September 2008 Archives
The OWLS online calendars have moved from WebEvent to Google as of today. This includes the OWLS Meetings & Workshops Calendar and System Scene. If you like checking System Scene to see where the OWLS staff members are at any given time, you will need to login to Google calendars with a new username and password. Here's how:
If you have any questions or any problems accessing the new calendars, please contact me.
> contributed by Beth
- Go to the Calendars page on OWLSweb (http://www.owlsweb.info/cals/).
- Click on the lock icon next to the "Login to Google calendars" link and login with your InfoSoup library card info. This will provide you the username and password you will need to access System Scene.
- Click on the "Login to Google calendars" link and login with the username and password.
If you have any questions or any problems accessing the new calendars, please contact me.
> contributed by Beth
The next OWLS CE workshop is coming up on Tuesday, October 14th at the Muehl Public Library in Seymour. Jeffrey Russell will be presenting two workshops - the AM session is entitled "Leadership for Your Library," and the PM session will be "Providing GREAT Customer Service at Your Library." Visit the CE page on OWLSweb for more information and to register online. Space is limited, so sign up soon!Project Play also has a session coming up. "Password Management Made Easy" will take place online in OPAL on Friday, September 26th at 10 AM. More information and a registration link is available on the Online Classes page. You need not have participated in Project Play before this in order to attend - all are welcome!
If you have suggestions for future CE workshops, please use the Suggestion Form to share your ideas. Thanks!
> contributed by Beth
(The following article originally appeared in the Summer 2008 issue of Communique. It is being reposted here with the permission of WLA.)
Remember David Spade on Saturday Night Live, when he played the flight attendant? He was able to say "good day" and "buh bye" in the most sarcastic tone that left us laughing. I've been thinking about why that bit was so funny. I think we could relate to it on two levels. One was that we have all encountered people in customer service positions that seem like they could care less about what they are doing. So David's portrayal of the uninterested flight attendant resonated with us. On another level, we all know the "high-maintenance" customers that take so much time. Watching David deftly say "buh bye" to some of them gave the audience a sense of what comes around, goes around!
What does this discussion have to do with libraries? Libraries are in the service of the public. Our challenge is to remain fresh, engaging and friendly, ESPECIALLY when we would like to say "buh bye" to our "favorite" patrons. Sustaining a positive attitude means recognizing that we need to work on it every day. First and foremost, I always like to remind myself that my patrons are my bread and butter. I like to employ humor with my patrons because when we are laughing together, the challenge of interaction diminishes. I tell myself that even if it is the tenth time I am answering the same question in a day, it is the FIRST time for that patron to ask that question. And, most of all, I believe in the golden rule - treat others as I wish to be treated.
~ by Elizabeth M. Timmins, Director, Muehl Public Library, Seymour, WI
Remember David Spade on Saturday Night Live, when he played the flight attendant? He was able to say "good day" and "buh bye" in the most sarcastic tone that left us laughing. I've been thinking about why that bit was so funny. I think we could relate to it on two levels. One was that we have all encountered people in customer service positions that seem like they could care less about what they are doing. So David's portrayal of the uninterested flight attendant resonated with us. On another level, we all know the "high-maintenance" customers that take so much time. Watching David deftly say "buh bye" to some of them gave the audience a sense of what comes around, goes around!
What does this discussion have to do with libraries? Libraries are in the service of the public. Our challenge is to remain fresh, engaging and friendly, ESPECIALLY when we would like to say "buh bye" to our "favorite" patrons. Sustaining a positive attitude means recognizing that we need to work on it every day. First and foremost, I always like to remind myself that my patrons are my bread and butter. I like to employ humor with my patrons because when we are laughing together, the challenge of interaction diminishes. I tell myself that even if it is the tenth time I am answering the same question in a day, it is the FIRST time for that patron to ask that question. And, most of all, I believe in the golden rule - treat others as I wish to be treated.
~ by Elizabeth M. Timmins, Director, Muehl Public Library, Seymour, WI
Sue McCleaf Nespeca presented two workshops for OWLS and Winnefox this past Tuesday and were very well received. The morning session discussed books and literacy experiences for babies and toddlers, and the afternoon session covered ALA's Every Child Ready to Read program.
I have 5 extra copies of the handouts from the workshops. If you'd like one, let me know (1 per library, please) - first come, first served! In addition, OWLS has ordered a copy of the Every Child Ready to Read kit, which will be shared with all of the OWLS members libraries on request. I'll let you know when it arrives and is ready to circulate to you.
You can read more about Every Child Ready to Read on the ALA website, and if you have questions about the workshop please feel free to give me a call. I hope the people who attended the workshops will add their thoughts in the comments.
> contributed by Beth
I have 5 extra copies of the handouts from the workshops. If you'd like one, let me know (1 per library, please) - first come, first served! In addition, OWLS has ordered a copy of the Every Child Ready to Read kit, which will be shared with all of the OWLS members libraries on request. I'll let you know when it arrives and is ready to circulate to you.
You can read more about Every Child Ready to Read on the ALA website, and if you have questions about the workshop please feel free to give me a call. I hope the people who attended the workshops will add their thoughts in the comments.
> contributed by Beth
The Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) has programs and services to support people who work in and support all types of libraries. Are you a member? Consider joining today! WLA membership benefits include:
> contributed by Beth
- Up-to-the-minute legislative and advocacy information and support.
- Connections with library professionals and other leaders.
- Tools to help you meet professional challenges.
- and much more!
> contributed by Beth
The Shifted Librarian 
recently blogged about a nonprofit group that will create a miniature golf course in your library for a fundraising event. The group is called Library Mini Golf and was founded after a creative idea for raising money for hurricane victims earned $10,000 at the Trumbull Library in Connecticut. Check out this article (pdf) to learn more about how the group started.
Sounds like fun, no?! Think your library would benefit from some golfing in the stacks? Hmmm, maybe there will be an LSTA grant category for something like that next year...
> contributed by Beth
recently blogged about a nonprofit group that will create a miniature golf course in your library for a fundraising event. The group is called Library Mini Golf and was founded after a creative idea for raising money for hurricane victims earned $10,000 at the Trumbull Library in Connecticut. Check out this article (pdf) to learn more about how the group started.Sounds like fun, no?! Think your library would benefit from some golfing in the stacks? Hmmm, maybe there will be an LSTA grant category for something like that next year...
> contributed by Beth
I've done a lot of research in the past about whether or not you should get permission from people you are taking photos of in your library. I could never find a definitive answer, as most responses I could find would be on one end of the spectrum or the other or would advise you to contact your local attorney for guidance. It seemed to come down to making a local library policy based on your community's comfort level and sticking with it.
Today I came across an article that provides more information and some good guidance you should consider. Read Laws for Using Photos You Take at Your Library by Bryan Carson for help with shaping a policy at your library.
> contributed by Beth
Today I came across an article that provides more information and some good guidance you should consider. Read Laws for Using Photos You Take at Your Library by Bryan Carson for help with shaping a policy at your library.
> contributed by Beth
