The Digital Shift Blog, presented a nice overview of the various publishers and their policies on ebooks and libraries in "A Guide to Publishers in the Library Ebook Market"
This easy-to-read post provides a good overview of the major and minor players in this ongoing saga. A good read for any librarian who is working on collection development and considering ebook acquisitions.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Discover Tech / ALA
Apply today for the Discover Tech: Engineers Make a World of Difference (deadline is May 1, 2012). An interactive, traveling exhibition called Discover Tech: Engineers Make A World of Difference will be touring September 2012 to June 2014 and is made possible by the National Science Foundation. Only 8 sites will be selected ... wouldn't it be cool if one of those were Idaho? For more information go to http://www.ala.org/programming/discovertech.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
ALA MidWinter 2012
Lot's of things to write about
...starting the conversation ... What are libraries and what does the future look like?
...Library Support Staff certification news ...
...John Green of Vlogbrothers and nerd fighters ...
...Compass news
...rural library advocacy
...Learning Express Library
...Kansas State Library and Overdrive ..
Stay tuned for details ...
...starting the conversation ... What are libraries and what does the future look like?
...Library Support Staff certification news ...
...John Green of Vlogbrothers and nerd fighters ...
...Compass news
...rural library advocacy
...Learning Express Library
...Kansas State Library and Overdrive ..
Stay tuned for details ...
Monday, January 2, 2012
Libraries: Community Anchors
In September, Designing Better Libraries blog posted Customers and the Future of Innovation based on a report from the consulting firm Arthur D. Little, titled "The Future of Innovation Management: The Next 10 Years" -- both which provide excellent food for thought!
Some libraries struggle to maintain relationships with customers as electronic and other resources seek to gather customers to a flashier, quicker, easier means of obtaining information. The Little Group proposed there are 5 innovation management concepts that should be considered:
Customer-based innovation
Proactive business model innovation
Integrated innovation
Frugal innovation
High speed/low rick innovation
While all of these concepts are important as libraries strive for sustainability -- my thoughts center on Customer-Based Innovation as a key for creating libraries as a community anchor. Consider the following:
1. Total Customer Experience -- building deeper relationships with the customer is something we have the ability and opportunity to do -- every day. Taking that extra minute to listen, to assist -- in a hurry-scurry world will go far in building brand loyalty.
2. Value Added Experience -- once again, through displays, activities, and programming libraries can readily use this approach to appeal to end-users. We need to be constantly aware of the changing community to successfuly address the needs of the users.
3. Flexible Customer Interaction. As our customers become more-sophisticated, as the technology tools change -- we must respond likewise. Our responses should be postive -- not that we can't do it -- rather -- this is great opportunity for us to learn together. We may not know how to use the most recent technology tool -- however, we have the skills and information to transfer previous knowledge to new situations. Focusing on Alvin Toffler's quote of "to remain relevant, it is important to be able to learn, unlearn and relearn," we need the flexibility to assist customers as needed, showing how previous skills can readily transfer to new tools.(transliteracy)
4. Employee Engagement. Libraries need to design all their 'touchpoints' to support engagement with the customer, 'so the role of the employee becomes key to delivery.' Customers shouldn't feel like they are interrupting staff to ask a question -- staff need to be accessible and open to engagement any time throughout their work period.
Can libraries "link strategy, innovation, product, customer experience and employee engagement?" If they can, they will effectively shift their status within their individual community to that of "community anchor."
Some libraries struggle to maintain relationships with customers as electronic and other resources seek to gather customers to a flashier, quicker, easier means of obtaining information. The Little Group proposed there are 5 innovation management concepts that should be considered:
Customer-based innovation
Proactive business model innovation
Integrated innovation
Frugal innovation
High speed/low rick innovation
While all of these concepts are important as libraries strive for sustainability -- my thoughts center on Customer-Based Innovation as a key for creating libraries as a community anchor. Consider the following:
1. Total Customer Experience -- building deeper relationships with the customer is something we have the ability and opportunity to do -- every day. Taking that extra minute to listen, to assist -- in a hurry-scurry world will go far in building brand loyalty.
2. Value Added Experience -- once again, through displays, activities, and programming libraries can readily use this approach to appeal to end-users. We need to be constantly aware of the changing community to successfuly address the needs of the users.
3. Flexible Customer Interaction. As our customers become more-sophisticated, as the technology tools change -- we must respond likewise. Our responses should be postive -- not that we can't do it -- rather -- this is great opportunity for us to learn together. We may not know how to use the most recent technology tool -- however, we have the skills and information to transfer previous knowledge to new situations. Focusing on Alvin Toffler's quote of "to remain relevant, it is important to be able to learn, unlearn and relearn," we need the flexibility to assist customers as needed, showing how previous skills can readily transfer to new tools.(transliteracy)
4. Employee Engagement. Libraries need to design all their 'touchpoints' to support engagement with the customer, 'so the role of the employee becomes key to delivery.' Customers shouldn't feel like they are interrupting staff to ask a question -- staff need to be accessible and open to engagement any time throughout their work period.
Can libraries "link strategy, innovation, product, customer experience and employee engagement?" If they can, they will effectively shift their status within their individual community to that of "community anchor."
2012 - New Year
With a new year, comes the hope of being able to post on a regular basis during the coming year. Upcoming is ALA MidWinter in Dallas, so there is plenty of content, just need to dedicate the time to posting.
This spring Idaho communities and libraries will have the unique opportunity for outreach and partnership building. The Idaho Commission for Libraries will be sponsoring 25 outreach sessions in local communities throughout the state. Credible Connections is the chance for local libraries to share and connect with other state and local agencies. With the current economic issues all communities are facing, what a better time to reinforce the aspect of libraries as community anchors and share all the wonderful resources that are available through the enhanced broadband capacity made available through the Idaho Commission for Libraries online @ your library project! Come join us -- to learn more go to http://libraries.idaho.gov/credibleconnections!
This spring Idaho communities and libraries will have the unique opportunity for outreach and partnership building. The Idaho Commission for Libraries will be sponsoring 25 outreach sessions in local communities throughout the state. Credible Connections is the chance for local libraries to share and connect with other state and local agencies. With the current economic issues all communities are facing, what a better time to reinforce the aspect of libraries as community anchors and share all the wonderful resources that are available through the enhanced broadband capacity made available through the Idaho Commission for Libraries online @ your library project! Come join us -- to learn more go to http://libraries.idaho.gov/credibleconnections!
Friday, June 24, 2011
ALA 2011 NOLA
The 2011 ALA Annual Conference opened today in New Orleans. My day started with the Boomers, Staff & Students; Engaging the Many Voices of Advocacy. Speakers provided insight into federal legislation and lobbying, using reaching the 50+ as library volunteers, empowering library staff and students as advocates. Each group plays a vital role in assisting local libraries. See these links for more information:
ALA Advocacy & Legislation
Frontline Fundraising Toolkit
Widget to let patrons tell their story about your library
AdvocacyUniversity
Capwiz - Online Advocacy Network
Workforce Investment Act - use Capwiz to let your representatives know that you would like libraries to be listed as part of the WIA renewal.
Get Involved - Powered by your Library
Emerging Leaders displayed the results of their projects later in the day. Idaho's Kristine Brumley was part of Group F -- Librarians Build Communities - from one day a year to any day of the year!
NO Mayor; Libraries after Katrina became hubs of survival for communities, so much that FEMA now considers libraries essential in emergency.
Dan Savage was the Keynote speaker at the opening General Session. Quotes:
"I am a print guy and I think books are magic." and it does get better!
ALA Advocacy & Legislation
Frontline Fundraising Toolkit
Widget to let patrons tell their story about your library
AdvocacyUniversity
Capwiz - Online Advocacy Network
Workforce Investment Act - use Capwiz to let your representatives know that you would like libraries to be listed as part of the WIA renewal.
Get Involved - Powered by your Library
Emerging Leaders displayed the results of their projects later in the day. Idaho's Kristine Brumley was part of Group F -- Librarians Build Communities - from one day a year to any day of the year!
NO Mayor; Libraries after Katrina became hubs of survival for communities, so much that FEMA now considers libraries essential in emergency.
Dan Savage was the Keynote speaker at the opening General Session. Quotes:
"I am a print guy and I think books are magic." and it does get better!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Social Media, Libraries and the Law
Mary Minow and Infopeople did a wonderful hour-long webinar on the topic of Social Media,Libraries and the Law. Mary provided a wealth of resources regarding social media and government, as well as content, copyright and children's privacy. I highly recommend you listen to the archive and access the resources at http://infopeople.org/training/webcasts/list/archived
While you are there check out other archived webinars such as
1. George and Joan on Conflict Resolution Techniques
2. Project Management and Measuring Success for Digital Projects
3. Teens, Tweens and Social Networking
4. Introduction to Digital Storytelling: Everyone Has a Story to Tell
You won't be disappointed!
While you are there check out other archived webinars such as
1. George and Joan on Conflict Resolution Techniques
2. Project Management and Measuring Success for Digital Projects
3. Teens, Tweens and Social Networking
4. Introduction to Digital Storytelling: Everyone Has a Story to Tell
You won't be disappointed!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Building Community - Kudos to Hailey Public Library
The Hailey Public Library received a $5,000 outreach award to host a free emergency preparedness and planning community event. The event was held on October 23, 2010. The event “Ready Hailey” partnered with local agencies and community organizations to bring information specific to emergency preparedness and planning to the community.
The goals of the event were:
1. Participants will have a better understanding of how to access information, both in an emergency and in planning or preparing for an emergency.
2. Participants will have an improved knowledge of emergency preparedness and planning.
3. Participants will better know what to do in an emergency.
The event made use of select information and tools provided through FEMA’s “Ready America” campaign (www.ready.gov). Also, Hailey prepared and provided customized local emergency information specific to Hailey residents. Project partners assisted with providing this information and worked with Hailey to provide streamlined, easy to use materials that were distributed to participants. Project partners were in attendance the day of the event to talk about emergency preparedness issues, distribute materials and answer participant questions. Participants included organizations such as St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center, Air St. Luke’s, Idaho Power, Red Cross, Hailey Police and Fire Departments, La Alianza Multicultural Center, Blaine County Disaster Services, Boy Scouts, LDS Church, National Weather Service, Albertson’s, Treasure Valley Coffee, Blaine County School District, Crisis Hotline, and Wood River Amateur Radio.
The event featured the distribution of 200 72-hour emergency kits.
Hailey’s application for the award pointed to recent emergency situations (last winter’s extended power outage and the Castle Rock Fire) as examples of the community’s need for better knowledge and information of emergency preparedness and planning.
Ready Hailey was a strong outreach component to citizens which identified both citizen and government roles in various types of emergencies and trained practical steps to take before, during and after emergency events.
It was a very successful event!
This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. NO1-LM-1-3516 with the University of Washington.
The goals of the event were:
1. Participants will have a better understanding of how to access information, both in an emergency and in planning or preparing for an emergency.
2. Participants will have an improved knowledge of emergency preparedness and planning.
3. Participants will better know what to do in an emergency.
The event made use of select information and tools provided through FEMA’s “Ready America” campaign (www.ready.gov). Also, Hailey prepared and provided customized local emergency information specific to Hailey residents. Project partners assisted with providing this information and worked with Hailey to provide streamlined, easy to use materials that were distributed to participants. Project partners were in attendance the day of the event to talk about emergency preparedness issues, distribute materials and answer participant questions. Participants included organizations such as St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center, Air St. Luke’s, Idaho Power, Red Cross, Hailey Police and Fire Departments, La Alianza Multicultural Center, Blaine County Disaster Services, Boy Scouts, LDS Church, National Weather Service, Albertson’s, Treasure Valley Coffee, Blaine County School District, Crisis Hotline, and Wood River Amateur Radio.
The event featured the distribution of 200 72-hour emergency kits.
Hailey’s application for the award pointed to recent emergency situations (last winter’s extended power outage and the Castle Rock Fire) as examples of the community’s need for better knowledge and information of emergency preparedness and planning.
Ready Hailey was a strong outreach component to citizens which identified both citizen and government roles in various types of emergencies and trained practical steps to take before, during and after emergency events.
It was a very successful event!
This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. NO1-LM-1-3516 with the University of Washington.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tips
I came across all three of these tip sheets this week -- must have been a sign to write something -- I cannot say anymore that what has already been stated, so in this case, I will send you to the source.
Tips for Managing Personal Change by Roy Tennant : this provides some quick, common-sense guidelines for dealing with any type of change in your life.
10 Tips for Managing Information Overload by Liz B. Davis: another quick read the next time you are feeling overwhelmed, take time to read it and reflect for a minute -- the rest of your day will be much better.
Top 10 Tips for Pursuing Lifelong Learning with an Informal Lens : And of course my favorite topic - learning -- here are some basic guidelines on how to continue your learning in an informal environment -- you don't have to register for a formal class to learn!
I hope you find these helpful!
Tips for Managing Personal Change by Roy Tennant : this provides some quick, common-sense guidelines for dealing with any type of change in your life.
10 Tips for Managing Information Overload by Liz B. Davis: another quick read the next time you are feeling overwhelmed, take time to read it and reflect for a minute -- the rest of your day will be much better.
Top 10 Tips for Pursuing Lifelong Learning with an Informal Lens : And of course my favorite topic - learning -- here are some basic guidelines on how to continue your learning in an informal environment -- you don't have to register for a formal class to learn!
I hope you find these helpful!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Outdated Technologies??
Earlier today at the CE Forum 2010 in Denver, we were talking about using e-readers and how some libraries have been implementing that technology into their collection development plans. Now, tonight I am reading a blog that list 11 technologies that are destined to be discontinued -- soon. Among those are fax machines, landline phones and -- wait - e-readers. Check it out at the Committed Sardine blog... just don't get too comfortable usin any one technology!!
CE Forum Day 1
State reports included a wide range of continuing education resources for all areas from literacy to technology and leadership. A Tech 2.0 Panel presented information about tools and personal learning networks including exploring Skype and Netvibes -- more info on the CEForum Wiki look under Forum 2010 Resources. Overviews and user reviews were presented on web conferencing tools: Elluminate, Adobe Connect, GoToMeeting, and Yugma.
Josephy Sanchez from Red Rocks Community College, presented an engaging talk about e-readers and cutting edge technology -- How 2.0 technology is really based on the same philosophy of libraries. How does that impact library services, policies and procedures.
Josephy Sanchez from Red Rocks Community College, presented an engaging talk about e-readers and cutting edge technology -- How 2.0 technology is really based on the same philosophy of libraries. How does that impact library services, policies and procedures.
Monday, August 30, 2010
CE Forum 2010
Sharon Morris and Michelle Gebhart have done an outstanding job of organizing the 2010 CE Forum. A wide variety of extra curricular activities after a day full of focusing on continuing education for librarians. Thanks a bunch.
Today we did a meet and greet at the State Library which is in the Department of Education building, then moseyed over to the Brown Palace to check in and clarify the schedule for the next couple of days.
Some of went to Lucky Strike for Bowling while others ventured into other areas of Denver cuisine.
Today we did a meet and greet at the State Library which is in the Department of Education building, then moseyed over to the Brown Palace to check in and clarify the schedule for the next couple of days.
Some of went to Lucky Strike for Bowling while others ventured into other areas of Denver cuisine.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Getting Permission
At our last SPLAT meeting we discussed work-life balance issues, the culture of libraries and the future for attracting library staff. While we immediately gravitated toward why working in libraries may not provide an individual with the ideal work-life balance, we did recognize that it is a personal responsbility also. This led to several creative ideas such as library job swaps, sabbaticals for library staff, and others.
Of course the first question is how does one initiate that? My comment was that it takes conversations -- and I think you will find that David Lee King's two posts on Getting Permission and Help Others Get Permission provide great food for thought and potential action!
What is SPLAT? Special Projects Library Action Team -- a grassroots, statwide crow's nest -- keeping tabs on the pulse of trends and technology for Idaho libraries and library staff!
Of course the first question is how does one initiate that? My comment was that it takes conversations -- and I think you will find that David Lee King's two posts on Getting Permission and Help Others Get Permission provide great food for thought and potential action!
What is SPLAT? Special Projects Library Action Team -- a grassroots, statwide crow's nest -- keeping tabs on the pulse of trends and technology for Idaho libraries and library staff!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Training Resources
I have just published a list of web-based training resources for anyone who either works in a library -- and/or uses a library. There are some exceptional resources for information literacy for those school librarians in search of the perfect tutorial. You can access this list via WebJunction Idaho.
Monday, July 19, 2010
ALA Conference 2010
Now that the dust has settled, and I have returned to reality -- I have had an opportunity to put my ALA notes together. You can read them at Shirley's Notes.
Some of the highlights include Frontline Advocacy Toolkit; Libraries and the National Broadband Plan; Library Services to an Aging Population; Cutting Edge Technology-Based Services; Learning Roundtable Showcase; Poster Session; Emerging Leader Projects; US Public Libraries and e-Government Services; Library Support Staff Certification Program; and the Unconference!
You can find my notes on Midwinter here
Some of the highlights include Frontline Advocacy Toolkit; Libraries and the National Broadband Plan; Library Services to an Aging Population; Cutting Edge Technology-Based Services; Learning Roundtable Showcase; Poster Session; Emerging Leader Projects; US Public Libraries and e-Government Services; Library Support Staff Certification Program; and the Unconference!
You can find my notes on Midwinter here
Friday, June 25, 2010
ALA 2010 Advocacy
Frontline Advocacy is a new resource for all librarians -- the key is that anyone can be an advocate for libraries, regardless of your position. Thanks to the vision of ALA President Camila Alire, there is now an online toolkit for anyone to develop advocacy skills for libraries. She charged attendees at the Friday afternoon pre-conference to conduct at least two frontline advocacy trainings sometime durin 2010.
Check out Advocacy University at http://www.ala.org/frontlineadvocacy
Check out Advocacy University at http://www.ala.org/frontlineadvocacy
ALA 2010
Unconference ALA ... about 50 librarians met to unconference -- six topics were selected to discuss and present a 5 minute summary of the discussions. Topics included Digital Divide, Change, Mobile Web, Service Trends and Employment.
I was involved in the Change discussion -- stages of change, how to create change, proactive change, and change is slow. Overall summary is that change does take time, flexibility, consideration of needs (staff, system, end-users), and conversation. It is better to be looking to the future and trends, identify ways to initiate change in order to create change that works -- not just change because an event requires it.
I was involved in the Change discussion -- stages of change, how to create change, proactive change, and change is slow. Overall summary is that change does take time, flexibility, consideration of needs (staff, system, end-users), and conversation. It is better to be looking to the future and trends, identify ways to initiate change in order to create change that works -- not just change because an event requires it.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Tech Trends Midwinter ALA 2010
This is a great hour-long overview of the what did and didn't happen at ALA Midwinter in Boston in January 2010. Four techys give their 10 minute overview with a few Q&A's. You will hear about
www.thecopia.com -- a new social e-book platform
www.blioreader.com -- a new ebook platform designed for the visually impaired
Mobile Discovery Tools: MyLibrary, Polaris Mobile PAC, OCLC/Red Laser, Library Thing/Local, SyrsiDynix BookMyne
Augmented Reality -- what it is and how it might be used by libraries
Discovery Systems
Failing to Win -- a cultural shift in viewing failure as a part of success, rather than a negative
Finally, flexibility, deconstruction, serendipity, and community as growing trends in the transition of the library world as well as the world as a whole.
Two final apps: Foursquare and GoogleBuzz
Get your favorite beverage or snack and enjoy! Listen
www.thecopia.com -- a new social e-book platform
www.blioreader.com -- a new ebook platform designed for the visually impaired
Mobile Discovery Tools: MyLibrary, Polaris Mobile PAC, OCLC/Red Laser, Library Thing/Local, SyrsiDynix BookMyne
Augmented Reality -- what it is and how it might be used by libraries
Discovery Systems
Failing to Win -- a cultural shift in viewing failure as a part of success, rather than a negative
Finally, flexibility, deconstruction, serendipity, and community as growing trends in the transition of the library world as well as the world as a whole.
Two final apps: Foursquare and GoogleBuzz
Get your favorite beverage or snack and enjoy! Listen
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation
The Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation is one of Idaho’s oldest and largest charitable foundations. The Foundation provides over four hundred fifty scholarships to Idaho students at community colleges, technical colleges and universities every year. The Foundation also funds nonprofit organizations throughout the State of Idaho through a competitive grant process every year, strengthening our communities and the state as a whole.
Current Application
Current Application
User Experience -- Not Just a Trend
Steve B in his blog Designing Better Libraries states "... that user experience should be at the foundation of what drives the library to deliver memorable and unique experiences, and that it must become a core guiding strategy for the present and future."
Unlike technology tools and applications (eg., texting, e-books, blogs, email, etc.) which keep changing at a mind-numbing rate, User Experience (UX) is here to stay. People are here to stay. And the focus of the library should be on the UX -- this is what brings 'em back -- creates sustainability -- and generates library supporters. This is one component of a business model that can be adopted by each and every library into their strategic plan and daily work flow.
Create a UX that meets the needs of the community. If it is a quiet place to study and learn ... then create that. If the community needs a social place to congregate, then so be it. This will require the library staff to be very much aware of their community as well as flexible to incorporate the right combination of UX. Be sure though it is the needs of the community that are being met and not just what library staff "thinks" the UX should be. Definitely a challenge ... however, libraries are up to it!
Unlike technology tools and applications (eg., texting, e-books, blogs, email, etc.) which keep changing at a mind-numbing rate, User Experience (UX) is here to stay. People are here to stay. And the focus of the library should be on the UX -- this is what brings 'em back -- creates sustainability -- and generates library supporters. This is one component of a business model that can be adopted by each and every library into their strategic plan and daily work flow.
Create a UX that meets the needs of the community. If it is a quiet place to study and learn ... then create that. If the community needs a social place to congregate, then so be it. This will require the library staff to be very much aware of their community as well as flexible to incorporate the right combination of UX. Be sure though it is the needs of the community that are being met and not just what library staff "thinks" the UX should be. Definitely a challenge ... however, libraries are up to it!
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