Category Archives: Best Practices

Support Patron Learning in Small Spaces with Small Budgets

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In small communities, libraries can often be the only provider of free public access to technology and the internet. And as more people turn to their library to learn technology skills, even the tiniest of libraries are faced with the challenge of providing training to patrons with limited staff, resources, and space. Learn from small and rural libraries who are making training a reality for their patrons, using volunteers, leveraging partnerships and integrating learning into everyday interactions. Whether the technology training you do (or want to do) is one-to-one, on-the-fly or a more formal program, this session will include tips and suggestions for improving the effectiveness of the training you provide. This webinar is hosted in collaboration with TechSoup for Libraries and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries.

Presented by:

Wednesday, June 12, 2013 ♦ 1 pm CST ♦ 60 min ♦ Cost $0
Register today!

Important Delivery Survey

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The Illinois State Library wants your valuable input on the issue of delivery of library materials. Delivery is the bedrock service that unites and enhances statewide resource sharing through ILLINET, the Illinois Library and Information Network. ILLINET is our multi-type network consisting of more than 5,000 system member libraries.

The Illinois State Library has developed an Illinois State Library Delivery Advisory Committee (ISLDAC). The Committee’s charge is to develop recommendations for a uniform, statewide delivery service. Consistency and standardization are critically important to ensure fairness and equity statewide, maximize efficiency and promote effective stewardship of funding. Survey responses will be shared with ISLDAC to help present a clear picture of current delivery practices and the goals and desires of persons who respond to this survey.

All those involved with delivery in a particular library agency (library director, resource sharing staff, and others) are encouraged to work together to complete a survey for your library agency. The survey is accessible via Survey Monkey and should be completed by April 17.

You may print a PDF version of the survey for internal use and discussion. However, please be sure and submit your library agency’s final response using Survey Monkey online.

eReaders and ADA Requirements

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The Sacramento Public Library Authority recently reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Federation of the Blind regarding the use of eReader devices that do not meet ADA requirements.

More information regarding this settlement:

Is your library lending ADA compliant eReaders?  Do you have advice for other librarians?  Join the eBooks & eReaders discussion forum!

Good Practices for Great Outcomes: Cataloging Effeciencies that Make a Difference

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The Online Compute Library Center, in conjunction with DePaul University in Chicago, will host a free workshop at DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus on Tuesday, September 27. 

Good Practices for Great Outcomes: Cataloging Efficiencies that Make a Difference features an outstanding slate of speakers who will discuss the future of cataloging and metadata systems, workflow efficiencies, and opportunities for change. Lunch will be provided by OCLC. For additional information and to register, log on to the OCLC website.

Cataloging Tip

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In the wake of recent OCLC guidelines instructing catalogers to treat larger print books as large print (See fixed field Form of Item, code d guidelines, code d), the Lincoln Trail Libraries System Cataloging Center and Cataloging Maintenance Center recently submitted a sample record to OCLC Quality Control for feedback.  They received the following reply from Cynthia Whitacre, Manager, WorldCat Quality & Partner Content Dept:

“Your record looks terrific.  It’s a great record.  Others could use it as an example, in my opinion. ” –Cynthia

Use this link to get to the MARC display.

Maximize the Potential of Your Public Library

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ICMALearn how public libraries can help local governments tackle critical community priorities such as economic development, public safety, environmental sustainability, cultural diversity, education, and literacy.  This new report and accompanying case studies provide examples and instructive guides on how public libraries in jurisdictions large and small are partnering with local governments and organizations to develop innovative solutions for important strategic community initiatives.   (The ICMA lists this as a best practice for municipalities.)

Stephen Abrams, vice president Innovation, SirsiDynix, says:  “So e-mail this link to your officials.  Put a return receipt on the e-mail so you know they’ve opened it.  Propose to take them to lunch to talk about it.  Print a copy, put a bow on that baby, and drop it off at their offices with a bundt cake or something.  Do whatever you need to do in order to get this into their hands.  This is GOLD for today’s struggling Public Libraries. Spread the word!”

Free Download.

Article reprinted from ILA Newsletter Vol. 4, Issue #6

Upcoming WJ Webinar: Online Patron Training – A Project Review

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The upcoming WebJunction Webinar Online Patron Training: A Project Review is scheduled for Wednesday 3/23/2011 beginning at 2:00 PM Central Time.

Join us for a look at online patron training as we review the results of a year-long grant project that was funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. WebJunction and our partners at the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) worked together to explore online patron training and how this service can be successfully delivered. The project included researching national trends for online patron training, completing a patron needs assessment, and designing and launching an online tutorial at SFPL. You’ll hear the results of the research, how SFPL launched the tutorial and their plans for pursuing and implementing new activities around patron training in the future.

We’re looking forward to sharing the results of this project with the field and how the other libraries can take advantage of the work that was completed under the grant.

Presenters:

  • Kendra Morgan, WebJunction Senior Program Manager
  • Brian Bannon, San Francisco Public Library, Chief Information Officer
  • Jon Worona, San Francisco Public Library, Digitial Initiatives Manager

Register for this webinar by visiting L2.

Upcoming WJ Webinar: 2010 Access to Learning Award

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The upcoming WebJunction Webinar 2010 Access to Learning Award: Veria Central Public Library, Greece is scheduled for Wednesday 2/23/2011 beginning at 12:00 PM Central Time.

Since 2000, the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has recognized the innovative efforts of public libraries and similar institutions outside the United States to connect people to information and opportunities through free access to computers and the Internet. The 2010 Access to Learning Award recipient, the Veria Central Public Library, has emerged as a leader in Greece by offering a range of services and programs for children and adults, and helping other libraries replicate its success. Its creative use of information and technology services meet the economic, educational, and cultural needs of its community. Join us for this webinar with library director, Ioannis Trohopoulos, to hear about Veria Library’s responsive programming, strong community partnerships, and successful services.

Visit L2 to enroll in this free webinar.

Plan to Attend “Serving the 21st Century Patron” – an Online Conference

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With budgets cut and opportunities for continuing education dwindling in Illinois it is important to take advantage of all available avenues to help us continue quality services for the Illinois library patron.

One such opportunity is this WJ free online conference – Serving the 21st Century Patron – taking place on December 1-2, 2010.  Some of the topics covered in the conference include:

  • 21 Ideas for 21st Century Libraries
  • Changing Reference Services to Meet Patron Expectations
  • Morale Issues in your Library
  • Museums, Libraries and 21st Century Skills and
  • Staying Commmitted to Great Customer Service When Your Library is in Chaos

The conference is free of charge and attending from your computer allows you to pick and choose those sessions that you would like to be a part of.  For more information and registration see the conference page on WebJunction Illinois.

If you would like to attend this conference with a learning cohort from your library, you will also want to check out the “Best Practices for Cohorts Attending Online Conferences” in order to maximize your experience.