Tuesday, February 12, 2013

IMLS Guidance On E-Book Reader Lending Programs

Important Memo from IMLS on the accessibility, e-resources and technology.
The Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction has shared a document distributed recently to state library agencies regarding e-book reader lending programs and accessibility. We, of course, have concern that no LSTA or state funds are used for projects that may limit accessibility. Also, in both cases the libraries concerned were exposed to legal actions they had to defend (and, in both cases, settle) as well as ill-will and negative publicity.

 This memo provides a brief summary of the law, the two recent “case studies,” and some best practices for libraries to consider when implementing such programs.

DPI is sharing this as an information piece and resource for you to use as necessary when consulting with member libraries in your system.  The Public Library Development Team is not in position to make legal interpretations of existing or future e-book reader lending programs.  Instead, I suggest you refer to the information in that is underlined from the end of the attached document:

The Department of Justice operates a toll-free, technical assistance line to answer questions with regard to the requirements of federal laws protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities.  For technical assistance, please call (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).  Specialists are available Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM until 5:30 PM (ET) except for Thursday, when the hours are 12:30 PM until 5:30 PM.  These specialists have been trained specifically to address questions regarding accessible electronic book readers.  Additional guidance from the U.S. Department of Education is available at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-ebook-faq-201105.pdf

Please save this information  for future use.  Technology is rapidly changing but this resource captures key elements of how things exist today. Also, in case you wish to refer to it, here is a link to the “Dear Colleague” letter from the U.S. Dept. of Education and Dept. of Justice:


John DeBacher, ­Director, Public Library Development 
Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instr., Division for Libraries and Technology
john.debacher@dpi.wi.gov
(608) 267-9225

Affairs of the Heart @ your library


Love is certainly in the air at the library this month, as February marks not only Valentine’s Day, but also Love Your Library Month and American Heart Month.

This February, libraries across the country are all about “heart.” Here are just a few examples of what libraries are doing to commemorate these events.

The West Babylon (N.Y.) Public Library’s YA section will promote reading this month with Fall in Love with a Good Book @ your library, featuring a selection of teen romance novels. The library is also hosting Candy Hearts @ your library, inviting teens to submit estimates of how many conversational hearts are in a jar for the chance to win prizes, along with the candy.

The Beaufort County (S.C.) Library will focus on a different kind of heart this month, with Read your way to a healthy heart @ your library. In honor of American Heart Month, the library is promoting its selection of the latest books on cardiovascular health and what library users can do to prevent heart disease.

The Sugar Land Branch Library of the Fort Bend County (Texas) Library System will have some sweet treats for library visitors this February with its Afternoon Indulgence: Chocolate and Romance @ your library book talk. Library users are invited to visit the library and nibble chocolates during a special romance edition of the libraries book talk series, which will include discussions of both fictional and factual love affairs throughout literature.

The Mark Skinner Library of Manchester Village, Vt. will host a variety of programs throughout the month as part of its Love Your Library Month @ your library celebration at Mark Skinner. Programs for all ages and interests encourage a wide range of library users to rediscover why they love their library this February. Programs will include Valentine’s Day arts and crafts, movie nights, concerts and an author talk about writing romance novels.

McKenney Library of Hopewell, Va. invites children to take part in the monthly meeting of the “Cool Kids Club” by taking part in Valentine’s Day Crafts @your library. Participants will make one-of-a-kind gifts for family and friends. Special Valentine’s Day stories and songs will also be featured during the event.

The
Campaign for America’s Libraries is the ALA’s public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians. Thousands of libraries of all types – across the country and around the globe - use the Campaign’s @ your library® brand. The Campaign is made possible in part by ALA’s Library Champions.

American Libraries Magazine | 50 East Huron | Chicago, IL 60611 | 2013© American Library Association |  By Megan McFarlane  Created 02/05/2013 - 16:26

Monday, February 11, 2013

WisCat Review for Interlibrary Loan


WisCat Review for Interlibrary Loan
February 28, 2013  10:30 am

Wisconsin Valley Library Service
300 North First Street
Wausau, WI  54403
(715) 261-7250

WVLS is hosting a WisCat Review for Interlibrary Loan on February 28, 2013. The review will be hosted after the CEU webinar “Readers' Advisory: Spotlight on Nonfiction” 9:00 am to 10:00 am. (https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/956951502).
Topics for discussion include:
  • maintaining your library participant record
  • creating a shared document in interlibrary loan
  • save postage use the email address when creating a patron record in your database
  • how to order for your reading groups
  • changes in the interlibrary loan product
  • and much more.

RSVP by February 25, 2013 to Juanita Thomas jathomas@wvls.org

We are listening!


Mark your calendars for the first in a series of WVLS Listening Sessions with Public Library Directors.
When: February 19th, 2013
              10:00 a.m.
Where: Neillsville Public Library
              409 Hewett Street
              Neillsville, WI 54456
              (715) 743-2558
             http://www.mapquest.com/directions

RSVP by February 15, 2013 to: Juanita Thomas jathomas@wvls.org

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Microsoft Offers Online Help to Office 2013 Users

Online Quick Start Guides are brimming with tips and tricks for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other programs in the latest Office suite.
 

Microsoft's Quick Start Guide for Word 2013.

 
 
  

Microsoft's Quick Start Guide for Word 2013.
(Credit: Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET)

Office 2013 users who need a helping hand can find one through Microsoft's Quick Start Guides.  Now available online, the nine guides offer advice on using each of the applications in Office 2013, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, OneNote, Project, Visio, and Publisher.

Each guide comes packaged as a PDF that you can download or view online through Adobe Reader.

The guides provide screenshots and descriptions of the new features and layouts in Office 2013. They also clue you in as to what's changed in the new applications compared with previous versions. As with any PDF, you can zoom in to any page to get a closer look and search for specific words and terms.

Office 2013 carries on with most of the same features as in prior editions. But the suite has a more streamlined look and dangles some touch-friendly options geared toward tablet users.
  
Microsoft Office 2013  
The bottom line: Familiar tools coupled with new features and a simplified and redesigned interface make Office 2013 well worth the paid upgrade. Read Full Review