Library Support Staff Certification

I have recently engaged in the American Library Association's Library Support Staff Certification process. To gain certification, support staff must successfully complete 6 courses (or turn in 6 qualified portfolios) proving their knowledge in specified areas of library science. Each course is approximately 6 weeks long (6 seems to be the magic number!) and aims to impart formal library training and education on employees who have not completed a Master's in Library Science.

While tuition and fees can be costly (essentially the $$$ of an online undergraduate class), scholarships are available (Wyomingites, refer to the Carol McMurry Library Endowment) to alleviate the expense. My impressions thus far boil down this: these classes help me take a step back and view my position, my department, and my library with fresh eyes. And that in turn makes me better at my job.

End of Spring Semester

This is the last week of Spring semester at my school. Classes ended Monday and now we're sitting back and watching as students dash like mad to finish papers and study for exams. To celebrate the end of the semester and an extremely long year, I'm going to Cancun. Until then, here is a recaper of the events at my library for the last month

Script Frenzy - 2 participants were amazing and actually able to write 100 pages of a script within the 30-day time frame. I'm so proud of them! We're having a celebration party this week.

World Book Night - my library was a drop site for 12 Givers and on April 23rd we all went out and gave away 20 books each to some very excited people. My book was Ender's Game and I was more than happy to share it. I definitely recommend this to all for next year. It was so much fun. So sign up for a newsletter to keep track of developments - http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/

Book Madness - Bracket style war of classic titles. We started out with 24 books and ended with Fellowship of the Rings winning Best in Show.

Project Return Your Books - we have 100 bags of puppy chow to give away to students if they clear they're library accounts. So far only a few people have taken us up on the treats. Otherwise we have some pleasantly surprised students who are just returning their books and lots of happy basketball players.

And lastly, it didn't really happen in the library but it was entertaining non-the-less. Humans vs. Zombies took place for the second time on our campus. I'd say this round wasn't nearly as active as the round in October but I was still able to see a few human students and zombie students sneaking around campus with their Nerf swords and guns. I even saw a Captain America joining the fight to save humanity.

So as the semester draws to an end and all our amazing students clear out for the summer, I still find myself getting very excited for the summer activities that will be happening around Sheridan as well as being able to finish some other projects.