Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Time: 1:00 PM EST/10:00 AM PST
Click to register with Library Journal

In the two and a half years since its introduction, use of SkyRiver has grown to some 70 installations serving several hundred libraries. SkyRiver’s bibliographic database, with its associated open data policy, has doubled in size since the utility’s launch date.

In Cataloging at the Crossroads, moderator Marshall Breeding, noted library automation expert and creator of Library Technology Guides, will review the competitive landscape for bibliographic services today. Cliff Haka, Director of the Michigan State University Libraries, will talk about the need for creative solutions to issues facing academic libraries and describe the path to choosing SkyRiver at Michigan State. Rivkah Sass, Director of Sacramento Public Library and LJ’s Librarian of the Year in 2006, will discuss the challenges facing public library systems in this era of draconian funding cutbacks and how her library has been able to cut costs, while improving staff efficiency and maintaining quality, by moving to SkyRiver. SkyRiver’s Leslie Straus will provide a brief overview of the company’s history and plans.

Follow along on Twitter at @LJEvent #ljskyriver. Can’t attend the webinar? Register anyway and be notified when an archived version of the webinar is available.

Interested in getting SkyRiver through MCLS? Visit our SkyRiver page or contact Diana Mitchell at mitchelld@mcls.org.

Look at what signs have been effective in letting users know about the service. What works best in both drawing users’ attention and getting them to know what the service is about? With our constantly changing technical vocabulary, are you really saying what you want to say?

Continuing the Best Practices in Virtual Reference Series, Susan McGlamery of OCLC and other virtual reference users will lead a discussion on finding your users where they are and meeting them at the point of need. Join us to share what works for your library (or what doesn’t) and hear from your colleagues.

Finding Your Virtual Reference Users Online
May 17, 2012
1:00pm – 2:00pm Eastern
Register here

For back issues or to subscribe/unsubscribe from our MCLS News email list, see the MCLS News page.

U-M Medical School to renovate Taubman Health Sciences Library
Chelsea District Library opens new Business Resource Center
Money Smart Fair at Allen County Public Library
Kalkaska Public Library welcomes new Director
Chelsea District Library receives grant for artist-in-residence program
Indiana University library selected as partner in new data curation program
Library of Michigan to host it’s 2012 Night for Notables this Saturday
American Idol finalist featured at Paw Paw District Library fundraiser
Henryville, IN school library devastated by March tornado, still needs help
Late night coffee at CMU’s Park Library coffee shop

Susan McGlamery works with libraries on a regular basis as they secure funding for OCLC’s QuestionPoint service. In addition you’ll hear from Cathay Crosby, Statewide Coordinator for Ask a Librarian Delaware;  Liz Barksdale of Ask New Texas;  and Jaclyn McKewan of AskUs247 and Western New York Library Resources Council.  Hear what has an impact on funders and learn what features of a virtual reference service are most valuable to your community.

“Virtual Reference in Tough Times” is the next in the Best Practices in Virtual Reference series. Each session is a free, hour-long webinar available to all and highlighting some of the benefits of working collectively with others in your group.

Despite the best advocacy, paying for virtual reference still may not make the cut. Explore what free options you have and hear how they’ve worked for those already using the service. Know what you really need to have in a virtual reference service to make it work for your community.

Virtual Reference in Tough Times
April 24, 2012
1:00pm – 2:00pm Eastern
Register here

Date: Friday, 13 April 2012
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
Cost: FREE to attend but space is limited – be sure to RSVP!
RSVP and direct questions to: Daphne Kouretas, OCLC Member Services Consultant, at daphne_kouretas@oclc.org
Coffee and refreshments will be provided.

Location:
Lawrence Technological University
Taubman Student Services Building
Welcome Center C406
21000 West Ten Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48075
Tel: 248-204-3000

Campus map: See http://www.ltu.edu/map/. Click orange “Location Map”. Choose #13, Taubman Center.
Driving directions: http://www.ltu.edu/sitemap/directions.asp
Parking: Use lot “C” (free)

For links to back issues of MCLS News and to subscribe or unsubscribe from MCLS News email list, see our MCLS News page.

The statistics are sobering: 57 percent of librarians are more than 45 years old, which is 75 percent higher than comparable professions. Almost half of librarians working today could retire in the next five years. In short, librarianship may be facing a severe personnel shortage at all levels in our libraries. Not only that, but we might be in for a dearth of experienced librarians who can move into leadership positions. To manage an orderly transition through the coming tidal wave of retirements, library boards and administration need to think carefully about clearly written, well-defined succession plans.

On March 23, Paula Singer told nearly 50 librarians at MCLS’s Succession Planning Workshop that they owed it to themselves, their libraries, and their communities to be ready with succession plans for the key positions in their organizations. Singer led a spirited workshop designed to help participants avoid lost productivity during lengthy job searches, retain key talent in the library, and prepare for future challenges. She emphasized that succession planning is a form of risk management and just as we have insurance on our buildings and contents, we need to insure ourselves against the loss of a key employee, whether it is the director, a department head, or someone else.

The day was packed with information and ample opportunity to practice the process Singer described.