Info, links and musings from a (non-librarian) Library supporter.
Have you checked out Flamingnet yet? If you have a teen reader, or a teen you’d like to encourage to become a reader, you need to visit the site. “Your source for reviews and recommendations on past, present, and future preteen, teen, and young adult books.”
Resources:
Found this on Lifehacker:
Use WorldCat to Search LibrariesThe next time you need to find something at your local library, try searching through WorldCat, a ginormous network of libraries, library content, and library services. You can use WorldCat to search for everything you would search for at your local library, find free content (downloadable audiobooks, for example), articles and citations, historical documents, and many more kinds of information from libraries all over the world. You can also use WorldCat to check out items directly from libraries you have an active membership with (this can vary by library).
The Alternative Teen Services blog posts their guidelines for commenting:
- Please use appropriate language.
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- Feel free to speak your mind, but please be respectful to others; offensive and inappropriate comments will be deleted.
- Comments are moderated; CADL is not responsible for the content of posted comments.
- CADL reserves the right to delete comments at any time for any reason; comments not directly related to the discussion will be deleted.
Resources:
Found via Library Technology in Texas:
Accessible Digitization Projects Resolution
WHEREAS, ALA Policy 54.3.2 states that “library materials must be accessible to all patrons including people with disabilities”; and
WHEREAS, Technology has given libraries the mechanism to make materials available electronically; and
WHEREAS, The Federal Government had created regulations based on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act that ensures that its technology is accessible to its employees and the public; and
WHEREAS, ALA Council adopted a Resolution on Accessible Voting in 2004, which resolves that all electronic and information technology procurement (e.g. internet resources, telephony, captioned and audio described videos) shall follow the standards established by Section 508, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the American Library Association strongly encourages all libraries engaging in digitization projects to adopt Section 508 regulations to ensure that they are creating versions of materials that are accessible to persons using screen-reader or other assistive technologies; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That ALA forwards this resolution to other agencies and organizations that help libraries digitize their materials and design access software, such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services and state library agencies, and to companies that work with libraries and other entities doing digitization projects.
Adopted by the Council of the American Library Association
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
In Washington, D.C.
Resources:
For those of you who want your very own book club, I found some helpful resources and links. Book-Clubs-Resource.com has a list of articles to help you start and run a book club. These include:
Getting Finances Done has a great post on running a “happy, healthy, successful book club.” The shortlist of things you need to take into account (read GFD for full details):
If you do decide to create a book club, let me know.
Resources:
Infopeople.org is offering Developing a Library Technology Plan, a free online course that runs March 27, 2007 - April 23, 2007.
This four-week online learning course will provide templates and tools for developing a library technology plan. Students will be introduced to TechAtlas, a free online tool for developing some aspects of the technology plan. Students will see other library’s technology plans and use them as a jumping off point for developing a technology plan suited to their own library.
In addition to the course material, students will participate in online discussion forums as part of the online learning process.
I think I may take this class. Is anyone else taking it?
(Found via Baby Boomer Librarian.)
The Jackson County Library Information blog has listed the 10 Reasons You Need Your Public Library. The shortlist:
Found at SELCO Librarian, via Tame the Web.
Blog about Libraries has a nice post with 15 Ideas for supporting Businesses at your Library.
Here are my picks:
Read the post for more info.
(Link found via The “M” Word - Marketing Libraries.)
Need inspiration and help putting together a Teen Read Week celebration? Try the American Library Association’s Web site. Of particular note:
Meg Cabot, author of The Princess Diaries,has recorded two PSAs for Teen Read Week, both of them 30 seconds long, and can be used to raise awareness about Teen Read Week. The PSAs can be played over school announcements or on a local radio station and were made possible by Listening Library. For more information, including tips on how to ensure the PSA is played, click here.
Need more ideas? Check out the post at Alternative Teen Services to find out what they’re doing. When in doubt, copy! 
In a follow up to a previous “cool tools” post, here’s another resource for finding great little tools: Library Web Chic’s Cool Tools Update for Webmasters. Included in the list are link popularity checkers, password keepers and php editors. Worth bookmarking.