Announcing the new 2016-17 Leadership!

It is my pleasure to announce Chayse Sundt as the ALASC Chair for the 2016-17 year! Congratulations and we look forward to your term!

Also, the ALASC is having a little get together at Sea Salt Eatery on May 15 at 3 PM.  This event is open to you and everyone you know!  The Facebook event can found HERE

-Tasha McLachlan, Chair

TOMORROW!

2015-16 Wrap Up

Hello!

A big thank you to everyone who made this 2015-16 year fantastic!  My role as chair is ending at the end of this year, but before I go, there are a few things I want to tell you about:

• We are having an end of the year get together at Sea Salt Eatery in Minneapolis (just over the bridge) at 3 PM on Sunday, May 15th.  Everyone from the program (plus friends and family) is invited!  

• You can have my job!  The Chair and Secretary positions for the 2016-17 year are open and more information on nominations can be found HERE

• In preparation to host Zetta Elliott in the fall, we are collecting books for a book sale.  Donations can be left in a box outside of Dr. Dahlen's office until May 31. The sale will be held June 4-5.  More details will be available as the event nears.

• The second Information Professionals Panel is coming up!  More info can be found HERE

Stay tuned to our Facebook page, Twitter account and blog for more information on opportunities throughout the summer.
Best of luck as we get closer to the release of Beyoncé's new album, er, I mean - the end of the semester!

-Tasha McLachlan, 2015-16 Chair

LIS for Adoptive Families Event!

Please join us on Friday, April 15th for this great event!  

Check out the Facebook invite as well!

Information Professionals Panel Tonight!

ALASC and SLA are co-hosting an amazing panel tonight!  

Copyright Workshop with Nancy Sims

We have a very special guest coming to St. Kate's!  Nancy Sims, a Copyright Program Librarian from the University of Minnesota, is coming to speak with us (yes us!) about her field and what is happening with copyright both in and outside of the university community.
You can check out her biography with links to her work HERE
Can't wait to see you there!

Information Professionals Panel with SLA

Getting an MLIS doesn't mean you have to work in a public, academic, or school library. Come meet librarians and information professionals working in government, health systems, nonprofit, digital media and other non-traditional settings at this panel joint-hosted by SLA and ALA. Panelists include:

• Mary Wittenbreer or Jennifer Feeken (Regions Hospital)
• Robert Nicholl (American Swedish Institute)
• Sarah Quimby (MN Historical Society)
• Phil Seibel (Aldis Systems)
• Jean Anderson (Minnesota State Law Library)

The panel will be held Monday, November 30th, starting at 6pm in CdC 20. 

Social Outing!

An Evening with Andrew Smith

Thanks to a partnership with Addendum Books, we have a chance to co-host a YA author event. Join us in CdC 17 at 7pm this Thursday, September 24th, for An Evening with Andrew Smith.

Andrew Smith is the author Winger, Grasshopper Jungle, and more. Please share with anyone who might be interested.

2014-2015: A Year in Review

2014-2015 was an exciting year for ALASC! Here's are some of the highlights:

Volunteering at the Alphabet Forest

St. Kate MLIS Volunteers
Photo Credit: Alphabet Forest

Before the school year began, ALASC members were out and about promoting literacy by helping out at the Alphabet Forest at the Minnesota State Fair.

Helping with the Highland Park Re-Opening

In October and November, several ALASC members got to take a look behind the scenes at the work going into renovating a library. It was exciting to help the Highland Park branch of Saint Paul Public Library get ready for their big re-opening.

A Day in the Life: Panel with Recent Graduates in Non-Traditional Libraries

Our wonderful panel members (from left to right):
Andrew Crow, Margit Wilson, Kathryn Zielski,
and Amelia Snetting

At the beginning of the year, several ALASC members mentioned being interested in talking with recent alumni who had found jobs while others mentioned interest in non-traditional library positions. As a result, we co-sponsored A Day in the Life: Panel with Recent Graduates in Non-Traditional Libraries with the Special Libraries Association student chapter.

After snow postponed the fall panel, we had a great discussion in March with Andrew Crow, Knowledge Consultant Librarian at Allina Health; Amelia Snetting, Content Librarian at ShopperWorks; Margit Wilson, Assistant Librarian at the Walker Art Center; and Kathryn Zielski, Community Engagement Librarian at Third Iron.

Native People in the Information Profession Panel

In April, we worked with our faculty advisor, Dr. Sarah Park Dahlen, to help sponsor a second panel on Native People in the Information Profession. We had a wonderful set of speakers: Debbie Reese, author of American Indians in Children’s Literature; Jody Gray, Diversity Outreach Librarian and the Department of American Indian Studies liaison at the University of Minnesota Libraries; and Edwin Schenk, a current MLIS student and Library Director at North Central University. We talked about issues and challenges with Native representation in children's literature and what steps librarians can take to help, the role of librarians in serving an American Indian Studies department as well as reaching out to Native students on campus, and Native people in the information profession.

Visit from Courtney Young, ALA President

Photo Credit: Katherine Warde

Our final and biggest event of the year was bringing the 2015-2016 ALA President, Courtney Young, to campus in April. We partnered with a lot of other groups to make this possible, including the American Library Association (ALA), the MLIS department, the Student Governance Organization (SGO), and the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA).

First, Courtney was our featured speaker at the MLIS Summit, where she spoke about advocacy, diversity, and leadership as well as answered many questions from the crowd.

After the MLIS Summit, we wanted a chance to talk with Ms. Young with just students, so we all went out for Ice Cream at Izzy's and chatted about everything from getting involved in ALA to our favorite books.

Thanks to everyone who helped make 2014-2015 a great year! We're looking forward to seeing you all again this fall.

Ice Cream with Courtney Young at Izzy's

Do like ice cream? Want a chance to talk with American Library Association President Courtney Young in an informal setting?

Ms. Young will be speaking at our MLIS Summit on Monday, April 27th. The St. Kate’s ALA Student Chapter would like to invite MLIS students to a students-only event that will give you the chance to mingle with Ms. Young in a relaxed and fun setting. This meet up will take place directly after the Summit at Izzy’s Ice Cream from 8:30pm-10:00pm.

The reserved room has limited space. Please register by Wednesday, April 13th if you would like to attend. Please note that registration indicates a commitment to attend.

Also, all students will be responsible for purchasing their own ice cream. Don't forget your wallet!

Advocacy, Diversity & Leadership: 2015 MLIS Summit Featuring Courtney Young

Come to the 2015 MLIS Summit on April 27, 2015 from 5-8 pm in the Rauenhorst Ballroom (Coeur de Catherine, 3rd Floor).

Library advocacy is growing responsibility for libraries and library workers of all types. Courtney Young, ALA President, will be presenting "Advocacy, Diversity & Leadership" at our annual St. Catherine University MLIS Summit. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the library and information science community are all invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.

This event is open to everyone, so please share with people you know may be interested.

Space is limited, so please fill out this short registration form by April 6th (deadline may be extended).

This event is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA), the St. Catherine University Master of Library and Information Science Program (MLIS), the American Library Association (ALA) Student Chapter, the Student Governance Organization (SGO) and the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA).

Native People in the Information Profession

Native People in the Information Profession Panel

Tuesday, April 7

6:00 pm in Mendel 106

Come hear from a panel of three Native American speakers working in the library and information science profession. Their stories, views, and advice are invaluable not just to those planning on going into library science, but to anyone working in information fields, be it marketing, communication, journalism, or information/knowledge management. Panelists include:

• Edwin Schenk (Lakota/Ojibwa): St. Kate's student, Master of Library and Information Science, Library Director at North Central University.
  
  Edwin will give a brief history of Native Americans in LIS and explain how LIS is relevant to Native communities. He will then discuss how Native perspectives are represented/not represented in LIS education, and conclude by sharing some of his experience as a Lakota/Ojibwa in the MLIS program at St. Kate’s.
  
• Jody Gray (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe): Diversity Outreach Librarian and liaison to the Department of American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota
  
  The Department of American Indian Studies at UMN was the first  of its kind originating in 1969.  It has been a leader in language revitalization and sovereignty issues.  Jody will present the major issues to consider when providing library services to an academic department in a university.  What impact does the state and University’s history play in the development of curriculum and student success?  What role can libraries play? 

• Debbie Reese (Tribally enrolled at Nambe Pueblo): author, researcher, and publisher of American Indians in Children's Literature
  
  America loves to love Indians, but the Indians they love are more fiction than fact. In her presentation, Debbie will provide tips of how to tell the difference between materials that accurately portray Native peoples in the U.S. and Canada. With this information, you will be better able to make informed choices in selecting book for your library or classroom and weeding materials. 

Save the Date: Courtney Young Visiting for the MLIS Summit

Save the Date!

ALASC is helping bring Courtney Young, ALA President, to campus to present on advocacy at our annual MLIS Program Summit.

Please join us Monday, April 27th from 5-8pm in the Rauenhorst Ballroom, Coeur de Catherine (3rd Floor).

Refreshments will be served.

A Day in the Life: Panel with Recent Graduates in Non-Traditional Libraries

On Monday, March 16th, please join the St. Kate’s ALASC and SLA student groups to hear a panel of recent alumni talk about their work in special libraries and non-traditional fields. They will share how they found their current positions, what a typical day involves for them, and which of their student experiences benefited them most as they entered the job market. Panelists include:

• Andrew Crow, Knowledge Consultant Librarian, Allina Health
• Amelia Snetting, Content Librarian, ShopperWorks
• Margit Wilson, Assistant Librarian, Walker Art Center
• Kathryn Zielski, Community Engagement Librarian, Third Iron

The program will be held in CdC 20, beginning at 6:00pm. Snacks will be served!

A Day in the Life: Panel with Recent Graduates in Non-Traditional Libraries

On Monday, November 10th, please join the St. Kate’s ALASC and SLA student groups to hear a panel of recent St. Kate's alumni talk about their work in special libraries and non-traditional fields. They will share how they found their current positions, what a typical day involves for them, and which of their student experiences benefited them most as they entered the job market. Panelists include:

• Andrew Crow, Knowledge Consultant Librarian, Allina
• Natalie Reynolds, Digital Librarian, SpliceTV (former)
• Amelia Snetting, Creative Assets & Archives Specialist, DAHL Consulting, Inc.
• Margit Wilson, Assistant Librarian, Walker Art Center
• Kathryn Zielski, Community Engagement Librarian, Third Iron

The program will be held in CdC 20, beginning at 6:00pm. Snacks will be served!

Volunteer with St. Kate's at the Great Minnesota Get-Together

Photo credit: Alice Seuffert, Dining With Alice. Used with permission

We’re looking for volunteers to help us promote literacy at the Minnesota State Fair for the third year in a row! St. Kate’s will be helping out at the Alphabet Forest, where fair-themed games and activities have been designed to promote alphabet and vocabulary learning. Our past volunteers have had a lot of fun working with kids and their families, plus you get free admission to the fair for the day.

MLIS students (including new students), faculty, staff, and alumni of the program are all invited to help out. Feel free to grab a friend, partner, family member, or any other friendly face to join you as well!

St. Kate's MLIS Day at the Alphabet Forest
Thursday, August 28th
3-hour shifts available between 9 am and 9 pm
Register to volunteer using our sign up form

Curious about the Alphabet Forest? Check out the Alphabet Forest State Fair page.

Other questions? Contact Kaia at knsievert@stkate.edu

Volunteer at the Alphabet Forest this summer at the MN State Fair!

I know you're as busy as I am with the end of the semester, but I wanted to catch your attention for the final activity I will be coordinating as your outgoing ALASC Chair: staffing a St. Kate's Day at the Alphabet Forest at the Minnesota State Fair in August!

Learn about the Alphabet Forest here: http://www.mnstatefair.org/entertainment/fair_alphabet.html

What we're planning to do is have one day (which hasn't yet been set by the State Fair volunteer coordinator) where the Alphabet Forest is staffed entirely by St. Kate's LIS students, and possibly with St. Kate's Education students as well. We'll wear our St. Kate's LIS t-shirts and ALASC buttons (if you're a member). In exchange for your volunteer time (around 2-3 hours, I think), you get free state fair access for the rest of the day!

If you think you MIGHT be interested, please let me know now, and I'll keep you in the loop as this develops. You do not have to be an ALASC member to participate, so invite your LIS friends!

Other things we talked about doing around this, once we have a date, are:

• Making flyers to post around campus
• Writing an article to promote it in the campus newspaper, The Wheel
• Highlighting the day in Kateway
• Releasing a media advisory to local media about our program's involvement
• Promoting the day specifically to student parents at St. Kate's

If you are interested in helping with any of these things, let me know as well. This is a great opportunity to get some promotion experience on your resume!

Thanks, and let me know if you have questions!

April 23: Alternative Press and Collection Development

Our friends over in the PLG are hosting a great Monday night event. Check it out! Also, please save the date to represent the MLIS program at the AIDS walk on May 20th, with more info to come from the PLG.

We need your questions! Monday night panel on 11/14

The ALA Student Chapter is sponsoring a panel discussion of librarians from more "traditional" careers--since we know there are still many of us out there who hope to work in a public, school, or academic library. We want your help coming up with questions for the panel!

Imagine: you're facing down librarians who have the jobs you'd love to have some day (soon). Since you're not going to hit them with a shovel, what do you want to know about how they built their careers? Please use the comments section below to brainstorm questions we can give to the panel.

We'd like to get these done in early November so the panelists can see them in advance of the event (Monday, November 14) and have time to think about them.