News from the SWANpond
Meet SWAN's new Assistant Director, Dawne Tortorella
SWAN's newest team member, Dawne Tortorella, may already be a friendly face to you. Or perhaps you've seen her name among emails about the New 19 libraries joining SWAN. Dawne comes to us with a wealth of library-world experience, including having most recently helped to leading the MAGIC consortium under while working for RAILS.
If you haven't had the pleasure yet of getting to know Dawne, check out our short interview below and be sure to introduce yourself at the next membership meeting. Just don't share any spoilers about Grimm!
What’s one of your favorite things about libraries?
DT: People tend to think libraries are antiquated, slow/adverse to change – I don’t agree. Libraries like to learn and that means they are ripe for experimentation and adaptation. My first career was in IT with many years at DePaul University. During my tenure there, I worked with the library to build and renovate two new libraries, as well as satellite campuses with library service. And, I never stopped working with libraries. My initial and long-term opinion was/is that library staff are smart, dedicated to good service, and challenging in a most wonderful way.
What made you want to work for SWAN?
DT: I have had the good fortune to work with many SWAN libraries and SWAN staff through the years. My most recent experience working with MAGIC libraries and knowing that their future home is with SWAN makes this opportunity even better – I get to blend old and new friendships/colleagues/projects.
Are you watching any good TV shows or reading any good books right now?
DT: I’m rewatching/watching the 6 seasons of Grimm. Oddly I find it very believable and loved the final series ending episode, although I was worried what was coming down. No spoliers… my husband used to make fun of my Grimm obsession but he is enjoying this reboot.
On the opposite extreme, I’m reading Arundhati Roy’s The End of Imagination. It is a collection of her essays. She is a brilliant Indian author who clearly articulates what it means to be a political activist (action being the operative word). Committed to human rights she makes it her mission to keep government honest – timely reading.
SWAN’s membership will soon include 97 libraries. How do you think your role will help serve our community?
DT: I like to examine, research, collaborate, and solve problems – not that there will be any in this project. Watching how people uniquely find solutions and bringing people together around common practice is a challenge I enjoy.
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Did You Know
The Hinsdale Public Library is offering a continuing education event on Wednesday, June 21 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Supporting Diversity and Inclusivity in Libraries June 21
Libraries are positioned to be powerful advocates for diversity and inclusion in their communities. Join us to hear from three libraries who are supporting this aim in different ways. K.C. Boyd, Lead Librarian at East St. Louis Library Media Center, will discuss how she incorporates these concepts in her work with students in a school library environment. Mimosa Shah and Allyson Coan from the Skokie Public Library will share the work of their EDI (equity, diversity, inclusion) Committee and the development of their culture statement. Finally, Tony Yang and Joanna Brookes from the St. Paul Public Library in Minnesota will talk about their racial equity initiative which lead to a significant change in their hiring practices and training. See L2 for more information/registration: http://www.librarylearning.info/events/?eventID=24825.
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The Latest News
Upcoming ILS Upgrade to Symphony 3.5.2.1 on June 13
Overnight from Monday, June 12 at 10:00 p.m. to Tuesday, June 13 at 6:00 a.m., SirsiDynix will be upgrading SWAN’s Symphony ILS and WorkFlows from version 3.5.1.1 to 3.5.2.1. This upgrade will require intermittent downtime throughout the overnight hours, and the Enterprise OPAC My Account functions will also be inaccessible during that time. Read more.
Help Us Decorate Quail Ridge
SWAN has moved into our new office and our walls are missing one thing...pictures of our membership! We're asking each library to send us high-resolution pictures from recent remodels or any professional photography you've had done of your facility. Learn more about file requirements and submit your info here.
Executive Director PowerPoint for 6/1 Quarterly Meeting Now Available
Did you miss the June 1 Quarterly Meeting at Westmont Public Library? Review Aaron Skog's presentation now.
High Demands Hold Report is Here!
The wait is over! The long awaited High Demand Holds report is here. In order to run it, you will have to login to WorkFlows with REPORT/REPORT, and copy the High Demand Holds report. Attached is detailed documentation on how to run this report.
DUX 10-Second Survey
Help DUX make Workflows better! Take 10 seconds out of your day to choose any two Item Display options for Symphony Workflows.
Sister Libraries Paired Together, Acquisitions Libraries Too
The purpose of this program is simple: get to know one another! Throughout the migration, the new 19 libraries will be paired with current SWAN member libraries to have one-on-one sister library relationships.
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Upcoming Events
SWANstravaganza Annual Summer User Event
Friday, August 11 (9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) at Moraine Valley Community College
Join us for a full day of training, speakers, panel discussions, and more. This year's keynote speaker is George Christian, Executive Director of Library Connection Inc. Christian will share his perspective on defending libraries and their users in 2017.
Our keynote speaker will begin at 9:30 a.m. and there will be 45-minute sessions throughout the day. You can attend as many as you are able to. Seats are on a first-come, first-served basis. Boxed lunches and beverages are served at noon, and there will be snacks and beverages set out in the afternoon. We'll conclude at 4:30 p.m. after prizes, giveaways, and an update from the Illinois Library Association on current legislation and advocacy initiatives.
Tickets cost $28 each, and there is a $2.53 surcharge. You can buy as many tickets for your staff as you want. After tickets are purchased, Susan Ricker will follow up with you about your preferred lunch orders and answer any questions you may have.
Register and view session information at https://sx17.eventbrite.com.
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Fake Library Stat
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