SCRLC Library Assistants’ Special Interest Group—Off to a Great Start

By Judith Andrew and Nora Hardy

2005 has seen the reestablishment of the Library Assistants’ Special Interest Group (LA SIG) in the SCRLC region. Two successful half-day events have been held, and an Executive Committee has been established to plan future gatherings. After each event, a brown bag lunch gave participants an opportunity to discuss professional issues and network with peers from across the region, as well as recommend topics for future workshops.

In April, twenty-seven library assistants participated in Professional Development: A Library Assistant’s Quest. A regional panel discussed options and strategies with enthusiastic participation by the attendees. Building on that success, Larry Chase (TC3 business professor) presented Rising to the Challenge: Succeeding with difficult patrons, co-workers, & situations to twenty-eight participants in September. Plans are currently being finalized for the next event, a half-day presentation in March 2006 on Successful Meetings. It will be held at Broome County Public Library (Binghamton) and followed by a brown bag lunch discussion. Further information and a registration form, are available at http://www.lakenet.org/scrlc/calendar.html.

The Executive Committee has created the mission statement and a set of goals below. Library assistants interested in joining the Executive Committee are invited to contact Nora Hardy, nhardy@lakenet.org.

Mission: SCRLC’s Library Assistants’ Special Interest Group will provide professional education and networking opportunities for the region’s library assistants (i.e. technicians, staff, clerks, etc) and other library workers.

Goals:

1) Provide professional development opportunities.

2) Facilitate networking.

3) Inform about current library community issues.

4) Explore technical and other means to extend participation in networking and professional education opportunities.