1. Information Technology Rural Librarian Masters Scholarship Program Asynchronous Annual Online Summit 2011 Johnson City Public Library, TN Hancock County Public Library, Sneedville, TN Sevier County Public Library, Sevierville, TNLake City Public Library, TN Bharat Mehra, Kimberly Black, Vandana Singh School of Information Sciences, University of Tennessee

2. Agenda Introduction The ITRL Purpose Why the ITRL Program is Important Five Phases of the ITRL Program Education in the ITRL Context Participating Faculty Voices of Faculty Participating Partners Voices of Partners ITRL Students Voices of ITRL StudentsITRL Planning Meeting13 November, 2009 ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

3. IntroductionIn 2009, the School of Information Sciences (SIS) at theUniversity of Tennessee (UT) was awarded a $567,660grant entitled Rural Library Professionals as ChangeAgents in the 21st Century: Integrating InformationTechnology Competencies in Southern and CentralAppalachian Region (ITRL) by the Institute of Museumand Library Services Laura Bush 21st Century LibrarianProgram. Laurel Jones Public Library, Laurel, MS ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

4. The ITRL PurposeThe ITRL purpose is to recruit sixteenparaprofessionals working in rural libraries in theSouthern and Central Appalachian (SCA) regions tocomplete their masters degree part-time (June 2010 August 2012) with a focus on IT and rurallibrarianship in the UTs SIS program via distance. ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

5. The ITRL PurposeITRL students are receiving: Part-time degree in a ALA-accredited program A structured, individually-tailored IT and rural management curriculum Rural library practices and needs incorporated into the curriculum IT competencies in developing rural library work applications Formal/informal professional mentoring by educators and practitioners Full-tuition scholarship for two years Allowance for materials Provision of a laptop computer. ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

6. Why the ITRL Program is Important The SCA regions are experiencing: Information poverty and unemployment Economic challenges Low levels of information literacy and educational attainment A lack of access and use of IT Other unique environmental challengesLibrary professionals who are embedded in their communities are in astrong position to help address and develop solutions to these needs. Laurel Jones Public Library, Laurel, MS ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

7. Five Phases of the ITRL Program1. Recruitment of ITRL students from rural libraries in the SCA region2. Needs assessment of library services and information challenges faced by rural regional libraries3. Implementation of educational/training activities4. Mentoring5. Evaluation/assessment of program outcomes, and dissemination of program results/experiences. ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

8. Education in the ITRL Context 16 ITRL students are enrolled part-time, taking six credit hours (two courses) each semester (summer, fall, and spring). Forty-two credit hours (14 courses) plus a comprehensive examination or thesis are required for graduation. Students began courses June 2010 and will graduate August 2012. ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

9. Education in the ITRL Context IT Outcomes Management Outcomes1. 1.Technology infrastructure 1. Service evaluation in rural planning and analysis libraries2. 2. Web design, development, 2. Management of a rural library and usability program for adults and3. 3. Database design and children/young adults implementation; 3. Readers advisory4. 4. Building digital library and 4. Grant writing and development web portals5. 5. Establishing hardware and software networking6. 6. Creating Library 2.0 tools ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

10. Participating Faculty Dr. Bharat Mehra, Assistant Professor (Principle Investigator) Dr. Kimberly Black, Assistant Professor (Co-Principle Investigator) Dr. Vandana Singh, Assistant Professor (Co-Principle Investigator) ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

11. Participating Partners Nancy Renfro, Director, Watauga Regional Library Donald B. Reynolds, Director, Nolichucky Regional Library System Susan Simmons, Director, Clinch-Powell Regional Library KC Williams, System Director, Sevier County Public Library ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

12. ITRL Students Heather Duby, Acquisitions Assistant at Pellissippi State Community College, Knoxville, Tennessee. Brittany Fletcher, Elementary School Teacher/Media Team Member, Mountain City Elementary School Media Center, Mountain City, TN Julie Forkner, Reference Librarian, E. G. Fisher Public Library, Athens, TN Angela Glowcheski, Information Specialist, Lumpkin County Public Library, Chestatee Regional Library, Dahlonega, GA Becky Grindstaff, Software Support Specialist, Knox County Schools, Knoxville, Tennessee ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

13. ITRL Students Richard Haynes, Director, Harlan County Public Library System, Harlan, KY Kevin Jump, Circulation Assistant, Weeks-Townsend Memorial Library, Barbourville, KY Lauren Long, Library Technologist, Madison County Public Library, Marshall, NC Susan Macrellis, Library Director, East Ridge City Library, East Ridge, TN Helen Owen: Instructional Supervisor for Materials and Supplies, Teacher Resource Center, Sevier County School System, Sevierville, TN ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

14. ITRL Students Marilyn Pontius, Hancock War Memorial Branch Library, Washington County Free Library, Washington County, MA Deborah Ratliff, Branch Manager/Program Specialist, Goshen Public Library, Rockbridge Regional Library, Goshen, VA Christine Smith, Branch Manager, C. Bascom Slemp Memorial Library, Lonesome Pine Regional Library System, Big Stone Gap, VA Susan Williams: Resource Center/Education Coordinator, Highlander Research and Education Center, New Market, TN Vicki Winstead, Library Media Specialist, Jackson Elementary School Library, Kingsport, TN Amber Woodard, Library Technical Assistant, Cumberland University, Lebanon, TN ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

15. Voices of ITRL Students1. Heather Duby 7. Fran Owen2. Brittany Fletcher 8. Marilyn Pontius3. Julie Forkner 9. Chris Smith4. Angela Glowcheski 10.Susan Williams5. Becky Grindstaff 11.Vicki Winstead6. Susan Macrellis 12.Amber Woodard ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

16. 1. Heather Ruble Duby ITRL Summit 2011 Thank you for the opportunity! ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

17. 1. Heather Duby: About Me Attended Pellissippi State Community College (PSCC) from 1991-1993; Graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree in English Attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville from 1993-1995; Graduate with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English From 1996 Present I have worked in the PSCC library Learned about the ITRL program from my friend, Bill Stevens Began my Masters Degree coursework in the summer semester of 2010 ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

18. 1. Heather Duby: A Change inPerspective & Skills Perspective as a paraprofessional Perspective as a future information professional Improvement in technology skills & the ability to think about tasks in new ways Coursework has broadened my horizons and has had real-world impact on my library ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

19. 2. Brittany Fletcher Collection Development Lessons and Activities through Literature Hands on Learning Project : iPads in the classroom Mountain City Elementary School ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

20. 2. Brittany Fletcher: The Future Practicum allowing me to work with students of all ages Switching collection database to Destiny Continue training with new technology in the classroom Johnson County Middle School ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

21. 3. Julie Forkner E. G. Fisher Public Library ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

22. 3. Julie Forkner: McMinn County, TN 11% Unemployment 14% holds a bachelors degree ~ 40% is over 45 years old ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

23. 3. Julie Forkner: Computer Use at E. G.Fisher Service population: 45,834 Open 54.5 hours/week 23 Public Access Computers Wi-Fi Available Computer Use in FY 2009-2010: 42,345 ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

24. 3. Julie Forkner: Laptop ComputingLab 12 Laptops including one for the visually impaired. Which in turn prompted: A relationship with Techsoup Updating public desktops to Windows 2010 Mobile lab to take to community libraries Laptop Check-Out to increase computer access ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

25. 4. Angela Glowcheski Information Specialist, Lumpkin County Library, Dahlonega, Georgia 5.15 full-time equivalents An average of 3,580 patrons served weekly An average of 14 programs a month serving adults, young adults and children Ten public computer stations Public internet access and wireless access ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

26. 4. Angela GlowcheskiChanges resulting from coursework: Reorganized Computer Classes Built in tools of patron feedback Reference Interview ProcessMore to come: Web Presence Community Partnerships ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

27. 4. Angela Glowcheski Benefits of the ITRL Masters Scholarship Program Relationship with Teachers and Mentor Interaction with fellow students Portfolio of Coursework Program design ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

28. 5. Becky Grindstaff Former English as a Second Language Teacher Now Knox County Schools Technology Dept. Staff Work in schools and school libraries each week (librarians are often the support for technology) Will be assisting with the implementation of a distance learning program during the 2011-2012 school year ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

29. 5. Becky Grindstaff ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

30. 6. Susan MacrellisITRL student [text/images]Susan Macrellisand the East RidgeCity Library staffwith formerUS CongressmanZach Wamp .(EastRidgeChristmas Parade2010) ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

31. 6. Susan Macrellis East Ridge City Library, serving 20,000 residents of the Chattanooga, TN suburb, is located in the left wing of the City Hall building. ERCL has formed a committee to evaluate the suitability of adopting OSS Evergreen as its ILS. See what all the excitement is about at http://open-ils.org/ or http://www.georgialibraries.org/pu blic/pines.php ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

32. 7. Fran Owen How the ITRL Program has Fostered Growth in Sevier County School LibrariesChanges implemented due to my experiences in the program and course work ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

33. 7. Fran Owen 510-----Researched the Digital Divide in Sevier County and what is being done to bridge the gap 520-----Learned how to properly assign subject headings and about vocabulary control to improve Sevier Countys OPAC entries 530-----Learned about various selection, reference, and evaluation tools important to all libraries and the ethics involved in providing virtual reference services ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

34. 7. Fran Owen 560-----Developed a partial opening day collection for a school currently under construction 567-----Learning how to create a Sevier County School Library web site 572-----Age appropriate school librarians have copies of quality young adult selections and are performing book talks to share their collection additions ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

35. 7. Fran Owen 585-----Created a wiki for school librarians to share curriculum development and designed and implemented an instrument to improve communication between the school system and a software vendor 590-----Learning how to develop a marketing plan to educate school principals on the value of school librarians in improving student achievement ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

36. 8. Marilyn Pontius Marilyn Pontius Branch Manager Hancock War Memorial Library Hancock, Maryland ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

37. 8. Marilyn Pontius IT Deliverables: IS 585: Information Technologies Closing the Digital Divide: Expanding Computing at the Hancock War Memorial Library Hancock Library in 1904 Hancock, Maryland ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

38. 8. Marilyn Pontius Rural Management Outcomes IS 554 Public Library Management and Services User-Centered Assessment/Evaluation of Public Library Services: Computer Services Hancock War Memorial Library ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

39. 9. Chris Smith [text/images] C Bascom Slemp Memorial Library located in the heart of Southwest Virginia Our Motto Start Here Go Anywhere And Im the perfect example, thanks to the ITRL Masters Scholarship Program ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

40. 9. Chris SmithMeet my favorite community partner, Lyric, the READ dog. Completing the requirements for my Masters degree has forced me to examine my community, my library, and myself. When I started the application process I told Dr. Mehra I expected to be in the same place either with or without my degree. Im still planning to stay, but Im a different person, and Ive made Slemp Library a different place. ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

41. 10. Susan WilliamsI am very privileged to be in the ITRL program at theUniversity of Tennessee School of Information Service. Iwork at the Highlander Center library in NewMarket, Tennessee and this program is providing manywonderful learning opportunities. opportunities. This is a photo of the Highlander library. The mound on the left is the archive room, and to the right is the main book room, sun room and the rest of the building. ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

42. 10. Susan Williams: What have I learned? This program has made me much more comfortable with technology, and I am learning more all the time. Some of the technology areas covered include: --Basic computer hardware and software including PowerPoint. --Graphic design using Photoshop --Drupal, wikis, blogs, social networking I have also been very interested in learning more about reference librarianship, information literacy and how people can learn more about maneuvering through the vast internet information world. This area provides great fuel for our work in participatory research with grassroots groups. All of this also helps our library to think about what are some additional communication vehicles and services that could be useful. ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

43. 10. Susan Williams: More thoughts aboutthe program I am very appreciative of the faculty with the UT SIS for many reasons but especially because they are so willing to allow me to choose topics that are interesting and helpful to me. Some of the projects that have been very informative include: --A research paper about Broadband access in rural areas --Research on digitizing historical photographs --Evaluation of our participatory research service --Currently, a training module for user instructions for groups that come to Highlander. Most rewarding has been the chance to use my brain, and to be creative. I also appreciate the opportunities to work in teams for some projects. This program has at times been quite a challenge for me, given my age and limited knowledge of technology. Many thanks to all!!!! ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

44. 10. Susan Williams Many thanks from me and my cats! ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

45. 11. Vicki Winstead Native of East Tennessee Library Media Specialist at Andrew Jackson Elementary School in Kingsport, TN Participant in Kingsport City Schools Teacher Leader Academy Completed Advanced Technology Academy for Kingsport City Schools School Web Master Certified Smart Board Trainer ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

46. 11. Vicki Winstead: IS 560-Developmentand Management of Collections Evaluation and selection of print and non-print materials. Deselection and weeding Project: Develop a Small Collection For my elementary school library, I evaluated and selected materials to support the science curriculum in Kindergarten through fifth grade This collection was developed using various criteria including Purpose, Audience, Definition, Format, and Cost. ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

47. 11. Vicki Winstead: IS 554 Public LibraryManagement and Services Performed and evaluation and user-centered assessment of the Job-Seeking service of the Kingsport Public Library. ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

48. 11. Vicki Winstead: IS 572 Resources andServices for Young Adults Evaluation and review of young adult magazines and movies Book talks Collection development project Reading responses Challenged/banned book essay YA awards ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

49. 12. Amber Woodard [text/images] Amber Woodard, Library Technical Assistant Cumberland University Vise Library, Lebanon, TN ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

50. 12. Amber Woodard The most beneficial project for my library: Screencast tutorials created for my final project in IS 585, Information Technologies. These can be viewed at youtube.com/culibrary. To read more about the project, please visit sis.utk.edu/Woodard ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

51. 12. Amber Woodard My Goals for the Remainder of the Program:1. 1. Continue to learn about the field of librarianship and develop my skills as a librarian 2. 2. Study emerging library technologies and how to implement them within my library setting3. 3. Collaborate with my peers in the program in order to learn from paraprofessionals in other library settings ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011

52. 12. Amber Woodard Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the program! ITRL Annual Online Summit 2011