SIR II's - Fill 'Em Out!

Just a reminder to fill out your student evaluations if you haven't already done so. You should have received an email with a link to the online survey. The deadline is May 8.

Photo credits: Creative Commons license from Roboppy's Flickr photostream

LIT Internships?

Those of you who are enrolled in the Library Information Technology A.S. degree program are required to take INFS 2900 Library Information Technology Internship (or whatever the internship course is exactly called). For those of you who are enrolled in either of the certificates, the internship is not required, but it is recommended, particularly for those who do not have current library experience.

If you're considering an internship for Fall 2009, please email me as soon as possible so we can start discussing your options.

Planning Ahead: Spring Schedule Survey Results

The survey results are in, and the survey responders in this highly unscientific study show a high degree of forward-thinking!

Yep, I have my schedule all figured out	2 (33%)
Just about; I need to decide on a couple of things first	4 (66%)
Uh, I don't really have a clue yet	0 (0%)
Next semester? There IS no next semester! I'm graduating!	0 (0%)

Votes so far: 6

Free Comic Book Day!

C'mon, how cool is this? Saturday, May 2!

Free Comic Book Day is a single day - the first Saturday in May - when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores. *Check with your local shop for their participation and rules.

http://www.freecomicbookday.com/

Online Catalogs: What Users and Librarians Want

As posted to the AUTOCAT list:

The research report, "Online Catalogs: What Users and Librarians Want",
is now available for order and download. Authored by an OCLC research
team headed by Karen Calhoun, Vice President, WorldCat and Metadata
Services, the report presents findings about the data quality
expectations of catalog end users and librarians.

Please visit http://www.oclc.org/reports/onlinecatalogs/default.htm to
order the report, download a copy and to learn more.

The Online Catalogs report offers:
* Insight for readers seeking to define requirements for improved
catalog data
* Information about the metadata elements that are most important
to end users in determining if an item will meet his or her needs
* Support for the enhancements end users and librarians would like
to see made in online library catalogs
* Insight into the end user's discovery experience
* Findings for readers in areas associated with contributing,
synchronizing or linking data from multiple sources in library catalogs
and integrated library systems

Internship: Hennepin County Library

Library Outreach Services Internship
Hennepin County Library
Outreach promotes the use of the library by the nontraditional or under-served user through the development and support of programs and services.

The Outreach Department's goal is to bring the experience of the library and its resources to the community - in their homes, senior living facilities, rehabilitation centers, the correctional facilities of the county and through events held at the library.

Commitment:
One semester, 4 to 8 hours per week.

Wage:
This is an unpaid position which could be for college credit or work experience.

Job Location:
Main work location is at the Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr., Minnetonka, with some work in Downtown Minneapolis at the Juvenile Detention Center, in Plymouth at the Adult Correctional Facility, and in Minnetonka at the County Home School.

Application Deadline:
May 15, 2009.

Duties:
Duties may include the following:

Assist at outreach events aimed at first generation library users

Assist in classifying / organizing Adult Correctional Facility collection

Assist in compiling and analyzing data for Adult Correctional Facility programs and Deposit Collection booktalking program

Assist in creating documents for use in Large Print book club kits, including writing book discussion questions

Assist in implementation of resource workshops at Adult Correctional Facility

Assist in the creation, implementation and evaluation of a reading interest survey for use with the Deposit Collection sites, at the Adult Correctional Facility, and at the County Home School

Assist in weekly filling of information requests from Adult Correctional Facility

Plan, develop, and implement a book discussion group at the Adult Correctional Facility (women's) and District 287 (teens)

Plan, develop, and implement a project of interest related to Outreach

Requirements:
Intern must have taken at least one class in collection development, information services or public libraries.

To Apply and for Questions:
Submit a resume and brief cover letter outlining your qualifications for this internship to:

Tom.Grund@co.hennepin.mn.us
- OR -
Tom Grund
Hennepin County Library - Ridgedale
12601 Ridgedale Drive
Minnetonka, MN 55305
(952) 847-8518
For more information contact Patrick Jones at pjones@hclib.org or (952) 847-8859.

Poll Results: Almost Everyone is Stressed!

Here are our poll results for the end of the semester stress level.

YES! I have a TON to do!	5 (83%)
A little; I have a lot to do, but mostly it's under control	1 (16%)
I have a lot to do, but I'm not stressed about it	0 (0%)
No stress here; not much left to finish	0 (0%)

Votes so far: 6
Poll closed

Sustainability Fair

Take some time today to participate in the Sustainability Fair, 10:30 - 2:30, in the Helland Center Student Lounge. There will be guest speakers presenting on key environmental issues, numerous community environmental organizations and student groups, and a free bicycle repair table. This event is brought to you by the Three-Legged Frog Environmental Club.

Also, visit the Warrior to Citizen: Stories of Minnesota's Most Recent Veterans Exhibit in T 2500, the Counseling and Advising Suite. This display was created by the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs as part of their Warrior to Citizen Campaign, and it will be available for viewing throughout the week.

Checking out our favorite libraries and librarians

From Entertainment Weekly...

Checking out our favorite libraries and librarians

Apr 13, 2009, 01:30 PM | by Margaret Lyons

Categories: Books, Happy Holidays, Ridiculata

Happy National Library Week! To help celebrate, I'm going to organize information in a logical, easy to understand way. And oh yeah, present to you, PopWatchers, some awesome pop references to libraries and librarians. Sssshhh!

Testing in Disability Services

If you are a student working with Disability Services, you may be interested in this information about testing during Finals Week.

During final week Disability is testing more students than any other time of the year and providing longer testing appointments. Early scheduling is recommended and, if needed, evening testing hours will be available on Monday and Tuesday of final week.

• Students can reserve testing times for finals starting April 21.
• Evening Testing is available on Monday and Tuesday, May 11 and 12, by request.
• Testing block are from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM, and 5:00 to 9:30 PM. Evening test times start at 5:00 PM only.
  

Students testing in the Testing Center should plan on testing early in the week and arriving early for testing. Disability Services will not have space for overflow students from the Testing Center.

Photo Credits: Creative Commons license from Robotson's Flickr photostream

Last Day to Withdraw

The day of reckoning is nigh... The deadline to withdraw from a full term course is April 20^th. Students should see a counselor or advisor to determine if a withdrawal is advisable.

Hopefully, you don't have a 6% grade in any of your courses. But, if you do, you may want to talk to an advisor about withdrawing from that course. Withdrawing from courses effects your completion rate which can impact your financial aid.

Photo credit: Creative Commons license from Office Glen's Flickr photostream

Scholarship Opportunity

The All-USA CC Academic Team seeks to honor nearly 400 students as representatives of all outstanding community college students around the world. Nearly $500,000 in stipends will be provided to students in 2010.

Two of MCTC's brightest stars could be the recipients of a $2,500 Gold Scholar stipend, a $1500 Silver Scholar stipend, a $1000 Bronze Scholar stipend, and many other scholarship opportunities.

We are looking for students who fulfill the following requirements:

--have at least a 3.5 GPA
--have completed at least 36 semester credits (by 12/31/09)
--are on track to complete 48 semester credits (by 8/30/10)
--have strong leadership abilities & experience
--demonstrate campus & community involvement
--have effective writing skills
Note: applicants do NOT need to be PTK members

If you meet these criteria, contact Peter Mortenson (Peter.Mortenson@minneapolis.edu).

Thank you for helping to get the word out!

The All USA Scholarship Team:
Jamal Adam
Laura Fedock
Jane Leach
Tara Martinez
Peter Mortenson

Extra Credit!

EXTRA CREDIT: National Library Week!

Our View From the Park
National Library Week Radio Show!
Date: Friday, 4/17/09
Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM (or you could pre-record something; contact me ASAP for details if you want to do that!)
Place: Arrive early and ask for Amanda Mills at the library’s Circulation Desk!

Assignment: Read from your favorite book or poem on our NLW BlogTalk Radio Show!

• Read a chapter or passage (no more than 5 minutes) from your favorite book - 3 points per book passage
• Read your favorite poem (or several verses if it is a longer poem; no more than 5 minutes) - 2 points per poem
  

April is also National Poetry Month.

Please let me know by Wednesday, 4/15/09 @ 5:00 PM if you are planning on reading something!

Points: Up to 6 points possible
DUE: Friday, 4/17/09 @ 11:00 AM

National Library Week @ MCTC Library

See what we're up to this week @ the library!

Trader Joe's vs. The Wedge

FYI, to those of you in Minneapolis, or just like The Wedge and food co-ops in general.

*****************************
Trader Joe's a Block South of the Wedge?
*****************************

Minneapolis City Council Member Robert Lilligren confirmed that "there is a proposed mixed-use development at 2309 Lyndale Avenue. The first floor anchor tenant would be Trader Joe's." That location is a half block south of the Wedge Co-op (in the Le Parisien apartments).

The Wedge relishes good competition, but in this case, we'll be at a huge disadvantage. In order to open this store, Trader Joe's wants a variance in the state liquor licensing law that would allow them to sell beer and wine. None of the local groceries in our area (Lund's, Kowalski's, the co-ops) can sell spirits, but the City Council thinks its a good idea to let national chain Trader Joe's sell cheap Three Buck Chuck on our doorstep.

It isn't fair.

**************
We Need Your Help
**************

This variance is probably going to get rammed through quickly. There's a City Council Meeting this Friday, April 10, at 9:30 a.m. Most likely, it will pass and go to the State Legislature for approval -- according to our Councilman Robert Lilligren, who supports giving unfair advantages to Trader Joe's over dynamic, local businesses.

Please call your council member AS SOON as you get this email! Their contact information is below.

Please forward this email to any contacts who may be willing to act on behalf of fairness to local businesses.

**************
What to Say or Write
**************

If you call, please ask to speak to the Council Person, and if they're not available, ask to leave a message with a staff person.

Consider saying the following:

"I think it's unfair that Trader Joe's could be issued a state liquor license variance, when local groceries are banned from selling beer and wine. Please do not support issuing a variance to Trader Joe's."

You could also make some of the following points:

* Changing the rules to favor Trader Joe's, an international company, makes me question the city's dedication to independent and local businesses.

* A store of Trader Joe's size will have a huge impact on south Minneapolis. Local liquor stores, local grocery chains, and independent stores like the Wedge Co-op will all take a hit from allowing Trade Joe's to sell wine and beer.

* Please show your support for local businesses over giant, international companies. Trader Joe's is owned by the same German company that owns and operates Aldi's, the "German Wal-Mart."

* If the Wedge and other co-ops are negatively impacted by a giant conglomerate, local vendors will be hit, too. Trader Joe's simply can't support Peace Coffee, Sno-Pac, Ames Farm, Sweet Cheeks Baby Food, Mischief Maker Chai, Beeler's Pork, Larry Schultz's eggs, or any local cheeses or vegetable and fruit farmers the way local groceries do.

* Trader Joe's will permanently change the local flavor of this area. The Wedge and Whittier neighborhoods are largely free of big chains and this will open the door for more chains to come in.

* A store this size will compound the already terrible traffic issues here. People won't even want to come to the Lyndale/Franklin area because of the added congestion. Biking will become even more difficult than it already is.

Emails can be created from the above talking points, too. Such as:

Dear [NAME],

I'm writing because I think it's unfair that Trader Joe's could be issued a liquor license variance, when local groceries are banned from selling beer and wine. Please do not support issuing a variance to Trader Joe's.

Please show your support for local businesses over giant, international companies. Trader Joe's is owned by the same German company that owns and operates Aldi's, the "German Wal-Mart." If the Wedge and other co-ops are negatively impacted by a giant conglomerate on their doorsteps, local vendors will be hit, too. Trader Joe's simply can't support Peace Coffee, Sno-Pac, Ames Farm, Sweet Cheeks Baby Food, Mischief Maker Chai, Beeler's Pork, Larry Schultz's eggs, or any local cheeses or vegetable and fruit farmers the way local groceries do.

Thank you for your attention, and I hope I can count on you to vote against issuing a liquor license variance to Trader Joe's.

Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

******************************
Contact Information for City Council Members
******************************

Find out who your Minneapolis Council Person is here:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/

*City Council Members and Contact*

*Paul Ostrow Ward 1*
350 S 5th Street
City Hall, Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415

*Phone*
(612) 673-2201
*Fax*
(612) 673-3940
*E-mail*
Paul.Ostrow@ ci.minneapolis.mn.us **

*Cam Gordon Ward 2*
350 S 5th Street
City Hall, Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415

*Phone*
(612) 673-2202
*Cell*
(612) 296-0579
*Fax*
(612) 673-3940
*E-mail*
Cam.Gordon@
ci.minneapolis.mn.us **

*Diane Hofstede Ward 3*
350 S 5th Street
City Hall, Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415

*Phone*
(612) 673-2203
*Fax*
(612) 673-3940
*E-mail*
Ward 3 Email Form

*Barbara Johnson Ward 4*
Council President
350 S 5th Street
City Hall, Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415

*Phone*
(612) 673-2204
*Fax*
(612) 673-3940
*E-mail*
Contact Form

*Don Samuels - Ward 5*
350 S 5th Street
City Hall, Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415

*Phone*
(612) 673-2205
*Fax*
(612) 673-3940
*E-mail*
Don.Samuels@ ci.minneapolis.mn.us

*Robert Lilligren - Ward 6*
Council Vice President
350 S 5th Street
City Hall, Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415

*Phone*
(612) 673-2206
*Fax*
(612) 673-3940
*E-mail*
Robert.Lilligren@
ci.minneapolis.mn.us

*Lisa Goodman Ward 7*
350 S 5th Street
City Hall, Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415

*Phone*
(612) 673-2207
*Fax*
(612) 673-3940
*E-mail*
Lisa Goodman's Email Form

*Elizabeth Glidden Ward 8*
350 S 5th Street
City Hall, Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415

*Phone*
(612) 673-2208
*Fax*
(612) 673-3940
*E-mail*
Elizabeth Glidden's Email Form

Elizabeth.Glidden@
ci.minneapolis.mn.us


Gary Schiff - Ward 9

350 S 5th Street
City Hall, Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415

*Phone*
(612) 673-2209
*Fax*
(612) 673-3940
*E-mail*
Contact Form **

*Ralph Remington Ward 10*
350 S 5th Street
City Hall, Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415

*Phone*
(612) 673-2210
*Fax*
(612) 673-3940
*E-mail*
Ralph.Remington@
ci.minneapolis.mn.us

*Scott Benson Ward 11*
350 S 5th Street
City Hall, Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415

*Phone*
(612) 673-2211
*Fax*
(612) 673-3940
*E-mail*
Scott Benson's Email Form **

*Sandy Colvin Roy - Ward 12*
350 S 5th Street
City Hall, Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415

*Phone*
(612) 673-2212
*Fax*
(612) 673-3940
*E-mail*
Sandy Colvin Roy's Email Form

*Betsy Hodges - Ward 13*
350 S 5th Street
City Hall, Room 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415

*Phone*
(612) 673-2213
*Fax*
(612) 673-3940
*E-mail*
Ward 13 Email Form

CNI Spring 2009 task force meeting

Phew! I spent today at a very intense and informative conference, feeling a bit out of my league. I was at the Coalition for Networked Information Spring 2009 Task Force Meeting in downtown Minneapolis, and was rubbing shoulders with library directors from all the major research institutions. I was in this one session, and they're going around the room with introductions: let's see, there's the library systems director from the University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, Tufts University, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, oh, and Ginny Heinrich from MCTC. :-) I heard the word "metadata" more times today than I have in any other conversation that I have ever had.

On the plus side, I learned a lot about digitization and data preservation projects all around the world. I learned some about what's going on with preservation of U.S. government documents (not enough) and how university libraries are fighting back against publisher restrictions (or at least some are trying). It was a day of learning and firing brain synapses. I'm trying to recover and attend to all my grading and course work after a long birthday weekend with my mom and now this conference, I'm a bit overwhelmed. I'm working on checking through D2L posts tonight, then will hit the grading and assignment development (INFS 2200, I haven't forgotten about your description assignment...) hard tomorrow.

Happy birthday to me!

Today is my birthday, and I'm celebrating by having my mom in town visiting with our family and going to two kid hockey games/practices. I am also working on grading your assignments, and for my cataloging class, preparing your next assignment on description that we'll be working on over the next couple of weeks.

Photo Credits: Creative Commons license from jbelluch's photostream

Science Education

Today's MCTC Library BlogTalkRadio show, Our View From the Park, will feature a discussion with faculty member Cheryl Neudauer about the importance of science literacy and science education. Give it a listen live at 11 a.m. today, and you can call in with an answer to the "Question of the Show" and win a fabulous prize!