Contributors Michael Stephens

3974 posts

TTW Mailbox: More from Ohio

Patty Fonesca writes: Take a look at what Ohio’s public libraries are doing to garner support since we are facing up to 50% funding cuts: Save Ohio Libraries on Facebook already has over 1,800 members One library did this to draw attention to the issue: http://www.toledolibrary.org/ One library has a countdown clock: http://new-carlisle.lib.oh.us/ Ohio Library Council is recommending the use of social networking sites: http://www.olc.org/SaveOhioLibraries.asp Here at the Champaign County Library, we are using Facebook, our website, emails to patrons, etc.  Also, a patron is setting up a desk here at the library to assist others in learning about what […]

Kamaria visits Italy

Kamaria visits Italy, originally uploaded by teens_libraryloft. The Libraryloft writes: The loft is taking teens on a Virtual Vacation! Teens learned tips and tricks in using Photoshop and transported themselves to exotic locations. Great idea! Hey libraries – how else are you encouraging teen creativity this summer?

Australian Learning 2.0 Surveys Launched

Below is the text of our survey invitation for CAVAL. I wanted to share it here as well. If you are in Australia and would like to take the survey, please see this URL: http://librariesinteract.info/2009/06/24/23-things-learning-2-0-survey-for-australian-library-staff/ I’m excited to see the project moving along. I also can’t believe how soon we’ll be leaving for five weeks Down Under – just three short months. I’m also excited that we’ve already gotten confirmation that we’ll be presenting preliminary results at the 2010 Public Library Association meeting in Portland! Dear Australian library colleagues, You may have seen the announcement earlier this year where I […]

Be Selfish, Promote Service

By Michael Casey & Michael Stephens Now, more than ever we need to deliver our best customer service. No library users should walk away feeling that their questions or needs were not fully addressed. No teen should come to the reference desk only to be met by a sarcastic answer and a hand gesturing them to some distant region of the stacks. No senior should be expected to use our newest technology without being offered a training session. Is this hard in today’s tighter economic times? Absolutely. Time is at a premium, as is money, but right now you need […]

TTW Reading List: Blog Blazers

I spent part of the afternoon today reading through a wonderful book called Blog Blazers: 40 Top Bloggers Share Their Secrets. After writing my dissertation on the motivations of early adopting librarian bloggers, it’s nice to see such a broadly diverse group of well-known bloggers sharing similar thoughts about their writing and what makes a good blog tick. Author Stephane Grenier interviews 40 bloggers – many of whom may be well known to TTW readers including Seth Godin, David Armano and Jessamyn West, all sharing their insights in the book. I’m especially fond of the question Grenier asks many of his […]

Jen Waller wins 21st Century Award at UW iSchool

I won the 21st Century Award, originally uploaded by JenWaller. Congrats to Jennifer Waller – who won the University of Washington iSchool 21st Century Award this weekend! She posted the text of Cadi Russell’s announcement of the award: “Good evening. My name is Cadi Russell-Sauve. I am honored to be here presenting the 21st Century Award on behalf of Masters of Library and Information Science student body. Each year ALISS, the Association of Library and Information Science Students, presents this award to a graduating student who best embodies the future of our profession. MLIS students nominate graduating classmates who demonstrate […]

Pres4Lib Organizers: John, Janie, Amy and Pete

Pres4Lib Organizers: John, Janie, Amy and Pete, originally uploaded by New Jersey State Library. Congrats to the good folks who put together Pres4Lib. I watched a bit from afar and was impressed with the enthusiasm and excitement in person and online participants brought to the day. From the wiki: Pres4Lib2009 Camp IS a presentation camp for library speakers and trainers a series of informal gatherings and lightning talks to share ideas, technologies, and discussions around how to deliver effective presentations an opportunity for presenters and trainers (and those interested in presenting and training) in the library community to network and […]

On Library Job Links – A TTW Guest Post by Kelly Jensen

When Kyle invited comments on how newly minted (and seasoned!) librarians were job hunting, I had to share my story and technique. After graduating in December from my masters program, I had high hopes: well before graduating, I had been lucky enough to have a few phone and in-person interviews. While the experiences were each unique and useful, they didn’t end in a job. As anyone who has been through a search — particularly in a weak economy — can tell you, the emotional weight of the hunt is overwhelming. Each rejection can further breed anger, sadness, and frustration. Instead […]