About Helene ...
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Contact: Helene Blowers helene.blowers[at]gmail.com hblowers[at]columbuslibrary.org aim: hdblowers Presenter's Bio |
I've long contended that I have Sheri R (a high school classmate) to thank for my start in libraries, who at the age of 16 decided it was more glamorous to butter popcorn and serve Laffy-Taffy at the local cinemaplex then to continue to work as a page for minimum wage at the local public library.
Yes, during my high school years I shelved my share of non-fiction (including sewing patterns) and retrieved many burlap sacks full of books from the external book drop and lugged them up Carnegie's sandstone steps. My current position as Director of Digital Strategy for the Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) is fortunately both a bit more rewarding and a lot more challenging.
Before my recent move to CML, I worked just a year shy a baker's dozen for the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC) serving in leadership roles for web services, technology training and public services technology and during college I honed my researching and processing skills with a 2 year workstudy in Interlibrary Loan. Outside of libraries, I've also earned a living as a corporate trainer, system's implementation coordinator, courseware developer, community college instructor and hotel manager (Yup! my career looks like it has bounced all over, but if you connect the dots the progression makes perfect sense).
When I'm not trying to keep both myself and CML from falling off the ever-surging technology wave, I enjoy my 'first' career as mom to two daughters (ages 6 & 8) and wife to a talented software developer -- yes, dinner conversations at our house can get a bit geeky at times. :)
Psst... if you're looking for my other bio" (aka - the one that most people ask for), please scroll down :)
Keynote Presenter & Consultant:
Over the past few years I've had the pleasure of speaking to libraries, educators and non-profit organizations all over the globe. Topics I enjoy speaking about include innovation, emerging technologies, leadership and learning. Here is a sampling of some of my recent keynotes and workshops:
- Libraries & Learning 2.0, Keynote, Public Libraries conference of New South Wales, Australia
- Library 2.0: Transforming the Library through the Web, American Counsulate Tour, Germany
- Blowing Bubbles: A New Look at Creating Customer Experiences, Boulder Public Library Staff Day, CO
- From Players to Guides: Learning Strategies for a 2.0 World, Illnois Computing Edcuators conference
- Innovation Starts with "I", Innovative Environments conference, Columbus, OH
Learning Innovator:
Creator and developer of Learning 2.0: 23 Things,
the orginial online discovery program that has been duplicated by over 700 libraries, schools and non-profit organizations all over the world.
More information: About & Program Notes
23 Things in the Press:
- Wired, Public Library Geek Takes Web 2.0 to the Stacks
- School Library Journal, Ten Tips about 23 Things
- Library Jounal, Steal This Idea
- ALA TechSource, Steal This Idea: Learning 2.0 at PLCMC
- Computers in libraries, The C's of Our Sea Change: Plans for Training Staff, from Core Competencies to LEARNING 2.0
Author:
Weaving a Library Web: A guide to Developing Children's Web Sites
ALA Editions 2004
H. Blowers & R. Bryan
The other bio: (The one that most people ask for)
Helene Blowers Bio:
In 2007, Helene was named a Mover & Shaker by Library Journal as one of the 50 most influential people shaping the future of libraries. The discovery learning program, Learning 2.0: 23 Things, that she created while serving as Technology Director for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (NC) has launched a world-wide 2.0 learning sensation and has been replicated by over 700 organizations in 15 countries.
With nearly 15 years of experience developing innovative web sites and technology services for public libraries, Helene currently practices her passion for learning at Columbus Metropolitan Library, (OH) as the Director of Digital Strategy. She is the co-authored of the book Weaving a Library Web: A Guide to Developing Children's Websites and the recipient of the 2008 LITA Hi-Tech Award for her many contributions to library and information technology. As a frequent speaker on emerging technologies, innovation and leadership, Helene is well known for her energy and passion about learning and libraries. She holds a degree in Organizational Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and is a certified project management trainer. And, when she is not busy trying to keep CML from falling off the ever-surging technology wave, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and blogging at LibraryBytes.com
