SLIS Courses Set for Fall

The School of Library and Information Studies at UW-Madison has listed its Fall 2009 courses, ranging from marketing to library technology.

There are also several classes that are ongoing.
You can view the courses and register for them on the SLIS continuing ed website.

Free CE webinars in July!

July 21 (11-12 pm) [Mountain Time]
Open Source Library System Software: Libraries Are Doing it For Themselves (Infopeople Webinar)

One of the great advantages of an Open Source Library System (OSLS) such as Koha or Evergreen is the ability to empower staff and optimize the user's experience by getting involved in improving the software. This is in contrast to the traditional integrated library system (ILS) model where all the software development was done by "the vendor," creating a condition of "learned helplessness" on the part of library staff. By making the transition to OSLS, you can shift the culture of your organization from "learned helplessness" to one in which everyone can contribute to enhancing their work environment. This webinar will describe all the ways to get involved with an OSLS project -- even if you aren't a programmer. By the end of the webinar, you will understand why involving your organization in an OSLS project creates opportunities for delivering new services to customers and optimizing the work of your staff.

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://infopeople.org/training/webcasts/list



July 22 (11-12 pm) [Mountain Time]
Living Library Project: Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover (WebJunction Webinar)

The Living Library is a unique event that brings together people who have special interests, beliefs or experiences to speak with people from different backgrounds and share their personal story. In this innovative program participants can "check out" Living Books for a personal conversation. Both the Bainbridge Island and Santa Monica Public Libraries executed two successful Living Library events. The Bainbridge Island event covered such diverse experiences as life as a quadriplegic, a female police officer, a young gay man and an atheist. Santa Monica Public Library's Living Books included a fat activist, a formerly homeless person, an ex-gangmember and a nudist. Join us for a free webinar with leads from these projects: Rebecca Judd from the Bainbridge Island (WA) branch of the Kitsap Regional Library System, and Julie MacDonald and Rachel Foyt from the Santa Monica Public Library in Santa Monica (CA). Hear how they planned and implemented the project in their libraries, and find out how you can create a Living Library in your community.

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/eventcalendar.asp



July 22 (1-2 pm) [Mountain Time]
Racial and Ethnic resources (National Library of Medicine)

Racial and Ethnic resources. The National Network of Libraries of Medicine, MidContinental Region is presenting a new series of online classes. Once a month in 2009, liaisons will present information and exercises on various databases from the National Library of Medicine in an hour-long web conference. All classes are free and no registration is required. You will simply need 1) a computer with Internet access and 2) a phone (the system will call you - free of charge).

To join the webinar, go to: https://webmeeting.nih.gov/mcrupdate/ on the day of the program.



July 29 (12-1 pm) [Mountain Time]
Bilingual Storytimes: Building Early Literacy and Community (WebJunction Webinar)

Libraries are expanding storytime programming to build early literacy skills in their community. The Mission Branch of the San Francisco Public Library recently added to their popular Bilingual Toddler Tales Program (300-400 attendees!) hands-on literacy activity stations for caregivers to explore. Seattle Public Library has expanded their Summer Reading Program to include bilingual storytimes in Chinese, Vietnamese and Spanish. Both libraries have had great success in their early literacy programming and continue to build deep connections with caregivers in their communities. Join Laura Tarango, children's librarian at the Mission Branch, and Valerie Wonder, immigrant and refugee programs manager at Seattle Public Library, during this free webinar. You'll hear how they assessed the community's needs, developed and adapted the programs; and they'll provide practical steps for you to apply to your outreach and programming efforts.

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/eventcalendar.asp

New Features on Google Books

Google Books rolled out a handful of new features in June. A new toolbar option allows you to embed a preview in any of your websites or blogs—all with a simple HTML snippet. For public domain and partner books, Google Books shows more context around search terms, including an image from the part of the page on which it appears. A new thumbnail view button in the toolbar provides an overview (above) of all the pages in a public-domain book or in a magazine. Other features include a contents drop-down menu and plain-text mode.

Inside Google Book Search, June 18 - American Libraries Direct 6/24/2009

OverDrive Titles and iPod Compatibility

Today, OverDrive has updated the WPLC Digital Download Center, to enable 1,000 of the audiobook titles for download to Apple devices, including the iPod. Information about this new feature has been added to the home page of the site as well as to the help section at the site.

Note that these 1,000 titles are WMA titles and are among the 3,776 WMA titles that WPLC has had in its collection. It is important to note that not all 3,776 WMA titles are compatible with Apple devices. Individual publishers decide which of their titles may be offered with this feature. The MP3 titles are a different format and should not be confused with this sub-category of the WMA category; (There are 189 MP3 titles in the WPLC collection.)

To find the 1,000 WMA titles which may be downloaded to Apple devices, on the left hand navigation pane, under the first search grouping, "Take a Look" , follow the new link "iPod-compatible Audiobooks". Also, for the time being, there is a link in the announcement information at the top on the home page.

Detailed information with answers to many questions which your patrons may have is available in the help section. Follow the link on "help" in upper right hand corner of any page in the WPLC Digital Download Center. Under the group heading "OverDrive WMA Audiobook", follow the first link "The Basics". Scroll down to "Can I transfer OverDrive WMA titles to Apple devices?" (about question number 29) and you will find several questions, with linked answers, that address this feature. One important note is that users must be using the new OverDrive Media Console 3.2 to have this functionality.

Linda K. Miller
LMA Techwork

They're Back!!

Or rather, they WILL be back.
If you were not able to catch Joan Frye Williams and George Needham on Trustee Day in May, you are in luck!

Joan and George will be presenting a workshop on "Change" for NFLS on Friday, September 25 from 8:30 am - 1:30 pm in the Brown County Library auditorium.

Joan and George will introduce, describe and practice some skills for successful change at your library. The workshop will include lots of audience feedback and a break out session. Lunch will also be included.

Joan has worked as a successful librarian, consultant, vendor, planner, trainer and evaluator of library services. She is an internationally recognized library futurist and the president of her own library and information technology consulting firm, with a special emphasis on innovation and emerging library trends.

George's credits include a number of high-profile management posts, including State Librarian of Michigan, Executive Director of the Public Library Association, Director of Member Services of the Ohio Library Association and Library Director of Fairfield County District Library in Lancaster, OH. He is part of the executive team at OCLC, a non-profit library service and research organization and the world's largest library consortium.

Since 2005, Joan and George have been co-presenting - often humorously - about library trends and topics. Their primary focus is on what libraries can do to meet their communities' changing needs and expectations, and how we can all hang onto our perspective and our principles so that moving forward doesn't get us down.

All NFLS members are STRONGLY encouraged to attend this workshop, so please "save the date" on your calendar!

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New Staff Member at NFLS

NFLS welcomes Mary Brick as its newest staff member as the Interlibrary Loan Specialist!

Mary is assisting in the Interlibrary Loan Department and replacing some of the duties of recent retiree Pat Mikkelsen.

Mary resides in DePere and is enjoying her new position at NFLS.
Welcome Mary!