Results tagged “ALA” from Carpe Hootem

The American Library Association (ALA) has updated its “Guidelines on Library and Information Services to Older Adults.” These guidelines, first developed in the 1970s, have been updated to respond to the changing demographics of an aging U.S. population. The current population of older adults is the most heterogeneous in U.S. history. These updated guidelines reflect a basic principle in library services to older adults that recognizes this diversity and discourages stereotyping in planning collections, programs and services for this growing population. For purposes of these guidelines, an “older adult” is defined as a person at least 55 years old.
 
The updating of these guidelines began in 2005. Current and past members of the Committee on Library Service to an Aging Population and the Office of Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) Library Service to the Aging Subcommittee contributed to this revision.
 
The Guidelines can be downloaded from this site:
http://ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/resources/guidelines/libraryservices.cfm

(from Channel Weekly, Vol. 11, No. 37, June 25, 2009 - posted with permission)

The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Literacy and Outreach Services has created a number of useful tool kits, which are accessible from their web page at http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/olos/toolkits.cfm.
 
These tool kits address a wide range of topics, from how to assist non-English speakers and older adults, to how to support and advocate for rural and small libraries and tribal libraries, to gaming in libraries. The tools include:

• The American Dream Starts @ your library
• Guide for Building Support for Your Tribal Library
• Handbook for Mobile Services Staff
• How to Serve the World: Serving Non-English Speakers in U.S. Public Libraries
• Keys to Engaging Older Adults @ Your Library
• The Librarian’s Guide to Gaming: An Online Toolkit for Building Gaming @your library logo
• The Small but Powerful Guide to Winning Big Support for Your Rural Library
• TRAILS: Tribal Library Procedures Manual

(from Channel Weekly, Vol. 11, No. 36, June 18, 2009 - posted with permission)
 

Time is running out! Be sure to sign up for the bus trip to the ALA exhibits by June 22nd. We have stops scheduled to leave from Appleton, Oshkosh, and Fond du Lac, and the cost is a mere $10 per person. Get all the details and the registration form here.

This trip is in danger of being canceled if enough people don't sign up, so please, register soon if you have been thinking about going and just haven't sign up yet!

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

NOTE: Many vendors are now offering free "Exhibits Only" passes. Details on how to obtain a free pass are included on the registration form linked above. Order yours today, and register for the bus trip if you haven't already!

> contributed by Beth

We don't have any more CE workshops scheduled until next Fall, and those are still in the planning phase, so to keep you entertained until then <wink> I've listed the following webinars on our Online Classes page on OWLSweb.

Wednesday, April 22, 10 AM - 11:30 AM
Open Meetings Law and You (sponsored by NFLS)

Thursday, April 23, 1 PM - 2 PM
Mango Languages (sponsored by OWLS)

Tuesday, April 28, 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Get More Out of Firefox (sponsored by Project Play)

Wednesday, May 6, 7 PM - 8 PM
Library 2.0: Technology in Children's Services (sponsored by ALA)

Friday, May 22, 10 AM - 11 AM
Innovation Starts With I  - with Helene Blowers (sponsored by Project Play)

More information and registration links are available for all of these webinars on the Online Classes page. I hope you'll be joining us!

> contributed by Beth

"Every child needs a safe place to fall - a place where he or she can explore things without worrying about failure and judgment. A library is one of those places. In a library you can learn by following your own nose, which is very different from someone telling you what you should learn. Once a kid learns a library is hers, to use as she wants, the world opens up., I've seen it happen. It happened to me."

~ Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and storyteller, Bill Harley

Children's Book Week is coming up May 11-17, 2009. What will your library be doing to celebrate? If you need some ideas, check out ALA's Kids! @ Your Library Campaign Tool Kit. The kit includes programming ideas, downloadable PSAs, quotes, logos and line art, and more. Additional resources are available at Children's Book Week - be sure to click on the "For Teachers, Librarians, and Booksellers" box.



> 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

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

Workshops

The next OWLS continuing education workshop will take place on Thursday, March 19th at the Waupaca Area Public Library. Join us for the Adolescent Literacy Workshop and enjoy a day of learning from a panel of experts on topics such as adolescent brain development, academic success, video games & literacy, and leave with an action plan for making connections with your local schools. Invite your school partners to the workshop and register online today.

Computer Lab Classes

Evan will be teaching several computer lab classes on online databases and tools available via InfoSoup. There are still a couple of openings for this Thursday's EBSCO & ProQuest class, so sign up online if you'd like to attend. Learning Express Library and TELL ME MORE will be coming up in April. Don't miss this chance to get hands-on experience with these resources!

Online Classes

In addition to computer lab classes, Evan is also providing training on the same tools online via GoToWebinar. See the Online Classes page on OWLSweb for more information and registration links. In addition to OWLS training and Project Play Dates, I have been including links to other online opportunities made available via OPAL, ALA, and the SirsiDynix Institute. Be sure to explore all of the workshops included on the Online Classes page, as a great variety of topics and speakers are included there.

If you don't have a quiet or private space in your library to participate in online workshops, but can get away to OWLS to attend, please let me know! I'll do my best to find space for you, so you can participate from here.

> contributed by Beth 

It's no surprise to us that libraries are busier than ever in the struggling economy these days, but how do you advocate for additional support to handle the upsurge in traffic through our doors? The American Library Association may be able to help. Check out their Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit. It includes Talking Points, Talking to the Media, Staging a Rally, and more. From the Making the Case page:

Although it may seem daunting to have to compete with services like the fire or police department, the library is just as valuable an asset to a community. In tough economic times, the library is at the same time more highly used and more likely to suffer from budget cuts and lack of support.  Making the case for libraries – having a clear, consistent message and delivering it to the right people -- is critical at this time.

This page includes links to help you define your message, target your audiences, designate spokespeople, and much, much more. Advocacy takes time, but it is time well spent.

> contributed by Beth

(from Channel Weekly, Vol. 11, No. 18 - February 5, 2009, posted with permission)

In the second of a series of reports related to technology access in U.S. public libraries, the American Library Association (ALA) Office for Research & Statistics (ORS) is drawing attention to the increasingly important role public libraries are playing in supporting job seekers. The issues brief draws from national data published in the Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study.  The new issues brief is available for download here.
 

“Job-seeking in U.S. Public Libraries” discusses the range of library resources available to job seekers and challenges to maintaining these services. Library staff and users in site visits in nine states report increased use of library computers for job-seeking and e-government services. Nearly 73 percent of libraries are their communities’ only source of free computer and Internet access.
 
“More and more employers – from grocery stores to casinos to state governments – are requiring people to apply for jobs online,” said ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels. “Americans are depending on libraries not only for free access to hardware and software, but also for the assistance and training library staff offer every day. Nearly three-quarters of public libraries report offering information technology training for library patrons.”

 
Library staffs are encouraged to use these briefing papers as educational tools with community stakeholder to raise awareness of the specific – and sometimes unique – concerns of libraries around technology deployment. Staff may also use this format as a template for providing local data and examples related to a given topic.
 
The briefing reports are not intended to be comprehensive, but rather to share key findings from the largest and longest-running study of Internet connectivity in libraries.  The Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ALA, continues work begun in 1994 by John Carlo Bertot and Charles R. McClure. The study assesses public access to computers, the Internet and Internet-related services in U.S. public libraries, as well as the impact of library funding changes on connectivity, technology deployment and sustainability.

NOTE added by Beth: Remember to point your patrons to InfoSoup's new Job & Career Resources page!

At the end of January, the American Library Association announced their selection of  top books for children including the winners of the prestigious Caldecott and Newbery awards.

The 2009 Newbery Medal for the most distinguished contribution to children's literature was awarded to The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman.

The 2009 Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children was awarded to The House in the Night, illustrated by Beth Krommes and written by Susan Marie Swanson.

Visit the InfoSoup Family Page to see a list of the 2009 Newbery and Caldecott honor books. For more great titles, don't miss Award Winners for Kids.

On the teen front, this year's winner for excellence in young adult literature is Jellicoe Road, by Melina Marchetta. Please visit the InfoSoup Teen Reads page and  Teen Award Winners to find more award winning books for young adults.

> contributed by Evan

Celebrate YALSA's third annual Teen Tech Week, March 8-14! This year's theme is "Press Play @ Your Library."

Why celebrate?

Teens, in order to gain the skills necessary to compete in today's job market, need access to digital and online information and trained professionals who can help them use these resources effectively, efficiently and ethically. Librarians and educators know this and work with teens on a regular basis to ensure they develop these skills. Teen Tech Week is a chance for libraries to throw open their physical & virtual doors and show their communities all the great things they're doing for teens with technology.

Here's more about the idea behind this year's theme:

Teen Tech Week 2009, which will be celebrated March 8-14, is about connecting teens with different technologies, especially those available through the library. Teens can literally press play on digital devices such as mp3 players, DVD players, gaming controllers and more. Press Play @ the library can be interpreted broadly to make it work for you in your own library. One way to interpret the theme is to emphasize the word "play." Play can be about teens creating and sharing their own content for the fun of it, like videos, music, and digital artwork. Play through games can be encouraged with tournaments, tech trivia contests, and video games. The theme can also take a more educational direction. Teens can "press play" on various digital devices to learn more about the world around them. They can press play to watch film documentaries, listen to an audiobook, get online homework help, learn a new language and more. YALSA encourages librarians and educators to be creative and take the theme in a direction that works for them and their teens!

For more information, visit the Teen Tech Week page on YALSA's web site. And remember that OWLS has lots of tech tools for you to borrow to use with your teens! Check out 'Casting @ OWLS for more info. Plenty of help using the 'casting kit is available if you need it, so please don't hesitate to ask.

> contributed by Beth

Check out a new site from the ALA Public Programs Office, ProgrammingLibrarian.org. Here's more on the project:

The goal of ProgrammingLibrarian.org is to assist librarians in finding authoritative resources for cultural programming, train librarians in cultural programming techniques and involve library schools in examining the need for courses in cultural programming. In addition to finding ideas and resources, site users are welcome to contribute information and ideas from their own experiences in developing cultural programs for their communities. Live webinars will be held regularly to create not just a resource center, but a community of librarians committed to bringing increased access to literature, music, contemporary issues, art, history, poetry, scholars, writers and musicians to their communities.

It looks to me like the site is just getting going, but it will be interesting to see how it develops. It's nice to see ALA starting to build resources like this where participation from the membership is made possible and encouraged.

What kind of programming are you planning at your library?

> contributed by Beth

National Library Week is coming up April 12th to the 18th! The American Library Association's (ALA) theme this year is Worlds Connect @ Your Library. ALA has sample promotional materials available on their web site, including a letter-to-the-editor, press release, proclamation, and radio public service announcement scripts, and, as always, you can order additional promotional materials at the ALA Store.

OWLS will be co-hosting a workshop with Caldecott award winning illustrator Gerald McDermott and the Children's Cooperative Book Center on Friday, April 17th to celebrate the end of National Library Week. (More details to be posted on OWLSweb soon.) What does your library have in the works?

> contributed by Beth

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

Whether you attended the recent ALA conference in California or not, you may want to check out the ALA Conference Materials wiki to see what treasures you can find. Links to presentation slides, handouts, etc. are included on the site for a variety of conference sessions. Dig around a bit and see what helpful info you can find!

Did you attend the conference? Tell us what you thought in the comments.

> contributed by Beth

If you are planning to celebrate El Día de los Niños at your library there are complimentary bilingual brochures available to help you celebrate this special day. The brochure features an updated recommended reading list and tips for parents in English and Spanish for reading to and with children. The April 30 celebration is devoted to emphasizing the importance of advocating literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

For more information about Dia, and to register your Dia event to receive complimentary brochures, please go to the Dia Web site.  You may request up to 200 brochures while supplies last.

If you have any questions, you may contact ALA at dia@ala.org.

> contributed by Holly

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

With the theme "Join the Circle of Knowledge @ Your Library," National Library Week is quickly approaching on April 13-19, 2008. This year's honorary chair is Academy Award-winning actress Julie Andrews. Take a look at her YouTube video in which she discusses the value of libraries:



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

The Copyright Advisory Network (CAN) is a Web site, bulletin board, blog and wiki established to help librarians discuss copyright issues with colleagues facing similar concerns, share solutions, and learn more about copyright from trained copyright specialists. Pose your copyright query on the Network Forum, and trained copyright specialists - known as the CAN Scholars - will respond to your question within 48 hours. The Scholars will not provide legal advice but informed opinion on your topic. Anyone can join the Network by registering at http://www.librarycopyright.net. This is a free service offered by the American Library Association's Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP). Contact Carrie Russell, Copyright Specialist, at crussell@alawash.org with questions or comments.

From Channel Weekly, Vol. 10, No. 20, posted with permission.