Tell us who you are 

 

Marty Magee - National Network/Libraries of Medicine - MidContinental Region - your Nebraska and Education liaison.   Based at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha - but my immediate "territory" is Nebraska and my expanded "territory" is Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.   My "elevator speech" is "I sell health databases and software and everything I sell if free!"  And it is.   The National Library of Medicine has more than  80 different databases, everything from MedlinePlus to the Human Genome.   There is probably something I can offer you/your library for FREE - just ask!

 

Matt Smidt- I am a School library media specialist for District OR-1, Bennet Elementary School and Palmyra Jr-Sr High School.  I work with 430 students and split my time between both buildings.  Working on a Masters degree in Library Science, will complete this coming summer.  I'm interested in knowing more about Web 2.0 tools for libraries and how to get the most out of a library with limited resources if possible. Looking forward to this opportunity.

BRENDA KEHLER-I am the Library Director (and everything else) at the Greeley Public Library.  We are a very small Library with about ziltch for budget.  I have learned by hands on and Basic Skills classes.  I love books and working on the computer (which is also learned by hands on).  Very anxious to get involved on Wednesday.  See everyone there!

 

Jay Peterson – Library Consultant at the State Library of Iowa.  Among many other things my job duties now include working with Web Junction and assisting with our Web Junction Iowa development process.  I have previously worked as a system administrator for a library consortium at the Kansas City Public Library in Missouri.   I have already traveled far and wide in Iowa and have come to love the library world here.  This state was devastated by floods and tornadoes last spring and we lost a few libraries (most notably the Cedar Rapids Public Library)  and I was very proud of our profession to see how librarians rallied those communities that were most affected by disaster.   It was a wonderful thing to see!   I graduated from Dominican University in River Forest , IL  in 2005.  Part of our job as consultants here is to innovate and to be aware of emerging trends and I look forward to soaking up a lot of great ideas at this un-conference!  

 

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Mary Anne Carlson---I am a library assistant at Jensen Memorial Library in Minden.  I wanted to be a librarian since I was a child, but got sidetracked, and after *cough, mumble,ahem* wasted years doing other things, here I am!  Because we are a small library, my duties are pretty much whatever I know how to do, that needs doing, when I'm there, but focus mainly on cataloging, computer maintenance, and instruction in computer use for the patron.  Books and computers are my favorite things in the world......after my kids.....and there is nothing better than learning new things, and hearing new ideas, so I expect to have an enjoyable day! 

 

 

Ellen Burchell-- I am the Library Director at the Jensen Memorial Library.  Our library serves Minden and the surrounding area of Kearney County.  Ours is a small library compared to the libraries mentioned in previous entries.  I am looking forward to benefiting from the opportunity to hear about libraries of all sizes, their successes and their frustrations. 

 

Alissa Lee Dornink-- I'm the Information Services Librarian at the John Mortiz Library at the Nebraska Methodist College.  I'm responsible for cataloging, working with the various databases and online resources we have, a little bit of reference work, some circ work and whatever else comes up since we’re a small library.  I got my MLS at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas and prior to working here I was the cataloging supervisor for the Brazoria Public Library System.  I’ve always loved technology and computers, and am looking forward to seeing how other libraries have incorporated new trends and technologies in relevant ways order to better serve patrons.

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Rose Iwan - Am the director at La Vista Public Library for the last 7 years.  City is keen on being up with technology, new trends, setting trends.  Looking forward to the discussions and networking.  More involvement with Library/Librarian 2.0.  Making technology work for our community.

 

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Pat Leach--I'm the director of Lincoln City Libraries.  I've been with Lincoln City Libraries for a long time, working in several departments, including Technical Services, Outreach, Branches, and, for the longest time, Youth Services.  I'm especially interested in how people become engaged in community through libraries, whether physically or virtually.  I'm energized when our whole becomes much more than the sum of our parts.  Like others, I want to be sure we're doing our best to hire the best, and to equip our people with the tools and atmosphere that foster success.

 

Carol White -- I have worked at Metropolitan Community College for 7 years. This year, I had the privilege of see history unfold before my eyes. Just a few months ago, in June, Metro's South Omaha Campus Library joined up with the South Branch of Omaha Public Library to create a new joint facility, the South Omaha Library. My time is split between the College Archives at the Fort Omaha Campus and the South Omaha Library. At Metro, I serve as the Library Services/Records Management Specialist. In part, my position entails maintaining our serials records and requesting claims, obtaining or retaining access to our electronic journals via EBSCO's EJS, retrieving and compiling our campus library statistics, and managing the College Archives, among other sorted duties. Furthermore, when I am at the South Omaha Library, I fill in as needed or scheduled at the Reference Desk and as the Person-In-Charge. When attending the Unconference, I look forward to networking with other library people and finding out about cutting-edge, innovative, creative, and inspirational ideas that have worked well at their libraries, no matter how seemingly miniscule. Sometimes it's the little things that make a big difference!

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Susan Kline-- I work as a library assistant with the John Moritz Library at Nebraska Methodist College in Omaha. My work mainly revolves around acquisitions, purchasing and instruction and anything else that pops up since we are a small library. :)  I received my M.A. in history from the University of Cincinnati.  Library Camp interests me because it seems like it will be a lot more interactive than a traditional conference or meeting. I'd like to come away with some ideas to help us better connect with the needs of our users and ideas on how to promote a wider variety of resources through a mix of new technology, traditional ways and ongoing experimentation.  20th century American history, archives, libraries and photography are my passions.

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Denise Matulka -- I am the archivist for the Lincoln Journal Star. I have always believed that libraries, schools (colleges and universities), and newspapers are the cornerstone of any community. Though targeted and small, the LJS collection never ceases to amaze me. Everyday I come across new bits of information about Lincoln. I received my MS in library and information science from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I have a website dedicated to the picture books. The URL is www.picturing books.com. The site complements my new book, A Picture Book Primer, which was just published by Libraries Unlimited.

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Kit Keller -- I am the Director of Library Services for a fully online university. This job is evolving as the university develops, and in the four months I've held the job, I've learned a tremendous amount about accreditation, the IPEDS survey process, and done hours of research on a wide range of topics. I am interested in exploring the growth of online resources, and the development of online information literacy as an essential life skill.

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Greg Mickells-  I'm very interested in how libraries are going to incorporate 2.0 instruments and philosophies and do so in a sustainable manner. Building on that interest would be how libraries can collaborate in order to increase their abilities to sustain specific technologies.  In that spirit I have been active in pursuing a possible state-wide solution to implementing an open source ILS option for Nebraska libraries.  I am very interested in library leadership and have been involved with the Nebraska Library Leadership program and the Future Search Conference. Perhaps what might best express my passion for innovation and change is the message from a Dove chocolate wrapper that I have taped to the wall outside my office, "Hey, why not?"  

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Vicki Wood- I'm the Youth Services Librarian at Bennett Martin Public Library in downtown Lincoln. My job involves a combination of public service, collection work and program planning.  I've been working in libraries for about 25 years- most of that time in public libraries working with kids, teens, parents and teachers.  I feel constantly challenged to keep up with the needs of our customers and our community as it changes.  I think libraries and librarians are faced with incredible opportunities as we move into th future and I'm excited to be part of this transistion.

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 Lori Umstead - school librarian at Millard Central Middle School in Omaha, "Go Cyclones!". This is my seventh school year working with young adolescents as their media specialist and they make this the most challenging and rewarding job I've had yet. I taught science for ten years prior in middle and high schools.   My experience working with young promates dates back to a college job as zookeeper on the Small Mammal crew of Henry Doorley Zoo. I am currently on the board of Nebraska Educational Media Association, serving now as the association's liaison to the American Association of School Libraries. 

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      Hi, I am Francine Canfield, director of the Baright Public Library in Ralston. I've been back in Nebraska since 2005. As the director of the Johnston Public Library in Iowa for nine years, I had the pleasure of guiding a library construction project and developing a library in a rapidly growing community. Prior to that I was director at the Lexington Public Library. I lived for many years in Kearney where I worked at the public library and taught in the UNK English Department. My undergrad degree is in English from the University of Northern Iowa, master's in Education (English) from UNK, and MLS from Emporia State University. I've also been a public library trustee, bookseller, and community volunteer on boards. I've lived in Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska.

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 I'm Peter Jorgensen, currently Virtual Services Manager for Lincoln City Libraries, where I've worked in a variety of positions for an incredibly long time. I received my MLS from Emporia State University in their first Nebraska program.  Due to prior commitments in the afternoon, I will only be able to attend the unconference in the morning.

 

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Hi, my name is Anne  Heimann and I am the Director of Library Services for the BryanLGH College of Health Sciences and Medical Center. I received my MS in Library and Information Science from the University of Illionis-Urbana-Champaign. I've spent all my time in academic/medical libraries, except for a brief stint at a pharmaceutical company, where I quickly learned I could care less about climbing the corporate ladder.  In my role as Director I oversee the daily operations of the library as well as providing future planning and development of our resources and services.  My library serves both the students and faculty of the college as well as employees of the Medical Center. The dual role as both a hosptial and academic library provides great variety, but also many challenges.

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 Lorraine Patrick has been working with Bellevue University as a Reference Services Librarian for 5 years.  Originally from Virginia, Lorraine graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in August 2000 with her Master's Degree in Information Sciences.  In her spare time, Lorraine enjoys spending time with her family.

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Michael Sauers is currently the Technology Innovation Librarian for the Nebraska Library Commission in Lincoln, Nebraska and has been training librarians in technology for more than 13 years. He has also been a public library trustee, a bookstore manager for a library friends group, a reference librarian, serials cataloger, technology consultant, and bookseller. He earned his MLS in 1995 from the University at Albany's School of Information Science and Policy. Michael's ninth book, Searching 2.0 should be out sometime before the end of the decade and has also written dozens of articles for various journals and magazines. In his spare time he blogs at travelinlibrarian.info, regularly contributes to the Uncontrolled Vocabulary podcast, runs Web sites for authors and historical societies, is vice-chair of the Nebraksa Library Association's Information Technology and Access Round Table, takes many, many photos, and reads about 130 books per year.

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Scott Childers is the Assistant Systems Librarian and an Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. His job duties include library staff tech training and researching new technologies.  He is also team leader of the UNL Libraries Digital Media group, focusing on providing in-house audio/visual editing software access to students, as well as digital cameras, camcorders, audio recorders and projectors. He's published several peer-reviewed articles about technology topics, and has spoken at local, state, regional, and national conferences. In October, he begins his term as Vice President/President of the Nebraska Library Association and is ending up an eight year run as the NLA's Internet Site Coordinator.  Scott's an old-school gamer and college football fan. {Links to "official" UNL profile page will be placed when that page is updated}

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Karla Shafer brief wiki page and longer Word document.

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 Christa Burns is the OCLC Member Services Coordinator for NEBASE, the OCLC Regional Service Provider for Nebraska. She has presented sessions and provided training on OCLC products and services at conferences and meetings across Nebraska. Before coming to Nebraska in 2000, Christa spent 8 and 1/2 years at Pace University in Westchester County, NY, working her way up to become Head of Reference. She received her MLS from the University of Albany School of Information Science and Policy in 1991, and her BA from the University of Binghamton in English Literature and Folklore. In her spare time, Christa is a gamer, bibliophile, floriculturist, ferret and cat minion.

 

 

 

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Karin is a library student and Library Assistant at the Center for Digital Research in the Humanities at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Karin expects to graduate in December, 2008 with her Master's in Library and Information Science. Karin blogs several places around the web, including her webpage, nirak.net, ALA's READ blog, and soon ITART's blog.

 

 

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Ben Brick is the Library Director of the Grewcock Library at Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska.  He received his MA in Information Science and Learning Technologies from the University of Missouri through their Nebraska cooperative program.  Prior to his position at Grace, he worked in a variety of positions and capacities with the Omaha Public Library.  He is also a 2003 graduate of the Nebraska Library Leadership Institute.

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Emily Dust Nimsakont is the Cataloging Librarian at the Nebraska Library Commission.  She previously worked as a Reference Assistant at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  She received her MA in Library Science from the University of Missouri in May 2008, and she also holds a master's degree in museum studies and a bachelor's degree in history and psychology.

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Susan Franklin is Assistant Professor of Library Science and Public Services Librarian at Hastings College Perkins Library, where she is also an adjunct instructor of English. She holds an M.A. in English from Texas A&M and an M.A. in Library Science from the University of Missouri.  She is a 2003 graduate of the Nebraska Library Leadership Institute and a 2009 American Library Association Emerging Leader.

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I'm Allana Novotny the Network Services Librarian at the Nebraska Library Commission. My job title isn't very descriptive but I spend a lot of my time working with NebraskAccess, Nebraska Memories and various other projects. I started my position at the Commission in 1996 after spending some time at Mizzou getting my masters degree.

 

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My name is Susan Knisely.  I have worked at the Nebraska Library Commission for 10 years.  My job title is Online Services Librarian.  I work with the NebraskAccess statewide database program, doing training and support.  I am also involved in the database discount purchasing program and the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries group.  Right now I am in the midst of Nebraska Learns 2.0. 

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Amy Mather is the Technology Librarian at Omaha Public Library.  She started her position in February 2008 and loves her job! Prior to her position at Omaha Public Library, she worked at ProQuest for 8 years.  Amy has spent her entire library career in the technology arena and finds that the possibilities are endless in reaching people in new and innovative ways.  The Library Camp Nebraska is like attending a statewide think tank and she is looking forward to being part of it.

 

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I'm Linda Parker, Social Sciences Reference Librarian at UNO.  I have worked at UNO since 1992.  I am very interested in using webconferencing to communicate with graduate students who are enrolled in distance learning courses in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service.  In addition, I would like to learn about Web 2.0 services for distance students.