PALS Day Speaker Feature - Max Anderson and Mary Kelly

Max Anderson is the Technology Coordinator of the Greater Midwest Region of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. He will present two breakout sessions—Podcasting and Screencasting.  In Podcasting, librarians will learn how to promote library services and reach out to more people via podcasts. This overview is designed to provide a fun, yet informative introduction and show how podcasting can be utilized in all types of libraries to enable users to access the information whenever they want, wherever they want and however they want it. In the Screencasting session, Max will discuss how screencasts or tutorials can be effective ways to create instructional content. Different types of screencasts and the software/hardware needed to create them will be explored.

Max is a well-known speaker, and has presented at various conferences including: Computers in Libraries, regional and state library conferences, Midwest Chapter of MLA, and Mid-Atlantic Chapter of MLA. In 2007, he was invited to Australia and New Zealand by the library organization CAVAL to teach classes about social software in libraries.  In 2008, he participated in a televised and recorded MLA webcast on Web 2.0, and in 2009, participated in another webcast for MLA on mobile technology.  He recently published an article in the Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet on the topic of podcasting and consumer health. In spring 2008, Max joined the National Network of Libraries of Medicine - Greater Midwest Region as the Technology Coordinator.  He consults member institutions on emerging technologies, speaks at regional meetings, teaches classes on the use of various technologies for health sciences libraries and is the state contact for Wisconsin and Indiana.

Mary Kelly

Making a Collection Count: Why a physical inventory is essential to a dynamic library

Inventory?  Yuck!  It is a word that makes many librarians cringe.  The truth is, dead records, miss-shelved items, and old, obsolete materials can drag a collection’s performance down.  This program will recommend strategies for performing an inventory and developing collection performance benchmarks.  Most importantly, staff will be inspired to take on this type of project.  Implications for small and rural libraries, and also the intricacies of adult, teen, and youth collections will be covered.  With a light hearted attitude, Mary Kelly, a librarian from suburban Detroit and co-founder of Awful Library Books.info, will share what she and others have learned through their own inventory project.  You won’t believe what they found!

Thingamabobs and Doodads:  Why Tech Support is Reference

Public library users often rely on staff for technology support.  This session will describe core technology competencies required by staff, especially at the reference desk.  Librarians and support staff will be inspired to provide tech support as a means to market library services – and themselves – as vital resources to the community.

A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Mary Kelly received an MLIS and MBA from Wayne State University.  When not irritating her co-workers with grand plans for collection development, library instruction and/or world domination, she is usually hanging around in the Adult Services Department at Salem-South Lyon District Library.  Although Mary's issues with OCD have not translated into a well organized desk or home, it has turned into a crusade for collection quality and a "clean" shelf list which carries in her purse. Together with Holly Hibner, Mary is a co-creator of Awful Library Books.info, a website showcasing outdated books found in library collections.  Mary and Holly are currently at work writing a book on collection management due out in the spring of 2011 that she will probably shamelessly plug at any opportunity.  Everyone is advised to take cover when Mary launches into yet another tirade on collection quality, especially if you take issue with weeding outdated material.   Mary is also a customer service zealot and will insinuate herself into every opportunity to discuss libraries and customer service.

For more information and registration, please visit L2 at PALS Day (Full Day Registration) or PALS Day (Half Day Registration).