The Delaware Valley chapter of the ACRL now allocates up to $2000 annually to award travel grants to its members. Congratulations to our 2017-18 grant recipients!
Emma Antobam-Ntekudzi
Reference & Instruction Librarian
(CUNY) Bronx Community College
Joint Conference of Librarians of Color
Albuquerque, New Mexico | September 26-30, 2018
In her own words, how the conference will help Emma achieve her professional development goals:
The Joint Council of Librarians of Color (JCLC) is an important consortium made up of five library associations representing and supporting minority librarians: the American Indian Library Association (AILA), Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA), Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA), and the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking (REFORMA). They are a major proponent of innovation, learning, information access and equity. JCLC’s 2018 National Conference in September will be a coming together of librarians from all areas of librarianship and ethnicities. Attendees and participants from national and international institutions spend days sharing ideas and meaningful dialogue about the current state and future of libraries that serve diverse communities.
The conference will cover many “tracks” or themes that I believe will be beneficial to my home library. My focus is on the improvement of library instruction and library services. For instance, ACRL’s revised framework is still new and incorporating it into everyday teaching should be a priority for all Instruction librarians. Another concern is on growing a library’s collection to reflect the community. Some of this will be discussed in the Collections, Programs and Services track. As a first generation West African-Haitian American woman in a field once lacking in diversity, I am excited to learn more about how librarians of color are contributing to the field and continuing to shape the new definition of a 21st century librarian.
My library, located in the Bronx, serves a population primarily of Latino and African American students, first generation West Indian students, West African students and other international students. My colleagues and I understand the importance of the student body being able to see and interact with library faculty that reflect their diversity. Thus, the conference’s varying track/themes cover topics that align with my interests. The Advocacy, Outreach and Collaboration track will provide me with insight into what other libraries are doing to connect with and cater to their students and communities of color. Offering support for student success and inclusion is certainly a priority for my colleagues, chief librarian and our college’s teaching faculty. I also look forward to the Technology and Innovation track presenting new education tools for librarians to use with Instruction courses and to create a better user experience for students, staff and faculty.
From this year’s conference I expect to learn a great deal about varying trends and topics in librarianship. All of which affect my day-to-day work as an academic librarian. With a comprehensive program, the conference will prove to be a major learning experience for me. In my current role, I intend to build my knowledge base and return with ideas or action plans for my college library.
Carol Howe
Science Librarian – Haverford College
Special Libraries Association (SLA) Annual Conference
Baltimore, Maryland | June 10-13 2018
In her own words, how the conference will help Carol achieve her professional development goals:
Karen Sheldon
Electronic and Instructional Services Librarian
Delaware Valley University
NASIG Conference: Transforming the Information Community
Atlanta, Georgia | June 8-11, 2018
In her own words, how the conference will help Karen achieve her professional development goals:
Like many, I am an accidental electronic resources librarian. Finding the NASIG Core Competencies for E-Resources Librarians was a light in the darkness. This is why it is so important for me to be able to attend the NASIG conference this June. The conference will be an opportunity to discuss face-to-face with vendors and other librarians the problems our library has experienced and learn about potential solutions. I’m working on tracking perpetual access for our e-journals, negotiating contracts with vendors, and using statistics to learn more about our electronic resources collection. All these goals would be directed supported by presentations at NASIG, benefiting myself and my institution greatly.
Save the Date for the Delaware Valley Chapter’s spring program on campus partnerships!