UPDATE!!
The NETSL Executive Board has been closely monitoring and evaluating the situation concerning the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and it has become clear that it is no longer logistically feasible to hold our in-person meeting as planned, as the College of the Holy Cross has cancelled outside events on campus through May 15th, 2020. We are exploring the possibility of transitioning the NETSL 2020 Annual Spring Conference to a virtual conference using Zoom.
We will be in touch soon with further plans, information regarding registration reimbursement, and next steps for participating. Thank you for your understanding.
2020 NETSL Annual Spring Conference
Friday, April 17, 2020 | 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
Under Pressure: Coping with New Realities in Technical Services
Schedule at-a-glance
8:30am – 9:30am Registration and breakfast
9:30am -9:45am Welcome
9:45am-10:45am Keynote Address
10:45am -11:00am Break (coffee & tea)
11:00am – 12:00pm Breakout Sessions 1 A, B, C, D, E
12:00pm -1:15pm Lunch and NETSL Award
1:15pm – 2:15pm Breakout Sessions 2 A, B, C, D, E
2:15pm – 2:30pm Break (cold drinks)
2:30pm – 3:30pm Lightning Talks
Keynote:
Technical Services – Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities: Change and Innovation as the New Norm
Matthew Sheehy, University Librarian, Brandeis University
Matthew Sheehy is the Brandeis National Committee University Librarian. His goal is to provide services and collections that augment teaching, learning, and research activities, as well as enhance the experience of the Brandeis Community.
Prior to joining the Brandeis administration, Matthew held leadership positions at the Harvard University Library, The New York Public Library, was an associate dean at Adelphi University and has worked in other academic and public libraries. Matthew earned a BM in music composition from the Hartt School, the conservatory of the University of Hartford, and both an MA in musicology and an MLS in Library and Information Studies from the University of Buffalo. He is a member of the Beta Phi Mu Honor Society for library and information studies.
Morning Breakout Sessions
Session 1A
Crossing the Minefield: How to Handle Constant Change Without Burning Out
This presentation will explore managing constant change while avoiding job burnout. Some changes that will be addressed include: starting a new position, staffing changes, and an ILS migration; all of which the presenter has experienced in the past year.
Brittney Bergholm, Acquisitions and Serials Coordinator, Clark University
Session 1B
Turn and Face the Strange: Strategies for Leading Change During a Technology Implementation
Utilizing change management principles for large projects can help employees meet project outcomes and permanently integrate the change into the organizational culture. This presentation will use the current Five Colleges FOLIO implementation as a case for applying change management principles. Attendees will engage in guided group discussion and critical thinking exercises in order to apply what they learn at their own institutions.
Aaron Neslin, Library System Coordinator, UMass Amherst
Ann Kardos, Metadata Librarian, UMass Amherst
Michelle Paquette, Metadata and Technical Services Archivist, Smith College
Colin Van Alstine, Metadata Technologies Librarian, Smith College
Session 1C
From Catalogers to Metadata Specialists. How to Organically Move into the Future of Technical Services.
While cataloging functions of tech services shrinking the metadata responsibilities are growing. The age of technical advancement sideline traditional cataloging but open up to hybrids where traditional catalogers performed sophisticated non-Marc operations. To secure that metadata specialists stay within the LIS profession, few necessary adjustments should be made, including changes in LIS education, on-site training, and expectations of all wanting to work in technical services in the nearest future.
Anita Kazmierczak, Catalog & Metadata Management, Tulane University
Session 1D
KBART Phase III Update
KBART, a NISO Recommended Practice, enables the standardized transfer of data between content providers and knowledge bases, facilitating the efficient management of a library’s electronic resources. This session will provide an overview of the changes planned for KBART Phase III, which will clarify current recommendations, revise the KBART endorsement process, add support for additional content types, improve the usefulness of KBART for non-English/European language content, and ensure that the KBART mission accurately reflects modern usage of KBART along with the needs of KBART Automation.
Andrée Rathemacher, University of Rhode Island (and Co-Chair, NISO KBART Standing Committee)
Nettie Lagace, Associate Executive Director, NISO
Session 1E
Preventing Duplication with SQL/Too Many Books
Think outside the box by using SQL, Python, and other coding languages to speed up and improve your workflows. Many outdated workflows can be automated or sped up using simple coding, and in this presentation Brown University presents how they used SQL and Python to reduce time and effort spent removing DDA duplications by 75%.
Kylene Hutchinson, Senior Library Specialist in Metadata, Brown University
We developed a Python tool that automates rare book accession record creation into ArchivesSpace, in order to reduce a sizable backlog and speed up future large book accessioning.
Abigail Connick, Rare Books Technical Services Project Librarian, Smith College
Claire Marshall, Metadata Migration Project Archivist, Smith College
Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Session 2A
The Power of Improv-Stress Reliever, Communication Facilitator and Just Plain Fun!
Research has shown that learning improv can help to “retrain” the brain to actively listen, communicate more effectively, be more open to ideas, and work collaboratively. Plus, because improv is a lot of fun, it is a great stress reliever as well! Participants should come dressed to move, and leave inhibitions and worries at the door. This is a low-risk, but participatory workshop.
Meredith Charles, Owner/Creative Director of Drama Out of the Box
Session 2B
Technical Services: A Constant Balancing Act: Navigating the Sea of Changes
Working in Technical Services isn’t the most glamorous department of the library, in fact, the department is often misunderstood, undervalued. But what does it take to keep the department motivated and to adapt to the changes? This session will discuss how a small academic library went through major changes in its ILS, staff and culture for 2 years, is still changing, and the lessons and best practices we have learned from this experience.
Fatoma Rad, Senior Assistant Librarian, Farmingdale State College
Kathryn Machin, Senior Assistant Librarian, Farmingdale State College
Session 2C
Negotiation Skills for Leaders
Most people negotiate everyday with spouses and children and enhancing this skill enhances the quality of life, both at work and at home. During this session attendees will learn about negotiation and the Information Based Bargaining Plan.
Sarah Theimer, Cataloging and Metadata Librarian, University of New Hampshire
Session 2D
A Head Start to the Beta RDA Toolkit
Are you dreading the implementation of the RDA Toolkit? If so, this workshop is for you. Learn how to “decipher” instructions in the beta RDA Toolkit by cataloging a monograph, and be better prepared to cope with the changes ahead.
Dominique Bourassa, Chair, North American RDA Committee; Catalog Librarian, Yale University
Session 2E
Learning While Doing: Skill-building with an Already Full Plate
As job responsibilities bloat, how do we make time for skill building? Two librarians from different-sized shops will discuss their strategies for learning new things amid the unceasing tide of day-to-day work.
Michelle Paquette, Metadata and Technical Services Archivist, Smith College
Amedeo DeCara, Resource and Instruction Librarian for Science, Hampshire College
Lightning Talks
Multiple Projects and Time Management
To meet the demands of the library world, many of us are assigned to work on multiple projects along with our day-to-day tasks, which can cause stress, frustration, and anxiety. In order to create a balance it is necessary to develop a time management plan or schedule to alleviate stress while meeting deadlines, project goals and everyday demands.
Joanna M. Fuchs, Metadata Coordinator, Brandeis University
Spiderwebs, Cobwebs, and the Library in the 4th Industrial Revolution Era
Examines the technologies that connect the library services and the expected roles of librarian in this dispensation with interest in developing countries.
Babalola N. Akorede, Department of Educational Media Resource Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Dr. Kola Aramide, Department of Educational Media Resource Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Enhancing Cataloging and Technical Services Skills of Library Support Staff
In many libraries self-taught Library Support Staff (LSS) are responsible for cataloging and technical services. With professional learning and practice, LSS can greatly enhance their knowledge and skills to support these services.
Dr. Marie Shaw, Program Coordinator, Library Technology Certificate, Three Rivers Community College, Norwich, CT
Getting Things Done in Technical Services
Many of us in technical services handle a wide range of tasks and projects and are overwhelmed with the feeling of “there’s something I need to do but I can’t remember what it is!” We need an “outboard brain” to keep track of everything and I’ve found the Getting Things Done (GTD) method, based on David Allen’s book, to help get stuff off my brain and into a trustworthy external system.
Kimberly Kennedy, Digital Production Coordinator, Northeastern University Library
Hiring three (out of four) technical specialists in one year
In a controlled Choose Your Own Adventure format, the presenter will explain the decision-making processes involved in filling three open positions (metadata, ILL, and acquisitions/budget) in a five-person department in the span of one year.
Elena O’Malley, Assistant Library Director for Systems and Technology at Emerson College Iwasaki Library
