Mary Baykan PLA Keynote Address
I just had the chance to hear Mary Baykan, director of Maryland’s Washington County Free Library, executive director of the Western Maryland Public Libraries, and Library Journal’s Librarian of the Year for 2007, keynote address from the PLA Spring Symposium. You can find it here at the PLA Blog. It is well worth the time to listen to.
“The Library has subscribed to Netflix, the online movie rental service. Now, if there is a title you are looking for that isn’t on our shelves or the shelves of any other RI library, you can request that we get it through Netflix for you. This is a great way to view the popular movies that are always out, as well as the documentaries, foreign films, and television series that aren’t available at the local libraries. It’s also a great way for us to provide the materials you want, without having to purchase several copies of the same title.
How it works: you place a paper or e-mail request with us. If the title is not readily available through the regular library delivery system, we will go into our Netflix account and order it for you. When the movie arrives, we will notify you and you can check it out for one week with your library card - just like the movies we own. Depending on how popular the service become, your DVDs should arrive very quickly.
Choose the BROWSE tab on the Netflix site to see the titles they offer. Send us an e-mail director@exeterpubliclibrary.org with your name, phone # and title of the movie to take advantage of this new service.”
How is that for thinking outside the Box! Exeter Public Library
Georgia Public Libraries have put their children’s services manual on-line as a 151 page .pdf document! It includes programming ideas for pre-school to teens.
I thought you might be interested in viewing this detailed and insightful document.
Here is another gem from Stephen Abram: (Stephen Abram, MLS, is vice president, Innovation, for SirsiDynix, and the chief strategist for the SirsiDynix Institute (http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/). He is an SLA Fellow, president-elect of SLA, and the past president of the Ontario Library Association and the Canadian Library Association.)
“I believe that we can’t control change on a personal level. I can, however, control my own emotional reaction to it. On the other hand, I do agree with those who say that the best way to predict the future is to invent it. We, libraries, have the ability and the intelligence to create a future that is compelling, desirable, and independent of the visions that are driven by advertisers. In fact, I believe that we have a duty to invent this future.”
If you would like to read the whole article (which I enjoyed and found helpful), you can get it at Change – Arrghhhhh! , 4/20/07 - SirsiDynix OneSource Monthly e-Newsletter.
Google Calendar tips and tricks
“Gina Trapani writes: “Web-based calendars have been around for ages, but one year ago Google Calendar came onto the scene and changed the game. You can be a scheduling black belt with Google Calendar. Step into my office to learn a few lesser-obvious but super-useful GCal techniques.”… This is from her Blog entitled LifeHacker.
The entry is an indepth tutorial on how to get the most out of this really great tool.
Mindy
I know you are all looking forward to the upcoming in-servce day THIS Friday - the 13th!! It will be happening at the Glenwood Springs Branch and I look forward to seeing all of you there. We have tried hard to set up a fun and information full day and of course there will be chocolate.
Mindy
The following blurb comes from the Library Elf website and is similar to what will be on our website. If you have time, you might want to check this service out - I have used it for about a week now and I love it! Mindy
Track your library books!
Let Library Elf help you manage your library loans and holds.
Who uses Elf?
Anyone who wants to reduce overdues
Families with children and lots of books
Individuals with several library cards
Anyone who requests a lot of holds
What’s delivered?
Email and/or RSS alerts before items are due
Email and/or RSS alerts on overdues and holds
Consolidated list of yours or your family’s library loans and holds
Cellphone text message alerts for holds (US and Canada)
Real-time checking by browser
Sign Up today (free). IMPORTANT INFORMATION: When you sign up the library name you will use is “Marmot Library Network “.
Library ELF is a private service not affiliated with Garfield County Public Library District. Cardholders use ELF at their own option and risk. Please read Library ELF’s privacy policy and FAQ before signing up for the service.
