“Cloud computing” seems to be all the rage, but what actually is it? This webinar will explain what cloud computing offers libraries, how libraries are using these services, and what you should consider when thinking about using a cloud service in your library. A distinction between services for end-users and services for organizations will be made, explained, and illustrated as well as the terms used to describe cloud services. Learn how quick and easy it now is to deploy applications “in the cloud” using tools such as Google Docs, Google App Engine, and Amazon’s Web Services, among others. Resources for further exploration will be included.

Presenter:  Roy Tennant, Senior Program Officer in the Research Division of OCLC.

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Presenters David Newyear and Daniel Schwartz will be discussing the the nuts and bolts of serving patrons with gadgets, including policies and procedures for libraries lending e-readers and for patrons using their own readers to access library e-book collections. Hear from a library who has e-reader policies and procedures in place, including how they review and update polices; and from a library who’s recently developed policies and procedures after researching and learning from many other libraries.

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The program has now concluded in Illinois and has been an overwhelming success. The State Library awarded $1,012,050 in Opportunity Online Grant funds provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 109 Illinois library agencies representing 120 library buildings successfully completed all of the requirements for the program.

One of the key components of the program required grantees to raise matching funds equal to or exceeding the partial value of the computers donated. The required match was a useful tool in building local partnerships and practicing advocacy.

Libraries successfully raised $583,778 in matching funds:

• $189,577 from public funds
• $45,298 from foundations or corporations
• $348,903 from fundraising activities and general donations

Participating libraries took part in Turning the Page, an advocacy training program provided by the Public Library Association to build confidence and skills for raising the matching funds.

Using a combination of grant dollars and matching funds, 690 new public access computers were purchased and installed for the benefit of library users in communities across Illinois. These computers, with e-mail and Internet access, are vital tools to help people find jobs, further their education, conduct research and share ideas.

In January, the State Library will submit the final report on behalf of all libraries to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Congratulations to all of the participating libraries! Find a list of the libraries that took part at the WebJunction Illinois website.

As debates rage on about e-books, publishers and privacy, how are libraries approaching policies for managing e-readers? Join us for this webinar focused on the nuts and bolts of serving patrons with gadgets, including policies and procedures for libraries lending e-readers and for patrons using their own readers to access library e-book collections. Hear from a library who has e-reader policies and procedures in place, including how they review and update polices; and from a library who’s recently developed policies and procedures after researching and learning from many other libraries.

Presenters: David Newyear, adult information services manager, Mentor Public Library, Ohio; and Daniel Schwartz, library director, Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, Kerrville, Texas.

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You can find these courses listed under: Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 > Excel for Mac 2011.
The individual courses:

• Excel for Mac 2011: Getting Started
• Excel for Mac 2011: Applying Basic Data Formatting
• Excel for Mac 2011: Navigating the Interface and Viewing Workbooks

Please Note: As of July 1, 2011 you must be signed in to your WebJunction Illinois account to view and use the Course Catalog. If you do not have an account, click on the  Create Account link to get started.

These courses are provided to WebJunction Illinois affiliates free of charge thanks to the Illinois State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

As debates rage on about e-books, publishers and privacy, how are libraries approaching policies for managing e-readers? Join us for this webinar focused on the nuts and bolts of serving patrons with gadgets, including policies and procedures for libraries lending e-readers and for patrons using their own readers to access library e-book collections. Hear from a library who has e-reader policies and procedures in place, including how they review and update polices; and from a library who’s recently developed policies and procedures after researching and learning from many other libraries.

Presenters: David Newyear, adult information services manager, Mentor Public Library, Ohio; and Daniel Schwartz, library director, Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, Kerrville, Texas.

Go to Early Registration>>

As more people rely on the public library for Internet access and training for education, job-seeking, interactions with government, communication and entertainment, the Public Library Funding and Technology Access serves as a source for findings, data, reports, and publications devoted to public libraries and their involvement with and use of the Internet. This content can help libraries, decision makers and policymakers.

The data has been used in:

• U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding the Children’s Internet Protection Act
• U.S. Statistical Abstracts
• MSNBC’s “Libraries Lend a Hand in Tough Times”
• NPR’s “Digital Challenges for U.S. Public Libraries”
• U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services report, “Catalyst for Change: LSTA Grants to States Program Activities and the Transformation of Library Services to the Public”

The Illinois State Library needs to know how you use participatory technology tools, sometimes referred to as Web/Library 2.0 tools. They are interested in your comments to develop possible new continuing education opportunities. Please take a moment to complete this simple eight-question survey by NEXT MONDAY.

It is important that Illinois is represented in this national snapshot on the value of technology and internet access in public libraries. As more people rely on the public library for Internet access and training for education, job-seeking, interactions with government, communication, and entertainment, this survey serves as a data source for reports and publications devoted to public libraries and their involvement with and use of the Internet.

To complete the survey, click here.

The survey is administered by the Center for Library & Information Innovation at the University of Maryland-College Park, and technical assistance is provided by e-mailing jbertot@umd.edu. The study is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the American Library Association.

Please take a moment to complete the simple eight-question survey before October 31.