Read About How Free and Open Source Software Can Help

at my recent post on ALA Learning.

Hosting Tomorrow's T is for Training Show

I'm filling in again as the host of tomorrow's T is for Training show at 2pm Eastern. See all of the details here. Please come and join the fun, I could use the support! We'll be discussing:

Computers In Libraries 2010 - Reports from those who went in person or attended virtually. What did you learn, how did your presentations go, favorite and least favorite moments...

Thoughts on the use of the backchannel when presenting. Are you for or against?

Competencies and Training Needs Assessments - how do you do it, have you done it, what works and what doesn't work... We'll be discussing WebJunction's wonderful resources.

If you cannot join us, catch all of the episodes in the widget on the handy sidebar of this blog.

Digital Photo Management for Libraries

Don't forget to always check the Library-Related Training Opportunities calendar that I maintain (note it's always at the bottom of this blog). I recently updated it and ran across a webinar that sounds great from Infopeople.

Digital Photo Management for Libraries

Have digital photos? Now what? Discover online management services that can make organizing photo collections easier and learn about free web-based photo editing tools that can help you to fix those not-quite-right pics. Get direct comparisons of these tools that can help you decide which are best for your needs or your library.

At the end of this one-hour webinar, attendees will:

* Be able to identify at least three differences between Flickr and Picasa
* Be familiar with the photo management capabilities of Photoshop.com and Facebook
* Be able to evaluate at least two online photo editor tools

This webinar will be of interest to staff that would like to work with photos for websites or online photo management tools, and to Reference who may get questions about digital photography and other staff working with local history archives.

Webinar: Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Time: 12pm-1pm PDT (That's 3pm for EST)
Speaker: Laura Solomon

SaveLibraries.org

Last week I followed along through the social web as Charlotte Mecklenburg Library held a board meeting to discuss closing branches and laying off over 100 employees. My good friend and fellow library trainer Lori Reed works there.

Now, she, Heather Braum, and many others have decided to take action by setting up SaveLibraries.org Read all about it in her latest post. You can also become a fan on Facebook.

Here's the message from the site and fan page:

"Our slogan is, “When one library is in trouble, ALL libraries are in trouble.” There is a trend happening in this country and it’s one as a society that we should be appalled at. Our libraries represent the freedom and democracy that our country was founded on. Can you think of another place where all are welcome? No matter what your color, religion, or economic status the library is there with open doors.

However when libraries close and communities accept library closings as “the new normal,” then all libraries are in trouble. Other states, other communities, and other politicians are going to get the message that it’s ok. If it was ok for _____________ to close it’s libraries, then it’s ok here.

Well here’s a message. It’s not ok! Especially now. Communities need their libraries more than ever. I realize that we are in a recession. I get that state and local governments are out of money. But as library professionals, it is up to us to come up with a solution. Be a part of the solution!"

Now go show your support with a Twibbon!

Making Microsoft Office Sing

Be sure to check out my latest post on the ALA Learning blog for ways to implement Microsoft Trainings.

Hosting T is for Training Today

Please come to today's T is for Training show. I am filling in for Maurice Coleman and would love for you to make it. Read all about the details here. Hope to see you at 2pm EST today!

OverDrive Audiobook App Now Available in Android Market

Be sure to read the latest press release from OverDrive. Good news for Android users! Be sure to let your patrons know!

Library Day in the Life - Round 4

I'm finally finished with my picture/video tour of what a typical day looks like for me. You can see my first participation in the Library Day in the Life Project at these previous 5 posts. Sadly, I missed out in Rounds 2 and 3, but I'm back for Round 4. Thanks to Bobbi Newman for all of her efforts on this project!!



(Per Lori Reed's advice, for best results after clicking play, click the full screen icon in the bottom right corner, then click Show Info in the upper right corner to view my captions for each photo/video).

Are You Ready for The Sixth Sense?

The future is most definitely here. If you can spare 8 minutes, you gotta see this to believe it! A Sixth Sense is "a sense that would give us seamless access and easy access to meta information or information that exists somewhere that may be relevant to help us make the right decision about whatever it is that we are coming across". Like shopping, needing to take a picture, checking the time - all anywhere anytime.

This demo -- from Pattie Maes' lab at MIT, spearheaded by Pranav Mistry -- was the buzz of TED. It's a wearable device with a projector that paves the way for profound interaction with our environment. Imagine "Minority Report" and then some.

SnapShot PA Results Are In

"179,702 people visited libraries across Pennsylvania on one day. That is more than attended both the Eagles and Steelers game last weekend or visited Hershey Park." That's the first sentence you'll see at SnapShot PA: One Day in the Life of Pennsylvania Libraries. I first wrote about this project in September. It's great to see the end results.

There is a page of results in detail, pictures, and the opportunity for patrons to continue to submit their stories.

Please promote this initiative by linking to the Snapshot website through your Website and Social Media avenues!