Join us for OverDrive's Big Library Read

Join us for OverDrive's Big Library Read - Michael Malone's "The Four Corners of the Sky". No holds needed! The eBook is available to ALL. http://www.overdrive.com/big-library-read/ Just go to our OverDrive site to download at http://lancasterlibraries.lib.overdrive.com/.

OCLC Library Spotlight Program

I read in this month's Crossroads (WebJunction's monthly newsletter) that " libraries can increase their visibility on the Web by registering basic local information with the OCLC Library Spotlight program—a free service that works with popular Web services to promote libraries."

There's an article with more information in Library Journal.  Just claim your library spotlight on the site... it only takes a few minutes!

Here's a video showing how easy it is to do:

DigitalLearn.org and EveryoneOn.org

As Jamie Hollier of Digitallearn.org states in the site's first blog post:

"One in five Americans don’t use the internet, which means it will take longer for them to find a job, they have limited access to educational attainment, and they are more isolated, among other issues. Many organizations are working to decrease the digital divide and increase inclusion in our digital communities."

So DigitalLearn.org and the Public Library Association have put together the beginnings of a site that looks so clean and simple.  What I love is that they have released it before it is completed.  The target date is in June 2013.  But Jamie states it will never be finished because technology and learning technology will never be finished.  Sometimes I feel the speed at which it advances will rip my head clean off!

I encourage you to check out this great resource and share it with others.

It's being featured on another great site called EveryonOn which is powered by Connect2Compete which I've discussed before.  GCFLearnFree is another site it features which I've raved about for years now.

Become familiar with these sites because you do not need to reinvent the wonderful online training these links can provide.  Just direct people to them - and do it often!

Library Extension

Perhaps I'm arriving late to the party on this one.  Does anyone remember the LibraryLookup bookmarklet from Jon Udell? This began way back in December of 2002 and was a bit of work to set up, but was amazingly cool at the time.  I think it still works.

Well, if you liked that, you are going to LOVE the Library Extension from Google Chrome.  You must use it in the Chrome browser.  It's so easy to install.  Once you have done so and choose your library, you're done.

"As you browse book and e-book titles on Amazon.com, the Library Extension checks your library's online catalog and displays the availability of that title. If the book is available, you'll see the details on the right on the page, instantly, with a quick link to your library!"

The results show in the top right side of the WebPage.  So don't search in Amazon AND your catalog.  Do it all at once with Chrome's Library Extension.  You'll be glad you did!

Free Continuing Ed Opportunities

I used to try and maintain a Google Calendar where I would input all of the free or cheap Webinars and other Continuing Ed opportunities around the globe.  But the upkeep was just too much (much like keeping up with blogging...).  Well, a big THANK YOU to Jamie Markus, Library Development Manager for the Wyoming State Library for creating a wonderful monthly list.  And another THANK YOU to WebJunction for seeing its worth and posting it monthly to their site. 

Now, if there were just some way to turn this into an RSS feed...

Big Talk from Small Libraries

Hooray!  The Nebraska Library Commission and the Association for Rural & Small Libraries is bringing back the Big Talk from Small Libraries online conference again this year.  It will take place from 9:45am to 6:00pm EST on Thursday 2/28/13.

"Topics range from technology (new tech and old tech) to programming to partnering with your community. Come for the programs on what you’re dealing with now or maybe try something new.

Everyone is welcome to register and attend, regardless of how big or small their library is, but if your library serves a few thousand people, or a few hundred, this is the day for you."

I'm registered and can't wait to see what the final schedule of presentations will be.  There's still time to submit a proposal if you want to present.

Tech-Savvy Staff

I was honored to co-present a TechSoup Webinar with Penny Talbert, director of the Ephrata Public Library on Tuesday 12/4/12.  Back in October of 2012, I was contacted by Brenda Hough from TechSoup to see if  I would be interested in presenting a Webinar based on Benchmark 11, “Libraries have sufficient staff with technology expertise to help patrons achieve their goals” of the Edge Initiative Benchmarks).  I was very excited to be asked as I am quite a fan of TechSoup, and was racking my brain for a good way to present on this based on my experiences over the years.  Then it hit me – Ephrata’s Competency Program hits the nail right on the head for this.  So I asked Penny if she would be willing to share what she is doing with the rest of the world via this Webinar and she agreed.  This turned out to be one of the highest attended Webinars of all time for TechSoup and the feedback was very positive.  Penny has been contacted by people all over the country and beyond to share what she is doing.  Be sure to check out the archive and other information on the techsoup for libraries blog post.