#dclapresident

Years ago when I was a freshman in college I was friends with a senior that was continually going around saying “perception is reality” – meaning that reality was only what someone else perceived it to be. He went on to explain that during his internship he was always the first to arrive and the last to leave work so that he was “perceived” to be hard working. Being a freshman I considered the possibility, however thought there might be more to it when the experienced “hard working” senior didn’t get the job offer he expected upon graduation.

Perception can be a funny thing because it involves someone’s individual interpretation of the world. Whether or not that interpretation is even remotely close to the truth is beside the point – a person may still cling to it as gospel. And a number of things can distort our perception making reality a bit fuzzy, like our attitude, emotions or background. Just like a lightbulb overlaid with a color filter can change the way you see a white light, outside influences (and sometime inside thoughts and feelings) can change our perception of actual events and interactions with other people.

Think of a time when you had absolutely no opinion of someone or something, but after a friend or family member said something good or bad about that said person or thing your opinion suddenly changed. The circumstances didn’t change, only your view of them. Sometimes, if you are not careful, those distorted perceptions can lead you down a path that is nowhere near the reality of the situation, ultimately resulting in a negative outcome.

That’s where the help of others comes in. Colleagues and acquaintances that you may not even know very well or be that close to but whom you respect because of the work you have seen them accomplish or the way they conduct themselves generally can offer insight. People outside our normal circles can help us see things in new ways and a great network can keep you grounded and challenge any distortions that may be impairing your “vision.”

If you are interested in developing a great network, or already have one that you would like to expand upon, join us Thursday, September 15, at Smith Public Trust for our annual membership reception. We’ve got a great year planned and would love for you to be a part of it.

Whenever I embark upon a journey I often consider the many obstacles and challenges that may occur while en-route to my destination. For example, will I encounter traffic congestion, car accidents or some malfunction to my car? I never know what to expect. To help prepare for the journey, in an effort to reduce the odds of delay and to avoid or mitigate potential obstacles I usually listen to the latest traffic report making me aware of traffic jams due to road construction and car accidents. I also try to keep my car well-tuned to help prevent potential car malfunctions.

Sometimes we face similar impediments in our careers paths but we are not tuned to the latest career report; advising and warning us on how to navigate professional hurdles. My career has been full of potential stumbling blocks and obstacles, and I am sure there are many more waiting for me. Fortunately for me I have had advisors over the years who have offered me sage advice to guide me through the tough times. Some advisors were assigned mentors; others were colleagues who wanted to see me do well and reach my potential.

As we begin a new year, I want to focus on continuing to build leaders among the DCLA community It has been my experience that effective leaders benefit from the wisdom and insight of advisors; someone to help think through choices, decisions, conundrums, and challenges. To that end, today DCLA announces a call for mentors to participate in the DCLA mentoring program. This program is for librarians who want to help a colleague navigate sometime difficult career choices.

In July, DCLA will post a call for members who want a mentor. A commitment to attend an hour-long workshop is required of all the participants in the DCLA Mentoring Program. Characteristics of a Good Mentor/Coach can be found here.

If you are willing to  continue the DCLA tradition of "Developing Leaders since 1894," contact me at [email protected].

-Julius, DCLA President

Join DCLA and DCPS (DC Public School libraries) in our campaign: #My School Librarian

We are calling all librarians, information professionals, and library supporters to volunteer for a day of service to help fellow D.C. school librarians. Volunteers will assist school librarians perform

weeding assignments, re-shelving of collections, and organizing materials within the school library.

Please save the following dates: Saturday, December 6, 2014 & Monday, January 19, 2015 (MLK Day)

More detailed information will be sent in the upcoming days. Questions? contact: [email protected]

“My guess is (it will be) about 300 years until computers are as good as, say your local reference library in search.”—Craig Silverstein, Former Director of Technology at Google.com

Who uses libraries?—that is the question!

On Thursday, October 9, DCLA is hosting the program, “Who uses libraries and who doesn’t?” with Lee Rainie, Director of Internet, Science, and Technology at Pew Research Center, at 6:30 p.m. in the Petworth Neighborhood Library.

[Photo: Lee Rainie]

In preparation for Lee Rainie's presentation, take the What Kind of Library User Are You? Quiz. Once you click on the link, please use the following code: 6c66216 and your answers will be recorded under DCLA's librarian community. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "sign in under community" to enter the code.

As president and a proud member of DCLA, I took the Library User Quiz! The quiz proudly proclaimed me as a “Library Lover,” which means I have a strikingly positive view of public libraries. Please join me and find out what kind of library user you are: Library Lover, Information Omnivores, Solid Center, Print Traditionalists, Not for Me,Young and Restless, Rooted and Roadblocked, Distant Admirers, or Off the Grid.

Whether you are a "library lover" or "off the grid," you can register and attend Rainie's event. I look forward to seeing you there!

"Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” -Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Serving is a rewarding experience. As librarians and knowledge navigators, we serve others by gracefully providing responses that are tailored by the love for our profession. We're willing to spend much of our time serving and advocating for others, it’s time we start promoting and advocating for our profession.

This month the DCLA Board hosts the Fall Member Reception at La Tasca. The reception is a chance for members to meet and connect with one another. It will also be an opportunity to learn more about DCLA Committees, Interest Groups, and how to serve on them. During this year’s reception, members can participate in a class on making sangria; as well, as learn the key ingredients to being an invaluable part of DCLA.

DCLA extends an open invitation to our Fall Member Reception on Tuesday, September 23, 2014, 6 p.m. at La Tasca Restaurant. We would like to invite our members, friends, and supporters to come ready to party and leave ready to serve! Register for the Fall Member Reception at this link.

"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great!" -Zig Ziglar

As DCLA begins a new year, I would like to say thank you to the members for welcoming me as President.

Recently, I was asked, "why did you decide to run for DCLA President?" My answer, "librarians are awesome, who doesn't want to be president of awesome?" It is very rewarding to serve fellow librarians in our community, the Nation's Capital. By providing leadership, professionalism and networking programs, DCLA's goal is to help shape and develop your goals and future aspirations for your library career and beyond.

This year we plan to conduct programs that will inspire conversations as well as ignite ideas. Some of these program will include the following:

Five things I wish I would have known before I became a librarian

Writing Grants for Your Library: a Workshop

Are you LinkedIn?

Your Career Beyond Librarianship

We are seeking volunteers for the following interest groups and committees: Membership; Federal Relations; Intellectual Freedom. Help shape our association by letting your voice be heard, volunteer!

As always, I am open to listening to your suggestions and ideas. If you would like to volunteer or simply say, "hello," feel free to reach out to me by email or during a program.

Thank you for making our association great. Now let's get started!