Thursday, November 01, 2012

Monstrositeen Mini-conference @MLA 2012




MLA 2012 was the setting for Monstrositeen, a mini-conference all about teens and libraries. Monstrositeen featured a Teen Spot with easy, cheap craft ideas like duct-tape bracelets and Shrinky Dinks; board games like Zombie Dice, Give Me the Brain and Poo the Card Game; and Dance Central 2, a Kinect dance game that requires neither a pad nor a controller.

Teen Technology at the Public Library

Our own Marika Staloch and Debbie Willms, along with Kathy Korum from the St. Paul Parks Department and Marcus Lowry and Amy Boese from Ramsey County Library, discussed teens and technology at the library.

They stressed the importance of libraries collaborating with partners such as parks, public schools, public television, public access television, the Science Museum, the History Center, and the University of Minnesota. The new Payne-Maryland branch will be jointly run by the library and parks department.

Things learned from their experiences and those of other libraries like Youmedia in Chicago:


  • Kids who don't have technology have a disadvantage
  • Don't wait for kids to sign up for something --teens don't always know what they want to do
  • Strong relationships & trust is key
  • Ask teens what they want

  • The entire staff has to be welcoming -- staff as mentors-- 2 hours a week at programs isn't enough
  • Kids want to create & share

SPPL has a mobile lab with iPads & laptops- teens love just hanging out with them for an hour. This goes along with the HOMAGO (hanging out, messing around, and geeking out) concept conceived by Mizuko Ito.


Ramsey County Library has been working with their CTEPs to help teens create with free software, Flip cameras, and a 3-D printer.

Software they use:


Programs they have created:

  • Teen tech summer camp
  • Video boot camp-- CCTV brings all the equipment -- once they have completed training, teens can come to their studio whenever they want
  • National artists doing programs in schools & then teen art shown in library
  • Outreach to homeless and incarcerated teens


Issues with technology:

  • Cutting edge tech sometimes fails
  • IT department doesn't allow downloads-- staff has to get permission for new software
  • Free software is great, but sometimes it is no longer being updated/has no technical support



[un]Writing the Stereotype: Choosing Books for Young African-American Readers

People crave communitas -- a sense of comradeship among equals. Teens, being in a limnial stage (not one thing or the other), crave this feeling the most. Yolanda Hare, the presenter, couldn’t find young adult books she could relate to as a teen. African-Americans are not a homogenous population, but African -American young adult novels tend to only show black teens in one way. African-American characters are also more likely to embody some social issue, which does not make for a compelling character readers can relate to. Middle-class
African-Americans often cannot find any books depicting their experiences.

Luckily, there are more young adult authors today who reflect the diversity of the African-American experience, such as Sherri Winston, Dana Davidson, and Jacqueline Woodson.


Teens Know Best

Teens Know Best is a program started by Adela Peskorz at Metro State and continued by our own Marika Staloch. Teens meet monthly to read advanced reader copies of young adult novels. and write reviews. They get to meet authors and help design book covers.

The teens talked about some of their favorite new books. I am checking out Graceling (super-powered mutants in a medieval fantasy setting) and Black City (a post-apocalyptic Romeo & Juliet with vampires) on their advice. They discussed the current trend, post-apocalyptic settings such as in The Hunger Games. The next trend they predict--evil mermaids! (you heard it here first, folks!)


Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain

This talk was presented by Erin Walsh of Mind Positive Parenting, which was founded by Dr. David Walsh.

It is important to remember, when discussing the adolescent brain, that out of the 100 billion neurons we are born with, only 17%  are hard-wired. Each growth spurt of the body represents a window of opportunity for learning. Whatever the brain does a lot of, it gets better at. What it doesn’t do --not so much. Think of how hard it is to learn a new language as an adult versus as a child. The experiences people have during growth spurts have greatest impact.

We now know the brain continues to develop through the mid-20s. The prefrontal cortex goes through a great spurt in the  teen years - the area responsible for impulse control, risk-taking (negative & positive), and organization. This is why teens have to pay a lot for car insurance. 

Testosterone  increases by 1000% in all genders, affecting competitiveness and arousal of all kinds. The amygdala--the part of the brain responsible for the fight or flight response--is lighting up like the Fourth of July. The menstrual cycle also causes serotonin to go up & down wildly. Problems feel insurmountable. A good way to describe the adolescent brain: “Gas pedal to the floor, brakes are on backorder”.  

Common approaches to dealing with teens:

  • Lockdown approach -- treat teens as risks to be managed--keep them controlled
  • Fly away approach - tell them to go away until they're 25--don't even try
  • “Free pass” approach--they can’t help themselves, so let them make mistakes with no consequences

These approaches are not helpful. Teens have to learn to use their prefrontal cortex, so we adults have to teach them. They will test the limits, and we have to tell them how far they can go.

Tips for dealing with teens:

  • Support, but don't coddle or rescue
  • Show them consistent limits and consequences
  • Show them what respect looks like
  • Listen to them
  • If they are all amped up, you may have to wait a few moments for their brain to catch up
  • Channel risk-taking positively
  • Make sure they feel heard
  • Don't leave it up to them to figure out how you feel-- their brain chemistry makes them much more likely to read any reaction as an angry one
  • Stick to one topic
  • You may have to tolerate a bit of mouthiness

Remember: A caring adult is the number one factor in  teens’ success.  They need connection and guidance.

Handouts are available here.


--Andrea @Central
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Thursday, October 25, 2012

Transparent Language Online

Transparent Language Online


The online language learning tool formerly known as Byki is now Transparent Language Online. Over 80 languages are represented, including Norwegian, Ojibwe, and 6 dialects of Arabic. Somali and Hmong are not currently included. There is also English instruction for speakers of 15 languages, including Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Transparent Language uses a flash-card system where you are introduced to words and phrases from the target language with their translation, then you see the target language and provide the translation, then you see the translation and provide the word or phrase in the target language. It’s easy to go back and try again until you get it. Each language module also comes with a “Quick start” version for people with time limitations, a vocabulary, history of the language, alphabet help, and grammar tips.

The first time you login, you create a unique username and password in order to save your lessons. Once that is done, there is no need to put in your library card or PIN number.

Each language module has its own community on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube that you can join. There is also a “Word of the Day” email and a culture blog that you can subscribe to. A mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices. It is still listed as “Byki” in the app store. To use it, click on “Go Mobile” on the lower-right-hand corner of the Transparent Languages on a computer, then click on “Get Byki CLE User Name” to get a temporary code. Type that into the app, and you will have your flash cards in your pocket wherever you go.


--Andrea @Central
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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

MLA 2012, Part Two


MLA 2012 Report on several sessions:

Screencasting: Launch a Virtual Library Instruction Program
Elaine Settergren and Alyssa Novak
Online Division of the Globe Education Network schools:
Globe University, Minnesota School of Business, Broadview University

For online orientation to the library website, catalog or databases, I can’t think of a better way to introduce people who are not physically with you to the library’s vast and very useful assets.
However, the thought of doing such instruction is daunting, to say the least.  
Alyssa and Elaine (who do screencasting on a regular basis) put together an amazing and, I believe (though I haven’t tried it yet), easy to follow guide for creating your own screencasts.
Their experience has shown them  that their constituents (the students of Globe College) are only willing to spend as much time as they absolutely have to when they need something to work for them, whether it be a database, a catalog, whatever. So convenience is the watchword for mass training via screencasting, and in this day and age, I suspect that is true for our customers as well. However, their cry of convenience over everything had me remembering an old marketing adage “You can have it fast, cheap, good—pick two.”
In their presentation, they covered both a free software called “Screencast-O-matic “  and then uploading the completed version onto Youtube. Screencast-O-matic is software that requires no downloads, is easy to upload to Youtube, is easy to start and stop (a big plus when you flub a line), and is free and easy (music to all our ears!)
Uploading to Youtube allows for close-captioning in a text format, makes it easy to track statistics, gives flexability with the ability to embed the video in other places as necessary and again those magic words…is free and easy. Not to mention everybody and their grandmother gets onto Youtube daily and its accessible on all kinds of devices.
In fact, the two presenters actually demonstrated how to do this by creating and uploading a short demo piece during their presentation. And, if you are prepared (have a script handy, have the proper equipment, do your homework,  know what you are “teaching”, etc)  it really does seem as easy as it could possibly be.
The most problematic part of this practice seems to be keeping it updated. They recommend using an excel spreadsheet and reviewing former screencasts once a year (at a minimum) to ensure that they are still accurate and relevant.
Their handout can be found here:



Organizational Creativity: Managing Change, Remaining Competitive
Alexander Sonsteby
Metro State University
This was easily the most frustrating of the sessions I attended. While I think that the presenter does know his subject, his presentation was disjointed. The presentation included several “hands-on” exercises.  In one, each of the participants writing a short story using  StoryCubes (a dice game with words on it instead of numbers….you throw the dice and then try to include those words in the story you are creating). Given the time constraints, I suspect it was an exercise in futility for the majority of the folks in the audience. The other exercise was to jointly
‘create the worst website homepage ever’. That was fun, but hardly worth the time invested, which ate into his presentation significantly. Many of his suggestions for spurring creativity in groups that you work with seem to have come from a book called “Thinkertoys” by Michalko.  Unfortunately, we do not own this in SPPL, but it is widely available through ILL.  His handouts for the presentation consist of a long bibliography and the promise that his powerpoint is available to anyone who asks for it. I will not be asking, but I will probably be talking to Collection Development about a few of the books on the bibliography, which can be found here:


Traveling the Yellow Brick Road
Melissa Gray
St Paul Public Library

Melissa did a wonderful fantasy genre talk, filled with history of this unique type of writing, and added a great deal to my own knowledge of fantasy tropes, including urban, Arthurian, high, steampunk, etc.  While I enjoy reading fantasy, I had never given it that much thought before. And that made this an invaluable session for me. Anything that stimulates the old gray matter is a lovely thing! I learned a great deal about the beginnings of fantasy, garnered many titles that I will want to take a closer look at, and definitely  enjoyed her passion for her subject. Well done!
Much of what she talked about was new to her audience and I wish she had used more tech (such as a projector?) to back up her presentation. Just trying to keep up with the titles she was throwing out became impossible. Once I accepted that, and simply sat back and enjoyed the session, I found myself being transported by the depth and sincerity of her admiration for this genre.
Her handouts page holds much to be pondered and explored.


--Doris @Central
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MLA 2012, Part One


MLA Notes on several sessions:


Looking Global
By:  Dru Frykberg (dru.frykberg@state.mn.us) &
       Rachel Vilsack (rachel.vilsack@state.mn.us),

This was a surprising and very well presented program which talked about resources available for job-seekers who are fluent in more than 1 language.
Minnesota businesses are exporting more than ever, and not just the large firms. Over 97% of Minnesota exporters are small to medium size businesses. Dru and Rachel had some well thought out suggestions for how a multilingual job seeker could be helped by expanding their job search into the arena of exporters.
Qualities that these firms are searching for include
    Fluency in 2 or more languages
    Having lived or worked in a foreign country
    Being a former/current citizen of another country
    Having a unique skill set (a degree, experience, etc)
    Post secondary degrees (beyond High School)
    Export/Import experience (though not necessary, it is desirable)
    Possibly a veteran
   
The types of jobs available run the gamut from finance to marketing to law, transportation and manufacture.
One of the ways to tap into the “hidden job market” is to tailor the job search by identifying the top exporters in a specific industry, match the professional skills to the job seeker and conduct what is called these days an “informational meeting” rather than an interview. By going in to ask what the company is looking for, you create an opportunity to connect without the  stress of a formal interview. This improves the job seekers chances of networking within his target companies and creating a way for the business to identify them with any potential openings that might occur. The handouts for this session are especially useful, as they detail some of the places a job seeker might want to investigate further:

These resources will certainly be welcome to the job seeker who has the abilities needed at an exporting business. Also, just as an aside, several days after MLA ended I was asked to help a customer find information on exporting from Minnesota. I scurried to find the link to this session and he was absolutely delighted with the information provided. So, this handout can be useful in several ways.








Getting their Pinterest
By: Krista Jacobson
Minnesota School of Business – Moorhead
Kate Bessey
Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange
This session was a crash course in the social website Pinterest, which is a virtual corkboard which displays visual bookmarks and organizes your interests. By creating an account, you can bring material in from other websites (pin it) and can connect your Pinterest board to both Facebook and Twitter, though you do not need to use either of those other social websites. The only requirement for having a Pinterest account is a valid email address.
Pinterest had its public launch in March of 2010 and was declared by Time Magazine to be one of the 50 best websites of 2011. Currently, Pinterest boasts that 12% of all adult internet users are on Pinterest, while 19% of all women internet users are on Pinterest. That very nearly works out to 1 in 5 women using this social website.  The most commonly pinned areas of interest are; Food and Drink, Do-it-yourself and crafts, Home Décor and Women’s Apparel. The Pinterest site is garnering a lot of interest with advertisers, but they do not seem to be accepting ads at the present time.

There are several areas of interest that would be relevant to libraries, including Books, Writing, Photography, etc. When beginning a new account, the user would choose from a list of topics or categories of interest. If desired, Pinterest will recommend key pinners in those areas where you can look for content ideas. The user is also offered a “Pin It” button, which allows others to copy and pin content that you have added.
The Reader’s Advisory Committee is looking into how we could use Pinterest. Some of the boards that might be doable include: A new arrivals board, Books you can’t put down,  a book club board, sites of local interest for travelers to the area, etc.

Some of the libraries currently using Pinterest creatively include: NYPL, Sacramento Public, San Francisco Public  and American Libraries Magazine.
To view the handout, go to:






Going the extra MILE panel discussion:
Several people, including our own Melissa Gray, were involved in this panel discussion. The purpose of  MILE (MLA’s Institute for Leadership Excellence)  is for its inductees to learn how to advocate for libraries, specifically in MN, but also on the larger stage of the US, and to offer formal mentoring to up and coming library leaders.
One of the benefits of this program to its members is a formal mentor who is assigned to the member at the beginning of the program. Both the mentors and the mentees were extremely complimentary about their relationships and the many benefits of having a mentor outside of your own workplace, to talk about the tough issues at work, practice job interviews, etc.
They also talked about the MILE program’s impact on MLA: 3 of the last 7 Presidents of MLA have come from MILE alumni and many of the committee chairs and movers and shakers within MLA are also alumni.
The MILE program hosts a retreat every two years, where the current members of MILE go to network and learn more about their own personal leadership style. To do this, they use a tool called “Strength Finder”. To learn more, feel free to contact Melissa at Central.
(No handouts)



--Doris @Central
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Learn About Makerspaces from the Innovators at Westport (CT) Public Library





Learn About Makerspaces from the Innovators at Westport Public Library

Presented by
Maxine Bleiweis Library Director and Bill Derry Assistant Director for Innovation & User Experience

Key phrases

Collection development --> connection development
Information age --> imagination age
Learning-centric
Democratizing production
Recouping people space from stack space


Preparing for a makerspace

Need a receptive community; staff have to own the change
Included ‘making things’ in some staff meetings – a chance to see each other’s     talents
Added a PLAY section to monthly library reports
Hosted a Mini Maker Faire at the library
Committee of community members planned – recommend 6 months to a year to plan
Acquired a license and Mini Maker Faire Playbook from Make (owners of the Maker Faire brand)
Had all of the staff attend and 50 volunteers
Speakers, gaming, pottery inside; large tent outside, electrical power, robotics & more
2200 attendees --> tipping point that made building a makerspace possible

The Maker Space

Located right in the middle of their library space and designed to be easy to look inside
and watch makers at work
The library invited an architect/engineer to be a maker-in-residence
Joseph Schott designed an installation for the library – an airplane that will eventually hang from the ceiling
Received donations from companies/community
Staff held a press conference and ribbon-cutting at the library
Patrons using the space have to be open to answering questions from other community
members, contributing to the collaborative atmosphere
Space has been used by all ages – ‘8 to 80’
Includes building blocks and other toys for kids
Committee of community members trains volunteers for the space – they also have a
private blog to explore ideas together
Anyone can apply to be a maker online
Participatory learning: one example they gave was when a young student learned about ratios by working with the maker-in-residence on the airplane project. He had originally just planned to study the concept with a family member.
Cost is low overall
Maker-in-residence has a stipend
Many donations, including their $2,000 3D printer. Mentioned the specific cost of plastic for the 3D printer: $35-50 for a roll that lasts a long time


Related resources

A New Culture of Learning: Cultivating the Imagination for a World of Constant Change
by Douglas Thomas & John Seely Brown
Learning Everywhere: How Mobile Content Strategies are Transforming Training
    by Chad Udell
Libraries and Museums in an Era of Participatory Culture – A partnership project of the
Salzburg Global Seminar and the Institute of Museum and Library Services
Library Journal article on the Maker Space
TED talk by publisher Dale Dougherty
Hosting a Mini Maker Faire http://makerfaire.com/mini/


View the presentation or slides




--- Leslie @Sun Ray
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