After leaving that position, I looked for a way to continue taking learning and professional development into my own hands. That’s when I came across lynda.com, and I’ve been using it ever since.

lynda.com is a website that provides quality, thorough online tutorials on a broad range of software and technology-related topics. Individuals can subscribe for $25/month (same price I’ve paid since 2003), and you can start and stop your subscription as often as you’d like. Volume discounts for organizations are available. The tutorials are Quicktime movies delivered in short files – a few minutes long each – making them easy to take at your own pace. The trainers are often rock stars in a particular area: for example, you can learn CSS from Eric Meyer or Molly Holzschlag.

Over time, I’ve used lynda.com to learn XHTML, CSS, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Photoshop, Flash, database-driven web site development, basics of graphic design, PHP, Javascript, and more.

In my new position at the State Library, I’m responsible for working with audio and video, and these are new areas for me. I’ll be using lynda.com to learn basics (Digital Audio Principles, Digital Video Principles, Podcast + Videocast Essential Training) as well as specific software (GarageBand, iMovie).

Over the years, lynda.com has remained relevant to the work I’m doing with technology in libraries. Use of the site has contributed in a significant way to my growth as an information professional, helping me to affordably and efficiently acquire skills that are highly desirable in our field. I recommend it if you’re looking to learn new skills and contribute more in the tech arena in your job.

On the job less than three weeks, she has already begun making an impact as a member of a newly-formed Technology Leadership Core, an internal group designed to bring standardization and fresh energy to the State Library’s investment in strategic initiatives related to online learning and training, development of technology-based collaboration tools, tracking technology trends in Colorado libraries, and more.

Christine brings more than 18 years of library experience to her new position, most recently as Internet Librarian for the Arapahoe Library District where she developed and coordinated web content for the ALD’s public web site for five years. Christine also has contributed significantly to AskColorado since its inception through committee work as well as through direct service to patrons via this statewide virtual reference service. She received her MLS from Emporia State University in 2003.

On the ground at the State Library, Christine will serve as coordinator for Colorado’s Plinkit service, which provides web site hosting to small and mid-sized libraries and library districts using an open-source content management system. She also will contribute to the Colorado Department of Education’s support of E-rate. Christine is a member of the Networking & Resource Sharing Unit of the State Library.

Offering a dynamic combination of library and training experience, an understanding for the practical delivery of technology in libraries, and a digital-fashioned work ethic, Christine promises to be a significant contributor to the Colorado State Library’s development and library-support mission.

Please feel welcome to contact Christine directly at kreger_c@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6946 to discuss how the State Library can partner with your library.

For more information see the ALA Press release and last year’s survey results.

Thanks.
Nicolle

A member of the community, originally from Australia, uses the library’s wireless network to videoconference with family members a world away, using Skype. I’d say this qualifies as a “library-without-walls service,” wouldn’t you? The story is worth reading in the Ski-High Daily News.

Hats off to the GCLD for continuing to serve its community in innovative ways!

I don’t always use the same computer, which is why I use a free bookmarking web site: http://del.icio.us/ This allows me to save bookmarks in one central place, rather than using the built-in bookmark feature of the web browser and having those references stay stored on the computer that I happen to be using at the time.

Recently, the del.icio.us site underwent an interfacelift, adding even more happy features. For those of you using the free web tool, in what ways are you using it? For those of you who are not–there’s no time like the present to try it out!

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

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 (without any preconceived notions about whether or not such an ILS should be based on commercial vendor software or open-source software).

Recently, Jamie spearheaded a call for directors to fill out an online survey, gathering information about what public libraries are spending related to their ILS and what timeframe libraries are considering for a potential migration/upgrade to a new ILS. Library Research Service provided support for that survey and recently published the anonymized results. Check those out at http://www.lrs.org/technology/ils/. Comments or thoughts?

MaintainIT Cookbooks
Wireless and Acceptable Use Policies Archived Webinar
Here you will find a link to the archived May 2008 Maintain IT webinar and the list of associated resources under Quick Links.

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Archived May 2008 Maintain IT Webinar - Wireless and Acceptable Use Policies
Join Louise Alcorn of West Des Moines Public Library, contributor to Recipes for a 5-Star Library Cookbook, and author of Wireless Networking: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians, as she chats about her experiences with wireless, including considerations around the ever-important wireless acceptable use policy.
Archived webinar

Quick links for additional resources on this topic.
After the webinar: wireless and acceptable use policies discussion
Recipes for a 5-Star Library
Sample Policies from Connecticut Public Libraries
Wireless Networking on WebJunction
Wireless Networking for Libraries Pathfinder
Our Library’s Foray into Public Access Discussion

Visit the Maintain IT Discussion Forum!
Keep the conversation alive by visiting this webinar’s Maintain IT Discussion Forum … share your ideas, questions, and suggestions for the Maintain IT monthly webinar series.