Monthly Archive for July, 2008

Page 2 of 3

Statewide ILS based on open-source software

Published by Jim on July 21, 2008 in General and IT. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

I’m delighted to announce the release of the PUBLIC DRAFT of a whitepaper summarizing much of what was learned by the core task force behind a research process (started last fall) for considering the viability of a statewide ILS based on open-source software.

What does PUBLIC DRAFT mean? It’s a paper that has not been set in stone. You can influence the development and writing. You are invited to submit comments or questions to any member of the task force. Disagree with any aspects of the paper? Let them know. Did you find the paper informational? Let them know.

Most importantly, please engage with your peers and colleagues on the topic. How would you answer the questions listed in the Summary section of the paper?

For Colorado, there is a clear need for discussion among library decision makers about this topic. Please join that discussion.

You’ll find the whitepaper listed among the FILES section of the Google Groups site. http://groups.google.com/group/open-source-co-libraries

[UPDATE]: The whitepaper now lives on the Colorado Virtual Library site: http://www.coloradovirtuallibrary.org/opensource/Open-Source-ILS-Whitepaper.pdf

Book “Uncle Bobby’s Wedding” Challenged

Published by nicolle on July 18, 2008 in Academic Libraries, Public Libraries and School Libraries. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

One of a libraries biggest challenges can be–if you’ll pardon the pun–challenged materials. Recently, Douglas County Libraries received a reconsideration request from a patron for the book “Uncle Bobby’s Wedding.” Jamie LaRue, DCL’s Director, shared his response to the concerned patron on his blog. Like Jamie, I think this book is likely to be widely challenged and encourage everyone to read this thoughtful, well-reasoned letter.

Library Camp of the West

Published by Valerie Horton on July 18, 2008 in Academic Libraries, Continuing Education, General, Public Libraries and conferences. 0 Comments Tags: .

Have you been to an UNCONFERENCE?  Here’s your chance to experience this new form of information exchange.  I can’t wait!  — Valerie Horton

“Meet with other library people from across Colorado and Wyoming (and elsewhere?) at the “Library Camp of the West” to discuss libraries and librarianship.

 Save this date — October 10, 2008

 University of Denver  Driscoll Center (North)  Denver, CO 80208
9:00am till 4:00pm

 What is this?  Have you ever felt that discussion groups and hallway conversations are the best part of library conferences? Would you rather have a meaningful conversation with a small group of library people than sit and listen to another PowerPoint presentation? Are you interested in sharing ideas about libraries? 

Library Camp of the West is an unconference. Instead of creating a schedule of presentations and keynotes in advance, we (that includes you) will create a loose plan for the conference on this wiki ahead of time. On the morning of the conference, we’ll set the day’s schedule and break out into small groups over several session based on what attendees want to talk about. 

Unconferences work when everyone participates. Come with ideas, notes, examples, visual aides, puppets, whatever. Leave the PowerPoint at home.”

Sound interesting?  What do I do now?   Attendence is free, go to the wiki page: http://librarycampwest.pbwiki.com/ and sign up. 

 

Who needs libraries in the age of the Internet?

Published by judy on July 18, 2008 in General. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

I just read Jamie LaRue’s  monthly newspaper column. His reply to a Douglas County concerned citizen was well-stated. I wanted to share his response.

Who needs libraries in the age of the Internet?

A: In 2007, the Douglas County Libraries checked out more children’s materials (over 3.3 million items) – primarily books – than any other library in the state of Colorado. This investment in literacy is one of the key contributions of the public library.

There is additional research about the importance of the public library in the Internet age. First, technology has increased, not decreased, library use. The Internet is wonderful as a way to get quick facts. But the library is about far more than quick answers. It’s about reading. It’s about browsing the magazines. It’s about programs for children, or teens, or adults. It’s about meeting rooms and study spaces. It’s about seeing and being seen. It’s about building community. Second, the library is also a place that provides high speed access to the Internet – of increasing importance when more and more of our life is managed through it. Third, the library subscribes to high quality commercial databases that are “invisible” to Google; and our trained staff are highly skilled researchers – staff add value to the Internet, rather than being replaced by it.

What are your thoughts?

What are public libraries spending on their ILS?

Published by Jim on July 17, 2008 in General, IT and Public Libraries. 0 Comments

If you’ve ever wondered what public libraries across Colorado are spending on their integrated library systems (ILSs), you’ll be interested in a recent release of survey results and some of the buzz surrounding this topic.

Quick background: Jamie Larue, Director of Douglas County Libraries and other public library directors who were interested in this topic agreed at a June meeting in Aspen that there was a need to gather more information about the potential power of cooperative purchasing for a unified ILS. There is particular interest in the possibility of a statewide ILS Continue reading ‘What are public libraries spending on their ILS?’

A Peek at Cutting Edge

Published by judy on July 16, 2008 in Library Visits, Northeast, Public Libraries and conferences. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

Smoky Hills story time area

When Kathy Knox from Pueblo City County Library District offered to take SE librarians on a library tour – we jumped at the opportunity. Three public libraries were selected – Lone Tree Public Library (Douglas County), DPL’s Schlessman Family Branch, and the Arapahoe Library District’s Smoky Hills Branch. These libraries were selected based on their progressive implementation of

On our tour we saw back room operations (like the mechanical and manual book sorters). We were curious about how a library operates without a circ desk, and got the skinny on that. All three libraries had vibrant children’s areas, and they all had the ambiance of a bookstore. We saw some very clever marketing ideas as well as signage. The dominant theme was flexibility at these beautiful libraries. Take a peek at all the photos – maybe something will capture your eye – something you can implement at your library. Or do you have some cutting edge stuff happening at your library? If so, please share!

Four Colorado Libraries win “American Dream” Grant

Published by Sharon on July 16, 2008 in Northeast, Public Libraries and Southwest. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

Congratulations to:

  • Douglas County Library, Castle Rock, Colo.
  • High Plains Library District, Greeley, Colo.
  • Lafayette Public Library, Lafayette, Colo.
  • Upper San Juan Library District, Pagosa Springs, Colo.

These libraries are among 34 in the country to be awarded “The American Dream Starts @ your library” grant. This grant, a one-time award of $5,000, is designed to help public libraries increase their literacy services to adult English language learners. The grants are funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and implemented by ALA. .

Additionally, any library can benefit from the American Dream@ your Library Toolkit hosted by ALA.

Online library journal

Published by shannon on July 16, 2008 in Academic Libraries and General. 0 Comments Tags: .

Urban Library Journal

This is a free online journal. Check it out when you have a chance.

This month’s issue “showcases how librarians are tapping their creativity to develop innovations that allow urban libraries to meet the challenge of organizational change, diverse user populations, emerging technologies, and other issues facing twenty-first century libraries.”

Just read “Roving Librarians: Taking it to the Streets.” Very interesting! Great pictures.

Articles are available in PDF and HTML.

New OCLC Report: From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in American

Published by Sharon on July 16, 2008 in Public Libraries. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

http://www.oclc.org/reports/funding/default.htm

OCLC has released a new report (funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) which has some surprising information about who votes for library funding and why, as well as how to market libraries for voter support. This study is mainly about public libraries in the United States but any librarian will be interested in the report. I attended the presentation of this report at ALA Annual in June and found their methodology and findings to be fascinating. Continue reading ‘New OCLC Report: From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in American’

Colorado Book Awards – Local Author Recognition

Published by Shelly Drumm on July 14, 2008 in General and conferences. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Every year the Colorado Center for the Book awards Colorado authors for their excellent work in distinct categories. Please see below for the list of finalists. Getting to the point of being honored as a finalist is a significant accomplishment and reflects well on the authors. If you have local authors who are on the list of finalists, you might contact them to congratulate them, invite them to the library for an event, purchase a copy or two of their books and/or feature these books in a display. Continue reading ‘Colorado Book Awards – Local Author Recognition’