March 2009 Archives

Our annual visit from the Cooperative Children's Book Center is fast approaching, and this year we're changing things up a bit. We're combining their usual presentation with an author visit in the AM. Check it out:

Dream weaver, tale spinner, portrayer of visions, interpreter of the human spirit, Gerald McDermott is all of these and more. Through his bold, graphic renderings of timeless tales from around the world, McDermott communicates his deep understanding of the transformative power of myth. His work is an evocation of the human quest for unity and
completeness.

His first book, ANANSI THE SPIDER: A Tale from the Ashanti, was named a Caldecott Honor Book. His subsequent books include ARROW TO THE SUN: A Tale from the Pueblo, which won the coveted Caldecott Medal, and RAVEN: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest, another Caldecott Honor Book.

In this presentation, McDermott will discuss the meaning and symbols in his books and how they relate to activities that can be done with children at library programs and in the classroom. Don't miss this exciting opportunity!

CCBC staff will join us in the afternoon from 12:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. to present "Great New Books for Children and Teens." This program will focus on books for babies through teens, and copies of the books will be available for hands-on book examination. Copies of Choices 2009 will also be available for you to take back to your school or library.

Both sessions will take place at the Menasha Public Library and are sponsored by OWLS, Winnefox Library System, and Fox Valley Library Council. More details and registration links for these workshops are available on the CE Workshops page on OWLSweb. Don't miss this fun day!

NOTE: If you can't make it to the CCBC session on Friday, join us the day before! The CCBC will be offering "Great Books for Babies Through Teens" for the public as part of the Fox Cities Book Festival at the Menasha Public Library from 2-4 p.m. No registration is required. Be sure to invite your friends, family, and patrons to join us!

> contributed by Beth

Each of the states now have their own site for information about how they will spend funds allocated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Check out Wisconsin's and use the Program Search to zero in on particular recovery programs by category. The site also includes links to the full text of the ARRA and other federal and state agency links.

If you're curious about how other states are handling ARRA, you can access their sites from the State Recovery Sites map.

> contributed by Beth

Join us in the Appleton Public Library 2nd floor computer lab for the following hands-on learning opportunities!

Google Calendar Basics
Friday, March 27, 9:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Instructor: Beth Carpenter

An overview of Google Calendars will be given, along with plenty of hands-on time for you to set up calendars for your library. We'll discuss adding events, repeating events, public vs. private calendar options, how to embed your calendar on your web site, permissions and sharing with others. Google Calendars is free and easy to use!

Learn a Test (Learning Express Library)
Wednesday, April 29, 9:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Instructor: Evan Bend
This hands-on class will take a closer look at the redesigned Learn-a-Test site. We will take a close look at the scope of the content available and provide step-by-step instructions for using the site, including:

• setting up an account
• taking a practice test
• using a skills course
• downloading, viewing, and saving ebooks

We will also look at the new InfoSoup Job & Career Resources page.
NOTE: This class is also being offered online via GoToWebinar on Wednesday, April 8th at 10 a.m.


Mango Languages
Wednesday, April 29, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Instructor: Evan Bend
Mango is our new easy to use and fun language tool focusing on learning everyday conversation skills. This class will cover everything you need to know to get started using Mango. Each participant will set up an account and have time to practice. You may want to bring your own headphones to use. As time permits, we will also explore ways to search InfoSoup for language learning materials and for items in other languages.
NOTE: This class is also being offered online via GoToWebinar on Thursday, April 23rd at 1:00 p.m.
 

Information about all of the above classes and links to register are available on the Computer Lab Classes page and the Online Classes page of OWLSweb. We hope you'll join us!

> contributed by Beth

Ever use MS PowerPoint to make a presentation at a conference, rotary meeting, or other group setting? Getting your slideshow started once you open PowerPoint can be a little clunky, but here's a great way to skip that clunkiness.

Once you have PowerPoint open simply hit the F5 key, and your presentation will start on the first slide. If you're a PowerPoint 2007 user, you also have the option of using SHIFT + F5 to start your slideshow from the currently selected slide.

Easy peasy!

> contributed by Beth

It's not too late to sign up for this Wednesday's Project Play Date on "Exploring Google Reader" with Jean Anderson. We'll be meeting online, as usual, via GoToWebinar at 10 a.m. Here's the description:

During Project Play, we explored RSS and using Bloglines to collect and organize your RSS feeds (Week 3 of Semester 1). If you’re a Gmail or Google Docs user, you probably know about Google Reader. This program will explore all the features of Google Reader including subscribing to and organizing your feeds, sharing items with friends, and tips for using Google Reader (or any newsreader) effectively. If you want to refresh your memory on RSS and Newsreaders, check out the Common Craft video: RSS in Plain English.

In April, Joy Schwarz will be presenting "Get More Out of Firefox" on the 28th at 1:30 p.m. Here's the blurb for this Play Date:

Already use Firefox for your browser, but want to learn about the features and add-ons that can make your work day more efficient and productive? Don't use Firefox yet and wonder why anyone would switch from Internet Explorer?

Join Joy Schwarz of Winnefox Library System to get...

• Tips for tabbed browsing
• A demo of how to install and manage add-ons
• Add-ons that fit your workflow and help get stuff done faster and easier.

And in May, we have a real treat planned! Helene Blowers, the inventor of the first Learning 2.0 program, will join us to share "Innovation Starts with I."

Innovation has become such a bandied word these days that in some organizations it’s now an expectation for library staff to be innovative from the ground up. So, where does “innovation” really come from? and how do you kickstart something at an organizational level that is, by its very nature, connected to the elusive waves of individual creativity? The answer: Innovation starts with “I.” This session will explore how the I, YOU, WE of organization cultures are involved in responding to the needs and desires to innovate and change.

In 2007, our presenter 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, including our very own Project Play.

Blowers program will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 22nd, so save the date!

More details and registration links for these Play Dates, along with other online class options are available on the Online Classes page on OWLSweb. Sign up today!

> contributed by Beth

Join your Fox Valley Library Council friends for another great program, "Doing Less as a Librarian, and Meditation" on Friday, May 1, 2009 at the Scandinavia Public Library. Colleen Angel, Librarian at UW-Stevens Point will be our presenter. Here's the blurb:

Doing Less as a Librarian: As librarians, it's our tendency to add tasks to our daily schedule... monitoring RSS feeds, watching the latest authors on YouTube, and blogging about picture books. What are we dropping from our schedule to make time for these new duties? Will it negatively affect our abilities as librarians?

Meditation:   Following the presentation, Colleen will guide us on a meditation focusing on "letting go" in order to make our lives more purposeful and less hectic.

Come at 9:30 a.m. for coffee, rolls, and conversation. We'll start the FVLC annual meeting at 10:00 a.m. with the program to follow at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided around noon as a treat from FVLC.

You can find more information and a registration form at http://extranet.winnefox.org/fvlc. See you there!

> contributed by Beth

Dominic Frandrup, Assistant Director of the Waupaca Area Public Library, sent me this cartoon and it gave me a chuckle. Thought I'd share the chuckle with you, too!

Go to pennyarcade.com to see the full strip >

Thanks, Dominic!

> contributed by Beth

Our contract with the TELL ME MORE (TMM) languages program ends on March 22nd.  For a while we were planning on giving it a try for another year. After additional evaluation, however, we came to the conclusion that renewing TMM may not be our best choice. Usage was pretty low, and both patrons and library staff encountered numerous problems getting the program to work.  Because of these issues, we have decided to try a new language program called Mango Languages.  Mango's main strength is that it is very easy to use. Mango can be used with any relatively recent browser and on any operating system (Mac users could not use TMM).  Users only need adobe flash version 9 or higher, which is very common application.  Mango is not as comprehensive as TMM -- it does not have speech recognition or writing components, but we believe it's usability is more important. Mango focuses more on everyday conversation.  Anyone who has listened to a Pimsleur language tape will recognize the similarity.   With Mango we also gain three new languages, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese.  We do, however, lose Dutch (although only four people ever tried Dutch on TMM, and I think I was one of those four).  There may also be additional languages added later this year. For ESL students, Mango has three programs for learning English for Spanish, Polish, and Brazilian Portuguese speakers.  More ESL programs are also planned.

Mango will be featured on the InfoSoup home page with a link to our Mango start page at http://info.infosoup.org/mango/

We will leave the TMM link up until the 22nd, with a note about why we are switching to Mango and with a link to Mango.

To use Mango from outside a library one will need a valid library card # and PIN. One nice feature of Mango is that you can use it with our without signing up for an account (although you still need your card # & PIN). If you just want to take a quick look, or don't want to remember yet another password, there is a Skip Login option (once you are on the Mango Languages page, not on the InfoSoup Page) that allows you to use Mango anonymously. If you do sign up for a Mango account, it will keep track of your language lessons.

If you have any questions or if your patrons have any questions, please let me know. I think most users will find Mango a lot easier to use.

Thanks,

Evan

We are going to be switching to a new vendor for book jackets and summaries. The switch should take place this afternoon. Once the change is in place here are the differences you will see.

1. The covers will be a little larger.
2. When you click on the cover (either from the brief record or the full record) a summary page will open in a frame below. On the summary page you might see anything from a brief summary, publishers comments, book club guide, or a lengthy review from BookPage. Just click on "Back to Catalog" to return to the previous screen.
3. On the full record page, the Reviews & Summaries link will be replaced by and Additional Info link. This link will be the same as clicking on the cover.
4. We will no longer have Publishers Weekly or Library Journal reviews through Syndetics. These can usually be found on the Amazon page or by searching EBSCO from the links on the full record page. While we lose some convenience with this, our statistics show that the syndetics reviews were getting limited use.

You can see the new book covers on our development server at http://www.infosoup.org:2082

Here are a couple of examples

http://www.infosoup.org:2082/record=b1703003~S77 (With Review)
http://www.infosoup.org:2082/record=b1446333~S77 (Generic)

We apologize for the short notice. We have been looking at this switch for a while, but we were uncertain until very recently that the new vendor (BookLetters) would have their product ready in time. Our contract with Syndetics has run out so we needed to move quickly.

Why the switch? Two main reasons. One is that we believe BookLetters will provide a faster service. We have had numerous slowdown issues with syndetics over the years. This is something we will keep an eye on with the new service. The second is that we will be saving money which we hope to put toward other catalog enhancements. Please let me know if you have any questions or notice any problems.

Thanks,

Evan

There is still time to register for the Adolescent Literacy Workshop coming up next week on Thursday, March 19th! Join a panel of experts and learn about teen brain development, academic success, gaming and literacy, and more. You are encouraged to invite school partners to this workshop to collaborate on an action plan for your community. Register online at http://www.owlsweb.info/ce/classes.asp.

Other great workshops, computer lab classes, and online opportunities are available on the CE page on OWLSweb, so be sure to take a look and sign up to learn something new in the coming days, weeks, and months. Let me know if you have any questions!

> contributed by Beth

OWLS, Fox Valley Library Council, and Winnefox Library System are hosting a bus trip to the ALA annual conference exhibits on Tuesday, July 14th Monday, July 13th. More information about the trip, costs, and a registration form are available at http://extranet.winnefox.org/ala2009.

Note: The site recommends purchasing a $25 "exhibits only" badge. It's fine if you do that right away, but you might want to wait a bit before purchasing. The last time we took a bus down for the exhibits, a vendor ended up offering exhibit passes for free. If I hear about this happening again, I'll be sure to share the information here and on the registration page.

> contributed by Beth

National Library Week and summer library programs offer great opportunities for using the 'casting equipment available at OWLS! Create a booktalk video feature for your website to highlight great books during National Library Week. Here's one great example from the Chappaqua Library, called Approved by Experts. Or how about setting up a video camera and asking people to share why they love their library. The South Carolina State Library did just that! Take a look at the result:


Check out loads of other exciting examples from libraries across the country in the CastingKit @ Delicious links, then request the equipment you'd like to borrow from OWLS for your project. Need a little help? Never fear - I'm happy to lend a hand!

> contributed by Beth

The Reader's Section of the Wisconsin Library Association and the Adult Reading Round Table (ARRT) of Illinois have collaborated to bring you an all-day program, Saving our Stories: A Reader's Advisory Post Conference, on May 8 & 9, 2009 following the WAPL conference in Wisconsin Dells. More details about this program are included on this flyer:
RAconfmay.pdf
Registration for this event and the rest of the WAPL conference are available at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/wapl/conferences/2009/index.htm. There are some great programs planned, including this post conference opportunity to focus on what we all love - BOOKS!

See you there!

> contributed by Beth

It's finally happened.  The moment that we've all been waiting for.  The moment we all knew had to happen.  You can now purchase (and for your library, no less!) a Cone of Silence!  Well, it's not actually the spy device from Get Smart, but still!

Interface Electronics now offers the first multimedia sound solution for libraries - The Cone of Silence. This revolutionary product is designed to deliver high quality stereo sound to patrons without disturbing others in the library. The patented design delivers a column of sound directly below the sphere providing crisp clear stereo sound. Outside the column, sound level drops 80% so that adjacent patrons are not bothered by the audio content.

> contributed by Gerri

The American Library Association (ALA) has created a new resource, The Librarian's Guide to Gaming: An Online Toolkit for Building Gaming @ Your Library. The toolkit includes gaming history, resources, tips, and best practices from librarians delivering successful gaming programs at all types of libraries. There is great, practical info here if you're just getting started, and wonderful ideas if you want to expand your gaming options.

And while we're on the topic, you might want to view the last Project Play Date recording, Gaming @ the Library: The Whys, Wiis, and Hows Explained, presented by Jeannie McBeth of the Oshkosh Public Library. Jeannie provided some great resources and websites and loads of enthusiasm on the topic, so it's worth a look.

And while we're still on the topic... Remember that OWLS member libraries can borrow gaming equipment to use for programs at your library. A list of available equipment and games, along with a reservation calendar and online request form can be found on the Gaming page on OWLSweb.

Start gaming @ your library today!

> contributed by Beth

We'll be celebrating National Library Week soon, April 12th through the 18th! We'll be providing some cool reusable InfoSoup book bags for all OWLS libraries to give away to patrons that week (to be handed out at the next AAC meeting), so start thinking about creative ways to share them. Here are a few ideas:

• Give to them away to the first people checking out materials in your library until they run out.
• Give them to fine-free patrons.
• Give them to patrons who pay off their fines.
• Give them to patrons who are willing to be recorded on video, sharing "Why I love my library."
• Give them to the crabbiest patrons (kill more flies with honey, kind of idea...)

I'm sure you'll be able to think of loads of more creative ways to give away the bags. Post your ideas in the comments!

You might want to order some free merchandise from the Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries to hand out during National Library Week, as well. All merchandise is free and will be sent to you via the SCLS delivery system. Check out the order form [pdf], print it, then fax it to 608-245-3646 or just call 608-245-3645 to order direct. The materials are made available by the WLA Foundation with the intention of helping spread the word about the value and importance of all Wisconsin libraries.

> contributed by Beth

(originally from WSLL @ Your Service, March 2009, posted with permission of author, Heidi Yelk)

This question has been swimming in my head for several weeks now. The Sunday big box sales flyers usually advertise one or two cooling stands for laptops, most under $50.00. Until recently, I had dismissed these items as useless, silly expenditures. Then my laptop started shutting down during critical sessions of Ms. Pac Man.

In searching for a reason, I noticed that the bottom of the laptop was very, very hot. Turns out gaming is one activity that heats up a laptop. Using a laptop as a desktop – i.e. all day use – is another way to risk overheating your machine. And then, some laptops simply don’t cool as well as others. High demand on the hard drive and CPU can lead to high temperatures, and heat is a bad thing for the health of a computer.

So maybe these laptop cooling stands do fall under the necessary accessory category, depending on your laptop and how you use it. Cooling pads can work to lower the temperature, and they can also serve as ergonomic devices, tilting the laptop to make typing and viewing easier. Some pads also include extra USB ports. With so many options out there, you will want to consider the make and model of your laptop and whether it needs extra cooling help. Two reviews online, one from CNET and another from Digital Life are worth reading.

In addition, there are some no-cost ways to help keep your laptop cool:

• Remove clutter from around the laptop to allow for adequate air circulation.
• Be cognizant of how many concurrent applications you are running. 
• Use the “hibernate” or “power save” mode for periods of inactivity. 
• Work away from sunny, hot areas. 
• Don’t place your laptop on soft surfaces which can block air circulation and introduce dust. 

> contributed by Beth (Thanks to Maggie @ KAU for emailing this to me!)

The Appleton Public Library is seeking a professional individual for a Library Assistant opening in our Reference and Information Services Section. Work involves providing reference and readers advisory service to patrons at the adult public service desks, assisting the department supervisor in providing library services to young adults; including working with a teen advisory board to suggest and promote young adult services, collaborating with the Young Adult librarian to implement young adult programming and to plan and implement the summer library program for young adults, implementing the library instruction program for school groups and adults, working as a member of the Reference and Information Services section. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Reference and Information Services Supervisor. Some evening and weekend work may be required. A Bachelor of Arts or Science Degree or equivalent combination of education, training is required. The ability to speak Spanish or Hmong is a plus. Regular attendance is required. Starting salary is $16.82, plus an excellent fringe benefit package. If you are interested in applying for this position, please fill out an application at the address below or obtain an application on-line at www.appleton.org. Resumes without an application will not be considered. Applications must be postmarked or faxed no later than Monday, March 16, 2009 to:

City of Appleton
Human Resources Department/6th Floor
100 N. Appleton Street
Appleton, WI 54911
Phone: 920-832-6458
Fax: 920-832-5845
Email: humanresources@appleton.org
Equal Opportunity Employer