THE HITCHHIKER
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THE HITCHHIKER
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Send news items to Robert Upton, Editor. Email, Fax: (505)476-9761 Phone: (505) 476-9764
October 25, 1999; #1328
There will be no Hitchhiker published for November 1 and November 8. The next issue, HH #1329, will appear on November 15. Why? Because the writer/editor, Robert Upton, wants to leave the country.
"Gone Fishing" could have been the headline for this announcement. But it would have been untrue. "Gone Kayaking" would have been more accurate. Robert is loosening the newsletter shackles to head for Baja California and the cockpit of a salt water kayak. After a close encounter with the salt sea, he will be willing to sit down at the Hitchhiker terminal again, recharged and thankful for a dry chair.
On September 30, the statewide price agreement that included Baker & Taylor expired, effectively removing the popular vendor of library materials from the list of approved state contractors to provide books to New Mexico government agencies. This means that Baker & Taylor is not a legal source of business for state agencies and other governmental entities that must follow state procurement laws.
A number of libraries around the state that regularly do business with Baker & Taylor, the State Library included, were surprised by this development. State Librarian Ben Wakashige and other members of the State Library staff, acting on the behalf of these libraries, met with agents of General Services Department, Office of State Purchasing, to discuss the problem. Contractors must reapply every year in order to be included on the list of approved vendors. For unknown reasons, State Purchasing did not receive a contract from Baker & Taylor, automatically disqualifying the vendor as a legal contractor. State Purchasing did agree, however, to issue a supplemental bid to give Baker & Taylor another opportunity to supply the required documentation. This process is expected to take about a month. If all requirements are fulfilled by the end of this process, Baker & Taylor will once more be included on the list.
There are a number of approved vendors on the list, which can be viewed on the State Purchasing web site. When the screen comes up, go to "Edit," click on "Find in page," and type "Books" in the dialog box. A list of book categories will come up. Click on "Online" to see the listing of legal contractors. Your computer must have Adobe Acrobat loaded to access this list. State Purchasing strongly suggests that agencies and institutions consider these other vendors and the discounts they offer.
If you have encountered a problem, please contact Scott Sheldon at the State Library at (505) 476-9728 or e-mail lsheldon@stlib.state.nm.us.
E-rate. Congratulations to the Fred Macaron Public Library (Springer) for their second E-rate discount award for Year Two. The library was awarded an additional $3,055.20, bringing their Year Two total discount to $5,023.20! Also, the Truth or Consequences Public Library received a whopping $10,798.92 in E-rates discounts for Internet access and telecommunications services.
History grant awards. The New Mexico Historical Records Advisory Board will begin a new round of proposals on November 1. A call for consultants to help applicants develop their projects was advertised in the Hitchhiker in June (see HH #1310). An application form, guidelines, and training session schedule is on the web page. Next deadline is February 1, 2000. Information about federal grants from National Historic Publications and Records Commission will also be forthcoming. For more information, contact Jo Anne Jager at (505) 476-7936.
The 1999 projects which have received NMHRAB awards are as follows:
Youth services workshop. Childrens' Librarians, Young Adult Librarians and volunteers working in libraries with children and young adults are the primary focus of the exciting two-day workshops presented by the New Mexico State Library. The workshops take place on November 1-2 at the State Library in Santa Fe, and a repeat workshop will be held at the Public Library in Silver City on November 4-5. The presenter is Laurel Goodgion, currently director of the Portland Public Library in Connecticut, who has worked in several major library systems in California, Illinois, and Ohio during her career as a children's librarian and youth services coordinator.
There will be free handouts of a catalog of paperbacks offering a 40 percent discount. There will also be information on developing and maintaining a collection, using statistics and doing evaluations, organization, ways to use the collection, reference and readers advisory help, suggestions for how to label the collection, customer service elements, and community relations, including cooperation with the schools and setting goals. Attendees will be encouraged to discuss issues and bring questions to the sessions.
This is the first program covering the basic skills necessary for a trained youth services librarian. Development Services is excited to have such an experienced children's librarian here to present this program. Call toll-free 1-800-340-3890 to register for your packet. 1.0 of Continuing Education Units from the State Library will be available.
Wanted. El Rito Public Library has been renovating its library and is in desperate need of stand-alone shelving for books. Wood shelves are preferable. Contact Ginger Legato at (505) 581-4608. The library is willing to pay freight charges.
Writing contest. As it did last year, the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress is sponsoring a national writing contest for elementary, middle, and high school students. "Letters About Literature 2000" asks students to write to an author -- living or dead -- explaining how that author's work has changed the student's way of viewing the world or himself/herself in some way.
Each year the Center for the Book receives more than 20,000 entries from across the country in two competition levels: Level I for grades 4-7 and Level II for grades 8-12. The deadline for entries is December 17.
The New Mexico Center for the Book will offer a cash award of $100 for the top essayist in the state. If you are interested in learning more, you can contact Marsie Cate at the New Mexico Center for the Book at (505) 983-1516, or log on to the Center for the Book/Library of Congress web site to download a copy of the official contest guidelines, including the required entry coupon. Another option is to contact Weekly Reader Corporation, e-mail sschreiber@weeklyreader.com and request an official LAL 2000 entry packet, which will include copies of last year's national prize-winning entries.
Library director. The City of Clovis has an opening for Library Director. Requires a Master's degree in Library Science plus six years of increasingly responsible library experience, one year of which must have been at an administrative level. Must have or be able to obtain a New Mexico Professional Librarian certificate. Experience as the director of a municipal library is preferred. Salary is dependent on qualifications. Applications will be accepted through December 17 at the New Mexico Department of Labor at 1601 Sutter Place, Clovis, NM 88101; (505) 762-4571.
Test writer. The New Mexico State Library is seeking a contractor to create new examinations for the Librarian Certification, Grades I and II, and study materials for both exams. Strong writing skills as well as excellent knowledge of public library theory and practice are required. The contract pays $5,000. The contractor will work closely with the project coordinator from the State Library staff. Some travel to Santa Fe may be required. All work must be completed and submitted to the project coordinator by March 31, 2000. Send résumé and letter of interest to Sandy White, Consulting Services Coordinator, New Mexico State Library, 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, NM 87505 by November 15, 1999. For more information, contact Sandy White at (505) 476-9725. The State Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Librarian. The City of Lubbock, Texas, is seeking a qualified applicant for the position of Librarian II, who supervises and administers library programs at a branch library or interlibrary loan program. Performs related duties as required. This position will report to Mahon Library/West Texas Library System. This position requires completion of an MLS/MLIS from an ALA accredited institution with one to two years of professional library experience; knowledge of principles and practices of library science and computer applications related to library functions; possession of a Texas Driver's License; ability to effectively provide customer service to library patrons; evaluate, acquire, and properly catalog library materials; ability to develop and implement library programs; operate computer and software. Serves as Assistant Coordinator of the West Texas Library System, a state-funded grant program with offices located in the Lubbock City- County Library. Duties include planning and conducting workshops for area libraries in a 29- county area, consulting with area libraries in various areas by mail, telephone, and on-site; assisting in the planning and operation of other system programs, such as audiovisual programs, automation projects, and the collection development program. Excellent communication skills are necessary. Must be able to utilize and apply a teamwork approach to management. Closing date is October 29. Salary is $29,723.20 annually. To apply, submit an application to Human Resources, City of Lubbock, P.O. Box 2000, Lubbock, TX 79457, or (806) 775-2311 or toll- free 1-800-621-0793; see web site. All applications must be received in the Human Resources Office by 5 p.m. on the closing date. Résumé must be accompanied by an application. The City of Lubbock is an Equal Opportunity Employer.