined the hoards venturing to the Midwinter meeting to enjoy their first professional conference experience. Those Student Chapter members that attended Cindy Mediavilla's "Conference for First-Timers" lecture in the fall were well prepared for the overwhelming nature of such a large event! The proximity of the conference (a 2.5 hour drive from L.A.) made this an affordable professional development adventure not to be missed. While students were not necessarily serving on the multitudes of committees meeting at Midwinter Meeting, several did sit in on these small group discussions to gain a better understanding of committee work. Student Chapter members were welcomed by practicing professionals, once again demonstrating the outstanding collegial nature of librarianship.



Of course, exhibits proved quite popular. Student Chapter members were able to work out their bodies in addition to their minds by hefting enormous red reusable sacks loaded with sample magazines, journals, and advance reading copies of books. The "student" designation on the name badges made it clear that this group would not be remodeling a library anytime soon, causing some vendors to look the other way. Other vendors were eager to greet students and ask them about their program. On the whole, however, just perusing the tools of the trade was enough to expose these future professionals to the names of vendors and the vast array of choices.

UCLA ALA Student Chapter promoted conference registration, prepped students with a how-to lecture event, and organized car pooling to San Diego. It's not every year that this small chapter gets to interact so completely with its national parent organization, which is fondly referred to by UCLA Student Chapter officers as "Mama ALA." Well, Mama, it was great seeing you right after the holidays, and we look forward to doing it again soon! Perhaps over some gumbo?

Awkward Sweater Party Knits UCLA Students Together

With Winter 2011 course registration underway, UCLA ALA Student Chapter and the Student Chapter of the Special Libraries Association co-hosted an awkward sweater and cookie frosting party for mentors and mentees, and any students who wanted guidance, had questions, or wanted to offer advice on choosing classes.With Crayola-colored spiced frosting, sugar cookies, nonpareils, a crackling (digital) fire, and more sequins, bows, and shoulder pads than Madonna's wardrobe in the 80s, first and second-year MLIS students exchanged the inside skinny on UCLA's winter offerings.

The most common questions from first years centered on core classes, including Information Technology and Information Access, two courses on information tools and reference, respectively, required for graduation.  Second year students were more concerned about the portfolio requirement, which, though due in Spring 2011, looms heavy.

Fortunately the cookies and silly sweaters brought a little levity to the gift-wrapped table, and as much gossip as grad requirements were overheard.  Fortified by sugar for finals week and better prepared for choosing courses, the awkward sweater party was a smash success!

Cocktail Party of State

The ALA Student Chapter officers for 2010-2011 recently got together for some sophisticated fun. As these photos reveal, these student leaders know how to look good while talking shop. The event took place in a Santa Monica apartment belonging to one of the Co-Presidents (moi!). Guests were asked to bring a potluck dish as well as a very important accessory. Can you guess? That's right, this was an ol' fashioned political wig party- like the British Parliament, only much more colorful (and less wild). Upon arrival, guests were presented with hand crafted stationary, which outlined The Rules. Co-President, Britt Foster was responsible for the creation and crafty dissemination of the rules. In case you're interested in hosting your own wig party in the near future, here they are:
1. The first rule of wig party is never mention wig party (unless your blogging about it, of course).
2. Don't mention wigs, either.
3. In fact, don't even mention anything rhyming with wig.
4. And while we're at it, don't say a word about e-books, either. We're sick of hearing about them.
5. The same goes for Harry Potter. Geeze. Can't everybody just shut up about that kid already?

Failure to abide by these rules will result in some strange punishment drawn from The Great and Mystical Jar of Mysteries. Your Madame Presidents reserve the right to force The Great and Mystical Jar of Mysteries on anyone at anytime, for any infraction or the rules above, a stellar cocktail, or an amazing...you know. That thing on your head.

Violators drew from a jar of question slips and were required to answer "what if" type questions before the assembly. Surprisingly, the party's chief planners were also the chief transgressors. It's harder than you'd think to not say "wig," especially when everyone in the room is wearing one. The food was delicious and the guests looked smashing. Most attendees confessed to mysterious head itching, likely as a result of all that intense ALA Student Chapter event planning. Stay tuned for the results of this powerful think tank!

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!