Archive for the 'IT' Category

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Colorado Adds Three Movers & Shakers

There were 11, and now there are 14!LJ Movers & Shakers

Welcome to 2010, the year when Colorado added THREE new Movers and Shakers to the inductee ranks. This annual honor is sponsored by Library Journal. Congratulations go to CLiC’s own Judy Van Acker (who also blogs here regularly on Colorado Libraries, in her “free” time…), Matt Hamilton at Boulder Public Library, and Steve Lawson at Colorado College.

“They are nominated by their colleagues, friends, bosses, or just plain admirers; these innovators are shaping the future of libraries. They hail from all corners of the library world and several nations. With this year’s group of 50, they now number some 450,” says Library Journal.

For a full geographic look at how all the Movers & Shakers over the years are distributed, see this LJ web page.

Colorado has good fortune to be considered the stompin’ grounds for the likes of fantastic people like Judy, Matt and Steve!

“We’re getting gerbils!”

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!”’

Erate funding Window Extended!

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.

Attend a Webinar on Colorado Libraries 2.0 – Feb 4th

Colorado Libraries 2.0 is a free, professionally developed online training program designed in modules that relate to tasks we perform in our libraries. To find out more, please plan on attending a webinar describing the program. The webinar will provide information for both staff and administration.

Date: February 4, 2010
Time: 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.

An Internet connection and a USB headset is required for this session.

To join the webinar:
Step 1:
Access the meeting room online. Please enter your name as a guest as you log in. Continue reading ‘Attend a Webinar on Colorado Libraries 2.0 – Feb 4th’

The NEW AskColorado: utility and coolness combined

What do E*Trade, REI, Godiva Chocolatier and AskColorado have in common?

Beginning Feb 1, they will all use the same web-based customer-support and communication technology, InstantService.

In the last few years, libraries have seen an explosion in online communication tools available for reaching and serving patrons. The use of IM, text messaging, online chat and related technologies are becoming embedded in the fabric of libraries’ online service offerings. Given this changing landscape in technology and the evolving need for libraries to flexibly serve their patrons, the AskColorado community and AskColorado Steering Committee have endorsed a migration to this new software platform, InstantService. Continue reading ‘The NEW AskColorado: utility and coolness combined’

Free Web 2.0 Training for Librarians and Staff

Colorado Libraries 2.0 LogoWant to use Web 2.0 to communicate instantly and effectively? What about collaborating in real time, sharing photos, videos, and documents, or using other tools to increase productivity?

We all know that Web 2.0 tools are essential for communicating and creating in today’s fast-paced world. If there are tools that you or your staff want to learn more about, or if you just need to brush up on the basics, please visit the Colorado Libraries 2.0 website.

Colorado Libraries 2.0 is a FREE learning program to help library staff become familiar with Web 2.0 tools. The program is designed in modules associated with categories of tools:

1. Communication
2. Collaboration
3. Visual Communications
4. Personal Learning Environments (PLE)
5. Productivity Tools
6. A capstone project – Your PLE

Additional modules will be available in 2010.

Join with others from your library to get the most from the program !

Colorado Libraries 2.0 was created by Reach – Leading Learning in Libraries – a group of library staff members committed to sharing continuing education opportunities with others.

E-rate Training Announcement

(Posted on behalf of DeLilah Collins–E-rate Coordinator–Colorado Department of Education)

The Colorado Department of Education will hold a one day beginner E-rate training session on December 14, 2009 from 9am to 4pm.  The training session will cover the basics of E-rate from the history of E-rate to completing forms.  This training is open to anyone new to E-rate. Continue reading ‘E-rate Training Announcement’

Plinkit wins Project of the Year

As they say, “Woot!”

The Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) recently honored the Colorado State Library’s Plinkit service with its “2009 Library Project of the Year Award” at the association’s annual conference in November.

This award recognizes a creative and innovative project which furthers library service within the state of Colorado. Continue reading ‘Plinkit wins Project of the Year’

WebJunction’s Online Help Desk

I recently posted about WebJunction’s TechAtlas, a great technology planning tool for libraries, but did you know that inside TechAtlas is a tool that allows libraries to create an online help desk to stay on top of computer problems within the library? Check out the archived webinar  about Event Tracker at WebJunction!

The State Library at CAL

The Colorado State Library will have a variety of pre-conferences and workshops at the 2009 CAL Conference.  Don’t forget to stop by our booth on Friday and Saturday in the Exhibits Area. We would love to:

  • * Share with you the latest services and resources we can offer Colorado libraries
  • * Hear how libraries have transformed your lives

CSL at CAL 2009 – Schedule (PDF)