March 2008 Archives
Try out our new online language learning program, TELL ME MORE! This comprehensive program is suitable for both beginning and advanced language learners and includes Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, and Dutch courses for every day language and business language. Go to the TELL ME MORE page on InfoSoup for more information on how to get started, and contact me if you have any questions.
>> contributed by Evan
When reading the recent issue of Marketing Library Services, I came across an article about a place called DOK in the Netherlands, in Delft, to be precise. DOK calls itself a "Library Concept Center," mashing media, music, film, literature, and art together in an amazing, active, and thriving community center.
The mission of DOK is to become and remain the most advanced library in the world. Using creativity, technical innovation, and advancing scientific understanding, DOK endeavors to be an indispensable source of inspiration for its members, visitors, and partners in the city of Delft, in the Netherlands, and in the world. In this way, DOK hopes to safeguard access to the independent, objective, free flow of information that is essential for democracy now and in the future.
Be sure the read the full article, because I think you'll be inspired by it. Jenny Levine, blogger also known as The Shifted Librarian, recently visited DOK and wrote about her trip in her blog. Take a look at Visiting the Most Modern Library in the World to see her take on this unique facility. She has also shared her photos of the trip in a Flickr set, so be sure to check that out while you're at it.
After you read the articles posted here, what do you think? Has DOK inspired you to look differently at your library? What kind of library would you like to have, assuming there were no limitations in budget, staff, or any of the other restrictions we feel daily?
>> contributed by Beth
Did you know that sales of Encyclopaedia Britannica peaked in 1990? Current sales are 10% of what they were in 1990. Other encyclopedias are dropping their print versions, as well. Check out the New York Times article to see how internet access has changed the print encyclopedia market.
>> contributed by Holly
A while ago, I came across a blurb about a librarian who waived the fines of patrons who agreed to play Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) against her on The Shifted Librarian. She recently updated that information to include new information about a program at the Wadleigh Memorial Library in Milford, NH. They allowed people to dance away late fees during their annual Patron Appreciation Day at the library. Read the full article at TelegraphNeighbors.com.
In case you didn't know or have forgotten, OWLS has gaming equipment available for member libraries to reserve and use for library programs. Maybe you'd like to use it for your next Patron Appreciation Day at your library?
What do you think? Would this fly at your library? Does it give you ideas for other ways to use gaming in your library?
>> contributed by Beth
U.S. Senator Russ Feingold has been awarded the 2008 James Madison award from the American Library Association for his work to champion, protect, and promote public access to government information. Feingold has been a Senate leader on strengthening the Freedom of Information Act, reforming lobbying disclosure rules, restricting data mining and the use of National Security Letters, and seeking greater public access to court proceedings.
“I am honored to receive this award from a group that is dedicated to enhancing learning and ensuring access to information,” Feingold said. “When the workings of government are transparent, the American people can more readily hold their public officials accountable. Our government will better respond to the concerns of the American people if it is open for public scrutiny.”
Read the press release and send your congratulations to Senator Feingold.
>> contributed by Beth
You may be happy to hear that book lovers aren't ready to give up the paper editions of their books any time soon. Of course, we knew that all along, didn't we?! Check out this post on ars technica entitled Book lovers have emotional bond with paper.
According to the research, sponsored by UK media lawyers Wiggin, survey data shows books have the highest "attachment" rating of any leisure media activity. People are more attached to their books than they are to their satellite television, radio stations, newspapers, magazines, social networks, video games, blogs, DVDs, and P2P file-swapping. And it's not like this high rate of affection for the book occurs only among a small group; books came in second only to "listen to the radio" in terms of the number of people who engage in those activities.
What's your opinion? Eager to try out ebooks or will you be hanging onto your books until they have to pry them away?
>> contributed by Beth
This weekend brings daylight savings time with it, so don't forget to turn your clocks ahead 1 hour before you hit the hay on Saturday night! >> contributed by Beth
Current posts on the blog include:
- Strategic Visioning Summit
- 2007 Circulation Summary
- Send Me Your Board Documents
- CE Librarian Position
- How We Compare
News for Directors is addition to other blogs hosted by OWLS, which include: Carpe Hootem; 'Casting @ OWLS; Children's Services News; InfoSoup Development; Libraries, Literacy, and LSTA; and Network News.
>> contributed by Beth
We are also in the process of changing how we do our InfoSoup staff picks. The Readers' Advisory Group will be posting their Recommended Reads to InfoSoup, along with genre specific reading lists for adults and young adults. The last meeting featured gentle reads and the next meeting in April will review historical fiction. Please contact Holly or Ann Hunt at NLP if you would like to participate in the reading group.
The Recommended Reads page is still a Work in Progress, but should go live on InfoSoup next week. Feel free to take a sneak peak while we develop the page. If you would like to add a review to the list please contact Ann. We will be discontinuing the staff picks that we posted through BookLetters. Many thanks to everyone who sent suggestions!
>> contributed by Evan
For more information about National Library Week, visit the ALA web site. How will your library celebrate National Library Week this year?
>> contributed by Beth
>> contributed by Evan
The CCBC is happy to invite listeners to tune in to the first episode of our online audio program. The CCBC podcasts will offer a weekly glimpse at happenings at the CCBC by featuring book talks, news, and short interviews. We hope you’ll enjoy the latest way of connecting with us and also find out something new about what we do here.
You can listen to their first podcast here: http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/podcasts/podcasts.asp.
I also want to let you know that the annual CE workshop with the CCBC at OWLS will take place on April 23rd. Join us for "Outstanding Books for Children and Young Adults" and register today!
>> contributed by Beth
Michael Nitz (APL) shared some wonderful news with me this morning. LA Theatre Works has announced their Library Access program.
Library Access is a national outreach program that provides selections from L.A. Theatre Works’ renowned Audio Theatre Collection free-of-charge to public libraries in underserved and rural communities, as well as to libraries that serve the visually impaired.
Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, Library Access serves over 1,000 libraries across the country. To qualify, a library must have a media budget under $3,000, serve a rural or underserved urban community, or have a dedicated program for the blind.
Each year, enrolled libraries receive select LATW audio plays, performed by some of today’s most prominent and talented actors. Promotional materials are also available, to assist with circulation in the community.
Information on how to enroll is available at http://www.latw.org/education/libraryaccess.asp. Thanks for sharing this info, Michael!
>> contributed by Beth
The screencast below will show you how to create a custom toolbar. It moves pretty quickly, but you can always pause the video as it goes to follow along at your own pace.
Originally found on Lifehacker.
>> contributed by Beth
