Monthly Archive for February, 2010

“We’re getting gerbils!”

Published by JTMarmot on February 28, 2010 in Academic Libraries, IT, Innovation, Public Libraries, School Libraries and Western Slope. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

My son Peter illuminated a Colorado road atlas one day on our way to a pet store. His inscriptions are as gleeful as some of the comments I hear lately around Marmot, where we’re implementing VuFind as a next-gen OPAC.

In this and future posts I’ll tell the story of how we selected VuFind from a list that included AquaBrowser, Encore, Drupal SOPAC, and WorldCat Local. I’ll write about testing and launching open source software originally developed at Villanova University. We might blaze a few interesting trails, taking software currently running in university libraries, and adapting it to our multi-type consortium on the Western Slope.

“We’re getting open source!”

Continue reading ‘“We’re getting gerbils!”’

An Evening with John Adams

Published by judy on February 26, 2010 in Academic Libraries, Continuing Education and Southeast. 0 Comments

The John Adams Unbound exhibit scheduled to appear on the CSU- Pueblo campus March 8- April 15. The University Library will host the exhibit, which will be in the foyer of Hoag Hall. A sneak peek of the Adams exhibit will be held from 6-7 p.m. in the Occhiato University Center Hearthwell Lounge followed by the dinner in the OUC Ballroom at 7 p.m. and the live performance at 8 p.m. The cost is $35 per person or $350 for a table of 10. To purchase tickets or a table, contact Julie Fronmueller at 719-549-2826 or julie.fronmueller@colostate-pueblo.edu. For more information on the event click here.

Fundraising 101: Attracting Donors to Your Library’s Homepage

Published by Gary Landeck on February 26, 2010 in General. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Pay close attention to your library’s homepage. In less than 15 seconds, does it tell you:

  • Who you are?
  • What your library is trying to accomplish?
  • Does it have a tagline that explicitly summarizes what your library does?

The design and content on your homepage should address each question in a way that balances breadth and depth. Don’t overwhelm your reader with too much information. Install “read more” links that allow the reader to dive in deep should s/he decide to.

Keep your homepage content dynamic. Put a tickler on your calendar to change something significant on your homepage at least once per month. Consider using a modular or block design that allows certain features to be easily swapped out. So many of us are visual creatures, so build a library of reusable images that you can use to keep your homepage content fresh.

Simple, dynamic, and compelling content on your homepage will draw your donors in. Don’t forget to put a link to your giving page!

Why Libraries Should Care about Search Engine Optimization

Published by marybeth on February 25, 2010 in General. 3 Comments

This posting is about Search Engine Optimization.  It’s a techie term and usually of concern to marketing people and web developers, often in the for-profit sector.  But I think it needs to concern all of us in libraries, even if we’re a small library without a lot of resources for marketing or for our website.  And that’s because, in these difficult times for libraries and for our communities, it would be really beneficial if our relevant resources, programs and services were easy for people to find via Google.

Continue reading ‘Why Libraries Should Care about Search Engine Optimization’

Just launched: LRS.org

Published by Michelle on February 19, 2010 in General. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

The Library Research Service at the Colorado State Library launched a new website yesterday. It is a whole new look with updated navigation, graphics, and features. We invite you to poke around the site and let us know what you think.

Along with this redesign, our blog is moving to a different home and platform.

The new LRS.org took months of work, and it couldn’t have been done without the entire LRS staff. Special thanks to Zeth Lietzau for his vision and hard work in making the site a reality and Jamie Daisey for her work moving and editing the content.

Trends, Tips & Techniques: Interviews with Colorado Library Leaders

Published by judy on February 19, 2010 in General. 1 Comment Tags: , , , .

aspenWalker09

Aspen Walker, Executive Assistant to the Library Director Douglas County Libraries
Smart leaders understand: you can’t run an effective organization from the confines and blind spots of an insular bubble. You have to reach out, compare experiences, and share best practices. In 2009, I interviewed 11 Colorado library leaders about the metro area public library environment: Shirley Amore (Executive Director, Denver Public Library), Eugene Hainer (Executive Director, Colorado State Library), Valerie Horton (Executive Director, Colorado Library Consortium), Paula Miller (Executive Director, Pikes Peak Library District), Eloise May (Executive Director, Arapahoe Library District), Sharon Morris (Director of Library Development and Innovation, Colorado State Library), Janine Reid (Executive Director, High Plains Library District), Pam Sandlian Smith (Executive Director, Anythink Libraries/Rangeview Library District), Mary Stansbury (Program Chair and Associate Professor, University of Denver, Library and Information Science Program), Tony Tallent (Library and Arts Director, Boulder Public Library), and Marcellus Turner (Executive Director, Jefferson County Public Library). Their insights about the economy and rising library use, staffing patterns, performance measures, and the big issues and trends of the next three years follow.

Continue reading ‘Trends, Tips & Techniques: Interviews with Colorado Library Leaders’

Storybox Special

Published by judy on February 17, 2010 in General. 0 Comments

storybox-special-trainPosted on behalf of Babette Reeves

Do you know someone who cares for children regularly in his or her home? Do they live in or near Alamosa, CO? They could be a licensed home childcare provider or they might be what I affectionately refer to as a “Granny or Auntie,” a family member who cares for an extended family’s children.

If you are one of those special people or know someone who is, please get in touch with me (scroll down the left hand column for phone and email info). Why?

Continue reading ‘Storybox Special’

Library Science Collection Available from CLiC

Published by Valerie Horton on February 9, 2010 in General. 1 Comment Tags: , .

With AspenCat, CLiC now has a way to make our library science collection available to the wider library community.  We have a growing collection of very current books and videos and even some realia.  If you are an AspenCat library, you can place a hold on any item in our collection and we’ll send it to you the next day.  For  other libraries, we should have access available to you via SWIFT in a few days.    Here’s the link to the public AspenCat catalog.  http://www.aspencat.info/

Continue reading ‘Library Science Collection Available from CLiC’

Erate funding Window Extended!

Published by Christine on February 9, 2010 in IT, Public Libraries and funding. 0 Comments

Due to adverse weather conditions in many areas of the country that may have prevented applicants from filing their FY2010 E-rate applications by the close of the window, USAC - in consultation with the FCC – has extended the close of the filing window to FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2010 AT 11:59 pm EST.

All FCC Forms 471 electronically filed or postmarked by that date and time will be considered IN WINDOW.

ARRA Grant Money Available for Rural Libraries

Published by Michelle on February 9, 2010 in General and funding. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

During the last week notices were sent concerning grant money that is available for libraries and other community facilities through the USDA’s Rural Development Community Facilities Grant Program. After meeting with local USDA Business and Community Programs Directors, the Colorado State Library would like to share some information with you concerning this opportunity.

Download a PDF of this information

  • This money is being offered through ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act).
  • The funds will help rural communities up to 20,000 in population to improve their community facilities (including libraries), enhance educational opportunities, and improve economic conditions. Specifically, eligible purposes include:
    • Construct, enlarge, extend, or improve essential community facilities
    • Obtain necessary equipment for the operation of these facilities
    • Reasonable fees such as engineering, legal, administrative environmental analysis, surveys, and planning
    • Cost of acquiring interest in land; rights, such as water rights, leases, permits, and rights-of-way Continue reading ‘ARRA Grant Money Available for Rural Libraries’