Pennsylvania Libraries: Architects of Change by Barbara Zaborowski

Pennsylvania Library Association Bulletin Volume 68, Issue 4 october/november/december 2013

2013 Conference Wrap-Up Pennsylvania Libraries: Architects of Change By Barbara Zaborowski

rank Lloyd Wright once said, “A great architect is not made by way of a brain nearly so much as he is made by way of Fa cultivated, enriched heart.” This can also be said of librarians, and in Octo- ber at Seven Springs was a gathering of great librarians and library sup- porters coming together to help culti- vate and enrich libraries.

While I was too busy to attend many sessions, I did have the opportunity to speak with lots of conference Among the VIPs at the All-Conference Dinner (l-r): Ivy Bayard, past president; David Belanger, Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) member; Debbie Malone, past president; Cynthia Richey, attendees and all the comments I past president and GAC member; Sue Solarczyk, PCBL president, and her husband, George heard were positive. To give you a Solarczyk. quick overview, let’s take a look at the County Commissioners for being numbers: Over 550 attended the con- outstanding elected officials, Trustee ference; adding in guests, presenters of the Year to Joseph Keller, New and exhibitors, total attendance Librarian to Laura Arnhold, Distin- amounted to 953 people. There were guished Service to Anita Ditz, Library Bestselling author, 83 sessions presented by librarians, Support Staff went to the Abington Andre Dubus, III, authors, lawyers, and consultants and addresses the PaLA Community Library, and Certificates 34 poster sessions presented. Seventy All-Conference of Merit were awarded to Joseph Dinner vendors participated in the exhibit Sherwood, Allison Mackley, and hall and several sponsored the exhibit Bonnie Oldham. hall lunches and coffee breaks. All in all, 15 sponsors gave contributions What about this year’s speakers! At insight into his creative mind, and at the Platinum, Gold, Silver, and the President’s Reception, Dr. Franklin closing lunch speaker Carl Kurlander Bronze levels to help offset confer- Toker provided a historical and some- provided libraries with an opportu- ence expenses. times satirical look at the relationship nity to reach into their communities of Frank Lloyd Wright with the and be part of his Steeltown Enter- This year we had the opportunity to Kaufmanns. Conference banquet bestow several awards: to the Greene speaker Andre Dubus III gave us Continued on page 8

Pennsylvania 220 Cumberland Parkway, Suite 10 • Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Library 717-766-7663 • 800-622-3308 (PA) • 717-766-5440 (Fax) PaLA Association www.palibraries.org

Pennsylvania Library Association

President Paula Gilbert Martin Library Volume 68, Issue 4 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 159 E. Market Street York, PA 17401 717-846-5300 [email protected]

1st Vice President Janis Stubbs Delaware County Library System 340 N. Middletown Rd. Bldg. 19 Media, PA 19063 Contents 610-891-8611 [email protected] 4 ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits 2nd Vice President Barbara Zaborowski 5 Humanities Are the Heart of the Matter PA Highlands Community College 101 Community College Way 6 PA Forward: The Year in Review Johnstown, PA 15904 10 Awards Presented at the 2013 PaLA Conference 814-262-6425 [email protected] 11 Laura Arnhold Chosen to Represent PaLA at 3rd Vice President ALA Emerging Leaders Charity Leonette 15 Membership Year in Review Allegheny County Library System 22 Wabash Street, Suite 202 16 Promoting Mental Health Literacy Pittsburgh, PA 15220 412-921-1123 x 304 17 PALS Builds on Knowledge-Sharing Culture in PA [email protected] 18 what to Expect from PALS Past President Debbie Malone 19 Lehigh Valley Chapter's Fall Social DeSales University 2755 Station Avenue 20 Our President, Our Memories Center Valley, PA 18034 610-282-1100 x 1253 [email protected]

Departments Treasurer David Schappert 3 President’s Message Marywood University 12 It’s Academic 2300 Adams Ave. Scranton, PA 18509 14 welcome New Members 570-348-6260 [email protected] 24 Calendar ALA Councilor Alexia Hudson-Ward The PaLA Bulletin is published 4 times a year by the Pennsylvania Library Penn State Abington Campus Association, 220 Cumberland Parkway, Suite 10, Mechanicsburg, PA 1600 Woodland Road Abington, PA 19001 17055, Phone: 717-766-7663, 800-622-3308 (PA); Fax: 717-766-5440. 215-881-7497 Subscriptions are $40 per year; single issues and back issues $4 each. [email protected] ______

Executive Director Managing Editor Contributing Editor Glenn R. Miller Beth Schetroma Glenn R. Miller [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Education & Finance Manager Kim Snyder [email protected]

Design/Layout PA Forward Project Manager Lilo Mueller, LiloGrafik Kathy Silks [email protected]

Administrative Assistant Ellen Wharton [email protected]

Pennsylvania Library PaLA Association

2 | PaLA Bulletin OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 PRESIDENT's Message

It’s a Wrap! Another Successful Year for PaLA By Paula Gilbert

hat a successful year your president that kept popping up in interest- PaLA has had! As we look ing places around Seven Springs. Watch for more back on a hugely success- membership nuggets in the coming months as ful conference in Seven well! WSprings at the end of October, we can be Cindy DeLuca and her team have been working proud of the variety of quality sessions; on the professional development goal, keeping the great featured speakers that high- the conference accessible and relevant to mem- lighted the banquet, President’s program, bers and working to expand the PALS experience and closing lunch; and the selection of as well as encouraging the PALS group who are Paula Gilbert vendors that were present. In addition, building the Speakers Bureau for PaLA. the venue itself offered a scenic vista with plenty of free-time activities and we offered great road trips to Fallingwater and the Flight 93 Memorial. If one of these strategic areas is I am sure that everyone was also excited about having the opportunity to buy raffle tickets too! your specialty, or if you have a Many thanks to Barb Zaborowski and the Con- ference Committee for a job well done. desire to help, please contact the

Thank you also, to the great folks who are work- individual goal chair or myself to ing on the strategic plan. I hope you have taken get connected to the action. the opportunity to read the plan on the PaLA website and familiarize yourself with the action Rob Lesher and his team are working on our goal steps listed there. Many of them are being to provide strong internal and external communi- worked on, some are completed already, and we cation. This includes working to utilize our web- have more to focus on in 2014. Please remember site capabilities to its highest potential and con- that this is an active document that is being tinuing to support our archivist’s activities. looked at regularly and is there to lead the organization over the next couple of years. Mary Lou Repsher and her team are focusing on the last goal of efficient and accountable associa- In particular, Debbie Malone and her team have tion management. This will focus on looking at been working on ways to share the value of our bylaws and organization structure and con- librarians and we are continuing to look for new tinue to move us forward with strong leadership. ways to increase our advocacy efforts for libraries, as we celebrate this year’s small gain for the This work will continue through 2014 into 2015 Power Library in the Library Access line of the and we need members to volunteer time to finish budget. each goal successfully. If one of these strategic areas is your specialty, or if you have a desire to Charity Leonette and her team are working on help, please contact the individual goal chair or the membership goal and have worked hard myself to get connected to the action. to entice academic librarians to join and get involved in PaLA. In addition, they incorporated Another big thank-you this year goes to the Leg- many engaging activities around membership at islation Committee. Janis Stubbs and her team the conference, including the amazing likeness of Continued on page 4

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 PaLA Bulletin | 3 President's Message examples of how people are using PA bers of PaLA — you have made my year Continued from page 3 Forward in their libraries and how others as your president a truly enjoyable expe- are taking those ideas and using them as rience for me. Meeting members and have been very busy working with PaLA their own. The Best Practices database is non-members across the commonwealth executive director Glenn Miller and growing! All five literacy teams now and listening to all the great things that Greenlee Partners, our advocates, to have strong leadership and there are are happening is very inspiring. Your keep us in good position for the coming enthusiasm, your drive, and your con- election year. We got the small budget We have had workshops tinuing allegiance to PaLA is what helps increase this year, which is the direct to make libraries in Pennsylvania so result of consistent lobbying by mem- across the state to bring PA successful and why this organization is bers, friends groups, and our Greenlee Forward to local areas and so strong. You need to continue to talk to Partners. We are also watching as legis- people — your friends and neighbors, lation for child abuse reporting is mov- the attendance and support your local community leaders and repre- ing through the House and Senate and sentatives, our state elected officials, and how the outcome will eventually affect has been amazing. anyone else you can think of — about the library staff. Other issues are consis- importance of libraries. We need librar- tently brought to member attention by special events ready to roll out in most of ies in Pennsylvania and we need your the committee. them in 2014. Our legislators and local membership in PaLA to help keep librar- funders are becoming increasingly more ies alive through advocacy work, PA Looking back on 2013, one of the biggest aware of PA Forward and how it is Forward, and all the things you do in successes in PaLA has been the growth changing the face of libraries in their your community to make a difference. of PA Forward. Not only did we hold the communities. This initiative just contin- first Information Literacy Symposium at Thanks for a great year! ues to grow and build on the early suc- Penn State for academic and school cesses we have had and you are making librarians — the program was a sell out! this happen in your libraries locally! Paula Gilbert is the current president of We have had workshops across the state PaLA and director of youth services for the to bring PA Forward to local areas and We certainly have achieved a great deal Martin Library in York. She is currently the attendance and support has been this year. I can’t say thank you enough to reading Empty Mansions by Bill Dedman amazing. We continue to hear great each and every one of you who are mem- and Paul Clark Newell, Jr.

“The conversation starts here . . .

every year at ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits — January 24 – 28, 2014 in Philadelphia will be no exception.”

You’ll find the usual gold-standard networking; updates MOOCs, intellectual freedom, and community engage- on research, reports, and legislation; innovators and ment; more than 425 exhibitors and hundreds of thought leaders; hundreds of discussions on current key authors; pre-Midwinter Institutes for in-depth profes- topics including ebooks (with a presentation from the sional development; ALA JobLIST Placement Center; ReadersFirst movement), digital content, digital badges, lively social events; and more.

4 | PaLA Bulletin OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 Humanities Are the Heart of the Matter By Laurie Zierer

s a young girl growing up in next generation. It’s time to elevate the Humanities are the heart rural Pennsylvania, I loved profile of the humanities sector and its nothing more than to stack a importance in everyone’s life and work of the matter, animating tall pile of books to read and in Pennsylvania. Abrowse over the summer. I see the same our democracy and Today more than ever, as we need to sift with my 11-year-old daughter as she through so much information, adapt to making us better citizens plans her study of Africa and China and rapid change, and engage in a global excitedly finishes each book and link on of the world. community, the humanities provide us her school list. with the tools and context to understand, With every turn of the page and new make decisions, and act responsibly in web search, I see my city kid trans- our lives, jobs, and communities. When discovery, and deep learning experi- formed by the words, pictures, and sto- we talk about current events, books, and ences. The program helps establish ries that introduce her to people, ideas, issues of importance, we not only ask libraries as legitimate, safe hangouts and places that are sometimes similar, who and what, but we delve deeper to for many young people who do not but often different from what she knows. explore how and why, to see new con- have other places to go after school, She doesn’t realize it, but this is her first nections and possibilities for the future. on weekends, or during the summer. introduction to the humanities — and a Through humanities subjects such as Teens themselves actively co-create this sense of wonder and passion for learn- literature, history, art, and philosophy, program with librarians and arts educa- ing that will stay with her for years to we develop critical thinking skills, tors. The program at once teaches 21st come. empathy for others, a sense of purpose century learning skills and allows teens Recently the American Academy of Arts in our lives, and our power to make a to explore questions important to them. & Sciences Commission on the Humani- collective difference. Humanities are the Such an experience is critical for teens ties and Social Sciences released the heart of the matter, animating our democ- who may not be engaged by school and national report The Heart of the Matter: racy and making us better citizens of the who are at a time in their lives when The Humanities and Social Sciences for a world. they are questioning who they are and Vibrant, Competitive, and Secure Nation, what their place in the world is. This is The Heart of the Matter challenges which calls for new investments and the kind of program that can get kids on humanities scholars at our colleges and leadership to achieve three goals: edu- the right learning and social track at just universities to make a better case for the cate Americans in the knowledge, skills, the right time in their lives to make a public value of our work. I would point and understanding that they will need real difference in their future. out that the PHC and our partners — to thrive in a 21st century democracy; from grassroots arts and cultural orga- Participatory programming like Teen foster a society that is innovative, com- nizations to museums, historical societ- Reading Lounge and visitor-generated petitive, and strong; and equip the ies, and art galleries — have been actively experiences that now are found in our nation for leadership in an intercon- working to address the report’s chal- museums and on the web fuel our curi- nected world. lenge in Pennsylvania. All of us are osity and allow us to guide our own As the executive director of the Pennsyl- wrestling with how to make our work learning in an ongoing conversation vania Humanities Council (PHC), I echo meaningful to the public while we have with experts and artists. Such innovation the call in The Heart of the Matter for the watched our funds shrink each year. has to be the key to our sector’s case- humanities to be seen as more than a making. Together, we need to foster the In response, PHC is building a new mere elective. I passionately believe in sense of wonder that is at the heart of model for out-of-school learning at the power of the humanities to open learning and the humanities. libraries called Teen Reading Lounge, minds and inspire cultural dialogue that which uses popular comics, graphic brings people from all walks of life Laurie Zierer is the executive director of novels, and fantasy to foster fun, creative together to build a better future for the the Pennsylvania Humanities Council.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 PaLA Bulletin | 5 The Year in Review By Kathy Silks

few weeks ago, PA Forward’s Steering annual conference sessions prepared attendees to build rela- Committee gathered to celebrate and tionships with the media and with government officials, address consumers’ health information needs, create model catalog the ways the project is building literacy programs, and connect first year college students A with academic library resources. new opportunities for libraries. Our first annual report, to be distributed this winter, will show- Carrie Turner, chair of PA Forward’s Evaluation Committee, believes the initiative is becoming more top of mind. “One case these accomplishments and as 2013 wraps measure of success … is that now when anything passes my up, I want to share a few highlights and commit- desk related to the literacies, I immediately think ‘PA Forward’,” she said. “It is automatic.” tee members’ observations about a stellar year. Steering Committee member Denise Sticha sees “an increased interest from our local library directors as to how Providing training, tools, and inspiration: they can use the PA Forward brand. The training sessions/ Our number one priority again this year was training and workshops have been incredibly helpful in terms of allowing supporting libraries to use PA Forward effectively for institu- folks to feel more confident in how PA Forward can work for tional positioning. The Evaluation Committee’s annual state- the benefit of their community involvement.” wide survey supports what we have observed and heard anecdotally — that libraries are embracing the concepts, branding, and “literacies” framework that PA Forward offers. Raising awareness and visibility: Another 2013 highlight was the work of the PR/Marketing Committee. “We expanded awareness of PAF and its value in a big way,” Chair Melissa Rowse reports they “took social media by Steering Committee chair Mary Garm observed, citing the storm”, creating not one but two Facebook pages geared statewide training sessions and the work of the project’s PR/ toward the general public and the library community. “Addi- Marketing and Academic Outreach committees. tionally, we created a Twitter account that was launched at “We were able to present so many different workshops around the state that introduced PA Forward to a whole new group of librarians,” said PaLA president Paula Gilbert.

The Training Committee conducted nine statewide “how to” workshops and four customized district library sessions, training nearly 250 attendees to communicate their library’s value, develop effective partnerships, and offer resources that build essential literacy skills. We implemented a “train the trainers” opportunity at the September DLC meeting, with a training manual developed by Margie Stern.

The Academic Outreach Committee’s Connect & Communi- cate webinar introduced academic librarians to PA Forward’s concepts as well as practical applications. PA Forward’s

6 | PaLA Bulletin OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 our PaLA annual conference … [and we] generated a new “Advocacy is a never-ceasing, long-term effort,” said Glenn press release each month on topics that are shared by all Miller, PaLA’s executive director. “We build ‘PA Forward | libraries in Pennsylvania.” Pennsylvania Libraries’ into all of our meetings and messages and we’re now seeing the see the light bulbs of recognition go The award-winning PA Forward website continues to be an on when we describe our work to improve literacy and our informative gateway to the world outside of libraries about bridge-building with partners. Over the long haul, this will the initiative. Rob Lesher, Website Committee chair, reports, stand libraries in good stead.” “Each month we are getting 6,000 to 7,000 unique visits to the website. I can only believe that these visits are spurred by the library community talking to their funders and other civic “PA Forward once again leaders about PA Forward.” demonstrates the never- Incoming PaLA president Janis Stubbs is impressed by PA Forward’s “penetration into the PALS program. I think it was ending optimism and a great idea to have the projects PALS participants work on be PA Forward-related. It has helped them see how useful the enthusiasm of our library initiative is in practical ways, and it has produced (and is pro- community.” ducing, and will produce!) results that are beneficial to the library community … Both PALS and PAF are two things that — Mary Garm I gush about to anyone who will listen, but joined together, they are not only gushworthy, they are also effective and innovative programs that have given new life to our association.” Preparing for growth and impact: PA Forward’s emphasis on building literacy skills through public/private partnerships is resonating. Cultivating partnerships: PA Forward’s partnerships with governmental, corporate, and organizational entities “We saw recognition of PAF’s value from the legislature, the now total 35, and we are working to build long-term relation- State Library, our fellow professional organizations, and other ships that strengthen libraries, help partners achieve their state library associations,” Mary Garm noted. “The develop- missions and business goals, and build literacy levels across ment process kicked in this year with great strides made in Pennsylvania. The partners are organized into planning grantwriting and personal support from the Steering Com- teams around each of PA Forward’s five literacies. This year mittee and board. APPLS continues to be a shining star in its these collaborations resulted in: support.” E Pennsylvania’s first Information Literacy Summit, held at We are implementing strategies to broaden PA Forward’s cur- Penn State University in July, attracting 100+ librarians to rent base of financial support, which includes a multi-year explore directions in curriculum and standards; LSTA grant and contributions from libraries and systems, E Presentation of the Building Effective Media Relations Friends groups, and individuals. and Supporting a Healthy Community workshops at the David Belanger, PA Forward’s Development chair, finds it annual conference; and “noteworthy that academic libraries have seen the value of PA E A statewide announcement of financial literacy pro Forward to the point where they have made significant finan- grams, services, and other resources available through cial contributions to the cause.” PA Forward partners. As Mary Garm summed it up, “PA Forward once again dem- Coming in 2014 will be Pennsylvania’s first Civic & Social onstrates the never-ending optimism and enthusiasm of our Literacy conference in May, a year-long healthy living aware- library community.” Many thanks to everyone who has, ness campaign with themed months, and the “PA Authors & through their time, talents, and treasure, helped build PA Illustrators Speak Up for PA Libraries” initiative in the fall. Forward’s collective voice for libraries in 2013. Stay tuned for details!

Through it all, PaLA’s advocacy efforts at the state level Kathy Silks, project manager for PA Forward | Pennsylvania continue to integrate the literacy concepts and brand of Libraries, is reading Dirt: The Quirks, Habits, and Passions of PA Forward. Keeping House, edited by Mindy Lewis.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 PaLA Bulletin | 7 2013 Conference Wrap-Up Continued from page 1

tainment Project. For the first time we had the volunteer services of three University of Pittsburgh students, Ellyn Brancato, Stephanie 1 2 Reinhardt, and Sarita Wescott, who took photographs at all the major conference events. There was even a little bit of every type of weather a conference attendee could want: sunshine, fog, rain, and snow. It truly was a conference with something for everyone.

All of this would not have been possible without the hard work of a very dedicated planning committee. The state conference had not been held in western Pennsylvania since 2006. When we learned it was coming to this part of the state, everyone on the committee was determined to 3 make it one of the best. I believe we achieved that goal and then some. We wanted everyone to see what the Laurel Highlands had to offer and I hope those that visited Fallingwater or the Flight 93 Memorial return to the area to see what else there may be to do. It was a pleasure to serve as conference chair, to represent the Southwest Chapter, and to serve PaLA.

Barbara Zaborowski was the chair of the 2013 PaLA annual conference and is dean of learning resources 4 at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College in Johnstown. She is reading White Fire by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Childs

1 PaLA 2013 president Paula Gilbert (r) with incoming 2014 president Janis Stubbs

2 State Librarian Stacey Aldrich addresses the 2013 PaLA Annual Business Meeting.

3 College & Research Library Division luncheon 5 speaker Char Booth (r) is joined by (l-r) CRD chair Valerie Lynn, PaLA president Paula Gilbert, and State Librarian Stacey Aldrich.

4 PaLA Academy for Leadership Studies (PALS) 2013 graduates Kristyna Carroll, Bonnie Powers, Hilary Westgate, and Patricia Pottle detail their work to develop a PA Forward webinar.

5 wall-to-wall interest at PaLA’s Poster Sessions

6 Conference chair Barb Zaborowski emcees the Closing Luncheon.

7 PaLA Store committee co-chairs Mary Lou Repsher (l) and Kathy McClure showcase some of the hot-selling 6 items. 7

8 | PaLA Bulletin OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 1

2 3

3 At one of many popular poster sessions, Melissa Rowse, district consultant North Central Library District, showcases Connect Williamsport, a consolidated community calendar provided by the library. 4 6 7 the PaLA Exhibit Hall was the place to be on opening day. 5 At the Closing Luncheon, writer/producer/screenwriter (St. Elmo’s Fire) Carl Kurlander, discusses the role libraries played in his journey from Pittsburgh to Hollywood and home again to form the Steeltown Entertainment Project. 1 Members of the Ex Libris Society, PaLA’s annual giving fund, gather together to celebrate five successful years. 6 Sari Feldman, director of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, addresses Public Library Division Breakfast attendees. 2 PALS 2013 graduates (l-r) Evonne Loomis, Richard Miller, Laura Ax-Fultz, and Barb Eshbach demonstrate customer services best 7 Paula Gilbert with President’s Program speaker Dr. Franklin practices for PaLA president Paula Gilbert (r) and her cardboard Toker, author of Fallingwater Rising, Frank Lloyd Wright, E. J. acolyte. Kaufmann, and America’s Most Extraordinary House

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 PaLA Bulletin | 9 Awards Presented at the 2013 PaLA Conference By Rebecca Fetzner Long

t was my honor to serve as chair of PaLA’s Awards Committee this year. The committee had representation from various chapters of PaLA and comprised of a mix of public, academic, and Ispecial librarians. Our committee was fortunate to have been in receipt of many wonderful nominations from across the commonwealth. 1 Many thanks to: Therese Barry, Dan Parker, Paul Pro- ces, Paula Gilbert, Brian Fulton, Melissa Rowse, and Glenn Miller for serving on the committee and for working together to help PaLA honor some of our finest members. The committee met on September 11 to review nominations for New Librarian Honors, Elected Official(s) of the Year, Trustee of the Year, Cer- tificate of Merit, Distinguished Service Award, and Library Support Staff. 2 The following individuals and institutions were selected to be honored by the 2013 Awards Committee:

E new Librarian Honor: Laura Arnhold, children’s librarian, Upper Merion Township Library

E elected Officials of the Year: Green County Commissioners

E trustee of the Year: Joseph Kellerman, Hollidaysburg Area Library

E Distinguished Service Award: Anita Ditz, librarian, Schlow Centre Region Library 3 4

1 Distinguished Service Award winner Anita Ditz (r) with Ray and Cheryl Ditz, her brother and sister-in-law

2 President Paula Gilbert (r) congratulates Distin- guished Service Award winner Anita Ditz (l) and presents personalized artwork created by noted Pennsylvania children’s author and illustrator Lindsay Barrett George (c). Awards chair Rebecca Fetzner-Long (center left) and PaLA past president Cathi Alloway (center right) assist in the presentation.

3 on behalf of the Mengle Memorial Library, Darlene Marshall accepts the “Paula” Award recognizing great customer service.

4 President Paula Gilbert presents the PaLA The 2013 Elected Officials Award went to the Greene County Board of Commissioners, Trustee of the Year Award to Joseph G. Keller (l-r): Kathy McClure, Bowlby Public Library; Commissioner Blair Zimmerman; Jessica Miller, of the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library. Flenniken Public Library; Commissioner Archie Trader; Therese Barry, Greene County Library System; Commissioner Charles Morris; and PaLA president Paula Gilbert.

10 | PaLA Bulletin OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 E Certificates of Merit: Alison Mackley, librarian, Her- shey High School; Bonnie Oldham, information literacy coordinator, University of Scranton; Joseph Sherwood, executive director, Chester County Library System

E Library Support Staff: Abington Community Library, Clarks Summit

It was my pleasure to have presented the New Librarian Hon- ors, Certificates of Merit, and Library Support Staff awards at the annual business meeting during the 2013 PaLA conference. And it was my honor to have presented the Distin- guished Service Award to Anita Ditz at the All-Conference Reception. PaLA Award winners (rear, l-r): Lauren Arnhold, New Librarian Honors Award; Joseph Sherwood, Certificate of Merit; and Paula Gilbert, So next year when you see the calls for nomination go out, PaLA president; (front, l-r): Sheli McHugh accepting a Certificate of please take a moment to nominate a colleague or fellow Merit for Bonnie Oldham; Leah Rudolph, accepting the Library Sup- port Staff Recognition Award to the Abington Community Library; employee for the contributions they have made to PaLA and Allison Mackley, Certificate of Merit; and Rebecca Fetzner-Long, PaLA Pennsylvania libraries. Awards Committee chair.

Rebecca Fetzner Long is chair of the Awards Committee and director of the South Fayette Township Library. She is reading Mission Impact: Breakthrough Strategies for Nonprofits by Robert M. Sheehan, Jr.

Laura Arnhold Chosen to Represent PaLA at ALA Emerging Leaders By Glenn Miller

aLA is proud to announce that on the fast track to ALA committee vol- M.P.A. from West Chester University. Laura Arnhold of the Upper unteerism as well as other professional Since 2008, she has been the children’s Merion Township Library has library-related organizations. librarian at Upper Merion, following a been selected as PaLA’s repre- graduate internship at the Institute of The EL program kicks off with a day- sentativeP to the American Library Asso- Museum and Library Services and work long session during the ALA midwinter ciation’s 2014 Emerging Leaders program. with Special Olympics International’s meeting. Afterward, it grows and devel- Camp Shriver in Washington. ops in an online learning and networking environment for six months. The She is a 2010 graduate of the PaLA program culminates with a poster ses- Academy for Leadership Studies (PALS) sion presentation to display the results of program and this past fall was chosen the project planning work of each group to receive PaLA’s New Librarian Honors Emerging Leaders (EL) is a leadership at the ALA annual conference. at the annual conference. development program that enables newer Ms. Arnhold was chosen from among Congratulations, Laura! We look for- library workers from across the country a highly-competitive group of PaLA ward to learning all about your Emerg- to participate in problem-solving work members. She earned her B.S. in infor- ing Leader year with ALA. groups, network with peers, gain an mation resources from the University of inside look into ALA structure, and have Wisconsin-Milwaukee, an M.L.S. from an opportunity to serve the profession in Glenn Miller is the executive director of the University of Maryland, and an a leadership capacity. It puts participants PaLA.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 PaLA Bulletin | 11 IT’s ACADEMIC

Some Pinterest-ing Ideas for Academic Libraries By Alison S. Gregory

t is not uncommon to find academic resource suggestions, special collections, but with significantly more depth and libraries in the social media worlds basic library information, events, and immediacy” (Hansen et al., 2012, p. 8). of Facebook and Twitter, but how spaces. Thornton also compiled a list As I contemplated the implementation of well are we diversifying our online of suggestions for libraries considering Pinterest boards for our library, I exam- presence in the networked environ- adding Pinterest to their social media ined the Pinterest sites of four different ment?I Pinterest offers possibilities for arsenals. These include linking the Pin- academic libraries and gathered feed- libraries to showcase resources, spaces, terest profile to the library’s website and back from the library staff members who and events through the use of its digital other online presences, being vigilant maintain those boards. Interestingly, the bulletin boards. This free site allows about copyright when pinning images libraries I contacted are all using an “as users to collect and organize images and or videos not created by the library, inspiration strikes” model for creating videos that are either uploaded by the linking resource suggestions directly to and adding new pin boards, where I had user or are captured from other online the library’s online catalog, and stay- expected a more methodical, planned presences, and makes them easily sharing active so that the boards continu- approach to what boards a library would able with others through “pinning”and ally offer something new to followers create. Featuring new additions to the “re-pinning” to boards based on specific (Thornton, 2012). Hansen, Nowlan, book collection seems to be the one interests. and Winter (2012) recommended two exception, with each library offering a additional best practices: striving to pin board of this nature. to the original source so that the image “Interesting boards... owner is credited, and protecting the At the library of St. Ambrose Univer- privacy of those featured in images sity in Davenport, Iowa, Malavika highlight reading as taken during library events. Shrikhande has created interesting boards like “National Poetry Month” In addition to promoting the library’s an important activity, (see Figure 1) and “Great Reads, Great sources and services, Hansen et al. also Movies!” that highlight reading as an suggested the creation of themed boards while being catchy important activity, while being catchy for instructional purposes. A group and lighthearted. Shrikhande recom- board could be created and connected to and lighthearted.” mended Pinterest as a way to easily a class topic and students could collect “promote, connect and share my library, images and share commentary, “remi- university, and events, and at the Pinterest can provide a visually niscent of collages and display posters appealing mechanism for showcasing newly-added library resources, special collections, and digitized materials; promoting upcoming library events; drawing attention to recently renovated or popular spaces within the library; connecting library holdings to campus symposium speakers or topics; recom- mending books to read; and much more. The possibilities are limited only by the imagination.

Elaine Thornton (2012) conducted a study of academic libraries’ Pinter- est sites and found six common pin Fig. 1 A sampling of images included on the “National Poetry Month” board, St. Ambrose board themes among them: promotion University (created by Malavika Shrikhande). of libraries and reading in general,

12 | PaLA Bulletin OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 IT’s ACADEMIC

same time share any fun, informative articles.” Shrikhande’s role with the St. Ambrose University Pinterest page and other social media platforms is that of curator — “I have an open request to my co-workers for anything they would like to say, or share on any of the platforms we are active on” which distributes the responsibility for generating the ideas, while keeping a centralized system for day-to-day upkeep.

Leigh Gates at the Harrington School of Design Library in Chicago, Ill., said Fig. 2 A sampling of images included on the “New Fiction” board, Becker Libraries (cre- that she spends about an average of ated by Jeanette Lundgren). ten minutes per day on their Pinterest boards, and in that limited amount of time, she has been able to create boards coordinate social media accounts for we’re reading” and “New Fiction” as diverse as “New on the shelf,” “Book Linfield and has primary responsibility (see Figure 2). A challenge for Jeanette cover design,” and “Noteworthy (or not) for their development and maintenance, Lundgren, who maintains the libraries’ interior spaces.” While Gates is cur- though she coordinates with Triest Pinterest presence, is encouraging rently the only person pinning images through email, Google docs for project staff to contribute regularly on the col- for the library, she hopes to extend that ideas, and weekly meetings. laborative boards, such as “What we’re activity to student assistants. She has reading.” To help promote the site, Linfield Libraries connects their Pinter- promoted the library’s Pinterest boards Lundgren has their Pinterest boards est and Twitter presences by hosting through the use of posters in the library, set to push through to Twitter and they many of their Twitter images on Pin- links on the college’s portal, and via the have integrated it with their Facebook terest, including their archival pho- page to further increase visibility. tos, infographics, and READ posters. Linfield Libraries also boasts Pinterest Becker Libraries, like the other librar- Pinterest gives librar- boards like “Inspirational Writer & Book ies I contacted, does not allow followers Quotes,” “Works by Linfield students, to pin items on its boards. One library ies an easy option faculty, Alums and more,” and “Val- indicated their administrator-only entine’s/Anti-Valentine’s Books and stance was a way to uphold their strict for visual impact. Movies” and compiles these in approxi- copyright standards. An additional rea- mately an hour’s time each week. The son for maintaining exclusive pinning library’s other social media pages such biggest challenges for Linfield, according rights would be to ensure that images as Facebook. “Most of our followers are to Triest, are that of pinning to items and videos pinned are appropriate for other libraries or people in the design that can move as URLs change, and that the library’s image and role as part of a industry — it has been very hard to build of upholding good copyright practices. larger institution of higher education. Triest indicates that they only create momentum for student followers,” says What started as a question of curiosity pins from their catalog book covers and Gates. about ways that Pinterest could extend from their own Digital Repository. For a college library’s presence became an Justyne Triest of Linfield College Librar- all other images and videos, they re-pin interesting project that connected me ies in McMinnville, Ore., believes that what other Pinterest users have selected, to libraries from across the country. I her library Pinterest boards have gained mitigating the copyright liability on enjoyed browsing through their fasci- traction with students because their the library’s end. Triest recommends nating pin boards, and hearing about library has a student assistant actively keeping a board private while it is under the various challenges and experiences working on the boards. “It helps that we construction, and Linfield Libraries aims with using Pinterest. The library staff have a student to think like students!” for 10 – 20 pins per board before making members I communicated with were and student Alyssa Townsend fills that it viewable. role, designing boards that will appeal all enthusiastic about the potential to students as the primary audience. The Becker College Libraries in Worces- Townsend is very active in helping to ter, Mass., have boards such as “What Continued on page 14

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 PaLA Bulletin | 13 IT’S ACADEMIC Continued from page 13 Welcome for connecting to patrons in non-textual ways, and saw great advantage in tying Pinterest to other social media presences New Members such as Facebook and Twitter. Whether by posting, tweeting, or pinning, libraries of all types can take advantage of free social media sites to promote resources and services — Pinterest gives us an easy option for Jessica Christiansen visual impact. Clarion University of PA Nina Clements Penn State Brandywine Acknowledgments Amanda Clossen Many, many thanks to the following Penn State University libraries and their Pinterest administrators Stephanie Crean who were gracious enough to share their University of North Texas thoughts and suggestions about the use of Bridgette Crockett this visually-driven social media site. Marple Public Library

Becker Libraries, Becker College, Worcester, Sara Ahmed Cecelia Crommarty Upper Darby Township & William Jeanes Memorial LIbrary Mass. http://www.pinterest.com/ Sellers Memorial Free Public Library ruskaswan/ (maintained by Jeanette Naomi Cross Richard Ashby, Jr. Clarion University of PA Lundgren) Yeadon Public Library Megan Culkin Harrington College of Design Library, Jeanine Ballantyne Shippensburg University Chicago, Ill. http://pinterest.com/ Clarion University of PA Mary DeCecco libraharrington/ (maintained by Melissa Behm Chester County Library Hankin Leigh Gates) Clarion University of Pennsylvania Branch

Linfield Libraries, Linfield College, Christine Bellizzi Natalie Dickinson Drexel University Wayne County Public Library McMinnville, Ore. http://pinterest.com/ linlibraries/ (maintained by Justyne Triest Guy Bennett Claire Doerrman Bradford Area Public Library Philadelphia, PA and student Alyssa Townsend) Eileen Beveridge Linda Esposito SAU Library, St. Ambrose University, Carnegie Free Library-Connellsville Peters Township Public Library Davenport, Iowa http://pinterest.com/ Theresa Blum Kimberly Foflygen SAULib/ (maintained by Malavika Bethlehem Area Public Library University of Pittsburgh Shrikhande) Kelsey Bogan Nicole Forst Drexel University Pottstown References Ellyn Brancato Jennifer Frederiksen University of Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh Hansen, K., Nowlan, G., & Winter, C. (2012). Pinterest as a tool: Applications in academic Christina Brennan Kelly Garwood libraries and higher education. Partnership: Newtown Square, PA Clarion University of PA The Canadian Journal of Library and Informa- Adrienne Brown Heidi Gillis tion Practice and Research, 7(2), 1 – 11. Altoona Area Public Library Harrisburg Area Community College Thornton, E. (2012). Is your academic library Mairead Browne Emily Gorman pinning? Academic libraries and Pinterest. Drexel University University of Pittsburgh Journal of Web Librarianship, 6(3), 164 – 175. Kimberly Burton Sukrit Goswami Clarion University of PA MCLINC Alison S. Gregory is the associate dean and director of library services for the John G. Jim Carney, Jr. Jack Hauler Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Malvern Public Library Snowden Memorial Library at Lycoming College in Williamsport. She is reading Tracey Chriest Karen Hovis A Room with a View by E. M. Forster. Clarion University of PA OPL

14 | PaLA Bulletin OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 Sysha Irot Griffith Lewis Joyce Platfoot Ruth Styer Shippensburg Public Library Clarion University of PA Haverford Township Free Library Haverford Twp. Free Library Kathleen Joritz Helen Lichtenfels Lydia Redding Elizabeth Sullivan Northern Tier Regional Library Burrell Township Library Media Upper Providence Free Wilkes University Library Richard Jutkiewicz Carla Lindenmuth Mary Ann Tettemer Rutgers MLIS Student Clarion University of PA Mary Rennie Lehigh County Law Library Erie County Public Library Bryn Keytanjian Vincent LoVico, II Abby Thompson Chester County Library and NAVY Alex Schwartzman University of Pittsburgh District Center Rutgers University John Mackey Victoria Thompson-Hess Rachel Korman Drexel University Laura Shaffer Muncy Public Library Student Clarion University of PA Mary Manhart Kathy Weil James Kronmiller Clarion University of PA Natalie Shilstut Bethlehem Area Public Library Clarion University of PA Clarion University of PA Natasha Margulis Shelley Williams Carol Kuhns University of Pittsburgh Denise Shorey Altoona Area Public Library Blairsville Public Library York College of PA Caroline McPhillips Eric Wolfe Andy Kulp Drexel University Rachel Smith Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh HACC Lancaster Campus Pennsylvania State University Stacey Mulligan Erin Wolverton Janina Kvedaras Middletown Public Library Barbara Somma University of Pittsburgh Northern Tier Regional Library Frank Sarris Public Library Marisa Painter Jackie Wright Rebecca Lazarenko Clarion University of PA Sangeetha Srinivasan Citizens Library Clarion University of PA Montgomery County Janet Petrak Kathleen Wylonis Nancy Lechene Hunker, PA Teresa Stage Student Cresson Public Library University of Pittsburgh Nicole Pierson Rachel Zibaila Jade Lepore University of Pittsburgh Sally Steward University of Pittsburgh University of Clarion University of PA Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Membership Year in Review By Charity Leonette

he PaLA Membership Committee convened several members to share. What has PaLA meant to you? Let us times this year. The committee helped to shape the know. Then, share with your Pennsylvania colleagues action steps in support of PaLA Strategic Plan goal #2: near and far how PaLA has made a difference to you. Your To spearhead effective membership recruitment, personal conversations play a huge role in building aware- engagement,T and retention. As one result, the Membership Com- ness of PaLA in the larger library community. In 2014 we’ll mittee had a presence at the annual conference. You may have be highlighting your membership moments alongside fun seen the Job & Career featured sessions and one-on-one coach- facts about the benefits for membership. All of this, each ing as part of the Career Center, or you may have stopped by the conversation and story told, allows PaLA to continue its membership table. PaLA president Paula Gilbert’s life-size like- vital work in professional development and larger state- ness also traveled the conference asking attendees to why they wide library advocacy. In the meantime, talk with your love PaLA (#luvPaLA). chapter’s membership chair to learn more.

As of October this year’s membership tally is 1,405 (1,225 per- Charity Leonette is the chair of the Membership Committee sonal, 176 institutional, four corporate). To put that in context, and marketing and community partnerships coordinator for this brings membership to near where it was in October 2012 the Allegheny County Library Association. She is reading with 1,410 members. What’s next? We are going to be asking Taking Toot to Fly: Articles on Functional Anatomy by Irene Dowd.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 PaLA Bulletin | 15 Promoting Mental Health Literacy By Mary Garm

The Lackawanna County Library System and the Com- monwealth Medical College recently presented a workshop entitled “Out of the Shadows: The Library as a Center of Mental Health Literacy”. The workshop was supported by an Outreach to Consumers grant award from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region (NNLM/MAR).

Among the topics addressed were: a study of behavioral Among the speakers at “Out of the Shadows: The Library as a health disparities in Northeastern Pennsylvania; providing Center of Mental Health Literacy” were (seated, l. to r.) Rebecca mental health information in the library; recognizing men- May-Cole, Pennsylvania Behavioral Health and Aging Coalition; David Verespy, afternoon keynote speaker; Kate W. Flewelling, tal health concerns of older adults; and using PA Forward National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic to address mental health issues. NNLM/MAR is a partner Region; and (standing, second from right) Kathy Silks, PA Forward organization of PA Forward | Pennsylvania Libraries. project manager. Members of the planning committee were (standing, l. to r.): Joanne Muellenbach, Commonwealth Medical College; Mary Garm, Lackawanna County Library System; Martina Soden, Scranton Public Library; Bridget Conlogue, Commonwealth Mary Garm is the administrator of the Lackawanna County Medical College; and Susan Jeffery, North Pocono Public Library. Library System.

16 | PaLA Bulletin OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 PALS Builds on Knowledge-Sharing Culture in PA By Dana Barber

hile highly revered for the process, participants come to the In addition to celebrating their fact finding abilities, realization that leaders are not all cut librarians, as we well from the same mold. There are a variety camaraderie and self- of different leadership styles and it is know, are also skilled understanding, participants Wcontent creators. Librarians understand through awareness and a state of mind the value of experience in turning infor- that true leadership can be exemplified. are also expected to con- mation into knowledge, and they provide Throughout the three days, there is this opportunity to both their customers tribute to the profession by ample opportunity for thoughtful intro- and their colleagues. In the library pro- spection as well as for lively group dis- fession, and particularly in Pennsylva- creating an output that will cussions. In addition to celebrating nia, the significance of context and camaraderie and self-understanding, benefit the members of our experience in learning is evident; it is participants are also expected to contrib- epitomized through such offerings as ute to the profession by creating an out- professional association. hands-on technology training, book put that will benefit the members of our discussions, and opportunities for public professional association. To that end, brochure to assist librarians interested discourse, and more recently, with mak- participants are divided into small work in getting published and presenting at erspaces where participants can focus groups and are assigned team projects. conferences, workshops, and other ven- on creative outlets rather than mere More experienced library leaders serve ues including online. The initial project consumption. as mentors for each of these work evolved to become a bountiful resource From peer-to-peer mentoring within our groups, and they closely monitor the listing a wide variety of opportunities libraries to a wide selection of network- development of their team project for first-time presenters as well as for ing and training opportunities at the assignments. Before the workshop comes those interested in pursuing writing local, state, and national levels, librarians to a close, teams are given enough time opportunities in the library field. As the embrace a knowledge-sharing culture. to organize initial ideas and outline a document grew, we decided to go with PaLA’s Academy of Leadership Studies plan of action for completing their proj- an online format rather than a printed (PALS) is a prime example. It not only ect during the upcoming year. Over the brochure. Once the information was provides an opportunity for librarians to next several months, team members collated and organized, we coordinated develop and enhance their leadership work together to bring their project to with PaLA to have it posted to the asso- skills, but it is a vehicle through which fruition, track and report on progress, ciation’s website where it now lives Pennsylvania’s experienced librarians and finally provide a poster presentation under the Build Your Career section. can give back to the profession and show of the outcome during the following This experience truly brought this their commitment to the future. year’s PaLA conference. Throughout this particular PALS group full circle. We process, participants are guided by team entered as potential leaders and con- As a 2012 graduate of PALS, I can speak mentors and have access not only to sumed the information being relayed to directly to the benefits of this experience. their advice, knowledge, and experience, us at the outset of the PALS workshop. And I encourage library directors to but also to that of select PALS graduates Our journey was enhanced by the recognize that leadership spark in their from previous years. staff and urge them to pursue this three- shared knowledge provided by our men- day workshop that provides intensive So what kind of outputs come from tors and guides. Our project afforded and focused sessions proven to develop PALS? Admittedly, I don’t know much an opportunity to apply the knowledge the skills of future library leaders. about the other team’s projects and their we gained by collaborating with our Attendees develop and refine their progress, but I am quite proud of the colleagues and becoming content cre- understanding of leadership through final product created by me and my ators ourselves. And moreover, what we various activities, exercises, and presen- teammates. Formally known as the created will benefit many others by pro- tations, which allow individuals to hone Presentation and Publishing Brochure their own definition of “leader”. During group, we were tasked with creating a Continued on page 18

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 PaLA Bulletin | 17 PALS Builds on Knowledge- Sharing Culture in PA Continued from page 17 moting shared knowledge within the What to Expect from PALS field by encouraging would-be presenters and writers to highlight their skills By Bonnie Powers in order to educate others.

Prior to participating in PALS, I had his year’s PaLA Academy of Leadership Studies (PALS) was read countless articles and books about held at the Best Western Premier in Harrisburg from June 23 – 26 leadership and attended numerous pre- T — three action-packed days filled with instruction, collabora- sentations on the topic, but this con- tion, discussion, and inspiration. sumption of information did little to The main purpose of PALS is to present attendees with the opportunity prepare me to lead. PALS delivers some- to “Discover the Leader Within!” (this year’s theme). You can read about thing different entirely. In addition to a the mission and purpose of PALS here: http://www.palibraries.org/ realistic and approachable definition of ?page=PALS. And while it’s helpful to know how PALS is structured leadership, it offers experience, context, (organizers, presenters, mentors, and attendees participating in a series shared knowledge, and mentoring along of group discussions, meals, meetings, and activities) and that as part with an immediate opportunity to nur- of the program attendees, under the guidance of a mentor, are required ture and develop one’s own leadership to complete a group project for unveiling at PaLA’s annual conference potential and to prove one’s value to the following year (this year’s projects were PA Forward-focused), from colleagues by creating something worth- my perspective, it is most important to understand what PALS may do while. As for the Presentation and Pub- for you as an individual and a potential leader in the community of lishing Brochure group of 2012 PALS, Pennsylvania libraries. we are confident that our project will continue to support and encourage the PALS helped to identify authenticity as the most important factor for knowledge sharing culture of librarians successful leadership, at least for me. I came to the program not know- throughout the commonwealth. ing what to expect. I found myself surrounded by respected library professionals already identified as leaders, as well as many new Note: The 2012 PALS Presentation and professionals as uncertain as I was with regard to finding a place and Publishing Brochure group is Amy discovering what we can bring to the table. Deuink, William Fee, Katie Nicholson, The first and foremost thing anyone can bring to the table is him or Melissa Szafran, and Dana Barber. We herself. There is only one you. By all means bring to the table what you are extremely grateful for the advice, know and what you can do — your knowledge and skills are important, guidance, and support of our mentor, too. But the most important attribute everyone possesses is the unique- Debbie Malone. And we want to ness of self. thank our PALS advisors, Leigh-Ann Puchalski and Allyson Valentine, for Anyone can lead from any organizational level or position. Only those their assistance throughout our PALS who lead from the core will be successful. Trying to fit in is a waste experience. Finally, we extend our of time. Instead, try to make who you are fit and fill a need so that gratitude to Carolyn Blatchley who together, as individuals, we can all help move Pennsylvania’s libraries facilitated our efforts to get our proj- forward. ect online and made it a reality. Bonnie Powers is the district consultant for the Capital Area Library Dana Barber is the associate library direc- District. She recently finished readingEtched in Sand by Regina tor for the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Calcaterra. She is currently not reading anything, but always looking for Library in Bristol. She is reading Turn recommendations. Around Bright Eyes: The Rituals of Love & Karaoke by Rob Sheffield.

18 | PaLA Bulletin OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 Lehigh Valley Chapter’s Fall Social

he Lehigh Valley Chapter’s fall social event was held Wednesday, November 13 at Roosevelt’sT in Bethlehem. More than 15 librarians from the Lehigh Valley area attended. The chapter hopes to offer more events in 2014.

Submitted by Catherine Stewart, chair, Lehigh Valley chapter.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 PaLA Bulletin | 19 Our President, Our Memories By Mary Beth Roche

ard as it is to believe, November 22 marked 50 ians? Librarians are information specialists. Librarians will years since President Kennedy was assassinated. give me reliable information, because that is what we do! Also, Many will recollect where they were the moment after I started this project I went to Seattle for the 2013 ALA they heard the news. For the baby boomer genera- midwinter conference. Caroline Kennedy was a guest speaker tion,H there was no other more definitive moment. and the honorary chair of National Library Week in 2013 — the year of the 50th anniversary of the assassination. I’m always in As I also mark 50 years of my life, I wanted to know more of awe as how circumstances seem to “click” while in the writing how people felt on that day. What memories do they have? For process. me, being only one month old at the time, I have no memory, only what I have been told by my mother and grandmother: As people started opening up their recollections to me, the door “The mailman came and asked if we had heard that the presi- that was once closed in my world suddenly started to open and dent was shot in Dallas, Texas.” I had to continue forward.

I always wanted to know more and I will go into that later. I I remember I was in high school at Canon-McMillan High would soon embark on a research journey to find out more School in Canonsburg, Pa., and was in the cafeteria at the about that day through the minds of those who remembered. study hall table, when the announcement came over the loud speaker. It didn’t seem real, nothing was said; noth- Back in June 2012, Dan Rather was a guest speaker at the Amer- ing, nothing! When I went home the TV was on and all of a ican Library Association’s annual conference. I wanted to ask sudden the shocker…they show Jack Ruby shooting Lee his thoughts as one of the first correspondents on the scene in Harvey Oswald! They then showed the funeral live at our Dallas. But after squirming around in my seat trying to get the school. What sticks most in my mind about the funeral was courage to get in line, time was called after only three questions little John-John holding his right hand over his heart. and I never got to ask. — Hope Sehring, Jeannette (Pa.) Public Library I struck up a conversation with a librarian next to me while in line waiting for Mr. Rather to sign my book, and mentioned I was in first grade. I lived in Cinnaminson, N.J., which is that I’d wanted to ask him about the assassination. The librar- right outside of Philadelphia. The reason I remember it so ian said, “That would have been an interesting question. I vividly is because of this boy I knew, but he would always lived in Canada at the time, and was in eighth grade. Even in tell stories he had made up (in other words, he lied). His Canada, the president was well loved. They let us out of school mother would tell me, “Don’t listen to anything Ted says, early.” it’s usually a lie.” Therefore, when he told me “the president had just been shot”, I didn’t believe him. But when I I knew after that conversation that I wanted to know more got home and told my mother she told me that Teddy was about John F. Kennedy, as he was our finest president in my in fact telling the truth. lifetime; but one I never knew. I decided to start interviewing librarians who might be old enough to remember. Why librar- — Jean Lenville, assistant dean, Weinberg Library, University of Scranton

20 | PaLA Bulletin OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 As I had said earlier, I was too young to remember the assassi- idea something like that could even happen in our world, nation, but I was in contact with a librarian who was even so it was like hearing that a spaceship had landed, just younger than I was at the time. something you didn’t think was possible. I am pretty sure that because my class was watching this on television, we I don’t quite fit your group of interviewees, but I do know were the first ones to hear the news. I think the teacher where I was when Kennedy was shot — I was in a ‘womb went out of the room to tell others and to try to get more without a view’. (I was born in December of 1963.) information. After that I can’t quite recall what happened — Vickie L. Kline, systems librarian that day. We may have been dismissed early. Schmidt Library, York College — Steven Bell, associate librarian for research and instructional services, Temple University, Philadelphia I asked librarians questions about how old they were and their memories of their school day. I was 15, in 10th grade. I was in biology class. There was an I was in fourth grade at Franklin Elementary School in announcement over the PA system that the president had Lebanon, Pa., when the news came of his assassination. A been shot. School was dismissed for the day. Everyone was scratchy old black-and-white television was brought into quiet and many people were crying. the classroom and we watched the scenes from Dallas that — Katherine Gaines, retired librarian, Abington Free Library afternoon. I’m afraid none of us was too sad, not knowing really what it meant except getting out of math class and I was in sixth grade at St. Rose School in Carbondale, Pa. I other afternoon classes. remember Sister Mary Catherine announced over the PA that the president has been shot and to please pray. We had — Dan LaRue, director, Hamburg Public Library no school the following day or the day of the funeral. We all watched it on television and of course I remember little I was 5 years old and in kindergarten. I remember my par- John-John saluting his father. ents being astonished that someone would shoot the president of the U.S., not that it hadn’t happened before, but this — Maria Zaccone, library director, Carbondale Public Library particular president was generally well-liked and had led the country through the Bay of Pigs crisis. He had a young The teacher got a call from the office, and then it was wife and small children; it was tragic.” announced over the PA. The teacher was very upset after the phone call. I don’t remember what she said to us before — Lynnette Saeger, director the announcement but probably had us all stop what we Southern Lehigh Public Library, Center Valley were doing and pay attention. I seem to recall there being hope that he wouldn’t die so I believe they told us he was I was a sixth-grade student at Central Elementary School in shot. I don’t remember school closing but I remember it the Coraopolis School District (now Cornell School District) being very quiet and solemn. in Allegheny County, Pa. In 1963, Coraopolis was a blue- collar, middle-class industrial town of about 10,000 resi- — Jean Kammer, Hawley Public Library dents located along the Ohio River about 13 miles west of downtown Pittsburgh. I was 5 years old, and living in Hazleton, Pa., at the time. I will always remember it pretty vividly, because my sister — Glenn R. Miller, executive director, PaLA was having her birthday party that day. But what I will never forget is the funeral procession. The casket was being I was 15 years old, 10th grade. pulled by a horse drawn carriage. We all watched it on the — Pamela Murphy, district consultant black-and-white TV my parents had. Northeast Library District, Scranton — Gene Berger I was 8 years old and was in the fourth grade. I was in Seeley Memorial Library, Lackawanna College school that day and I remember being in the classroom in Continued on page 22 the late morning and we were watching educational television — public broadcasting I recall — which was rather novel at the time. I can’t recall what show we were watching, but I very vividly remember that the program was interrupted by a special announcement telling us that Pres- ident Kennedy had been shot in Dallas. The first report didn’t say that he had been assassinated so much of what happened after that was related to staying tuned to the news to learn more information. I remember that it was a very shocking news report. As young children we had no owe. White House Photographs. John F. A bbie R owe. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential L ibrary and Museum, B oston

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 PaLA Bulletin | 21 I personally purchased that album, which I thought was very “Libraries comical. I later found out that Jackie Kennedy thought the album was horrible and neither she nor the president would should be open allow the children to listen to it. to all — except The following is a response from Diane Wahl, whom I met a few months prior and then again briefly at a conference as she the censor.” was rushing to a session. She was in Dallas on November 23, 1963, and saw President Kennedy speak. — John F. Kennedy ffice (WHP O ) White House Press O ffice It was a chilly, rainy day, but I was excited because Presi- Continued from page 21 dent Kennedy was in town and was going to give a public speech in front of the Texas Hotel that morning. My mother I vividly recall where I was and the surrounding circum- let me stay home from school and took me down to see stances. My husband and I were visiting his brother and him. I remember standing in the crowd in front of the hotel family in N.Y. C., I think. Our girls were 12, 8, and 4 at and I remember Kennedy on the stage that had been set up home in Jenkintown, Pa. with a sitter. I was in a cab in New for the occasion. I was a little disappointed because Jackie York and the driver’s radio was on which was making me didn’t come out with him. I don’t really remember what he believe they were running a program on Lincoln’s assas- said, but here’s a link to an audio recording of the speech: sination. After a few minutes it became apparent that http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlfNl1VizRg. My next Kennedy had been shot in Dallas (they did not say he was memory from that day is returning to school during the dead). I got out of the cab on Fifth Avenue and the person I fourth period. It was senior English and my classmates saw right away was a woman I had met at a party in Long were taking turns standing in front of the class reciting Island. She was the editor of Bride Magazine and now many poetry they had memorized for extra credit. A girl named years later I occasionally see her daughter. My husband Jan Eudy was reciting William Blake’s “The Lamb” when and I were very frightened about the safety of our children the principal interrupted the class on the intercom to as in the beginning moments there was major speculation announce that the president had been shot. I don’t remem- that there was a conspiracy and of course we didn’t know ber if school let out early or if I knew before I got home that the genesis of this terrible event. There was major concern Kennedy was dead. My only other memory of that day is in the beginning that our country was in danger. that some of the boys in my high school were laughing and — Nancy R. Posel, librarian, retired making light of the shooting. I felt ashamed for them and wished they weren’t at my school. It was a hallmark in my lifetime, as was 9/11, when it is like — Diane L. Wahl someone punches you in the face. We all have our own University of North Texas Libraries, Denton, Texas tragedies in life but it seems like the ones that affect the entire country get branded into our brains and we can I asked everyone I interviewed about their own personal never forget where we were when we heard the news and thoughts of that day, besides the questions I had asked. Some how we felt after hearing it. were very brief; while others put into words which through — Denise Stevens, adult programming coordinator their words made me see that day much clearer. Lower Macungie Library During that weekend and into Monday, time stood still. I I was in 11th grade and lived in Alabama at the time. I do not remember doing anything other than watching remember I was in the biology lab, actually it was home- news coverage on TV and going to church on Sunday. My room, which was in the biology lab. Everyone was solemn and in shock. I think no one ever thought that someone would shoot President Kennedy. Everyone loved the Kennedys, from the president to John-John. There was even a record made [The First Family by Vaughn Meader], that’s how people felt, casual. They adored the first family, and the record was very popular. — Janet Ruddy, D. Leonard Corgan Library King’s College, Wilkes Barre toughton. White House Photographs. John F. C ecil S toughton. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential L ibrary and Museum, B oston

22 | PaLA Bulletin OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 recollection is that we had just returned from church and turned on the TV in time to see Jack Ruby shoot and kill Lee Harvey Oswald. That weekend, I did not hang out with my friends. I’m not sure I even went outside other than to church. Losing a president was new territory for the whole country and we were all learning about presidential succession and protocol as events unfolded.

In my lifetime, now almost 61 years, only three news events stand out with such intensity that I can tell you exactly where I was and what I was doing when they occurred: the 9/11 attacks, the resignation of President Nixon, and the assassination of President Kennedy. Each happened in different eras of media capabilities. 9/11 was covered widely and universally because it was such a huge

tragedy occurring in the Internet age with round-the-clock Kennedy A bbie R owe. White House Photographs. John F. Presidential L ibrary and Museum, B oston news coverage. But 50 years ago, the television coverage of President Kennedy’s assassination was unprecedented and The priest’s response was, “Yes, the president has been shot and I think the entire country must have been starved for news he is dead.” In the book, Mr. Rather wrote, “It was a hammer to coverage. The Pittsburgh Press (afternoon) and the Post- the heart…I had the same gut-wrenching emotional reaction, Gazette (morning) newspapers provided wall-to-wall cover- the same sense of shock and disbelief that everyone else in age in the Pittsburgh region. Life and Look magazines, America had.” along with Time and Newsweek, provided invaluable lasting Rather also believed there was only one gunman. I tried to coverage, particularly photographs. Today, magazines avoid this area in my interviews; however, the subject came up covering news seem more quaint than the essential news many times. sources they were when President Kennedy died. But in those days, I remember devouring every printed word, The month before Kennedy came to Dallas, Adlai every photograph. Stevenson was spit on and heckled by extreme conserva- tives in Dallas. There was talk that the conservative envi- I now understand that President Kennedy was far from ronment in Dallas made the trip risky for the president perfect. At the same time, he was a gifted politician with even before he arrived. After he was assassinated I heard very capable people around him. With his death, history speculation that either the Communists or the Mafia were changed — some for the better (civil rights legislation behind his death. In January 2013, I attended a program passed sooner) and some for the worse (the escalation of in Dallas featuring Charlie Rose interviewing Robert the Vietnam War happened faster). I often wonder how Kennedy Jr. and Rory Kennedy — the first time a Kennedy different the 1960s and 1970s — and even today — would has been in Dallas since the assassination. During that have been if President Kennedy had lived. program, Robert Kennedy Jr. said that his father believed — Glenn R. Miller that the Mafia was behind his brother’s death. Although RFK publicly supported the Warren Commission report, I learned so much through this project, and I am so very grate- he privately had his own investigation carried out and ful to all that responded and were willing to be interviewed. said telephone records of calls between Oswald, Ruby, and My final step in the journey was a drive to Boston, to the John F. many Mafia figures that RFK had investigated had been Kennedy Library and Museum. Before I was allowed to go into found. Here’s an article about the program: http://goo.gl/ the research room, I had to first check in with John Secca, who BcDprQ. allowed me to interview him, and he was absolutely charming! I asked John where he was when President Kennedy was assas- — Diane L. Wahl sinated. ”In bed!” Mr. Secca said. “I was a cop in Boston and I Again, it’s hard to believe that fifty years has passed since the worked the third shift. My wife woke me up and told me. They death of President Kennedy, the president I never knew. But called everyone back in, because they had no idea what might now, through personal research and the recollection of a num- happen.” ber of most helpful librarians, I feel as if I know him just as well I did eventually get an answer to the question I wanted to ask as any other citizen of the United States. Dan Rather when I read his book, Rather Outspoken. He heard the news from the hospital priest after he called the hospital for Mary Beth Roche is the director of the Seeley Memorial Library conformation. (It was Dan Rather’s second call, in fact. On the at Lackawanna College in Scranton. She is currently reading The first a doctor answered and said “Yes, he’s dead,” and hung up.) Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane.

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Calendar

OCTOBER

4 Northwest Chapter Fall Workshop Clarion

15 Connect & Communicate Webinar (Sponsored by CRD)

20 PCBL Board Meeting PaLA Headquarters

20 – 23 PaLA Annual Conference Seven Springs, PA

November

8 South Central Chapter Leadership Meeting PaLA Headquarters

11 Veteran’s Day Holiday PaLA Office Closed

12 SEPLA Annual Meeting & Workshop King of Prussia

13 PA Forward Training Workshop Allison Park

14 PA Forward Training Workshop Upper St. Clair

15 PR Marketing Committee Meeting PaLA Headquarters

22 PA Forward Steering Committee Meeting PaLA Headquarters

28 – 29 Thanksgiving Holiday PaLA Office Closed

DECEMBER

5 – 6 Leadership Orientation Yorktowne Hotel, York

13 PR Marketing Committee Meeting PaLA Headquarters

24 – 25 Christmas Holiday PaLA Office Closed

Calendar Updates

24 | PaLA Bulletin OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013