PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Martha Decherd

A new year brings new challenges and new opportunities to address ongoing ones. January 27 is Library Legislative Day here in Oregon, a chance for library professionals from all types of libraries to meet with our state legislators and bring our concerns to their attention. OEMA will be well represented, as we remind our senators and representatives about the ongoing importance of libraries and librarians.

Another opportunity for OEMA members to contribute to the ongoing public discussion about Oregon's schools is available through the Chalkboard Project, which will be conducting community meetings throughout the state in the next few months. Visit their website at http://www.chalkboardproject.org/ for information and details about how you can participate.

Spring regional conferences are just around the corner, in February and March. I hope you'll take advantage of these opportunities to connect with other librarians and participate in focused, library-centered professional development.

REGION 2 WINTER CONFERENCE IN CORVALLIS

The Region 2 Winter Conference will be held in Corvallis at the new Linus Pauling Middle School on Saturday, February 26, with registration at 9:00 am. Program information and registration forms will be sent to schools in late January and will also be available online at <http://www.oema.net>

For more information, e-mail Carol Dinges at <carol_dinges@lebanon.k12.or.us>.

ODE OSLIS/LEXILE TRAINING

Four OEMA members were asked to participate in the first ever Oregon Department of Education and Oregon State Library joint sponsored training.  Thanks go to MaryKay Dahlgreen of the State Library and Julie Anderson of ODE for brainstorming this two-day training.  Martha Decherd, Jim Tindall, Patty Sorensen, and Melanee Lucas were geared and ready to meet the challenge of imparting their knowledge to 25 staff developers from Oregon ESD's and large school districts.  This knowledge consisted of Lexiles, the EBSCO database, and the OSLIS web site. Everything was tied to state standards, and Lexiles were included as well.

The four presenters divided the training up into four sessions focusing on teaching research skills.  Melanee started by showing how to teach research (investigations) strategies to kindergarten through third graders. Patty continued the research theme for fourth and fifth grade.  Jim and Martha showed the value of teaching research to Middle and High School students.  This was all done using the OSLIS web site and the EBSCO database using the Lexile limiter in EBSCO to focus on differentiated instruction.

A team of writers funded by ODE is developing a plan to train teachers using the knowledge and content learned in the 2 day training. The training package will include ways to integrate components of the OSLIS website and the EBSCOhost databases. Blake worked with the group during two separate sessions, leading them through many of the intricacies of using EBSCOhost. Otis Fulton from MetaMetrics spent the second day teaching all of us about Lexiles, and how to use them as a tool for helping to improve students' reading comprehension in the content areas.  This training will be on using the OSLIS web site along with the EBSCO database with the Lexile limiter on differentiated instruction.  We hope this is the first of many more joint ventures to come.

EDITH FULLER APPOINTED TO L-NET BOARD

The L-net Advisory Board for Oregon's statewide digital reference service is pleased to announce the appointment of five new members. Joining the Board are: Lee Catalano, Youth Services Librarian at Multnomah County Public Library, Beth Farley, Head of Reference at Central Library for Jackson County Library Services, Heidi Florenzen, Reference and Internet Librarian at Hermiston Public Library, Edith Fuller representing the Portland Public Schools Professional Library and Maureen Kelly, Oregon State University Cascades Librarian for OSU Cascades Library Services. 

For more information on the and L-net and Advisory Board visit: <http://www.oregonlibraries.net/for_libraries.shtml>

OREGONIAN INTERFACE ENHANCEMENTS

On December 21, 2004, NewsBank updated its Oregonian subscription with several enhancements, making it easier to locate, review and use news articles. The more intuitive interface features include:

• The ability to browse by date and section, making it possible to read the electronic newspaper content much as you would a print version.
• "Quick links" on each article page for instant searches by author, page, section or date without starting a new search.
• The option to search within a specific newspaper section.
• The ability to view an unlimited number of search results. Previously, a search could return a maximum of 200 results.
• New Search History and Saved Articles functionality which tracks recent searches, lists them so they can be easily reviewed and consolidates all selected articles so each is only a click away.
• Search History, Saved Searches and Saved Articles tabs have been integrated as links into the left navigation area for more intuitive navigation.
• A new Source Groups option that allows you to create a customized group of titles (e.g., Southern California, Upstate New York, Eastern Europe, Local Newspapers, etc.)

If you have questions or comments, your Customer Service Representative can be reached at 800-243-7694 (802-875-2910 for overseas customers) or by email at custservice@newsbank.com.

WAYNE FREE RETURNING TO OREGON

Wayne Free, the 2004 OEMA Fall Conference keynote speaker, will be presenting a technology workshop in August 2005 at Jesuit High School in Portland. “I am very excited to have Wayne return to Oregon,” exclaimed Gregory Lum, “This workshop will be a wonderful opportunity for collaboration between library personnel and classroom teachers.”

Mr. Free's enthusiastic presentations (extended session, keynote address, and concurrent session) were well-received by the fall conference participants. In August, Mr. Free will lead both a one-day workshop and a two-day workshop. The two-day workshop, limited to the first sixty people who register, will include a hands-on session where participants will leave with their personalized "Wayne Free-like" Powerpoint.
Registration and workshop information will be sent in March. For further information, contact Gregory Lum, workshop coordinator, at glum@jesuitportland.com.

GEORGE FOX COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT COURSE

George Fox University is offering the following course as one of those needed for a library media endorsement:

EDFL554 Core Collection Development 3 semester hours

This course introduces the Library Media specialist to information access and delivery, including the development of information resources, learning characteristics of students and staff, and methods for matching student needs with appropriate materials. The course will also emphasize reference and information sources and services in the school media center. Offered spring semester.

Format: Combination of two Saturday sessions at Portland Campus and online. January 15 and April 16 9:00-4:00 at the Portland Center of George Fox.

Registration is open now. Just go to edfl.georgefox.edu

Email or call for further information.

LSTA 2006 GRANT PACKET NOW AVAILABLE

Got a great idea for a new library service or care to replicate a successful project? Perhaps the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant program is for you! The application packet for FY2006 grant proposals has been mailed out and will be available on the web by January 11 at http://www.osl.state.or.us/home/libdev/lsta.htm. The LSTA program uses a two-step grant process. Short proposals are due April 15. Ideas need to support the Oregon Library Services and Technology Act Five-Year State Plan 2003- 2008, available at http://www.osl.state.or.us/home/libdev/lsta.htm. We have been mounting the text of evaluations and older grants under the listing of grants by year on the main LSTA page to assist you and will be happy to make copies of other proposals that interest you. We welcome calls to talk over grant ideas.Contact Ann Reed at (503) 378-2112 x.254.

OREGON YOUNG ADULT NETWORK (OYAN) NEWS

The Oregon Young Adult Network, a division of the Oregon Library Association, is looking for new members! The group, which meets quarterly, is made up of school and public library staff who work collaboratively to improve and promote library services to teen patrons. OYAN has grown impressively over the years, but we are always in need of innovative idea-makers and energetic enthusiasts! Please consider joining in 2005, and becoming a vocal advocate for teen library services. Contact Susan Ludington, OYAN Vice Chair/Chair Elect, at susanl@dpls.us for more information. <http://www.olaweb.org/oyan/>.

ORA CONFERENCE FEB. 11-12

The annual conference of the Oregon Reading Association will be held Feb. 11 and 12 at the Lloyd Center Doubletree Hotel, Portland.
Luncheon authors are Phyllis Reynolds Naylor and Megan McDonald. For complete details and registration information, check the ORA website <http://www.oregonread.org>.

Two OSU graduate credits available, contact Carol Brown <carol.brown@oregonstate.edu> for credit information.

DAMARIS "DEE" KOONTZ REMEMBERED

Retired Salem-Keizer School Librarian and former OEMA member, Damaris "Dee" Koontz, passed away in early December after a long bout with cancer. At her memorial service in Salem, ladies were encouraged to wear a hat in honor of Dee's love of hats.

Sympathy cards can be sent to Dee's husband, Everett Koontz. His address is 2970 Hollyberry Ln. SE, Salem, Oregon 97301.

CALENDAR

OEMA Newsletter -- Editor: Sheryl Steinke

Published monthly on the 5th of the month September through May
To receive the OEMA Newsletter by email, subscribe to the OEMA mailing list using the form at http://www.oema.net/telecommunication/list.html

Send news items for the Newsletter to:
* Email: sherylsteinke@comcast.net
* Mail: Sheryl Steinke at 2405 Blacktail Dr. Eugene, OR 97405

Deadline: 1 week before publication, except 2 weeks for the January issue.