September is a crazy busy time and this year was no exception. So busy that here it is well into October and I’m just getting around to posting this.

Bethlehem Central Schools holds Saturday morning Tech Camps for their teachers. Teachers can come to learn to use a new tool or refine their skills on something they want to know better. I was please to be offered a chance to do some WebMax training on a lovely Saturday in September.
How do you like my hat???

Library 2.0 Tech Camp at the Renneslaerville Institute was really about two things – helping library media specialists learn to build and manage online learning and communication using the latest online networking tools AND some real face-time networking time in a relaxed and pleasant environment outside the walls of any school.
Those two goals were met in a big way last week as 22 media specialists met in the park-like setting of the Institute for two full days. Our facilitator and instructor, Poly Farrington of PAFA Associates, helped us work through the development and uses of blogs, wikis, tagging and nings.
Now you can see the library 2.0 Tech Camp ning at http://librarytechcamp.ning.com
But you can’t join – not till you’ve completed the “Tech Camp” experience.
Discussions are under way to run another of these sessions where librarians gain important skills AND meet new professional friends!

One week to Library 2.0 Tech Camp at the Rensselaerville Institute and things are falling into place. Here, I work with Polly Farrington and Ken Petersen to put the finishing touches on the agenda.

I’m very excited after today’s meeting. These two presenters have so much to offer and offer so much so willingly! I know that the people who participate are going to have some fun and learn important new skills at the same time.

Planning quality, relevant professional growth opportunities for such a great variety of librarians in so many unique situations is a real challenge but a critical role of the SLS.

You really can’t do it without a strong network of people that you can call on the share their expertise.

The Summer 2007 staff development for Capital Region librarians is just beginning!

Michael Stephens, professor of Library & Information Science at Dominican University in Illinois, was in the Capital Region today to host a workshop on Library 2.0. Stephens is the author of several articles on Web 2.0 including “The Promise of Web 2.0″ published in American Libraries in October of 2006.

Michael is an excellent presenter and, even though the room was full, I had a few chances to speak with him about Web 2.0 and schools.

Of course, I signed up for this workshop so I could get ideas and direction for the SLS Library 2.0 Tech Camp coming up this summer!

Some excellent handouts were shared but, as is often the case, the bibliography he provided is really valuable!

What is this Library 2.0 stuff and what does it have to do with schools? Get yourself to Rensslaerville this summer and find out! The School Library System is hosting a two day retreat at the Rensslaerville Institute. Polly Farrington, our trainer, will lead us in some hands-on Web 2.0 tools. Get your hands dirty. Walk away with a blog, an RSS aggregator and a flickr account!

Unless you plan to retire in the next 12 month – YOU need to hear about the emerging technologies and the philosophical underpinnings involved. If you think kids today are the same as they’ve always been – you are wrong! And there is data to prove it! Kids today are literally wired differently.

There are important implications for education, industry and the social structure we are all accustomed to. And there are things librarians need to learn to do to be where we need to be!

As Joyce Valenza says about emerging technologies, “You’d better start swimming, or you’ll sink like a stone.”

Actually Bob Dylan said it first – but you knew that!

On this sunny day in March, Dee Portzer, Michele Hausmann, Cheryll O’Connor
and I traveled to New York City by train to see Stephen Abrams, Vice President
of SirisDynix.

(Cheryll and Michele didn’t want pose for this photo!)

We were also fortunate to have Mr. Abrams join us for lunch. Here we are on our way back into the Metro Library Council offices – after lunch.

We enjoyed his message about the future of libraries and OPACS and social networking.

A long day!

People throughout the state who work at BOCES, city schools or independent schools with an interest in educational media and technology can join the EMTANYS – Educational Media and Technology Association of NYS.
This organization works to negotiate pricing on resources and to provide an opportunity for people to come together statewide and network on these important topics for our schools. Our most recent conference in Syracuse this March included topics such as Internet Field Trips, Information Fluency Curriculum (yes , I presented that curriculum again!) and “Second Life” application in the classroom.

Here I am with the new President Elect of EMTANYS – Chuck Waters from OCM BOCES.

Today is Sunday and I’ve had at least two e-mails and one phone call to let me know that our SLS website is not working. Maintaining an up-to-date website with lots of important information for school librarians is an important part of the job. In my BOCES, I work closely with the Northeast Regional Information Center (NERIC) as they host, back-up and otherwise troubleshoot my site. I also work closely with a local library consultant <a href="http://www.pafa.net"> Polly Farrington</a> to get help adding content and maintaining the design. So this Sunday afternoon I’m sending off e-mails to all of my support folks to get that site back up ASAP.