The Emerging Technologies Interest Group (ETIG) met at the Watha T. Daniel-Shaw Neighborhood Library  [http://www.dclibrary.org/watha] at 6:00 p.m. on Jan. 24, 2011. Our host, Branch Manager Eric Riley, energetically launched the evening with a demonstration of the DC Public Library’s web site, [http://www.dclibrary.org/ ]. Eric explained the Drupal content management system, and showed how staff members update the neighborhood library pages on the website by adding book reviews, news, and announcements.

Next on the program was our featured speaker, ETIG co-chair Judine Slaughter. Judine’s presentation on do-it-yourself publishing for librarians stimulated lively discussion about improving one’s writing skills. Judine recommended a variety of online tools to support the writing and publishing process.  These tools included

a publishing guide at [http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?id=57071],

an online publishing manual at [http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?id=57071],

tips for writing book reviews at [http://midwestbookreview.com/revinfo.htm],

and a commercial source for inexpensive self-publishing, [http://www.lulu.com].

A special thanks to Pat Pasqual for inviting us to tour the Foundation Center on Tuesday, February 1, 2011. Pat showed us their excellent resources which are useful to all types of libraries --- everyone who attended came away excited about the tools they now know about.

For those who were not able to attend, here are the links to the Foundation Center sites-- everyone is encouraged  to explore! http://foundationcenter.org/ and http://grantspace.org/

DCLA President, Richard Huffine, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Special Libraries Association (SLA) for a term beginning in January 2011. Richard is active in both the American Library Association and the Special Libraries Association, having served as the 2009-2010 President of the Federal and Armed Forces Libraries Round Table of ALA and having been the founding President of the SLA Government Information Division.

Richard will server as the Chair-Elect, Chair, and then Past-Chair of the SLA's Division Cabinet during his three year term. The SLA Divsion Cabinet coordinates communications between the SLA Board and the 34 Divisions within the Association. Richard will also be active in planning the SLA Leadership Summit as well as working with the leadership in Divisions to ensure they have a voice in the governance of the Association.  The SLA's Leadership Summit 2011 will be held in Washington, DC in January 2011.

On Monday, September 20, 2010 a group of DCLA members gathered at the Teaism - Penn Quarter to discuss emerging technologies and reinvigorating an Interest Group within DCLA. The group discussed a variety of topics surrounding technology in libraries today: personal technology, next generation library catalogs, and Web-based tools for finding and managing information today.

The group was excited about planning future discussions and even bringing some larger program ideas to the Association and our larger community. The next meeting of the Emerging Technologies Interest Group is planned for Monday, October 18 at 6:00 pm at the new Shaw Library at 1630 7th Street, NW. Everyone in DCLA is welcome and encouraged to come out and join this growing group of librarians.

Technology is changing the way we work, live, and interact today. DCLA can keep you up-to-date on what's happening today and in the near future!

There are 2 new articles in Library Journal about the recent design efforts of DCPL, one on interim libraries and the other on the new branches that have opened:

Library by Design Cover Story: In the Interims
by Ginnie Cooper
http://bit.ly/cp7GDc

Library by Design: DC's 21st-Century Branches
by Rebecca Miller
http://bit.ly/bBcNzo

On September 9, 2010 the Washington Post did an article on September as Library Card Sign-Up Month

If you have questions about getting a library card from the DC Public Library, visit http://dclibrary.org/services/getacard

On Thursday, August 19, 2010, DCLA joined the DC Public Library in sponsoring a Professional Development Day for DC Public School Librarians. Over 100 attendees were able to choose two workshops on topics that they could apply to their schools in the year that began on Monday, August 23. Workshops included: Storytelling; Oral Histories; Children's Choice Awards; Graphic Novels; GLBT Literature; Blogs and Children's Literature; Washington History and Black Studies. 

The event ended with boxed lunches where staff from the Public Library joined public school librarians by Ward to talk about ways the two groups can partner with one another. Lunch was provided by DCLA with funding from Follett Library Services and Book Wholesalers, Inc. The entire event was a lot of fun for everyone involved and it set the stage for an ongoing partnership. DCPL is already planning a training session on the National Endowment for the Humanities program, "Picturing America" on October 29, 2010.

On May 27, 2010, DCLA hosted its 2010 Annual Banquet at the Women's National Democratic Club. Our keynote speaker of the evening was American Library Association President-Elect, Roberta Stevens. At the event, DCLA awarded three $6,000 scholarships to active student members of the Association that are seeking their Masters Degrees in Library and Information Science.

On May 20, 2010, DCLA Members and guests got together to learn from each other about how to make the most of their ALA Conference experience. A handy tip sheet was developed for the event.

On May 1, 2010, DCLA members and friends volunteered to help DC Public School Libraries. They packed up 75 boxes of weeded materials at Wilson High School and at Anacostia High School, they cataloged about 250 books and sorted out what the School would keep after their renovation.  Amazing job done!

    Vice President/President-elect - Megan Shiels
    Treasurer - John Williamson
    Membership Secretary - David L. Robinson
    Directors - April King and Jacqueline Protka
    ALA Councilor - Jane Sessa

Thanks to everyone that voted!