Early on it was recognized by Colorado libraries that despite the plethora of easily-obtainable information via the Internet, people were having trouble finding the “right information” and credible information. To address this problem, you joined forces to create AskColorado. Many librarians in the state, however, are not aware that not only was AskColorado one of the first statewide, multi-library-type, virtual reference services to open in the U.S., it remains one of only fifteen or so states that continue with such a service today.

“While states such as Massachusetts and California have discontinued their services, ours continues today to offer high-level service, along with other states such as Ohio, Maryland, and New Jersey,” said Kris Johnson, AskColorado Coordinator. “Our per-capita usage rivals that of those larger states.”

“We offer the human touch to an oftentimes impersonal Internet, and help put people in touch with information that they would otherwise be unable to locate themselves,” added Johnson. “And judging by our numbers, people need us!”

Recent comments from customers highlight the need and usefulness of AskColorado:

• Love that I can access a librarian 24/7 as I often am in urgent need for help when the regular library is closed and I can’t find what I need on the library website. Great friendly and quick service. Very impressed.
• I was so happy to find this service! I was lost navigating a variety of sites and the librarian helped me find the one I needed for my paper.
• The human touch was there. Doesn’t get any better than that!

Over the years, residents from every county in Colorado have logged in, with nearly 25% of those questions coming from rural areas. Questions range the gamut, from homework help for kids, to how to start a small business for adults. Recent research questions include:

• I am trying to find research studies on effective classroom routines or how such routines help with classroom management.
• What is the amount of water the entire state of Colorado uses in one day?
• I am researching the effectiveness of LinkedIn as a job search tool. I have lots of short articles but no substantial research. Help!
• I am sending invitations to our state senators and representatives. How do I address them on the envelope?

AskColorado has also received its share of whimsical questions:

• Can you help me find an article that has a list of the top 500 fictional villains…the evilest!?
• What is the circumference of a moose?

Interesting questions received on the service are posted at the AskColorado Twitter account  nearly daily. AskColorado also participates in popular social networking sites, including Facebook and Delicious.

The AskColorado service works on a model similar to public radio: it is grant-funded and paid for by member libraries. Federal monies through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) are supplied via the Colorado State Library, a unit of the Colorado Department of Education. In addition, member libraries contribute financially and through staff support.

Libraries throughout Colorado of every type — public, academic, school and specialized libraries — contribute money to pay for the software and 24/7 service. Local libraries also provide the staff time to work online with Colorado students and residents. If your library would like to join, or you would like additional information, please contact Kris Johnson.

Website: http://www.askcolorado.org
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AskColorado
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AskColorado
Operations Manager, Kris Johnson, johnson_k@cde.state.co.us, 303-866-6922

We received over 150 votes for this year’s pin (!), but one of the designs was the clear winner. View the final design. For those who asked, the star on the pin roughly marks the Bermuda Triangle. We think it’s a fun and unexpected design element.

Price: $0.63 each

Following the same procedure as previous years, the Colorado State Library will place a large pin order and would be glad to “piggyback” and add your order to ours. This is a great way to promote next year’s programs, and placing a large order will make it cost effective for all of us.

You will be emailed an invoice with the total amount owed, and this will be payable once you receive the pins in mid to late October. NOTE: Add $5 shipping & handling charge for orders being shipped outside of Colorado.

We will submit our bulk order on 9/1, so please submit your order NO LATER THAN Tuesday, August 31st.

Contact Michelle Gebhart with questions.

Vision: * Libraries move communities into the future. Every resident of Colorado will discover their library to be a place of curiosity & discovery; ideas & experiences; inspiration & imagination. They are places of endless possibilities.

Mission: * Libraries are excited about patron’s questions, we assist patrons with their needs during transitional times in their lives. What’s Next?!

Goals: * To shift the general public’s perceptions so they understand that libraries change with the times, are not just books and provide critical help to people during times of personal or community transition.  * To reinvigorate the value of libraries and secure future funding of Colorado Libraries.

Tagline: * What’s Next?! Your future. Libraries help get you there

We are moving forward and have the logo, mark, fonts and style guide. Please refer to the style guide for explanations on file types. These are all available on the Brand Items page.

We are working on the website and marketing kits which should be ready by the CAL conference in October 2010.

Contact Debbi MacLeod with any questions.

The shutdown will affect the following services, August 19-22:

• SWIFT
• Plinkit-hosted library web sites
• AskColorado / AskAcademic
• Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection
• Library Jobline
• Some email accounts and listservs

For questions, please contact Jim Duncan.

With over 20,000 volumes focused on the land and communities of the Rocky Mountains, the library is working on locating most of the materials at South Park’s Buffalo Peaks Ranch. The ultimate goal is “to provide quiet and inspiration for lifelong learners of all types.”

In partnership with Denver Water and the Thorne Ecological Institute, the RMLL has also established the Kids & Educators Library at Denver Water’s Kassler Center in hopes of connecting kids to nature.

Learn more about this unique library and its resources!

The summer reading theme is a little harder to identify this year… so we went for a globe or map concept.

• Children’s theme:  One World, Many Stories
• Teen theme:  You Are Here
• Adult theme:  Novel Destinations

Don’t forget to fill out the comment section if you have something extra to say.

VOTE NOW!
We need your responses by Friday, August 20th.

• How to Make Your Library Entrepreneur-Friendly
When: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 – 4:00 PM
During this first session with Christine Hamilton-Pennell you will: 1) Learn how important entrepreneurs and small businesses are to economic growth.  2) Hear case studies of several public libraries and librarians across the country that have developed successful initiatives to support local entrepreneurs. 3) Understand the traits and motivations of library staff who have successfully developed partnerships and service offerings with the local business community. 4) Identify specific steps your library can take to connect with and support your local business community.

• Turning Your Databases into Business for Your Customers
When: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 – 4:00 PM
During this second session, Terry Zarsky and Kathleen Rainwater will help you: 1) Identify the best business databases for each type of business question. Databases to be covered include Reference USA, Business Decision, All-in-One (EBSCO’s, which includes Business Source, MasterFile, Regional Business News, Newspaper Source) and Business Plans Handbook. 2) Locate libraries near you that have business databases available for use. A handout will cover all Colorado libraries with a website.

• Going to Your Customer – Outreach and Strategic Partnerships
When: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 – 4:00 PM
During this third session, Suzanne Kaller and Colbe Galston provide an overview and tips for how your library can: 1) Assist the business community it serves. 2)
2. Create and implement a business outreach plan to a Chamber of Commerce, small business development center, community group or government entity.

Many of these libraries had only loaned 5 or so items a month prior to moving to AspenCat. Having been studying the statistics on Prospector and Marmot for years and now with AspenCat, I think we have found a LIBRARY TRUISM: If you make it seamlessly easy for patrons to borrow for other library collection, they will and they will love you for it!

You can search AspenCat at: http://www.aspencat.info/.

Note: AspenCat is not associated with Pitkin County Libraries or the City of Aspen whose patrons are all quite happy with their Marmot integrated library system.

StoryBlocks.org is a project of the Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy (CLEL), an advisory group to the State Library. CLEL received a federal grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to create the videos and Web site. The goal is to build awareness and to encourage parents and others to engage with children from birth on early language and pre-literacy skills. The methods used in the videos are based on brain and child development research that show the impact that songs, rhymes and stories have on very young children.

Eight Colorado public libraries helped to fund the project:  Arapahoe Library District, Denver Public Library, Douglas County Libraries, Fort Morgan Public Library, Lafayette Public Library, Salida Regional Library and Westminster Public Library. Donations also came from two non-profit organizations: Friends of Food for Thought and Library People and one anonymous donor.

View press release (PDF)

For more information on StoryBlocks.org, contact Patricia Froehlich, youth services senior consultant at the Colorado State Library, 303-866-6908.