Nova Scotia Library Association

Schools in Cape Breton, Pictou County, Liverpool, Amherst and Indian Brook are the big winners in this year’s WOW! Reading Challenge.

Read the full announcement at
www.parl.ns.ca/rooms/press/pressreleases/2012/2012Wow!ReadingChallengewinners.pdf

Just a reminder that the closing date for nominations for the Emile
Theriault Library and Information Technology Award and Norman Horrocks Library Leadership Award — May 31, 2012 — is almost here.

Consider nominating a colleague for one of these Awards. For
information about the awards see
www.nsla.ns.ca/index.php/about/awards/

Searching Effectively in an Electronic Environment
with Debbie Kaleva (NSCC Pictou Campus Librarian) & Suzanne van den Hoogen (St. FX Emerging Services Librarian)

Join Debbie Kaleva & Suzanne van den Hoogen as they share strategies for navigating this world of information overload! Through hands-on and group activities, you’ll learn some tricks for searching electronic databases, as well as the “Beast” – Google.

Pick from one of two sessions:

SESSION 1
Monday, June 11 at NSCC Pictou Campus (Stellarton) (Room TBA) — 10:30 am–2:30 pm

SESSION 2:
Monday, June 18 at NSCC Kingstec Campus (Kentville) (Room A210) — 10:30 am–2:30 pm

Cost (includes workshop + lunch):

• NSLA members: $10
• Non-members: $35

To register, or for more information, contact:

Debbie Kaleva, MLIS
NSLA Continuing Education Convener
NSCC – Pictou Campus
39 Acadia Ave.
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
Tel: (902) 752-7959 / Fax: (902) 755-7909
Email: Debbie.Kaleva AT nscc.ca

Please remit workshop fee by Friday, June 1, 2012.

c/o Nova Scotia Provincial Library
2021 Brunswick Street (Second Floor)
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3K 2Y5

April 12, 2012

Chignecto-Central Regional School Board
60 Lorne Street
Truro, Nova Scotia
B2N 3K3

Dear Chair Thompson and members of the Board:

Re: Lay-offs of all school library staff

I am writing to express concern, both personally and from members of the Nova Scotia Library Association (NSLA) in response to the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board’s (CCRSB) decision to cut all library staff. NSLA represents a wide variety of library staff across the province and it is the Association’s belief that this decision is not in the best interests of the students of the Chignecto-Central family of schools.

Studies have shown a positive link between student achievement and the presence of accessible school libraries with qualified staff. Not only do students have the opportunity to learn how to use various resources but they are also encouraged to read for pleasure. Children who read for pleasure have higher literacy rates, and do better in math, and science.

Clearly these are fiscally difficult times, and certainly some cuts will be necessary throughout the Chignecto-Central schools, but the wholesale cutting of all library staff seemingly without thinking through the consequences is rash and unnecessary. I urge you to consider other ways of approaching this dilemma.

NSLA trusts that the CCRSB will further examine the long term implications of this decision, and the possible negative repercussions to students that will result.

Yours sincerely,

Denise Corey
President
Nova Scotia Library Association

Find out all the latest news on

• the 2012 NSLA/LBANS conference
• NSLA Awards & Bursaries
• upcoming workshops & seminars
  - including a spring workshop “Super Searching Skills” (June 11, 18)
• news from the Regions

Want to know more? Just click the link below.

NSLA Newsletter – Winter/Spring 2012

“Librarians are experts. They don’t wile away their days re­shelving books and reading Jane Austen. They help students with assignments, support literacy and bring working writers into schools.”

The Chronicle Herald’s Lezlie Lowe looks at the role of librarians in the face of the pending layoffs in Chignecto.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/86470-school-librarians-play-critical-role-in-helping-kids-make-the-grade

NSLA presents …

Searching Effectively in an Electronic Environment
with Debbie Kaleva (NSCC Pictou Campus Librarian) & Suzanne van den Hoogen (St. FX Emerging Services Librarian)

Our information universe is exploding. On average, more than 1 billion new pages are added to the WWW every day. Join Debbie Kaleva & Suzanne van den Hoogen as they share strategies for navigating this world of information overload! Through hands-on and group activities, you’ll learn some tricks for searching electronic databases, as well as the “Beast” – Google. We will talk about copyright, and look at some alternatives for sharing information ethically through the Creative Commons, permalinks, and open education sources.

Anticipated Outcomes:

• Acquire new strategies for searching electronically
• Acquire criteria for effective evaluation of electronic resources and content
• Understand copyright and some alternatives for sharing information ethically
• Improved customer service

Pick from one of two sessions:

SESSION 1
Monday, June 11 at NSCC Pictou Campus (Stellarton) (Room TBA) — 10:30 am–2:30 pm

SESSION 2:
Monday, June 18 at NSCC Kingstec Campus (Kentville) (Room A210) — 10:30 am–2:30 pm

Cost (includes workshop + lunch):

• NSLA members: $10
• Non-members: $35

To register, or for more information, contact:

Debbie Kaleva, MLIS
NSLA Continuing Education Convener
NSCC – Pictou Campus
39 Acadia Ave.
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
Tel: (902) 752-7959
Fax: (902) 755-7909
Email: Debbie.Kaleva AT nscc.ca

Please remit workshop fee by Friday, June 1, 2012.