Free Library Webinars: April Update

On our sister blog, Library Webinars, we have just put up the monthly list of live webinars.

We have found over 40 webinars and online conferences in April that can assist with your professional development.

Here are some randomly selected topics:

• Creating iGoogle Gadgets
• The Future of Libraries, Books, and Reading
  
• How to be More Genuine in Virtual Presentations
• Kid's Comics and Graphic Novels in Libraries
  
• Religion & Public Libraries
  
• RFID in Libraries
• The Rise and Fall of Reference Collections
  
• The State of America's Libraries
  
• Tales from the Tech Sandbox
• Wireless Video Streaming that Works
  

Check it out!

Leadership Institute now accepting Applications

Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute: Year 7

The Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute prepares individuals to lead libraries today and into the future. If you are a dynamic, creative, and achievement oriented individual who is interested in increasing and improving your library leadership knowledge and skills, apply today.

Beginning in 2010, the Institute will be a blended learning experience that includes:

• 3 online classes

• 7 face-to-face faculty-led classes

• Online resources including a wiki and webinars

• Self-selected, goal-based mentoring partnerships

• Live and online performance and learning support

Applications online at http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/bld/leadership

Applications accepted from March 15, 2010 – June 1, 2010

Notification of Acceptance – August 1, 2010

For more information, visit http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/bld/leadership/ or contact Jill Canono at jbcanono@dos.state.fl.us

Purpose:

Prepares individuals to lead libraries today and into the future

Process:

A year-long comprehensive series of face-to-face and online learning sessions designed to increase and improve individual leadership competencies.

The Institute is based on four foundations:

• Core leadership competencies

• Shared learning experiences

• Practical application assignments

• Mentoring partnerships

Participants:

• Library staff from all types of libraries (public, academic, school, and special) who are dynamic,

creative, and achievement oriented

• Professional librarians as well as individuals in management positions without an MLS

• Library staff with a minimum of two years professional work experience

Locations:

• Fort Lauderdale or Ocala, and on your desktop

The Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute is made possible by a Library Services and Technology Act grant administered by the Florida Department of State, State Library and Archives of Florida.

FLA Conference Events

The FLA Continuing Education Committee is sponsoring two events at the 2010 FLA Conference, April 7 - 9 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando.

Gather Round: Conference Program Topics Round Tables

Wednesday, April 7, 9:00 – 10:00 am

Location: Salon 11

The Round Table discussions are an opportunity to talk, share and learn from others on a range of important topics. Discussion facilitators will lead conversations focusing on the FLA Conference themes of Advocacy, Innovative Projects & Studies, Leadership, Youth Services, Technology and It’s All About Me, and Technology. Attendees will have the choice of sitting in on two of the table discussions. Library leaders as facilitators will lead discussions in this informative, interactive and enjoyable session that kicks off the FLA Conference.

Round Table speakers include:

· Jae Bass, St. Johns County Public Library: “Secrets of an Award Winning Website”

· Michael Bryan, Director, Seminole Community Library: “Youth Services”

· Elizabeth Curry, Alachua County Library District: “Agile Staff – Agile Organizations: Change Readiness and Leadership”

· Danny Hales, Suwannee River Regional Library System: “Advocacy: Small and Rural Libraries Focus”

· Dave McMurrin, Brevard County Libraries, and Tracy Swank, Lake County Library System: “Authentic Leadership: Are You For Real?”

· Kaya van Beynen, and Patricia Pettijohn, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg: “Gorilla Research for Redesign”

Poster Sessions

Wednesday, April 7, 1:30 – 5:00 pm

Thursday, April 8, 10:30 am – 6:00 pm

Friday, April 9, 9:00 - 10:30 am

See conference program insert for presenters, topics and locations

This year’s Poster Sessions include more than three dozen visual presentations on a wide variety of topics. Be sure to check the conference program insert for a detailed list of presenters and titles covering library projects, research, interests and information.

FLA Continuing Education Committee

You are also invited to attend a meeting of the FLA Continuing Education Committee on Wednesday, April 7 at 10:00 am following the Round Tables program in Salon 11.

Do You Recognize This Man?

What do these two photos have in common?

Not much, except the subject...Me!

I learned about my Virtual Brand this week.

I submitted some information about myself to a web publication. They did not request a photo. When I received notice that my information was published I was surprised to see the photo on the left. Where did that come from? Was that really me? Was I coming off a bender and taking random digital photos of myself?

I did a few Yahoo and Google searches. There I was faced with this photo. It wasn't as distorted, and was more of a head shot, but there it was.

"People who don’t know me can—and will—develop a sense of who I am based on what they find in a Google search." Add to that a bad photo...so I quickly found a better head shot (on the right) and submitted it to the web publication as a substitute. Whew!

This leads me to recommend this article by Meredith Farkas on improving your virtual brand. It is worth your valuable time.

Telling Your Library Stories

The State Library is sponsoring a free leadership event that will take place online in the months of May and June.

---------------------------------

This program will assist individual or teams to develop and refine their library’s marketing and advocacy message using strategic storytelling. This three-part, online learning experience with real-time practice, focuses on the development of strategic stories and how to use them to increase the visibility and value of your library. At the end each library will have an effective strategic story of how the library has made a difference. The story can be the central part of library communications in print, in person, and on the Web to decisions-makers as well as the general public. This is an excellent opportunity to inspire your colleagues and to be inspired to create stories to help convey the value of your library.

Intended Audience

A library leader may elect to participate as an individual or organize a staff team of up to 5 people (administrators, marketing staff, public service staff, front desk staff, children and youth service staff, staff who hear stories from library customers) to learn together in Leadership Lab sessions.

To learn more and Register

Handheld Librarian 3

Mark your calendar for the third in this online series. July 28-29, 2010. Also, speaking proposals are now being accepted.

-------------------------------------

More people than ever are using mobile devices for a wide variety of purposes including communication, internet access, text messaging, and entertainment. It is important that libraries provide services on these devices as use increases.

The first two Handheld Librarian Online Conferences drew thousands of participants to an online environment where they learned about great topics related to using wireless and hand held devices in their libraries. The programs included a variety of ways to collaborate, network and learn from a great group of experts in the field. Live interactive webcasts, collections of available resources, discussions boards, and access to the recordings of all live events are only some of the benefits enjoyed by participants.

Speaking proposals are due May 15, 2010. Go to http://www.handheldlibrarian.org to make a proposal or learn more about Handheld Librarian 1 and 2.

Free

What one word in the English language can make the mind churn with endless possibilities?

Free.

It has an effect on people.

I just finished the book Free: The Future of a Radical Price by Chris Anderson. Great book. 5 stars. Thought provoking. Blah, blah, blah.

In the world of companies making money on the Internet, the most effective price is no price at all. Do you pay for Google? YouTube? Facebook? Not one red cent. Today's Internet economy is based on being free to the consumer. So how do companies make money?

Another tidbit..."the annual deflation rate of the online world is nearly 50 percent, which is to say that whatever it costs YouTube to stream a video today will cost half as much in a year". The price of storage, processing and bandwidth are all decreasing at a rapid rate. What happens when the price of something continues to approach free?

Obviously, I am not doing justice to a book with a number of fascinating insights and ideas. Do yourself a favor and Check It Out!

College of DuPage Programs 2006 - 2010

Replays from many previous College of DuPage Programs are available to view on your desktop via streaming video. Click on the links below to go to the DuPage access information.

4/9/10 “Technology Trends in Libraries: Tools, Skills, Staffing, Training”

Coming soon. Register for the live broadcast here.

3/12/10 “Information Literacy Education: A National Overview”

http://www.dupagepress.com/index.php?id=4262

2/19/10 “Cataloging: Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going?”

http://www.dupagepress.com/index.php?id=4250

1/29/10 “Making the Best of a Shrinking Budget: Creative Practices in a New Economy”

http://www.dupagepress.com/index.php?id=4106

11/13/09 “Millennials in the Library”

http://accordent.powerstream.net/008/00131/LF/Library_Futures_120109/f.htm

4/16/09 “An Ounce of Prevention: Health Reference Basics”

http://www.dupagepress.com/index.php?id=4109

4/3/09 “Diversity Beyond the Obvious”

http://www.dupagepress.com/index.php?id=4106

2/13/09 “Targeting the Ages: Programming that Hits the Mark”

http://www.dupagepress.com/index.php?id=4078

11/21/08 "Information Literacy for Life"

http://www.collegeofdupagepress.com/index.php?id=3990

11/7/08 "Reversing the Ratchet: Technology Adoption Strategies for Library Workers"

http://www.collegeofdupagepress.com/index.php?id=3977

5/9/08 "Tools of Engagement: Attracting and Engaging Library Users"

http://www.collegeofdupagepress.com/index.php?id=1671

4/11/08 "Trends, Fads or Folly"

http://www.collegeofdupagepress.com/index.php?id=1662

3/7/08 “Library Spaces: Future Needs”

http://www.collegeofdupagepress.com/index.php?id=1670

2/8/08 “People Watching with a Purpose”

http://www.collegeofdupagepress.com/index.php?id=1661

10/26/07 “Finding the Trends That Matter: Get Your Environmental Scan On”

http://www.collegeofdupagepress.com/index.php?id=2628

6/1/07 “Copyright in the Digital Age: An Update"

http://www.dupagepress.com/index.php?id=1788

5/11/07 “The Relevance of Libraries in a Digital Age”

http://www.dupagepress.com/index.php?id=1864

4/27/07 “Library Education: Facing New Realities”

http://www.dupagepress.com/index.php?id=1485

4/13/07 “The Best from the Web”

http://www.dupagepress.com/index.php?id=1192

3/23/07 “Library Transformation: Making It Happen”

http://www.dupagepress.com/index.php?id=1252

2/9/07 “Next Gen Librarianship: Where Do We Go from Here?”

http://www.dupagepress.com/index.php?id=1191

10/27/06 “Best New Technologies: Keeping Up with the Storm”

http://www.dupagepress.com/index.php?id=1180

NEFLIN also has many of these programs on DVD and VHS for our members to borrow through the Multimedia Lending Library (http://www.neflin.org/mll.php). Permission is given to copy the DuPage DVD or VHS and keep the copy.

Technology Trends in Libraries: Tools, Skills, Staffing, Training: College of DuPage

Librarians know that the target of keeping technologically current is always moving, and budgets are static at best. Each year, College of DuPage teleconferences dedicates one program that takes a look at future technology trends and gives librarians an important basis for their planning efforts. Libraries are both adopters and innovators, and are increasingly looking beyond the library environment for technological innovations and solutions.

This teleconference will address the current status of technology in the library and explore future technological trends as more information sources--and people-- migrate to online environments. Eric Lease Morgan, Head of the Digital Access and Information Architecture Department, University Libraries of Notre Dame, and others will explore libraries’ technology future.

Friday, April 9, 12:00 noon - 1:30 pm

Register here to receive access information

Homework Help

The Florida Electronic Library—your gateway to superior electronic resources that offer access to comprehensive, accurate, and reliable information—has a training program designed to meet the needs of all library staff.

Homework Help Using FEL Resources

Get an overview of the best FEL resources to use when assisting elementary, middle, and high school students with homework assignments. A multidisciplinary approach will be used to teach attendees about the FEL resources geared to the library staff and a student audience. Reference questions and assignments will be provided to help teach the practical application of the database to real life student research. The attendees will be taught the most effective and efficient search strategies to obtain the best results for student questions and research.

This session is ideal for children and youth services staff, media specialists, and anyone helping students with research.

• Live webinar Monday, April 5 at 5:00 p.m.
• Live webinar Monday, April 19 at 4:00 p.m.

Register online at http://www.flelibrary.org/training/.

Other courses available include:

· The World of FEL/Gale Resources: A General Product Overview

· Patron Outreach: Creating Easy Access and Increasing Usage of FEL Resources

· A Healthy Perspective: Health Research Using FEL Resources

· FEL QuickStart: General and Academic OneFile Searches

· The Power of Web 2.0: Best Practices Using FEL Resources

· Getting Down to Business: Effective Use of FEL Business Resources

· Following the Trends: Understanding FEL Reports and Analysis Data

· Making It Personal: Customizing Your FEL Products

--State Library and Archives of Florida

Joyce Carol Oates at JPL

Reading and Book signing with National Book Award and New York Times Best Selling Author
Joyce Carol Oates

Saturday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.

Jacksonville Public Main Library • Hicks Auditorium

Free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library

For more information, click here.

Dark Clouds. Silver Lining.

A nice bright spot among some otherwise dark clouds. TBLC has negotiated with the vendor for the statewide courier delivery service and the price will remain the same for FY2010-11.

Invoices will be mailed, as usual, in October. The price will be $600 per weekly stop.

The six Florida MLCs coordinate the courier service that moves over 500,000 items annually. The Savings over U.S. Mail? $730,000 per year!

Link Love

A bright spot in an otherwise cloudy day...Link Love.
-------------------------------------------------------

I have been asked a lot lately about Netbooks. My advice? Buy the cheapest one you can find. They are all about the same. I found some proof to back me up. (via Stephen Abram's Blog).





It's "National Procrastination Week". Let's Celebrate by Not Honoring It. (Sounds like a Steven Wright joke. "I bought some powdered water, but I didn't know what to add to it." "What's another word for thesaurus?")

The Google Chrome browser finally catches up with Firefox by offering Extensions (Add-On programs to customize your browser). If Chrome is your preferred browser, or even just your backup, you need to check this out.




Well written post about Teen Tech Week from the Blog In the Library with the Lead Pipe.


Read a fabulous book recently. "FREE" by Chris Anderson.
Expect a blog post soon just about this.







I thought David Lee King and Michael Porter did a good job with the Library 101 Project. Sure parts of it were goofy (and they admit the video was too long!). Here are their thoughts now that the dust has settled.


My favorite Candidate from the TV show "Lost"? I would have to go with Hurley.

Virtual Training Opportunities in March and April

20 Questions: Successful Strategies for Job Searchers
Tuesday, March 23, 2:00 - 4:00 pm

This two hour online class explores 20 questions frequently encountered by job searchers. The class will include tips and strategies for success as well as top online job searching resources. Participants will learn how to direct job seekers to the best job listings for their field, how to guide job seekers to a variety of job search resources, how to post resumes to online job banks, how to use Web 2.0 networking sites for job searching, and more.

Virtual Trainer: Julie LaDell - Thomas, Lyrasis

20 Questions: Art Resources
Thursday, April 8, 2:00 - 4:00 pm

In this two hour, live online class, students will explore 20 of the best free online resources available for reference work in art and art history. Students will learn about online art resources librarians use to answer questions like “Where would I find a definition of ‘patina?’” and “Can you tell me where to find the full story of how Van Gogh cut off his own ear?” Students will then have the opportunity to explore art reference resources further in an after-class exercise.

Virtual Trainer: Russell Palmer, Lyrasis

Technology Trends in Libraries: Tools, Skills, Staffing, Training: College of DuPage

Friday, April 9, 12:00 noon - 1:30 pm

Librarians know that the target of keeping technologically current is always moving, and budgets are static at best. Each year, College of DuPage teleconferences dedicates one program that takes a look at future technology trends and gives librarians an important basis for their planning efforts. Libraries are both adopters and innovators, and are increasingly looking beyond the library environment for technological innovations and solutions.

This teleconference will address the current status of technology in the library and explore future technological trends as more information sources--and people-- migrate to online environments. Eric Lease Morgan, Head of the Digital Access and Information Architecture Department, University Libraries of Notre Dame, and others will explore libraries’ technology future.

20 Questions: US Government Resources

Thursday, April 22, 2:00 - 4:00 pm

The U.S. government provides its citizens with a wealth of information online, from simple facts to in-depth, detailed statistical information on a variety of topics. In this two-hour live online class, students will explore 20 U.S. government web pages in search of answers to questions like, "What is the GDP of Hungary?" and, "How many libraries are there in Kansas?” students will then have the opportunity to explore government Information resources further in an after-class exercise.

Virtual Trainer: Russell Palmer, Lyrasis

Supervisory Skills: The Art of Delegating

Monday, April 26, 2:00 - 4:00 pm

If delegating has never been your strong suit, take heart! This is an area you can improve - it just takes knowing yourself, knowing your employees, and knowing how to put that knowledge to work for you! We’ll first get a glimpse of what is consuming your time each day – and how to decide which of those tasks are “delegation-ready.” We’ll also look at tasks you’ve already delegated to determine if they’ve been delegated for the right reason – or just to reduce the slushpile. In the process, we’ll take a sneak peak at some of the reasons we haven’t been delegating – and why we don’t really want to.

Our goal will be to step back and look at what we’ve been doing – what’s been working well in the realm of delegating and where might we be able to improve? Then we’ll take it to the next level by uncovering 9 specific aspects of a task we need to look at when we consider delegating to our staff – details that will not only help us decide whether the job should be delegated, but also to whom? We’ll touch on how our personalities affect whether or not we are willing to let go of some of our work, as well as how our employees’ personalities should influence to whom we assign what task, project, or responsibility.

You’ll finish this session with a checklist of key points to consider when matching the right employee to the work you want done, as well as a bird’s eye view of the details that will ensure your success when delegating. You’ll come away with valuable information that will help you perform your job more effectively – and that makes work more fun!

Virtual Trainer: Linda Bruno, Library Consultant

See all NEFLIN Training at http://www.neflin.org/registration.php

Two workshops for Media Specialists

Successful Events for Media Specialists

Wednesday, March 24, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon at NEFLIN in Orange Park
Register here
Couldn’t make it to FAME or couldn’t get enough? Join us as these presenters reprise their popular sessions for a morning of creative inspiration.

Time Travel via Symposiums

Do your secondary students think history should be dead and buried? Turn your library media center into a living historical experience. Join us and learn how to establish your own multidimensional symposium guaranteed to capture the most reluctant students' imagination.

Presenters : Michelle D. Brooks and Gail Berzins, Englewood High School, Jacksonville

SSYRA Tips for a Successful Program

The SSYRA committee chair will present tips on developing and implementing a successful school SSYRA program. Presenter: Lorraine Stinson, Murray Middle School, St. Augustine

How to Host a Young Authors Festival without Losing Your Mind

This session will provide ideas for organizing a Young Authors Festival which includes four concurrent sessions for an entire elementary school of 900 students. The festival includes an author visit, a children's musician, a storyteller, and every child in the school writing and publishing a fiction book. Additionally, information regarding the use of SKYPE for an additional author visit will be included. Presenter: Penny Bunch, Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary School, Ocala

Collaboration for Media Specialists: It's More Than Just Providing Resources

Wednesday, March 24, 1:00 - 4:00 pm at NEFLIN in Orange Park

Register here

Are you viewed as a critical team member and professional in your school? Come learn what true collaboration between the school library media specialist and classroom teacher is all about. Learn how to collaborate from the planning of instruction all the way to assessment and evaluation. Your eyes will be opened as to how in-depth collaboration should be and how it affects student achievement. Examples of collaborative projects will be included.

Trainer: Lucretia Miller, Media Specialist, Chaffee Trail Elementary School, Jacksonville

See all NEFLIN events at http://www.neflin.org/registration.php

On-Site Workshop Series Continues

NEFLIN is providing this half day workshop at five locations throughout the region with public relations specialists. The afternoon features personalized consultation appointments with the trainers.

You will learn how to develop: Marketing communications plan Brand Positioning statement Key message for target audiences Strategy for delivering message Measurements for success You will work with the trainers to create print and online materials using formats such as brochures, newsletters, press releases, blogs, and other social networking tools. The afternoon will consist of one-on-one consulting with individuals who have signed up for personal attention prior to the event. They can bring any existing promotional materials they'd like the trainers to review. Trainers: Steve Kaufman and Tim Jones, Stephen Kaufman Public Relations, Inc.

Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 noon for workshop Scheduled consulting appointments from 1:00 - 4:00 pm Five dates and locations. Free for NEFLIN members. *Thursday, April 15: NEFLIN Headquarters, 2233 Park Avenue, Suite 402, Orange Park, FL 32073 *Wednesday, April 28: Alachua Branch Library, 14913 NW 140 Street, Alachua, FL 32615 *Thursday, May 20: Jacksonville Main Library, 303 N. Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 *Wednesday, May 26: Bradford County Public Library, 456 Pratt Street, Starke, FL 32091 *Thursday, May 27: Marion County Public Library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470

Register here

Oscar Winners on DVD

The Academy Awards were held last night and the predicted winners pretty much took home golden statues. Instead of a recap I thought I'd go with what you really want to know...
when do these movies come out on DVD since you may have missed them at the theater.

• The Hurt Locker. Already available. Best Picture, Best Director, 4 others.
  
• Crazy Heart. April. Best Actor, Jeff Bridges.
• The Blind Side. March 23. Best Actress, Sandra Bullock.*
• Inglorious Basterds. Already available. Best Supporting Actor, Christoper Waltz.
• Precious. Already Available. Best Supporting Actress, Monique. Best Adapted Screenplay.
  
• The Cove. Already available. Best Documentary.
• Up. Already available. Best Animated Feature.
• Avatar. April. Various Special Effects.
  

* Sandra shows off a good sense of humor as she also won "Worst Actress of the Year" from the Razzie awards for "All About Steve". She attended this award show too.

Information Literacy Education: College of DuPage

When President Barack Obama declared October 2009 as National Information Literacy Awareness Month, Information Literacy received national attention. The declaration stated: “In addition to the basic skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic, it is equally important that our students are given the tools required to take advantage of the information available to them.” He asked “people of the United States to recognize the important role that information plays in our daily lives, and appreciate the need for a greater understanding of its impact.”

In this context, Lisa Stock, Dean of Learning Resources at College of DuPage, and Jean Donham, College Librarian, Cornell College (Iowa) will give a background briefing on the working standards and assessments for national literacy and open a dialog on what librarians can do to strengthen efforts to encourage and build information literacy efforts not only in your own library, but in concert with your colleagues around the country.

Friday, March 12, 12:00 noon - 1:30 pm

Register here to receive access information

Spring Workshops have Sprung

Patty has put together a wonderful group of workshops for the spring (April-June). Here are a few highlights, and then on to the whole list.

* 20 Questions Live Online series
* Supervisory Skills Live Online series
* Two workshops from Deborah Ford
* SMART Board workshop
* E-Skills for Digital Reference
* Archival Book Repair
* Library Project Management
* WorldCat Resource Sharing
* Accidental Webmaster Series
* Cool Teen Programs
* Oral History Interviews for Librarians

Check out all the spring offerings!

Pulling Back the Curtain

While NEFLIN services are being used at an astonishing rate by our members, you ask what's going on these days at the worldwide headquarters of NEFLIN?

Thanks for asking!

We are concerned about state funding for NEFLIN. With the legislative session beginning, and facing a reported $3 billion gap, and NEFLIN not being in the Governor's budget, we start our trek to get funding again at the place we least like to be...zero. Our MLC Lobbyist, Dale Patchett, will once again work with the MLCs to restore our funding.

We are working behind the scenes to revamp some services. Expect in the next month to see major changes to our; web conferencing service, multimedia lending library, and vendor discounts.

Patty has just launched the schedule of classes for April - June 2010. Check out the wide variety of topics and formats. From workshops in your (or nearby) library to lots of virtual training, and even the old reliable face-to-face classes at NEFLIN.

The NEFLIN Annual Meeting has been set for Friday, September 17, 2010. The location is the lush, tropical oasis that is the Embassy Suites in Jacksonville.

Of course, I could blab on for a while, but that will do. Keep tuned to this station for future updates. Thanks for your support.