Joint meeting with CLA/BCLA
ALABCLACLANovemberMeetingMinutes.odt
Tuesday November 18th, 2014
IKBLC Room 461
Chair: Sarah Arbeider
Minutes: Kaja Dawkins
In attendance: Sadie Tucker, Laura MacDonald, Prof. Judi Saltman, Sarah Arbeider, Mark Christensen, Christina Appleberry, Krista Parham, Anna Ferri, Tim Rainey, Alex Kuzkowski, Blake Hawkins, Kelsey Ockert, Roxanne Kalenborn, Chloe Riley, Maggie Faber, Bonnie Paige, Kaja Dawkins, Marche Riley, Dr. Eric Meyers
- Meeting Minutes: Kaja to take minutes on behalf of ALA and BCLA/CLA
- Freedom to Read Week (FTR)
- Similar to Banned Books Week in the US, but not sponsored by CLA
- In the past, SLAIS has done a reading event in which people read from challenged books for approximately 5 minutes; we have also used the opportunity to host a panel discussion and hold a bake sale
- UBC Libraries also participate with contests and displays but we would like to work more closely with them in terms of planning and advertising the event; hopeful a student will volunteer to liaise with the library
- Judi: The panel last year was mostly focused on writers, illustrators, and publishers of children’s books
- Marc: You don’t have to read from anything salacious, for instance Matthew read from Batman comics last year; it was really interesting to hear from the panel about their experiences with works being challenged
- Sarah: Were there any librarians on the panel last year? Answer – no, but it’s something to think about for next year
- Dave: Did people on campus really engage? Answer – not as much as we’d like; more people attended the panel, but it can be hard to convince people outside the program to participate in the readings; we should think about advertising better
- Anna: It might be fun to have smaller tables set up where people can read in groups, less intimidating than getting up at the front
- Sadie: Should we consider a different location that might draw in more people? Suggestions – the SUB (could be loud on the main floor, but less exposure on the second floor
- Sarah: The IKBLC is pretty heavily used
- Krista: So do we feel good about doing this reading? Do we want to have another panel?
- What do other schools/libraries do?
- Judi: FTR website (http://www.freedomtoread.ca) is a good source for finding out; not every library participating lists their activities but some do
- Krista: Edmonton also incorporates Freedom to Write (FTW); this suggestions was enthusiastically received
- Should we have a display or any other activities? The library usually does a contest where you can guess the banned book based on a subtle description; last year we hosted this contest at the FTR event
- Sarah: Koerner puts up a display of a timeline of banned books in Canada and a display of the most frequently banned books
- Eric: The bookstore also does displays and has public spaces, so that could be another alternative venue
- Mark: The more things we add, the more we need people to actually attend to make them worthwhile
- Judi: People sign up for reading slots in advance and faculty can sign up as well as students. The creative writing department has indicated in the past that they are interested in getting involved
- Anna: We could visit classes with the sign up sheet and encourage people to sign up in person
- Krista: So in the morning we’ll have a few hours of readings, then the panel in the afternoon, and then maybe some time for Freedom to Write?
- Sadie: Let’s keep it a one-day event, we don’t want to get overextended
- Move to create a committee for Freedom to Read
- Committee will oversee posters and advertising, room booking, liaise with librarians and potential panel guests, collaborate with the library, and organize/maintain a template for the event
- Committee will still call on other members to help and support their activities
- Marche, David, Tim, Anna, and Appleberry volunteered for the committee
- Further planning discussion for Freedom to Read
- Tim: Should we consider having a pro-censorship voice on the panel?
- Sadie: Interesting idea, could add depth to the discussion
- Tim: There are other factors that go into why a book gets banned or isn’t included in the library catalogue; would be interesting to look at that perspective
- Sadie: Novelty to working with the bookstore as an event venue; Krista: we should check the feasibility of this
- Krista: Should we have a bake sale?
- Marche: Would it be possible to have free food?
- Krista/Mark: The budget doesn’t really allow for it; snacks will be priced reasonably
- Anna: We could have something like popcorn available for free
- Judi: a top researcher in censorship, Ann Curry, has just retired from University of Alberta and is living in Victoria; she’s a great presenter and has a recent book about scatology in children’s books; this would potentially be a longer talk, maybe not appropriate for the panel
- Anna: If we do the event at the bookstore, we would not be able to do a bake sale
- Announcement of Student-to-Staff Winner
- Eric: Very competitive this year, and the winner is Alex Kozkowski; interest in this opportunity is growing
- Student-to-Staff is an award that sends on student to the ALA Annual Staff Meeting; pays registration, some lodging, and includes a per diem
- Kelsey: Reminder that there is also a student conference travel award, so check it out!
- Judi: There is a Student-to-CLA program as well; applications to the director are due usually around March/April
- Eric and Judi both stressed that if you have something (research, etc) to present, that will make you a stronger candidate
- ALA Discussion (Mark)
- ALA members voted to order tote bags
- Peer Mentorship Program
- Connecting new students with current students to advise on degree path and how to get the most out of your time at SLAIS; idea of implementing this program was well received
- BCLA also has a mentorship program to connect students with professionals
- ALA would base their program on ACA
- ALA Exchange
- A group of students from the University of Washington ALA student group will be visiting Vancouver in January (students from UBC went down to Seattle last January); there will be library tours and social events; if you’re willing to have someone stay on your couch, we’ll be looking for volunteers
- Will be emailing more information in December
- Anna: Great way to make lasting connections
- Mark: Networking is sometimes treated like a dirty word, but it’s essential
- Talk to Matthew Murray for more information
- Sadie: Rooms are confirmed for the Programming Panel, January 28 from 12:00 – 1:00; whoever nominated successful panel candidates needs to contact them; focus on public and academic libraries and programming for adults
- BCLA/CLA Discussion (Krista)
- Laura: Bake sale raised $123.00 and so far no one has asked to be reimbursed for money put into the float
- Sarah: Richmond Public Library will be hosting us for a tour on December 2nd at 10:00 AM; this is after classes and assignments are completed so we hope for good attendance; tour will be 60 minutes followed by a Q&A session and will focus on the new workroom and collection development
- Note – Event has been plugged on Facebook social group and BCLA/CLA website with email to follow; register at Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/bclacla-tour-of-richmond-public-library-tickets-14490305895)
- YAACS: Last meeting on December 3rd at 1:00; will be screening “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and looking at non-Christmas focused holiday books for children
- Mark: CLA was awarded the grant money we applied for but it will be doled out in two installments instead of one; we have to demonstrate to them what we’ve done with the money, so everyone please keep records and send them to Mark – especially anything related to FTR week
- Anna: RAIG – Chloe Riley will be attending the RAIG meeting in December
- Anna: Discussed having a forum to talk about the LIS degree as a whole, not just at SLAIS; should this be a more practical/professional degree program or more academic? We could host a debate including people with different types of library degrees/certificates
- Anna: BCLA – submit conference proposals if you have them; the conference will be held in Richmond May 20 – 22, 2015; if you’re doing research work, contact Anna; possibility of coordinating a UBC students group presentation
- Marche: Not a lot to report for communications; please continue sending any info you want to go on the website
- David: ViMLOC – first meeting had a discussion about creating a $2000 award, but CLA doesn’t have the money; talked about arranging a local, informal meetup
- Tim: Intellectual Freedom Committee – no meetings yet and none currently planned
- Anna: We have to confirm Tim as an executive
- Marche: Call to approve
- Judi: Seconded
- Krista: Call to vote – majority vote yes
- Judi: Looking for a co-moderator for CLA network of children’s/youth library services
- Danielle Wing is withdrawing
- Looks good on your resume – contact Judi for more information
- Next Meeting
- Meet again in January; date to be chosen early in the month but check with SLAIS calendar to see when new student events are happening so there’s no conflict
- Kaja to chair CLA/BCLA meeting; will contact the group about setting a date
- Meeting Adjourned