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!

TEDx for Libraries: Dynamic programming for FREE!

Read all about this WONDERFUL opportunity to get FREE programming for your library!

Feature YOUR Library on WebJunction Pennsylvania

I announced earlier that Pennsylvania is finally a partner with WebJunction. Here's your opportunity for any library in PA to get your library in the spotlight!! Copied below is the information you need to send in:

Featured Pennsylvania Library for WebJunction Library Spotlight

Instructions
The information that you supply here will be used in the Library Spotlight feature on the home page of WebJunction Pennsylvania (http://pa.webjunction.org). The Library Spotlight is updated regularly. However the information that you supply will also be included in the Pennsylvania Spotlights page (http://pa.webjunction.org/pa-spotlights). If your information changes and you would like this page updated, please send your updated form to webjunction@hslc.org.

Photograph
[Insert photo. Please include highest available resolution. Photo will be resized by HSLC for use in the space available.]

Library Information
Name of Library:
Address 1:
Address 2:
City:
Zip:
Telephone:
E-mail:

Mission Statement:

Fast Facts:

• Population served:
• Date built/renovated:
• Square feet:
• Annual circulation:
• Popular programs:
• Neat idea:
• With more money we would:
• Other:
• Link to home page:
• Link to online catalog:

WebJunction Pennsylvania - YIPPEE!!!

I am so excited to announce that the PA Office of Commonwealth Libraries has partnered with WebJunction and we are now WebJunction Pennsylvania. If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you know what a huge fan I am of WebJunction. Here is the announcement received:

HSLC/Access PA announces the creation of a new professional development service for libraries in Pennsylvania. WebJunction Pennsylvania (http://pa.webjunction.org/) makes a large selection of online workshops and training courses available to library employees, library board members, and trustees in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at a cost of $5 per course. The new service is supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Office of Commonwealth Libraries.

To access the subsidized courses, eligible persons must create a free account on WebJunction, then request affiliation with WebJunction Pennsylvania (click on My Affiliations, when editing your account).

HSLC/Access PA created WebJunction Pennsylvania in partnership with WebJunction, an online learning community that incorporates social software features to encourage community building. Members of the WebJunction community share their ideas and experience and promote best practices in libraries. Pennsylvania joins over fifteen other states in this cooperative educational system. Course content is contributed by the cooperative. The WebJunction system keeps track of courses taken and can generate a certificate upon course completion.

HSLC's training for Access PA services will also be integrated into the WebJunction service, and additional courses will be shared as they are created.

What to do now:

Visit the new WebJunction Pennsylvania (http://pa.webjunction.org/).
- Create a new account, or sign in with your current WebJunction username and password.
- If you create a new account, be sure to check the box to request affiliation with Pennsylvania, when you get to the affiliations page.
- If you already have an account, after signing in, click on *Edit Account* and the My Affiliations tab to request affiliation with Pennsylvania.
- After you take a look around, we’d love to hear from you about your experiences in the member center (http://pa.webjunction.org/membercenter).
- Need help? Find help and support in the member center, or you can always contact us (http://pa.webjunction.org/contact).

For more information, contact:
John Houser
Technology Coordinator
HSLC
houser@hslc.org
215-534-6820