Monthly Archive for September, 2011

Banned Websites Awareness Day

Published by Michelle on September 29, 2011 in Community Collaborations, General, Instruction, School Libraries and advocacy. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Internet filtering – that is, highly restrictive internet filtering – is a problem in some school libraries, and it can negatively impact student learning and achievement. With that in mind, the American Association of  School Librarians (AASL) designated Wednesday, September 28 as the first annual Banned Websites Awareness Day in order “to raise awareness of the overly restrictive blocking of legitimate, educational websites and academically useful social networking tools in schools and school libraries.”

Schools all over the country participated in Banned Websites Awareness activities and some were featured in the New York Times. Colorado’s own Silver Creek High School in Longmont “held a “graffiti debate” on censorship on Wednesday: Should schools block Web sites? On sheets of white butcher paper hanging in the library, they wrote lists of the pros and cons of online access.” Silver Creek’s librarian, Phil Goerner, organized the debate to encourage students to think more deeply about ethical issues related to censorship, including how it can take away a person’s voice. Continue reading ‘Banned Websites Awareness Day’

What’s Next?! – Library Advocacy and BHAG 3.0

Published by Michelle on September 29, 2011 in Community Collaborations, General and advocacy. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

On behalf of Shelley Walchak:

Library advocacy can’t just start and stop. It needs to be continuous. (Because those who speak against the public sector don’t take holidays.) To that end, I wanted to announce two things:

  1. The BHAG website is still up and running, still the go-to place for ideas, tips, and support.
  2. BHAG 3.0 is about encouraging all of us to start coordinating our messages. Which messages? The same four, because YOU HAVE TO REPEAT MESSAGES MANY TIMES BEFORE THEY ARE COMMUNICATED. (Sorry to yell at you.)

The top post at the BHAG website explains all this in more detail. But here’s the brief focus: between October and December, we should all try to underscore a message that resonates well with our patrons. That message is:
“Libraries build community.” Continue reading ‘What’s Next?! – Library Advocacy and BHAG 3.0′

Tips on Blogging from Bloggy Boot Camp

Published by Michelle on September 20, 2011 in Continuing Education, General and conferences. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

For anyone interested in personal blogging OR blogging for your library:

Last weekend – despite my body being furious at me for waking it up early on a Saturday – I attended the Bloggy Boot Camp conference, hosted by the SITS Girls here in Denver. Thanks to the women’s studies department at my college I was able to attend for free, so early Saturday aside, it was a good opportunity for me to get out there, meet other women blogging locally and nationally, and get advice on how to make my personal blog a success.

While I was not able to take something usable for me personally from every session, and I felt a bit out of place among the many “mommy” bloggers, I did come away with several things. Specifically: lots o’ business cards (seriously, my giant, bottomless Mary Poppins purse feels heavier today), new blogs to read, a local writing support group, and a few gems to improve my blog and inspire me to write every week. The crème de la crème, for your viewing pleasure: Continue reading ‘Tips on Blogging from Bloggy Boot Camp’

It’s not “freedom to read” – it’s “no freedom unless you read!”

Published by Diana on September 16, 2011 in General and Special Libraries. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Camden Tadhg, the State Library’s consultant to the youth correctional facilities, just returned from a site visit to Adams Youth Services Center, a detention facility where the average length of stay is less than two weeks. The teacher who oversees the library does an excellent job of creating a reading culture among the teens. So much so that an urban legend has taken root at AYSC: If you don’t finish a book before you leave, you will come back. A young man who is being released tomorrow was in a panic. “Ms. P – is there a really short book I can finish reading tonight?”

LSTA Grants Awarded

Published by Michelle on September 13, 2011 in Academic Libraries, Public Libraries, School Libraries and Special Libraries. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

The Colorado State Library has awarded grants totaling almost $200,000 to 1 library consortium, 1 BOCES, 1 school district, 1 academic library, and 6 public libraries for innovative projects designed to improve library services and life?long learning.

The proposals are funded through the federal Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) allocation to the Colorado Department of Education and Colorado State Library.  All grants addressed a goal in the long?range plan that states: “Colorado students and adult learners will receive services from libraries and librarians that support educational achievement and lifelong learning.”

Complete List of Awarded Projects (PDF)

Join us for the last NRS Roadshow of the season!

Published by Christine on September 2, 2011 in Academic Libraries, Continuing Education, General, Library Visits, Reference Services, Resource sharing, School Libraries, Southwest, Special Libraries and Western Slope. 0 Comments

Don’t be left out in the cold! Join us for the last NRS Roadshow of the year at the Ignacio Community Library on Thursday September 15, 2011 from 8 AM -12 PM.

Registration is required by September 9, 2011.

What is a roadshow you ask?

 Simply a really fun way to network with your library peers, learn more about unique library services (Plinkit, AskColorado/AskAcademic,SWIFT, Colorado Historic Newspapers, Colorado Virtual Library), and eat free food!

Can you think of a better way to spend a fall morning?

Still curious? Check out the pictures of past roadshows on Flickr!  You won’t be able to resist!

AskColorado – 8 years of quality, virtual reference

Published by Diana on September 2, 2011 in General and Reference Services. 1 Comment Tags: , , .

Kris & Sharon celebrate 8 years of AskColorado/Ask Academic with chocolate decadence.

AskColorado/AskAcademic celebrates 8 years of successful 24/7 virtual reference today! Current Director of Library Development at the State Library, Sharon Morris, launched AskColorado in 2003. Since that time, AC/AA Coordinator Kris Johnson has grown the service to become the AskColorado/AskAcademic Virtual Reference Cooperative. Many libraries and librarians have worked collaboratively with Kris to grow AC/AA into what it is today; its success is as much a tribute to them as to the State Library staff who coordinate the service.

Kris states, “We believe in our organization, and we continue to embrace and accept member feedback in a collaborative environment–all with the goal of improving service to patrons. We look forward to the current year with anticipation, and wonder what new changes and challenges lie ahead.”