Categories TTW Ephemera

I just heard from the good folks running the StoryTubes contest: Three energetic and creative fourth grade boys from Downers Grove Public Library in Illinois submitted the very first entry for StoryTubes 2009, the “two-minute-or- less my favorite book” video contest sponsored by public libraries. Using a multitude of actions and sounds including a reference to “America’s Most Wanted,” they recommend “The Toilet Paper Tiger” by Gordon Korman. The first entrant reflects a number of exciting changes for StoryTubes this year.  The video is uploaded to TeacherTube as a video host (it joins YouTube this year) and it is a group entry. Other exciting elements […]

  I recently heard from a colleague that Warner had pulled some Fleetwood Mac videos and it crossed my mind that “Ray of Light” might be found. Nah, I said, there are a billion videos out there. Well, RoL was found and pulled. Some background: RofL was made for SJCPL Staff Day 2003 by my team in Networked Resources Development & Training. We presented about the making of the video and showed it at Computers in Libraries 2004:    “Bob and I went out to CIL to present in the Learning Track on motivating and celebrating staff with technology. We […]

  Jakub Dajc writes: “I want to share a video with you that I made for the SLA Centennial Anniversary Video Contest.” Thanks Jakub!

http://stephenslighthouse.sirsidynix.com/archives/2009/01/aiip_conference.html The Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP) has chosen to honor Stephen Abram this year with the Roger Summit Award. He writes: I am thrilled to be in great company with these past award recipients: 2009 Stephen Abram 2008 James Surowiecki 2007 Peter Morville 2006 Pamela McCorduck 2005 John Schwartz 2004 Tim Andrews 2002 Dr. Clifford Lynch 2001 Dr. Carlos A. Cuadra  2000 Dr. Matthew Koll  1999 Dr. Roger Summit Congrats to Stephen – and thanks for all of your inspiration and view of our ever-changing landscape of users, information and learning!

I’ll be using this example and article in classes. Jessamyn hits the nail on the head: “Well, at least they’re reading..” That line comes from this article in the Journal-Sentinal Online with the fairly typical headline Libraries’ many benefits rediscovered in hard economic times. Good, right? I was enjoying reading about it until I hit these lines… Library directors report circulation spikes for last month of about 10% when compared with December 2007. “Escapism,” was Waukesha library director Jane Ameel’s concise speculation on the re-emergence of libraries’ attraction. “I wish we were giving them David Copperfield, but so much of our business is in […]

  Jeff Dawson, Director of the Lester Public Library writes: I wanted to share the ‘Best of the Best’ winner of the 2008 Wisconsin Library Webbie Awards: http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/mats/webbies/default.asp  Gerard Saylor has used YouTube in a very creative and I think hilarious way – his book reviews and author interviews are excellent! I called Gerard on the phone the second I found his YouTube collection (way before the Webbies) and he is a fine example of a young library director keeping things interesting, not only for his patrons, but perhaps even more important – for himself! Here is the link:http://www.youtube.com/user/LDFargoLibrary  I love the videos […]

You hold community nights for customers to talk to you and go out to where they are and try to hold conversations where it is most convenient for them. From all of this, you try to steer your library on the right course, paying heed to and responding to input. But what are you not hearing? As with any healthy relationship, personal or public, you need to hear what’s not being said. What about the silence? What are people not telling you and why? How do you measure the silence? First, recognize that there are two types of silence, actual […]

LJ highlights some features of the new Darien Library: New  technology, new design RFID for self-check and materials handling is just a tip of the technology infused throughout the building. There are also 21 wireless access points, large LCD flat displays for community information, a ten-foot rear-projection screen for the community room, and a touch-screen tabletop Microsoft Surface computer for the children’s room on the main floor. A “Power Library” in the basement is filled with public access computers and includes a room dedicated to office needs. The teen room nestles right next to the Power Library, in a serious effort, according to Blyberg, to “couple teens […]

As a soon-to-be graduate of Dominican’s GSLIS program and in need and want of a new job, I watch the job lists pretty closely.  My interest was piqued quickly as I came across a posting for a “Creativity Library Manager” at the University of Nebrask at Omaha.  Part of the post reads: This newly created position is responsible for developing and operating a unique, experimental library to support creativity in all fields of endeavor. The successful candidate: will identify and select library materials that inspire new ways of thinking; will assist users with materials and extensive, leading-edge technological resources; will […]