To Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before ©
NLA Annual Conference
October 6-8, 2011
Carson City, Nevada
2011 Nevada Library Association
Annual Conference
Table of Contents
President’s Message
3
Mayor’s Welcome
4
Conference Committee Members
5
Sponsors
6
Exhibitors
7
At-a-Glance Conference Schedule, Thursday
8
At-a-Glance Conference Schedule, Friday
9
Detailed Conference Schedule, Thursday
10-11
Detailed Conference Schedule, Friday
12-14
Presenters’ Biographies
15-22
NYRA Brunch and Author Appearance Details
22
NYRA Winners
23
NYRA Presenters
24
2011 Nevada Library Association
President’s Message
Greetings and Felicitations,
Welcome to the 66th Annual Nevada Library Conference. It is my sincere hope you will have a good time
and experience “aha” moments. Conferences bring us all together to can catch up with old friends and
make some new ones. Conferences are also times to share memories for those who are no longer here
with us.
To have our Conference in Nevada’s capital, Carson City is a great opportunity to see our State’s magnificent
historical roots. If you have the time, please visit the State Museum or the State Archives and take a
gander at the Territorial documents.
These past two or three years, we have painfully lived with our budgets being whittled down to bare
bones. The NLA Board of Directors and the Conference Committee are grateful to each and every one
of you who are here today. All of us know Libraries are the heart and soul of the communities we serve.
There is a saying that speaks to every library: “Libraries will get you through times of no money, better
than money will get you through times of no Libraries.” Every day when we open our doors, we open up
the universe. When we open up the universe, then infinite possibilities can occur. Never forgot the impact
we make on lives every day.
Have fun, learn much, and hug your friends.
Live long and prosper, \\//
Barbara Mathews
Barbara Mathews
2010 NLA President
2011 Nevada Library Association
Conference Committee Members
Barbara Mathews – President
Publicity Chair – Tam Anderson
Director, Churchill County Library
ATTN: Barbara Mathews
553 S. Maine Street
Fallon Nevada 89406
1-775-423-5513
Fax: 1-775-423-7766
[email protected]
Centennial Hills Library
Attn: Tam Anderson
6711 North Buffalo Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89146
1-702-507-6100
Fax: 1-702-507-6147
[email protected]
Conference Chair / Local Arrangements
Dana Hines, CLAN
Technology Chair
Program Co-chairs
Michelle Mazzanti & Arlene Caruso
Cooperative Libraries Automated Network
ATTN: Dana Hines
100 N. Stewart St
Carson City, NV 89701
1-775-684-3370
Fax: 1-775-687-1114
[email protected]
Registration Chair – Andi Moore
Carson City Library
ATTN: Andi Moore
900 N Roop
Carson City, NV 89701
1-775-887-2245
[email protected]
Exhibits Chair – Eleanor Ahern, CCL
Churchill County Library
Attn: Eleanor Ahern
553 S. Maine Street
Fallon, Nevada 89406
1-775-423-5513
Fax: 1-775-423-7766
[email protected]
Henderson District Public Library
Attn: Michelle Mazzanti
280 Green Valley Parkway
Henderson, Nevada 89012
1-702-492-6587
Fax: 1-702-492-1711
[email protected]
Paseo Verde Library
Attn: Arlene Caruso
280 S. Green Valley Parkway
Henderson, Nevada 89012
1-702-492-6580
Fax: 1-702-492-1711
[email protected]
Conference Program Design
Trudy Casey
HDPL Administrative Offices
280 S. Green Valley Parkway
Henderson, NV 89012
1-702-492-6584
[email protected]
Thank you to our
2011 Sponsors
EBSCO INFORMATION SERVICES
Bag Sponsor
POLARIS LIBRARY SYSTEMS
Bronze Sponsor
BRAINFUSE
Copper Sponsor
Friends of the
Churchill County
Library
553 S. Maine Street
Fallon, Nevada 89406
775-423-7581
FRIENDS OF THE CHURCHILL COUNTY LIBRARY
Copper Sponsor
PERMA-BOUND
NYRA Sponsor
B00KS ON TAPE/LISTENING LIBRARY
Basket Sponsor
Thank you to our
2011 Participating Exhibitors
BWI
BAKER & TAYLOR
BOUND TO STAY BOUND BOOKS, INC
BRAINFUSE
BRODART CO.
CHILDREN’S PLUS INC.
DEMCO INTERIORS
EBSCO INFORMATION SERVICES
LINDA CHAMBERS BOOKS
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
PERMA-BOUND
QUALITY BOOKS, INC.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIRS
SCHOLASTIC LIBRARY PUBLISHING
TOTAL IMAGING SOLUTIONS
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA PRESS
WORLD BOOK, INC.
Off-Site Programs, Thursday, October 6
State Library Conservation Lab, 100 N. Stewart St.
CIMA Preservation Workshop, 9:00 am-4:30 pm, lunch from 11:45 am to 1:15 pm
(separate registration required)
Business Resource Innovation Center (BRIC), 108 E. Proctor St.
CIMA Lunch Caucus, 12:00 pm-1:00 pm(separate registration required)
NLA Board Meeting, 2:00 pm-5:00 pm
Nevada State Library, 100 N. Stewart St.
Director’s Meeting (closed meeting) 2:00 pm-5:00 pm
Conference Schedule At-A-Glance, Thursday, October 6,
Episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series will be screened for attendees’ enjoyment in the registration area
Location
Carson Nugget
Room A
Carson Nugget
Room C
Carson Nugget
Room D
8:30 am-9:30 am
Southern District
Northwest District
NYRA
ACTION
NED
NCRL
9:30 am-10:30 am
RAISON
REAL
NSCLS
10:30 am-11:30 am
Hold for NLA
Section Meeting
Library Leadership HD
Open Meeting Law
Update
5,000 People, 7
Libraries: Engaging a
Community of Learners
Check out RFID
Responding to
Challenge: LSTA
Innovation Projects
11:45 am-12:45 pm
12:45 pm-2:00 pm
2:00 pm-3:00 pm
3:15 pm-4:45 pm
6:00 pm-9:00 pm
LUNCH BREAK
LSTA Evaluation:
Impact on Nevada
Libraries
Introducing Resource
Description & Access
(RDA)
E-Book
[R]evolution: a
Librarian/writers
Journey to the Final (?)
Frontier
NYRA: The Next
Generation
Is That a Tricorder in
Your Pocket? Using
Mobile Apps and Sites
for Better Health
How to Win Staff and
Influence Patrons
Exhibitor’s Reception (No-host bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres)
Conference Schedule At-A-Glance, Friday, October 7,
Room B: EXHIBITS ALL DAY
Episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series will be screened for attendees’ enjoyment in the registration area
Location
Carson Nugget
Room A
Carson Nugget
Room C
Carson Nugget
Room D
BRIC*
EBSCOhost Bridging the Gap
for Research in
Your Library
A Bold Stretch:
Creating an
International
Workshop with
a Colleague in
Another State
To the Cloud:
Free Web Tools
You Can Use
Today!
8:30 am-9:30 am
9:30 am-10:30 am
Continental
Breakfast
President’s
Welcome &
Keynote Address
10:45 am-12:00 pm
Friendly
Fallout
1953
12:15 pm-1:30 pm
EXHIBITS / LUNCH BREAK
1:30 pm-2:30 pm
Oh the Horror!
Getting Monsters,
Ghouls, Zombies
& Vampires in
Your Library
Librarianship
Online: the
Final Frontier?
Continuing
Education for
Librarians
LGBTQI
Inclusion, The
Final Frontier of
Education Equity:
Encouraging
Straight Allies
in K-12 School
Library &
Classroom
To Boldy Go:
Librarian
Teacher
Partnerships for
Outcomes-based
Learning
2:45 pm-3:45 pm
A Short History of
Carson City
1851-1900
Libraries at
the Front Lines
of Workforce
Recovery
RESISTANCE IS
FUTILE Re-tooling Your
Paraprofessional(s)!
More with
Less: Innovative
Approaches to
Providing Quality
Library Service
4:00 pm-5:00 pm
Reading is a
Superpower!
Using Graphic
Novels Across
Content Areas
Using Technology
for More Efficient
Communication
and
Collaboration.
Our Continuing
Mission: To
Build Effective
Relationships
Between
Teachers and
Librarians
Library
Support Staff
Certification
- A Bold New
Program
6:00 pm-9:00 pm
President’s Dinner & Awards dedicated to the honorable
memory of Chuck Manley (Separate Ticket Required)
*Business Resource Innovation Center (BRIC)
10:30 am-11:30 am
Detailed Conference Schedule
October 6
Carson Nugget Room C
Library Leadership HD
Presenters: Mario Aguilar, London Porter
Sponsor: Southern District
What makes the good great? How can you deliver happiness? In this informative presentation, leadership studies of tens of
thousands of organizations are concentrated into an hour full of successful organizational profiles and habits that participants
can use immediately to take their organization to the next level. You too can lead in HD!
Carson Nugget Room D
Open Meeting Law Update
Presenter: George H. Taylor, Senior Deputy Attorney General
The Nevada Open Meeting Laws were revised during the 76th Session in 2011. Be sure to attend this important informational
session that will address the changes to the law. Mr. Taylor will be able to answer any questions attendees have regarding
these changes.
11:45 am-12:45 pm
Carson Nugget Room A
5,000 people, 7 libraries: Engaging a Community of Learners
Presenters: Betts Markle, Pam Rasmussen, Rachel Wright
Small rural communities often face library challenges with small staffs and few open hours. One public library, four public
school libraries, one private school library, and one liberal arts college library form a coalition to collaborate and support
each others’ activities and outreach in order to extend and enhance library services for the entire community.
Carson Nugget Room C
Check out RFID
Presenters: Kathy Rush and Elaine Werlinger
Radio Frequency Identification technology allows items to be easily checked out at self service stations, provides security,
reduces handling and frees up staff time. Learn about the benefits and challenges as Carson City Library shares its experiences
of setting up and using RFID.
Carson Nugget Room D
Responding to Challenge: LSTA Innovation Projects
Presenters: Sara Jones, Danielle Milam, Tammy Westergard
Sponsors: Nevada State Library and Archives and the LSTA
Come and hear how the Carson City Library and the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District have used LSTA funding to
leverage innovative partnerships and create powerful planning tools.
Business Resource Innovation Center (BRIC) - Carson City Library
The Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC) is the result of an LSTA Innovation grant ($100,000) based on a
workshop provided by the Nevada State Library and Archives by Christine Hamilton Pennell of Growing Local Economies
on the library’s role in economic development. Its success is rooted in its innovative partnerships with Carson City
Office of Business Development, Mae B. Adams Trust, and Carson City Community Development.
Community Connect - Las Vegas-Clark County Library District
The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District is using market segment maps and data to learn more about the information
behaviors and preferences of households in their service area - both those that are current library card holders and
those that are not. The new data, available to all District staff via web-based analysis tools, is also being used to identify
top literacy-challenged neighborhoods and to refine collection, program and marketing strategies based on customer
preferences and demand.
12:45 pm-2:00 pm LUNCH ON YOUR OWN
2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Carson Nugget Room A
LSTA Evaluation: Impact on Nevada Libraries
Presenter: Diane Baker
Sponsor: NSLA
The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Five Year Plan for Nevada is the framework for the roll-out of the federal
program in the state. The State Library is currently in the process of the evaluation of the program for a report to the
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Learn what LSTA has accomplished for Nevada libraries, what still needs to
be done and how you can help develop the next 5 year plan for Nevada.
Carson Nugget Room C
Introducing Resource Description and Access (RDA)
Presenters: Cyrus Ford, Katherine Rankin
Sponsor: CAPTAIN
Resource Description and Access or RDA is a set of guidelines and instructions on resource description and access for the
cataloging of library materials covering all types of content and media. RDA is the successor to the second edition of the
Anglo-American Cataloging Rules (AACR2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AACR2, the current standard set of cataloging. This
new set of cataloging rules was needed to bring together different editions and formats of a work, to fit better with emerging
technologies, and to be a better way of cataloging digital materials.
Carson Nugget Room D
E-book [R]evolution: A Librarian/writers Journey to the Final(?) Frontier
Presenter: Stella Baker
Sponsor: Northwest District
The e-book, fueled by massive sales of e-book readers, is a game-changer for readers, publishers, writers and librarians. Ms.
Baker discusses why she chose, after intense research, to become her own publisher. The result, her book 4 Gigs of Trouble
is now available from amazon.com and other e-book sites.
3:15 pm-4:45 pm
Carson Nugget Room A
NYRA: The Next Generation
Presenter: Tanya Brown-Wirth
The NYRA award has been around for over 20 years. It serves as a way to create community and promote reading to youth.
Join us as we take a look at NYRA’s rich history, and brainstorm ways to keep it moving in the right direction.
Carson Nugget Room C
Is That a Tricorder in Your Pocket? Using Mobile Apps and Sites for Better Health
Presenter: Kelli Ham
Using the mobile devices in our pockets, we now have the ability to access thousands of health and medical information
resources, but how do we filter for quality? Attendees will get the inside scoop on the best free apps and sites for consumerlevel health information from authoritative sources, plus the quick essentials for evaluating apps before downloading.
Carson Nugget Room D
How to Win Staff and Influence Patrons
Presenters: Mario Aguilar and Nikki Winslow
Sponsor: Southern District
Most interpersonal issues in the workplace often arise out of misunderstandings and miscues in communication. Participants
will learn tried and true methods used by mediators and communications specialists to solve disputes, repair relationships,
and promote a positive working environment.
6:00 pm-9:00 pm Exhibitor’s Reception
(No-host bar and complimentary hors d’ouvres)
Detailed Conference Schedule
Friday, October 7
EXHIBITS ALL DAY IN CARSON NUGGET ROOM B
9:30 am-10:30 am
Carson Nugget Room A
President’s Welcome by Barbara Mathews and
Keynote Address by Kenley Neufeld
Sponsor: IMLS
10:45 am-12:00 pm
Carson Nugget Room A
Friendly Fallout
Presenter: Ann Ronald
Sponsor: RAISON
Ann Ronald, the author of Friendly Fallout 1953, will read from and talk about her fascinating novel. Ms. Ronald’s title was
chosen as the first book in the Nevada Reads: First All State Community Group Read series for the state.
Carson Nugget Room C
EBSCOhost – Bridging the Gap for Research in Your Library
Presenter: Lisa Dennis
Welcoming school, academic, public and special libraries, EBSCOhost can meet your online research needs. This intuitive
interface is designed to cater to user needs and preferences at every level of research. Easy navigational features and tools
lead to a common understanding and broader use across all markets. We’ll discuss search strategies, alerts, My EBSCOhost
folder, branding and more. Time permitting, we’ll also look at other EBSCO interfaces and see how common features have
been incorporated. Promoting EBSCO resources in your library can shorten the learning curve and allow users to search all
your resources with confidence and ease.
Carson Nugget Room D
A Bold Stretch: Creating an International Workshop With a Colleague in Another State
Presenter: Xan Goodman
Librarianship is changing and collaborating with colleagues in other states is a reality. This program will discuss organizing an
international workshop with a colleague in another state. And will also discuss using Web 2.0 tools such as Wikispaces and
Delicious for organization. Outcomes of the workshop will also be shared.
Business Resource Innovation Center (BRIC)
To the Cloud: free web tools you can use today!
Presenters: John Crockett and Betts Markle
Cloud-based software applications are an efficient tool to help libraries enhance their web presence and connect with
patrons. Learn how to evaluate and implement free, easy-to-use applications such as Animoto, Prezi, QR Codes, Google
Forms, and more to instruct patrons and promote resources.
12:15 pm-1:30 pm
Visit the exhibits/lunch
1:30 pm-2:30 pm
Carson Nugget Room A
Oh the Horror!
Getting Monsters, Ghouls, Zombies, & Vampires in Your Library
Presenter: Dan Verdick
Sponsor: NSCLS
Books so good they’re scary! Don’t be scared about horror in your library - in fact, it’s one of the best ways to reach reluctant
readers and increase circulation. This fun session looks at the roots of the horror genre, and shares resources for collection
development, ideas for displays and programs, and more, including horror resources for titles from 2nd-12th grades.
Carson Nugget Room C
Librarianship Online: the Final Frontier?: Continuing Education for Librarians
Presenters: Roberta DeBuff and Alexandria McEwen
Sponsor: Southern District
Wish you had time to read about the new things libraries are doing these days? We can show you how in less than 10
minutes a day. We will explore the easy ways to keep up with the “Movers and Shakers” in the world of library science
without taking you away from the service desk. In order to survive in the world we must continue to learn; let us show you
how easy it can be!
Carson Nugget Room D
LGBTQI Inclusion, The Final Frontier of Education Equity: Encouraging Straight Allies in the K-12 School
Library and Classroom
Presenters: J-Lynn Van Pelt, Heather Crawford, Stephanie Vega
School librarians, teachers, administrators, and staff are invited to this introduction of LGBTQI inclusion in K-12 education.
Learn about straight allies and discuss ways to advocate for welcoming school environments for all children and their families.
Also includes, definitions of terms, related research, conversation starters, many resources, booklists, and more.
Business Resource Innovation Center (BRIC)
To Boldly Go: Librarian Teacher Partnerships for Outcomes-based Learning
Presenter: Anne Zald
Academic and school librarians share the challenge of integrating information literacy outcomes into
assignments, courses and curricula. UNLV librarians co-sponsored faculty development institutes to
strengthen information literacy as an outcome for student learning. This workshop will use the
institutes to frame exploration of our shared challenges and successes.
2:45 pm-3:45 pm
Carson Nugget Room A
A Short History of Carson City: 1851-1900
Presenter: Richard Moreno
Sponsor: IMLS
Richard Moreno will present “A short history of Carson City” based on his new book of the same name. The book traces the
story of the capital city from its origin as a mid-nineteenth-century trading post to its rise as the political center of Nevada.
Carson Nugget Room C
Libraries at the Front Lines of Workforce Recovery
Presenter: Betha Gutsche, Connie Barker, Tammy Westergard
Library staff are first-responders to increased demands for job-related assistance. Yet during these tough times, increased
demands often outstrip staff resources. The IMLS-funded Project Compass Presentation will provide participants with realworld success stories and a foundation of skills to build programs and services to respond to patron workforce recovery
needs.
Carson Nugget Room D
RESISTANCE IS FUTILE- Re-tooling Your Paraprofessional(s)!!!!!
Presenter: Lisa D. Gibson
Sponsor: ACTION
ARM YOURSELVES INTO ACTION!! KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE AND THAT WE MUST UNITE, Re-Tooling ourselves with
the latest technologies within our BORG-like State. The state of “LIBRARYLAND” across the nation is FUTILE. As budgets are
slashed and staffs are eliminated, the ACTION Team proposes to implement a series of “virtual visits” throughout the state
of Nevada. Re-Tooling our Paraprofessionals with new technologies, we will become stronger and BORG-Again!!
Business Resource Innovation Center (BRIC)
More with less: innovative approaches to providing quality library service
Panelists: Susan Hildreth, John Huber, Sara Jones, Felton Thomas, Jane Woodburn
Sponsor: IMLS
This panel discussion will share ideas and experiences that provide quality services to library users despite funding challenges
in these difficult economic times.
4:00 pm-5:00 pm
Carson Nugget Room A
Reading is a Superpower! Using Graphic Novels Across Content Areas
Presenter: Dan Verdick
Sponsor: NSCLS
In this informative and fun session, learn how to use superheroes to promote a knowledge of the popular graphic novel
genre, and how to foster creativity across content areas with a “How to Create a Superhero” program for students. Includes
a brief history and aspects of the graphic novel genre, creative ideas for student-generated graphic novels and characters,
advice for attracting reluctant readers, ways to incorporate graphic novels with more traditional formats, information on
comic books and literacy, and more.
Carson Nugget Room C
Using Technology for More Efficient Communication and Collaboration
Presenter: Kenley Neufeld
Sponsor: LSTA
In this workshop, library director and technology expert Kenley Neufeld offers simple, practical steps for using free or lowcost technology to help make communication more effective and efficient. You’ll learn to implement new communication
tools, use cloud-based tools such as Google Docs for document collaboration, solve problems using social media and manage
stress for more effective listening and communication.
Carson Nugget Room D
Our Continuing Mission: To Build Effective Relationships Between Teachers and Librarians
Presenter: Terry Debarger, J-Lynn Van Pelt, Sarah Van Pelt, Amy Hybarger
Come to explore research, discuss collective experiences, and create bold new ideas for developing effective and mutuallybeneficial relationships between the school library and the classroom. We promise a lively discussion and a helpful collection
of resources designed by and for both teachers and librarians.
Business Resource Innovation Center (BRIC)
Library Support Staff Certification – A Bold New Program
Presenter: Karen Strege
Sponsor: IMLS
Voluntary certification through the Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) Program, sponsored by ALA, recognizes the
value and encourages the growth of library support staff. This introduction will help library support staff members decide if
they would like to join the certification program and help library managers and trustees decide if certification would benefit
their library’s staff and users.
6:00 pm-9:00 pm
President’s Dinner & Awards - Dedicated to the honorable memory of Chuck Manley
(separate ticket required)
Chuck Manley
In 2000, Chuck was named “Librarian of the Year” by the Nevada Library Association. He wrote to the
group’s president: “With only a few weeks of my professional career left, naturally I have been thinking
back over the past 28 years and remembering the joys and triumphs and strivings and battles. I believe
the best part has been working together with all of the good library folks around the state, sharing a vision,
fighting the good fight and pursuing those goals which we all so strongly believe in. Your recognition of my
modest contributions has cast a comforting glow over my recollections. I have been basking in the warmth
of that validation over these past days since you so honored me and it hasn’t faded a bit. I can’t think of
any award that would be more satisfying. I have heard it said that honors from peers are the best kind and
I believe that is true. I hope you could see as I could, the happiness in the eyes of the previous recipients
of this honor as they were individually recognized again that evening.”
About the Presenters
Mario Aguilar
Mario Aguilar is currently the Assistant Branch Manager at the West Las Vegas Library in Las Vegas, NV. He holds
a Master’s of Public Affairs with a focus in non-profit management from the Hauptman School of Public Affairs
and a Master’s of Library and Information Science from the University of North Texas. Mario is a credentialed
mediator with the Neighborhood Justice Center in Las Vegas, where he volunteers to mediate a variety of
neighborhood disputes throughout the city.
Diane Baker
Diane Baker is the LSTA Consulting Librarian in the Nevada State Library and Archives. She administers LSTA
grants for the state of Nevada.
Stella Baker
Stella Baker is a librarian and writer. She has spent more years in libraries than she cares to
admit, doing everything from shelving books to running the joint. The desire to write lured
Stell from full-time library work; currently she works part-time at a community college
library as well as a county law library. With the advent of the e-book, Stella became her
own publisher, with her book 4 Gigs of Trouble available at amazon.com and other e-book
retailers.
Connie Barker
With almost 40 years in adult education in both the private and public sector, Connie Barker
has managed the very successful Computer Assisted literacy in Libraries (CALL) program at the Las Vegas-Clark
County Library District for over ten years. She participated in the conceptualization and implementation of
Project EASE, and has made presentations on this project at state and local conferences. Connie received her
M.S.Ed. from USC.
Tanya Brown-Wirth
Tanya Brown-Wirth is currently working as a Children’s Services Librarian at Las VegasClark County Library District. She is a member of ALA, NLA, PLA, REFORMA, and the
Statewide Continuing Education Advisory Committee for the state of Nevada. Tanya is a
2005 ALA Spectrum Scholar and earned her MLIS from UNT in 2006. She specializes in
youth literature and programming, reference, research, planning, supervision.
Heather Crawford
Heather Crawford is a doctoral student in Educational Specialties at the University of Nevada,
Reno. She is a teaching assistant for UNR and a teacher for the 21st Century program. Her
research interests are: mathematics education, gender issues and teacher preparation.
John Crocket
John Crockett is the Internet Services Librarian for Washoe County Library System
specializing in technology training for patrons and staff. Whether remotely assisting ESL
high school students with term papers or introducing a new ILS to schoolteachers in
Ukraine, he uses emerging technology to infuse fun and creativity in library instruction.
John received the 2011 Outstanding Student Award, Nevada/Utah Cohort at the
University of North Texas.
Terry Debarger
For fifteen years, Terry has taught middle and high school English. He has also worked closely
with librarians as a reader for the Nevada Young Reader Award (NYRA) and a presenter for
Nevada Reading Week. He is currently seeking National Board Certification.
Roberta Debuff
Roberta DeBuff is a librarian with the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. She received her MLIS from Texas
Woman’s University in 2007 and is President-Elect for the Nevada Library Association. Roberta has observed
a huge upward spiral of new resources and online references for librarians in the years since acquiring her
degree.
Lisa Dennis
Lisa Dennis is an Implementation Specialist for EBSCO Publishing, covering Western United
States and Canada. Employed since 2006, her primary goal is to evangelize the EBSCO
interfaces and databases through training. Prior to joining EBSCO, Lisa spent 8 year at
Microsoft in product development and marketing. She was also the Marketing Manager
for developerLabs, a Microsoft certified partner.
Cyrus Ford
Cyrus Z. Ford works in the Bibliographic and Metadata Services
Department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as the
Special Formats Catalog Librarian since December 2006.
Before that, he worked as the Instruction and Reference
Librarian at the Pennsylvania College of Technology and was
also a Spanish Resource Catalog Librarian at Brodart Co.
Lisa Gibson
Lisa Gibson, BS. is currently the Microcomputer Center Supervisor at the West Las Vegas Library. The 2007
Dorothy McAlinden recipient has worked in both public and academic libraries for almost two decades. She is
ACTION Chair for the Nevada Library Association.
Xan Goodman
Formerly a Consortia Librarian at the Michigan Library Consortium, Xan joined the
University of Southern Nevada in 2008 where she is a Reference and Instruction Librarian,
liaison to Pharmacy, Nursing, Business and Orthodontics. Xan’s research Interests
include Information literacy, cultural competencies and multiculturalism. She also is an
Adjunct Instructor at Wayne State University, teaching the course “Multiculturalism in
Libraries and Information Services”. Xan worked for many years as a paraprofessional
before earning her MLIS from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI.
Betha Gutsche
Since earning her MLIS from the University of Washington Information
School, Betha Gutsche has worked with WebJunction, the online community where library
staff get their lifelong learning. Betha is currently the program manager for Project Compass,
an IMLS-funded project to augment the services that public libraries deliver to communities
impacted by the recession. She also has accumulated experience in curriculum development,
e-learning design, and online presentation and facilitation. She is the editor-in-chief of the
2009 publication Competency Index for the Library Field.
Kelli Ham
Kelli Ham is the Consumer Health and Technology Coordinator for the National Libraries
of Medicine, Pacific Southwest Region (NN/LM PSR), located at the UCLA Biomedical
Library in Los Angeles. Kelli helps libraries and community organizations provide quality
health information services to patrons of all ages and backgrounds. Kelli develops
presentations and training materials for librarians with a focus on health resources for
consumers, patients and family members; mobile health technologies, and services
to special populations. NN/LM PSR is an outreach program of the National Library of
Medicine.
Susan Hildreth
On January 19, 2011, President Obama appointed Susan Hildreth to be director of
the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The nomination to her new post was
confirmed by the US Senate by unanimous consent on December 22, 2010. Hildreth
is the former city librarian of Seattle where she managed the Seattle Public Library,
which includes the world-renowned Central Library, 26 new and expanded branches
and a Mobile Services division. The Library operated on a $50 million budget, had
approximately 650 staff members, served more than 14 million visitors and circulated
nearly 12 million books and materials. Hildreth is the former state librarian of California,
appointed by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Hildreth graduated cum laude from Syracuse University and holds a master’s degree in
library science from the State University of New York at Albany and a master’s degree
in business from Rutgers University.
John Huber
John Huber, President of J. Huber & Associates, a pioneer and leader in the Lean
Management movement, has now turned his attention to libraries across North America.
Through Mr. Huber’s book, Lean Library Management: Eleven Strategies to Reduce Costs
and Improve Customer Services, libraries are learning how costs can be reduced by
focusing on improving customer service.
Amy Hybarger
Amy Hybarger graduated with a Master in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis as
a reading specialist from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. After teaching a variety of
subjects in a middle school setting, she pursued her credentials to become a school library
media specialist. She currently works at Yvonne Shaw Middle School as a librarian where
she focuses on building teacher librarian partnerships through collaborative instruction.
Sara Jones
Sara Jones is the Library Director for the Carson City Library. She is the former
administrator of the Nevada State Library and Archives. Sara is also currently a doctoral
student at the University of North Texas, in an IMLS supported distance independent
Ph.D. program. She also teaches in two Library Science programs- the University of
North Texas and the executive program at San Jose State University. She received her
M.L.S. from Syracuse University in 1999 and has nearly 25 years experience in libraries,
17 of those in the management of public libraries and the state library.
Betts Markle
Betts Markle is a relative newcomer to Nevada, moving to Incline Village from Atlanta,
Georgia four years ago to assume the position of Library Director at Sierra Nevada College.
Twenty-two years in the Chicago area and 10 years in Atlanta have contributed to positive
library experiences with collaborative groups and partnerships.
Together we are stronger!
Alexandria McEwen
Alexandria McEwen is a librarian with the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. She received her MLIS from
the University of North Texas in 2006. Alexandria currently serves as ByLaws Chairperson for the Nevada
Library Association.
Danielle Milam
Danielle Patrick Milam, Development Director, has been part of the Las Vegas-Clark
County Library District executive team since 2008. She is an urban planner who has
worked with public libraries for 12 years, including 10 years as Sr. V.P./Program and
Development for the Urban Libraries Council, an association of large urban public
libraries in the U.S. and Canada that is located in Chicago.
Richard Moreno
Richard Moreno is Director of Student Publications
and an instructor in the English and Journalism Department at Western Illinois
University. He was publisher of Nevada Magazine for more than 14 years and
is the author of several Nevada-related books, including: Endless Nevada; The
Roadside History of Nevada; The Nevada Trivia Book; Nevada Curiosities; and
Legends and Mysteries of Nevada.
For more than two decades, Moreno wrote an award winning weekly history/
travel column about Nevada that has appeared in the Lahontan Valley News, the
Nevada Appeal and the Gardnerville Record-Courier. He is a former journalism
instructor at the Reynolds School of Journalism, University of Nevada, Reno, and
former Director of Advertising and Public Relations for the Nevada Commission
on Tourism, where he created the successful “Highway 50: The Loneliest Road in
America” promotion.
In 2007, Moreno was awarded the Nevada Writer’s Hall of Fame’s Silver Pen
Award, which recognizes mid-career writers who have shown substantial achievement in their work and a
strong connection with Nevada. He resides in Macomb, Illinois, with his wife and two children, but still makes
frequent trips to the Silver State.
Kenley Neufeld
Kenley Neufeld is the Library Director at Santa Barbara City College. He lives
in Ojai with his family and blogs at Misc.joy and on the Ojai Post. He received
his Masters of Library Science from San Jose State University and his Bachelor
of Arts in History from University of California, San Diego. He received the
2009 Association of College & Research Libraries, Community & Junior College
Libraries Section, Ebsco Learning Resources Leadership Award and received
the 2011 Association of College & Research Libraries Excellence in Academic
Libraries Award.
London Porter
London is a speaker, author, and fitness coach. In addition, he holds a position
in Human Resources at the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. He’s worked
in Public Sector, Non-Profit, and Private Industry environments. His background
is in Marketing, Sales, and Human Resources, with a Masters Degree in Public
Administration. He states his greatest moments come from, “being a father”, of two
children. London – 8 and Cali 6 – Going on 26.
Kathy Rankin
Katherine Rankin has been the Special Collections Catalog
Librarian at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Libraries since July 2006. She also
catalogs maps. Before that, she worked as the special formats cataloger at the University
of Nevada, Las Vegas Libraries since July 1989 and was also a special collections cataloger
at the University of Texas at Arlington from October 1984 and an audio-visual materials
cataloger at Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas, starting in October 1977.
Pam Rassmussen
Pam Rasmussen is currently the managing librarian of the Incline Village Library, a branch of the Washoe County
Library System. In 2004, she transferred from the Mendive Community Library (a WCLS/WCSD partnership
library), to seize the opportunity to build the new award-winning library facility at Incline Village, Lake
Tahoe. She has managed school and public libraries in rural California and developed numerous community
collaborations and partnerships.
Ann Ronald
Ann Ronald is Foundation Professor of English Emerita from the University of Nevada,
Reno, where she taught for nearly forty years and where she served as the Dean of
the College of Arts and Science between 1989 and 1996. She has published nine
books and countless articles about sense of place in fiction and literary nonfiction.
Beginning with The New West of Edward Abbey and continuing with Earthtones: A
Nevada Album, GhostWest, Oh, Give Me a Home, and Reader of the Purple Sage, most
of her work has focused on the American West. Her latest book, Friendly Fallout 1953,
deals with above ground atomic testing at the Nevada Proving Ground, and is available
from the University of Nevada Press.
Kathy Rush
Formerly a professional scenic artist, Kathy Rush began her library career at the
Nevada State Library & Archives in 2004. She was awarded an MLS degree in 2008
from the University of North Texas and was subsequently hired by Carson City
Library where she is Technical Services Manager. Kathy is co-chair for the Nevada
Library Association’s membership committee. She is married with two children.
Karen Strege
Dr. Karen Strege is Program Director for Library Practitioner Certification Program, a three-year initiative started
in 2005 to establish a national Library Support Staff certification program. Dr. Strege was the State Librarian
of Montana from 1996-2004. She has been involved as a legislative liaison and strategic planner as a library
consultant and director. Dr. Strege was a member of the research team for the OITP Public Library Connectivity
Project. She was President of the Idaho Library Association from 1992-1993. Dr. Strege received a Ph.D. from
Gonzaga University in 1996, and completed an MLS from the University of Washington in 1976. Dr. Strege
makes her home in Seattle, Washington.
George Taylor
Prior to attending law school, Mr. Taylor worked in both the mining and oil and gas industry in exploration.
He managed exploration drilling programs in Wyoming and a seismic exploration program Alaska. He worked
for several years in Nevada in the mining industry in Lander and Elko counties. Following almost 15 years in
minerals exploration, Mr. Taylor attended law school. He is a graduate of the University of Idaho School of Law
receiving his J.D. in 1988. He clerked for District Judge Michael Fondi in Carson City before beginning his career
with the Attorney General’s office. He is now Senior Deputy Attorney General, having served the Office of the
Attorney General for more than 22 years, Since March of 2007, he has been the Open Meeting Law Deputy. For
most of his service with the Attorney General he has represented Conservation and Natural Resource agencies.
He has extensive experience in civil litigation, public land law and employment law in both state and federal
courts. He is a member of the State Bar of Nevada.
Felton Thomas
Felton Thomas, Jr. was appointed Director of the Cleveland Public Library (CPL) in January
2009. Since then, he has positioned CPL as a community deficit fighter and launched
initiatives aimed at addressing community needs in the areas of technology, education,
and economic development.
During Felton’s tenure, CPL has maintained its “Five Star” status and been named a “Top
Innovator” by the Urban Libraries Council for its use of technology and data to inform
decision making. Felton also has guided CPL through the worst recession in decades by
actively seeking input from the community, and then reducing CPL’s budget by millions
while still providing superior service and keeping all neighborhood branches open.
J-Lynn Van Pelt
J-Lynn is the 2011-2012 Director of the E.L. Cord Center for Learning and Literacy and
a doctoral student in Literacy Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno. She is also
a certified librarian and reading specialist and is Nationally Board certified in Early
Adolescence English/Language Arts. J-Lynn serves as a reader for the young adult
committee of the Nevada Young Reader Award.
Sarah Van Pelt
Sarah Van Pelt earned her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Drexel University.
Her area of expertise is children’s and young adult services. Sarah works on social media
platforms and is interested in Web 2.0 initiatives in classrooms and libraries.
Stephanie Vega
Stephanie Vega is a K-6 special education teacher and a doctoral student in Educational
Specialties at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her research interests are: mathematics
education, multicultural education and equity issues. Stephanie is also a program assistant
for the Northern Nevada Girls Math and Technology Program.
DanVerdick
Dan Verdick is an author and library speaker whose had led sessions at district and state
level meetings across the US, including the CSLA (California), FAME (Florida), Minneapolis
Public Schools, Atlanta Public Schools, the AZLA, NVLA, and more. He’s been featured on
the NBC Today Show and in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. Dan is the Director
of Marketing for educational publisher ABDO Publishing Group. He and his wife live in a
suburb of Saint Paul with their two school-age readers.
Elaine Werlinger
Elaine Werlinger, an (almost) lifetime Carson City resident, has worked at the Carson City Library for over 20
years, advancing from Audio/Video Coordinator to her current position as Circulation Manager. She has seen
many improvements in library operations during that time, including implementing the Polaris ILS system and
most recently fully implementing RFID.
Tammy Westergard
Tammy Westergard is the Carson City Library Deputy Director of Planning and
Development and is currently spearheading a multi-million dollar capital campaign to
help build a new, 65,000 square foot, state-of-the-art, Knowledge and Discovery Center
in downtown. Focus on life-long learning opportunities that build 21st century skills thru
access to 21st century tools embodies the project’s primary mission. Also, by putting
the town back into downtown, the project is expected to connect commerce with
culture and create a capital city that gets citizens back to work in industries not related
to tourism and gaming. Westergard is a native-Nevadan, she earned a Bachelor of
Arts from the University of Nevada, Reno, and is currently a student at the University of
North Texas pursuing a MLIS.
Nikki Winslow
Nikki Winslow is the Assistant Branch Manager at the Spring Valley branch of the Las Vegas-Clark County
Library District. She obtained Bachelors of Science in political science at the University of Nevada-Las
Vegas and her Masters of Library and Information Science with advanced studies in library management
from the University of North Texas. A member of NLA since 2004, she was the chair of RAISON for NLA
from 2006 to 2008 and chaired the Annual NLA Conference in Las Vegas in 2008. Nikki has been a member
of PLA and ALA since 2005 and was appointed to the PLA Programming Subcommittee to select programs
for the 2011 Annual ALA Conference. She is also currently serving as an Action Council member of the
Social Responsibilities Round Table with ALA through 2014.
Jane Woodburn
Jane Lai Woodburn, WCSD’s new Deputy Superintendent, brings much
experience from two large school districts in Maryland – Montgomery County
and Prince George’s County Public Schools. As a school performance director,
she supervised and supported principals in their school improvement efforts.
One of these schools was transformed from the lowest performing school in
the district to the school which made the greatest gains and was showcased
in a Harvard research article on school improvement. As a human resources
director, she headed recruitment and staffing in the district, spearheading
initiatives to increase the diversity and quality of the staff and the use of
technology to upgrade processes in human resources.
Ms. Woodburn is a lifelong learner. At the University of Maryland College
Park, she received a B.A. in special education/elementary education, M.Ed.
in Teaching Reading, M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling Services. She is currently working on her Ph.D.
in Educational Policy and Leadership. As the Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Woodburn is in charge of the
central office operational service support to schools. Her priority is to ensure that principals and others
receive outstanding customer service from central office to support student achievement in schools.
Rachel Wright
Rachel Wright is a school librarian at the North Tahoe Middle/High School Library.
Anne Zald
Anne E. Zald joined the UNLV Libraries as Head, Instruction Department,
in April 2009. Previously Anne held several positions at the University
of Washington Libraries including Documents Reference Librarian,
UWired Librarian, Geography Librarian and Head of the Map Collection
& Cartographic Information Services, and was Reference/Documents
Librarian at both Wayne State University and Oberlin College. While
at the University of Washington Anne served as a lecturer for the
Information School, teaching undergraduate courses on information
problem solving and a graduate course entitled “Sources of Information
in the Social Sciences” for the MLIS program. Since 1999 Anne has
served as a faculty member for ACRL’s Immersion programs which
provide professional development for academic librarians in the areas
of instruction and managing instruction programs(http://www.ala.
org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/issues/infolit/professactivity/iil/immersion/
programs.cfm). Anne earned a B.A. in History from Oberlin College and an A.M.L.S. from the University of
Michigan.
2011 Nevada Young Readers’
Award Winners
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Carson Nugget Room A
9:00 am - 1:30 pm
Meet the Authors & Book Signing
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Brunch ticket is required for entry
NYRA Brunch
Children 18 & under, $15.00
Adults, $25.00
Tickets must be purchased in advance.
See registration form at:
http://www.nevadalibraries.org/conference11/2011conference.html
2011 Nevada Young Readers’
Award Winners
Picture Book
Two Bobbies: a True Story of Hurricane
Katrina, Friendship and Survival by
Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery
Intermediate
Stepping Up by Mark Fink
Young Reader
Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues, Book
1) by Rick Riordan
Young Adult
Dope Sick by Walter Dean Myers
Thank you to librarians, teachers, and parents for encouraging Nevada students to
read! 57,407 votes were submitted from all over the state of Nevada!
And a big THANK YOU to NYRA’s 2011 sponsor...
2011 NYRA Presenters
Mark Fink
Mark Fink has written and produced for television and has worked for every major
network. He wrote comedies including Full House, and Saved by the Bell, and created
the NBC Saturday morning series, Hang Time. Two of his published short stories have
won awards. He lives near Los Angeles with his wife and two sons, and plays basketball
as often as his body allows.
Kirby Larson
Kirby Larson is the acclaimed author of the 2007 Newbery Honor Book, Hattie Big Sky, a
young adult historical novel she wrote inspired by her greatgrandmother, Hattie Inez Brooks Wright, who homesteaded by herself in eastern
Montana as a young woman. Her passion for historical fiction continues with two
new titles: The Fences Between Us (Scholastic, Dear America series; September
2010) and The Friendship Doll (Delacorte; May 2011). In 2006, Kirby began
a collaboration with her good friend, Mary Nethery, which has resulted in two
award-winning nonfiction picture books: Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane
Katrina, Friendship and Survival (illustrated by Jean Cassels) and Nubs: The True
Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle. They think three’s a lucky number so have
their eyes peeled for another project to tackle together.
A frequent speaker, Kirby enjoys sharing her passion for research, reading and
writing. She has presented at more than 200 schools, workshops, and seminars in
nearly twenty states and as far away as Qatar and Lebanon.
Kirby lives in Kenmore, Washington with her husband, Neil. When she’s not reading,
writing, or walking Winston the Wonder Dog, Kirby enjoys gardening, bird watching, traveling, or drinking lattés
with friends.
Mary Nethery
Mary Nethery is the New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of many picture
books for children, as well as books for readers of all ages.
She has collaborated with her dear friend, Newbery Honor recipient
Kirby Larson, to write Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina,
Friendship and Survival, and Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine
and a Miracle.
Two Bobbies received the ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award,
the 2009 SIBA Book Award, and was featured on NPR’s All Things
Considered. and is a Junior Library Guild selection; a 2009 IRA Teachers’
Choice; a 2009 IRA/CBC Children’s Choice, a Notable Social Studies Trade
Book for Young People; and is included in The Best Children’s Books of
the Year, Bank Street College.
Mary travels extensively and possesses a passion for animals, adventure,
fashion, laughter, kindness and spunky characters -- all of which weave
their way into her books. She lives in Eureka, California with her husband
Han, and their super brilliant cat, Dashiell, AKA the Baby Muse.