The free download of the toolbar is available directly at http://librariesvermont.MyLibraryToolbar.com. Choose the Firefox download or the Internet Explorer (for IE 5.0 and up), depending on your internet browser. If you need a free updated browser before downloading the toolbar, try Mozilla’s Firefox browser from http://www.mozilla.com/. Firefox is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X

In addition to the functions that Amy mentioned in her article (direct links to DOL sites like the VALS webmail, the ILL search screen on Web2 & the DOL Continuing Calendar and directed searches of the DOL website, Worldcat and other sites), there are a couple of other functions you may want to check out.

The Feeds button/drop-down pulls in postings from this blog, the DOL Continuing Ed. Calendar, the VLA website.  If there other feeds that you think would be useful, please suggest them and we can add them.  Something that may fall into the category of a function in search of a need is the “Who is online” button.  Clicking on it, brings you to an online chat space where other toolbar users who have also clicked on the button are available for conversation.  I would love your feedback on whether this button might actually be useful or if it just another bright and shiny object that has caught my eye.  Look for “Sheila” in this chat space if you want to try it out. 

Finally, if you have downloaded the toolbar, you may want to verify that it is being updated.  You can update on demand by clicking on the VT Libraries drop-down and the far left of the toolbar. The first item in the dropdown is “Refresh Toolbar” and will bring in any changes that may have been made.  Also, at the bottom of this same drop-down list you will find “Toolbar Options” where you can select the Enable Automatic Updates check-box on the “Additional Settings” tab.

From Gale’s Press release:
“Included in this release are a number of new, key features. Below is a list of some of the most exciting ones:
* Search Alerts with RSS export: Set up instant search alerts and journal alerts, with the added ability to create RSS feeds of InfoTrac content.
* Did You Mean?/Also Try: When a search fails to bring desired results, users are given alternate spellings and preferred search terms to find appropriate results.
* Search Within Results: Dynamically refine search results to pinpoint specific information by adding or excluding more terms to queries.
* Enhanced Limiting: After a search is completed, the left sidebar will be repurposed to provide users with the option of selecting subject terms, subdivisions, article types and publications to allow further limiting of results.
* Enhanced Navigation: Based on feedback, changes have been made to improve the interface navigation, including the creation of document tools (print, email, cite, download, translate) that appear in a visible box on each document.
* Enhanced Tabs: The number of results now will appear on each tab, and color variation will be added to the tabs to signify more content behind the other tabs.
* Enhanced Bookmarks: Direct access to individual documents, searches and collections of documents will be made available through PowerSearch Bookmarks, which are clearly visible, easy to use, and always persistent.
* Improved “How-to-Cite” Functionality: MLA and APA formats for citations will be provided, with accurate elements, correct spacing and formatting.
* Publication Details: More information about each publication will be provided, including embargo periods, publisher address and contact information, and publication descriptions.”

Gale’s Website provides Search Tips, a Fact Sheet or Brochures about the new features.
Gale sent out a helpful PowerPoint demonstrating the new features.
Register for a live, online PowerSearch demonstration.

As I write this text, I am also listening to/viewing the WebJunction Webinar on Core Competencies for Library Staff.  It actually took place on July 25, but there is a recorded version available through a link on this page: http://vt.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=17556

It took a little while to be patient and let the presentation proceed on its own, but now that I have stopped trying to push my way through the navigation, I am sitting back and just letting it run.  Since I can pause the recording, I can still answer my phone or take a break. 

I will definitely be going back for future WJ webinars.  The list of upcoming and archived (recorded) webinars can be found at this URL: http://vt.webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=15543

The other online session that I am now listening to (while also eating lunch) is the recording of last night’s session of “Uncontrolled Vocabulary.”  By its own description it is a “weekly live discussion of news, trends and topics in librarianship.” For more info, visit the website at http://uncontrolledvocabulary.blogspot.com

On this website, you will find a gadget that plays the most recently recorded session, which is probably the simplest way to get a taste of Uncontrolled Vocabulary (the blog also provides instructions about how to listen to the program live).  It is definitely more on the edge than WJ webinars and comes with a definite point of view from the participants.

The reason that I am finding it fun so far is that the participants clearly spend a lot of time keeping up on hot or simply curious topics in librarianship (via the web), so after listening to it I feel a little less out of it in comparison to the apparent movers and shakers of the library world.  Sometimes I get lost when the casual nature of the conversation doesn’t give me enough back-story to follow the conversation, but if I am intrigued by the conversation, the blog has links to the source materials.  It makes for an intriguing path to take in my meanderings in the name of professional awareness.

If any of you out there are keeping up with things by similar means, we would love to hear from you in the comments.  Also, if you are experiencing any barriers in taking advantage of these opportunities or similar online content, we’d be interested in hearing about that.

We will be rolling out the calendaring system as soon as we have put together our workshop schedule for 2007. The system we are using is one that the Connecticut State Library has used successfully for a while, so we hope that we have a good chance to make this a useful resource for VT libraries. The calendar will list DOL events (including CE workshops) and provide online registration capabilities. There is also a reminder and notification function you can use to send yourself email messages reiminding you of upcoming events. It is primarily Mara Siegel’s job to get this calendar up and running.  When she finishes juggling the line-up of workshops, look for an announcement about accessing the new calendar and signing up for 2007 workshops.

The online classroom environment is a DOL-specific set up of WebJunction’s Live Space. Mara Siegel, Amy Howlett, and I have been learning how to navigate in the online classroom. A number of DOL staff will be tyring to get up to speed in the world of “synchronous learning” by participating in “Synchronous Survival School.” Keep an eye out for the upcoming DOL workshops that may involve the use of the online classroom.