Evergreen ILS meeting at PLA

Equinox is hosting a Birds of a Feather meeting for those interested in or currently using Evergreen ILS at PLA. A Google Document has been created for the event. If you'd like to be added to the Google Document or have questions, please write Jason Etheridge, Equinox co-founder, at jason@esilibrary.com.

Equinox developed the Evergreen ILS and currently hosts and provides support for the Evergreen ILS.
You can visit Equinox at http://www.esilibrary.com.

When/Where

3/27 5:30pm-7:30pm in the Minneapolis Marriott City Center (exact room to be determined).

Possible Topics/Activities

• Next steps for Evergreen
• How to get involved in the Evergreen community
• Does the community want a user's group?
• User expectations
  
• Installation demo
• Migration demo: How to migrate records into Evergreen from OCLC or z39.50 or librarything for libraries
  
• Writing documentation--is anyone pursuing this?
• For any Evergreen users--what issues do they have?
• What is/was the process libraries used to decide to move to Evergreen?
  

PLA volunteers needed

Want to help make the PLA National Conference a great experience for attendees?

Consider volunteering at the Public Library Association Conference!

Volunteers receive an Exhibits Plus badge, which allows them access to the exhibit hall, as well as the Opening General Session with John Wood, the All Conference Reception, and the Closing General Session with Kevin Nealon. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out a short questionnaire about your preferences and availability. PLA thanks you for your interest!

MLA membership and PLA registration

Just a quick reminder that there's still time for MLA members to take advantage of the January 18 early bird registration deadline for the 2008 Public Library Association Conference, which will be held in Minneapolis on March 25-29. Visit http://www.placonference.org to register.

Remember, one of the perks of being an MLA member perk is the discounted registration fee!
In addition, be sure to sign up for our Guys Read: Make Noise with Boys Book Discussions preconference on Tuesday, March 25th, which will feature author Jon Sciescka. The MLA Board and I are delighted that Scieszka was recently appointed by Librarian of Congress, James H. Billington, as the first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2008/08-001.html This position was created to raise national awareness of the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education, and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.

It's a coup for MLA that one of Scieszka's first national appearances after receiving this honor will be at our preconference!

In addition to Scieszka and the other outstanding presenters, there are some surprises in store for preconference attendees. You'll receive a variety of Guys Read-related gifts and enjoy refreshments courtesy of Capstone Press http://www.capstonepress.com/ and Stone Arch Book .http://www.stonearchbooks.com/

In addition, MLA will receive 100% of the registration fees from this preconference and will incur no expenses. So, this is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to benefit! You'll have an excellent professional development opportunity that will also benefit our association. I hope to see you there!

Volunteers wanted for Public Library Association Conference

Wanted:
Librarians who Enjoy Exhibiting (even if you've never tried it before) AHIP points available

The GMR is looking for volunteers to staff the NLM booth at the upcoming Public Library Association conference: PLA's 12th National Conference and Exposition at the Minneapolis Convention Center, March 26-28, 2007 http://www.placonference.org/

We need volunteers for the following time slots (half-day volunteers are welcome!):

Wednesday, March 26 - 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 27 - 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday, March 28 - 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The GMR will reimburse volunteers for transportation (mileage, tolls, parking, bus, taxi, etc.).

If you are interested, please respond to haburt@uic.edu. Thank you so much and I look forward to working with you in March.

Holly Ann Burt, MLIS
Education and Outreach Coordinator
NN/LM-Greater Midwest Region
1750 W. Polk St. M/C 763
Chicago, IL 60312-4330
phone: 1-800-338-7657 or 312-996-2464
fax: 312-996-2226
haburt@uic.edu
nnlm.gov/gmr

PLA 2008 Conference in Minneapolis

Registration for PLA 2008 is Open!

NOTE: Special registration rates for MLA members!

Join us for PLA 2008 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 25-29, 2008. The biennial PLA National Conference is the premier event for public libraries drawing librarians, support staff, trustees, Friends, and library vendors from across the country and around the world.

Your PLA 2008 Preliminary Program will be arriving in the mail soon!
Your Preliminary Program includes registration and housing information, program tracks, and detailed descriptions of preconferences and Minnesota tours. Stay tuned to www.placonference.org for updated information about speakers, author luncheons, and other special events. We look forward to seeing you in Minneapolis!

Discount on registration for PLA

Recently many of you received an email announcing the discounted rate to attend the Public Library Association’s (PLA) national conference which will be held in Minneapolis from March 25 – 29, 2008.

There was a bit of confusion of what organizations you need to be a member of… in order to receive the discounted registration rate. You need to be a member of either PLA OR MLA to get the special rate.

More information (and registration materials) are available at the following website:

http://www.placonference.org/

PLA 2008 Conference in Minneapolis

The Minnesota library world has begun planning its role in the 2008 PLA conference in Minneapolis. Click here for more information.