ALA has a new initiative that is geared to providing tools, training and resources to library advocates. At Advocacy University, you will find the information you need to achieve real advocacy goals in real situations at a local level.
Currently at Advocacy U, you will find—
Add It Up: Libraries Make the Difference in Youth Development and Education. This tool brings together the research and statistics that have been conducted in many states. With this information, advocates can make the case for libraries at every stage of youth development.
Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit gives talking pints, statistics, and data to help make the case for your library. There are strategies to help focus public attention and generate support for your library. Additionally, there are tips on how to connect with decision makers.
During these tough economic times, it is more important than ever to tell your library’s story to those that use and support the library and to those that don’t.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Virtual Meetings 2
While Monday I reported frustration with the virtual OCLC Members Council meeting, I am happy to report the next two days of meetings went much smoother. I had some problems with sound but there was a backup Phone alternative that I used.
One thing we found is that on Tuesday, we were discussing some contentious issues. As members we only had chat as a way of communicating. The questions and responses were quite thoughtful and also respectful. More people seemed to be contributing, partially because there was no public speaking. Bottom line we had a good discussion and exchange of ideas.On
Wednesday, the presentation was on “What Makes Virtual Organizations (teams) Work Well? “ The idea of face-to-face meetings and when they are appropriate and when not was questioned. There are definitely times when it is imperative to have those face-to-face meetings. However, much time can be saved by using virtual methods of holding meetings for routine types of activities. Several people commented that because we had met face-to-face before, we knew each other, had a sense of who the person was and a level of respect and trust had been built. Because of this that conversation by chat on Tuesday was able to be successful.
Bottom line virtual meetings can work but, it takes effort on the part of attendees to make them work. Virtual meetings work better if there has been a face-to-face meeting prior to the virtual one. More virtual meetings will be in my future and in yours.
One thing we found is that on Tuesday, we were discussing some contentious issues. As members we only had chat as a way of communicating. The questions and responses were quite thoughtful and also respectful. More people seemed to be contributing, partially because there was no public speaking. Bottom line we had a good discussion and exchange of ideas.On
Wednesday, the presentation was on “What Makes Virtual Organizations (teams) Work Well? “ The idea of face-to-face meetings and when they are appropriate and when not was questioned. There are definitely times when it is imperative to have those face-to-face meetings. However, much time can be saved by using virtual methods of holding meetings for routine types of activities. Several people commented that because we had met face-to-face before, we knew each other, had a sense of who the person was and a level of respect and trust had been built. Because of this that conversation by chat on Tuesday was able to be successful.
Bottom line virtual meetings can work but, it takes effort on the part of attendees to make them work. Virtual meetings work better if there has been a face-to-face meeting prior to the virtual one. More virtual meetings will be in my future and in yours.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Virtual Meetings
This morning I had an interesting experience. The OCLC Members Council met virtually using the services of Learning Times.
Before the meeting there were tech checks and orientations that did not mean the meeting went smoothly. I had problems with sound and was told to log out then back in. It worked but when I had to do it a second time I exceeded the limit on the room so I missed about ½ of the first hour of the meeting.
Luckily for the breakout meetings of Service Groups there was a new login to try. All went well, and then the meeting was closed about ½ ways through. Logging back in, the meeting continued. However, as chair of the meeting, it was frustrating, not knowing if I could get back in and what would happen if I didn’t?
Well, after two hours the meeting was over and they put up an evaluation form, which I filled out.
Tomorrow and Wednesday we have virtual meetings again. I will let you know how they go.
Before the meeting there were tech checks and orientations that did not mean the meeting went smoothly. I had problems with sound and was told to log out then back in. It worked but when I had to do it a second time I exceeded the limit on the room so I missed about ½ of the first hour of the meeting.
Luckily for the breakout meetings of Service Groups there was a new login to try. All went well, and then the meeting was closed about ½ ways through. Logging back in, the meeting continued. However, as chair of the meeting, it was frustrating, not knowing if I could get back in and what would happen if I didn’t?
Well, after two hours the meeting was over and they put up an evaluation form, which I filled out.
Tomorrow and Wednesday we have virtual meetings again. I will let you know how they go.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Exhibit Ramblings
Three online products I found interesting
The Thinkmap Visual Thesaurus Think of a root systems and words at the ends of roots to visualize how they are related. They are also in Spanish and there is audio so you can hear the words pronounced. Might be a product schools would be interested in.
Need information on different countries of the world? Have you heard about Country Watch? This online database provides information on socio-demographic, cultural, historical, economic, political, environmental and more about the 192 countries and also non-sovereign nations that make up our world. They have real-time, full-text news articles from the countries and a map gallery. This is an interesting product, which all libraries might want to look at.
And finally a product called SimplyMap from Geographic Research, Inc. They have combined demographic, business and marketing data into a user-friendly interface. Choose a location and click on the choices of data you want. This is a powerful tool.
OK that is all from ALA-Mid-Winter. Next week another topic.
The Thinkmap Visual Thesaurus Think of a root systems and words at the ends of roots to visualize how they are related. They are also in Spanish and there is audio so you can hear the words pronounced. Might be a product schools would be interested in.
Need information on different countries of the world? Have you heard about Country Watch? This online database provides information on socio-demographic, cultural, historical, economic, political, environmental and more about the 192 countries and also non-sovereign nations that make up our world. They have real-time, full-text news articles from the countries and a map gallery. This is an interesting product, which all libraries might want to look at.
And finally a product called SimplyMap from Geographic Research, Inc. They have combined demographic, business and marketing data into a user-friendly interface. Choose a location and click on the choices of data you want. This is a powerful tool.
OK that is all from ALA-Mid-Winter. Next week another topic.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
ALA Mid-winter Sessions.
Those of you who have not been to an ALA mid-Winter conference may not realize that it is quite different from the Annual conference. This is where the work of the association takes place. All the various divisions of ALA, the numerous committees, and Vendor user groups/presentations are what make up the conference. There are very few if any sessions presented by librarians on what they have done. There are also fewer author appearances though authors are there.
While at the conference I attended the 19th Annual Presidents’ Seminar: The View from the Top put on by RMG consultants. Rob McGee, the consultant who helped us in the RFP for the Horizon migration puts this together. The title of this seminar was Starting Over: Re-Inventing the Integrated Library System and the Library Automation Industry. I won’t pretend that I followed everything but I did usually know the terminology used. There were representatives from 12 vendors including SirsiDynix, OCLC, Polaris, Lib Lime and more. Plus featured speakers Helen Blowers, John Blyberg, Marshall Breeding, and Wes Trager. Interesting to hear what they say and to watch the faces of the presidents of vendors in reaction to what others are saying.
I also attended committee meetings that work with the Public Information Office of ALA. They do the PR for the Association. Such as the @ your Library campaign and National Library Week. There were two committees of ASCLA, ICAN (the groups for people who work in consortia such as RPLS is). One was on Delivery and the other ILL. It is interesting to hear what others are doing, to learn that you don’t have the problems of others, and to meet people who are interested in the same topics as you are.
OK, one final post coming on Exhibits then on to another topic.
While at the conference I attended the 19th Annual Presidents’ Seminar: The View from the Top put on by RMG consultants. Rob McGee, the consultant who helped us in the RFP for the Horizon migration puts this together. The title of this seminar was Starting Over: Re-Inventing the Integrated Library System and the Library Automation Industry. I won’t pretend that I followed everything but I did usually know the terminology used. There were representatives from 12 vendors including SirsiDynix, OCLC, Polaris, Lib Lime and more. Plus featured speakers Helen Blowers, John Blyberg, Marshall Breeding, and Wes Trager. Interesting to hear what they say and to watch the faces of the presidents of vendors in reaction to what others are saying.
I also attended committee meetings that work with the Public Information Office of ALA. They do the PR for the Association. Such as the @ your Library campaign and National Library Week. There were two committees of ASCLA, ICAN (the groups for people who work in consortia such as RPLS is). One was on Delivery and the other ILL. It is interesting to hear what others are doing, to learn that you don’t have the problems of others, and to meet people who are interested in the same topics as you are.
OK, one final post coming on Exhibits then on to another topic.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
More news from the Mid-winter Exhibit Hall
If you are a public library looking to remodel or add to the Children’s area of the library, check out the Burgeon Group Interactive Learning Spaces. They create early literacy toys just for libraries. They are based in Phoenix. Their motto PLAY FULLY™.
Looking for a way to provide music to your library patrons without the hassle of CD’s or cassette’s? Take a look at the NAXOS Music Library. They feature the “World’s largest collection of streaming Classical music”. They also have choral, Jazz and World Music with new releases added daily.
Book Repair. A simple easy way to glue the spines of books comes from Cover One. This machine repairs paper back and hardback books, and binds periodicals. They offer a free 20 day trial.
Scheduling staff can become a headache. Frontline Placement Technologies has a product “Aesop” that can ease the process. It provides paperless scheduling, desk scheduling, employee self-service, and quarterly system updates. This service is available 24/7 via the internet. Check them out.
Don’t worry I have more to share from ALA Mid-winter. Stay tuned.
Looking for a way to provide music to your library patrons without the hassle of CD’s or cassette’s? Take a look at the NAXOS Music Library. They feature the “World’s largest collection of streaming Classical music”. They also have choral, Jazz and World Music with new releases added daily.
Book Repair. A simple easy way to glue the spines of books comes from Cover One. This machine repairs paper back and hardback books, and binds periodicals. They offer a free 20 day trial.
Scheduling staff can become a headache. Frontline Placement Technologies has a product “Aesop” that can ease the process. It provides paperless scheduling, desk scheduling, employee self-service, and quarterly system updates. This service is available 24/7 via the internet. Check them out.
Don’t worry I have more to share from ALA Mid-winter. Stay tuned.
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