Oakland Library Assistants seeks to innovate and excite

This is a great article about a Library Assistant in California who is going above and beyond his normal job duties. I think we all can appreciate and learn alittle something from a person like this.
Yes...it's a few years old but it's still worth reading.
Enjoy!!

Check it out at -
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_/ai_n16187879

NYSLAA Offices available

Nominations are being sought for the following Offices: Vice President, Membership Secretary, and Recording Secretary. Please access the link at: http://nyslaa.org/nominations.html . A brief description of each office will be found on this page. The Nomination Form can be found at the bottom of the page. The deadline to submit a nomination is Wednesday, October 15th. Please feel free to contact me at: dkuhner@sals.edu or by mail at:

Donna Kuhner, NYSLAA Corresponding Secretary

58 E. Fulton St.

Gloversville, NY 12078

Thank you and I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Donna

Donna Kuhner

Principal Library Clerk

Gloversville Public Library

58 E. Fulton Street

Gloversville, New York 12078

(518) 725-2819

From Pam Dibble

~2008 NYSLAA Conference Report~

by- Pam Dibble, Macedon Public Library
submited 9/17/08

Notes from NYSLAA Conference ------- 6/2/08

By Pam Dibble

Save energy/ Save Money workshop was very informative. There were lots of different things you can do. The big thing now is the energy saving light bulbs but you just have to be careful on how you discard them. Everyone who took the workshop received a energy saving kit. This was done by Steve Chandler.

The genealogy workshop was done by Holly Sammons from Liverpool Library. We were given lots of good sights to help with finding past family members. If you are interested let me know.

The rain garden/rain catchers was presented by Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County. I learned how rain gardens help with conserving water, recharging groundwater, creating habitat for birds and butterflies and making rain barrels from recycled materials. This was a very interesting workshop.

The fourth workshop was preparing for preschoolers. This was done by Amber Basham Robson aka Mrs. Bee. This was a very energetic and fun presentation. It is always good to get suggestions of new books to try. It is also good to get new ideas.

The conference was fun and full of ideas.

Tip #8

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Tip #8

Take 5 minutes every hour to move. You were born to move! Your body needs movement to stay healthy. Take five minutes every hour to get up and move around or do a few exercises at your desk to relieve tension in your hands, arms, shoulders and back.

Tip #7

~Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ~

Tip # 7

Minimize your time directly on a lap top if possible. Consider using an external mouse, full size screen and full size keyboard. Plug these into your laptop ports whenever you can to put you in the right posture and avoid injuries.

did you know?

September is Library Card Sign-up Month - a time to remind parents and kids that a library card is the most important school supply of all.

More info. on Kansas City

This was another post to the NYSLAA list.
More fun information!
Enjoy!!

Hello.

I'm fortunate enough to live and work in Kansas City where this parking
garage is located. Here are some more views of our award-winning design.
Everyone really likes it and thinks it's great fun. There was a contest
and vote to nominate the book titles to be used. The library in Cardiff,
Wales also uses this format, but their books look more like paperbacks.
We like the classics!

http://www.segd.org/awards/2005/13_kc_lib.html

Laura Budy
Bundyl@umkc.edu

Kansas City Library Parking Garage

Hi Everyone!
I was sent a link on the NYSLAA list serv. It was to a Flickr page with a picture of the parking garage in Kansas City.
I did check it out and YES...It's a real thing!
I confirmed it on the Kansas City Library Home page. It's among their library pictures on Flickr.
AMAZING!
It has to be one of the best ways to advertise I've ever seen.
So...I just wanted to share!


http://www.kclibrary.org/

Library Manager Position available

Cordelia A. Greene Library
Library Manager
(Part Time 30-35 hours per week)

Qualifications: Associates degree
Computer literacy
Ability to work effectively in a public service environment.

Responsibilities include:
Management of all aspects of the library.
Preparation/Presentation of all administrative reporting.
Plan/Present age appropriate Library programs for all patrons.
Stay abreast of current public library services and trends.
Actively participate, consult and cooperate with the Pioneer Library System.

Support/Initiate fund raising opportunities.

Compensation commensurate with level of experience and qualifications.
Please submit cover letter and resume to:
Cordelia A. Greene Library
P.O. Box 208

Castile, NY 14427

Inquiries should be directed to Mark Barber at (585) 237-9103

Deadline for submission: 9/30/2008

Tip #6

Tip # 6

Use a headset or speakerphone for phone time.

If you are going to use the phone while keying and don’t use a headset or speakerphone you’ll end up raising a shoulder too high resulting in poor posture and strain. Get a good headset or speaking; keying and talking at the same time will be much easier and healthier too! Minimize time on laptops. You can’t beat laptops for portability but they cause a lot of ergonomic challenges. Laptops usually have a keyboard that is too small, a screen that is not a the right height and people tend to rest their wrists on the keyboard which leads to wrist problems. Additionally, people tend to have their elbows way out at the sides and move their neck forward to see the screen – a posture that leads to all kinds of repetitive motion injuries.

Library Assistant / Technician Training Program

This information was received from NYLA

Library Assistant / Technician Training Program
One-Week Course
September 22-27, 2008

This certificate, non-credit program is sponsored by NYLA in cooperation with Ulster County Community College. It is open to individuals already working or newly hired in libraries, or people interested in working in libraries. To receive a certificate from UCCC, the individual must take all four courses.

Introduction
Monday, September 22, 6pm - 9pm
A survey of libraries, from their beginnings in pre-history to the dynamic institutions they are today. This section introduces students who plan to or are currently working in libraries to the various aspects of library work, to the functions of a library, and to the distinctive role of the library assistant/technician. Attention is given to the development of libraries so that the student may be aware of what a library is, how it has evolved, and what types are found today. The current employment situation is also discussed. This section includes an overview of all library areas and includes Public/Circulation Services, Reference, and Technical Services.

Public / Circulation Services
Tuesday, September 23, 6pm - 9pm and Thursday, September 25, 6pm - 9pm
An introduction to public services in libraries. This section includes circulation services and systems, reserve and special collections, shelving and stack maintenance, customer service, public relations, confidentiality and security.

Reference

Saturday, September 27, 9am - 12pm

An introduction to reference and information services in libraries. Topics include the organization of information, the reference question, and search strategies. Electronic reference products, trends in reference work, library/bibliographic instruction, information literacy, and types of reference materials are discussed. The role of the library technician in this aspect of library service is explored.

Technical Services
Wednesday, September 24, 6 pm - 9 pm and Saturday, September 27, 1pm - 4pm

An overview of the technical processing services that are carried out in libraries to ensure the growth, development, and bibliographic control of all collections of materials. Students will be introduce to the procedures required to acquire, catalog, process, and preserve materials in all formats. This section will also consider the impact computers have had on the technical services of libraries.

Register online at http://www.sunyulster.edu or call Ulster County Community College at 845-339-2025.
The cost is $299.

Tip #5

Tip # 5

Adjust chair properly. Make sure your feet are on the floor and that your shins are at a right angle to your thighs. Your thighs should be parallel to the floor. The seat should be in a neutral position. Those with larger shoulders or upper bodies can tilt the seat back just a little. You also want to select a chair that has a good lumbar support for your lower back and posture. Select a chair with removable arm rests or without arm rests because they interfere with correct posture as people end up leaning on the arm rests.

Have you signed up yet?

The PLS Fall Support Staff workshop is only a little over 6 weeks away.
Have you signed up yet to attend?
The following libraries are sending support staff -

From Livingston County -
Wadsworth/Geneseo

From Ontario County-
Bristol
Geneva
Honeoye
Phelps
Victor

From Wayne County-
Macedon
Marion
Newark
Palmyra
Sodus
Williamson

From Wyoming County -
Arcade

The following libraries have not yet registered someone to attend this awesome training event:

Avon ~ Ontario
Bell/Nunda ~ Red Creek
Caledonia ~ Rose
Dansville ~ Walworth
Lima ~ Wolcott
Livonia ~ Cordelia A. Green/ Castile
Mount Morris ~ Eagle / Bliss
Allens Hill ~ Gainsville / SilverSprings
Bloomfield ~ Perry
Clifton Springs ~ Stevens Memorial / Attica
Gorham ~ Warsaw
Naples ~ Wyoming
Red Jacket
Wood
Clyde

Tip #4

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Tip # 4

Get a chair that rolls easily. Many people have chairs that are difficult to roll on carpet. The result is that you dig your feet in and grab the desk with a lot a force to move forward or back resulting in strain in your hands, arms, shoulders and back which can lead to injury. Either get a chair that rolls easily or put a pad under your chair that makes it easier to move the chair. Note that hard casters on hard floors can cause the chair to move too easily and you can find yourself unexpectedly on the floor! Match the chair casters to the floor surface – carpet casters on carpet, softer casters on hard floors.

Tip # 3

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome -

Tip # 3

Match the mouse to your hand and tasks. Make sure your mouse fits your hand well – it should fit comfortably over the mouse. If the mouse is too small, your palm will be off the mouse causing you to pivot at the wrist which leads to stress in your fingers, wrist, elbow and shoulders . Also get a mouse that makes frequent tasks easier. For example, if you are doing a lot of spread sheets you’ll want a laser mouse as they have the greatest accuracy control - the marble mice don’t work well in this application because they don’t have the placement accuracy.

New Name

Did you hear??
Twiki has a new name!

PLUM (Pioneer Library Users Manual)
Designed by Sue Burns from the Honeoye

Congratulations Sue on creating such an awesome new name!

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlHgu0UihjiSQF5LXLreI8pHeHXtRlz9juu2EAcycjIXZtKQfm3UTkYmEXiStzIk4DJA4TkLYK3frIyg1DHwDUWdHMjEo7yrLs1TETIbQVz5q-tSqb-stEkfN4aO_ZXWbxicIWGJ1y0Q/s1600-h/TWikiName-plum.png

Tip # 2

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ~

Tip #2
Adjust your workstation to fit you. Your monitor should be adjusted so that your eyes are level with the very top of the viewable screen. Position the keyboard directly in front of you. If you are using a copy stand make sure that it is right along side of your screen and directly in line with your field of vision. Accessories such as the phone or calculator that are frequently used should be placed within easy reach. These setups will minimize repetitive motions that will lead to injuries.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – How to Save Your Wrists!

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ~

How to Save Your Wrists!

by Howard VanEs, M.A.
HR FactFinder

In fact, the risk of a muscle-skeletal injury for someone who works on a computer four or more hours per day is nine times greater that it is for a person who spends just one hour per day on the computer.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive motion injury to an actual tunnel located in the wrist in which nerves and blood vessels run through. This injury is caused by a number of interrelated factors. These include period of time a person has been at the computer doing a specific task, poor posture, lack of breaks, existing medical conditions and other stressors in one’s life.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can include, pain, tingling and or numbing in the wrists and fingers, lack of strength, and less movement in the fingers, hands, elbows or shoulders.

The good news is that you don’t have to give up your day job or night job for that matter! Most cases carpal tunnel syndrome can either be avoided completely or the symptoms significantly reduced with a little planning.

Below are 1 of 10 tips to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and make your time at the computer more enjoyable and productive. A new tip will be posted over the next few weeks.

Tip 1 ~

Keying at the right level. Your want your keyboard positioned so that your shoulders are naturally relaxed and your forearms form right angles with your upper arms – parallel to the floor. Your wrists should be directly inline with the forearms and your fingers a little lower than your wrists when placed on the keys. Be sure to select a keyboard that matches the width of your upper body.