Index
- SCLS posts new interface for information databases
- Order your free 2008 SLP school visit video now
- 2008 SCLS Annual Meeting is May 7
at UW-Madison Arboretum
- Member/Staff News
- Tickets still available for April 17 Arbuthnot lecture
- April Continuing Education opportunities
- EBSCO adds ‘visual search’ option
- One-day support staff conference focuses on innovation
- Bloglines post lists 80 Online Resources for Book Lovers
- Continuing Education Calendar
SCLS posts new interface for information databases
Last week SCLS posted web pages that constitute a new interface to the various online information databases available to librarians and patrons alike. The goal of the redesign is to better help library users find the information they seek. The fliers and web pages are the work of PLAC’s Marketing & PR Advisory Committee
The new web pages, and the supporting promotional fliers, feature sample questions intended to help users find the resource(s) that will best answer their questions. We’ve created six general categories, from which we direct users to databases with the information they seek. The categories, and their direct URLs, are as follows.
- Business -- www.scls.info/business/
- Consumers -- www.scls.info/consumers/
- Genealogy -- www.scls.info/genealogy/
- Readers -- www.scls.info/readers/
- Students and Teachers -- www.scls.info/education/
- Wellness & Health -- www.scls.info/wellness/
We’ve created fliers for each category, and these are available to SCLS member libraries free of charge. The fliers feature the kinds of sample questions people might ask, and prominently display the category URL on both the front and back. We’ve also used corresponding flier colors on the category web pages to provide consistency for those using the resources. To obtain fliers, contact Mark Ibach and let him know how many of each you’d like. You can view PDFs of the fliers at www.scls.info/pr/databases/.
In addition to the new pages by category, we’ve updated the “Online Resources by Subject” page to reflect these categories (the “Online Resources by Name” page has not changed).
Order your free 2008 SLP school visit video now
In preparation for the 2008 Summer Library Program -- Catch the Reading Bug -- we are again creating a school visit video that will will be made available free to our member libraries. This year’s footage was videotaped March 18 at the Rosemary Garfoot Public Library in Cross Plains.
To obtain single or multiple copies of the 2008 SLP School Visit Video, simply complete the form at www.scls.info/pr/slp/2008_video/. We will customize your library’s copy with your program dates, a photo of your library, and photo of your SLP staff members. We’ll add to this a voice-over that will run at the beginning and end of the video. The information requested on the form is needed to create a custom video for your library, so please answer all questions.
This year’s production features a large bug that hatches inside the library, then begins a quest to learn its true identity. Along the way there is a little magic, a bumbling bug catcher, and lots of fun in the library.
In addition to the information sought in this form, libraries are asked to send a current color photo (preferably digital) of your library building, and if you'd like, also send a photo of the appropriate library staff, to Mark Ibach.
2008 SCLS Annual Meeting is May 7 at UW-Madison Arboretum
The SCLS Annual Meeting will be held May 7, 2008, at the UW-Madison Arboretum Visitor Center.
Keynote speakers will be Beloit College's Tom McBride, professor, and Ron Nief, director of public affairs, the people responsible for compiling the annual Beloit College "Mindset List." Each August for the past decade, as faculty prepare for the academic year, Beloit College has released the Beloit College Mindset List. Its 70 items provide a look at the cultural touchstones that have shaped the lives of today’s first-year students. The goal is to identify a worldview of 18-year-olds in the fall of each year. The Mindset List is not a chronological listing of things that happened in the year that the entering first-year students were born.
For a copy of the tentative agenda and directions, visit www.scls.info/about/annualmeeting/. An online registration form will be available soon.
Lisa Selje has resigned as Interim Library Director in Cottage Grove to accept the position of Library Director at the Matheson Memorial Library in Elkhorn, effective March 31, 2008. Elkhorn, in Walworth County, is part of the Lakeshores Library System. Lisa’s new email address is [email protected].
Mary Burton has been promoted to the Branch Supervising Librarian for the Hawthorne and Monroe Street Branches of Madison Public Library, effective April 7, 2008. Kathleen Pope (Page 2, Technical Services), Zachary Welhouse (Page 1, Central Circulation), and Diana Dobbs (Page 2, Central Circulation) joined the staff of Madison Public Library.
A display of youth art at the Portage County Public Library can be viewed online at the Stevens Point Journal.
The “Works on Paper” art exhibit by Willow Hagge is on display at the Wendt Library Alcove, 215 N. Randall Ave. (next to Union South), Madison, through May 18. There will be a Public Reception from 5-7 p.m. on April 4. This is the first show in the new gallery space.
Tickets still available for April 17 Arbuthnot lecture
Each year, an individual of distinction in the field of children’s literature is chosen to write and deliver a lecture that will make a significant contribution to the world of children’s literature. Known as the May Hill Arbuthnot Lecture, the 2008 event will feature David Macaulay, and will be hosted by the South Central Library System (SCLS) in Madison. Tickets are available at www.scls.info/arbuthnot08/.
Best known for his books like “Cathedral,” “Castle,” and “The Way Things Work,” Macaulay is an author and artist who continually strips away the mystique surrounding the architectural structures that have long fascinated modern viewers. His books have sold more than 2 million copies in the United States alone, and his work has been translated into a dozen languages. Five of his titles -- “Cathedral,” “Castle,” “City,” “Pyramid,” and “Mill” -- have been made into popular PBS television programs.
Macaulay won the Caldecott Medal in 1991 for “Black and White” (Houghton), and received Caldecott Honors in 1978 for “Castle” (Houghton) and 1974 for “Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction” (Houghton).
The lecture will be held April 17, 2008, at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. The annual event draws attendees from across the country, and is one of the premiere events in children’s literature. Macaulay’s topic is “Body Building,” which celebrates both his life’s work and his upcoming book, “The Way We Work.”
SCLS has proposed programming that will not only celebrate children’s literature, but also Macaulay’s particular position as laureate of architecture and building. The combination of an accessible venue with plans for web-casting will allow for a maximum number of participants. SCLS also will host an all-day workshop on April 16 that will focus on ways mathematics, science, architecture, construction, graphic design, and other elements can be used to enrich public library programs for children, teens and families, and to support math and science literacy for young children.
For more information, or to reserve tickets, visit www.scls.info/arbuthnot08/.
April Continuing Education opportunities
Here is a brief description of the April CE program being sponsored by SCLS.
- CCBC Presents: Great New Books for Older Children & Teens -- Friday, April 4, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in the SCLS OPAL room -- Learn about some of the outstanding books published for older children and teens in 2007. This convenient new workshop will feature librarians from the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) talking about books for older children (grade 4 and up) and teenagers that are included in CCBC Choices 2008, the CCBC’s most recent best-of-the-year list. The librarians also will discuss 2008 American Library Association award books for older children.
- Trends, Fads or Folly: Spotting Library Trends that Really Matter -- Friday, April 11, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. delivered to your desktop from the College of DuPage. Presenters: TBA -- In surveying the landscape of our profession and the technological trends that impact it, it is simple to identify new technologies that “could” be used by libraries to improve or enhance patrons’ experience with and perception of the Library. This program will investigate new trends in libraries such as patron-created folksonomic cataloging (del.cio.us, LibraryThing & the new breed of OPACs), libraries and librarians in virtual environments such as Second Life, as well as give an update on libraries and social networks (MySpace & Facebook). Are these trends? Just fads? Plain old Folly? We’ll deal with a central question in this teleconference: “To what extent do Libraries need to quickly adopt new technologies into their programs?” Or, “Just because you can do it, does that mean you should?”
Building Blocks Workshop -- Wednesday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Overture Center in downtown Madison -- When it comes to math achievement, recent reports indicate that American students trail their peers around the world. Whether it’s including counting activities and appropriate concept books in preschool programs or creating after-school activity programs for older kids, public libraries are perfectly situated to address these academic shortcomings by including very early math (and science!) skills in their library story times and other programs for youth. Join us for a fun-filled day in an inspiring venue to learn more about early math and discover ways to seamlessly weave math and science concepts into your library’s programs. It’s easy as 1-2-3 and there will be no pop quizzes or required textbooks!- 2008 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture featuring David Macaulay -- Thursday, April 17, at 7 p.m., Monona Terrace Ballroom -- This Caldecott Award medalist and renowned author/illustrator will deliver the 2008 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture. Tickets for the general public are available free of charge at www.scls.info/arbuthnot08/.
- Bridges out of Poverty -- CANCELLED! -- Wednesday, April 23, and Thursday, April 24, at the UW-Madison Pyle Center
For more information about these and other upcoming programs, visit the SCLS Continuing Education Calendar, or contact Jean Anderson.
EBSCO adds ‘visual search’ option
EBSCO, producer of the EBSCOHost databases available through BadgerLink, now provides a third search option, in addition to Basic Search and Advanced Search. This third option, Visual Search, is designed to appeal to visual learners, with its graphical groupings of subjects, citations, and articles (click image to see larger view).
In the next few weeks we will enable “Visual Search” as a search option in the EBSCOHost databases. It will appear as an additional tab on the search screen, but the “Basic Search” will remain the default search option. Visual Search requires Adobe Flash, so it may not work on all workstations.
In Visual Search, users will be able to group results by publication or subject, sort results by date or relevance, and filter results by date. They can also choose whether to display the groupings in a “column” or “block” style.
One-day support staff conference focuses on innovation
Would you like to become an innovator in your workplace and be inspired to introduce your creative ideas? If so, then plan to attend a one-day conference sponsored by the Wisconsin Library Association Support Staff Section and Waukesha County Technical College Library.
Scheduled Wednesday, May 21, from 9 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. at Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee, this professional development day will provide valuable skills, allow you to network with other support staff, and help you explore how you can initiative and innovate in your library.
The keynote speaker is Stuart Stotts, author of Lutie Stearns and Her Library Legacy. Session topics are:
- Nothing to Laugh At: Surviving and Thriving in a Humorless Workplace
- Secrets of Google: Scholar, Patents, Books & More
- Exemplary Public Service in a Time of Change
- Managing Paranoia: Seeing Computer Security from the Other Side
- Marketing on a Shoestring
The cost is $45 for WLA members, $60 for non-WLA members, and $28 for library school students. For more information, visit www.wla.lib.wi.us/sss/conferences/2008/. SCLS continuing education grants can be used to pay registration fees.
Bloglines post lists 80 Online Resources for Book Lovers
A recent post on Stephen’s Lighthouse directs readers to “80 Online Resources for Book Lovers.” The Web 2.0 tools and applications are divided in these categories.
- Social Networking for Book Lovers
- E-books
- Online Bookstores
- Find the Best Prices for Books
- Audiobooks
- Study Guides and Summaries
- Library Resources
- Bibliography and Research
- Book Exchanges/Swapping
- Online Documents
- What to Read
- Miscellaneous
Read the entire blog post at http://zigmasb.profy.com/blog/post/32811401.