October 2008 Archives
We wish you a very Happy Halloween with lots of ghoulish fun! And remember to turn your clocks back an hour this weekend for Daylight Savings Time...
(Photo from mind on fire)
I have added a couple of new classes and workshops to the OWLS CE listings, and I hope you'll sign up! Here are the details:Google Reader Basics
Dates:
Wednesday, November 12, 9:15 AM to 11:45 AM
Friday, December 5, 9:15 AM to 11:45 AM
Location: Appleton Public Library 2nd floor computer lab
Description: More and more information from OWLS is being published in blogs, so there are more and more places to keep track of in order to stay informed. Learn how to make your life easier by using Google Reader to aggregate the content from our blogs and others. This session will teach you about RSS feeds and Google Reader basics. We'll take some time to set up your account, subscribe to OWLS feeds, and explore the web for fun feeds beyond OWLS and OWLSnet resources.
Registration required.
Gadget Open House
Dates:
Wednesday, December 10, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Thursday, December 18, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Appleton Public Library lower level meeting room
Description: Join Beth and Julie for a fun morning of play! We'll have tons of cool gadgets and games on hand for you to try out and play around with, including: iPod nano and touch, mp3 players, Flip video cameras, Sony camcorders, GPS unit, Amazon Kindle, Palm, Wii, Playstation, and more. This is your chance to get hands-on experience with these devices. Don't miss it!
Registration required.
> contributed by Beth
I have a few more trials posted on the database trials page.
From Gale is their testing and Education Reference Center. We looked at this a few years ago and I was not impressed, but it has been upgraded considerably since then. It offers a smaller set of academic and career tests than Learning Express, but does have additional career and college information provided by (or as they say, powered by) Peterson's. Like Learning Express they also have a large selection of exam eBooks available in PDF format.
From EBSCO we have a trial to Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center (HCRC). I was not really aware that hobby and craft magazines are poorly represented in EBSCO MasterFILE, but now I am. The HCRC is part of EBSCO's Do It Yourself collection along with Auto Repair, Home Improvement, and Small Engine Repair Reference Centers. On the plus side, these collections present a much friendlier interface and are easier to browse than the traditional EBSCO databases. On the down side, it is still heavily dependent on PDFs for full text. If you are one of those crafty librarians (and I know you are out there!) take a look and let me know what you think.
> contributed by Evan
From Gale is their testing and Education Reference Center. We looked at this a few years ago and I was not impressed, but it has been upgraded considerably since then. It offers a smaller set of academic and career tests than Learning Express, but does have additional career and college information provided by (or as they say, powered by) Peterson's. Like Learning Express they also have a large selection of exam eBooks available in PDF format.
From EBSCO we have a trial to Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center (HCRC). I was not really aware that hobby and craft magazines are poorly represented in EBSCO MasterFILE, but now I am. The HCRC is part of EBSCO's Do It Yourself collection along with Auto Repair, Home Improvement, and Small Engine Repair Reference Centers. On the plus side, these collections present a much friendlier interface and are easier to browse than the traditional EBSCO databases. On the down side, it is still heavily dependent on PDFs for full text. If you are one of those crafty librarians (and I know you are out there!) take a look and let me know what you think.
> contributed by Evan
Election Day is just around the corner! Be sure to vote and encourage the people you encounter throughout the day to vote, too. Here's a great tool to promote on your library's web site - Google Maps 2008 US Voter Info. You just enter your home address, and Google will tell you where your voting location is and other information about voter registration for your area. Might be handy for people new to your community, no?And just a heads up - a couple of weeks after the vote, ALA will be discussing how the election results could affect national information legislation, policies, and initiatives affecting library users, libraries, and library-related organizations online in OPAL. Get more info about the ALA Connections Salon on OWLSweb's Online Classes page.
> contributed by Beth
Marion Public Library Director Trinitie Wilke has been awarded a 2008 Gloria Hoegh Scholarship for the Education of Rural Librarians by the Wisconsin Library Association Foundation. The award for $450 will be used by Trinitie to help pay for the classes she needs to receive her Grade 2 Wisconsin Public Librarian Certification. Congratulations, Trinitie!
The Gloria Hoegh Scholarship if one of six scholarships for library education and continuing library education supported by the Wisconsin Library Association Foundation. The grants are funded by charitable contributions to the Foundation. More information is available from the Wisconsin Library Association.
> contributed by Rick
The Gloria Hoegh Scholarship if one of six scholarships for library education and continuing library education supported by the Wisconsin Library Association Foundation. The grants are funded by charitable contributions to the Foundation. More information is available from the Wisconsin Library Association.
> contributed by Rick
If you've ever thought about doing an oral history project at your library, you might want to take advantage of a FREE WiLS Hour Webinar on the topic coming up on Thursday, November 13th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Troy Reeves of the UW-Madison University Archives and Records Management Services and Historical Collections will present "Sifting and Winnowing" with Debbie Cardinal of WHO. Reeves will give a brief powerpoint presentation on oral history, discuss related issues with Cardinal, and take any audience questions. Reeves wants this presentation to serve as an introduction to himself and the oral history program.
Register today for this event and contact Debbie Cardinal with your questions.
> contributed by Beth
Troy Reeves of the UW-Madison University Archives and Records Management Services and Historical Collections will present "Sifting and Winnowing" with Debbie Cardinal of WHO. Reeves will give a brief powerpoint presentation on oral history, discuss related issues with Cardinal, and take any audience questions. Reeves wants this presentation to serve as an introduction to himself and the oral history program.
Register today for this event and contact Debbie Cardinal with your questions.
> contributed by Beth
A recent study done by Keith Curry Lance and Robbie Bravman Marks published in the September 2008 “School Library Journal” observes that the factors affecting children’s reading scores are complex. However, data about reading scores and children’s services in public libraries supports the widespread belief that the efforts of public libraries to promote early literacy pays off in terms of higher reading scores during elementary school. There is a positive and statistically significant relationship between children’s services in public libraries and early reading success.Since 1990, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has been collaborating with the 50 states and the District of Columbia to compile basic statistics about public libraries, including the circulation of children’s materials and attendance at children’s programs. According to the Lance/Marks study, comparison of the reading scores (fourth-grade NAEP reading scores) with children’s circulation statistics shows “a strong, positive link, while comparison of the same reading scores with attendance at children’s programs demonstrates a positive, if somewhat weaker, link.”
Of states ranking in the top half of all states on reading scores, 82 percent also ranked in the top half on circulation of children’s materials per capita. Conversely, four out of five states in the bottom half on reading scores also rank in the bottom half on children’s circulation. Of states ranking in the top half on reading scores, 70 percent ranked in the top half on attendance at children’s programs per capita. Seventy-one percent in the bottom half on reading scores also rank in the bottom half on children’s program attendance.
Wisconsin ranks in the top half of all states on the reading scores, and also ranks in the top half for attendance at children’s programs and children’s circulation.
These findings support the position that public library children’s services make a significant, measurable difference in early reading success.
To read the complete article, go to http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6590044.html.
> from Channel Weekly, Vol.11, No. 8, October 30, 2008 - posted with permission
The "Forgot Your PIN?" feature has officially been added to InfoSoup. Patrons can now reset their own PINs if they have an email address associated with their patron account. View the screencast for a quick demo of how it all works or try it for yourself on the My Account page in InfoSoup.
Another great video has been released by Common Craft. Check out Phishing Scams in Plain English and learn how to keep your personal information safe from those who are trying to trick you into giving it up.
> contributed by Beth
> contributed by Beth
If you missed the CE workshops last week in Seymour, never fear! The sessions were recorded and are now available on blip.tv. The videos and handouts are available on the Past CE Program Information page on OWLSweb, along with handouts and recordings from other workshops, including Project Play Dates. > contributed by Beth
Join library director Elizabeth Timmins in Seymour on Saturday, November 1st for The Friends of Muehl Public Library's 6th Annual Wine & Beer Tasting Event with Silent Auction! It will take place at the Crystal Springs Golf Course in Seymour from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Tickets are available at Don's Quality Market, Crystal Springs Golf Course, and Muehl Public Library. Advance tickets will save you five bucks at $15 each or pay $20 at the door. Contact Elizabeth for more information.
> contributed by Beth
> contributed by Beth
We have a current trial to Mango Languages. To paraphrase the "I'm not a doctor" routine, please note that I am not a language instructor, nor do I play one on T.V., so please take my review with a grano de sal.
Mango languages is geared more to the traveler or perhaps the curious learning, rather than one looking for a compressive language course. If anyone has ever listened to the Pimsleur language program you will hear a distinct similarity. Mango, of course offers a compelling visual accompaniment to the purely aural Pimsleur programs. Or as one blog post put it Mango Languages, like Pimsleur but better.
Trial information is available at our online trials page. The link will give you access from anywhere, so you can try it from home. Please feel free to share the trial with any language instructors in your community. While you are at it, you can also give a plug to TELL ME MORE.
So, what's good about Mango? It has more languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Greek, & Russian (with additional languages to be added soon). The interface is simple, clean, and well thought out. It is browser independent and works on Windows or Mac. If you have the latest edition of flash installed (Adobe's flash player version 9) you do not need to do anything to begin using the program. If you don't have version 9, you will be prompted to download the latest version. This process is usually quick and painless.
Earlier this year a group of California libraries participated in product review of Mango Languages. Their results and comments are here. While generally impressed, reviewers do offer some caveats:
Comparing Mango with Tell Me More (TMM) raises some interesting questions. As they are very different products, in an ideal world we would just offer both. Since that is not too likely, how do we compare apples to oranges (or in this case mangos). Who are we trying to reach with an online language program? I suspect that Mango, because of the additional languages and its simpler interface might attract more users, particularly the traveler who wants to learn to say I would like some milk in my coffee, please or the the independent learner that wants to spend an afternoon learning to say Hello in Mandarin Chinese. A more dedicated student is likely to find TMM the better option. I also agree with the California librarian (I hope that doesn't make me a west coast elite) that TMM provides a more robust and complete ELL experience. On the other hand, we are not really reaching that many ELL students with TMM. In some ways the comparison reminds me of how we debate getting patrons to use subscription databases rather than "the google." At what point does simplicity and ease of use trump depth or quality of content?
A few last things about Mango. They do offer some lessons for free (simple registration required). Just go to http://www.mangolanguages.com/. My impression, however, is that as time goes by they have less and less free content. An individual premium subscription also comes with the option of downloading the audio component to MP3 files. I don't believe the download is part of the library subscription, but I have asked our rep for clarification about this.
I hope you have a chance to give Mango a try. As always, please let me know what you think.
> contributed by Evan
Mango languages is geared more to the traveler or perhaps the curious learning, rather than one looking for a compressive language course. If anyone has ever listened to the Pimsleur language program you will hear a distinct similarity. Mango, of course offers a compelling visual accompaniment to the purely aural Pimsleur programs. Or as one blog post put it Mango Languages, like Pimsleur but better.
Trial information is available at our online trials page. The link will give you access from anywhere, so you can try it from home. Please feel free to share the trial with any language instructors in your community. While you are at it, you can also give a plug to TELL ME MORE.
So, what's good about Mango? It has more languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Greek, & Russian (with additional languages to be added soon). The interface is simple, clean, and well thought out. It is browser independent and works on Windows or Mac. If you have the latest edition of flash installed (Adobe's flash player version 9) you do not need to do anything to begin using the program. If you don't have version 9, you will be prompted to download the latest version. This process is usually quick and painless.
Earlier this year a group of California libraries participated in product review of Mango Languages. Their results and comments are here. While generally impressed, reviewers do offer some caveats:
"My library population would use ESL Spanish so that is what I tested. For this function, compared to other products out there (Tell me More, Rosetta Stone, Side by Side) it is not geared to ESL learning. I think ESL needs a visual component—pictures, for example, that Mango doesn’t have."
Comparing Mango with Tell Me More (TMM) raises some interesting questions. As they are very different products, in an ideal world we would just offer both. Since that is not too likely, how do we compare apples to oranges (or in this case mangos). Who are we trying to reach with an online language program? I suspect that Mango, because of the additional languages and its simpler interface might attract more users, particularly the traveler who wants to learn to say I would like some milk in my coffee, please or the the independent learner that wants to spend an afternoon learning to say Hello in Mandarin Chinese. A more dedicated student is likely to find TMM the better option. I also agree with the California librarian (I hope that doesn't make me a west coast elite) that TMM provides a more robust and complete ELL experience. On the other hand, we are not really reaching that many ELL students with TMM. In some ways the comparison reminds me of how we debate getting patrons to use subscription databases rather than "the google." At what point does simplicity and ease of use trump depth or quality of content?
A few last things about Mango. They do offer some lessons for free (simple registration required). Just go to http://www.mangolanguages.com/. My impression, however, is that as time goes by they have less and less free content. An individual premium subscription also comes with the option of downloading the audio component to MP3 files. I don't believe the download is part of the library subscription, but I have asked our rep for clarification about this.
I hope you have a chance to give Mango a try. As always, please let me know what you think.
> contributed by Evan
Having trouble finding what you need on OWLSweb or OWLSnet? Remember to use the search box available at the top of any page!
Enter a single keyword or join several keywords with the Boolean operator "and" (without the quotes). You'll get a list of results that include your search term(s). For example: need to see the delivery schedule to see when the Waltco van is coming? Try searching for the keyword delivery, and the first link in the list will get you to what you need.
If you have suggestions for how to improve the OWLS web sites, please add your thoughts in the comments. Thanks!
> contributed by Beth
Enter a single keyword or join several keywords with the Boolean operator "and" (without the quotes). You'll get a list of results that include your search term(s). For example: need to see the delivery schedule to see when the Waltco van is coming? Try searching for the keyword delivery, and the first link in the list will get you to what you need.If you have suggestions for how to improve the OWLS web sites, please add your thoughts in the comments. Thanks!
> contributed by Beth
Check out Green Weeding: Promoting Ecofriendly Options for Library Discards by Sarah Penniman & Lisa McColl in Library Journal, 9/15/2008. The article includes tools for weeding at the end, along with a link to the Green Weeding Wiki, where you can post your own recommendations and suggestions for alternative disposal options.
What are you doing to green it up at your library? Add your projects in the comments.
> contributed by Beth
What are you doing to green it up at your library? Add your projects in the comments.
> contributed by Beth
Be sure to sign up for the next Project Play Date on Friday, October 24 at 10 AM. Stef will be presenting "Tech Gadgets - Cool Toys... and More!" via OPAL. Here's the description:Come learn about some cool gadgets and why they are important. Not just cool tech toys, gadgets are indicators of trends that are shaping our media and technology world. Stef Morrill will share information about various gadgets and their impact.
Remember, anyone can sign up, even if you never participated in Project Play before. And if you have questions about participating via OPAL just give me a call - I'll do my best to help you out!
> contributed by Beth
I just love this idea from the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg
County:
“Family Portrait Day
Bring the family in for a group portrait. The library will present you a CD of your shots and one 5 x 7 in exchange for permission to use any of these pictures for promoting use of the library. Call to schedule a sitting session…”
How cool is that?! Not only do the patrons go away with wonderful photos of their family, but the library has incredible shots to use as they please. Check out the photos on Flickr. Photos like these can go a long ways toward making our buildings and service more personal and welcoming. Love it!
(spotted on LibraryBytes)
> contributed by Beth
LibrarianInBlack, Sarah Houghton-Jan, has written an article describing the history & effects of information overload, along with ten techniques to manage it. Check out Being Wired or Being Tired: 10 Ways to Cope with Information Overload at Ariadne to see what tips might work for you.
Have any tips of your own? Add them in the comments!
> contributed by Beth
Have any tips of your own? Add them in the comments!
> contributed by Beth
As Teen Read Week 2008 approaches, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) offers several tools aimed at helping librarians, booksellers, educators, and others promote events in their libraries, stores, schools, and communities. Teen Read Week will be celebrated Oct. 12–18 by nearly 5,000 libraries across the United States, with a theme of Books with Bite @ your library®.YALSA offers several publicity tools on the Teen Read Week Web site, including sample press releases, proclamations and letters to the editor to encourage support for Teen Read Week. YALSA also offers scripts for public service announcements (PSAs) in both Spanish and English, which can be read during school announcements or given to the community radio station to be read on air. In addition, Nancy Cartwright, who plays Bart on “The Simpsons,” recorded three PSAs, which can be downloaded. All of these excellent tools, plus a podcast on tips to use them, are available by visiting http://www.ala.org/teenread and clicking “Get Publicity.”
Teen Read Week is a national literacy initiative aimed at teens, their parents, librarians, educators, booksellers and other concerned adults. The purpose of the event is to increase the number of teens who are regular readers and library users. It began in 1998 and is celebrated the third week in October. For more information or to register, visit the Teen Read Week Web site at http://www.ala.org/teenread.
> from Channel Weekly, Vol. 11, No. 4, October 4, 2008 - posted with permission
Don't miss the following educational opportunities!October 14
Leadership for Your Library/Providing GREAT Customer Service at Your Library with Jeffrey Russell
There's still room! Sign up today.
October 16
Get Your Game On: Quick Tips to Start a Gaming Program in Your Library with Lori Reed
Info available on MaintainIT Project.
October 24
Project Play Date: Tech Gadgets - Cool Toys... and more! with Stef Morrill
Everyone is welcome! Details and registration link available on the Online Classes page.
November 19
Challenging the Assumptions of Legacy Librarianship with Joan Frye Williams and George Needham
Save this date! Details and registration link available on the Online Classes page.
> contributed by Beth
OWLS recently awarded three continuing education scholarships. Ellen Connor, Manawa, and Patsy Servey, Waupaca, have received scholarships to participate in Leadership Waupaca County. This nine-month leadership development program consists of seven one-day workshops, a trip to Madison, a project on a topic important to Waupaca County, and a formal graduation. Melissa Carollo, Waupaca, has been awarded a scholarship to attend the YALSA Young Adult Literature Symposium, which will be held in Nashville, TN in November.
Any employee or trustee of an OWLS member library may apply for a continuing education scholarship. OWLS scholarships can be used to help meet the expenses associated meetings, workshops, courses, conferences, or other activities which promote professional growth. More information is available on the OWLS CE page, including links to the scholarship guidelines and application form.
Congratulations Ellen, Patsy, and Melissa!
> contributed by Rick
Any employee or trustee of an OWLS member library may apply for a continuing education scholarship. OWLS scholarships can be used to help meet the expenses associated meetings, workshops, courses, conferences, or other activities which promote professional growth. More information is available on the OWLS CE page, including links to the scholarship guidelines and application form.
Congratulations Ellen, Patsy, and Melissa!
> contributed by Rick
OWLS extends a warm welcome to Melissa Carollo, the new Reference/Teen Librarian at the Waupaca Area Public Library. Peg Burington, WAU director, reports:
If your library has any news, photos, or other info you'd like to share in Carpe Hootem, please send the info to me at OWLS for posting. Thanks!
> contributed by Beth
Melissa is originally from the Madison area and has worked at the Middleton Public Library. She is already having lots of fun with planning Teen Read Month, starting a Facebook page for the Best Cellar and staffing the Reference Desk!We're happy to welcome Melissa and hope you'll extend your greetings to her, as well.
If your library has any news, photos, or other info you'd like to share in Carpe Hootem, please send the info to me at OWLS for posting. Thanks!
> contributed by Beth
The next Books R Us meeting will be Tuesday, October 28th from 11 AM to 12:30 PM in The Nest at OWLS. The genre this time around is Westerns. Try these links to help get you started finding some titles to share:- The Seasoned Cowboy: Western Reading List
- Mostly Fiction Book Reviews: The Wild West
- Westerns for Teens from Denver Public Library
New highlights on the Family Reads page on InfoSoup include Fall booklists, the October selections from the Read On Wisconsin book club, and a plug for the Meet the Illustrator offerings from Bookletters. A new Meet the Illustrator feature is posted on the 26th of each month. These are clever graphical interviews with talented children's book Illustrators/Authors. I find them a lot of fun and a great way to learn about new (and old) picture books.
> contributed by Evan
> contributed by Evan
It's Banned Books Week! You've probably run across this video from AL Focus already, but just in case you haven't, take a look at I'd Like to Find *BLEEP*
As Americans deal with a slumping economy, U.S. libraries are experiencing a dramatic increase in library card registration. According to a new Harris Poll from Harris Interactive, released Sept. 22 during Library Card Sign-up Month, 68 percent of Americans have a library card, up 5 percent since 2006.
Survey results indicate that this is the greatest number of Americans with library cards since the American Library Association (ALA) started to measure library card usage in 1990.
In-person visits also are up 10 percent compared with a 2006 ALA household survey. Seventy-six percent of Americans visited their local public library in the past year, compared with 65.7 percent two years ago. Online visits to libraries are up even more substantially – with 41 percent of library card holders visiting their library Web sites in the past year, compared with 23.6 percent in 2006. This finding complements the ALA’s 2008 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, which found that public libraries have significantly increased the Internet services available to their communities – including online homework help, downloadable audio and video, and e-books.
“I think most that walk through our doors are pleasantly surprised by the variety of free services libraries offer,” said ALA President Jim Rettig. “The poll has confirmed what we have been hearing from our members from the start; ‘libraries have become family destinations, technology hubs, cultural centers – basically the pillar of most of the communities they serve."
“As the nation continues to experience a downturn in the economy, libraries are providing the tools needed to help Americans get back on their feet,” said Rettig. “From free homework help to assisting with resumes and job searches, now more than ever libraries are proving they are valued and trusted resources.”
How did those surveyed view their local library?
Almost all Americans (92 percent) say they view their local library as an important education resource. Seven of 10 agreed their local library is a pillar of the community (72 percent), a community center (71 percent), a family destination (70 percent) and a cultural center (69 percent).
Overall, people are satisfied with their public library. Based on everything they either know or might have heard or read, three of five Americans (59 percent) are extremely or very satisfied with their public library and an additional more than one of five (22 percent) are somewhat satisfied.
Among those that have a library card, the satisfaction is even higher – more than two-thirds (68 percent) say they are extremely or very satisfied and an additional more than one of five (22 percent) are somewhat satisfied with their public library. Even those who do not have a library card express satisfaction with their libraries. Two of five (40 percent) are extremely or very satisfied while 21 percent are somewhat satisfied.
The Harris Poll is a non-commissioned survey that was conducted online within the United States between Aug. 11 – 17, 2008, among 2,710 adults (ages 18 and over).
> from Channel Weekly, Vol. 11, No. 3, September 25, 2008 - posted with permission
Survey results indicate that this is the greatest number of Americans with library cards since the American Library Association (ALA) started to measure library card usage in 1990.
In-person visits also are up 10 percent compared with a 2006 ALA household survey. Seventy-six percent of Americans visited their local public library in the past year, compared with 65.7 percent two years ago. Online visits to libraries are up even more substantially – with 41 percent of library card holders visiting their library Web sites in the past year, compared with 23.6 percent in 2006. This finding complements the ALA’s 2008 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, which found that public libraries have significantly increased the Internet services available to their communities – including online homework help, downloadable audio and video, and e-books.
“I think most that walk through our doors are pleasantly surprised by the variety of free services libraries offer,” said ALA President Jim Rettig. “The poll has confirmed what we have been hearing from our members from the start; ‘libraries have become family destinations, technology hubs, cultural centers – basically the pillar of most of the communities they serve."
“As the nation continues to experience a downturn in the economy, libraries are providing the tools needed to help Americans get back on their feet,” said Rettig. “From free homework help to assisting with resumes and job searches, now more than ever libraries are proving they are valued and trusted resources.”
How did those surveyed view their local library?
Almost all Americans (92 percent) say they view their local library as an important education resource. Seven of 10 agreed their local library is a pillar of the community (72 percent), a community center (71 percent), a family destination (70 percent) and a cultural center (69 percent).
Overall, people are satisfied with their public library. Based on everything they either know or might have heard or read, three of five Americans (59 percent) are extremely or very satisfied with their public library and an additional more than one of five (22 percent) are somewhat satisfied.
Among those that have a library card, the satisfaction is even higher – more than two-thirds (68 percent) say they are extremely or very satisfied and an additional more than one of five (22 percent) are somewhat satisfied with their public library. Even those who do not have a library card express satisfaction with their libraries. Two of five (40 percent) are extremely or very satisfied while 21 percent are somewhat satisfied.
The Harris Poll is a non-commissioned survey that was conducted online within the United States between Aug. 11 – 17, 2008, among 2,710 adults (ages 18 and over).
> from Channel Weekly, Vol. 11, No. 3, September 25, 2008 - posted with permission
The Common Craft Show on YouTube offers a variety of Explanations in Plain English - short videos designed to explain topics or applications in an easy-to-understand, simplified way. Topics covered include (but aren't limited to): social media, electing a US President, Twitter, wikis, RSS, blogs, and social bookmarking. They are fantastic tools to share with your patrons when they are asking about some of the latest web applications or current events, and better yet, you can embed them on your website to make them even easier to find.
Their latest video is Web Search Strategies in Plain English. Check it out and see what you think!
Their latest video is Web Search Strategies in Plain English. Check it out and see what you think!
