Becoming a Professional Paraprofessional In Your Library 

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When

Tuesday September 22, 2015 from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM CDT
Add to Calendar 

Registration closes Sunday, September 20, 2015.

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As our libraries have evolved and grown, the expectations for a library paraprofessional have also evolved and expanded. In this workshop we’ll talk about changing expectations, staying relevant in the library field, and skills you need to be successful.

Agenda:

Introduction

• Basic Tenants of Librarianship
• Definition of a Paraprofessional

Changing Expectations

• How have our jobs changed?
• How have skills required to do our jobs changed?
• What are professional expectations and how can we meet them?

Skills

• What skills are needed to be successful?
• Training Resources and Opportunities
• (Will cover training resources for different types of libraries here.)

Staying Relevant in Your Field

• Continuing Education
• Developing a niche/focus of expertise
• Networking and Offering Your Skills

Discussion and Conclusion

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Presenters:

Sarah Gamble: I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Music at Cornell College, Mount Vernon, IA. I began working with Mid-Continent Public Library in 1994 as a part time and then full time clerk. A couple years later, I was promoted to Assistant Branch Manager. Fortunately, Mid-Continent Public Library is very flexible organization. When I had my second child, MCPL allowed me to step down to a half time clerical position. With kids number three and four, I stepped down to a part time clerical position, working only four hours a week. When the youngest began school, I was promoted to a full time clerical position. A couple of years later, I was once again promoted to Assistant Branch Manager. The cyclical nature of my tenure has allowed me to experience many different aspects of working in a public library. My responsibilities have included item maintenance, reference, periodicals, programming for adults and children, reader’s advisory, book club services, discussion leader, eBook expert, and, of course, management duties. Recently, I have become a Doniphan Fellow of the Doniphan Leadership course at William Jewell College.

Claire Rust: Claire has worked for the Mid-Continent Public Library system since graduating from High School when her Mom told her she should get a job and drove her to the library to fill out an application. She worked at several other jobs and went to college a bit, but never found anything she liked better than working for the library. She is currently the Assistant Manager of the Blue Springs South branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library and enjoys Readers Advisory and Kids Programming. She can be found on Twitter @AddLibrarian.

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Cost:

• MALA Member: $45.00
• Non-Member: $90.00

MALA Workshop Billing/Refund/Credit Policy:

We prefer all workshops to be prepaid or paid at the door.  If you prefer to be billed, please add $5.  Full refunds or credits are available for cancellations made a minimum of seven (7) days prior to the workshop date less a $5 administrative fee. You can transfer to another workshop a minimum of seven (7) days prior to the workshop date with no administrative fee.  Cancellations made less than seven (7) days prior to the workshop date receive no refund or credit and you or your organization will be billed.  No shows are billed to you or your organization.

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Register Now!