New Reports From Pew Internet & American Life Project

Four New Reports From Pew

Technology experts and stakeholders say they expect they will ‘live mostly in the cloud’ in 2020 and not on the desktop, working mostly through cyberspace-based applications accessed through networked devices. This will substantially advance mobile connectivity through smartphones and other internet appliances. Many say there will be a cloud-desktop hybrid. Still, cloud computing has many difficult hurdles to overcome, including concerns tied to the availability of broadband spectrum, the ability of diverse systems to work together, security, privacy, and quality of service.   Here is the link to this report about the future of cloud computing:
http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/The-future-of-cloud-computing.aspx

It reports extensively on the views of the experts that cloud functions will be replacing desktop functions, especially as smart phones and other portable devices proliferate. Many think that in the coming decade there will be a hybrid desktop-cloud computing model where some functions remain on desktops and some migrate to the cloud for most users. The report will also cover a range of their concerns about the cloud, including: concerns tied to the availability of broadband spectrum, the ability of diverse systems to work together, security vulnerabilities, privacy sensitivities, and issues of quality of service for all the devices that will connect to the cloud.

Pew also recently issued a small report on how people use the internet to stay in touch with their neighbors on community issues:  http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Neighbors-Online.aspx

And another modest report on the state of online video: http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/State-of-Online-Video.aspx

Finally, at the end of May, Pew put out a large, sweeping report that looked at how people manage their reputations online: http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Reputation-Management.aspx

(Beth Yoke, Executive Director  - American Library Association/Young Adult Library Services Association)

The Association for Library Services to Children Announces Exceptional Website for Children

ALSC Announces Exceptional Websites for Children

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has added recommended Web sites to "Great Web Sites for Kids" (http://www.ala.org/greatsites), its online resource containing hundreds of links to outstanding Web sites for children.

Great Web Sites for Kids (GWS) features links to websites of interest to children 14 years of age and younger, organized into diverse subject headings, from astronomy and space to zoos and aquariums, from games and entertainment to geography and maps. There is also a special section with sites of interest to parents, caregivers and teachers.
 Members of the ALSC Great Web Sites for Kids Committee review and evaluate potential sites for inclusion and vote on the sites to be included. They also regularly check the entire site to ensure currency and re-evaluate sites when necessary.
 The newly added sites are: 

• Aaron Shepard’s Folktales - www.aaronshep.com/stories/folk.html 
• Academic Skill Builders - www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/ 
• BAM! Body and Mind - www.bam.gov/ 
• Book Worm for Kids - www.bookworm4kids.com/ 
• Census in Schools - www.census.gov/schools/census_for_kids/ 
• Chicos - www.chicos.net/ 
• Cool Science for Kids - www.hhmi.org/coolscience/forkids/index.html 
• Dogo News - www.dogonews.com/ 
• Enchanted Learning - www.littleexplorers.com/languages/spanish/Aisfor.shtml 
• Exploratorium Science of Gardening - www.exploratorium.edu/gardening/feed/index.html 
• Games for Change - http://www.gamesforchange.org/ 
• Genna’s World - http://www.gennasworld.com/ 
• If I Was King of the World www.ifiwasthekingoftheworld.com/ 
• Jefferson Lab - http://education.jlab.org/ 
• Lab TV - www.ndep.us/LabTV.aspx 
• MakeBeliefsComix - www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/ 
• Math Apprentice - www.mathapprentice.com/ 
• Mr. PicassoHead - http://www.mrpicassohead.com/ 
• Nourish Interactive - www.nourishinteractive.com/ 
• NSA www.nsa.gov/kids/ 
• Pat Mora - http://www.patmora.com/ 
• Plimoth Plantation - www.plimoth.org/education/olc/index_js2.html# 
• Smarty Games - www.smartygames.com/ 
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne extension -http://urbanext.illinois.edu/kids/index.html
• US Mint for Kids - www.usmint.gov/kids/ 
• Wacky Web Tales - www.eduplace.com/tales/ 
• You Are Here www.ftc.gov/youarehere/

Members of the 2010 Great Web Sites for Kids Committee are: Meagan Albright, co-chair, Alvin Sherman Library, Research and Information Technology Center, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Carla Morris, co-chair, Provo City (Utah) Library; Ryan Baker, San Jose (Calif.) State University; Rachel Fryd, Free Library of Philadelphia; Sharon Ledford, Harrison Elementary School, Lexington, Ky.; Elizabeth Medley, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Jacqueline Partch, Multnomah County Library, Portland, Ore.; Amanda Sharpe, UCLA; and Stephanie Simpson, Charlotte, N.C.

The complete listing of great sites with annotations and selection criteria can be found at www.ala.org/greatsites.
(American Libraries Direct, June 9, 2010)

 

Internet Addiction Test

Internet Addiction Test

How do you know if you're already addicted or rapidly tumbling toward trouble? The Internet Addiction Test is the first validated and reliable measure of addictive use of the Internet. Click here to read the study. Developed by Dr. Kimberly Young, the IAT is a 20-item questionnaire that measures mild, moderate, and severe levels of Internet Addiction.

If you would like to take the test, here is the address:
http://netaddiction.com/index.php?option=com_bfquiz&view=onepage&catid=46&Itemid=106

Good Luck!
(Amercian Libraries Direct, June 9, 2010)

2011 LSTA Grant Information & Webinars

2011 LSTA Grant Information Sessions

The LSTA Information and Guidelines for 2011 will be posted during the week of June 13th. There will be a limited number of booklets available in paper format.

June 22 at 10:00-11:30 a.m. and at 1:00-2:30 p.m.
LSTA Technology and Multi-Type Category Training Sessions The afternoon session will repeat the morning information session. Information sessions will be recorded and available at a later time via web posting. Following are the categories being discussed during
the June 22nd webinars:• Broadband Upgrade Grant -- non-competitive – library system
• Public Library System Technology -- non-competitive - library systems
• Joining Shared Automated Systems -- non-competitive- library systems
• Enhancing Use of Technology in Libraries and library systems –competitive – libraries and library systems• Multi-type Library Collaboration – competitive – libraries and library systems

June 24 at 10:00-11:30 a.m. and at 1:00-2:30 p.m.
LSTA Special Needs Categories’ Training Sessions The afternoon session will repeat the morning information session. Information sessions will be recorded and available at a later time via web posting. Following are the competitive categories available to public library and public library system applicants requiring partnerships and collaborations:
• Literacy
• Job Search & Employment Support
• Accessibility

 June 28 at 10:00-11:30 a.m.
LSTA Digitization Training Session The information session will be recorded and available at a later time via web posting. The competitive digitization categories available to public library and public library system applicants are:
• Digitization – Local Resources
• Digitization – Large Libraries (population size greater than 100,000)

Webinar instructions for any of the five sessions will be emailed to potential grant applicants. To register please email Terrie Howe at Teresa.Howe@dpi.wi.gov or call (608) 266-2413.

Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese! A Day in Pictures 2009

Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese! A Day in Pictures 2009

Garners National Attention for Wisconsin Libraries!

The WLA Foundation’s Campaign Action Committee is excited to announce that last fall’s Say Cheese event is currently spotlighted in the June/July issue of the ALA’s American Libraries publication. (See the Trends/Perspective section on pp. 20-21 or follow this link to the American Libraries archives at http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/archives/print-issue/jun-jul-2010/zmag to view the article).

Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese! 2009 (the public relations campaign using a specially built Flickr page to show the world the business and the busy-ness of Wisconsin libraries of all types) was a huge success, with over 100 libraries adding more than 600 photos to Flickr.

For those libraries that missed the fun and excitement of participating in last year’s event, the “little Cheese Guy” will be making one more return visit in 2010. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 17, 2010, as the day to take photos of cool stuff happening at your library. Future announcements will be coming your way regarding this WLA Foundation 2010 fall event and all new information will be posted as it becomes available at http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/saycheese.

(Patricia A. (Pat) Eschmann, Communications Coordinator-Wisconsin Library Association Foundation (WLAF))

The OverDrive Bookmobile is Coming to Wisconsin

The OverDrive Bookmobile is coming to Wisconsin!

Join the Waukesha County Federated Library System in welcoming the Overdrive Digital Bookmobile (http://www.digitalbookmobile.com/) to the Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books on Friday and Saturday, June 18th-19th at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha from 11-5 each day. Information on the festival can be found at http://www.sewibookfest.com/
 We hope that if you are in the Southeast Wisconsin area during the Festival weekend you can find time to join us!

Mellanie Mercier
Library Automation Coordinator
Waukesha County Federated Library System
831 N Grand Ave Suite 220
Waukesha WI 53186

OverDrive Training for the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium

Mark Your Calendar!

OverDrive’s Training Team invites you to learn more about your download service from OverDrive. A class has been scheduled for your group, and the details are outlined below. Our expert trainers will answer your questions and provide tips and tricks to help make the most of your ‘Virtual Branch’.

Please plan to attend!

CONFERENCE DETAILS:

The following course is scheduled. It will be hosted conveniently via web conference.

Browse, Check Out, Download
Tuesday, June 15th at 10:00 AM CDT. Access Code: 7301070.

Description: Learn how to browse, check out, and download titles from your library's Virtual Branch website. At the end of this course, library staff should feel comfortable answering basic questions about your OverDrive download service.

Duration: 1.5 hours.

Who should attend: All staff.

Please SAVE this email. It includes complete instructions for attending the conference. No further registration is needed. If you have any questions, please contact:  Lisa Coreno lcoreno@overdrive.com

See what other courses OverDrive offers, download presentations, and take a Guided Tour: http://www.overdrive.com/products/dlr/training.asp.
______________________________________________________________________

CONFERENCE SETUP: Please complete all steps below.

The training will be conducted using ReadyTalk, which uses online web sharing and telephone conferencing.

Step 1: Conference testing and setup – At least one day prior to conference.
1. Flash install: An Adobe Flash Plugin is needed for this conference.

Go to: http://www.readytalk.com/. Locate the 'Join a Meeting' box, and click 'Test your Computer'. A pop-up box will be displayed.
· If your computer is setup properly for the conference, you’ll see a green circle with a check mark.
· If not, instructions will be provided, including a link to install the Adobe Flash Plugin.

2. Internet connection: OverDrive recommends using a hard line Internet connection rather than a wireless connection.

3. Audio connection:
· A speaker phone is recommended for the audio conference.
· If your location wishes to attend but cannot dial in due to limited phone lines, please contact your OverDrive Project Manager for additional information.
· ReadyTalk allows up to 96 locations to call in to each training.

4. Location: For the benefit of others on the call, please choose a quiet location for your training.

Step 2: Web Conference Login – 10 to 15 minutes before the training begins

1. Make a note of the ReadyTalk access code listed in this email for the date and time you are attending (from 'Conference Details').
2. Open your Internet browser and go to: http://www.readytalk.com/.
3. Locate the 'Join a Meeting' box. Enter your access code.
4. Next, Ready Talk will display the 'Participant Registration' screen. Please enter your information as prompted, and our staff will send follow-up information after the call.

Step 3: Audio Conference Login (required for audio) – 5 minutes before the training begins

1. Make a note of the ReadyTalk access code listed in this email for the date and time you are attending (from 'Conference Details').
2. Dial the appropriate number from your touch-tone phone.   Participants within US / Canada: 1.866.740.1260.  Other participants outside North America: Look up the International Toll-Free number for your location at http://www.readytalk.com/support. To complete the look-up, enter your ReadyTalk access code.
3. When prompted by the audio conference, enter your ReadyTalk access code.