06.13.06
Posted in Resources, General at 11:03 pm by Paloma Cruz
Just looking to get started in podcasting? Still figuring out what podcasting means? Read the Beginner’s guide to podcasts and podcasting (plus: how to create a basic podcast of your own). “A podcast is an audio programme distributed via the Internet. It is very much like a broadcast on AM radio, with much commentary or discussion involved. Or, it can be like FM radio, with artists regularly releasing original music tracks on a regular basis.” (Found via LifeHacker.)
Library Technology in Texas points us to the Podcasting Legal Guide. “Much of the information has to do with copyright and should be familiar to libraries, however, there are sections that deal with audio and trademarks. Definitely a good read if you are thinking about podcasting.”
LibrarianInBlack also points us to the podcasting legal guide wiki. “The purpose of this Guide is to provide you with a general roadmap of some of the legal issues specific to podcasting.”
Information Today provides a primer to podcasting in Podcasting 101 for K–12 Librarians. “Podcasting supports efforts to differentiate instruction in the library in accordance with No Child Left Behind requirements.” (Found via LibrarianInBlack.)
Want to know how libraries are using podcasts? Read Podcasting with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Teens. An an intern at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh details a podcast project with the teens at that library. “Our digital media project is essentially a virtual pen pal program between the Trails West Teen Advisory Council (Kansas City Public Library) and the TAC at the main Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh facility. Each advisory group creates a podcast that addresses the other group, with information about activities, books being read, and even the music we enjoy.”
For another view on how to podcast, SitePoint has Podtastic! Professional Podcasting for the Rest of Us. “This article will give you a complete introduction to podcasting; by the end of it you should be in an excellent position to set up, record, and distribute your own podcast to the masses! But, before we roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty, it’s important to understand a few of the basics.”
You can also go to How to Make Podcasting Work for You to learn… well, how to make podcasting work for you. Or learn what podcasting can do for your blog.
Still need some help getting started? Learn how to use Audacity for podcasting. (Found via LifeHacker.)
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Posted in News at 5:57 am by Paloma Cruz
SUMMER READING
Let kids swim in books
They’re gateways to getaways, and here’s the best part: Libraries are free and air-conditioned
– reported by the Houston Chronicle
As the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer roll out, many parents are hoping to find ways to make them a little less lazy.
About this time every year, parents and educators devise strategies for keeping reading levels high for good readers and improving skills for remedial readers. Reading is in many ways an ideal activity for summer, when kids have more uninterrupted free time and the heat keeps them inside.
[snip]
Tactics suggested:
A. BE COOL.
B. BUY BOOKS.
C. SUPERHEROES, ANYONE?
D. PACK A “BOOKNIC.”
E. MORE THAN BOOKS.
F. PUT ON A SHOW.
G. LET THEM PICK.
H. INTERIOR DESIGN.
I. GO FOR VARIETY.
J. FORM A MOVIE AND BOOK CLUB.
K. MAKE IT A CONTEST.
L. VACATION READING.
M. FORM A KIDS’ BOOK CLUB.
N. DIG DEEP.
Additional info:
SUMMER CHALLENGES
Local libraries are taking part in the 2006 Texas Reading Club. The theme this summer is “Reading: The Sport of Champions!”
- Houston Public Library: Depending on the number of books they complete, kids can score tickets to Comets or Astros games, admission to the Children’s Museum of Houston or the Museum of Natural Science and meals at James’ Coney Island or Pizza Hut. Sign up at one of the 36 branch libraries or www.houstonlibrary.org.
- Fort Bend County Library: The program, which includes events at various branches, continues through July 29. Read 20 books and get a trophy. Visit your local branch for details.
- Montgomery County Memorial Library System: Separate programs are offered for kids and teens. Check your local branch or visit www.countylibrary.org.
- Harris County Public Library: Visit a branch or go to www.hcpl.lib.tx.us for details.
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06.11.06
Posted in News at 5:23 am by Paloma Cruz
The Library Journal has a great article up encouraging librarians to use Google’s “Ten things Google has found to be true” to create a library’s mission.
Librarians have mixed feelings about Google. Sometimes, we think the company should be given a medal because Google Print intends to make the books on our shelves full-text searchable. Sometimes we think libraries should sue Google because its mission—to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful—duplicates the mission of the library. Even those of us who have job security and faith in the virtues of librarianship know that we’re more likely to hear “Look it up on Google” than “Go ask a librarian.” Yet, we can compete on an equal footing if we focus on our mission and the steps we must take to be successful. The Google philosophy (www.google.com/corporate/tenthings.html) presents new challenges to librarians.
The ten things:
- Focus on the user and all else will follow.
- It’s best to do one thing really, really well.
- Fast is better than slow.
- Democracy on the web works.
- You don’t need to be at your desk to need an answer.
- You can make money without doing evil.
- There’s always more information out there.
- The need for information crosses all borders.
- You can be serious without a suit.
- Great just isn’t good enough.
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06.10.06
Posted in News at 1:01 am by Paloma Cruz
Laura Bush Announces $1.5 Million in Gulf Coast Grants
– reported by the American Library Association
During a May 31 visit to New Orleans, First Lady Laura Bush announced that the Institute of Museum and Library Services will grant an additional $1.5 million to aid the recovery of libraries and museums in disaster areas.
“In March, the Institute of Museum and Library Services announced more than $670,000 in grants to help seven museums recover their collections and reopen to the public,” said Mrs. Bush. “And today, I’m happy to announce that the institute is reserving $1.5 million of the grant money it will award over the next year for projects related to the Gulf Coast and other areas that have suffered major disasters.”
[snip]
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06.09.06
Posted in News at 11:57 pm by Paloma Cruz
Congratulations to the Ann Arbor District Library:
Launched on July 1, 2005, the new aadl.org has been selected by the American Library Association as the best library website in the nation for libraries with budgets of $6,000,000.00+. Skidmore Studio located in Royal Oak, MI worked with seven members of the AADL staff for five months in 2005 to determine the site goals, conduct usability studies with the public, determine a new site logo, and to develop simple administrative tools for maintenance. We wanted our site to be functional for all levels of computer proficiency, and we wanted to use interactive tools to facilitate communication with our customers.
Found through LibrarianInBlack.
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06.08.06
Posted in News at 10:29 pm by Paloma Cruz
Director of city library out
EAST CHICAGO: Board cites failure to meet contract conditions
– reported by Northwest Indiana Times
The search is on for a new director at the East Chicago Public Library.
A 2001 contract with former Director James Rajchel was declared void Saturday at a special meeting of the Library Board of Trustees.
The opening was posted Monday by the city’s Human Resources Department for application by existing city employees, who will get first crack at the job.
[snip]
Library spokeswoman Myrna Maldonado said the library board determined that Rajchel failed to meet the conditions of his contract by not completing three years of library work experience after receiving his American Library Association accreditation, but before assuming director’s duties, as required by state statute.
Just two months passed between Rajchel earning his library degree and starting his job as library director.
[snip]
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06.04.06
Posted in General at 7:55 pm by Paloma Cruz
Kudos to the Free Range Librarian for posting “The User Is Not Broken.” This particular statement can be applied to any customer service industry. It’s so simple it’s profound.
The user is not broken.
Your system is broken until proven otherwise.
That vendor who just sold you the million-dollar system because “librarians need to help people” doesn’t have a clue what he’s talking about, and his system is broken, too.
Most of your most passionate users will never meet you face to face.
Most of your most alienated users will never meet you face to face.
The most significant help you can provide your users is to add value and meaning to the information experience, wherever it happens; defend their right to read; and then get out of the way.
It’s a great post.
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06.02.06
Posted in News at 6:26 am by Paloma Cruz
Librarian Attacked by Homeless Asks for Extra Security
– reported by the Santa Monica News
It is not unusual for staff members at the Ocean Park Library branch to do more than return books to the shelves after the library closes.
On many nights, ten minutes before 9 p.m. closing time, the handful of bookish City employees bands together to usher out the homeless and mentally unstable who often refuse to leave.
On Tuesday night, Celia Carroll, the long-time librarian of the neighborhood branch, who was attacked earlier this year by a homeless man, asked the City Council for help.
Carroll wants money in the proposed 2006-07 fiscal year budget set aside to post a security guard at the branch library just a few blocks from the beach on Main Street, from half an hour before it opens to half an hour after it closes. That would be 28.5 more hours per week than the 20 currently budgeted.
[snip]
During their evening duels with the homeless, library staff members employ several tactics, often calling the police for help.
But while the police have come quickly in cases where there is a “true emergency” — in less than four minutes after she was attacked — there are times when it takes them as long as 40 minutes to respond, Carroll said.
[snip]
The attack on Carroll in March spurred City Manager Lamont Ewell to issue guidelines City staff should follow when dealing with the homeless.
But Santa Monica’s libraries, Carroll said, have become hangouts for the homeless, and the librarians need extra help.
[snip]
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06.01.06
Posted in Resources, News at 9:07 pm by Paloma Cruz
Small business start-ups begin @ your library
– reported by the American Library Association
Every year, more than 500,000 entrepreneurs start new businesses in the United States. But how and where, with little money beyond what they can borrow on credit cards or from family and friends, do they do the market research, licensing, and all the rest of what it takes to succeed? The answer is @ your library.
As they work toward realizing their dreams, many aspiring small business owners turn to public libraries for help. In fact, a study in early 2006 conducted by the American Library Association (ALA), found that 61 percent of people living in the United States said libraries are important in helping to start small businesses.
Public libraries provide many crucial tools and resources to help small businesses launch and thrive in today’s competitive marketplace - often for free. They range from training on how to apply for business licenses, to seminars on securing bank financing to workshops on creating successful marketing campaigns. Many public libraries across the country employ trained staff who provide advice on how to use print and online business resources:
[snip]
America’s libraries are paving the way for small business owners to be the engines that drive our economy. Since small businesses represent a large and increasing number of all U.S. employers, they employ a growing majority of the workforce. Many seeds of innovation are planted at libraries, and ideas and products blossom under the watchful eyes of small business owners.
For more about American Library Association (ALA) recommendations and resources created by business librarians, including the Best of the Best Business Web sites, visit www.ala.org/smallbizweb.
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Posted in News at 6:52 am by Paloma Cruz
At libraries across the country, today marks the beginning of Summer Reading Program. The two largest systems in the area, Harris County and Houston Public, have their activities listed online. Houston Public has online registration. Harris County has a teen book club. Both will offer great programs and incentives for reading.
–>>
Library programs aim to entice readers
Branches offer variety for families during summer
– reported by the Houston Chronicle
[snip]
Local branches, advertising this year’s theme, “Reading, The Sport of Champions,” have planned activities that include magic and puppet shows, live reptiles, sports demonstrations and crafts to pique children’s interest in reading.
[snip]
Reading logs are available to keep track of a child’s progress. After either five hours, 500 pages, or 10 books, a child can receive a free book.
All branches will continue to have regularly scheduled story times for toddlers and preschool children.
More than 80,000 children participated in last year’s summer reading program throughout the county.
[snip]
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