Author: Anna

Letter from the Chairperson:
Communication seems to be the big topic these days, and the Paralibrarian Section is getting the word out about the exciting plans we have for the MLA Annual Conference and beyond.
Visit our blog, FaceBook ,Twitter, pintrest and our electronic newsletter Fast! Forward! See the MLA website, and look for and share the email reminders on the allregions elist.
We want you to know what the Paralibrarian Section is doing, from the Conference and BCDT to the Awards and PARA Certification program. The Paralibrarian Section is communicating and wants to hear from you.
Nominations for Paralibrarian Awards, Outstanding Library Support Staff and Library Support Staff Advocate, have been received voted on. Nominees and award winners will be announced at The Awards Gala at Conference. The application for the Book Cart Drill Team Competition is front and center on the MLA Website. With the new digital video format, and limited to 8 teams, we suggest you register your team now! Please read the guidelines, there are helpful hints to make sure your routine has at least four book cart maneuvers.
And we want you to work with us. The email contact information for the Section Board is in this newsletter and on the MLA website. We’re reaching out to ask you to shadow a Board member or join the Board in an open position. Or help with the Awards committee, the PARA Certification committee, and membership and publicity support. Communicate with us. We’re active, we’re reaching out nationally, and statewide and regionally and locally. Read on, this is great edition of Fast! Forward!
Submitted by Paralibrarian Chairperson Allison Sloan

FAST! FORWARD!
The Paralibrarian Newsletter

Paralibrarian And Advocate Awards
Each year, the Paralibrarian Section of MLA gives out two awards: MLA Paralibrarian Section Award for Outstanding Library Support Staff, and MLA Paralibrarian Section Award for Library Support Staff Advocate. The first award is given to a non-MLS library staffer who goes above and beyond the limits of the job title and who exemplifies the ideal that true professionalism isn't limited to professional librarians. We are looking for a non-degreed library worker who brings something extra to the table, and who carries their passion for library services out into the community, both near and statewide. The second award goes to a person who appreciates the value of paralibrarians in our libraries and who has worked to increase their opportunities and visibility. This person does not need to be a librarian or work in a library, but is someone who values the library and especially the work of the non-degreed library staff, making sure they are noticed and rewarded for their dedication.
This year we received 8 nominations from across the state. The nominees and award winner we will announced At the Awards Gala at the MLA Conference on Tuesday, May 23, 2017.
Congratulate these stars when you meet them at conference, and next year you can nominate a Shining Star for these awards .
Submitted by Gerry Deyermond

Mass Library Association Annual Conference May 22-24 Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis 35 Scudder Avenue Hyannis, MA 02601
2017 CONFERENCE INFORMATION

Another successful year for PARA Certifications
The PARA Review Board met twice during the past year, once in November and again in February to review a total of seven applications for certification. The process involves verifying all of the documentation submitted with each application to be sure all requirements for the level applied for have been met. It is a long and involved process which we hope to streamline in the near future; perhaps moving towards online, fillable forms.
This will be the fourth year we are awarding state approved Certifications for paralibrarians at the MLA Conference to be held in Hyannis in May. All seven applications were approved. We will be awarding three Level 1 Certifications, three Level 2 Certifications and one Level 3. These seven applicants represent six libraries in the state of Massachusetts; four public libraries, one academic and one special library.
If you are interested in learning more about the certification program and process for applying, details and full guidelines are available on the MLA website. If you are interested in applying, we do offer some mentoring to get you started. That information is also listed on the MLA website on the Paralibrarian Section Page.
Submitted by Karen Horn, Chairperson of Paralibrarian Certification Review Board

Massachusetts Library Association Book Cart Drill Team Competition 2017- Video Edition!!
Library staff is not only talented in locating materials and solving problems for patrons, but show talent in technology, videography and having fun! So let’s put this talent to good use! The May 2017 conference will bring back the video book cart drill team! Get your thinking caps on! Libraries will be able to produce their own book cart drill team video in their own library and submit to MLA for all to see and vote on at the Awards Gala on May 23, 2017! This is a great opportunity for a library to include all staff and build team work, great PR and can be used to promote your library, and let your staff member’s creativity shine! You may include teens and patrons, Friends and trustees! But at-least 1 member of the team must be a staff member and team captain who will represent the library at the Awards Gala. Videos should not be any longer than 4 minutes and must be uploaded to Youtube. Of course there will be prizes involved! DEMCO has been generous in supporting this program and offers gift certificates and trophies to the top three teams and certificates to the teams with Best Costume, Cart Décor and Wow! Factor! Scoring will be based on Technical Ability, ie: organization, precision, unique moves, timeliness, Artistic Impression ie: overall performance, music, costumes, cart décor and Videography. Favorite teams are voted on by your peers at the awards night at conference using the Conference Capira App for speedy calculations and accuracy!!! Find some snappy music, dust off your book carts and dig though those costume boxes and have some fun!
Rules and registration material are located at http://www.masslib.org/paralibrarian
Watch a drill team video
https://mlaparalibrarian.wordpress.com/2016/05/16/2016-book-cart-drill-team-videos/
Submitted by Gerry Deyermond, Past Chairperson of MLA Paralibrarian Section Book Cart Drill Team Cordinator

What Paralibrarians wish their Directors knew
Library directors and leaders set the inclusive and respectful attitude that trickles down to degreed librarians, municipal and/or university co-workers, and to paralibrarians. When a library director believes in the abilities of library support staff and what they bring to the table as a creative member of the team, their contributions to librarianship can be amazing. Paralibrarians, also called Library Support Staff, can bring many skills, hobbies, experiences, education, and interests to their libraries and use them to make the most of the patron experience.
MLS Library staff, Trustees and Division Heads, town administration and staff take the cue from their Library Director, who establishes an atmosphere of inclusiveness and respect for the unique abilities of each staff member. This attitude moves from the top of the pyramid to the foundation, which is the support of paralibrarians. This translates into salary considerations, benefit packages, career development, teamwork, job satisfaction and better service from happier staff. It encourages creativity, well rounded perspectives, comprehensive options and outstanding library services.
A paralibrarian may not have a Masters in Library Science, but they may have a graduate degree in another field or an undergraduate degree. A degree in web design may help to enhance your web presence, a marketing degree can get the word out about your programs, and a degree in English literature will help with reader’s advisory.
Maybe your paralibrarian has a particular knack for knowing how tablets and ebook readers work and they become the go-to person to help patrons learn about downloadable eBook collections and can teach classes. Maybe they have a hobby they would like to share such as sewing, applique, knitting or scrapbooking. They can share their passion while highlighting that collection of materials. Movie fanatics may know what movie a patron will want from that obscure hint they give. (“Do you know the girl who played Cinderella? She was in a movie about baseball. Do you know what that one was called?” Answer: Susan Sarandon , Bull Durham).
Local history may be an interest of your Paralibrarian because they grew up in the same town/city as your library. They may remember the things that are no longer there, where the best hiking places are, the Mom and Pop shops for a good lunch or back road directions to the library.
Paralibrarians can also bring a wealth of experience and eagerness to be involved in their network region, MLA, NELA or ALA. Or within your own community at town events or schools. The PARA (PAralibrarian Recognition of Achievement Certification) is an excellent tool under the umbrella of the MBLC and MLA, to help directors, and guide paralibrarians to recognize and legitimize their contributions to librarianship. The MLA Paralibrarian Section has many examples of the success of the PARA Certification to build cohesive library teams and strengthen staff paralibrarians. Guidelines on the MLA Website at http://masslib.org/PARAProgram. For directors in other states, consider involvement in your own state or regional library associations. The PARA program is one we adapted from the New York State Library Association and the Utah Library Association programs. New Hampshire has now followed suit and has adapted the Massachusetts PARA to their needs. We are happy to share our experiences with any support staff sections.
This concept of inclusiveness and team building needs Library Directors to open doors for library staff and paralibrarian staff. It may even entail convincing staff and trustees that teamwork means the whole team, not just the MLS degreed team. Library Directors have many resources to support their support staff. In turn, they benefit from the support of their staff which makes their jobs that much easier and their libraries everyone’s happy place.
Previously printed in www.Librarydirectors.org By Gerry Deyermond, Past Chairperson of MLA Paralibrarian Section and Allison Sloan Current Chairperson Paralibrarian Section
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2016-2017 Dates
Meeting Times are 10:00AM to 12:00 PM
April 13, 2017
June 8, 2017
http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=MLA

PARA Certification
Submission Dates November 2017 and February 2018

For More News!!
Join the Paralibrarian discussion list to receive news, events and other information!
http://mblc.state.ma.us/sympa/info/paralibrarians

Using 3D Printing to Enable the Future
When people come to the Medfield Library and first see our 3D printer in action, the range of reactions we get runs the gamut. Some people are left agape at what they only assume is some sort of techno-wizardry, others rush to show their children a new technology they hope will engage and inspire, and still others nod with knowing approval, “I’ve got one of those at work. We use it for prototyping. I’m glad to see the library getting involved in these sorts of things.” Invariably though the question comes, “So… what do you actually use 3D printing for? You know, other than making toys…”
At first this was always the dreaded question. Medfield started out with a Cube 2 3D printer from 3D Systems. We received the printer through a grant and, although it worked, none of the staff had any experience with 3D printing. During the early months, all I did was just print toys (and honestly calling them toys is being a bit generous). Time went on though and I steadily became more and more immersed in the world of 3D printing. We purchased a significant upgrade over the Cube: the Lulzbot Mini. All of this culminated in January with one of the coolest and most satisfying things I’ve ever been able to say, “Guess what I did at work? Oh you know, just 3D printed a prosthetic hand for a child in need.”
Through the organization e-NABLING the Future we were able to sign up for the “Prosthetic Kids Hand Challenge”. The files to be printed were provided for us and we purchased a kit with all the necessary hardware needed to put the hand together after the plastic parts had been printed. Printing the parts and assembling the hand was surprisingly easy; snap some parts in here, tie some fishing line there, add a couple screws and the hand was complete. We snapped a few photos of the finished hand, packaged it up, and away it went to e-NABLING the Future where it would be photographed with the rest of the complete hands before being matched and sent to a child in need. The entire project was an amazing learning experience for me because it showed me just how impactful this sort of technology could be when creatively applied. How do you solve the issue of needing an expensive prosthetic when a rapidly growing child will need a new one in just a year or so? 3D printing is the perfect solution. I no longer fear the dreaded question of whether we do anything useful with our 3D printer. I can smile proudly and talk about the hand we made that will allow a child to live a happier, fuller life. I never knew that working in a library would lead me to 3D printing, let alone creating a prosthetic hand for a child, but it’s been amazing and I can’t wait to see what comes next. I think it truly goes to show that what you can do in your work, and who you can help, is limited not by any sort of degree or qualification, but by your interests, imagination, and drive to make everyone’s lives better.
Submitted by Matt Costanza, Circulation Supervisor, Medfield Public Library
Submitted by Matt Costanza, Circulation Supervisor, Medfield Public Library

MLA Paralibrarian Section: Fast! Forward! Page 3

MLA Paralibrarian Section: Fast! Forward! Page 2

Library directors and leaders set the inclusive and respectful attitude that trickles down to degreed librarians, municipal and/or university co-workers, and to paralibrarians. When a library director believes in the abilities of library support staff and what they bring to the table as a creative member of the team, their contributions to librarianship can be amazing.
Paralibrarians, also called Library Support Staff, can bring many skills, hobbies, experiences, education, and interests to their libraries and use them to make the most of the patron experience.
MLS Library staff, Trustees and Division Heads, town administration and staff take the cue from their Library Director, who establishes an atmosphere of inclusiveness and respect for the unique abilities of each staff member. This attitude moves from the top of the pyramid to the foundation, which is the support of paralibrarians. This translates into salary considerations, benefit packages, career development, teamwork, job satisfaction and better service from happier staff. It encourages creativity, well rounded perspectives, comprehensive options and outstanding library services.
A paralibrarian may not have a Masters in Library Science, but they may have a graduate degree in another field or an undergraduate degree. A degree in web design may help to enhance your web presence, a marketing degree can get the word out about your programs, and a degree in English literature will help with reader’s advisory.
Maybe your paralibrarian has a particular knack for knowing how tablets and ebook readers work and they become the go-to person to help patrons learn about downloadable eBook collections and can teach classes. Maybe they have a hobby they would like to share such as sewing, applique, knitting or scrapbooking. They can share their passion while highlighting that collection of materials. Movie fanatics may know what movie a patron will want from that obscure hint they give. (“Do you know the girl who played Cinderella? She was in a movie about baseball. Do you know what that one was called?” Answer: Susan Sarandon , Bull Durham)
Local history may be an interest of your Paralibrarian because they grew up in the same town/city as your library. They may remember the things that are no longer there, where the best hiking places are, the Mom and Pop shops for a good lunch or back road directions to the library.
Paralibrarians can also bring a wealth of experience and eagerness to be involved in their network region, MLA, NELA or ALA. Or within your own community at town events or schools. The PARA (PAralibrarian Recognition of Achievement Certification) is an excellent tool under the umbrella of the MBLC and MLA, to help directors, and guide paralibrarians to recognize and legitimize their contributions to librarianship. The MLA Paralibrarian Section has many examples of the success of the PARA Certification to build cohesive library teams and strengthen staff paralibrarians. Guidelines on the MLA Website at http://masslib.org/PARAProgram. For directors in other states, consider involvement in your own state or regional library associations. The PARA program is one we adapted from the New York State Library Association and the Utah Library Association programs. New Hampshire has now followed suit and has adapted the Massachusetts PARA to their needs. We are happy to share our experiences with any support staff sections.
This concept of inclusiveness and team building needs Library Directors to open doors for library staff and paralibrarian staff. It may even entail convincing staff and trustees that teamwork means the whole team, not just the MLS degreed team. Library Directors have many resources to support their support staff. In turn, they benefit from the support of their staff which makes their jobs that much easier and their libraries everyone’s happy place.
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