Many small and medium-sized libraries would like to offer their patrons access to audio books for their iPhones, MP3 players and other devices, but cannot afford it. iCONN’s statewide collaborative now makes it possible for libraries to help make audio books available at a discounted rate. The statewide shared collection is open for contributions from libraries now. Here’s how it works:

Title Selection
iCONN’s digital audio book vendor, Ingram Library Services (ILS), sends out a weekly title list spreadsheet. ILS currently offers more than 8,000 titles, and the number increases monthly. Participating libraries will select titles of their choosing from any of these lists and send them to ILS for purchase.

Cost, Billing, Payment and Shipment
Currently the average cost of an ILS title is approximately $32.00. Libraries will be billed by ILS for the titles they select, and the titles will be added to the iCONN downloadable audio book web site for access by all. Titles selected by libraries for the statewide shared collection before June 30, 2010 are subject to an early adopter discount of 25%. Titles purchases after June 30, 2010 will be subject to a 3% discount. The amount of the discount may be greater depending upon the volume of combined purchases. Libraries will pay ILS directly for titles they purchase for the shared collection. ILS will notify the purchasing library and iCONN when a title the library has purchased for the shared collection has been added.

Access
Anyone anywhere can browse and search iCONN’s downloadable audio books collection from the web site at http://connstatelib.myilibraryaudio.com/. To checkout or place holds on titles requires users to access their iCONN downloadable audio books accounts by logging in with their Connecticut public library card number. This authentication system is maintained for iCONN by a cooperative arrangement between iCONN’s portal vendor Auto-Graphics and ILS.

Statistical Reports
iCONN generates a monthly statistical report that includes the number of checkouts and holds for each audio book title. The report also includes checkouts by users’ 5-digit library card number prefixes, so libraries can tell how many circulations are by their users, without knowing which specific user made the transaction. These reports are posted to the iCONN web site.

Maintenance
ILS charges an annual maintenance fee for every library that enters into an individual license with them. The fee includes setup and operation of a website for that library, the addition of new titles purchased by the library to the collection, and access for the library’s users. iCONN will continue to pay the maintenance fee for the statewide collaborative site, so participating libraries do not have to.

Technical Support & Troubleshooting
iCONN encourages libraries to act as the front line for user questions. Those questions that library staff cannot answer can be referred to iCONN. Technical issues can be reported to iCONN or directly to ILS.

Training
The State Library offers computer training courses regularly, and webinars and classes in iCONN’s downloadable audio books are included. Webinars can be scheduled upon request in a one-to-one or one-to-many format.

MARC Records
MARC records for titles in iCONN’s shared collection of downloadable audio books appear in reQuest, iCONN’s statewide catalog. Libraries that have accounts with reQuest can download the records to their own systems, either one at a time or in batches.

Pluses for Libraries

• Titles are selected by libraries, subject to a discount
• The annual maintenance fee is born by the State Library
• User authentication is sustained by iCONN
• Troubleshooting and technical support are by ILS by way of iCONN
• Training for librarians is provided by iCONN and ILS
• MARC records are available at no charge to libraries

For more detailed information, see the links below:

Ordering Process & Discount Information
http://www.iconn.org/staff/OrderingAndDiscount.aspx

New Account Setup Form
http://www.iconn.org/staff/documents/NewBillingAccountPL.pdf

Title List for Ordering
http://www.iconn.org/staff/documents/master_title_list_4-19-10.xls

Posters & Bookmarks
http://www.iconn.org/staff/documents/iConn_MyiLibraryAudio_4-10.pdf

I am happy to answer questions about this. Feel free to call me at 860-704-2224 or 888-256-1222 toll-free (in Connecticut), or send e-mail to me at ehansen@cslib.org.

Join guest presenters from Seattle and British Colombia as they share their experiences and expertise with the Global Reading Challenge/Reading Link Challenge, a program that encourages team building, reading for retention, and cooperation between school and public libraries. Using a quiz bowl format, the program has challenged teams of young readers across the country for over a decade. The presenters will demonstrate how the program can fit into your library’s programming, regardless of size or budget, and how it can be done in one building, between public libraries and public schools, or across state or international borders. The program emphasizes books that reflect a diversity of backgrounds, and encourages 4th and 5th grade students of all reading abilities to engage in the “sport” of reading.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Fee: Free     Online

For additional details and registration information visit the Connecticut State Library Calendar of Events

The site covers consumer health topics (substance abuse, high blood pressure, etc) and specifically addresses the diseases and illnesses that disproportionately impact people of color.

It looks a lot like the new NIH Senior Health site.

And both are topically driven, whereas iCONN’s Health & Science resources section provides much deeper information in a searchable interface. iCONN resources include the Health & Wellness Resource Center, the Science Reference Center, MedlinePlus, 2-1-1 Community Resources Directory, CT Consumer Health Information, and the Connecticut Physician Profiles.

Simple Ways Libraries Can Help Promote the Use of iCONN.

* Place iCONN tent cards in and around all public computers, reference desk and circulation desk.
* Hang iCONN posters in visible locations throughout the library.
* Place iCONN bookmarks in readily accessible locations.
* Include information about iCONN in the packet of materials for new patrons.
* Place iCONN logo and link on home page.
* Include iCONN search box on website.
* Include information about iCONN in your library newsletter or in a townwide newsletter. Focus on a particular area, e.g., business information, genealogy, in successive issues.
* Mention iCONN in your blog.
* Create an online survey asking feedback about your library’s website, including use of online databases. (Benefit may be to encourage people to start asking questions about iCONN).
* Set up a display with information about iCONN. Some libraries have dedicated unused study carrels and included bookmarks, fact sheets, etc. Other libraries have dedicated a monthly display to iCONN.
* Include iCONN segment in Internet training classes.
* Offer individualized iCONN training on an appointment basis.
* Include overview of iCONN and search statistics in your annual report.
* Highlight a success story – how iCONN helped with a research project.
* Subscribe to the iCONN list to get the latest updates on iCONN.
* Encourage all staff to participate in ongoing iCONN training opportunities.
* Connect with local historical societies and provide them with information about HeritageQuest.
* Connect with local business associations and provide them with information about Business and Company Resource Center.
If your are a school library:
* Put together a new teacher packet with information about the library and iCONN and distribute at the beginning of the school year.
* Connect with teachers to educate them about iCONN and the difference between using sources from the Internet versus reliable information from iCONN.

Here are the direct links to:
The Wall Street Journal – http://rqst-agent.auto-graphics.com/LoginModule/Goto.aspx?cuid=rqst&dataid=191
and the
Business & Company Resource Center – http://rqst-agent.auto-graphics.com/LoginModule/Goto.aspx?cuid=rqst&dataid=37

Check out the iCONN website for a complete list of direct links to the other databases.

The search box is programmed to search any of the resources licensed to public libraries, and to perform the appropriate authentication check to ensure that only authorized users can access the resources. When used from home, the familiar iCONN barcode login screen will appear after entering a search.

We hope that you find this a useful addition to your web site, and please send us your comments. Also, if you encounter any problems with using it, please let us know asap.

Thanks.
William Sullivan, Administrator
iCONN
wsullivan@cslib.org
p: 860-704-2230 or 888-256-1222 (toll-free in CT)

Join Gale’s Biography Resource Center & Biography and Genealogy Master Index Product Manager Leigh Ann Cusack for a demonstration of these new iCONN databases online on August 15th and 16th.

Biography Resource Center is a comprehensive biographical reference database, designed to meet the needs of public, academic, special and school libraries throughout the world. The information contained within Biography Resource Center is perfect for a multitude of subject areas including: science, multicultural studies, business, politics, government, history, entertainment, sports, the arts, and literature. Biography Resource Center combines more than 435,000 biographies drawn from more than 135 Gale biographical reference sources with nearly 300 full-text periodicals, as well as images, links to websites, and Recent Update news briefs.
Navigation Guide: http://www.galegroup.com/pdf/navguide/biorc_nvg.pdf

Biography Resource Center includes:
Narrative biographies
Thumbnail biographies
Full-text magazine articles
Websites
Research guide
Spotlight On

Biography and Genealogy Master Index is the best place to begin your search for biographical material on people from all time periods, geographic locations and fields of endeavor. From authors to scientists, from sport figures to fashion designers, from Adam and Eve to Frank Zappa, this comprehensive database includes more than 15 million citations covering nearly 5 million people and points to 1000+ publications where their biographies can be found. Biography and Genealogy Master Index contains names, birth/death years, bibliographical references to books containing material and an indication of which books or articles include a portrait.
Navigation Guide: http://www.gale.com/pdf/navguide/bgmi_nvg.pdf

You may register for these workshops on the State Library Continuing Education Calendar on WebJunction Connecticut.

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iCONN is pleased to announce that it will be providing Gale’s Biography Resource Center and Biography and Genealogy Master Index beginning August 1, 2007 – for all Public and School Libraries.   

These resources will replace iCONN’s subscription to Wilson’s Biography Illustrated Plus.

The iCONN Database Committee which has representatives from public, school (K12) and academic librarians,  evaluated these resources and highly recommended this change.   The Gale interface was considered to be superior for its ease of use and the reference content was evaluated as being highly desirable for biographical research needs. 

For more information about these resources:

    Biography Resource Center     Click Here

    Biography and Genealogy Master Index   Click Here

You may not be aware that the Biography Resource Center includes all of the online Contemporary Authors.  All the online literary entries may be found in the larger database. 

If you currently subscribe to any of these Gale databases: 

It is Gale’s credit policy that, as of contract date,  they automatically cancel any outstanding subscriptions to the database selected by iCONN and issue a pro-rated credit to the institution. Contact your Gale sales representative about this credit.

Watch for emails containing important information that will be sent before the transition date, August 1st.  

best regards,
Lorri Huddy

Here’s a very timely opportunity — sign up today for a webinar from Gale about this newest iCONN database!
Sign up for one of these upcoming Biography Resource Center Webinars:

Thursday July 12, 2007, 11:00 a.m. EST
Tuesday July 24, 2007, 2:00 p.m. EST
Thursday, August 9, 2007, 11:00 a.m. EST
Tuesday August 21, 2007, 2:00 p.m. EST
Thursday, September 13, 2007, 11:00 a.m. EST
Tuesday, September 25, 2007, 2:00 p.m. EST