Science.gov Debuts Image Search

Science.gov now quickly finds science images, including animal and plant, weather and space, and earth and sun images and more. The information is free and no registration is required. Go to www.science.gov and select the Image Search link under Special Collections.

Initially, three databases are being searched from one search box. More image databases will be added to Science.gov in the coming months. The current federated search includes:

• The National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) Library of Images from the Environment (LIFE), a collection of high-quality photographs, illustrations, and graphics covering a wide range of topics, including images of plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms, habitats, wildlife management, environmental topics, and biological study/fieldwork.
• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) Image eXchange (NIX), a search engine of NASA's multimedia collections, including images of space flight wind tunnel, solar system, aircraft, and education initiatives.
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Photo Library, a collection spanning centuries of time and much of the natural world from the center of the earth to the surface of the sun.

In addition to the image search, Science.gov has:

• undergone a significant software upgrade for quicker performance
• included both the Federal Register and Code of Federal Regulations in the basic search
• provided an author cluster on the results page
• upgraded the alerts service so you can manage your Science.gov alerts directly from your alerts email and get daily alerts rather than weekly
• added a Science.gov widget for download to your website or customized pages
• and provided more citation download options.

Science.gov is a gateway to more than 42 scientific databases and 200 million pages of science information with just one query, and is a gateway to over 2000 scientific websites from 18 organizations within 14 federal science agencies: the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, the Interior, and Transportation; the Environmental Protection Agency, the Government Printing Office, the Library of Congress, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the National Science Foundation. These agencies represent 97 percent of the federal R&D budget.

Science.gov is the USA.gov portal to science and the U.S. contribution to WorldWideScience.org. Science.gov is hosted by the Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information, within the Office of Science, and is supported by CENDI (http://www.cendi.gov/), an interagency working group of senior scientific and technical information managers.

Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Webinar

Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Webinar

Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 2 pm

Presented by Diane Doersch, Director of Instructional Technology, Neenah Joint School District. This 60-minute webinar will cover tips and advice on how to keep kids safe online. How can we help children surf the web safely? What are the tools kids are using that we should be aware of, as public librarians? What resources are available to parents?

Join in and be a part of this very timely and important discussion!
Register today at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/579225873
This webinar is sponsored by the Nicolet Federated Library System.  It will be recorded and posted for viewing.

About the presenter:Diane Doersch is the Director of Instructional Technology for the Neenah Joint School District.

She also serves as adjunct faculty for Marian University's Technology in Education master's program.  Diane has spoken at local, state and national conferences on successful community technology programs, coaching, technology integration and action research. She is passionate about keeping kids (including her own!) safe online. 
(Jamie Matczak, Nicolet Federated Library System) 

WebJunction and MELSA Kick-Off Free Jobs and Small Business Webinar Series

WebJunction and MELSA kick off free Jobs and Small Business Webinar Series on January 27, 2011

Starting in January and extending through May, WebJunction will be hosting a series of webinars produced by MELSA, the Metropolitan Library Service Agency in Minnesota, on topics related to serving the workforce in your community. The first event in this new Jobs and Small Business Webinar Series will focus on Understanding Unemployment Insurance and Its Impact On Your Customers.

This webinar will take place on January 27, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST. We will be joined by an Unemployment Insurance Specialist from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, who will explain out how the service works. In addition, Alice Neve, Public Service Manager at St. Paul Public Library, will describe how your library can support UI customers. Using her library as an example, she will describe how to collaborate with local UI offices, analyze challenges and implement solutions throughout your library system. This webinar is free and open to all.

Register for this webinar ››

(Monday Memo, December 20, 2010)

FREE Tales2Go Subscription for Educational Programs

Here’s a great holiday gift from Tales2Go to cash-strapped schools & other educational programs. I suspect there are more than a few schools using iPod Touchs as hand-held computing devices, plus a few iPhone-toting teachers who will be convinced to put their phones to use in the classroom. Do you have any of the devices in your library? Worth an inquiry to see if your youth services department counts as an “Educational program” – I certainly hope so! Here are more details from Tales2Go’s press release:

"Tales2Go, an innovative, children’s audio book and story service/app, announced today a new initiative to give schools, day care centers and other educational programs free subscriptions to its award-winning service. Educators can now sign up for a free Tales2Go account up until January 15, 2011. Each subscription shall remain valid through June 30, 2011. Up to five Apple mobile devices (i.e. iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad) can be used on each account, thus allowing for multiple classroom use. Limit one free subscription per school or educational program.

Tales2Go gives parents and educators instant, on-demand and unlimited access to over 1,300 audio titles from leading publishers and storytellers (such as Bill Harley, Diane Ferlatte, Odds Bodkin). The stories are very entertaining and popular with kids, ranging from fairytales to classics like Curious George Rides a Bike to popular series and characters like Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The service is very easy to use and can be accessed on any Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, and played out on the device itself or via a docking station, capsule speaker, the AUX channel of a car stereo or individually with ear buds or headphones.

"We see this offer as win-win for both schools and parents: schools get a free subscription to a large library of audio titles from leading publishers and storytellers, and parents get greater exposure to the value of Tales2Go by its use in schools,” said William Weil, Co-Founder and CEO of Tales2Go. Many schools play audio books for their students as an important supplement to instructional activities; and more and more schools – and teachers themselves – have Apple mobile devices and the necessary wireless access to use them. The benefits of listening to audio stories include exposure to more advanced vocabulary and building critical listening and comprehension skills – for both beginning and developing readers.

To register a school or educational program, visit http://www.tales2go.com/schoolpromo"
(Monday Memo, December 20, 2010)

Public Hearing Set on Public Librarian Certification and Public Library System Audit Rules Changes

Public Hearing Set on Public Librarian Certification and Public Library System Audit Rules Changes

The Department of Public Instruction will hold a public hearing to consider changes in the rules relating to public librarian certification and public library system audits. The hearing will be held January 13, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning (formerly the Reference and Loan Library), 2109 South Stoughton Road, Madison.

The hearing site is fully accessible to people with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation to access any meeting, please contact Michael Cross, Director, Public Library Development, at michael.cross@dpi.wi.gov, (608) 267-9225, or leave a message with the Teletypewriter (TTY) at (608) 267-2427 at least 10 days prior to the hearing date. Reasonable accommodation includes materials prepared in an alternative format, as provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The administrative rule and fiscal note are available on the internet at: http://dpi.wi.gov/pb/rulespg.html.  A copy of the proposed rule and the fiscal estimate also may be obtained by sending an email request to lori.slauson@dpi.wi.gov or by writing to:

Lori Slauson, Administrative Rules and Federal Grants Coordinator
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
125 South Webster Street
P.O. Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707

Written comments on the proposed rules received by Ms. Slauson at the above mail or email address no later than January 19, 2011, will be given the same consideration as testimony presented at the hearing. 
(Channel Weekly, Vol. 13, No. 13 -- December 16, 2010)

Wisconsin Prison Literacy Project - Donate Now!

Wisconsin Prison Literacy Project Needs Materials

This is a reminder that correctional libraries, located in state prisons and county jails, are in serious need of materials and would greatly appreciate donations from other libraries, publishers, the public, and other sources to help build and maintain diverse and timely collections. Recognizing the importance of literacy skills for successful re-entry by Wisconsin prisoners, the Wisconsin Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND), in partnership with the Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Instruction, has created a sub-committee on prisons to assist correctional libraries by collecting and distributing books for inmates in our state facilities.

Books must be in good condition and match the subject areas identified by the Department of Corrections librarians. Public, private and academic libraries and other sources are encouraged to donate books to support this project.

COLAND really needs your help in enhancing these collections for the inmates to further their ability to read and improve their quality of life. For further information including requested subject areas and delivery instructions, please see: http://dpi.wi.gov/coland/pdf/prison_donations_letter.pdf.

More information on COLAND can be found at: http://dpi.wi.gov/coland/index.html.

(Michael Cross - Wisconsin Dept.of Public Instruction, December 17, 2010)

Follow-through, Follow-through, Follow-through: One-Click Access to Managing a Job Search!

Join us for a webinar on December 16, 2010 -

Follow-through, Follow-through, Follow-through: One-Click Access to Managing a Search!

We invite you to sign up for the next webinar in the Job & Career Accelerator expert webinar series with noted career search expert, Alison Green.

Once a job candidate sends off a job application, the next step isn’t just sitting back and waiting – there’s plenty they can do to increase their chances of getting an interview. Following up and following through in the right manner is crucial, because done poorly, follow-up can be an application killer.

Attend this informative webinar and learn the critical do's and don'ts of post-application strategy.

Alison Green is the former chief of staff of a successful nonprofit organization, where she oversaw day-to-day staff management, hiring, firing, and employee development. She's also the author of a book for managers (Managing to Change the World: The Nonprofit Leader's Guide to Getting Results), an e-book for job-seekers (How to Get a Job: Secrets of a Hiring Manager), and she writes the popular Ask a Manager blog, where she dispenses advice on career, job search, and management issues.

Both job seekers and career professionals in libraries and colleges will find this information useful. Following Alison will be a special presentation on how Job & Career Accelerator™ can help job seekers succeed in their search.
Invite your colleagues and friends to attend. Space is limited, reserve seats now.
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/686321832
Existing Job & Career Accelerator customers who require support training may register at http://learningexpressllc.com/support/webinars/home.cfm

Please send your questions, comments, and feedback on the webinar series to: webinar@learningexpressllc.com.

The Job & Career Accelerator™ team at LearningExpress, LLC

Date: Thursday, December 16, 2010

Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CST
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements:

PC-based attendees:

Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server


Macintosh®-based attendees:
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

Space is limited.


Reserve your Webinar seat now at:

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/686321832 



The Fast Track to Getting Hired!


© 2010 LearningExpress LLC.

Spending Survey for School Libraries (With an iPad Giveaway)

School Library Journal has launched a national survey about resource expenditures in school library media centers. Results from this survey will be the basis of an article in SLJ this Spring.

The survey asks about LMC expenditures, available technology and program elements from the last school year (2009-2010). To preview the survey, please click here for a survey pdf. Estimated time to take the survey is approximately 20 minutes.

Please click the link below to fill out the survey online – OR – the completed survey pdf may be faxed back to 646-380-0756. You will have the opportunity to print out your answers for your records once you submit the survey online.

SLJ Spending Survey
Because we have a tight deadline for this survey, we are giving away two Apple iPads as incentives. Please complete the survey by December 23, 2010.  If you have any questions, please contact Laura Girmscheid at: lgirmscheid@mediasourceinc.com.

We know how much effort you put into compiling this information, and we appreciate it. This data—which SLJ has been collecting for years—provides important insight into the state of school libraries. Many school library leaders and researchers have noted the reports as the only up-to-date report on expenditures and trends in school library development.

Please share this information with other school library media specialists in your district and encourage their participation in this important research effort.

Best wishes,
Brian Kenney, Editor-in-Chief

School Library Journal

OverDrive EPUB eBooks Now Supported On iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and Android

Last month OverDrive gave us a sneak preview of a new OverDrive Media Console app for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and Android phones, with all-in-one support for EPUB eBooks and MP3 audiobooks. Today the new app is here!

Get the details on its features from the Digital Library Blog or download the app from the iTunes App Store, OverDrive, or Android Market.

Also just in time for the holidays, OverDrive has a printable eBook device "cheat sheet" (PDF) that lists supported eBook devices. Compatible eBook readers are listed in the Device Resource Center now too.
(Tech Bits, December 10, 2010)



iPad Beating Kindle This Holiday Season

iPad Beating Kindle This Holiday Season, Says Survey

The results of a survey on holiday electronics spending conducted by ChangeWave Research are bustling around the Internet this morning. In August, ChangeWave asked 2,800 people about the electronics they owned or planned to buy; in terms of e-readers, the survey found that while more people owned Kindles than iPads, the iPad’s share of the market is growing, while the Kindle’s is diminishing, and iPad users are happier overall with their device than Kindle users.

In it summary of the survey, MSNBC notes that:

Since ChangeWave last asked consumers about e-readers in August, Amazon’s Kindle “is hanging on to a rapidly diminishing lead (47 percent, down 15 points) over the Apple iPad (32 percent; up 16 points) among current e-reader owners. However, the iPad’s share of the overall market has doubled” since that August survey, the company says.

One annoying thing MSNBC points out is that Kindle owners are more likely to read books on their devices while iPad owners are more likely to read periodicals and blogs, which the site attributes to the fact that Amazon has many, many more books in the Kindle stores than Apple does in the iBookstore. This reasoning doesn’t make sense because iPad owners have access to the e-bookstores from Kindle, Kobo, Nook, and anyone else with an iPad app.

(PW Weekly Report, by Craig Morgan Teicher -- December 1st, 2010)



Library Legislative Day Registration Now Open

Library Legislative Day Registration Now Open

With new political leadership in the Capitol, dozens of freshmen legislators to engage, and an ambitious library agenda, your attendance at Library Legislative Day (LLD) is more important than ever! Registration is now open to attend the February 22, 2011 event at the Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club, One West Dayton Street, Madison. (Note the new location.)

 Your challenge now is to get to know your legislators and engage them before Library Legislative Day! This event should not be your first contact with your legislators. If you have a brand new senator or representative, or if your incumbent was re-elected, start by sending him or her a note of congratulations.

Make it your mission to inform your legislators about current library issues and how valuable your library is to your institution or community. Make sure that the information you provide about your library also intersects with your legislators' main interests. For instance, in 2010, WLA developed the "Common Agenda" approach to library issues, focusing on the role libraries play in jobs and economic development, information access and technology, and education. Take a look at our materials for ideas on tailoring your message.

Contact information for legislators is provided for your convenience, as newly elected individuals are still in transition from campaign headquarters to their legislative offices.

Rasmussen College Program - Wangyal Ritzekura

What would It be like if you were a refugee or immigrant?  Find out!

Wangyal Ritzekura

Wangyal Ritzekura will be at Rasmussen College on Saturday, December 4. He was born in Tibet but fled to India with his parents when the Chinese invaded. He later immigrated to the United States from India and now works with other Tibetan immigrants in the Minneapolis area. Mr. Ritzekura will be speaking about his experiences as a refugee and immigrant.

Open and free to the public

10:00 AM, Saturday, December 4, 2010

Rasmussen College, 1101 Westwood Drive, Wausau, WI 54401

For more information call: 715-841-8041



E-Gov: Make It Work @ your Library

E-Gov: Make It Work @ your library

Join us for this free interactive learning experience

How do you bridge the gap?

• 53% of libraries report that staff do not have the necessary skills to meet patron e-government needs.

• Public library staff report that helping citizens interact with government agencies and access e-government resources is the second most critical service they offer, after providing services to job seekers.

For ready-to-implement ideas, attend this new webinar, co-sponsored by American Libraries, the ALA Office for Research & Statistics, and the ALA Washington Office.

Attend and learn how to:
• Use new e-government resources and data to help patrons
• Develop and market e-government partnerships
• Address key challenges to meeting patron e-gov demands
• Use e-gov data to make the case for your library

Panelists include:
• (moderator) Judy Hoffman, Project Manager, American Library Association, Office for Research and Statistics
• Nancy Fredericks, E-Government Services Manager, Pasco County Public Library Cooperative (Florida)
• John Bertot, Director, Center for Library & Information Innovation, University of Maryland
• Bill Sudduth, Head, Government Information and Microforms, Newspapers and Maps, University of South Carolina; contributor to Managing Electronic Government Information in Libraries: Issues and Practices (ALA Editions)

 Register today!

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, December 9
Time:  1:30-3:00 PM Central

Prepare for this free webinar by reading the free downloadable report :
U.S. Public Libraries and E-Government Services - (Published June 2010 by the ALA Office of Research & Statistics )
(American Libraries Webinar Announcement, November 15, 2010)

Mobile Technology and Libraries - "Can you hear me NOW!"

The Big Picture for Mobile Technology

Cell phones. Laptops. APPS. 4.6 billion mobile phone subscriptions worldwide (for real)! Get the big picture on mobile technology by reading the "Mobile Technology Position Paper" by Beth Carpenter and Adam Brisk. It's a long paper, but it's a great overview of mobile technologies and their use in libraries.

Pressed for time? Flip through the slideshow "Can You Hear Me Now? Shhhh!: Mobile Devices in the Library" that the paper's authors presented at this year's WLA Conference. It showcases numerous examples of how libraries and the world at large are addressing the needs of the mobile community.
(Techbits, November 13, 2010)

Mark Your Calendars for Money Smart Week @ your library, April 2-9, 2011

The American Library Association (ALA) has joined in a partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to make “Money Smart Week @ your library,” held April 2-9, 2011, a national initiative.

Celebrating its 10th year in 2011, Money Smart Week’s mission is to promote personal financial literacy. Libraries of all types in the Midwest have participated in Money Smart Week, partnering with community groups, financial institutions, government agencies, educational organizations and other financial experts to help consumers learn to better manage their personal finances.

“ALA and libraries promote all types of literacy, and the past few years have highlighted the need for everyone to be financially literate,” said Roberta Stevens, ALA President. “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to make this a national initiative and encourage all libraries to mark their calendars now to celebrate and participate in Money Smart Week @ your library.”

“The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago looks forward to partnering with the American Library Association to bring financial education to consumers across America,” said Doug Tillett, the bank’s vice president in charge of public affairs. “Since the start of Money Smart Week almost 10 years ago, libraries have been instrumental in helping people learn to make informed decisions about managing their money.”

“Our participation in Money Smart Week Wisconsin over the last three years has brought hundreds of new patrons into the library and has helped us forge new community partnerships,” reported Lori Burgess, support services coordinator, Fond du Lac (Wis.) Public Library.

ALA and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago will be launching a special section of the Money Smart Week website on Nov. 1 devoted to libraries, with information on how to participate, as well as toolkits, resources and examples of programming for public, academic, school and special libraries.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks across the United States that, together with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., serve as the central bank for the United States.
(American Libraries, ilove.libraries.org)

Fund LSTA at $300 Million

Act Now!!!

Please call your Congressional representatives and tell them to fund the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) at $300 million for FY 2011. LSTA funding is distributed to states by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through population-based grants. LSTA the only source of federal funding for public libraries, and with more and more public libraries facing state and local budget cuts, it is critically important that libraries receive this money. Take Action!
(American Libraries - i love libraries.org)

OverDrive Books On iPads and iPhones

Bluefire Reader Makes OverDrive Books Work on iPads and iPhones

Terrry Dawson, Director of the Appleton Public Library discovered this easy way to make OverDrive books readable on his iPad.  Here is the link to the article from mobiputing:  http://mobiputing.com/2010/11/how-to-read-public-library-ebooks-with-drm-on-an-iphone/

Terry downloaded the free app, Bluefire Reader to his iPad. He downloaded the Adobe epub book from Overdrive onto his desktop and emailed the file to himself. From the iPad mail client, he did an “open with” Bluefire Reader et voila!  

Bluefire Reader is a eBook app for iOS which lets you read digital books in PDF and ePub formats. But what really sets Bluefire apart from every other app available for iOS is that it supports Adobe DRM. And as of today, it supports the DRM used by public libraries, which means you can download free eBooks from hundreds of public library web sites and read them on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. Up until now you could only read those books on a Sony Reader, Nook, or a computer.

Bluefire is available as a free download from the App Store. Our online ebooks just got better… and in more demand.
(Terry Dawson, Appleton Public Library)

Registration Now Open for Teen Tech Week - March 6-12, 2011

2011 theme is Mix and Mash @ your library®  

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), launched its Teen Tech Week 2011 website, opening registration and offering tools for librarians to plan the annual celebration of technology for teens in the library. More resources, including activity ideas, planning materials, publicity tools and more, can be found at www.ala.org/teentechweek. Official Teen Tech Week products, including posters, decals, bookmarks and digital downloads, are available at the ALA Store.

Teen Tech Week will be celebrated March 6-12, with a theme of Mix and Mash @ your library, encouraging teens to take advantage of the many technologies available to them, free of charge, at their libraries.

“Throughout the year librarians and teens use technology regularly to communicate, collaborate and create, and libraries are a great place for teens to learn how to use technology safely and smartly,” said Kim Patton, YALSA president. “Registering for Teen Tech Week helps demonstrate that libraries around the country consider technology an important part of teen lives and an important part of the programs and services offered by libraries.”

Visitors to the site can access this year’s theme logo by registering. They can also apply for a 2010 Teen Tech Week Mini Grant, funded by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust.

Teen Tech Week is a national initiative sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association and is aimed at teens, their parents, educators and other concerned adults. The purpose of the initiative is to ensure that teens are competent and ethical users of technologies, especially those that are offered through libraries such as DVDs, databases, audiobooks and video games. Teen Tech Week encourages teens to use libraries’ non-print resources for education and recreation and to recognize that librarians are qualified, trusted professionals in the field of information technology. Teen Tech Week began in 2007 and has a general theme of Get Connected @ your library.

2011 Promotional Partners include ALA Graphics, the Margaret A. Edwards Trust and Tutor.com. DoSomething.org and the Federal Trade Commission are 2010 Nonprofit Supporters.

For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos and audiobooks for teens. For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists, or contact the YALSA office by phone, (800) 545-2433, ext. 4390, or e-mail, yalsa@ala.org.

(American Libraries Direct, November 10, 2010)

Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese!

Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese! A Day in Pictures

 

Just a reminder that this “encore” event (a program of the Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries) is scheduled for Wednesday, November 17, 2010! Visit the Say Cheese website to find suggestions and resources to help your library participate in this event and use that participation to promote your library’s services, resources, and value to your community and library funders.

A few changes to note from last year:
• The Say Cheese Flickr group will accept photos from LIBRARY Flickr accounts only – no personal accounts, please. This protects your privacy by preventing Say Cheese visitors from linking to personal Flickr accounts!

• Choose your library’s ten (new limit this year) best photos to load. Remember, candid photos showing library activities work best.

• Each library is asked to follow its own policy regarding permission for the photos taken --- no photo permission slips are required to be sent to the WLA office this year!

• Taking your photos on Wednesday, November 17, is preferable; however, if another day during the week works better for you, please load your photos to the Say Cheese Flickr group account as soon as possible.

The Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries, which sponsors Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese! A Day in Pictures is an ongoing, statewide marketing and public relations initiative of the Wisconsin Library Association Foundation (WLAF) that provides a collective voice for Wisconsin libraries of all types, focusing on developing and disseminating effective messages about the importance of all Wisconsin libraries. Visit the Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries for more resources to promote your library.
(WLA Foundation Campaign Action Committee)

Update - eBook Devices Cheat Sheet

In September, a new librarian reference tool was introduced: the eBook Devices Cheat Sheet. With the biggest shopping day of the year quickly approaching, we have updated the eBook Devices Cheat Sheet (PDF) to include the Pandigital Novel as a compatible device. Your library staff will likely receive more questions about eBook readers during the holiday season, so be sure to print out this updated reference tool for your circulation or information desk.


Don’t forget you can find the most up-to-date list of compatible devices on the OverDrive Device Resource Center. As more devices become available, our team will test for compatibility and we’ll let you know the results.
(OverDrive's Digital Libary Blog, November 2010) 

White Deer: Ghosts of the Forest - Crandon Public Library Program



On Tuesday, November 9, 2010, at 6:30 pm the Crandon Public Library will be holding a meet and greet with nationally-known photographer Jeff Richter. Mr. Richter will tell stories, share photo tips and present information about the beautiful and elusive albino deer.

Capturing incredible shots of nature that many people will never see in their lifetimes, Jeff Richter shares with Crandon a small glimpse into a true hunt, a hunt for the rarely seen white deer. His book includes photos taken from all over Wisconsin in his many quests to find this incredibly rare creature, and an attempt to explain the natural phenomenon of albinism in Wisconsin forests.

Probably no one has spent as much time following these white “ghosts of the forest” as nationally-known photographer Jeff Richter. Richter has been privileged to hunt the deer with his camera on lands where they seem to have concentrated by some fluke of nature. Jeff has worked full-time as a professional photographer for over a decade. His work has appeared extensively in Wisconsin Trails magazine, and in The Nature Conservancy, Audubon, and other prestigious publications.

This slideshow presentation is sure to be both educational and entertaining. This book, along with his other titles Pure Superior and True North will be available for purchase and signing … just in time for the holidays! Please call the Crandon Public Library at 478-3784 with any questions.
(Michelle Gobert, Director, Crandon Public LIbrary November 8, 2010)

Time to Order 2010 Wisconsin Income Tax Forms

It is now time to place your order for 2010 Wisconsin income tax forms.

More E-filing - Less Paper

Each year more and more Wisconsin taxpayers are filing their income tax returns electronically. In 2008 the department introduced an e-file application called Wisconsin e-file. This application is Free, Secure, and Accurate. Plus, taxpayers can get their refunds within days with direct deposit.

 We encourage you to refer your customers to this free application. Wisconsin e-file is available from the department's web site at http://www.revenue.wi.gov/wi_efile/index.html 

Reducing the Quantity of Forms Ordered
We would like to thank all the libraries who helped in reducing the number of forms that were ordered last year. For 2009, libraries ordered approximately 200,000 fewer tax forms than in 2008, bringing the combined 2009 order down to 1.4 million. Based on the unique barcode assigned to forms provided to libraries, the department was able to determine that less than 10 percent of the 1.4 million forms provided to the libraries were actually filed with the department. While we want to continue to provide forms to taxpayers who need them, we must reduce the waste associated with forms that are not being used. We urge you to order fewer forms for 2010!

Remember, all Wisconsin tax forms are also available online at: http://www.revenue.wi.gov/html/formpub.html.

How to Order 2010 Wisconsin Tax Forms
Step 1 Complete Form P-744L, Library Tax Form Request, which is available at the following web site: http://www.revenue.wi.gov/forms/misc/p-744lf.pdf
Step 2 Fill in requested quantities
Step 3 Save completed form to your computer
Step 4 E-mail the completed request form (as an attachment) to DorLibraryFormsOrders@revenue.wi.gov

Please submit your order by November 18th.  Remember to sign up to the department's Library electronic mailing list to receive important communications specifically relating to libraries.

We thank you for your time and effort in providing assistance to Wisconsin taxpayers. If you have any questions or need assistance with placing your order, feel free to contact Laurie Yahr at (608) 261-5106 or e-mail at laurie.yahr@revenue.wi.gov.



Emergency Succession Planning Webinar

Emergency Succession Planning Webinar 

November 2, 2010 (2:00 pm CST)

 

This webinar will last approximately one hour. Webinars are free of charge and registration is ONLY done on the day of the event on the WebEx server. No Passwords are Required.  For more information and to participate in the November 2 webinar, go to:

http://infopeople.org/training/webcasts/webcast_data/420/index.html

Succession planning is something that most of us think about as a long-term process with mid- to distant-future outcomes. But what happens when:

. your Assistant Director suddenly announces her early retirement, effective in two weeks?  

. a key department manager unexpectedly moves out of state? 

Succession planning is a form of risk management, and in order to be effective, particularly in an emergency situation, the process should start before you need it. During this interactive session, webinar participants will learn how to create an emergency succession plan for critical library positions, including being able to identify the positions for which such a plan is needed and being able to assess your library's risk of losing key staff.

To get the most out of this presentation, be sure to download handouts in advance and be prepared to work on a plan during the webinar. 

At the end of this one-hour webinar, attendees will have created an Emergency Succession Plan for one position. They will also be able to:

. define the steps needed to create an emergency succession plan.

. identify the positions for which an emergency succession plan is needed.

. create an emergency succession plan for a critical library position.

. assess the risk of losing key staff.

This webinar will be of interest to staff in all types of libraries, those involved in library leadership, library directors, human resources and training and development staff, and members of Boards of Trustees will benefit from this webinar.

Speaker: Paula Singer. Paula M. Singer, PhD, is owner and President of The Singer Group, a management consulting firm she founded in 1983. Her individualized approach and commitment to excellence have resulted in a track record of success with an impressive client list. With expertise in compensation, organization development, strategic planning, and change management, Paula brings a balance of broad perspective and specific focus to each project. During her over 20 years of consulting, Paula has effectively directed a wide range of compensation, classification, and organization development studies for clients in the public, private and  non-profit sectors. She works with clients in a highly interactive, collaborative way to deliver customized products tailored to each client's needs. 

If you are unable to attend the live event, you can access the archived version the day following the webinar. Check our archive listing at:

http://www.infopeople.org/training/webcasts/list/archived

B&N Intros Nookcolor Tablet, New Children's Titles

Approximately one year after introducing its first e-reading device, Barnes & Noble took a major step forward Tuesday with the introduction of the Nookcolor, a $249 tablet with a seven inch VividView Color Touchscreen. The addition of color to the e-reading device allowed B&N to officially announce Nook Kids, which in addition to 12,000 chapter books, will have 130 children’s picture books at launch with that number expected to double by the end of the year. Some of the children’s books will be enhanced e-books, featuring video and audio. A third part of the launch was the announcement of Nookdeveloper that will allow creators to develop “reading-centric” apps that will be sold through the Nook app store. Since the Nook runs on the Android platform, apps from the Android Market can be ported to the Nook, but Android Market apps will not automatically be sold through the Nook since B&N want to curate the store, company CEO William Lynch said.

Initial reaction to Nookcolor from the many publishers in attendance at B&N's New York headquarters was positive, with the addition of color and the price seen as the most exciting features. Color, the head of one children’s division said, “puts children’s publishers in the e-book game.”

The Nookcolor will begin shipping around November 19 and will be available for sale through all Barnes & Noble trade bookstores in late November along with the entire portfolio of Nook readers. The Nookcolor will also be sold in Walmart and Best Buy and B&N reached an agreement with Books-A-Million making Nookcolor the exclusive reading device at the nation’s third largest bookstore chain. BAM will sell all Nook devices in a dedicated display section at the store, and its e-bookstore will be powered by B&N. Terrance Finley, executive v-p Chief Merchandising Officer at BAM said, "we are delighted to be partnering with Barnes & Noble in the digital realm. We believe Nook is best in class and we look forward to bringing it to our customers chain-wide."

At launch, there will be 2 million (including free) e-books available for Nookcolor, with the “vast majority” priced at $9.99. Over 100 newspapers and magazine will also be available in full color. The Nookcolor weighs in at under 1 pound and is less than half-an-inch thick, attributes that B&N executives stressed make the tablet, which has Wi-Fi connectivity, very portable. With 8 gigabytes of memory, Nookcolor will run for about eight hours before needing a recharge and hold 6,000 e-books.

Other features include a social network, Nookfriends, that lets users connect with each other, and a LendMe app that enables Nookcolor users to share titles. Nookcolor also come with the free radio internet music service Pandora as well as a few games.

While B&N expects Nookcolor to be a very popular holiday item, Lynch said B&N has “no road map to ending” the E-Ink Nook, which Lynch said has sold over 1 million units. “There is still a segment” that want a plain black and white reading experience, Lynch said. The original Nook is set to receive a software upgrade in November.

Lynch said he doesn’t believe Nookcolor will cannibalize sales through B&N stores, but will rather be “accretive to Barnes & Noble overall. We expect to cannibalize other people’s physical books much more than ours,” he said.

(Jim Milliot - Publisher's Weekly Digital, October 27, 2010)

Want To Know More About eBooks, eReaders and Libraries

eBooks, eReaders, and Libraries

Wisconsin Valley Library Service has created a website with links to a wealth of information about eBooks, eReaders, and Libraries.  This site includes information helpful for patrons and library staff. 

Some of the things you will find are:

• A general overview about eBooks
• FAQs about using eBooks and eReaders
• A guide to the many eBook formats
• The link to the COSLA: eBook Feasibility Study for Public Libraries
• Comparisons and reviews of a variety of eReader devices
• A list of OverDrive compatible devices
• Lists of free eBook sources and paid sources
• How-to instructions on transferring OverDrive e-pub content to an eReader
• Various articles about library applications for eBooks and eReaders
• Links to the Sue Polanka eBook presentation from the WVLS Technology Summit
• Information on how to access the eBooks: Libraries at the Tipping Point on Demand conference.

To access this site go to:  http://wvls.lib.wi.us/ebooks.htm

If you have additional information about this topic that you would like to share with others, please e-mail me at ichristman@wvls.lib.wi.us.

The Ethics of Innovation Online Symposium - November 17, 2010

A discussion of ethics has been part of the professional landscape since 1903 when Mary Plummer, ALA President, presented the first code of ethics for librarians. Since then, the information services landscape has only become more challenging and complex.

Join OCLC and Library Journal on Wednesday, Nov 17th from 12:00-2 p.m. Central Standard Time for our second online symposium. We'll discuss the ways in which ethical considerations affect innovation, privacy issues and how libraries deliver services. From 2-3 p.m. we'll have a dedicated Twitter hour with the keynote speakers and librarian moderator.

There's no travel, no cost. Just insight.
Register today at www.oclc.org/innovation
(Library Journal, October 18, 2010)

Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets - Student Poetry Contest

Every year the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (WFOP) sponsors a student poetry contest. We are trying to get more exposure and let more students know about the contest. We are hoping you could help by sending this notice on (with attachment) to your patrons and other libraries. The attachment is an 8.5 x 11 inch poster (PDF format) that can be printed and posted in the libraries.

We thank you for your help in distributing this information.  You can also find out more information about the contest and WFOP at wfop.org.
(Steve Tomasko and Jeanie Tomasko - WFOP Student Contest Coordinators)

ProgrammingLibrarian.org Gets a New Look

The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office has debuted an updated look and enhanced features for its website, ProgrammingLibrarian.org. Designed for librarians who plan and present cultural programs and events, ProgrammingLibrarian.org is both a resource center and a community of librarians committed to bringing increased access to literature, music, contemporary issues, art, history, poetry, scholars, writers and musicians to their communities.

Programming tools recently added to ProgrammingLibrarian.org include:
· The Programming Librarian forum: Post and respond to questions about planning, promoting and executing all manner of library programs in the Programming Librarian forum.

· The PR Generator: Programming Librarian provides templates for fliers, bookmarks and postcards that can be easily customized with your own text, images and colors. After the design phase is complete, a print-ready PDF document is generated that can be taken to a local copy shop or printed in the library. Please note that you must be registered with Programming Librarian to use this feature.

Site updates, including new programming resources, job listings and grant opportunities, are available by subscribing to the monthly e-newsletter. To sign up, visit http://www.programminglibrarian.org/newsletter_signup.

ProgrammingLibrarian.org can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.

Visit ProgrammingLibrarian.org to test drive these new features. Development of the site is funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Service to the ALA Public Programs Office, which fosters cultural programming as an essential part of library service in public, academic, school and special libraries. In keeping with that mission, ProgrammingLibrarian.org  offers librarians timely and valuable information to support libraries in the creation of high-quality cultural programs for their communities.

Successful library programming initiatives from the ALA Public Programs Office have included “Let’s Talk About It” reading and discussion series, traveling exhibitions, film discussion programs, the Great Stories CLUB, Live! @ your library and more. In 2002, the ALA Public Programs Office established the Cultural Communities Fund, an endowment to support all types of libraries as they bring communities together through cultural programming (www.ala.org/ccf). For more information about the ALA Public Programs Office, visit www.ala.org/publicprograms.
(American Libaries Direct, October 13, 2010)

Libraries Are Busier Than Ever

As part of the Wisconsin Library Association's efforts to spread library advocacy messages across the state, please share the following messages with your local Friends of the library, trustees, and other library supporters in your community. Help them “Speak Up” for your library! We hope you have a ready email list of such supporters to call on for this project - but also for future calls to action.

This week's advocacy message is "Libraries are Busier Than Ever."  Of course, use the messages in any order you wish and tailor them to suit your needs.

A  companion resource from the American Library Association is a free Frontline Advocacy Webinar on learning how to promote the value of libraries every day. The webinar shares valuable methods of integrating advocacy messages into everyday interactions with your many constituencies. It is scheduled for Friday, October 29, 1:00-2:15 p.m.

During this very busy time of year, thank you for taking time to “Speak Up for Libraries!”

(Lisa Strand, Executive Director - Wisconsin Library Association)

E-book Sales Jump 172% in August

While sales in the print trade segments shrank in August, e-book sales had another strong month, jumping 172.4%, to $39 million, according to the 14 publishers that report sales to the AAP’s monthly sales estimates.

For the year-to-date, e-book sales were up 192.9%, to $263 million. AAP said that of the approximately 19 publishers that report trade sales, revenue in the January to August period was $2.91 billion, making the $263 million e-book sales 9.0% of trade sales. At the end of 2009, e-book sales comprised 3.3% of trade sales. The mass market segment, where sales were down 14.3% in the first eight months of 2009, represented 15.1% of trade sales through August.
(Publishers Weekly Daily, October 14, 2010)

Celebrate Friends of Libraries Week

The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF) is coordinating the fifth annual National Friends of Libraries Week, October 17 - 23, 2010. The celebration offers a two-fold opportunity to celebrate. Friends groups can use the time to creatively promote their group in the community, to raise awareness, and to promote membership. The celebration also offers an excellent opportunity for the library staff and Board of Trustees to recognize the Friends for their help and support of the library.

“I encourage the whole nation to celebrate Friends of Libraries and the work they do. I’m convinced that the libraries are so much richer for the enthusiasm and expertise that the Friends bring to the Library,” said ALTAFF Executive Director Sally Gardner Reed. Libraries across the country can take advantage of the opportunity to honor their Friends of their Library and to promote and expand their membership in this valuable organization.

In a 2006 survey of members, 754 respondents reported raising more than $11 million dollars to support libraries with an average annual donation of more than $50,000. Eighty percent of respondents indicated they support their library through advocacy efforts with primary focus on local or municipal government and the general public. Friends also support their library by coordinating programs, volunteering in the library, promoting the library in the community, and advocating for libraries on the state and national level.

Friends groups, library Trustees, and library staff can access a variety of online resources to help them celebrate National Friends of Libraries Week. Materials available on the ALTAFF website include promotional ideas, editable publicity materials, camera ready bookmarks, ideas from past celebrations, and much more.
(Streams - News from Northern Waters, October 2010)

ALA Collaborates with DEMCO for National Gaming Day

The American Library Association (ALA) announced that DEMCO is partnering with ALA to help one lucky library level up its gaming program with a $5000 shopping spree! Here's the deal.

Libraries who are registered with ALA for National Gaming Day 2010 (NGD10) are eligible to submit an application to win the prize. During the NGD10 activities, take pictures, maybe get some video, talk with patrons to get ideas, etc. in order to show DEMCO the library's vision for a next-level gaming program for the community. Planning ahead and thinking big will likely be one of the keys to victory, because librarians will want to show the great things that happened during their 2010 event in order to tell ALA how they'll build on it for next year. Make sure to register to participate in National Gaming Day to be eligible for the contest at http://bit.ly/ngd10reg. Then sign up for the DEMCO contest. For more information and the application form go to www.demco.com/goto?gameshopspree.

A panel of judges will choose up to 15 finalists from all of the submissions, and then one winner will be randomly drawn from the finalists at ALA's Midwinter Meeting in January. The winning library gets the shopping spree, and the fun job of figuring out how to spend $5000 to make that vision happen.

Then give a thumbs up for DEMCO on Facebook or reach out to them in another way to thank them for supporting gaming libraries in general and National Gaming Day in particular. ALA definitely appreciates their support.
(American Libraries Direct, October 6, 2010)

Home Improvement Books Recalled - Shock or Fire Hazard to Customers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the Oxmoor House, Inc. (publisher of Sunset Books and others), recently updated a voluntary recall of a number of home improvement books due to faulty wiring instructions that could result in shock or fire hazard to consumers. Consumers (and, of course, libraries) should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. More information, including the specific titles, is available here:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10104.html

(John DeBacher, Public Library Administration Consultant Public Library Development Team Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction)

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Oxmoor House toll-free at (866) 696-7602 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.sunsetrecall.com


 

WebJunction Publishes Survey Results on Patron Training

WebJunction has just published the results of a national survey on the use of patron training programs in large U.S. libraries. This IMLS-funded research looked specifically at how libraries are offering training to patrons, how training resources are being selected, and if libraries are developing any content themselves.

The report of the survey findings also includes recommendations for potential future research and suggestions for how libraries can expand their training to patrons. The survey, report, and other details about this research project are posted in the Patron Training section of WebJunction.

(WebJunction Crossroads, October 2010)

WPLC - Wisconsin Public Library Consortium Discussion List

The Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC) is a cooperative group whose members include public library systems and public libraries throughout Wisconsin. WPLC was created and exists to pool the resources of libraries throughout the state and use them to cooperatively undertake projects that may otherwise be unavailable to single libraries and library systems or could be enhanced through cooperation, thus sharing both the costs and the knowledge and resources acquired.

Wisconsin Valley Library Service is a member of the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium and because of this membership is able to provide access to OverDrive, NetLibrary and other projects of interest to libraries.

WPLC communicates meeting agendas, minutes, and other information of interest to the member libraries via a discussion list.  To subscribe to this list and access the WPLC Archives go to:  http://mail.owls.lib.wi.us/mailman/listinfo/wplc

(From WPLC, October 6, 2010)

5 Library Sources for Quick Computer Training

It’s hard to find good online technology tutorials, especially those for quick and basic computer skills. Harder still to find some that meet our high expectations as information professionals. So why not turn to the library world itself?

Below is a collection of my top 5 favorite sites for these quick computer training materials. These could be webinars, class handouts, tutorials, screencasts, you name it. What’s important is the content. It’s content I’m comfortable pointing a customer or a fellow staff member to if some core computer fundamental skills need improving. Weirdly, two institutions get two mentions apiece — but that’s because what they have is awesome. Browse through what they have, and you might be surprised to find there’s something there for you too!

1.Infopeople Archived Webinars (all past Infopeople webinars, often with PPTs or other handouts linked too; on topics other than technology too)


2.Infopeople Training Materials from Past Workshops (from 8 hour live classes and 4 week online classes each class includes numerous how-tos, readings, bibliographies, exercises, tutorials, cheat sheets, and more; on topics other than technology too)


3.Akron Summit County Public Library Computer Training Class Handouts (great list, copious detail)


4.Akron Summit County Public Library Computer Training Tutorials List (equally good list but the materials are in tutorial format)


5.Milwaukee Public Library Computer Class Curriculum (an extremely detailed list of basic and more intermediate computer skills, with printable handouts on how to do just about everything customers ask you how to do)
 
(Learning Round Table - September 25, 2010)