Session Facilitators Needed!

Hey SUNYLA!

We still need people to help out and facilitate some sessions at SUNYLA 2008. Here are the times and sessions where we need your help.

Pre-Conference:
P1 SUNY Borrowing Task Force part 1 9am-noon
P2 Unravelling Web 2.0: Matching the Technology to the Need 1pm-3pm
P4 The Automated Authority Control Process, saving time saving resources 1pm-3pm
P5 SUNY Borrowing Task Force part 2 1pm-3pm
P6 "What Do We Want?: Librarian Equity, UUP, and the Executive Committee" 3pm-4pm

Conference:
V-1 Digital Preservation: Greatly Desired, Greatly Unknown… 8:15 - 9:00am room 217
G-S Whirlpool Ahead! Librarians and the Vortex of University Service 9:15 - 10:00 am
M-S Information Literacy Assessment: Session I: Program Assessment 9:15 - 10:00 am
V-4 Serials Solutions 3:30pm - 4:15pm room 217
V-5 Elsevier 4:30pm - 5:15pm room 217
U-S Negotiating rough waters: library director evaluations 8:45am-10:15am
V-6 ExLibris 8:45am-10:15am room 217

Please consider helping us out.
Thanks,

Mark McBride
mcbridmf@buffalostate.edu

Session Facilitators!

Hey SUNYLA!

We still need people to help out and facilitate some sessions at SUNYLA 2008. Here are the times and sessions where we need your help.

Pre-Conference:
P1 SUNY Borrowing Task Force part 1 9am-noon
P2 Unravelling Web 2.0: Matching the Technology to the Need 1pm-3pm
P4 The Automated Authority Control Process, saving time saving resources 1pm-3pm
P5 SUNY Borrowing Task Force part 2 1pm-3pm
P6 "What Do We Want?: Librarian Equity, UUP, and the Executive Committee" 3pm-4pm

Conference:
V-1 Digital Preservation: Greatly Desired, Greatly Unknown… 8:15 - 9:00am room 217
G-S Whirlpool Ahead! Librarians and the Vortex of University Service 9:15 - 10:00 am
M-S Information Literacy Assessment: Session I: Program Assessment 9:15 - 10:00 am
V-4 Serials Solutions 3:30pm - 4:15pm room 217
V-5 Elsevier 4:30pm - 5:15pm room 217
U-S Negotiating rough waters: library director evaluations 8:45am-10:15am
V-6 ExLibris 8:45am-10:15am room 217

Please consider helping us out.
Thanks,

Mark McBride
mcbridmf@buffalostate.edu

We still need session facilitators!

Hey SUNYLA!

We still need people to help out and facilitate some sessions at SUNYLA 2008. Here are the times and sessions where we need your help.

Pre-Conference:
P1 SUNY Borrowing Task Force part 1 9am-noon
P2 Unravelling Web 2.0: Matching the Technology to the Need 1pm-3pm
P4 The Automated Authority Control Process, saving time saving resources 1pm-3pm
P5 SUNY Borrowing Task Force part 2 1pm-3pm
P6 "What Do We Want?: Librarian Equity, UUP, and the Executive Committee" 3pm-4pm

Conference:
V-1 Digital Preservation: Greatly Desired, Greatly Unknown… 8:15 - 9:00am room 217
G-S Whirlpool Ahead! Librarians and the Vortex of University Service 9:15 - 10:00 am
M-S Information Literacy Assessment: Session I: Program Assessment 9:15 - 10:00 am
V-4 Serials Solutions 3:30pm - 4:15pm room 217
V-5 Elsevier 4:30pm - 5:15pm room 217
U-S Negotiating rough waters: library director evaluations 8:45am-10:15am
V-6 ExLibris 8:45am-10:15am room 217

Please consider helping us out.
Thanks,

Mark McBride
mcbridmf@buffalostate.edu

Photos? Flickr!

There is a burgeoning new Flickr group for SUNYLA. The photos I've seen around are wonderful, but it's nice to have them all visible in one designated space. And that is why I am encouraging you to go to http://www.flickr.com/groups/sunyla/ to post all the pictures you like. Ken invented a tag to use as well: sunyla2007conference

Upload! Label! Archive! Repeat!

On a slight blogging hiatus

Currently doing my QuestionPoint Virtual Reference Desk shift in my room. Being connected is a blessing and a curse... I'm working on the wiki a little more too.

Morning Update for the Conference Wiki

This is just an update to show some of the resources from the presentation that I noted on the SUNYLA 2007 Conference Wiki(PW sunylalibrarian). I've started updating the 2nd day, though I could really use some help with the sessions I did not attend. I will update the others later with at least the abstracts from the conference program.

I attended Session L & M and they have been updated. I will try to get to the others later.

Civil War Cannon

Civil War Cannon
Originally uploaded by Bill_Drew

I took this picture last night on the Torchlight Tour. It was quite interesting. We even got a ghost story! If you get a chance be sure to walk around the fort and visit the museum and especially the library. It is a beuatiful facility and even has books!

Food, drink, music & coffee

Last night a few colleagues and myself had drinks and unhealthy pub food at the Harbor Inn at 50 Pennyfield. With in walking distance, so if you have the urge to venture off campus and grab a cocktail and listen to good music from the jukebox that's the place.

Also, for you early risers who happen to need a cup of coffee when you first wake up, I found a little deli on Harding with a little coffee bar set up. Take Pennyfield to Harding and make a left. It is about 2-3 blocks up on your right. They also have a small deli inside.

Get it up for Tesla!

SUNYLA 2007 Membership Social

Here are the photos taken at the Membership Social photo booth. I hope everyone had fun!

Add to my blog

Calling all "Flickr"ers, "del.icio.us"ers, and other folksonomists

Just to try to keep things somewhat organized, lets make "SUNYLA2007Conference" (one word) the official tag!

Flickr tag "sunyla2007conference"
Del.icio.us tag "sunyla2007conference"

Let me know in the comments if I missed any other tagging service, and I will add to the list above. Its always good to find out what other tagging tools SUNY Librarians are using.

Welcome to SUNYLA 2007

I hope everyone had a safe trip. I arrived on campus last night after a long drive from Buffalo, NY. The first thing I realized upon settling into the dorms was that I was quite hungry, and decided to order a pizza. In case you have a similar craving for a late night snack, you can find a list of places to eat, or order from in the SUNYLA FAQ [PDF]. The pizza as good, but they had a variety of other menu choices as well.

Early the next morning I got a quick breakfast at the Library's cafe (the coffee is Starbucks brand for all you coffee connoisseurs) and helped get things ready for the first day of the conference. We spent a lot of time decorating for the Membership Social, so for all those attending, I hope you enjoy it. There will be wine tasting, appetizers, and other social activities to encourage "schmingling (schmooze + mingle).

I was also a panel speaker for the "Tutorial Sound Off" pre-conference workshop. It was a long workshop (1pm-4pm), but we had a good group and I got a lot of great ideas from the other speakers and discussions. I am thinking of putting together a SUNYLA 2007 Conference wiki (PW=sunylalibrarian for anyone interested) to try to keep a record of all the things that go on at this years conference.

That's all for now. I need to take a breather. Hope to see you at the Membership Social (free food & wine tasting...)

Arrived this afternoon

I arrived at Fort Schuyler just after 12 noon today. I rode down with Dave Ritchie, Ellen McCabe, and Gretchen Hermann from SUNY Cortland. The trip was quiet and uneventful. The SUNY Maritime campus is spectacular. It sits literally right underneath the Throgs Neck Bridge. I spent a couple of hours just wandering around and visited the fort and the library. More later.

Fun Is Good -- Opt In!

You wouldn't want to miss the most fun events, would you? Of course not!

What luck! There is still room for Johnny (and Janie) Come-Latelys at the events described below. No need to register; just show up (and pay), and enjoy yourself!

WEDNESDAY

Sailing
1:00 - 4:00 PM. Meet at the waterfront. $50

What better way to spend a summer afternoon than out on the glittering water with a view of New York City? Experience the fun, freedom, exhilaration, and enjoyment of sailing in ~35'-38' sailboats. Maritime sailing coaches will take you out on the water for a pleasure sail and some introductory sailing instruction. (Proceeds will benefit similar waterfront activities for Bronx youth.)

Kayaking
1:30 - 4:00 PM. Meet at the waterfront. $35

Spash around near the shore and explore the diverse shoreline of western Long Island Sound and the East River. All levels welcome! You will be amazed at how quickly beginners progress through the three phases from initial hesitation to relaxed/comfortable enjoyment to "let's flip 'em!" Cost includes all equipment, an instructor and a safety boat. (Proceeds will benefit similar waterfront activities for Bronx youth.)

**NEW** Torchlight Tour
10:00 - 10:30 PM. Meet at the Fort Schuyler flagpole. FREE!

We’ve added one more very special and exclusive event. Our resident expert will lead a tour by torchlight of Fort Schuyler’s most historic and secretive places, including the dungeon and rooftop! Commander John Yesko brings to life the Fort’s fascinating history, from its Civil War beginnings to the present day. Limited to first 30 people.

THURSDAY

SUNSET CRUISE
7:30 - 11:30 PM. Meet at the College Pier. $40

Join our private party aboard the Skyline Princess! Operated by Skyline Cruises, this 120-foot Tri-Level luxury motor yacht will take us around the island of Manhattan. We will enjoy breathtaking sights of New York City as the summer sun sets over the glittering waters of the Long Island Sound and East River. Don’t forget your camera for those close-ups of the Statue of Liberty! This promises to be an unforgettable New York cruise experience. Entertainment, full open bar, and snacks are included. Refreshments sponsored by Elsevier.

Update: SUNYLA Conference FAQ Packet available

Just a quick update that there is a new item, SUNYLA Conference FAQ, available on the SUNYLA 2007 Conference Web site. The Conference Program has also been updated to include location information for the sessions.

Cyber Space Cadets

Computer Access

The Maritime College campus has several computer labs on campus which are available for use by all conference attendees:

The Stephen B. Luce Library at Fort Schuyler

and

Marvin Tode Hall

• Room 119
• Room 124
• Room 249A
• Room 249B
  
  

In addition, each dorm room has a network connection for each person and many of the campus buildings have wireless internet.

There is no network log-in. Please use responsibly.

[Moderators/Presenters: All session locations have wireless internet. There will be an email with further details.]

p.s. Don’t forget to bring an internet cable with your laptop if you want to use the dorm connection. The Ship’s Store can sell you one, but they close at 4.

Food, Glorious Food

Several of you have had questions about food options before the conference proper, and I see that several of you do plan to arrive early.

Aside from our catered conference meals, the only campus food venue is the Library Café, which is open from 8am to 2pm Monday through Thursday and 8am to noon on Friday. The Café serves coffee (including iced coffee), danishes, cereal, juice, soda, and gourmet sandwiches and salads. As an added bonus, you'll meet Mariam, who works behind the counter -- she's terrific.

Within walking distance of campus are the Harbor Inn and Mamma Lucia's. The Harbor Inn is a bar and restaurant, serving basic Italian and American from 11:30 am - 10:00 pm. Mamma Lucia's is, as you might guess, Italian fare, open 10am - 10pm.

Both of these are good options for anybody wanting a sit-down dinner after the Wednesday social. Harbor Inn would appreciate reservations, even if it's only a couple of hours ahead -- 718-892-9148.

There are also several places nearby which deliver, and you have your choice of cuisine -- sushi, pizza, Chinese, Middle Eastern, deli. For anybody with a car, you have a wide range of options within short driving distances. Your registration packet will have more on this. Those of you arriving early will receive it when you get your room key.

Update: Conference at a Glance & Campus Map now available

Just a quick update that there are two new items, Conference at a Glance and a Campus Map, available on the SUNYLA 2007 Conference Web site.

Get The Run Around!

Attention People with Legs: You're invited to join the Runner's Roundtable at this year's conference!

Stephan says:

I'll be "chairing" the Runner's Roundtable at SUNYLA. We'll meet on Wednesday, (maybe) Thursday and Friday at 7am (ish) at a location on campus TBA--likely the residence hall or the library. Runners, joggers, walkers, all abilities welcome. I know the Bronx quite well, so if there's enough interest, maybe we'll try to visit some off-campus sites as well as take in the view from on campus.

I've been chairing the RR since SUNYLA was at New Paltz (home turf, as it
were) and I was really surprised that some folks have already inquired about this year's runs!

Attendees are welcome to call or email with their questions regarding the Roundtable. My contact info is below.

Thanks! sjm


Stephan J. Macaluso, MM MLS
Sojourner Truth Library - SUNY New Paltz
(845) 257-2699, macaluss@newpaltz.edu
AIM: eicnp
MSN: eic_librarian

Interborough Travel, Revisited

I wish to revise some things from the previous message:

1. Laguardia is definitely the preferable airport. It is closer, and therefore cab rides will be less costly, than from JFK.

2. The Whitestone bridge does tend to be faster than the Throgs Neck; however, summer is construction season, and that makes traffic delays very unpredictable.

Also permit me to add some more options and tools:

For those looking to save money, avoid taxi rides, and/or travel in between Manhattan and the Bronx during/after the conference, check out the BxM9 express bus. It costs $5, and it drops you off a short walk from campus, at the intersection of Harding and Pennyfield. (Well, it might be as long as a half mile, so if you can't walk it, you can pick up the Bx40 at that intersection for another $2 fare, and that takes you to the campus gatehouse.)


For anybody arriving by trains into Penn Station, the easiest option is taking a taxi to campus. Here are the directions:

Go North on the West Side Highway to I-95 North/Cross Bronx Expressway. Follow Throgs Neck Bridge signs to Exit 9 (Harding Ave/Fort Schuyler), which is the last exit before the bridge toll plaza. At exit 9, turn right at end of ramp to traffic light. Take sharp left onto Pennyfield Avenue, follow to Maritime College gatehouse at end of street.


For any other travel questions, try using Hopstop for public transportation and Mapquest for driving directions.

Air You Go, Guv'na!

If you're looking at flights still and don't know which airport to choose, I'd say book whichever flight is more convenient based on timing and airfare and don't worry about the airport issue too much. Laguardia is a few miles closer to us than JFK is, but it's not a huge difference.

For anybody arriving at either airport, your best transportation option to campus is taxi. (The public transportation option from Laguardia is possible, but it will take at least 2 hours -- take the M60 bus into Manhattan, then the 6 subway uptown into the Bronx, then the Bx40 to campus.)

If you plan to take a cab to campus, take these directions (both options!) with you:

Via the Whitestone Bridge: Pay toll at extreme right booth, take immediate right exit to traffic light. Turn right to next traffic light, turn right then left onto I-295. Keep to right and take EXIT 9 (Harding Ave/Fort Schuyler) just before Throgs Neck Bridge. At EXIT 9 (Harding Ave/Fort Schuyler) go left at stop sign at end of exit ramp, then make immediate right on to Harding Avenue. At stop sign, turn left onto Pennyfield Avenue, and proceed to the end until you reach the Maritime College gatehouse.

OR

Via the Throgs Neck Bridge: Pay toll at extreme right booth, take immediate exit for Pennyfield Avenue-Fort Schuyler. Proceed along service road to 2nd stop sign (2 blocks). Make left onto overpass. At light, veer left onto Pennyfield Avenue, proceed to the end until you reach the Maritime College gatehouse.

My experience has been that cab drivers prefer to take the Whitestone. The bridges cost the same, and they’re about equidistant – I have no personal preference which bridge they use. The only difference will depend on traffic that day, which your cab driver may know about.

We will be including some version of this in your conference packet, which you can use to get back to the airport. The cost to get here from the airport will probably be somewhat less than what it will cost to get to the airport – the yellow cabs are metered, but these local companies go by flat rate. You might be able to carpool with somebody else from the conference; I've communicated this information to two people already. Email me if you would like to get in touch with them about sharing a taxi to the airport after the conference.