2015 TLA Conference

The intended outcome of this preconference is to create a set of common values and principles for library technologies which will help the TLA Libraries Technology Round and TLA provide the best service to libraries in the state. This will be an opportunity for people to voice opinions about the direction and focus of technologies in Tennessee Libraries going forward.

Change is a constant in every workplace - and everyone needs to understand it, accept it and contribute to its success. Great leaders know that people are different and that, in order to have an effective team, messages need to come in all shapes and sizes. Understanding the differences people have involving change will give you the language, insight and tools needed to address the most challenging of tasks - getting everyone on board with change.

We will use latest on change management theory to understand how change works in an organization and then we will use the Change Style Indicator assessment to determine your change style. The Change Style Indicator is designed to measure an individual’s preferred style in approaching and addressing change. It provides leaders of all level with insights on personal preferences for managing through change and provides context for how those around them might perceive and respond to their preferred style.

Learning Outcomes

• Learn about three unique styles for dealing with change
• Discover their personal position on this continuum of change style preferences
• Learn how a preferred style affects how others perceive an individual and how a style influences the perception of others
• Determine the “traps” in their style that can limit a leader’s flexibility and ability to lead
• Explore the advantages and strengths that each style offers in a team effort
• Improve interpersonal communication and understanding
• Avoid conflicts and reduce unproductive meeting time
• Realize the value of all perspectives when resolving issues
• Improve teamwork
• Enable the group’s creativity and innovation
• Increase collaboration and cooperation
• Reach the “win/win” solution more quickly

Leadership Institute leaders will provide lecture, discussion, training, ad mentoring for those seeking the next level of leadership in their careers or in Association work.

The College and University Libraries Section (CULS) will host panel discussions on providing a place for everyone at the table regarding library spaces, collections, and interactions. How have advances in STEM, social sciences or humanities allowed for the creation of new opportunities to meet our collective needs?

Schedule

1:00 pm - 1:05 pm Welcome

1:05 pm - 2:25 pm PANEL 1 -- see descriptions below

2:25 pm - 2:40 pm Break

2:40 pm - 3:55 pm PANEL 2 -- see descriptions below

3:55 pm - 4:00 pm Wrap-up

Panel Descriptions

PANEL 1

IT/Reference Collaboration:  Can Two Departments Share the Same Space?
Pam Dennis and Robert Rose, University of Memphis

    The University of Memphis Libraries RIS Desk and the IT Desk, both located in the University Libraries Learning Commons, combined their service points this semester to provide a more efficient and meaningful service to users on campus. The pilot program promotes a more cooperative desk that combines the technology skills of the existing IT Desk with the reference and scholarly expertise of Libraries faculty and staff while simultaneously solving staffing problems faced by both desks.

Library-Land Boldly Explores New Frontiers
Regina Lee, Tennessee Technological University

     Over the past year or so, several groups on campus have partnered with the library to establish cutting edge technological experiences for students and faculty.  The Volpe Library is providing its expertise in supporting learning outside of the classroom and is reconfiguring space to best serve students. 

     The presentation will provide a brief description of each endeavor, approximately 6 entities outside the library, and how the library benefits from these partnerships with other academic units on campus.  Tennessee Tech is one of very few universities, and the only one in the state, to have a VisCube in the HIVE (Hybrid Immersive Visualization Environment).

The Role of a Library Liaison in a Merged Division
Jennifer Ott and Wendy Trenthem, Rhodes College

     Several college campuses are merging or have merged library services and information technology in order to provide a cohesive unit for service and support. Since 1999, Rhodes College has had a merged Library and IT division, and now information professionals play many different roles (researcher, instructor, collection developer, IT support, and liaison).  At Rhodes, the Information Services Librarian position was created to service the needs of the academic departments and the campus as a whole. The liaison duties of this position involve collaboration with faculty, communication, and relationship building. Learn how this role has changed over the past fifteen years, and how it continues to evolve in a small liberal arts college.

 

PANEL 2

Change: Community Involvement brings Staff Empowerment | Linebaugh Public Library System Case Study
Carol Ghattas, Linebaugh Public Library

   Since coming to Linebaugh in 2011, Carol Ghattas has been constantly aware that things needed to change in order to better meet the needs of their community, but it was not until the entire system went through a new strategic planning process under the leadership of Sandra Nelson, that she found the empowerment she longed for to bring effective change.
    What made the difference for Linebaugh? The new strategic plan was based on recommendations from a group of community stakeholders, so Carol was able to tell staff: We're doing this, making these changes because this is what our community wants.

Everything in its Place: Google Maps for Libraries
Rachel Scott and Anna Neal, University of Memphis
Presentation available

     Google Maps are ubiquitous. Libraries and other institutions increasingly use this platform to generate interest in collections and engage users. This presentation describes successful implementations, illustrates how Google Maps can enrich library services, discusses the process of creating the Memphis Music Venues map, and concludes with a demonstration.

Sustain a Book: Recycling Books for Art & Function
Deborah Babb, Christian Brothers University

Inspired by Claremont College's re:book contest, we initiated a similar contest in spring 2014 called Sustain a Book. This contest, open to students, Faculty, and staff, invited participants to make something new (artistic, functional, or both) out of old, unwanted books and paper. This contest brought attention to the library and our sustainability efforts and encouraged creativity from our community.