I am excited to announce that I’ll be a keynote at the VALA 18th Biennial Conference February 8-11, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia! Watch the World Tour site for more details.
Join MidWinter Radical Conversation Virtually
By popular demand we’re going to try adding virtual access to the MidWinter conversation shaping the next new librarianship book The Radical’s Guide to New Librarianship. First the basics, then the disclaimer.
The Basics
When: 10:30-11:30 Central Time, Monday February 2, 2015 (this coming Monday)
Where: https://webconference.syr.edu/radical/
What: We’re using Adobe Connect
The Disclaimer
This is still primarily an in person event, so no virtual access was planned. That means it will be my laptop looking at the crowd and the conference center’s WiFi. It should of course work wonderfully, but please approach this as more of an experiment. Also know that these conversations are ongoing at https://davidlankes.org/?page_id=6461 and your input is always welcome there, on Twitter, or email.
Even More Disclaimer
This is intended as an interactive session where we are looking for input and discussion.
ILEAD USA Joins the World Tour
I’ve mentioned ILEAD USA (born ILEAD U) several times in this blog, and for good reason. Put simply I think this is the best intensive continuing education for library professionals out there. I don’t say this because I am part of it. Rather I am part of it because I believe in the project so much.
Teams of librarians from across 10 states gather for three intensive residencies and multiple inter-session activities over a year (can I get an hallelujah for 10 state libraries working together on professional development). In that year these library professionals work in teams on projects and learn about leadership, technology, and what library service focused on communities looks like.
Not only do these teams of librarians learn, but the whole project is about building state-wide networks of awesome librarians. ILEAD USA has produced incredible projects like developing entrepreneurs in rural Illinois, region-wide digital repository systems, public/school librarian collaborations, life transition services for the unemployed, a law school library collaborative, circulating tablet training kits, evaluation systems for youth services, and much, much more. ILEAD USA and IMLS helped fund the development of The Atlas of New Librarianship.
It’s not too late to be a part. Either as a team member, a mentor, or an instructor. Check with your state library if you live in Delaware, Illinois (more info http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/libraries/ileadusa.html), Maine (more info http://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/ce/ilead_usa/index.shtml), North Dakota (more info http://ileadusanorthdakota.wordpress.com), New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, or Wisconsin.
If you’re not in one of those states, check out the keynotes and material the project provides: https://www.youtube.com/user/ILEADUIllinois
A VERY big thank you to IMLS for their continued support of this project and the continued development of awesome librarians.
Announcing the Expect More World Tour
This year I’m taking the message of how powerful librarians can lead to better communities through better libraries on the road. With keynotes in the UK, New Zealand, and speaking engagements in the US and Canada, I’m hoping to have a conversation about where libraries are going, and how important good librarianship is to good communities (schools, universities, businesses, governments, localities).
You can check out the confirmed dates here. I’m also working to nail down additional dates including in Italy (please let me know if you can help) for this summer.
Special thanks to the Syracuse University iSchool, Tech Logic, CILIP, LIANZA, the Toronto Public Library, and MIT Press for making this a reality. Please follow the World Tour Sites for new dates, and more details.
Re-Envisioning the MLS: Burn the Libraries and Free the Librarians
Join us as the iSchool and the Information Policy & Access Center Re-Envision the MLS with our thought leader speakers series. We are pleased to present Dr. R. David (Dave) Lankes as our first speaker on November 6, 2014. Please join us in-person or online! Details are below.
Burn the Libraries and Free the Librarians
Dr. R. David Lankes discusses: The days when there was a single model for a library, if they ever existed, are gone. The idea that the library is a storehouse of books and materials is gone. The notion that a library can serve off to the side of the mission of a community is gone. What’s left: the centrality of librarians in meeting the needs and aspirations of the community. This presentation presents a librarianship unencumbered by buildings or a fealty to traditions. It talks about librarians as facilitators of knowledge creation in libraries, and offices, and schools, and classrooms, and the wide reaches of the Internet.
When: Thursday, November 6, 4:30-5:30pm (EST; reception to follow)
Where: McKeldin Special Events Room, 6137 or online via Adobe Connect at http://umdischool.adobeconnect.com/lankes/
RSVP: Please RSVP at http://ter.ps/rsvpNov6
A Discussion of LIS Education for Italy
This is a pre-recorded video I did for an Italian panel on LIS education. It seeks to summarize some main points on preparing librarians from the Atlas of New Librarianship.
David Lankes on LIS Edcuation from R. David Lankes on Vimeo.
Thanks again to Anna Maria Tammaro for her work spreading the word on New Librarianship and the Atlas.
Nerd Absurd’s 100th Podcast
I’m a big fan of the Nerd Absurd podcast and had a blast talking to Virginia, Nick, Leland, and Andrew. We talked libraries, maker spaces, MOOCs, tenure and academia. Perhaps that’s why I have such a good time….they let me ramble.
Take a listen and check out their other great episodes at: http://nerdabsurd.com
No More Speaking Engagements for the Year…and Cancer
The short version: I am not accepting new speaking engagements for the next year.
The longer version: I am accepting no new speaking engagements beyond those I have already committed to, unless they can be pre-recorded.
The long version: On Friday I am having surgery to find out if a recent “suspicious” scan indicates remaining cancer. Hopefully, it is nothing. It could, however, indicate the need for additional treatment. In any case, it has become clear in the past month that I cannot simply return to life as usual following my chemo. To remove some uncertainty, and to prevent leaving folks in a lurch, I’m not taking any new engagements.
For now, the plan is to keep those few dates that I have accepted (assuming a negative biopsy). I will only accept new engagements that I can videoconference into, and where a recorded version of my remarks is acceptable as a back-up.
Last year I had to cancel too many engagements. I have organized conferences, and I know how hard a last minute cancelation is. Even if this biopsy is negative, I know that for the next few months (years really) it will be a wait and see situation.
I still hope to be involved in the field, and hope to travel to conferences. However, my focus is on my family and recovery first. I will let you all know how I am doing as well.
I will also never write an “all clear” blog post again…they appeared to be cursed.
Changing Times: Inspiring Libraries
The British Columbia Libraries put on an incredible event highlighting innovation in libraries and challenging librarians, politicians, administrators, and citizens to think different about libraries and impact. They have now put online videos from the summit and they are well worth the time:
http://commons.bclibraries.ca/inspiringlibraries2012/
The one I think you should watch immediately is Beth Davies’ Library Innovation and the Community. It is simply full of brilliant examples of facilitation and co-owning services with the community:
Also for my LIS Education colleagues there is a great set of ideas for curriculum change towards the end of Luanne Freund’s talk. And Gino Bondi makes participatory learning real.
This was an amazing event and I think it well worth your time to check out.
Mid York Quick Talk
I put this video together for the Mid Work library system trustees. THought it might be useful (and it is short):
MidYork from R. David Lankes on Vimeo.