OLA Hotline’s Blog

 

Tattoos Help MLS Students / OLA Website Photos Needed / OLA/WLA Conference Tips / Joan Frye Williams’ OLA/WLA Pre-Conference

Tattoos Help MLS Students

Dateline: Thursday, April 17, 2008, 12:30 p.m.:

Mudflap Couple make flap at library conference

Unable to maintain their finger-length distance any longer, the Mudflap Couple created quite a stir today when they put down their books, stretched out their fingers, and turned towards each other. Embraces and other signs of passion followed. Shocked conference attendees discreetly turned their heads in the other direction while one quick witted fellow threw a blanket over them, followed by a bucket of water. Catcalls and whistles were heard in the background.

“I don’t know what came over me!” Mudflap Boy exclaimed. “I was at a really good part of my book, this Madame Bovary thing, and all of a sudden I was beside myself. And then I was beside Mudflap Girl!”

Mudflap Girl agreed. “I was just reading this Jackie Collins romance when I was overcome with an urge to surge.”

As they got themselves arranged back into their tattoo, a seasoned librarian was heard to say, “The power of books-it’s really something!”

Be a part of the story-purchase a temporary tattoo (or two or three even!) at the Past Presidents Round Table Fundraising event of 2008! We’re raising funds for the OLA MLS Scholarship Fund. Cost of the tattoos will be 1 for $3 or 4 for $10. The proceeds from the sale of Mudflap Girl and Mudflap Boy (borrowed from the Wyoming State Library) and many other Archie McPhee Librarian tattoos will go directly to furthering the education of one of your colleagues. These funds support Oregon residents who attend the Emporia State University MLS Distance Program and the University of Washington’s iSchool.

Join us at the event that puts the fun back in fundraising!

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OLA Website Photos Needed

We need your photos!

The OLA Website Redesign Taskforce is redesigning the OLA website to be more accessible, more navigable and - just as important - more attractive! As part of the aesthetic overhaul, we will put images of Oregon libraries in the banner at the top of the site. Every time a visitor comes to the OLA website or refreshes the page, a new picture of a different Oregon library will appear in that banner. In technical terms, this is called a “rotating GIF”.

We would like to use your photos of your beautiful library, external or internal shots, librarians in action, willing patrons - your preference! This will be a great way to promote your library and connect it to the community of Oregon libraries.

We would also like any scans of old photos that reflect the history of libraries in Oregon. Who doesn’t enjoy marveling at the fashion styles of the past? “Wow, look at that hair!”

Please send your digital photos or scans to Kevin Moore at kevinwmoore@gmail.com.

Thanks for your help!
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OLA/WLA Conference Tips

The 2008 OLA/WLA Joint Conference in Vancouver, Washington is just around the corner! Here are ten time-tested tips for getting the most out of your conference experience.

1. Kick off your conference the fun way - at the All Conference Reception and Meet & Greet. On Wednesday, April 16 from 5:30 - 7:00 pm In the Hilton Heritage B room you can mix, mingle, eat, drink and find out more about OLA and WLA.

2. Wear comfortable shoes! This probably goes without saying, but it’s easy to underestimate how much you’ll try to see and do while you’re there. There are two conference venues: the Hilton Vancouver, and the Red Lion at the Quay, more than 70 workshops and events, book signings and don’t forget the time you’ll spend in the exhibits!

3. Speaking of the exhibits, be sure to visit the vendor booths and thank the exhibitors for coming to our conference. Feeling lucky? While you’re in the exhibit area be sure to pick up a raffle entry form for the Exhibitors’ Raffle. Winners will be drawn throughout the conference; check the Raffle Board in the Discovery room to see if you’re a winner.

4. Take some time to check out the local shopping attractions. Our location in Vancouver, Washington gives you two great cities to visit for the price of one. If you’re not sure what to do, all registered attendees will receive a discount coupon for Powell’s City of Books. In addition, some attendees will receive a discount from Barnes and Noble. Thanks to Powell’s and Barnes and Noble for their support!

5. Not sure if you want IFIG or NGIN? Unclear on the difference between TRIP and TSRT? All of those librarian acronyms are decrypted for you on page 5 of your printed program!

6. Rest your feet and catch up with friends old and new in the Networking Lounge, located in the Hilton Ash room. Over at the Red Lion, moms will find a space just for them in the Mothers’ Room (in the Poolside Room).

7. Show that you’re a hip librarian and raise money for the OLA MLS scholarship fund at the same time! Buy a temporary tattoo from the OLA Past Presidents Round Table in the Conference Center Lobby. Proceeds will help support future librarians!

8. If you are staying at the conference hotels, pack your workout wear to take advantage of the complimentary fitness facilities.

9. Be sure to fill out the conference evaluation!

10. Have fun!

Anne-Marie Deitering, anne-marie.deitering@oregonstate.edu

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Joan Frye Williams’ OLA/WLA Pre-Conference

Leave the Stereotypes Behind : New Tools for Shaping the Library Experience,

9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 16

Managers and frontline staff learn new service techniques to transform the library into a more vibrant – and sustainable - destination. Library futurist Joan Frye Williams demonstrates that we can’t rely on “business as usual” when our customers are presented with increasingly attractive alternatives to meet their informational and recreational needs: up-to-the minute information on the Internet; bookstores with plenty of parking, lattes, shiny books, movies-on-demand and more.

Progressive libraries have shown that top quality service has as much to do with hospitality, merchandising, and point-of-need transactions as with offering the right content. And frontline staff are the key to our customers’ service experience. So while we shouldn’t sell out, we might want to “sell up.” Come find out how. www.wla.org/olawla2008/

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