EZ Library Programs for All Ages

From the Mid-Hudson Library System EZ Library Programs Website:

"The EZ Library Program Directory was created by the Mid-Hudson Library System to help librarians find easy, inexpensive program ideas covering a wide range of topics, activities, costs and ages--from infants to adults.

To look for a program idea, choose Search for a Program and search by one or more of the categories or search by keyword. If you wish to share programs that have been successful in your library, please use the Submit a Program section."

MARLS Coop Extended Through June 2010

Dear MARLS Purchasing Cooperative Libraries:

Some good news! The MARLS Statewide Purchasing Cooperative will remain in effect through June of 2010.

The vendors of library materials and supplies have agreed to continue extending their excellent discounts and services to participating libraries for another year. These discounts help stretch library budgets in these difficult times. Technical services staff at libraries do not need to change their ordering procedures for at least another year.

During FY10, the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System, with assistance from the other Regions, will begin working on a brand new, even more comprehensive, statewide bid to go into effect in July of 2010.

For details on the MARLS program, please visit the Western Region's MARLS website at http://www.wmrls.org/coop/index.html. FYI, we notify participating libraries about any Coop news, clarifications and changed contact information through the statewide "allregions" email distribution list, and also note them in the "Updates" section of the MARLS website.

We hope you continue to enjoy the Cooperative for FY10. It is one of the many benefits of your library's membership in one of the 6 Regional Library Systems.


Thanks, John Ramsay, Regional Administrator, Western Massachusetts Regional Library System

Facebook Social Networking Software ~ An MLA Report

facebook logo

Originally uploaded by AJC1

On Friday, May 8, I attended MLA hoping to learn more about the many uses of Web 2.0 tools and applications; specifically the Facebook social networking site … and the MLA Annual Conference delivered!

Below is a brief summary that highlights my Facebook education by attending 21 Examples of 21st Century Libraries, the Do-It-Yourself Series: Session II, and Social Software and Intellectual Freedom.

The Good:
Facebook is where it’s at! Libraries should have a goal of becoming its users’ Third Place ~ (First Place being Home and Second Place being Work and/or School). Both the library building and its virtual space should be warm, welcoming, and located in a highly accessible place. According to Andy Kazeniac in Social Networks: Facebook Takes Over Top Spot, Twitter Climbs published on February 9, 2009, Facebook had 1,191,373,339 visits in January, 2009 – becoming the Number 1 Social Networking site. A Library Facebook page is most definitely in a highly accessible online "place".

Great for Library PR! A Library Facebook page is a great way to promote library services and programs.

Facebook is easy. While you do have to open a Facebook Account (which I consider The Bad ~ see below). A library Facebook Page is fun and easy to create.

The Bad:

Privacy: Libraries embrace the users right to privacy. When patrons sign up for a library card, they can be confident that their information will not be shared. Can Facebook (and other social network sites) make the same promise? To view a library’s Facebook page, the user is required to register for a Facebook Account. Should the library, by hosting a Facebook page, be endorsing one social networking site over another?

Recommend:

Develop a Library Social Networking Policy ~ Examples (though a little dated) can be found on the website, What I Learned Today … Social Software Policies.

Sincerely, Janet Eckert, WMRLS