Thank you to Jeremy Goldstein, Berkshire Athenaeum Cataloging Supervisor, who inspired participants who attended today's WMRLS continuing education workshop "Must-See Sites for Technical Services". Jeremy's recommended technical services (and more!) websites are now featured on our WMRLS Cataloging & Classification webpage.
Thank you, too, to Dodie Gaudet, Bibliographic and Technical Services Consultant (Central Massachusetts Regional Library System). Dodie developed the original "Must See" workshop and generously granted permisssion to adapt this program for our region.
* One of the many benefits of WMRLS membership is free-of-charge continuing education workshops for member library staff on such topics as technical services, reference databases, long range planning, and guidance for library staff in new technologies.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The Bill Dwight Show
I was on the Bill Dwight Show this Monday talking about libraries and library stuff. It's available as a Podcast. I am on about half way through the December 1 show. In this show I talked a lot about the intrinsic value of the library as social space.
I am also on talking about libraries and the Amazon Kindle on the November 21, show. I think I am on for about 15 minutes about 12 minutes into the Podcast.
It was fun and, I think, a good way to profile libraries and librarians to the public. It looks like I will be on as a semi-regular "library guy" guest.
The show is on AM 1240, 1400 and 96.9 FM. Bill Dwight is a former Northampton City Councilor with a pretty colorful past. I don't know where the rest of you all might be but you might have a local AM talk news show that would welcome a library correspondent. If it's your cup of tea it's a great way to promote libraries in general and programs or other happenings at your library specifically.
Best,
Adam Novitt
Pelham Library
I am also on talking about libraries and the Amazon Kindle on the November 21, show. I think I am on for about 15 minutes about 12 minutes into the Podcast.
It was fun and, I think, a good way to profile libraries and librarians to the public. It looks like I will be on as a semi-regular "library guy" guest.
The show is on AM 1240, 1400 and 96.9 FM. Bill Dwight is a former Northampton City Councilor with a pretty colorful past. I don't know where the rest of you all might be but you might have a local AM talk news show that would welcome a library correspondent. If it's your cup of tea it's a great way to promote libraries in general and programs or other happenings at your library specifically.
Best,
Adam Novitt
Pelham Library
"Prejudice against gamers"
Three cheers for Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe of the Springfield City Library whose response to Joseph Grosso's "Mission Aborted" [BackTalk, Library Journal, 9/15/08, page 34] is published in the November 15, 2008 issue of Library Journal.
From Sarah's article, titled "Prejudice against gamers":
"... Gaming (along with anime, manga, and comics) has opened up the library for kids and teens. We have introduced things like digital editing, writing fan fiction based on games kids enjoy, and creating plans for video games. Gamers create online videos set to music and use text to read and write back and forth online in massive multiplayer games. They write and read reviews to help the library select games.... Games teach players about community interaction, history, civics, and many other subjects.... " - Read more at http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6611583.html
From Sarah's article, titled "Prejudice against gamers":
"... Gaming (along with anime, manga, and comics) has opened up the library for kids and teens. We have introduced things like digital editing, writing fan fiction based on games kids enjoy, and creating plans for video games. Gamers create online videos set to music and use text to read and write back and forth online in massive multiplayer games. They write and read reviews to help the library select games.... Games teach players about community interaction, history, civics, and many other subjects.... " - Read more at http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6611583.html
Western Massachusetts Literacy Champions
Congratulations to ....
Candy Cross, Children's Librarian of the Wheeler Memorial Library in Orange who has been chosen as a 2009 Massachusetts Literacy Champion. Candy joins WMRLS Members' Massachusetts Literacy Champions - Jean Canosa-Albano (Springfield City Library - 2008 Champion), Haydee Hodis (Brightwood Branch, Springfield City Library - 2007 Champion), Marilyn Antonucci (Springfield Public Schools - 2006 Champion), Lynne Weintraub (Jones Library, Amherst - 2005 Champion), and Janet Kelly (Springfield City Library - 2003/04 Champion)
From the Massachusetts Literacy Champions website:
"The Massachusetts Literacy Champion Program is supported by Verizon Check Into Literacy program foundation.verizon.com and the Massachusetts Literacy Foundation http://www.massliteracy.org/. Each Literacy Champion receives $3,500 in grants to support their literacy program and professional development."
Candy Cross, Children's Librarian of the Wheeler Memorial Library in Orange who has been chosen as a 2009 Massachusetts Literacy Champion. Candy joins WMRLS Members' Massachusetts Literacy Champions - Jean Canosa-Albano (Springfield City Library - 2008 Champion), Haydee Hodis (Brightwood Branch, Springfield City Library - 2007 Champion), Marilyn Antonucci (Springfield Public Schools - 2006 Champion), Lynne Weintraub (Jones Library, Amherst - 2005 Champion), and Janet Kelly (Springfield City Library - 2003/04 Champion)
From the Massachusetts Literacy Champions website:
"The Massachusetts Literacy Champion Program is supported by Verizon Check Into Literacy program foundation.verizon.com and the Massachusetts Literacy Foundation http://www.massliteracy.org/. Each Literacy Champion receives $3,500 in grants to support their literacy program and professional development."
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
WRapper November/December Newsletter Now Online
Extra! Extra! Read All About ...Bookmobile: Keeping Up with the Times by Mary King, WMRLS
Election Results by John Ramsay, WMRLS
Forbes Library Welcome Kiosk by Janet Moulding, Forbes Library, Northampton
Forbes Library's Spanish Language Website by Lisa Downing, Forbes Library, Northampton
Happy 100th Birthday to the Griswold Memorial Library by Betty Johnson, Griswold Memorial Library, Colrain
"Leading Change: Working with Emotional Issues" at NELA by Mary King, WMRLS
Medspeak Project Update by James L. Craig, UMass Amherst Libraries
Milne Library's Environmental Education Program Series by Mindy Hackner, Milne Library, Williamstown
North Adam's Take Charge Energy Kits by Marion Grillon, North Adams Public Library
November Storytimes Celebrate Picturing America by Margo Storozuk, Southwick Public Library
October Hero - Ed Popielarczyk by Janet Eckert, WMRLS
Owen Listens to Youth Read at the Richmond Free Public Library by Kristin Smith, Richmond Public Library
Palmer's Platinum Patron Recognition Program - Reading Rewards by Helene O'Connor, Palmer Public Library
Reading, Writing and History by Pat McLeod, Milne Library, Williamstown
Save the Date: UMass Amherst Libraries Dinner with Friends on April 4, 2009 by Leslie Schaler, UMass Amherst Libraries
Southwick Public Library Celebrates Family Literacy Month by Margo Storozuk, Southwick Public Library
Successful Programs at the Dickinson Memorial Library by Angela Rovatti-Leonard, Dickinson Memorial Library, Northfield
Survey Says ... Tips on Planning a Young Adult Survey at the Library by Mia Cabana, West Springfield Public Library
The East Longmeadow Public Library Receives Stavros Access Award for 2008 by Sue Peterson, East Longmeadow Public Library
With the Help of the GCC Library, I Got an A on My Paper! by Hope Schneider, Greenfield Community College Library
WMRLS Disc Repair Machine Now Available to Public Libraries Serving Populations of 2,500 and under by Becky Marconi, WMRLS
Worthington Library receives ALA/Fetzer Institute Award by Leona Arthen, Worthington Library
WMRLS Continuing Education Workshops - January 2009
And More!
Now online at http://www.wmrls.org/wrapper/november2008.pdf
February 3, 2009 is deadline to apply for THE BIG READ grant
From the National Endowment for the Arts THE BIG READ website:
"The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The NEA presents The Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment. Approximately 400 organizations in communities of varying sizes across the country will be selected to participate in The Big Read from September 2009 through June 2010."
An overview of THE BIG READ featured in the November 15, 2008 issue of Library Journal:
"The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The NEA presents The Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment. Approximately 400 organizations in communities of varying sizes across the country will be selected to participate in The Big Read from September 2009 through June 2010."
An overview of THE BIG READ featured in the November 15, 2008 issue of Library Journal:
- "Big Read, Big ROI: How the one-book program extends the library's most trusted brand" by Beth Dempsey.
Recent THE BIG READ video posted on YouTube:
"Claymation reenactment of the novel the Great Gatsby for Waukesha's BIG READ celebration."
The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education
Posted on YouTube and promoted in Library Hotline, November 24, 2008:
"The Center for Social Media is proud to announce the upcoming release of The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education on November 11, 2009. This code is a step-by-step guide to fair use in an academic setting that enables teachers and students who use popular culture to know when their uses are legal.
The Code of Best Practices was created in collaboration with the Washington College of Laws Program on Information, Justice and Intellectual Property and with our new partner Media Education Lab at Temple University. The Code will be released in hard copy in Philadelphia at the Kirby Auditorium on Tuesday, November 11th ..."
"The Center for Social Media is proud to announce the upcoming release of The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education on November 11, 2009. This code is a step-by-step guide to fair use in an academic setting that enables teachers and students who use popular culture to know when their uses are legal.
The Code of Best Practices was created in collaboration with the Washington College of Laws Program on Information, Justice and Intellectual Property and with our new partner Media Education Lab at Temple University. The Code will be released in hard copy in Philadelphia at the Kirby Auditorium on Tuesday, November 11th ..."
Monday, December 1, 2008
Milne Library Top Ten for Appalachian Trail Hikers
The David & Joyce Milne Library in Williamstown was recently included on a short list of “hiker –friendly” libraries along the Appalachian Trail in the A.T. Journeys bimonthly magazine. The magazine features articles of interest not only to hikers but those that have an appreciation for the nation’s most legendary trail. The only library in the top ten from Massachusetts, shares its “hiker friendly” status with large county libraries in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia and a few of similar size libraries in Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine.
“This was a great acknowledgement; our through hikers have left me notes saying what a great library and friendly staff we have. We always know when the hikers begin coming through – there is definitely something in the air!” states Pat McLeod the Library Director.
~ Pat McLeod, Library Director, David & Joyce Milne Public Library, Williamstown
“This was a great acknowledgement; our through hikers have left me notes saying what a great library and friendly staff we have. We always know when the hikers begin coming through – there is definitely something in the air!” states Pat McLeod the Library Director.
~ Pat McLeod, Library Director, David & Joyce Milne Public Library, Williamstown
