#dclaevents

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#MySchoolLibrarian

MLK Day of Service, January 19, 2016

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The 2015 DCLA Annual Award's Ceremony Recipients

At DCLA’s 2015 Awards Ceremony on the beautiful Drexel University rooftop, DCLA members welcomed the following new and continuing board members: Yvonne Dooley, Vice-President/President Elect, Victor Benitez, Secretary, Eboni Henry, Advocacy Director, and Kimberly Knight, Career & Leadership Development Director. Christina Miracle Bailey highlighted some of the accomplishments of her presidency and passed on the President’s Gavel to Julius C. Jefferson, Jr. Beacher J.E. Wiggins, Director for Acquisitions & Bibliographic Access at Library of Congress, received the 2015 Ainsworth Rand Spofford President's Award and Victor Benitez, The Labs at D.C. Public Library, received the Elizabeth W. Stone Outstanding New Leader Award.

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The 2015 Ruth Fine Memorial Student Loan Recipient: Melanie Medina

At DCLA’s 2015 Awards Ceremony on the beautiful Drexel University rooftop, the 2015 Ruth Fine Memorial Student Loan was presented to Catholic University Library School student Melanie Medina.

Melanie Medina is a graduate student in the Library and Information Science program at The Catholic University of America. Actively engaged in the communities where she lives and works, Melanie is committed to supporting students in service of their own education goals. Melanie provides library instruction, reference services, and support in both English and Spanish, and aims to spend her career serving diverse communities in ways they themselves feel is most beneficial. Melanie received her BA from Smith College, and now volunteers as a Smith College Alumnae Admissions Coordinator, where her focus is on increasing the number of minority and community college transfer applicants from the Washington, DC area.

This year’s DCLA Student Financial Assistance Committee was composed of JenniferManning, Victor Benitez, Jessica McGilvray and (past Fine Loan recipient) Matthew Plank.

To learn more about the Ruth Fine Memorial Student Loan and its past recipients, click here: http://www.dcla.org/student_winners. To donate to our Student Loan Program so we can continue to support future information professionals in the DC area, please visit: http://www.dcla.org/Donate.

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DC has Highest Paid Librarians in the Country

by Qaddafi Sabree, Information Specialist at Howard University

For the typical American worker, discussions of salary and income can be a sensitive subject. We would all like to think that we are being paid a fair wage for the knowledge and skills that we bring to our jobs. No one wants to be underpaid or undervalued. For this reason, it is important that we are aware of what the typical salary range is for our respective positions.

In observance of National Library Workers Day, Tuesday, April 14th, a discussion on the salaries of library workers took place at the Martin Luther King Jr. Christina Bailey, DCLA president, served as the moderator during the discussion. The panel included the following: 

Kenneth Despertt, Executive Board Member and Shop Steward for AFSCME Local 1808 (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees).

Aliqae Geraci, Chair of the Standing Committee on the Salaries and Status of Library Workers for ALA-APA (American Library Association - Allied Professional Association) via Skype from Cornell University. 

Jennifer Porcari, Associate Director, American Federation of Teachers.

Elizabeth Cross, Economist for Occupational Employment Statistics at the U.S. Department of Labor.

Audrey Watson, Economist for Occupational Employment Statistics at the U.S. Department of Labor.

The discussion focused on the salary ranges for library assistants, library technicians, and librarians. Data was provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and state workforce agencies. 

During the presentation, we were all happy to learn that the District of Columbia has the highest paid librarians in the country with the annual mean salary being $80,280. The national average is $58,110. This does not come as a surprise considering the data shows that the federal government has the highest paid librarians of any other sector. Library technicians in the District of Columbia are also the highest paid in the nation with the average salary being $46,110 and the national average being $33,490. Library assistants are the outliers as Alaska pays the highest salaries at $37,500 with the District of Columbia coming in second at $32,790. The national average is $26,010. The data provided is the most current and was published in May 2014.

Although library workers in the District of Columbia are doing well, it was mentioned that a lot of librarians are leaving the profession to pursue better opportunities as well as higher salaries. Ironically, as the traditional roles of librarians evolve with technology, many people who possess skills in other professions are being hired as information specialists, information managers, and knowledge managers. Consequently, there is currently a proposal to combine the standard occupational classification of librarians to include audio-visual and multimedia collections specialists. As a result, librarians could command higher salaries in the near future. Although currently just a proposal, the occupation is slowly reflecting the proposed classification. For those of us who are at the beginning or middle of our careers, this information is useful when negotiating salaries and raises. It is also an opportunity to expand our skill-sets to reflect the coming changes. Skills that are part of the librarian’s DNA such as content management, metadata creation, and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) are all new names for skills that librarians are familiar with as part of the traditional job as we know it. This is especially true of cataloging librarians.

When performing a job search, one can find job titles such as those mentioned previously that read like that of a librarian. One of the discussant’s mentioned that when searching for a library job, the word librarian was not used at all. However, all of the skills that were learned in library school fit the job description. This is something to keep in mind should you find yourself seeking a change in your work environment.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is an excellent source for occupational information. As information professionals, we should all be aware of the average salary of library workers in our respective sectors as well as other sectors. DCLA organized an excellent discussion that can benefit everyone who has ever wondered whether they’re being fairly compensated. The information shared was invaluable and answered a lot of questions that many of us have about income and salaries.

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MLK, Jr., Day of Service: DC Librarians Working for DC Public School Libraries

By Amy Lauder & Angela Forest

Photo (from left to right): Jenise Overmier, Jennifer Manning, Christina M. Bailey, Damon Austin, Amy Lauder, Angela Forest, Faith Williams, Melissa Jackson, and Julius C, Jefferson Jr.

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?” Martin Luther King, Jr., with that sentiment in mind, on January 19, 2014, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service volunteers from the District of Columbia Library Association (DCLA) honored a commitment to serve the community at Ballou High School in Southeast Washington, DC. Volunteers assisted Library Media Specialist Melissa Jackson in organizing the collection for the school’s brand new media center. This Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service was part of the #MySchoolLibrarian campaign organized by DCLA and DC Public School libraries. #MySchoolLibrarian brings together librarians, information professionals, and library supporters to help D.C. school librarians organize and catalog their collection of books and other material.

DCLA President Christina M. Bailey said the service project evolved from American Library Association President Courtney Young’s advocacy challenge. “I thought it would be a good project to physically support and advocate for school libraries,” said Bailey, who works as an Information Research Specialist at the Congressional Research Service. “I’m a firm believer of advocating for libraries, and to advocate for them you need to work in them and know about them.”

Melissa Jackson, Library Media Specialist at Ballou High School, directed the volunteers in organizing and re-shelving several hundred new books and other material provided to the school. Jackson said the service project was a tremendous benefit to the students of Ballou.

“It’s great. We have enough people to organize, sort and shelve.” said Jackson.

She noted she was glad she connected with other D.C. area librarians for help “to try and work smarter, not harder” to prepare the library and its collection for use by students and teachers.

Jennifer Manning, Information Research Specialist for the Congressional Research Service, said she has often done service projects on the King Holiday through different organizations, so she was pleased to participate in the Ballou project organized through the efforts of the DCLA leadership and DCPS.

Manning stated, “I hardly ever do any shelving or anything like that, so it’s nice to get back to my roots. It’s nice to do something physical.” She hopes that DCLA will make the service project an annual event. “It’s been fun, it’s been satisfying.”

Jenise Overmier, a librarian at American University, said she came out Monday to volunteer because “In the spirit of Dr. King I think it’s important to carry out his legacy of service to the community, especially the schools.” She added that she appreciates school librarians and that they need support from others in the profession. “I think it’s a great cause,” she said. “I would love to do this next year.”

DCLA Vice President Julius C. Jefferson Jr. stated “We hope that as a tribute to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., librarians and folks in the community will provide service in a library in the community on Martin Luther King Jr day.”

The Ballou project in honor of the MLK holiday is part of an ongoing campaign by DCLA in support of public education and literacy.

In December DCLA volunteers worked with the librarian in the Whittier Education Campus in Northwest DC as part of the #MySchoolLibrarian campaign. DCLA is currently assessing the needs of individual schools in the DC Public Schools in hopes of expanding the #MySchoolLibrarian campaign in the future.

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On Tues., Sept. 23, DCLA members filled the basement of La Tasca Restaurant for the 2014 Fall Members Reception. Old and new members had the opportunity to meet and reconnect with one another over spirituous sangria and delicious tapas.

Richard Reyes-Gavilan, DCPL Executive Director, spoke on his excitement of leading the DC Public Library into the future. Before being let loose to network and learn about DCLA committees, members learned how to make sangria. The night ended with members being in high spirits and happy for another year of DCLA events and happenings.

[Photo credit: Julius C. Jefferson]

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Books Behind Bars: Building A Community of Action Around Restorative Justice

by Damayanti Desai

Tucked away at the back of Petworth Citizen in the “Reading Room,” an impressively diverse cross-section of D.C. gathered for the evening. The air was charged with energy and the aroma of late night snacks. People of varying ages and backgrounds shifted drinks from one hand to the other as they exchanged handshakes and smiles. Others in the room were more insular, necks craned over books like The New Jim Crow as the room swelled around them with more and more bodies.

By 7:00 PM, the space was packed. All attention focused on eight individuals seated in a semicircle of chairs against a wall of books. “Welcome to Books Behind Bars,” began Sam Jewler, lead activist of the D.C. Jail Library Coalition (DCJLC) and co-organizer of this event, and the room relaxed into attentive silence.

Back in November, Sam, a writer, activist and D.C. native, had just finished collaborating on a successful campaign to secure paid sick days for restaurant workers. Newly assured of the power of citizens to change city government, Sam watched a hearing online about attempted suicides and living conditions at D.C. Jail and resolved to take action. Thus began the months-long campaign that grew into the DCJLC, recently granted approximately $200,000 of the mayor’s budget to install a library in the D.C. Jail, in partnership with the D.C. Public Library. Over the course of the project it became clear to the DCJLC team that the number of interested and knowledgeable restorative justice activists in D.C. was large, and largely unknown to many outside that world. In an effort to facilitate a visible and collaborative community of incarceration and arts-focused activists, and to invite more people to the cause, Books Behind Bars was created.

Monday’s event consisted of a panel, Q&A, opportunity for networking, and mingling with others interested in incarceration-related service and activism. Selected speakers represented different aspects of creative and impactful restorative justice work with communities in D.C., Maryland and on a national scale. Each panelist shared their backgrounds, described their work and outlined opportunities for others to get involved.

Gary Durant was a 17-year-old high school athlete coveted by collegiate scouts when he was tried and incarcerated as an adult. To the more than 40 attentive listeners gathered in the Reading Room, Gary explained the isolation and abandonment he felt during his two years spent in solitary confinement. “Reading is what got me through,” he explained. Gary, who says he couldn’t read or write well before being incarcerated, worked with Free Minds Book Club and Writing Workshop (a small non-profit empowering inmates through promoting literacy and creative writing in prisons) to develop these skills. He closed his speech by reading an original poem “Prisoner Society,” and his skillful rhyme and powerful message captivated the audience.

Also on the panel was Glennor Shirley, former head librarian for Maryland prisons and renowned prison literacy activist. Ms. Shirley shared shocking and compelling statistics about incarceration in America. Of inmates who use prison educational facilities only 16% return for a second offense, she explained. Of the inmates who do not have access to these facilities, the recidivism rate jumps to 60-70%. She also detailed the type of books different inmates could benefit from and provided insight into the demands and requirements of prison librarian positions. Afterwards, DCPL officials in attendance confirmed they would be working with her to develop the DC Jail Library.

The other panelists featured were Sherman Justice, Free Minds Outreach Coordinator, Meaghan O’Connor, Assistant Director of Programs and Partnerships at D.C. Public Library, Mark Strandquist, the artist and creator of Windows from Prison, Stacy Litner of Washington Lawyers Committee and Books to Prisons, Alison Ganem, a volunteer poetry teacher at DC’s Correctional Treatment Facility, and Sam Jewler. Although unique in their approaches, all eight panelists were united in purpose touching on common themes of literacy, education and creative outlets for expression as important means to combat isolation, aggression and recidivism in prison populations.

Audience members then had the opportunity to ask questions and share their comments and insights with the panelists. One woman suggested that a D.C. jail library should include books and resources in multiple languages, and the panelists made a note of the comment in order to follow up. The panel concluded with encouraging words from Sam, who assured the audience that they could change city government simply by finding like-minded people, getting organized and taking action.

“I was really inspired by the high turnout and excitement in the room tonight,” Jewler said. “People want to know what’s next. It might be “ban the box,”* because people who have paid their dues in prison still have too much trouble getting jobs, or figuring out how to crowdsource oversight of the police because racial arrest disparities are still huge in DC.”

Hours later, groups of event attendees could be found still seated in the booths of Petworth Citizen sharing food with new friends and collaborators and discussing possible projects to positively impact restorative justice in the D.C. area. In the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, “our strength is our unity of purpose.” 

For opportunities to get involved with restorative justice activism in D.C. check out any and all of the following organizations and initiatives represented at the Books Behind Bars panel:

Free Minds – freemindsbookclub.org

Windows from Prison – windowsfromprison.com

Books to Prisons – dcbookstoprisoners.org

DC Library Association - dcla.org

Knowledge Commons DC - knowledgecommonsdc.org

  *“Ban the box” refers to an ordinance trending nationally, which removes the criminal conviction checkbox from job applications in an effort to prevent discrimination against ex-offenders in the search for employment

  Update from Kenny Nero, Jr., DC Jail Library Coalition: “I'm writing to thank you all who helped in anyway on this effort from tweeting and petition signing to submitting a written testimony and everything in between. We were successful!!! The D.C. Public Library will institute a book-cart based library in the DC Jail by October 1st with a budget much higher than our original proposal. At first, Mayor Gray allocated $193,000 to the library and recently the education committee upped the ante to $293,000! The latter generosity is still going through the channels but either way, this is good news.”