C J R L C  UPDATE

Program Coordinator's Notes

    Did you see the invitation on our listserv about the Library Camp at Baruch College in NYC on August 14? It’s an all-day free conference, actually it’s an “unconference.” The participants decide on the spot what will be discussed; a facilitator helps set up discussion groups for the day and keeps things moving along. The stated focus will be finding solutions to common problems and issues. Find out more about it at: http://librarycampnyc.
wikispaces.com/.

    What a thought! The attendees decide what the conference is all about! Well, um, isn’t that really what CJRLC does all the time? We give you an opportunity to tell us what you need to learn and then we provide workshops and networking so you can discuss and learn from your colleagues. Let us know what you’re interested in... it’s Library Camp here every day!

Tech Challenge Update

    It has been such fun to see 40+ people sign up for the Tech Challenge! As of this writing, more than 20 people have finished, and many others have promised to keep working through the summer.

    Here’s a sample of the comments I’ve heard:

     “I really did enjoy myself.”
     “Thanks for putting us up to the challenge.” 
    “I am really so much better off for having done the Challenge.” 
    “The Tech Challenge was thought provoking and fun too.”
     “I’ve shared the Tech Challenge with my family at home. My husband now has his own blog.”

Phyllis’s Favorites for June

Africa South of the Sahara
http://www-sul.stanford.edu/
depts/ssrg/africa/guide3.html

BAM! Body and Mind
http://www.bam.gov/

Book Adventure
http://www.bookadventure.com/
http://www.bookadventure.org/

EASE History
http://www.easehistory.org/index2.html

A Great Day in Harlem
http://www.harlem.org/index.html
Explore jazz history: browse artists, instruments, and jazz styles.

Inside the Cell
http://publications.nigms.nih.govinsidethecell/

Junior High Math Interactives
http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/
mejhm/index.html?launch=true

Kidport (K-8)
http://kidport.com/Contents.htm
http://kidport.com/RefLib/
Reference/Reference.htm

Political & Historical Quotations
http://www.politicalquotes.org/

Reporting Civil Rights
http://www.reportingcivilrights.org/

Urban Legends Reference Pages
http://www.snopes.com/

Virtual Jamestown
http://www.virtualjamestown.org/page2.html

Vocabulary University
http://www.vocabulary.com/

World Wide Arts Resources
http://wwar.world-arts-resources.com

Editor’s Note: To subscribe to an email list of selected daily websites 5 days/week, email Phyllis above.

Heard at various meetings around the state:
    From Stephen Abram: “When we study something to death, we have to remember that death was not the original goal.”
   Quoted by Ray Kurzweil in his book The Art of Spiritual Machines: “The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.”  Muriel Rukeyser.
    From Joan Frey Williams: “Convenience trumps quality.”
    From Dave Genesy: “Give people what they want.”

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The last CJARL meeting was highlighted by a very lively and interesting discussion about academic reference service and issues of student research. (Good snacks, too!) Watch for a listserv message about date and location of the next meeting of this group.

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Robert Lackie’s talk at our last TechGroup meeting on new Web search techniques was terrific. You can see his presentation at: www.cjrlc.org/lackie.htm.

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Friday, June 22, at ALA, the Emerging Leaders will show off their projects at a poster session, 3-5 PM, Convention Center Room 144A. You are invited to come see!

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If you need materials translated into Spanish, you might try contacting Mercer County librarian Maria V. Larson. Her email is contrerasv2002@yahoo.com.

Wendy Simon is New Lay Rep on CJRLC Board

    Wendy Simon, our new lay representative, was born and raised in New York City.  Wendy’s first job was on the staff of Motor Boating Magazine.  She followed this with a job at the Sheraton Hotels as Assistant to the Banquet Manager.

    During this time she married her childhood sweetheart, Jerry (they’re still happily married!).  After a two-year stint in Cleveland, where their children were born, they returned to New Jersey, where they’ve been ever since.

    Wendy accepted a position at Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital,

where she worked for twenty years in various departments.  Her last and most favorite job there was Food Services Supervisor.

    When Marlboro closed, she joined the staff at the New Jersey Training School for Boys as Assistant Regional Food Service Director.  In that capacity, she oversaw an operation that fed three juvenile correctional facilities.  After five years of service, she retired.

    Currently she is a volunteer guide at the Monmouth County Historical Association in Freehold.

    Last year, Wendy and her husband moved to an adult community.  Her favorite pastime is spending time with her granddaughter, Rachel.  But she is also enjoying cooking, baking, walking, traveling, and the freedom of setting her own schedule.

Welcome to the Board, Wendy!

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