Index
- SCLS launches technology blog 'TechBits'
- SCLS to install new server for PAC
- Member/Staff News
- RefUSA records download restriction lessened
- WiLS conducting geopolitical database trials
- MALC members eligible for scholarships
- McMillan Memorial Library Google map highlights local photographer
- CCBC director named 2010 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecturer
- More adults reading literature, reversing 26-year decline
- Libraries featured on NPR
- New ALA advocacy site extols children’s services
- Continuing Education Calendar
SCLS launches technology blog 'TechBits'
SCLS is pleased to announce the launch of the new technology blog "TechBits." SCLS staff from Administration and Automation will add brief posts (3-4 short paragraphs) to the blog two or three times a week about technology both at SCLS and out in the world. Our goal is to help you stay informed about technology and discover ways it can benefit your library and the people you serve.
TechBits will replace Wicked Cool and will include a wider variety of technology topics, such as:
- SCLS project updates
- Best practices
- Technology training opportunities
- How-To's
- Tips and tricks
- Emerging trends
- Technology that you may find useful in your library
Because many of the tech staff will be writing for TechBits, you can expect a variety of topics, different perspectives, and to hear from different people each week. You can subscribe by email or by RSS feed reader to automatically receive updates when they are posted. Posts will also be archived and searchable, so it should be easy to go back and look up information if you need it.
If you are interested in more information about RSS and feed readers, please take a look at these short (<4 min) CommonCraft videos that give some background on this technology:
- CommonCraft video "Blogs in Plain English"
- CommonCraft video "RSS in Plain English"
We are kicking things off with a contest, so please check out TechBits and enter to win an MP3 player!
SCLS to install new server for PAC
SCLS will be rolling out a new server for the PAC (LINKcat) on Tuesday, Feb. 10. This will be done in the early morning when LINKcat is already down for maintenance. We anticipate that it will be completed by 7 am, so you should not see any downtime. We will notify you if LINKcat will be down past 7 am.
The new server includes updated software and the following changes to LINKcat:
- all-keyword index (will be on the Basic Search tab, labeled KEY WORD(s));
- limit for digital audio players has been added;
- limits for all libraries have been added to all accounts (e.g. if you are using LINKcat at MAD and you would like to limit to MID items, you will be able to do that -- currently you cannot do this); and
- limiting and sorting limits will be increased to 10,000.
If you notice any problems after the new server is live (searches not working properly, typos in search box labels, etc.), contact Amy Gannaway at (608) 261-9109.
The January 2009 LINK Library Statistics Summary is posted on Automation's website. Both .pdf and Excel versions of this report are posted.The LINK Minutes from the Dec. 8, 2009, meeting, as well as handouts, are available. Finally, remember that you can view the LINK Update blog at http://scls.typepad.com/link/.
Verona Public Library welcomes Julie Harrison as a part-time children's librarian, and Danielle Preniczky, Tonja Lepien, and Sarah Grimm as library assistants.
RefUSA records download restriction lessened
For those libraries with access to RefUSA, the restriction on the number of records you can download has been lessened.
Users may still print or download up to 50 records from within a library, but previously they were limited to 10 records when using RefUSA remotely. That limit of 10 has been increased to 25 records.
The information at www.scls.info/resources/databases/refusa.html has been updated to reflect this change.
WiLS conducting geopolitical database trials
Through the end of February, WiLS is inviting staff at SCLS public libraries to participate in trials of four unique geopolitical databases from four different vendors. The databases are:
- Global Road Warrior from World Trade Press;
- Culturegrams from Proquest;
- Global Issues in Context from Gale (Note: Some libraries have indicated that the link for this database is prompting users for a password, which should not be happening. If you are prompted for a password, please try http://access.gale.com/wils2009/; and
- Europa World Online (includes enhanced Europa World Plus).
After you have tried these databases, please complete the vendor survey at http://tinyurl.com/bs37b8*.
Additional information and detailed descriptions of the geopolitical databases (including log-in information) can be found on the WiLS Cooperative Purchasing Blog (WiLSCoop). Pricing information will be made available to interested libraries at the conclusion of the trial period.
For more information, contact Sara Gold at (608) 265-4167.
MALC members eligible for scholarships
Recognizing the importance of professional development opportunities for its membership, MALC annually sponsors two scholarships that provide funds for non-public library staff to attend library-related educational programs and conferences. These awards can be used to meet the expenses associated with meetings, workshops, courses, conferences or other activities which promote professional growth.
You can get more information, and download the application form, at www.scls.info/malc/services.html. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2009.
McMillan Memorial Library Google map highlights local photographer
McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids has a collection of Tom Taylor photographs from pre-1940, and to highlight the collection it has created a Google map that shows where the photos were taken. Collected by T.A. Taylor, the photographs were all taken in the Wisconsin Rapids area. Each item is linked from the Google map to a full size copy of the photo..
The map has even been linked to by a French site.
CCBC director named 2010 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecturer
Kathleen Horning, director of the Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) of the School of Education at the UW-Madison, has been selected to deliver the 2010 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture. The announcement was made at the press conference during the American Library Association's Midwinter Meeting in Denver announcing the children's and young adult literature awards. The Arbuthnot lecturer, chosen annually, may be an author, critic, librarian, historian, or teacher of children’s literature who is chosen to deliver a paper that will be a significant contribution to the field of children’s literature.
Horning will deliver the lecture in April of 2010. The location has not yet been determined. For more information, visit the ALA website.
More adults reading literature, reversing 26-year decline
For the first time in more than 25 years, American adults are reading more literature, according to a new study, “Reading on the Rise,” from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The largest increases are reported among young adults ages 18-24 and among Hispanic Americans.
The survey shows a 7 percent increase in the overall rate of adults reading literature -- defined as novels, short stories, plays or poems. There were 16.6 million more adult readers of literature in 2008 reflecting higher reading rates as well as accounting for population growth. Reading novels and short stories has increased while poetry and drama continues to decline. Slightly more than half of all American adults read literature (1113 million) or books (119 million) in any format. Fifteen percent of U.S. adults read literature online in 2008.
This growth reverses a more than two-decades-old trend, as documented in the earlier NEA reports “Reading at Risk” and “To Read or Not To Read.” The NEA survey has been conducted five times since 1982.
For more information, visit ReadingonRise.notlong.com.
In a piece titled “Librarians Become Unofficial Job Counselors,” a National Public Radio interview explored how the downward economy is putting more stress on libraries. Popular movies and books now have wait-lists, the unemployed are in line for computers to work on resumes, and some librarians are even acting as unofficial job counselors. Madeleine Brand talked with Linda Yoder, director of the Nappanee Public Library in Indiana.
New ALA advocacy site extols children’s services
A new ALA advocacy site for libraries gives talking points for why library service benefits children from an educational and developmental perspective. This is a good resource to add to your existing advocacy efforts.