Monthly Archive for January, 2009

Collaborative Librarianship – new online journal

Published by Valerie Horton on January 30, 2009 in General. 0 Comments Tags: , .

A new online journal, Collaborative Librarianship, launched at ALA Midwinter.  The editorial team of the journal is Colorado-based with  Ivan Gaetz, Dean of the Libraries at Regis University, as managing editor.  We have an international advisory board covering all types of libraries.  We’re seeking articles on any topic related to collaboration - the journal’s focus includes schools, public, academics and special libraries.  Please check out the first issue of the journal at http://www.collaborativelibrarianship.org/index.php/jocl/index.

Valerie Horton

Asked and Answered

Published by Jim on January 28, 2009 in Community Collaborations, General and conferences. 2 Comments Tags: .

AskColorado Librarians at the boothAskColorado received national attention this past week as the ALA Midwinter Meeting rolled into Denver.

AskColorado librarians visited with ALA Midwinter attendees at an “AskColorado Information Center,” part of the Denver Public Library / CAL booth in the exhibits hall. In addition to imparting local wisdom to the many librarians that descended on Denver, Continue reading ‘Asked and Answered’

Top Tech Trends – without leaving home!

Published by marybeth on January 27, 2009 in IT, Innovation and conferences. 0 Comments

Every year at the ALA Midwinter Conference, a popular event is held by the Library and Information Technology Association (LITA). It’s the Top Tech Trends Roundtable, and it’s typically a standing-room-only event. This year there were various ways to follow the conversation even if one wasn’t attending the conference. Continue reading ‘Top Tech Trends – without leaving home!’

A Time to Celebrate!

Published by judy on January 27, 2009 in General and conferences. 10 Comments Tags: , , .

The crew at the John C. Fremont Library decided to celebrate right in the middle of the 16th Street Mall at ALA Midwinter. They are smiling because they just learned that EBSCO awarded them the Excellence in Small and/or Rural Public Library Service designation, which garners them a plaque and $1,000. Congrats!

National Voluntary Library Support Staff Certification Program Update

Published by Diana on January 23, 2009 in Academic Libraries, Public Libraries and Special Libraries. 2 Comments Tags: , , , .

The Advisory Committee for the national voluntary Library Support Staff Certification program (LSSCP) met all day January 22 at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Denver. During Midwinter Meeting, ALA members and ALA Councilors will have an opportunity to learn about the program, ask questions, and provide input. The ALA Open Forum Briefing document is now available on the project’s website.

It is our hope the program will be approved by the ALA Executive Board at the ALA Annual Conference in July 2009, with field tests to begin in August 2009 and full program implementation by January 2010. You may learn more about the program and view project documents – such as the Business Plan – at the LSSCP project’s website.  Your comments about the program may be made to the LSSCP blog.

Every Child Ready To Read Adds 10 Libraries in Colorado

Published by Michelle on January 14, 2009 in Children's Services, Continuing Education, Public Libraries and programs. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

The Colorado State Library announced today that Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy, an advisory group to the State Library, will expand the Every Child Ready to Read program to 10 more public libraries in Colorado.

Every Child Ready to Read is a national initiative from the Public Library Association to promote pre-literacy skills in children from birth through age five in public libraries. Parents and caregivers can learn techniques for engaging their babies and young children in language and literacy games that promote learning and school-readiness. In the program, children have exposure to language and literature and arrive at kindergarten ready to learn. Research shows that early literacy activities can have a life-long effect on language and learning. Continue reading ‘Every Child Ready To Read Adds 10 Libraries in Colorado’

Economic Hard Times Toolkit from ALA

Published by Valerie Horton on January 13, 2009 in General. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

This could be a great help to libraries in framing our message in hard times.  Valerie

Chicago –  A new web-based resource has just been released that will help library advocates make the case for libraries during times of economic downturn. The “Advocating in a Tough Economy” toolkit is available at www.ala.org/tougheconomytoolkit <http://www.ala.org/tougheconomytoolkit>.  

 

 ”With city, county, state and federal budgets under increasing pressure, we need to be making the case for libraries more than ever. All too often, libraries are the first to receive budget cuts. Funders need to understand the essential role that libraries play in our society and economy, with usage up significantly, and increasing numbers of people coming to libraries for job-related services, for access to government assistance programs, and as a way of making their money go further.” says Keith Michael Fiels, ALA Executive Director. “The new toolkit will arm librarians and library supporters with the facts and strategies they need to speak out effectively for libraries in this tough economy,” 

 

“The toolkit contains information on how to work with decision-makers, ways to work with the media, and talking points to help libraries articulate the role of libraries in times of economic downturn. Talking points on the economic value of libraries, with return-on-investment examples; libraries and the economy; and upswings in library usage are included.  Users are also invited to share their stories of how they have successfully advocated. Recent media coverage of libraries is also featured.  

 

This resource is part of the “Advocacy U”, ALA’s new initiative geared to providing tools, training and resources to library advocates achieve real advocacy goals in real situations at the local level. Learn more at www.ala.org/advocacyuniversity.  

 

 “The Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit” is also a work in process. Updates and improvements will be implemented as new information and new success stories become available. 

Collaborative Events at ALA Midwinter

Published by Valerie Horton on January 12, 2009 in conferences. 2 Comments Tags: .

For an update on how libraries are cooperating in these difficult time – visit these events at ALA. Valerie

Interlibrary Cooperation Discussion Group Crowne Plaza Denver City Center Elevation This group provides a forum for discussion of interests in interlibrary cooperation and the statewide development of library service, emphasizing the interdependence of all types of libraries, and the sharing of ideas and common issues.   Sunday, Jan 25, 10:30-12:00
At the Crown Plaza Dencer City Center, room Elevation

Physical Delivery Discussion Group.  Sunday, Jan 25, 8-10am
At Denver Marriot  City Center, Room Denver Ballroom III

Consortium Management Group.  Sunday, Jan 25, 4-5:30pm
At Denver Cenvention Center, Room 608

Collaborative Digitization, Saturday, Jan 24, 4-5:30pm
At The Curtis, Room Keey Away

Building Statewide Coalitions for All Libraries Saturday, January 24, 2009, 4:00-5:30

At the Colorado Convention Center, Room 403-404

Mini-Grants for Summer Reading 2009

Published by Michelle on January 7, 2009 in Children's Services, Public Libraries and programs. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

You may now apply for a Mini-Grant for the 2009 Summer Reading Program!

The Colorado State Library will award 60 Mini-Grants of $175 each to public libraries to support and promote the 2009 “Be Creative” and/or “Express Yourself” Summer Reading Program in their local communities.  Priority will be given to libraries below 10,000 Legal Service Area (LSA) population and libraries in non-metro locations. 

Visit www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/SummerReading/minigrants.htm for more information and to apply. Please submit the application and agreement form by Friday, January 30, 2009.

AIRS wants to TRAIN your TRAINERS

Published by lisa on January 7, 2009 in Academic Libraries, Public Libraries, School Libraries and databases. 0 Comments

Does your library have a resident trainer to assist staff, patrons, or students in learning more about the AIRS databases?  AIRS is offering a full day of training with an experienced trainers who will teach you how to train others.  You will achieve hands-on experience and walk away with materials to share.  Registration and information can be found on LEO, http://leo.clicweb.org.  Classes are small and space is limited.  Sign up early!  The cost is $15, and includes continental breakfast and lunch.

 

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For Public and School Libraries:

 

January 29th – 9:00 am to 3:00 pm  (registration and breakfast begin at 8:30)

Mesa County Public Library District – Main Branch

Register at: http://tinyurl.com/TrainTheTrainerJunction

 

- OR     -

 

February 12 – 9:00 am to 3:00 pm  (registration and breakfast begin at 8:30)

Pueblo City/County Library District – Rawlings Branch

Register at: http://tinyurl.com/TrainTheTrainerPueblo

 

This session prepares public librarians for training your staff and library patrons. There will be a review of training resources and techniques for available EBSCO Resources.  An overview of the following key topics will also be covered:

• Advanced Searching Options

• Options to Limit and Expand Search Results

• My EBSCOhost Folder

• Creating Alerts

 

Some of the EBSCO Resources to be covered include: EBSCOhost, Consumer Health Complete, Novelist, Points of View, Literary Reference Center and a summary of key databases available for public libraries.

 

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For Academic Libraries:

 

March 17 – 9:00 am to 3:00 pm  (registration and breakfast begin at 8:30)

Greeley – University of Northern Colorado (Michener Library)

Register at: http://tinyurl.com/TrainTheTrainerGreeley

 

This is a hands-on Train-the-Trainer session with a focus on products for Academic Libraries to help prepare for training your staff and students. It includes a review of training resources and techniques for available EBSCO Resources, an overview of the following key topics will also be covered:

• Advanced Searching Options

• Options to Limit and Expand Search Results

• Searching Multiple Databases

• Using Cited References

• My EBSCOhost Folder

• Creating Alerts

 

Some of the EBSCO Resources to be covered include: EBSCOhost, Literary Reference Center, Points of View and a summary of available databases for academic libraries.