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April 25, 2006
Transforming Libraries Special Event / NJLA 115th Aniversary Celebration
I will come back and flesh this post out, but I want to get some thoughts down while they are fresh in my mind!
After the dinner buffet at Ocean Place I decided to attend the evening's special event - a talk given by our own Leslie Burger (Director of the Princeton Public Library) who is ALA President-Elect (!) and Nancy Tessman, Director of the Salt Lake City, Utah Library System. I am really glad I did!
Leslie spoke first and made three main points regarding transformation:
1. What a "lifetime" is these days
2. Hairdresser as problem solver and
3. Library sleep-overs!
and, of course, how these relate to libraries!
One of her points I particularly remember, and that re-emerged during Nancy's talk as well, was the idea to "be the change you want to see."
Leslie also shared ten tips for transforming your library, which you can read here, on her blog.
Nancy's talk continued the inspirational message that Leslie started. Nancy shared some information about the very successful (and fascinating) Library Square in Salt Lake City. I loved that she said that she used to want "a place at the table," but that now she realizes she wants libraries to "BE the table!"
She also spoke of the conditions and ingredients necessary for transformation. She referenced many fields and even the Wizard of Oz, saying that we all have lots of heart and lots of brain, but what is really needed now, on this cusp of great possiblity and transformation for libraries and librarians, is COURAGE!
After the talk and a few questions from the audience, it was time to celebrate ourselves and our organization!
Pat Tumulty, Executive Director of NJLA, spoke for a bit about the history of libraries in New Jersey and about the history of the NJLA. She then acknowledged and celebrated Leslie Burger and her upcoming term as ALA President (she is the 9th from NJ!).
Then, President April Judge, Past President Carol Phillips, and Vice President Joan Bernstein thanked and celebrated Pat's 15 wonderful years of service with NJLA!
Several people shared their personal memories of NJLA and past conferences, and then, while everyone enjoyed coffee and cupcakes, NJLA President-Elect Joan Bernstein, of the Trading Spaces Library, Mount Laurel, and Glynnis Wray presented a powerpoint slideshow of photos found in the files of the New Jersey State Library. We all had some laughs over the fashions of the past, but we were also moved by photos of old-fashioned bookmobiles, libraries, librarians and patrons.
It was a wonderful evening of looking forward and looking back as we celebrate 115 years of the New Jersey Library Assication!
Posted by at April 25, 2006 2:04 AM
Comments
Amy, thanks for staying up SO LATE (tsk-tsk!) to post an inspiring review of the special event. I wish I were there! Next year for sure. I'll check back later. Thanks to everyone for blogging the conference!
Posted by: Christy Sayre at April 25, 2006 10:00 AM
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