July 2007 Archives
We have some exciting CE workshops and other opportunities coming up this Fall! Join us for "Developing Successful Teen Programs and Activities Groups" on Thursday, September 13th at the Appleton Public Library. The workshop will be led by a panel of local librarians who are doing exciting things with the teens in their communities. This will be a hands-on workshop, and you'll leave with a plan for how you can create successful teen programming at your library. Register for this program today!
Our Road Trip to Madison is a go! And there's still room on the bus if you didn't sign up in time. Get more info or contact Leslie if you have questions.
Among the other online classes available this Fall, we will be offering an OPAL session with K.G. Schneider, the Free Range Librarian, entitled "Death to Jargon!" Learn writing techniques that will showcase your services and collections while avoiding library jargon. View details on this class and other online opportunities.
Watch for "Ethics, MySpace and the Public Library" coming in December. Elizabeth Buchanan from the UW-Milwaukee School of Information Studies will be here to help us explore how public libraries are responding to the MySpace phenomenon by looking at emerging ethical issues. You won't want to miss it.
And remember to sign up for Project Play when registration opens on August 15th!
>> contributed by Beth
We currently have a trial to four new EBSCO databases. I like the idea of the Small Engine Repair Center, which includes boats, tractors, snowmobiles, lawn mowers, and more. It is easy to find the make and model you are looking for, but once there I find the heavy use of PDF files makes it slow going and a little frustrating. Other databases in the trial include Home Improvement, Eldercare Search, and Points of View (an Opposing Viewpoint copycat). If you have a chance, take a look and let me know what you think. Go to: http://trial.ebscohost.com.
User Id: Outagamie
Password: trial
>> contributed by Evan
The Wisconsin Small Libraries Roundtable (WISLR) is offering a scholarship(s) to WISLR members to promote attendance at this year's Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) conference. Applications must be postmarked by August 16, 2007. The link to information on this scholarship
is http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/wislr/WISLRscholarship.htm . Applications should be sent to Beth Knuth, Wautoma Public Library, P. O. Box 269,
Wautoma, WI 54982 (knuth@wautomalibrary.org).
The Media and Technology Section (MATS) of the Wisconsin Library Association will also be awarding one $250.00 scholarship to cover registration and/or lodging costs for the WLA conference in Green Bay. Applicants must be MATS members. The winner will be required to attend as many MATS-sponsored sessions as possible, and write a conference summary for the Winter MATS newsletter. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is August 15, 2007. More details are available at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/mats/scholarship.asp.
More information about the conference is available at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/conferences/2007/index.htm.
>> contributed by Beth
ALA distributed a pamphlet at the annual conference entitled, “Libraries transform communities: ideas and inspiration for transforming your library.” The publication takes a brief look at four libraries that risked change and transformed services by identifying and meeting challenges and promoting new programming and opportunities through marketing strategies. Also included is advice these institutions would give to other libraries contemplating transformation.
Here are the ten tips included in the pamphlet for creating change:
1. Be passionate about libraries
2. Think strategically and create a vision to guide the future
3. Step outside the box
4. Never stop learning
5. Be willing to take risks
6. Become the change you want to see
7. Build a culture that welcomes and rewards change
8. Think all library, all the time
9. Raise the library’s profile
10. Believe that everything is possible
The publication also includes tools to get started, marketing tips and a bibliography with resources broken down by library type. Additional information on library transformation from the ALA conference sessions are on the conference Wiki. If you would like more information about this publication, please contact me.
"Change is inevitable except from vending machines."
>> contributed by Holly
The Literary Awards Committee of the Wisconsin Library Association has chosen New Auburn author Michael Perry's "Truck: A Love Story" as the Banta Award winner for 2007. The award is the highest literary achievement by a Wisconsin author for a work written in 2006. On the surface, Perry's tale of restoring his 1951 pickup truck is both hilarious and heartfelt as we encounter the quirky yet endearing folks of New Auburn, Wisconsin. With wry, self-deprecating humor and rich use of metaphor, Perry lovingly portrays the people and places of his daily life, paying homage to small town America and to love found unexpectedly and all that it brings. The Banta Award is made possible by the Banta Corporation Foundation through a grant to the WLA Foundation.
>> reprinted from Channel Weekly, Vol.9, No. 38 with permission
Ever have this happen to you? You leave work, stop by the grocery store (or if you're like me, the pizza place) to pick up something for dinner, then remember something you need to do at work the next day. What? No paper? No pen? If I can't write something down right away, I can't remember my thoughts in 10 minutes. A couple of weeks ago I found an online tool that has saved me just about every day since.
Jott allows you to use your cell phone to send yourself (or any of your contacts) email and text messages with just your voice. Simply set up a free account, add your contacts, and Jott away! The next time you're out and about and remember something you don't want to forget, simply use your speed dial to call Jott, speak your message, and you'll receive an email with your voice message transcribed. It's also a good tool for learning how to enunciate -- if you don't speak clearly, you'll get some interesting messages!
Give it a try and see what you think. I just love it.
>> contributed by Beth
I found a couple of things for this issue's Just for Fun time. The first one is for everyone tired of the Myers-Briggs test for figuring out personality types. Try the Book Quiz as an alternative! Are you "Master Harold... and the Boys," "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," or perhaps "A People's History of the United States?" Give it a try and see what your results are.
If you become stressed about the results of your Book Quiz, here's a great site to help you calm down. Yoga @ Your Desk provides several online movies that step you through yoga exercises you can do at your desk. Ahhhh! Breathe, stretch, relax, but don't fall asleep!
Happy Friday!
>> contributed by Beth
OWLS is looking for a new Circulation Librarian, as we sadly had to say good-bye to Emily this week. We wish Emily the best as she moves back to Milwaukee to be closer to family. If you're looking for a new challenge, take a look at the job ad and additional information about this position.
Waupaca Area Public Library also has a sad good-bye coming up with Jerry Brown's retirement approaching in August. You can view their ad for a new Director, and while you're at it, take a look at the nice article about Jerry that came out in the Appleton Post-Crescent recently.
>> contributed by Beth
Well, the web site has at least... I am happy to report that OWLSnet information that formerly resided on OWLSweb has been moved to its own domain at www.owlsnet.info. The site mirrors the look and feel of OWLSweb, but now has its own navigational elements specific to OWLSnet information.
Tip: Whenever you see a lock icon like this 
it indicates that the link you'll be clicking on goes to secure information. If you can't remember the username and password, click on the lock to find out! You'll be asked for your InfoSoup card number and PIN, then once you're authenticated as an InfoSoup staff member you'll receive the login info. (This change will be made on OWLSweb, too, but isn't ready quite yet.)
We're hoping the new OWLSnet site will be much more friendly to use and easier to find all those important bits related to AAC, cataloging, circ, and more. Let us know what you think in the comments below!
>> contributed by Beth
A recent article in the New York Times has been getting a lot of attention in libraryland these days. "A Hipper Crowd of Shushers" came out with mixed reviews. Take a look for yourself, then read some of the responses to it by librarian bloggers at Information Wants To Be Free, Free Range Librarian, gothamist, It's all good, informationatrix, and LibrarianInBlack.
What do you think? Are we trading on stereotype for another? Add your comments below.
>> contributed by Beth
In June I wrote about the customer service experience and asked OWLS libraries to tell me what you’ve done at your library to enhance the customer experience. I am thrilled to report that I received my first reply! Thank you to Elizabeth Timmins and the staff at Seymour Public Library.
“For us, at Seymour, it is all about getting out from behind the desk. I encourage teaching patrons about Infosoup by standing side by side with them and talking through the process of searching with them. I also encourage staff to walk patrons to where they want to be. Even though we have a small library, it makes all the difference to the patron to walk them to the shelf and help them find the book or material that they are requesting! This kind of effort is extra challenging in summer but we are trying our best!”
What are you doing at your library? Add your comments below.
>> contributed by Leslie
Project Play registration opens up in about a month, and I can't wait to get it kicked off in September! If you haven't explored the wiki yet to see what the project is all about, please take a look and let me know if you have any questions.
I recently ran across an article by Roy Tennant that I thought tied in nicely with one of Project Play's goals, which is to "empower and encourage people to take responsibility for their own lifelong learning." Tennant's article, "Three Hard Things," talks about taking time to learn and trying new things, but also highlights that you may need to decide to stop doing something, too.
I hope you'll all take a leap with Project Play this Fall, because you never know... you just might play more, learn more, and fear less!
>> contributed by Beth
Employers are now using free sites like Google, MySpace and state public records databases to uncover background information about potential employees. Simply searching a person’s name or email address can provide important details about them. Web sources can be used for verifying information on education histories and association memberships. People who post content on social software sites often share details about their hobbies and interests, possibly revealing more than they would like to potential employers.
>> contributed by Leslie
The user community of Webware.com recently voted for its favorite Web applications. This site lists the top 100 Web applications, 10 per category. Categories include reference, media, entertainment, communications, and browsing. Haven’t heard of these sites (well, you’ll definitely have heard of one—Google)? If you place your cursor over the icon, you’ll learn more about the application.
>> contributed by Leslie
I ran across a YouTube video that Denver Public Library created to promote their summer library program, and Leslie found another that the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County had done, as well. What a fun way to promote summer services @ your library!
Not related to a summer library program, but interesting nonetheless, is Calgary Public Library's YouTube video created to promote their library. (Thanks to Maggie at KAU for sharing this one!)
Have you thought about trying to create a video to promote your library? What might hold you back or make you want to? Add your comments below.
>> contributed by Beth
If you haven't seen the Wisconsin Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Public Library Administration and Governance web page, you'll want to be sure to check it out. The page provides an index to relevant articles and to questions from library trustees that have been answered in issues of Channel, the bimonthly DLTCL newsletter. I frequently get questions from library directors that I know have been addressed in Channel, but it's always been difficult to find the specific articles. Now it's not! Thanks to John DeBacher, DLTCL Public Library Administration Consultant, for putting together this page.
>> contributed by Rick
Joan Bernstein wrote a thought-provoking article for Computers in Libraries (June 07) about patron privacy and the importance of library policies. No library expects to become involved in a privacy challenge but the reality is we must be prepared for one. Ms. Bernstein uses an experience from her library to make us think about the roles staff training, communication, record retention, and privacy policy play in handling tough situations.
Does your library have a privacy policy and procedures for handling privacy issues? Is staff trained on both? What does the law require? A good starting place for developing policies and answering questions related to WI law is the WI DPI’s FAQ on Public Library Administration and Governance that Rick mentioned above.
>> contributed by Leslie
Here's a tip for your next Google search. If you're tired of receiving out-of-date info in your search results, go to Advanced Search (link to the right of the search box) and check out their date options. Did you know you can limit your results to pages that have been updated within the last 3, 6, or 12 months?
Give it a try and see what you think. YMMV!
>> contributed by Beth
According to Garrison Keillor, "When politics gets mean and dumb, you can cheer yourself up by walking into a public library." In this week's political opinion piece posted on salon.com, Keillor reflects on the importance of public libraries in our society, contrasting what public libraries stand for with the values of some political leaders. Even more interesting than the article are the letters in response to it. Clearly, individual views of public libraries are shaped by very different local experiences.
>> contributed by Rick
There's a new list on InfoSoup you won't want to miss. Check out the American Film Institute Top 100 American Movies, pop some corn, and settle in for some great entertainment! The AFI recently updated their list in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the first edition. Special thanks go out to Appleton Public Library's Colleen Rortvedt and OWLS very own Evan Bend for their hard work on providing the list in InfoSoup.
>> contributed by Beth
Manager Tools is a swell resource for managers and staff alike. The founders’ goal is improving management and leadership skills using action-oriented style. Want to know how to write a thank you note, host a staff meeting or ask staff for feedback (about you)? There’s a podcast for that! There are also blog posts, discussion forums and book recommendations. Members can (and do) post comments and share their favorite management techniques. Some content is available without registration but access to most content requires free membership.
>> contributed by Leslie
