Library Value

Awards, Library Value

What’s your public library’s story? Share it now!

February 16th, 2012 | Permalink | Comment?

TechSoup invites your public library to participate in their 2012 TechSoup Digital Storytelling Challenge! They’re in the midst of an exciting challenge with learning opportunities and a chance to submit your one-minute video or five-photo slideshow to win excellent award donations (READ: PRIZES) from their partners.How to get involved this year

Submit a one-minute video or five-photo slideshow to win prizes
Register for our upcoming free webinar on post-production (2/16) with David J. Neff of Lights. Camera. Help.
Join us for a tweet chat (2/14) about social sharing to learn how to get your video in front of the eyeballs that matter most to your org
Encourage everyone you know to participate! Spread the word: www.tsdigs.org
Subscribe to our Google group to stay up to date on all of these exciting happenings

Remember that video is the content people are spending the most time with online these days, and digital stories are a powerful way to share the passion and hard work your organization has for its mission! The video is yours to keep and use after the challenge is over.

Questions? Ask your friends at TechSoup - community@techsoupglobal.org

Digital Divide, Digital Literacy, Library Value
Minding the Gap: Bridging the Digital Divide in MN
October 12th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?

Today the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) is in sync with the federal universe. The Federal Communications Commission Chair held a live meeting today to promote a new initative on digital literacy, broadband and workforce support. To see the library-related quotes, see today’s Librarian by Day blog entry.

Today there is an MLA Program on digital literacy and efforts to bridge the digital divide in MInnesota. We are in sync with the universe!

Here are some of the handouts and presentation for “Minding the Gap: Bridging the Digital Divide in Minnesota.”

Minding the Gap: Bridging the Digital Divide in Minnesota (Prezi Presentation)

Public Libraries & Digital Literacy (Information Policy & Access Center, University of Maryland) (4-page Issue Brief)

Maps of Minnesota’s 360 Public Library Locations (Minnesota Department of Education)

Technology Literacy Collaborative (TLC) brochure

Digital Inclusion Efforts in Minnesota (Mary Ann Van Cura, Minnesota State Library Services) (9-page annotated bibliography of organizations and efforts)

Digitalliteracy.gov – new, federal curriculum repository
Library Value, Public Libraries, Research
2-page graphic summary of library value
May 14th, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

So far this is one of my favorite handouts on the value of libraries to our communities. This is easy to look at and conveys unexpected information, gathered from reputable reseach. Share with staff, trustees, decision-makers, the community!

How Libraries Stack Up: 2010 (April 2010)

If you want to make a powerpoint presentation, two templates are available for your use. See Downloads column on right side of page. No need to register.

For more information, see: http://www.oclc.org/reports/stackup/
Legal, Library Value, MN Libraries in the News, Public Libraries, Reference, Tough Economic Times
County Law Libraries Assist With Do-It-Yourself Legal Work
April 20th, 2010 | Permalink | 1 Comment

In tough times, people try to do quite a few things for themselves, including legal work. The services provided by open-to-the-public, county law libraries are profiled in a great article in today’s Star Tribune.

The new legal aid: Do it yourself
Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/20/10
In bad economic times, public law libraries boom with visitors needing legal advice. Do-it-yourself legal work has become the way, from bankruptcy filings to fighting an eviction.

Librarians referenced or quoted:
Susan Larson, Minnesota State Law Library, which coordinates county law library service
Sara Galligan, Ramsey County Law Library (MN)
Gene Myers, Anoka County Law Library (MN)
Judy Meadows, Montana State Library

If you are looking for a county law library near you, check out the Minnesota County Law Library Directory. If you are asked to assist patrons with legal questions and could use some direction, take a look at Legal Reference and “Do It Yourself” Resources (Guest Blogger, Sara Galligan).
Public Libraries, Tough Economic Times
Pioneer Press posts two-part endangered library series
April 19th, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

Yesterday the Pioneer Press started a two-part series on endangered libraries, and today it posted the second part.

4/18/10: To balance books, libraries close, take new forms: Libraries are in a funding crisis at the very moment that demand for their services is surging. The combination could force some small community libraries to close.

4/19/10: Lake Elmo library supporters consider mutiny in the county: If library is downsized, city might withdraw from system

Bob Shaw, bshaw@pioneerpress.com, is the series author.
Library Value, Public Libraries, Recession, Tough Economic Times
MPR: Librarian’s job description expands to help unemployed
April 12th, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

Last week I shared the announcement that public radio was requesting public input on changes at public libraries since the recession, and was developing a news story for National Library Week. The story came out this morning, and is available as text and audio: Librarian’s Job Description Expands to Help Unemployed (Minnesota Public Radio, 4/12/2010)

The article quotes Jennifer Nelson, who does strategic planning for the Hennepin County Library system, Kim Poole, a librarian at Hennepin County’s Southdale Library in Edina, and Chrystie Hill, Community Services director for WebJunction (Central). The story highlights these services: assisting job seekers with online applications and social work concerns, teaching computer skills since job applications are now online, and providing internet access and a place to work.

After reading or listening to the story, consider sharing your thoughts with Minnesota Public Radio via “Help us cover this story”: “Tell Minnesota Public Radio News why this story or subject resonates with you, and where we should go from here. We also welcome corrections, news tips, resource recommendations, and story suggestions on other topics. The information will stay within the MPR newsroom and may be used to follow up on this story or investigate other subjects.”

Getting the word out about the current extent of the work of libraries is so important as our communities face tough economic times. Would welcome your comments!
Library Value, Public Libraries, Recession, Tough Economic Times
Public radio solicits public input on changes at public libraries
April 6th, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

Library staff and the public are invited to share their experiences and insights with Marketplace, a public radio program, for an upcoming National Library Week segment on the use of public libraries since the recession. To provide input, visit Does your library double as a job center? or click here: http://tinyurl.com/ye2ldt7.
Library Value, Public Libraries
How the Public Library Can Save You Money (Woman’s Day, 3/1/2010)
February 23rd, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

You see a lot of funny things when you go online. Today is 2/23/2010, yet the article below is from the 3/1/2010 issue of Woman’s Day, posted online 2/1/2010. (Serials staff won’t find this amazing. They’re used to dealing with details that don’t fully align in the world of print + online + online updates. But I digress…..)

Stories are so powerful that Woman’s Day and the American Library Association offer an annual essay contest on the value of public libraries. The four essays by this year’s winners are now available. See what you think, and consider collecting stories about the value of your library from your library’s end users. Everyone, especially funders and decision-makers, loves a good story.

And, thanks to Jim Weikum, Arrowhead Library System for sharing this year’s article!
Grants, Public Access Computing, Recession, Technology
Broadband Stimulus: Demonstrating libraries’ economic impact in BTOP apps
August 5th, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

Sitting in a conference for library staff, I’m taking a moment to list here the great stuff ALA released today on broadband stimulus. The Washington Office released another practical paper for those who are making a BTOP application. Don’t miss: ALA Washington Office releases guidance on demonstrating libraries’ economic impact in BTOP applications (District Dispatch, 8/5/2009)

To learn about Federal Communications Commission (FCC) efforts and how libraries might influence national directions, view these links.

ALA: FCC should consider role, benefits of libraries in National Broadband Plan (District Dispatch, 8/5/2009)

FCC Hosts 18 Summer Blockbuster Broadband Hearings

Participate live or online in the planned FCC broadband workshops. View the schedule.
Grants, Public Access Computing, Public Training, Recession, Technology
Broadband Stimulus: ALA note for serious applicants
July 30th, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

Yesterday ALA released a 7-page paper, “targeted to members of the library community who have a serious interest in applying to the Public Computer Center (PCC) funding category of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).”

The paper, “A Note On The Public Computer Center Funding Category and Library Proposals”, is available via this District Dispatch entry, ALA Washington Office releases paper on public computer center BTOP funding, library proposals.

I see the District Dispatch just provided a reminder about deadlines and resources, Broadband stimulus funding application deadline drawing near.

ALA’s Washington Office is doing a great job of providing info on a complicated grant.

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Library Value

Awards, Library Value

What’s your public library’s story? Share it now!

Digital Divide, Digital Literacy, Library Value

Minding the Gap: Bridging the Digital Divide in MN

Library Value, Public Libraries, Research

2-page graphic summary of library value

Legal, Library Value, MN Libraries in the News, Public Libraries, Reference, Tough Economic Times

County Law Libraries Assist With Do-It-Yourself Legal Work

Public Libraries, Tough Economic Times

Pioneer Press posts two-part endangered library series

Library Value, Public Libraries, Recession, Tough Economic Times

MPR: Librarian’s job description expands to help unemployed

Library Value, Public Libraries, Recession, Tough Economic Times

Public radio solicits public input on changes at public libraries

Library Value, Public Libraries

How the Public Library Can Save You Money (Woman’s Day, 3/1/2010)

Grants, Public Access Computing, Recession, Technology

Broadband Stimulus: Demonstrating libraries’ economic impact in BTOP apps

Grants, Public Access Computing, Public Training, Recession, Technology

Broadband Stimulus: ALA note for serious applicants