Paraprofessional Section

2004 (bag w/graphic in Yellow, or Red, water proof, zipper closure, 15" deep by 17" wide, 28" handles) (Raffle - Flower Arrangement by Kathy Dukes)

Preconference on Hispanic Voices @ your library^TM co-sponsors with S&I, SCYP, NEMA, with funds from NLC & NAC Grants. Notes in Para archives box.
·  The Importance of a Reliable Interpreter, in co-sponsorship with S&I, presented by Mercedes Ayala & Rosa Guia, from Hablamos Juntos in Grand Island
·  Medical Information in Spanish, in co-sponsorship with S&I, Siobhan M. Champ-Blackwell, NN/LM-MCR Inner City Services & Minority Liaison, Creighton University
·  MS Word workshop, in co-sponsorship with ITART, presented by Robin Brooks

2003 (Raffle - Wall Hanging and a Flower Centerpiece - The Wall Hanging is 18" tall by 3 ft wide in colors of orange and yellow with 4 cornstalks centered, and signed by some of the Nebraska Football coaching staff. Wall Hanging donated by Mary Jackson. The Flower Centerpiece will be around 18-20" in length and about 15" tall, with a variety of flowers in vibrant fall colors ranging from gold to purple to red to orange and shades thereof. The basket is a deep almost reddish-black, designed by Kathy Dukes.)

2002
None

2000
"Developing Quality Performance" (DQP)

2001
None

1999
Retirement and Retention of Volunteers,
Reference Interview in an Electronic Environment, Lisa Kelly
Copyright and Intellectual Freedom, Matt LeMieux

1998
Electronic Library, Lisa Brawner
Interviewing and Hiring, Beth McNeil and Jim Fisher
Massage Therapy and Stress Management, Chris Oelling and Amy Lohrberg
What's new with Home Computers, Frank Vrba

1997
Preconference: Book Binding and Repair: a Hands on Workshop, Jointly with TSRT, Sheila Oerth & Mike ___, from UNL
How to buy PC for home or Office
Ergonomics in the Work Place

1996
Netiquette, Gene Kinnaly (Jointly with TSRT)
Library of Congress Cataloging, Gene Kinnaly, Senior Technical Advisor at the Library of Congress (Jointly with TSRT)

1995
Collection Development Needs for Special Libraries, by  Frank Schliph, co-sponsor Special Libraries
Collecting Oral Histories the Nuts & Bolts, by Barbara Sommer

Past Para Spring Meetings

March 18, 2009 (pictures)

• Session I - Past: Carnegie's Library Legacy: The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful: Andrew Carnegie’s library legacy is still with us, for better and for worse, and still defines the way people think about libraries. A few myths will be put to rest as we learn how the past has shaped our present.
          Speaker: Laureen Riedesel, Beatrice Public Library
  
  
• Session II - Present: Connecting with Your Community: How to work with community-based organizations and academic institutions to bring programs like Getting your Flu Shot, or setting up a book club around nutrition and exercise, as a way to connect with a great need all communities have - health information access that can be trusted.
          Speaker: Siobhan Champ-Blackwell, Creighton University Health Sciences Library
   
• Session III - Future: Libraries, They Are A-Changin' - A transformation is underway in the library world. How you deliver library services to library users is changing. Many new tools have emerged and are affecting the way people, society and libraries access information and communicate with patrons and each other. See a quick tour of the Web 2.0 services being used and experimented with at libraries large and small.
          Speaker: Christa Burns, Nebraska Library Commission

Chair: Martha Grenzeback, Abrahams Branch Library of the Omaha Public Library
Attendance: 39 Attendees, 6 sites
Main Location: NET, Lincoln, NE
Paraprofessional Spring Conferences that were taped and that could be used for Staff Development and/or Continuing Education Credits

March 19, 2008 (pictures)

• Session I - Fitting Your Library into the Community: Share your input in the first phase of the 2008 Nebraska Library Futures Conference. Nancy Busch, Kathy Tooker and Brenda Ealey will provide a snapshot of the conference, with the goal of this session aimed at gaining participant feedback of your visions for library services, and your ideas on fostering collaboration, direction and partnerships within communities across the state. We all have a stake in the growth and development of library and information services and ensuring that libraries are responsive to issues and needs affecting our customers
          Speakers: Nancy Busch, Brenda Ealey, and Kathy Tooker
  
  
• Session II - Library is More than the Sum of its Departments: No department operates in a vacuum. Communication and cross-training are the keys to understanding how the work of each library department interweaves with the others, and this broader understanding leads to more effective work on any level.
          Speaker: Angela Kroeger
   
• Session III - Holding It All Together: Geared towards the library employee-dealing with stress on the job, learning helpful strategies for positive outcomes in most situations, keeping yourself together as you "do it all" and successfully.
          Speaker: Karla Shafer

Chair: Martha Grenzeback, Abrahams Branch Library of the Omaha Public Library
Attendance: 42 Attendees, 8 sites
Main Location: NET, Lincoln, NE
Paraprofessional Spring Conferences that were taped and that could be used for Staff Development and/or Continuing Education Credits

March 14, 2007 (pictures)

Explore and Experience Your Library @ your library ^®

• Session I - Geocaching
  Speaker: Maggie Miller, UNL Extension in Seward
  Program Description: The use of GPS for 'treasure hunting' has sparked an interest in geocaching across Nebraska. Maggie Miller will describe geocaching, and how much fun you can have participating in the hunt.
   
• Session II - Teen Advisory Board
  Speaker: Susan Steider, Young Adult Services Librarian, Eiseley Branch Library, Lincoln
  Program Description: Have you wanted to start your own Teen Advisory Board but not quite sure how to start. Susan Steider will share information about her Teen Advisory Board and provide other suggestions on how to get started.
   
• Session III - Meeting Your Customers Half-Way
  Speaker: Jodene Glaesemann, Branch Supervisor, Walt Branch Library, Lincoln
  Program Description: Customer Service, Customer-Centered Service, Proactive Public Service…no matter what name you use it all boils down to providing what customers want and need, perceiving their needs/wants, and providing that service to them in a way that makes them feel they got a good deal. 

Chair: Maria Medrano-Nehls, Nebraska Library Commission
Attendance: 45
Attendees, 7 sites
Main Location: NET, Lincoln, NE
Paraprofessional Spring Conferences that were taped and that could be used for Staff Development and/or Continuing Education Credits

March 15, 2006 (pictures)
Encourage Someone @ your library ^®

• Session I - Encouraging Community Participation in our Library
  Speakers: Karen Frank, Greenwood Public Library; and La Raine Cihak, Gilbert Public Library in Friend
   
• Session II -  Encouraging From Within
  Speaker: Becky Pasco, University of Nebraska at Omaha
   
• Session III -  Encouraging Through Mentoring
  Speaker: Cindi Hickey, Library Consultant

Chair: Janet Greser, Nebraska Library Commission
Attendance: 46 Attendees, 7 sites
Main Location: NET, Lincoln, NE
Paraprofessional Spring Conferences that were taped and that could be used for Staff Development and/or Continuing Education Credits

March 16, 2005
Reaching Out @ your library ^®
Scheduled included:

• Session I - The Virtual Patron: Distance Learning - innovations in the field of distance education, and how libraries can support the patrons who never cross our front door
  Speaker: Dorothy Willis, University of Nebraska-Omaha, University Library
   
• Session II - Collection Development Now - current trends in the field of collection development, new access points, and working to reconcile access for all.
  Speaker: Heather Buckwalter, Creighton University Law Library
   
• Session III - Teens and Computers - providing materials and access for teenage patrons, and maintaining a useful environment with teenagers present.
  Speakers: Debra Grove and Janie Botsch, Papillion-LaVista High School

Chair: Rienne Johnson, Reinert/Alumni Memorial Library, Creighton University, Omaha
Attendance: 36 Attendees, 7 sites
Main Location: UNL, Nebraska East Union Building, Lincoln, NE
Paraprofessional Spring Conferences that were taped and that could be used for Staff Development and/or Continuing Education Credits

March 17, 2004
Feeling Welcome @ your library ^TM (Video Conference)
Schedule included:  

·         Session I - Customer and Co-Workers Etiquette/Staff Relations – greeting customers on the phone, in person, and by email in a welcoming manner through a series of skits showing good and bad examples
Speaker: Julie Simpson, Lincoln City Libraries and Robin Brooks, Kilgore Memorial Library, York

·         Session II - Hispanic Resources – how to get the Hispanic community to feel welcome in your library and what materials are needed 
Speaker: Sally Snyder, Acting Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services, Nebraska Library Commission; and Maria Medrano-Nehls, Administrative Secretary, Nebraska Library Commission

·         Session III - Young Adult Services – creating an inviting environment and welcoming atmosphere in the library for young adults
Speaker: Toni Reese, Papillion Public Library

Chair: Nancy Meyer, Eastern Library System Assistant
Attendance: 40 Attendees, 8 sites
Main Location: UNL, Nebraska East Union Building, Lincoln, NE
Paraprofessional Spring Conferences that were taped and that could be used for Staff Development and/or Continuing Education Credits

March 19, 2003
Come Learn With Us @ your library ^TM (Video Conference)
Joint Conference with TSRT
Schedule included:  

• Session I - "Rappers see Rap musicians: Subject Headings in Your OPAC" 10:05 - 10:55 a.m.
  Why are subject headings different from the terms people often use to search the library catalog? Jim will briefly explain how subject headings are chosen and formed, then show how to efficiently find and use subject headings when searching your OPAC.
  Speaker: James Shaw, University of Nebraska at Omaha 
• Session II - "The Keys to Excellent Customer Service in the Library" 11:00 - 11:50 a.m.
  Learn some of the "keys" to unlocking outstanding customer service in your library. Find how to go from acceptable to exceptional  service for patrons and enjoy doing it. Telephone techniques, library promotion, and reaching out to the community will also be covered in the session.
  Speaker: Joy Winkler, Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center
• Session III - "Finding Answers Online – Basic Tips to Improve Your Searching" 12:00 - 12:50 p.m.
  Finding information online can be a challenge. Searches often return too many, too few, or irrelevant results. Learn a few basic tips that can improve your searching skills.
  Speaker: Allana Novotny, Nebraska Library Commission  

Chair: Nancy Meyer, Eastern Library System Assistant
Attendance: 70 Attendees, 10 sites
Main Location: Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Service (NETV), Lincoln, NE
Paraprofessional Spring Conferences that were taped and that could be used for Staff Development and/or Continuing Education Credits

April 17, 2002
Paraprofessionals @ your library ^TM  (Video Conference)
Schedule included:

• “When to Call the System…When to Call the Commission.” Kathy Tooker and Brenda Ealey, Eastern and Southeast Library System Administrators and Nancy Busch, Deputy Director, and Pam Scott, Library Development at the Nebraska Library Commission will talk about the unique roles and responsibilities and clear up the questionmso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l0 level1 lfo5;tab-stops:list .5in'>“When to Throw” Pam Scott will give practical advise on what to do with those worn-out but still checked out paperbacks.

Chair: Nancy Meyer, Eastern Library System Assistant
Attendance: 50 Attendees, 8 Sites
Main Location: Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Service (NETV), Lincoln, NE
Paraprofessional Spring Conferences that were taped and that could be used for Staff Development and/or Continuing Education Credits

April 18, 2001
Paraprofessionals @ your library ^TM  (Video Conference)
Schedule included:

-- "@ Your Library", the five-year campaign recently launched by the American Library Association, will be explained, explored, and detailed by Mary Jo Ryan, the Nebraska Library Commission's Communications Coordinator.
-- Commission's many and varied "Talking Book & Braille Services" will be showcased by TBBS Director Dave Oertli and other TBBS staff.
-- "InterLibrary Loan and Backup Reference" Commission Information Services Librarian Julie Pinnell and Staff Assistant Evelyn Kubert will share insights, options, and advice.

Chair:
Attendance: 36 Attendees, 7 Sites
Main Location: Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Service (NETV), Lincoln, NE
Paraprofessional Spring Conferences that were taped and that could be used for Staff Development and/or Continuing Education Credits

 April 19, 2000
First Paraprofessional Video Conference
Schedule included:

-- "Chocolate, Vanilla or Strawberry: Which Flavor Are You?"
-- Book Repair Session

Chair: Nancy Meyer, Eastern Library System Assistant
Attendance: 51 Attendees, 6 Sites
Main Location: Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Service (NETV), Lincoln, NE
Paraprofessional Spring Conferences that were taped and that could be used for Staff Development and/or Continuing Education Credits

May 14, 1999
"New Wine into Old Bottles"
Schedule included:

-- The Enchanted Loom by Elizabeth Frick
-- Instruction for the 21st Century by Gayle Poirier
-- The Electronic Library by Lisa Brawner

Chair: We did not have official Chairs before 2000
Attendance: Combined with C&U section, and no information available on attendees
Location: University of Nebraska, Kearney, NE

May 15, 1998
"Building Skills for the 21st Century"
Schedule included:

-- Books that Heal by Karen Warner
-- Reference on the Web by Tracy Bicknell-Holmes
-- Win95 Basic by Sara Martin

Attendance: 24 Attendees
Location: Northeast Community College, Norfolk, NE

June 9-10, 1997
"Achieving A Balance: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities"
Schedule included:

-- Evaluating Internet Information by Annie Sternberg
-- Your Brain - The Left and Right of It by Katie Claus
-- Keynote Address by Senator Roger Wehrbein
-- Building a Local History Collection by Laureen Riedesel
-- Children's Book Talks by Pam Scott
-- Staying Sane in an Insane World by Anne Marie Aita

Attendance: 200 Attendees from CO, IA, KS and UT
Location: Nebraska Center for Continuing Education, Lincoln, NE

May 20, 1996
No Theme This Year
Schedule included:

-- History of Adams County by Jeff O'Donnell
-- "Niagara" Imax Theater Show

Attendance: Unavailable
Location: Hastings Museum, Hastings, NE

May 19, 1995
"Libraries and Multicultural Issues"
Schedule included:

-- What is Multiculturalism and How Does it Affect Services to Patrons by Dr. Eric Jolly
-- Storytellers: Helen Wetzstein, Ozzie Nogg, Andrea Lovejoy, and Shelia Rocha Cruz

Attendance: 46 Attendees
Location: Midlands Lutheran College, Fremont, NE

May 2, 1994
"Customer Service"
Schedule included:

-- Customer Service presented by Linda Milleman
-- Nebraska Online Presentation by Sally Snyder

Attendance: Unavailable
Location: Gere Library, Lincoln, NE  

April 29, 1993
"Taking Care of Me: Self-Esteem in the Workplace"
Schedule included:

-- Self Esteem in the Workplace by Mary Kay Mueller
-- Library Staff in Special Libraries Panel Presentation

Attendance: 83 Attendees
Location: Boys Town Conference Center, Omaha, NE

April 30, 1992
"Special Libraries and their Patrons"
Schedule included:

-- Paraprofessional issues from the Colorado Library Association
-- Fundraising Ideas by Lucy Schweers
-- Special Paraprofessionals in Special Libraries

Attendance: Unavailable
Location: Beatrice Public Library

May 9-10, 1991
"Changing Roles and Responsibilities"
Schedule included:

-- I Work in a Library but I'm Not a Librarian by Kathleen Weibel
-- Playing Multiple Roles by Joan Giesecke
-- You Are Your Libraries Image by V.J. Nelson
-- Dreams in Dry Places? by Nancy Busch & Mike Phipps
-- Is Your Library Hazardous to Your Health? By Bernie Hauber
-- The Secrets of "Your" Success by Rod Wagner
-- Taking the Para out of Paraprofessional by Kathleen Weibel
-- Career Plateaus for Paraprofessionals by Jean Faber
-- Differences between Management Styles by Martha Hale
-- Technological Future by Claudia Muller

Attendance: 213 Attendees
Location: Nebraska Library Commission, Lincoln, NE

May 23, 1990
Schedule included:

-- Relieving Stress with Humor by Shirley Lueth
-- Teams in the Workplace by Joan Giesecke
-- Laughter is Good Medicine, film

Attendance: Unavailable
Location: Hastings Public Library, Hastings, NE

May 24, 1989
Schedule included:

-- Let's Be Positive by Bob Smallfoot
-- Get 'em While They're Young by Kathy Schaaf
-- AV and the Library by Judy Haney

Attendance: Unavailable
Location: McCook Community College, McCook, NE

May 25, 1988
"Stress, Strain, and the Working Person"
Schedule included:

-- Biofeedback & Stress Management by Andrea Sime
-- Career Development by Dr. Carl Orgren
-- Care and Handling of Library Materials by Katherine Walter

Attendance: 64 Attendees
Location: Boys Town Conference Center, Omaha, NE

May 4-8, 1987
"Our Choices are Many"
Schedule included:

-- Guidelines for Public Libraries by Shirley Flack & Jim Minges
-- Young Adult Services by Donna Peterson
-- Paraprofessional Round Table Approaches by Ellen Snow
-- Storytelling Concert by Glee Nelson & Mary Jackson
-- Reference Interview by Judy Johnson
-- Public Relations and Trustees by Sylvia Sample
-- JRCs Agree: Best Books by Mary Jackson

Attendance: Unavailable
Location: Gering Public Library, Gering, NE
Lexington Public Library, Lexington, NE
Kilgore Memorial Library, York, NE
Neligh Public Library, Neligh, NE
Ralston Public Library, Ralston, NE

May 22, 1986
"Hats off to Us"
Schedule included:

-- Hands on Use of Reference Tools by Kay Fye
-- Communication Skills by David Okerlund
-- Strictly Speaking, 30 minute film on Communication
-- Conducting a Reference Interview by Kay Fye

Attendance: 107 Attendees
Location: Creighton University Alumni Library, Omaha, NE

May 16, 1985
"Magic" for Paraprofessionals
Schedule included:

-- Time Management by Ellen Lake
-- Paraprofessional Needs Assessment by Mary Jackson
-- "9 to 5" Presentation by Columbus Library Staff

Attendance: 95 Attendees
Location: Columbus Public Library, Columbus, NE
 

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Past Promotional Give-Aways

2008 Pens & T-Shirts
2007 None
2006 October - Bag from Preconference
2005 October - T-Shirt was given away, White, w/Caring for the mind encoded on front left side
2005 January - Buttons created at UNL by Matt Rohde & Gayle Roberts, yellow, encoded w/"Paras are" & the Para Key
2004 October - Bags for Preconference
2004 June  - Pens, Green, blue, black, and red pens purchased, encoded with NLA Professional Section & the Para Key
2003 September - Library Lifesavers, Colored paper cut into badges, with Lifesavers taped to the front
2003 October - Bookmarks, Yellow, with "10 Reasons to Join the NLA Paraprofessional Section"
2002 September - Bags, 15.5" deep x 15.5" wide, 24" long handles, white canvas with NLA Professional Section & the Para Key on one side, open bag
1999 September - Key chains, in yellow, green, or red, encoded with NLA Professional Section & the Para Key on one side
1998 April - Bags, 14" deep x 14" wide, 12" handles, beige canvas with NLA Professional Section & the Para Key on one side, open bag
1997 Spring - Pens, coded with NLA Professional Section & the Para Key, in fuchsia w/yellow caps
1993 October - Buttons, yellow with NLA Professional Section & the Para Key
1983-1992 - None

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Past Keynote Editors

We decided to just list editors not in any particular order:
Carol Lechner, Mary Geibel, Kathy Dukes, Janet Greser (more coming)

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Past Committee Chairs

Bylaws  Chairs: Evis Zamora, Angela Kroeger, Jacque Crocker, Carol Lechner
Citations Chairs: Nancy Meyer, Mary Geibel
Membership Chairs: LaRae Worden, Karen Frank, Kathy Dukes
Newsletter Chairs: See Past Keynote Editors
Publications & Citations Chairs (combined committee): Jennifer Wrampe,
Publications Chairs: Mary Geibel
Spring Program Chair: Martha Grenzeback, Nancy Meyer, Rienne Johnson
Web Chairs: Janet Greser, Rienne Johnson

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Past Membership Lists

2009 Member List
2008 Member List
2007 Member List
2006 Member List

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Paraprofessional Section Home Page

Back to the Nebraska Library Association Home Page